Calypso - Exploring Reporting Simple, 2D, and 3D Distance

May 11

Point-Reducible Features

First, we must discuss point-reducible features. These are features that can be reduced to a point. A circle, sphere, and torus have a center point. You can also construct points such and the intersection or a cylinder or cone to a plane. These are all point-reducible features and may be used in these distances.

Simple Distance

Located in the Size/ Distance menu, Simple Distance gives the programmer the ability to report the distance of two point-reducible features along an alignment. It is important to understand that simple distance requires an alignment. The alignment selected will determine the orientation, planar rotation , etc…

**Tooling Ball Part**

Let’s explore Distances based on this part

Shown below is the dialog box showing each reporting option available.

**Simple Distance**

Shown are all the reporting options available

Let’s explore the selections in more depth.

**X, Y, R check boxes**

X = Distance along X axis
Y = Distance along Y axis
R = Radial distance

What if the point-reducible features are at different heights?

**X, Y, 3D check boxes**

X = Distance along X axis
Y = Distance along Y axis
3D = Distance from point to point at different heights

**X, Y, R, A**

X = Distance along X axis
Y = Distance along Y axis
R = Radial distance
A = Angle

2D Polar

2D Polar requires two point-reducible features normal to a datum (the datum selection makes the selected feature a temporary datum. The feature does not need to be a blueprint datum). 2D polar is similar to R in Simple Distance with the exception that the datum is selectable in 2D Polar and not forced to a fully constrained datum structure as Simple Distance.

**2D Polar**

Distance between two point-reducible features normal to a datum,

3D Polar

3D Polar requires two point-reducible features. 3D polar is similar to 3D in Simple Distance with the exception that the distance is straight line distance in 3D Polar and not forced to a fully constrained datum structure as Simple Distance.