Creating SmartParts

Module(s): SmartParts

You can use the Create SmartPart tool to create a new SmartPart. The components (parameters, scripts) of the last SmartPart you created are set by default.

To create a new SmartPart

1. Click Create SmartPart (How).
   

   Activate Create SmartPart in one of the following ways

   • Menu bar: Tools, Customize – Additional tools with icon category

   The SmartPart Editor dialog box opens, and the settings (parameters and scripts) of the SmartPart you edited last are displayed.

2. Click Reset to delete the parameters and scripts. You can define default settings for a new SmartPart in the New SmartPart dialog box.

   There are still at least three parameters:

   • REF_X,
   • REF_Y,
   • REF_Z

     These parameters are system parameters, which you can find in every SmartPart. They define the dimensions of the reference box in the individual directions (X,Y,Z).

3. Enter a meaningful name for the SmartPart.
4. Specify new parameters to describe the SmartPart's properties.
   To do this, open the Parameters tab and click Add Parameter to add a new parameter ("param1", for example).

   You can use this parameter in one of the scripts by entering its name (instead of a number): BOX param1, 1,1, for example.

5. Enter more commands into the appropriate script to create the complete geometry of the SmartPart.
6. Check the script by clicking Check / Format Script.

   Any errors are displayed in the Help and messages area at the bottom of the dialog box.

   While checking the script text, the program also formats it again, which means that blanks are inserted and command blocks are indented.

7. Test the script by clicking Run Script.

   The script is run, and you can see the result in the Preview. Any errors are displayed in the Help and messages area at the bottom of the dialog box. This area also provides help on the current command while you are entering the script text.

8. Click OK to apply the changes.

   The SmartPart is attached to the crosshairs.

9. Click in the workspace to place the SmartPart.
   A number of tools is provided in the Input Options to help you do this.

   You can use the palette of the handles to change the properties of SmartParts. If the format properties are not defined in the SmartPart itself, the settings on the Format toolbar are used.

10. Press ESC to finish.