2009

■ Use the Predictive Offset and Orientation button with Mate, Flush, and
Angle constraints. When turned on, it gives the offset value for the current
location for the selections you are constraining. It also changes the
orientation to a flush constraint if you have it set to mate, then pick two
faces with the vectors pointing in the same direction, and visa versa.
The dialog box remains open as you place constraints, so you can place
multiple constraints of all types.
In the following workflow, the Constraint tool on the Assembly toolbar is
used to place a tangent constraint between assembly components. A tangent
constraint positions faces, planes, cylinders, spheres, cones, and ruled splines
tangent to one another.
Workflow overview: Place a tangent constraint in an assembly
1 To begin, place the components to constrain in an assembly file.
2 On the Assembly panel, click the Constraint tool.
3 On the Place Constraint dialog box, Assembly tab, in Type, click the
Tangent button.
4 The First Selection button is already active. Select a face, curve, or plane
for your first selection.
5 The Second Selection button is activated after you pick the first selection.
Select the geometry that will be tangent to the first.
6 If applicable, select Inside or Outside to specify the tangency position.
7 Enter an offset value, if applicable.
8 If Show Preview is selected, observe the effects of the applied constraint.
If either component is adaptive, constraints are not previewed.
9 Click Apply to continue to place constraints or click OK to create the
constraint and close the dialog box.
NOTE Availability of objects for selection differs, depending upon the particular
constraint tool you select in the Place Constraint dialog box.
If other components obscure the required geometry, do one of the following:
■ Temporarily turn off the visibility of the foreground objects before you
place a constraint.
Place Constraints | 147