Alibre on UserVoice

Drawing Name same With Part Name [updated]

2012-05-14T08:14:21-04:00

In SolidWorks or other CAD systems, when you open a drawing from a part/sheetmetal document, the name of the drawing is automatically created with the same name of the part. In Alibre, you need to enter a new name in order to save the drawing. It is better to have the same name with the part as in other CAD systems and then there is no need to enter a new name to the drawing.

Kev h said:

Not sure if because i dont have M files but doesnt input file name from model into 2d drawing box.

Loft 3D Sketch guide curves between (2) perpendiculars 2d Sketch. Urgent! [updated]

2012-05-13T16:39:44-04:00

Giov said:

Will be very useful have this possibility of Alibre ability in order of build a surfaces from Thin Loft command 3D Sketch Guide curves between (2) 2D Sketch Perpendicular open sections.

Loft 3D Sketch guide curves between (2) perpendiculars 2d Sketch. Urgent!

2012-05-13T01:47:36-04:00

Exploded views for 3D presentation in PDF. [updated]

2012-05-11T16:39:40-04:00

Enable exploded views to be published in PDF. Customers may need to rotate them during presentation.

mb said:

Possible in Alibre Design Professional and Expert.

2D drawings - Make it possible to end dimension extension lines at edge of part

2012-05-11T10:43:44-04:00

Chris suggested:
Currently, dimension lines always terminate at the feature being dimensioned. For complex parts with many features, all of these extension lines clutter the drawing terribly. It would be very nice if we had a handle at the end of the extension line (like in AutoCAD) that we could drag back to the edge of the part. The dimension should still be attached to the feature, but allow the extension line to visibly end at the part edge.This would be much better than having 3 drawings to reduce the clutter - otherwise you can't see the part for the extension lines!

In context right click configuration selection

2012-05-10T21:43:43-04:00

MFORERO suggested:
On assembly, when you select a part and right click you can change configuration, without travel to browser menu.

Stop the random rotation when editing a sketch. [updated]

2012-05-10T13:54:30-04:00

I notice that when I start editing a sketch, Alibre always seems to take it upon itself to rotate the sketch to some bizarre orientation (e.g., Z axis pointing down, sideways, etc.) It's always different from the rotation the model was in when you started editing. This is annoying as hell, since the first editing step is to rotate back to something reasonable. I'm thinking it should either (a) keep the same overall orientation as the model as much as possible when editing sketch mode, or, better, (b) remember the orientation in use last time you edited the sketch and use that.

HaroldL said:

You could just turn off the "Snap to working plane" option in the System Options>Parts/Assemblies>Sketching.
While you're at it take a look at the "Reorient on extrude" setting in the Design Interaction settings.

Stop the random rotation when editing a sketch.

2012-05-10T01:15:19-04:00

Randall Smith suggested:
I notice that when I start editing a sketch, Alibre always seems to take it upon itself to rotate the sketch to some bizarre orientation (e.g., Z axis pointing down, sideways, etc.) It's always different from the rotation the model was in when you started editing. This is annoying as hell, since the first editing step is to rotate back to something reasonable. I'm thinking it should either (a) keep the same overall orientation as the model as much as possible when editing sketch mode, or, better, (b) remember the orientation in use last time you edited the sketch and use that.

Smart setting for dimension arrrow direction not so smart

2012-05-09T20:42:43-04:00

HaroldL suggested:
It would be nice if the Smart setting for dimension arrow placement would actually work. Now it doesn't seem to recognize when the text and arrows are too close to the extension lines and flip the arrows to the outside.

Exploded views for 3D presentation in PDF.

2012-05-09T02:08:45-04:00

Anonymous suggested:
Enable exploded views to be published in PDF. Customers may need to rotate them during presentation.

combine the color properties window with the color window.

2012-05-08T17:13:12-04:00

Glen Powell suggested:
It's too time consuming to open one window in order to open another window. Please combine the 2 so the color properties window will show the color picker as well with the color opacity and reflectivity.

Assembly flexibility even when linear patterns are used

2012-05-08T00:44:43-04:00

Ricky suggested:
At the moment an assembly cannot be made flexible if there are patterned componets inside it. Would like to see this change.

