Working with parametric for small ajustement?

[nka]

I’m trying to figure out the best way to work with parametrics in Atom like I used to in Fusion 360, so I can make small adjustments (like 0.5mm after test fit). In Fusion, I’d create a circle, offset it to form a “ring,” and build from there. If I wanted the ring thicker, I’d just change the offset; if I needed the hole bigger or smaller, I’d adjust the original circle and everything would update. It’s not working the same way in Alibre, so I’m pretty sure I just don’t have the right approach, and I’m hoping to find out how to do it.

What’s the best way to design something like this (it’s a circle, but I’m only showing the cut section) so I can adjust it to fit without having to redesign the entire piece each time? This attempt was made using a Revolution, but I end up redoing the whole shape whenever I need to move a part by just a couple of millimeters.

Thanks a lot !

 

[DavidJ]

The offset command in Alibre 2D sketch is not parametric unless you add dimension(s) to make it so. For simple stuff like circles, just sketch 2 circles and dimension (you can dimension the gap between if desired).

Depending upon which level of Alibre software you have, you can use thin extrudes instead of sketch offsets. These can be edited later.

 

[Ex Machina]

I’m trying to figure out the best way to work with parametrics in Atom like I used to in Fusion 360, so I can make small adjustments (like 0.5mm after test fit). In Fusion, I’d create a circle, offset it to form a “ring,” and build from there. If I wanted the ring thicker, I’d just change the offset; if I needed the hole bigger or smaller, I’d adjust the original circle and everything would update. It’s not working the same way in Alibre, so I’m pretty sure I just don’t have the right approach, and I’m hoping to find out how to do it.

What’s the best way to design something like this (it’s a circle, but I’m only showing the cut section) so I can adjust it to fit without having to redesign the entire piece each time? This attempt was made using a Revolution, but I end up redoing the whole shape whenever I need to move a part by just a couple of millimeters.

Thanks a lot !

View attachment 46928

The very speccific workfflow you're describing can be recreated in Alibre by simply making a second circle in Alibre and dimensioning between the 2 circles. Start a dimension, click on one circle, then click on the other one. The dimension you'll get is the difference in radius between the 2. Exactly like offsetting it.

 

[ndavidson85]

The very speccific workfflow you're describing can be recreated in Alibre by simply making a second circle in Alibre and dimensioning between the 2 circles. Start a dimension, click on one circle, then click on the other one. The dimension you'll get is the difference in radius between the 2. Exactly like offsetting it.

Random passserby... Ex what do you mean "Start a dimension, click on one circle, then click on the other one. The dimension you'll get is the difference in radius between the 2. ".

I would need to use a perpendicular line between the circles and use the line's midpoint. Your way sounds easier but I don't understand what you are clicking on. Maybe I'm not understanding at what step in the process.

 

[Ex Machina]

How do you dimension a circle? You hit D, or whatever hotkey you have assigned to the dimension. If you click on the first circle, you get a Diameter dimension. If then you click in open space, you place that diameter dimension where you clicked.

But if you click on the second circle, the diameter dimension switches automatically into a linear dimension and a reference line is created and dimensioned. And that gives you the distance between the 2 circles. Which is the difference of their radii.

Let me know if you still didn't get this and I'll make a quick video about it. Maybe a YT Short or something