Reordering Constraints in the Specification Tree

This task shows you how to modify the location of assembly constraints in the specification tree to classify them the way you want. The application lets you reorder constraints but also gather them in sets.
You can perform these operations within the Constraints node:
  • You can move all types of constraints. What is more, the application does not take their status into account: if they are deactivated or even broken, you can relocate them.
  • Whatever operation you perform for modifying their locations in the tree, it never affects the geometry of your assembly.
  • You cannot create a set of constraints in a flexible assembly. If you make a rigid sub-assembly as flexible, set of constraints are removed.
Open the AnalyzingAssembly02.CATProduct document.
 

Reordering Constraints

  1. Select Coincidence.4 as the constraint to be moved and right-click the Coincidence.4 object> Reorder constraints contextual command.
 
 

  1. Select Coincidence.10 as the constraint below which Coincidence.4 is to be located.
 

Coincidence.4 has been moved.
 
 

Gathering Constraints in a Set
 

  1. To group Surface contact.5 and Surface contact.6 constraints, multi-select them and use the Selected objects > Group in new set contextual command.
 

The application has created Set.1 containing both surface constraints.
 

  1. Select Set.1 and right-click to use the Properties contextual command.
 

  1. In the Properties dialog box that appears, rename Set.1 as Surface Contact Constraints in the Feature Name field of the Feature Properties tab.
 

  1. Expand this node.
 

You must obtain this:
 
 

Creating a Set Before Gathering Constraints
 

  1. Select the node Constraints and right-click to use the Constraints object>Add Set contextual command.
 

A new set, Set.2, appears in the tree, at the same level as 'Surface Contact Constraints' set. It has been created at the first level of the Constraints node.
 
 

  1. Multi-select Coincidence.7, Coincidence.10 and Coincidence.4 and right-click to use the Selected objects > Reorder constraints contextual commands.
 

  1. Select Set.2 as the new location for these constraints.
 

  1. Expand the new node to check that Set.2 contains the three constraints:
 
 

Handling Sets
 

  1. Right-click Set.2 and select Set.2 object to display the contextual menu available for this node.
 

The following contextual commands are available:

  • Add set: creates a set at the level below (in our example, Set.3 would be created below Set.2).

  • Remove set: deletes the set, not the constraints it contained.

  • Group in new set: locates the selected set within a new set.

  • Move Set after: moves the set after the set you select.

  • Move Set inside: moves the set within the set you select.
The constraints are visible in the 3D view when they are in Show mode in the specification tree. For the constraints in the Hide mode, visualization is hidden. If the main constraint node is hidden then all the nodes appearing under it are hidden. In this case, if you create a new constraint then it is in Show mode by default unless the mode is changed to Hide.