Using Datum Targets in a View When Datum Is Inaccessible

When I couldn’t apply a datum target in a view that didn’t show any datums, I applied the datum to a dimension in the view where I wanted the datum targets to be visible. I then added the datum targets to that view, and changed the datum back to the original view. Here’s how it works.

When my former company decided to consolidate standard mapkeys in one area, we found we had quite a few to deal with—such as printing to each company printer, inserting various sized formats, ISO tolerance blocks, BOM tables, and so on. Putting the mapkeys in the icon area would take up too much precious model space, even if we made custom buttons for each. The answer was to create a custom menu drop-down listing with cascading menus, using the config.win. Here’s how to do it.

1. Datum targets can’t be applied to the top view because Datum A isn’t accessible.

2. Pick Modify, Datum/Axis. Select Datum A, select In Dim, pick 2.00 dim.

3. Pick Create, Geom Tol, Make Target. Select Datum A, Select Points, Apply Datum Targets.

4. Pick Modify, Datum/Axis. Select Datum A, select Free, OK. Datum A returns to original views.

Normand Roy is a designer at Mueller Group, Inc., a leadinsg manufacturer of products for the water, gas, HVAC, and plumbing markets. He can be reached by email at njroy@muellerdev.com.