Make "Selection Filter" easier to use

2012-05-07T19:26:51-04:00

mb suggested:
When selecting something in a dialouge selection box, for instance the "Project to Sketch" feature - add a few radio buttons for fast access to filtering edges, surfaces or both. Today is't quite clumsy and the filter selection is sometimes reset for each new selection.

saving automatic

2012-05-07T09:47:09-04:00

Correct the 2D drawing format sizes [updated]

2012-05-06T20:20:17-04:00

I imagine most users that need to customize the drawing formats just create their own. For those that use the default templates I have found that the ANSI A -E formats are the wrong size. I checked the formats by exploding the format symbols and dimensioning the outside borders and found the following: A-size should be 8.5 x 11.0, checks 8.0 x 10.5 B-size should be 11.0 X 17.0, checks 10.0 x 16.0. C-size should be 17.0 x 22.0. checks 16.0 x 21. D-size should be 22.0 x 34.0, checks 21.0 x 32.5 E-size should be 34.0 x 44.0, checks 32.0 x 42.5

HaroldL said:

Thought I 'd post a comment here to keep the feedback forum up to date.
Here is a reply from support on this issue:

"After our developers reviewed this case I was informed that the size of the templates available in our software are the correct size. In short 8.5 x 11.0 (for example) is the size of the paper and the if the border 8.0 x 10.5 were to be the page size it would not show. You can find more examples of other template created for other software in this page http://www.md.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/eng/title_blocks.html the case is the same."

The examples that the link take you to are AutoCAD formats. I measured the A and B formats and found them to be 7.5 x 10.3 and 10.3 x 16. If you add in the margins of .35 and .50 the formats are drawn for paper sizes of 8.5 x 11 and 11 x 17.

"MikeHenry wrote:Are the reduced sizes necessary to allow for maximum print areas on some printers? Laserjets have something a like a 1/4-in print margin that can't be printed on, for example."

It looks like that was the reasoning for sizing the templates as they are. If they used the AutoCAD templates as a basis for the ones in AD, then they must have misunderstood the reason for their size.

Edit Boolean part [updated]

2012-05-05T05:50:34-04:00

Add the ability to edit the part used to create a Boolean feature, Now if you edit the Boolean feature and RMB click on the part used to create the Boolean, the "Edit Part/Subassembly" option is grayed out. It would be nice if Alibre allowed editing the boolean part when needed. It's kind of a pain to open the boolean part, edit, save and close it. Then close and reopen the part with the Boolean feature to see if the changes worked or updated properly.

Anonymous said:

This would be a great feature to have, I would use if frequently

open unigraphics files

2012-05-04T13:52:19-04:00

import STL [updated]

2012-05-03T11:17:41-04:00

Import STL

Simon said:

In 3d printing *everything* is available in STL format. Not having the ability to import STL, without considerable extra expense for the home user, is the one reason I am wavering about buying the package even though I really like working with the demo.

Calculation and display of ceter of gravity in an assembly file. [updated]

2012-05-02T05:25:55-04:00

usicad.support said:

Alibre can already set the rotation point to "center of volume", or "center of mass". it could be very interesting for some applications, to show theses points, and even be able to hook some geometry on it.

The option to make multiple bodies in a single part enviroment

2012-05-01T10:19:49-04:00

Lowell suggested:
I would like to request the option to make multiple bodies in a single part then in a drawing have the option of selecting which body I want to show.

Correct the 2D drawing format sizes

2012-04-30T00:31:20-04:00

HaroldL suggested:
I imagine most users that need to customize the drawing formats just create their own. For those that use the default templates I have found that the ANSI A -E formats are the wrong size. I checked the formats by exploding the format symbols and dimensioning the outside borders and found the following: A-size should be 8.5 x 11.0, checks 8.0 x 10.5 B-size should be 11.0 X 17.0, checks 10.0 x 16.0. C-size should be 17.0 x 22.0. checks 16.0 x 21. D-size should be 22.0 x 34.0, checks 21.0 x 32.5 E-size should be 34.0 x 44.0, checks 32.0 x 42.5

Use the Windows API for the save function

2012-04-28T20:31:14-04:00

John Kennedy suggested:
The navigation is cumbersome with the Alibre "save as" and "save all as" functions. I have to click through the long file structure every time I have a version change.

