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Re: How to Prevent Collision Between Puzzle Tiles in a Sliding Puzzle Assembly?
Not sure if it is practicable with the number of parts you have, but you could give their bottom faces a planar mate with a limit to zero on one axis. With more parts, this would obviously get pretty confusing pretty soon. If the tangent mate had a min/max limit option for the distance, that'd help a lot (and not only in this case!)
This type of error makes my experience of onshape incredibly frustrating
Here Onshape is able to chamfer one edge but fails to chamfer another edge that is identical to the first. Not only is the failure to chamfer illogical, the error message gives the user nothing. As a user, you are left to figure out whether it's your sketch, whether it's a bug, or maybe you clicked the wrong entity? In short, your troubleshooting options are all options. You get zero clues that might narrow down your search for the solution.
Except, there is no error. That 4th edge is able to be chamfered, without alteration. Just do it in a separate operation. When you figure this out, especially after you went searching for why the error occurred in the first place, then you have just wasted your time.
I draw a sketch that is symmetrical. The circles are symmetrical by definition. The edges in the upper half of the sketch are mirrored from the lower half. Therefore the shape I extrude should is symmetrical.
When I go to chamfer the extruded shape, I can chamfer the 3 edges. But not the 4th. Except, I can chamfer the 4th, just as long as I do it in a separate operation, proving that the chamfer tool here in this example does not work consistently. [edit: add "Or, instead of 2 separate operations, just pick 5 edges and that 4th edge, that could not be chamfered before, is now chamfered."]This type of illogical inconsistency is frustrating, makes me second guess myself and wastes users time.
Please Onshape, get rid of these types of errors. They occur regularly for me and turn simple tasks into frustrating wild goose chases often resulting in solutions like this one (which don't always work), or the redoing of work.
The Sketch:
The Shape:
Chamfer tool can do 3 edges:
But it can't do 4 edges and can't tell me why it can't do 4 edges:
Expect it can do that 4th edge:
Re: How to Derive from an Assembly?
For the ratio math, you need to start with what you have now, and what you want to end up with, plug these values in, and you should be good to go. Forget about train scale - that only applies to starting with a full scale train , right?. I would use rail gauge as the "measurable" constant on any model you have, and use these numbers to figure ratio.
Re: Where Used Without Where Used And Part Confusion
@colin_starker933 - I don't pretend to know all that much about this subject - and I personally don't know how you would tabulate said information, (maybe others could help). All I can say is, I have found what works for me - and that is a well thought out folder/file hierarchy structure. Given the right naming of folders and files (with labels), makes the search for my custom content easy. I am a single user hobbyist, and don't have to deal with a multi-user environment, but I don't see why it wouldn't work for a team. For example ; if screws were a category that you used often, give that category a label, and screws will be one click away - if some obscure part is rarely used, don't label it, just look it up through your logical library hierarchy (3 maybe, 4 clicks away). It takes me longer to do a search for a part number, rather than just looking it up in my library (not a fan of search)
I have virtually the entire ECAS, inc. (East Coast Aviation Supplies), catalog (200 pages, worth) in my private library folder, and looking up a specific part is not that difficult - folders and sub-folders use generic names (bolts, nuts, washers, screws …) to aid in searching. And parts and configurations use AN/MS dash numbering system (for correct BOM info).
Dream up a system that makes sense to you and your team and consolidate all your buy-out items there. The naming system is up to you - I used the AN/MS numbering structure because, my library is for aircraft hardware, and the part #'s have been standardized, and are very specific. Once you settle on a system, share that with your team
Also my libraries are constantly growing, and evolving, but they give me that one place to go to, where I can store or find my custom items.
I sound like I'm starting to repeat myself, so this will be my last post. Good luck
Re: Is it possible to make a self-intersecting sweep?Who knows what tools can be used to do such work.
it’s not a fundamental mistake. Just a limitation of sweep that it can’t self intersect. if the radius becomes too small that any edge of the sweep has to travel backwards along the path to maintain its profile orientation… it will self intersect.

Introducing PimpMyCAD: A New Community Platform for Sharing Onshape Creations (Beta)
Hi Onshape Community!
I’m thrilled to share my latest side project with you: PimpMyCAD.
It’s a platform designed to empower the Onshape community by making it easier to share public documents, elements, or FeatureScripts with one another. The goal is to create a space where we can showcase our work, learn from each other, and collaborate more effectively.
The Idea Behind PimpMyCAD
This project was inspired by a gap I noticed in the Onshape ecosystem. While Onshape is incredible for designing and collaborating, there isn’t a centralized, community-focused space where users can easily showcase their creations. Whether it’s a clever FeatureScript, a unique design element, or a project you’re proud of, there’s currently no simple way to share your work or discover others’ contributions.
PimpMyCAD aims to fill that gap!
What Is PimpMyCAD?
At its core, PimpMyCAD is about community and collaboration. Here’s what it offers:
- A platform to share public documents, elements, and FeatureScripts with others in the Onshape ecosystem.
- Easy access to explore, learn from, and reuse the fantastic work contributed by others.
It’s still a work in progress, and I’d love your help to make it the best it can be!
Why Your Feedback Matters
This project is all about the community, and your feedback is critical to shaping it. I’d love to hear your thoughts on:
- Do you agree that sharing documents, elements, and FeatureScripts could be made easier?
- What features or tools would help you feel comfortable sharing your work?
- Are you concerned about security or intellectual property when sharing your designs or FeatureScripts?
If so, how could those concerns be addressed? Are there any specific pain points in how you currently share or discover content within the community?
Security & Intellectual Property
I understand that sharing work publicly comes with important considerations, especially when it comes to intellectual property and security. One of my main goals is to create a platform that respects and addresses these concerns while fostering a spirit of openness and collaboration.
I’d love to hear your ideas on how we can ensure the platform feels secure and reliable for everyone.
Join the Conversation
If this project resonates with you, or if you’re interested in testing, contributing, or sharing your thoughts, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your feedback and participation will be key to making PimpMyCAD a success. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
For the curious and the more adventurous, it's happening at www.pimpmycad.com :) I also want to mention that this is still very much a beta preview, so I’d appreciate your kindness and patience as I work out the kinks. Please keep in mind that some data may be lost during this early stage as I continue refining the platform.
Cheers

Re: Show part mass on drawing
The original question threw me off. I've so used to using this since I made first drawing formats, I don't think about it much any more. Long time ago! (? 2016)
Still waiting for dimensional able C of G symbol without work arounds for aircraft outlines. Would be good for seeing dimensions change quickly and testing new equipment affects.
Re: How can I display a grid when I am drawing an sketch?
Just didn't seem right without that small touch, you know? 😁
Re: How can I display a grid when I am drawing an sketch?
lol, stop it your killing me!