4.5.25. Create section views (SuCri4AddSectionView)

Overview

With Create section views, you define a section plane for an assembly in the 3D model. During automatic drawing generation, Module 4 creates a section view from it, provided that the drawing template used contains a section area with the same name. The section view is dimensioned automatically like the other views.

Where can I find the function?

Command line: SuCri4AddSectionView. Showing and hiding the sections: SuCri4ShowSectionViews.

If the Module 4 window is pinned to the tool palette, the function is located on the Module 4 tab of the SuCri tool palette in the collapsed Extras group, buttons Section View and Show Sections.

Plant 3D™ command

Video: Section views in practice

Part 1: Preparing the template

Part 2: Creating a section

Part 3: Editing and deleting sections

How it works in detail

Step 1: Template with section area

1. Open the drawing template (DWT) of the ortho drawings in the configuration and remove viewports that are not needed, if required.

2. In the Module 4 window under Options, select Set Draw Area and there the Section option. The command line prompts "Enter section name:" and suggests a name (for example Section-A). Confirm and drag the area open. For further sections, repeat the process with a different name.

3. Save the template, in the video as a separate DWT in a separate folder. In the Project Manager, create a new folder under the orthographic drawings and assign this template to it.

Step 2: Defining the section in the model

1. Form an assembly: The parts must already have an SU number via Attach. The command only runs in a 3D model drawing.

2. Select object: Start SuCri4AddSectionView, select a part of the assembly and confirm. SuCri determines the assembly and its orthocube. If the cube is missing, it is created.

3. Select face: "Select face for the section (support/structure/Solid3D):". Click the face from which the section is to start. An arrow shows the viewing direction.

4. Confirm direction: The command line offers Accept (default), Reverse (reverse the viewing direction), Different (select a different face) and Exit.

5. Assign a name: "Enter section name:"; the next free name of this assembly is suggested. The name must correspond to the name of the section area in the template.

6. Result: SuCri creates a blue, semi-transparent face with an arrow and name on the SuSectionView layer in the model and reports "Section view '…' was created successfully." The face can be moved; the section then starts at the new position.

Step 3: Generating the drawing

Generate the drawing with the section template. Each section area of the template receives the section view with the same name. If the assembly has no section for an area, this area remains empty; there is no error message.

Step 4: Managing sections

SuCri4ShowSectionViews shows or hides the layer of the section faces. Visible section faces can be moved or deleted. A deleted face is no longer derived.

Application examples

Example 1: Section through a frame

A frame is also to be shown in section. You create Section-A in the template, select the end face of a profile in the model, reverse the direction if necessary and accept the name Section-A. The generated drawing contains the section with dimensions.

Example 2: Moving the start of the section

The section is to start in front of a component so that it is displayed completely. You move the blue face a little forward and generate the drawing again.

Tips and best practices

• Match names exactly: The section name in the model and the name of the section area in the template must match. The easiest way is to accept the suggestion in both cases.
• Separate template for sections: This keeps the standard template unchanged, and you deliberately choose the variant with sections when generating drawings.
• Dimensioning for sections: In the dimension settings, the views column can also contain section names, for example Section-A.

Troubleshooting

• Wrong drawing: The command only runs in a 3D model drawing. If an ortho drawing is active, SuCri reports this and cancels. Open the 3D model and start the command again.
• "No objects selected. Select SU objects first.": Select a part of the assembly.
• "The selected objects do not belong to any SU.": First form an assembly with Attach.
• "Ortho cube for this SU could not be determined or created": Create the cube with SuCri4ShowOrthoCube and start the command again.
• Section area remains empty: The name of the section in the model differs from the name of the section area in the template, or the assembly has no section with this name.

Related articles

• Define drawing areas (SuCri4PlantOrthoDrawArea), defines the drawing areas of the template, including the section areas.
• Attaching (SuCri4AttachSupport), forms the assembly for which the section is created.
• Create multiple drawings (SuCri4PlantOrthoCreateMultipleSU), generates drawings for several assemblies.
• Module 4 Settings, all Module 4 settings, including the dimensioning per view.

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