Equation Editor should sort dimensions and angles alphanumerically AND chronologically at the same time!

2012-04-28T20:23:52-04:00

John Kennedy suggested:
When I sort variables in the Equation Editor it sorts them alphanumerically. This means d10 sorts before d2, even though d2 was created first. There is a simple fix!!! use d001, d002, d003, etc. for the dimension naming I don't know anyone who will have more than 999 dimensions for a single part! Even better would be to have the default names for dimensions and angles START with a number followed by a character, such as: 001A 002A ... 001D 002D ...

Assembly variables that individual parts can reference

2012-04-28T20:10:02-04:00

John Kennedy suggested:
It would be great to have assembly level variables that all the parts within the assembly could reference. This would allow me to change a variable within the assembly and have all the parts update. Essentially, have the equation editor displace local AND assembly/subassembly varialbles. The alternative: to constrain parts realtive to assembly planes or other parts causes too many errors when surfaces and parts change and is VERY cumbersome when working with many assembly/subassembly levels that change. Another alternative: To use Excel for the Global variables requires intensive file management and if the referenced cell changes in Excel then everything falls apart.

Weldments

2012-04-27T19:24:04-04:00

George suggested:
Please add weldment functionality to Alibre! This would be incredibly useful to anyone modeling frames e.g. welded steel car frames and rc plane balsa fuselage truss structures.

Finite Element Analysis [updated]

2012-04-27T16:03:32-04:00

Include an integrated FEA tool or partner with someone who provides an add-on.

mecheng said:

I made my expert purchase for the same reason - it included FEA. I am disappointed that it is not there anymore. I understand that the software costs money to develop, etc but also disappointed that that I may need to purchase the functionality separately now.

The real shock it that the cost went from $0 (included) to as much as the Expert software itself.

isometric dimensions [updated]

2012-04-27T15:47:18-04:00

add capability to pull accurate dimensions off isometric views, add alignment options for resulting dimensions, i.e. with axis, plane, face, etc.

mecheng said:

I would like to emphasize my comments from back in 2009.

The feature is still needed for the same reasons as before.

Mastercam Translator

2012-04-24T19:15:07-04:00

Bruce suggested:
Mastercam Direct Instructions Mastercam Direct allows users of Solidworks, Autodesk® Inventor, and Solidedge to transfer native files direct to Mastercam. To install Mastercam direct: Download the appropriate Mastercam Direct product .*exe file to a temporary folder. Double-click on the *.exe. Follow the installation instructions.

Highlight Part in Tree when mouse over in assembly [updated]

2012-04-20T17:48:04-04:00

When in assembly mode, and the part is highlighted in the assembly when the mouse hovers over it, it would be good to have that part highlight in the tree and also would be nice to have that part number displayed in the empty border on the bottom of the Alibre window where the opening/saving status indication bar is right under the design explorer (bottom left).

Russ said:

In part mode when cursor is over a feature on the part, it would be nice to see it highlighted in the tree.

Select the whole part and able to move it to different layer on drawings.

2012-04-20T12:38:37-04:00

Alex suggested:
I have to do a lot of assembly drawings to implement new parts into existing structure. At the present time it is practically impossible to differentiate new and existing parts by the layer. It could be nice to have an option to select the whole part on the drawing and move it to different layer so it could have a different color or line type.

Part insert with constraint pop-up window

2012-04-20T11:06:18-04:00

jamesnewman suggested:
Allow users when inserting parts into an assembly to first allow you to rotate the part before insert and if the user wants at that point apply constraint to the part on the assembly then the part is inserted. Maybe just adding the options with the insert command to apply contraint at insertion.

Automatic gear generator [updated]

2012-04-18T23:48:56-04:00

It would be extremely useful to have a utility whereby simple solid models of spur gears, helical gears or bevel gears can be generated given basic geometric parameters.

