One of the most simple, but likely one of the most useful ways to use the UCS for drawing countertops, is rotating the UCS to an object (usually a profiled edge).
Let's say that I am drawing an L-shaped top with a sink cutout on one leg of the L and a cooktop cutout on the other leg of the L. I would rotate the edge with the sink cutout true to 0° (see the previous blog for how to do this). This allows you to move the sink cutout perpendicular to the profiled edge that is aligned with 0°. Now, there is the other leg of the L with the cooktop cutout. Typically, the inside corner is not going to be square, so that edge will not be aligned with 90°. This is where the UCS->Object command comes in handy.
Using UCS->Object:
- Enter "ucs" -> "ob" for the UCS->Object command.
- Select the line that you want to place an object parallel/perpendicular to (in this case, the edge of the L-shaped top that is not aligned with 0° or 90°).
- Note how your UCS icon has rotated. The direction of the axes will determine how you enter coordinates.
- Draw and/or move the object(s) (the cooktop in this case).
- Enter "ucs" -> "w" to go back to the WCS (World Coordinate System), which is what you are typically in when drawing 2D objects.
I use this for inserting blocks, drawing objects, lining up digitizing seams, etc. Hopefully you find it useful.
About the Author: Seth Emery is a CAD Drafter/CNC Programmer for Henry H. Ross & Son, Inc. in Lititz, Pennsylvania. H.H. Ross specializes in the fabrication and installation of solid surface, granite, and engineered stone countertops in residential and commercial applications. Seth can be reached at seth77@ptd.net Visit the H.H. Ross website at http://www.hhross.com