Constructing views

00:06

Let's export component views from a source drawing to create a new drawing file.

00:11

Then quickly construct an additional projected view in the drawing, leveraging the existing views.

00:17

Then we can update that new drawing and see the changes reflected in the source file.

00:23

XREFs and construction lines have been in basic AutoCAD for years and have saved users countless hours by making it easier to generate drawings,

00:32

and to make sure the components that were used in multiple designs can be reflected in them and kept up-to-date simultaneously.

00:40

The way AutoCAD Mechanical approaches the component concept adds another level of capability to the concept of Cross Referencing.

00:49

With the drawing already organized in a series of components,

00:53

we’re able to take a component directly from the mechanical browser and choose to export its views to a new file.

01:05

Opening this new drawing, I'll reposition the view and make sure that everything is lined.

01:20

Then I can use the Projection tool, turning it on and setting a base point or an Orthographic projection.

01:31

With the projection set in place, any construction lines added to the drawing automatically bend around the projection plane,

01:38

to make it very easy to start constructing this new front view.

01:47

We can use Contour Tracing tools that will work with the construction lines to create the geometry for this view.

01:59

Cleaning up the drawing is simple using the height situation.

02:05

And then use the Power View to project one of the holes into that new drawing view,

02:10

without having to create any geometry or even having to create construction lines.

02:15

The added bonuses if that hole were to change size, that it would be updated in all of the views that it's projected into.

02:25

Now to show that referencing is still working, I'll add a tapped hole to the drawing initially just at the top level.

02:37

But I can drag that hole under the cover top view to make sure it's associated properly.

02:45

Then go back to the original assembly drawing where AutoCAD will notify me that there's been a change to the reference and update the drawing.