Tom Barnett said:

Also like the syste to support chains and belt systems. As a motorcycle manufacturer, this would be killer for me. Now I have a friend with Solidwork create the files for me. Not the most friendly.

more explicit status for the function [updated]

2012-04-17T16:07:44-04:00

I got that often when i make a change and it does not help me to find the problem it is very unclear about what's wrong. if this was easier to understand I maybe won't have to redo completely my sketch and loose time: What does that mean I need to change?? CHANGE_LOST_ENT: attempt to change record marked as deleted

Yehoshua Levine said:

add angle option to insert plane box [updated]

2012-04-17T12:19:16-04:00

When a plane is created tangent to a cylinder, add the option to set the angle relative to the defining plane. In this way, a plane can be inserted tangential to the cylinder and can be , in a sense, rotated to any angle required. This would easily allow things like holes in the side of a tube at 30 deg from the standard plane

mac-one said:

I am designing a very complex object and need the ability to insert planes and sketches in odd angles to normal planes and sketches. The ability to do this will greatly enhance the product. By selecting two lines, a set of points, or something in between, as when you have to ad reference goemetry only garbles up the original design and makes us look like ametures.

ALIBRE ON MAC OS (APPLE COMPUTERS) [updated]

2012-04-13T16:07:58-04:00

It will be great to use Alibre on other Operating systems like: MAC OS - Apple Computers or [Linux-(I konw you won't do this)] but maybe on Apple computers it is possible. Optionally support for WINE (a kind of Windows emulator under Linux). E.g. Autodesk supports Linux and MAC, Solid Works will support other platforms soon (Now only DraftSight support Linux). This is the Future. A lot of useful programs can run on all platforms (Win, Lin & Mac) for example: Open Office, Thunderbird, Eagle, MATLAB etc.

Frank said:

I am very fond of OS X, and have been using it for my work since version 10.2, and would very much like to see Alibre ported to OS X. The only reason I use Windows is for CAD and games, and now that there are more games available on OS X there is only CAD remaining that keeps me buying Windows machines. It would be nice to be able to finally get Windows out of my life, but as of now there are no decent parametric CAD programs for OS X that I know of.

Automatic Dimension Organizer

2012-04-12T15:52:42-04:00

Ty Rock suggested:
Include an additional function in drawing mode that allows the user to easily organize all dimensions in a given view from smallest to largest. In the "Dimension Organizer" window, let the user define the following: ("Distance of smallest dimension from part edge">"Select edge") ---- ("Minimum distance between dimensions _x axis_") ---- ("Minimum distance between dimensions _y axis_") ---- ("Dimension orientation") ---- ("Dimension overlap")

Hi, simple suggestion really, in a drawing could the scale button in the toolbar display the actual scale of the active or principle view.

2012-04-11T18:37:45-04:00

Anonymous suggested:
At the moment it just displays a meaningless and non active 1:2

Symetric mates

2012-04-05T21:01:30-04:00

Wood Crafts and More LLC suggested:
Have the ability to mate objects symetric to a plane or cylinder based on 3 or 4 surfaces like SW. This is vary useful with placing cylinders inbetween racks or 2 planes

Allow reference dimensions to be used as values in equations [updated]

2012-04-05T20:56:02-04:00

Reference dimensions often are the result of complex geometric manipulations. They could be used as the basis of the design of a future part. If I want to create a completely parametric part, as it stands, it is necessary to manually calculate the value of a reference dimension through very long equations. It would be much simpler to include a reference dimension (possibly called "R1", R2,... in the equation. Using reference dimensions in equations runs the possibility of creating circular references so it would be necesary for Alibre to either check for this (likely a complicated process since it currently does not even check for renamed variables) or create a circular calculation setting that specifies the number of iterations allowed. Another option is to treat the reference dimension as a constant each time the equation is executed and leave it to the operator to run it multiple times as desired.

Wood Crafts and More LLC said:

BAD CAD practice, Ref dimensions should never be used as a control for any feature

link dwgs to part files

2012-04-05T20:51:57-04:00

Wood Crafts and More LLC suggested:
build in some smarts for part files to realize that there is already a dwg file associated with the part

Ability to drive part parameters from top-level assembly

2012-04-03T16:02:28-04:00

Karl Palutke suggested:
I'd like to be able to set a parameter (for example: height) in an assembly and have the component parts of the assembly inherit the parameter value (or use the parameter value in equations) from the assembly.

