Adding New Geometry
It is often useful as you work with a constrained part to be able to add or delete geometry. Many parametric design systems do not allow this, but Parametric Design handles this situation easily. In the final section of this example, we'll add a new feature to our triangular plate to illustrate how new geometry is integrated into a constrained part.
First, let's modify the triangular plate by adding a small "lip" to the outside edge. Use the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Equidist command to create a contour that is 2.5 mm inside the edge of the plate. Dimension the width of this new lip as shown in the following figure.
Figure 262. New Geometry on Demopart01
To incorporate this new feature into the Parametric Design constraint system, you only need to click the Complete radio button in Current Constraints again. Clicking this button generates the additional constraints needed for the new geometry. Subsequent Solve commands will recognize the new feature:
1. After adding the new geometry, click the Complete radio button in Current Constraints.
2. In Current Constraints, click the Show radio button, then select New from the Act On list and All Types from the Type list. Then click Apply to see how the new geometry was constrained.
3. In some cases, the addition of new geometry adds information to the part that causes existing constraints to become unnecessary. Complete will tell you if it finds unused constraints. If applicable, display these constraints with Show, Unused, All Types and Free them if you wish.
4. Change the value of the base dimension to 48.
5. Use No Keep in Solve to generate the variation. Note that the new lip adjusts along with the rest of the part.