Building models using only FeatureScript

William_Barron

I'm in the process of building a somewhat extensive but simple model. I've decided to do it using only FeatureScript programming, and to that end have written a utility feature studio.

Perhaps this will be of interest to others. The (public) document name is "FS wbUtils". It includes some documentation. The following is an extract from its overview...

The "FS wbUtils" OnShape feature studio supports definition of models using only (reasonably brief) FeatureScript code - not using screen gestures on an evolving model.

It has very limited facilities: extrusions parallel to the X, Y or Z axis at single positions in world space; filleting of a single edge; creation of mate connectors; one geometric calculation function. It envisages that the parts of multi-part models will not overlap in world space (they will probably be defined at their assembled positions). It was created for a sheet metal project at a time when OnShape had not yet implemented sheet metal facilities.

kevin_o_toole_1

Link for the lazy:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/586b6c0158a45710ea1da067/w/9f0dab0bd779311b8f535566/e/aeda15891b118e39206eee18

Great-looking stuff!

billy2

Nicely done & well documented, is there a reason for separating your inputs from your logic?

Eventually, what's this going to do? Are you done? Are you building a configurator? Will the next thing be a bimba cylinder with all it's options?

William_Barron

Sorry billy2, I don't understand what you mean by "separating your inputs from your logic" - perhaps you could point at specific things in my example.

As far as the project I am working on now (which is more or less a hobby) is concerned, yes I probably am done. The utilities are supporting all the needs I have so far found in the project. (I said it was a simple project   )

billy2

I might be wrong, but you have one FS with the input stuff and then another FS with logic. You import one into the other. 

I like your style, thought you were going for the mvc pattern.

Beware, featurescript is addicting, I'm sure this isn't your last project.

Thanks for posting,

William_Barron

Thanks. Yes, if "Example FS" were my project, "FS wbUtils" is imported into it. But I'm thinking the project contains both input stuff and logic. The utilities enable the project FS to be more concise and readable.

billy2

William-
You do realize you are onto something here, right? I've been working on an online configurator for a while and think it could be of value to some companies.

Because of Onshape's cloud infrastructure, you can build a geometry builder that's accessible to everyone. Any company that wants to make their products available online, well, you can ask onshape to build this and the user will never know where the geometry came from. Current web configurators are based on rules engines that are clumsy. I got it working in Onshape based on a parametric engine and it's working really well.

My point, don't stop, you're on to something.....