IDX Variable Constraint System

The Variable Constraint System provides variational sketching functionality within AutoCAD. It enables geometric or dimensional constraints to be applied that control relationships between drawn objects. Those relationships may be parametrically-driven and include values, variables, or mathematical formulas in relation to other variables. For example, relationships can dictate that two lines remain connected at their vertices; that a line is tangent to circle; that an object remains at a fixed angle to another object; or that circle A remains three times the size of circle B.

More specifically, constraints may be applied to unbound lines, circles, ellipses, arcs, splines, points, and specific geometries in two dimensions, or a two-dimensional subspace of three dimensions. It manages distance and angular dimensions that are attached to a variable, whereupon the variable may be a value or formula.

A fully constrained drawing can then be quickly modified to create several variations. By changing one element, or variable value, the entire drawing may change based upon the constraints applied which enforce the design intent. It is extremely useful for creating families of parts; using mirror images for parts that are updated automatically to mate perfectly with the first part upon changes; or for rapidly achieving design intent; enforcing design rules; or quickly updating entire drawings after red-line comments require changes.

The IDX Variable Constraint System enables:

• Sketching and drafting productivity — quickly draw an object, automatically apply constraints, and then adjust the constraints to force dimensions and geometries.
• Variational sketching, revision productivity — rapidly modify constrained objects, maintaining all rules for proportionality, centering, etc.
• Creating intelligent behavior — e.g., easily control how a linkage moves.
• Drawing profiles for 3D extractions — fully adjust 2D drawings used as a basis for building 3D models.
• Developing entire part families — automatically have parts drawn in different sizes and configurations by changing parameters.
• Capturing design intent — consistently enforce design rules.

Product Benefits
IDX Variable Constraint System:  Variational sketching with associative constraints accelerates productivity and frees you to be more creative.

Control Your Drawing.  Parametrically-driven and geometrically constrained drawings create a truly precise environment. Provides real precision design, not simply drawing tools.

• Parametrically-driven dimensions — Use variable dimensions to drive geometries, or change geometries and see all associated dimensions recalculated automatically.
• Calculator palette — Manage all key dimensions in a simple table.  These dimension variables can be values such as length, radius, or angle. Also, they may be expressed formulaically.
• Formulaic variables — Manage variables in the calculator palette with powerful relationships, whether A1 = 2*A2, or complex equations including algebraic, trigonometric, and even integral equations.  For example, dimension B2 = B1* ((1 sqrt(5))/2) and your variables B1 and B2 will be in the golden ratio, scaling automatically based on the value of B1. This could continue with B2 representing another side of a golden rectangle, or could be used as a driving dimension of an arc radius.  Use expressive names for variables such as Radius, GadgetHeight, and GadgetWidth.
• Associative geometric positioning — Ensure that all geometries are in precise relation to one another so that a spline is tangent to an elliptical arc, or the radius of a fillet is in direct proportion to an arm length, and is concentric to a punched hole...

Be More Creative. Variational sketching allows for quick revisions and what-if changes.  You save enough time drafting changes that you will have more time for design creativity.

• Variational sketching — Conceptually, a constrained object has bi-directional associations between the dimensions, geometries, and positional relationships.  Drawings can be completely modified simply by changing one or two values or relationships.
• Constrained relationships — Just as a spreadsheet allows for what-if analysis by changing an assumption, a fully constrained drawing provides what-if design analysis driven by a parameter.
• Auto-constraints accelerates learning —  Draw with this feature turned on and the application applies basic geometric constraints, quickly showing the power of associative geometric relationships.
• Works with the AutoCAD user interface —  The Variable Constraint System toolbar and variable dimension palette are integrated naturally within AutoCAD allowing you to get up to speed right away, and focus on design.

Great Value.  Enjoy a rapid ROI through immediate productivity gains.  No new platform licenses, expensive training, or porting files and causing a risk from major platform changes.

• Uses the D-Cubed™ 2D Dimensional Constraint Manager (2D DCM) from Siemens PLM Software — This is the same trusted engine used by far more expensive design platforms such as Autodesk^® Inventor^®, AutoCAD Mechanical^®, and AutoCAD Architecture; by Dassault Systems for CATIA and SolidWorks^®; by Siemens PLM Software for Solid Edge; by think3^® for thinkdesign; and by IMSI/Design for TurboCAD^® Pro.
• The fastest ROI — Because it is an addition to the AutoCAD you already know, there is much less to learn and you will be productive immediately in your chosen CAD platform.
• Like a selective upgrade — If you don’t need all the features of more expensive platforms, this is like purchasing only the features you need.
• Create entire part families from a single sketch — Design the first part fully-constrained, then create the rest of the part family by changing driving dimensions to automatically draw new parts.

• Variational Sketching
• Bi-directional Parametric or Formulaic Variable-Driven Dimensions — dimensions may be driven by values or variables. Variable dimensions may include formulas based on other associated object dimensions.
• Associative Geometric Positioning
• VCS Toolbar — geometric positional constraint types:
      Point-to-Line — forces a vertex to lie on another vertex or another object.
      Point-to-Point — forces a point or endpoint lie on another point.
      Concentric — makes two arcs, circles, or ellipses concentric, or places a point or endpoint at the centre of an arc, circle, or ellipse.
      Line-Parallel — makes a line or ellipse parallel to another line or ellipse.
      Line-Perpendicular — makes a line or ellipse perpendicular to another line or ellipse.
      Line-Tangent — makes a line tangent to an arc, circle, ellipse, or spline.
      Tangent — makes an arc, circle, ellipse, or spline tangent to another arc, circle, ellipse, or spline.
      Equal Radius — makes a circle or arc have the same radius as another circle or arc.
      Equal Length — makes one line have the same length as another line.
      Fix — locks an object or point at its current coordinates, preventing the object or point from moving when constraints are applied.
      Horizontal — makes a line or ellipse horizontal.
      Vertical — makes a line or ellipse vertical.
• VCS Toolbar — variable dimensional constraint types:
      Radius — sets the radius dimension of an arc or circle.
      Distance — sets the distance dimension between two lines, points, arcs, circles, or ellipses. Sets of lines are also made parallel.
      Angle — sets the angle dimension between two lines or ellipses.
      Arc Angle — sets the angle dimension of an arc.
  
• Automatic constraint generation for dimensional and geometric relationships.
• Show/hide constraint markers.
• Calculator palette for driving dimensional parameters including formulas.
• Persistent constraints that remain until removed unlike simple drawing aids.
• Works with AutoCAD Modify commands including copy, mirror, array, scale, trim, rotate, fillet, chamfer...
• Does not require separate file as all data is encapsulated in the AutoCAD native DWG file.

Note that the VCS runs in the basic AutoCAD product and is not supported for use with AutoCAD Architecture, Mechanical, MEP, AutoCAD LT, or other versions at this time.  It is not designed for mixed environments where round-tripping of files (to other platforms such as Inventor or Mechanical for further editing and having them return with constraints intact) is essential.