Alibre inside Virtualbox [updated]

2012-04-03T13:15:37-04:00

Since it isn't feasible for Alibre to build a version for Linux, I'd like to suggest to just make it work inside Virtualbox, it would be FAR easier and it would allow the ever-growing number of Linux-only companies to use Alibre. See also http://forum.alibre.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12501&sid=8b3d8356fcfa4ddf4e7c8d9f46930c2b

Ronnie Wilmink said:

Still not working in 4/2012. Was looking forward to using Windows7-64bit with 64bit alibre, but no go due to the display. Bizarre because according to diagnostics VirtualBox 4.10 runs with DirectX11 support turned on. My machine runs Linux Fedora Core 16, and I don't want to dual boot the whole time... Now I have to have two machines.

Sync Toolbars/Layout across PC's

2012-04-02T14:27:47-04:00

Andrew Sutton suggested:
I have customised my toolbars at work and sometimes tweek them in a new version but I have to repeat this for my laptop and home PC instead of just been able to sync the layout from my works PC

alt shift or similar +r/l/u/d arrow to step rotate model thro exactly 90/45 deg or customisable

2012-04-02T04:30:34-04:00

F Gillan suggested:
To navigate quickly,accurately without adding planes

shared title block entries in multi-page 2D drawing

2012-03-29T01:37:29-04:00

Ricky suggested:
It would be great if you could select entries in a title block which remain constant throughout multiple sheets, so that you don't have to enter them into each sheet separately.

auto weight in 2D drawings

2012-03-29T01:34:03-04:00

Ricky suggested:
Where I work we are required to put the parts weight into the title block, it would be great if this occured, or could be set up to occur automatically.

auto page numbering

2012-03-29T01:32:23-04:00

Ricky suggested:
it would be great if page numbering for a 2D drawing was automatic, would save so much time!

Global Reference Data as an Improvement to Top-Down Modeling [updated]

2012-03-28T23:43:02-04:00

Alibre Design as of version 2012 lacks the capability to create, access and protect global, or project-level reference information. For many design situations and in multiple fields such capability is critical to accepted, effective design methods. Global references are also highly parametric since geometry, features, parts, assemblies and sub-assemblies may be constructed based on, and linked to, that higher-level global information. Changes made at the global level will automatically be reflected throughout the geometry, sketches, parts, assemblies and sub-assemblies or drawings of a project. Conflicts and changes necessitated from global changes will be evident from the usual messages and warnings as dependent items are accessed or drawn. Those warnings and messages will cause the Alibre Design operator to correct them, remaining compliant with global or project requirements. The quality of projects done with Alibre Design will generally increase and more complex projects will be possible.

Lonnie Smith said:

I've started a thread in the Alibre Design user forums in support of this suggestion. It is a place where you can get additional details and also comment or make suggestions yourself in support of this notion. You may also add requests for additional functionality not mentioned so far.

Look here ==> http://forum.alibre.com/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=14722

frame generator [updated]

2012-03-28T23:35:52-04:00

Add a frame generator like other CAD program, where you make a wireframe with lines, and the program pulls a library of raw materiasl like angle, square tubing, beams, piping, tubing, etc, and quickly have a frame made of square tubing, automatic mitter for the corners and stuff like that.

sixfeetunderoffroad said:

I would so love this allong with weldments.

Global Reference Data as an Improvement to Top-Down Modeling

2012-03-28T22:48:10-04:00

Lonnie Smith suggested:
Alibre Design as of version 2012 lacks the capability to create, access and protect global, or project-level reference information. For many design situations and in multiple fields such capability is critical to accepted, effective design methods. Global references are also highly parametric since geometry, features, parts, assemblies and sub-assemblies may be constructed based on, and linked to, that higher-level global information. Changes made at the global level will automatically be reflected throughout the geometry, sketches, parts, assemblies and sub-assemblies or drawings of a project. Conflicts and changes necessitated from global changes will be evident from the usual messages and warnings as dependent items are accessed or drawn. Those warnings and messages will cause the Alibre Design operator to correct them, remaining compliant with global or project requirements. The quality of projects done with Alibre Design will generally increase and more complex projects will be possible.