Is there a way to find the extents of an object with one command?

bruce_williams

My ideal would be a way to 'automatically' find the smallest volume rectangular box containing the object(s) and then spit out the height, width, length, area, & volume of said box.  The target objects being individual or combination of surfaces, parts, or assemblies (whatever is selected).

Jake_Rosenfeld

@bruce_williams

The bounding box size appears as a printout in the FeatureScript console of your part studio.  To access this press the button at the top of your page that looks like a set of braces surrounding a checkmark:



Then, when you use the feature, the printout will appear in the panel at the bottom of your screen.

Jake_Rosenfeld

@bruce_williams

Figured I'd just jump the gun and do it.  See new "keep bounds as new part" option in V2.



Note: There's not anything special about "Part 3" here, I just set its appearance to white and transparent in the right click > "Edit Appearance for Part 3..." menu after committing the feature.

Jake_Rosenfeld

It would be hard to display anywhere besides the console reliably from inside FeatureScript.  You can get the l/w/h easily through the UI though:



Just click the edge in question and it will display the length in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Jake_Rosenfeld

As of right now part colors cannot be changed through FeatureScript, but stay tuned.

FYI, (noticed something in another comment) you don't actually have to copy the document to get the custom feature in your toolbar.  If you just click the "+" button while looking at my document, you can add the feature from the "current document" section of the dialog that pops up.  That way, if there are ever updates to the feature you will automatically be prompted about them and be given the option to update to the new version, rather than having to discover them yourself organically, and copy the document again.

So, click the +, then "current document", then the feature in question:


Then when there's an update available, you'll see a little blue notification and can right click and press "Update":

Jake_Rosenfeld

Ask and you shall receive! See new V3

Jake_Rosenfeld

The units pulldown determines the units of the printout in the FeatureScript console.  I'm not sure how useful the printout is though, I may just simplify the script by getting rid of the printout and always keeping the see-through box as a new part.

MBartlett21

@Jake_Rosenfeld
@bruce_williams
Look at what the SolidWorks article says. 

It should be noted that for multibody parts, creating a bounding box using this method will include all bodies (unless hidden). As such, it’s not currently possible to create separate bounding boxes for each body individually using the new Bounding Box command

They can't do bounding boxes for separate bodies.

MBartlett21

@Jake_Rosenfeld
@bruce_williams
I have added support for faces to use as a coordinate system
Link: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/e03ea510c6145f7c79b64acb

Jake_Rosenfeld

@bruce_williams

This could probably be done in FeatureScript, although the smallest volume part may get a little tricky.  Additionally, if it was done in FeatureScript it could only be done for a part studio (of course you could always go the in context -> copy in place route to get an assembly into a part studio).

I'll do some googling about bounding volume algorithms

Jake_Rosenfeld

@bruce_williams

Just to clarify, would you be happy with the smallest axis-aligned bounding box around the selected items? The coordinate system could be defined as either the default or by a mate connector.  Or does the tool you have in mind also find the orientation of the box that makes it the smallest?

bruce_williams

Part studio only will be fine.  I was shooting for the moon...  I use this for evaluating imported models for quoting and also developing material sizes.  Just a little tedious to measure or make sketch to bound.

On smallest volume - I would be happy with manually setting up a parallel plane.  This does not need to be precise.

bruce_williams

@Jake_Rosenfeld
our messages crossed.  Yes, the shortest axis (or close to it) would be good.  And OK to set mate connector or plane before fs

Jake_Rosenfeld

@bruce_williams

I hope you find this to your liking!
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/2ce3e64026df1ac7e63b98bd/w/7a2029e15b241c80c591a492/e/ee8919ad0a28cec3b0740617

bruce_williams

wow that was fast @Jake_Rosenfeld !  The link is not working for me though.  

MBartlett21

@Jake_Rosenfeld

I think you need to make the document public so we can access it and get the custom feature.

Jake_Rosenfeld

@bruce_williams @mbartlett21

Sorry! Made it public, should be working now!

bruce_williams

@Jake_Rosenfeld
got it copied and it looks very promising.  Maybe I do not know how to use.  How do I get the bounding box sizes?  I see the box while in dialog and then green check the box disappears.

