New in MicroStation CONNECT Edition Update 5 - 3D Angle Constraint

The 3D Angle constraint is the latest 3D Dimensional constraint tool introduced in MicroStation CONNECT Edition. It adds on to the existing list of 3D dimension constraining tools, that let you fix geometries with respect to one another. Until now you could only constrain the distance between the various components (vertices, edges and faces) of two 3D elements, but now, using the 3D Angle constraint, you can constrain the angle between two 3D elements too.

Let us consider a simple scenario to understand how this tool works. If you have two elements in a design at an angle and you want to fix this angle such that whatever changes are made to the geometries the angle between them does not change, you can apply a 3D Angle constraint between them. This will fix the angle and will only allow the geometries to be modified with respect to this angle.

Follow the steps below to apply the constraint to elements:

1. Select the 3D Angle constraint tool from the 3D ribbon group under the Constraints tab.
2. Select the first 3D element.
3. Select the face or edge of the element to constrain.
4. Select the second element.
5. Select the corresponding face or edge to constrain.
6. Enter a data point to display the existing angle between the two elements.
7. Enter another data point to accept the displayed angle or type the desired angle in the field and then enter a data point.

The constraint is applied. Watch the video below for a demonstration of the above steps.

Irrespective of any changes to the assembly and geometry, the two elements will remain at the same angle. Any changes that may disturb the angle will no longer be allowed. As you can see in the video below, the geometry only rotates with respect to the constrained angle.

The introduction of this constraint allows greater flexibility in the design of complex geometry and is a very useful enhancement to 3D Dimensional constraints.