Novice here, although I've been designing in 2D for 40 years. I have the Alibre Atom and I am shocked at how much I can draw with the lowest level of the program. I hit the wall a week or so ago at having to put a countersunk hole in a (slightly) conical surface. The part is a 1 1/4" diameter disc with four concentric holes in which 4 flat head screws are used to hold the cap onto the main part. The cap surface is conical as I said (about 5 degrees) and I easily was able to put the 4 holes in for the screws but the 82° c'sink was a challenge for two reasons: 1st was to get the 82° and then to get the right depth to suit the screw head. I saw on the higher dollar version that holes can be called up with threads, counterbores (not sure about countersinks) and such but not so at the Atom level....you pays your money, you gets your choice, understandable but...what do do? So.....I kinda figured out that if I used the fillet tool and called up the half-angle of 41° I could mess around and get a countersunk hole pictorially represented sorta.....but the depth was a challenge (read near impossible) mainly because I don't know how to take distance measurements for 3D object lines. As I said, fun and games....but I'm learning. Of course, if anyone knows how to do this please enlighten me. If I can measure the diameter of the outer edge of the countersink I'm happy. Importing step files from McMaster Carr for screws is a BIG help...if you've never tried it..do!
Thanks all, its been fun
Thanks all, its been fun