Jake_Rosenfeld

@bruce_williams

The bounding box size appears as a printout in the FeatureScript console of your part studio.  To access this press the button at the top of your page that looks like a set of braces surrounding a checkmark:



Then, when you use the feature, the printout will appear in the panel at the bottom of your screen.

bruce_williams

@Jake_Rosenfeld

Kudos Mr. Rosenfeld!   That is exactly what I need; going to be used every day.  Thank you!

Jake_Rosenfeld

You're absolutely welcome!  Please let me know if you think of any tweaks or improvements for the tool, or any other useful geometry tools.

bruce_williams

Well, since you asked.  An option to save the box would help for stock & tool design.

just for reference - sw bounding box

and I do have other ideas. I will work on defining; pretty exciting to see and the team so responsive.  Thanks

Jake_Rosenfeld

I could add a checkbox to keep the bounding box as a new Part in the Part Studio if you'd like.  Would that help?

Jake_Rosenfeld

@bruce_williams

Figured I'd just jump the gun and do it.  See new "keep bounds as new part" option in V2.



Note: There's not anything special about "Part 3" here, I just set its appearance to white and transparent in the right click > "Edit Appearance for Part 3..." menu after committing the feature.

bruce_williams

Yes,  A checkbox would be perfect.

And for extra credit -  is there a fairly easy way to show the size/volume values without using the FS console?  Once the box is a part, mass properties show area & volume but not x, y, z linear size.

Jake_Rosenfeld

It would be hard to display anywhere besides the console reliably from inside FeatureScript.  You can get the l/w/h easily through the UI though:



Just click the edge in question and it will display the length in the bottom right corner of the screen.

bruce_williams

Nicely done with the checkbox.

I agree on easy to get anything needed with UI now that you have the create part option.  I really like the white transparent idea - how about having the FS set that appearance.  Bounding box will almost never be used for anything but reference.

Jake_Rosenfeld

As of right now part colors cannot be changed through FeatureScript, but stay tuned.

FYI, (noticed something in another comment) you don't actually have to copy the document to get the custom feature in your toolbar.  If you just click the "+" button while looking at my document, you can add the feature from the "current document" section of the dialog that pops up.  That way, if there are ever updates to the feature you will automatically be prompted about them and be given the option to update to the new version, rather than having to discover them yourself organically, and copy the document again.

So, click the +, then "current document", then the feature in question:


Then when there's an update available, you'll see a little blue notification and can right click and press "Update":

bruce_williams

Thanks for the info on adding FS.  

bruce_williams

Jake_Rosenfeld said:

As of right now part colors cannot be changed through FeatureScript, but stay tuned


@Jake_Rosenfeld,   With OS update release today for FS property programming - the white semi-transparent would be a nice touch  imho   

Jake_Rosenfeld

Ask and you shall receive! See new V3

bruce_williams

@Jake_Rosenfeld  Mathew 7:7 words to live by

That is beautiful.  Thanks!

Question - what does the units pull down do?

Jake_Rosenfeld

The units pulldown determines the units of the printout in the FeatureScript console.  I'm not sure how useful the printout is though, I may just simplify the script by getting rid of the printout and always keeping the see-through box as a new part.

bruce_williams

Oh yeah!  Although I would love to be FS literate it is not happening yet.  IMHO I like your simpler route.  Doubt if many would pick up on looking at the console.  And the box can always be hidden or deleted.

Again Nice work and this is useful.

Jake_Rosenfeld

Really appreciate all the feedback,

I just made an update to V4.1, the feature now operates on an option of whether to create a new part or print out the results.  If the print option is selected, a banner at the top of the screen explains how to open the console.

bruce_williams

Elegant!  I just showed this latest version to my assistant and it is easily understood.

MBartlett21

@Jake_Rosenfeld
@bruce_williams
Look at what the SolidWorks article says. 

It should be noted that for multibody parts, creating a bounding box using this method will include all bodies (unless hidden). As such, it’s not currently possible to create separate bounding boxes for each body individually using the new Bounding Box command

They can't do bounding boxes for separate bodies.

MBartlett21

@Jake_Rosenfeld
@bruce_williams
I have added support for faces to use as a coordinate system
Link: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/e03ea510c6145f7c79b64acb

bruce_williams

@Jake_Rosenfeld

 @mbartlett21 Nice work! Choosing face is a good improvement and time saver. -  I continue to use this nearly daily and often multiple times/day.  And thanks for sharing about SW.  I knew they had added capability but did not realize the limitation.

Onshape is making my work easier and fun!