Available in TurboCAD LTE Pro only

Parametric parts (PPM) are defined using a text description (script). The script defines the structure, editable properties, and output that result in a parametrically editable part. The script must be saved with a *.PPM extension. The name of the file determines the name of the part.

Examining a Script

A simple example of a parametric part is a rectangle where the width, height and rotation angle are defined though parameters. The script of such part might look as follows:

Let's examine each line of this example:

LINE 1

The '//' indicates a comment. Comments do not affect the behavior of a part. All text following '//' to the end of the line are contained by the comment. LINE 2

The second line specifies the definition of the 'H' parameter. Let's break out each element of the line to define its function: H This is the identifier (name) of the parameter in the part description = The equals sign associates the identifier with its definition Parameter This is a function. 'Parameter' defines that H is a Parameter ( Specifies the start of the Parameter function's properties "Height" The name of the parameter that will appear in the Properties dialog , Indicates the end of one property and the beginning of the next 5 Assigns the default value for H , Separates properties LINEAR Specifies that H is a linear value , Separates properties Interval(0, 100) Specifies the allowable values for H as an interval from 0 to 100 ) Specifies the end of the Parameter function's properties ; End of definition for H

LINES 3 – 4

The next two lines in the example are similar to the previous one. They define the characteristics of L and Angle parameters in a similar layout. Note that the 'Angle' parameter uses an ANGULAR interval rather than LINEAR.

LINE 5

This line uses the Rectangle function to define a rectangle called 'Rect1'. It uses the previously defined H and L parameters to specify its properties, height and length. The center of this rectangle will be at the world origin (x=0,y=0,z=0) in the drawing. More on the rectangle tool will be covered later.

LINE 6

This line defines a new rectangle called 'Rect' which is a rotated version of 'Rect1', using the Angle parameter to define the rotation.

LINE 7

The last line specifies that the output of the script will be the rotated rectangle called 'Rect'. This is what the be drawn as the part.

Script syntax

The description of a parametric part consists of the entire contents of a text file, except comments, tabs, and other control characters, which are ignored. Comments are specified either using "//" characters that mean that all subsequent characters up to the end of the line are comments, or using the pair "/" and "/" that denote beginning and end of thecomment, respectively.

A text description is a set of two types of operators:

<Identifier>

and

<Expression>;

Identifiers

The <Identifier> defines the symbolic name of an object. It is a set of Roman letters and Arabic numerals, which must start with a letter.

For example valid names would be:

PART2a

MyPart

A134

Object identifiers may not be the same as names of functions or such names as PI, or LINEAR. These are reserved words that are used to designate the constants of the scripting language. The list of all reserved names is provided in the reserved word list which appears at the end of this chapter.

Expressions

Expressions define the associated identifier. Expression syntax matches the expression syntax in the majority of programming languages. They may define numeric value, arithmetic operations, the dependence of the defined object on other objects and function calls. The structure of a function call is:

<Function name> (<list of parameters>),

Examples of correct expression syntax:

Arithmetic Operations

Arithmetic operations may use the standard arithmetical operators '+' (addition), '--'(subtraction), '*' (multiplication), '/' (Division) and parenthesis '('and ')', to determine the sequence of performing arithmetic operations. Object identifiers and numbers serve as operands.

Script Semantics

A script contains full description of a parametric part. The collection of script operators determines which actions need to be performed to create the resultant object(s). Correct understanding of a script, requires having a clear understanding of how its operators are interpreted. Identifiers that are used in a <Expression> must be defined. In other words it must have been used as:

<Identifier> = <Expression>;

The list of resultant objects is defined in the Output(..) operator. The Output(..) operator contains a list of which objects are to be displayed in the resulting part. This operator must be present in the script. Each object in the list of arguments for Output(..) must be defined. In other words it must have been used as:

<Identifier> = <Expression>;

This operator must be present in the script. At least one object must be listed in the Output operator, but you need not output every object used in the script. The Output operator determines the method that will be used to create an object with this name.

A correct script describing a parametric part should conform to the following rules:

• A script may have more than one Output(..) operator, but any <Identifier> should contained in only one Output(..) operator_._
• For each object used in the Output(..) operator there should be one, and only one, instance of any <Identifier>.
• For each object used in an <Expression> there should be one, and only one, instance of any <Identifier>.
• Each identifier should be used only once as <Identifier>
• Each identifier should be at least once in an <Expression> operator or in an Output(..)operator_._
• Circular calculation and interdependent referencing are not allowed. The script must not contain interdependent where "Item One" is defined by "Item Two", and "Item Two" is defined by "Item One".

The following situations:

A = B + 0.5; B = sin(A);

or

A = C+5; B = D+42; C = (3(2+A));* D = A/2;

are not allowed. The first case A and B define each other directly. In the second case A is defined by B through C, and B is defined by A through D. This also means that an identifier is not allowed to depend on itself. For example, you cannot use an operator of this form: H = H*1.05;

NOTE: The sequence of script operators is not important (except certain special cases that will be described later); because operators are sorted before the script is run.

Basic Functions

Probably the most significant advantage of this method of creating parametric parts is the compact size and clarity of the text description of parametric parts in script form. The set of basic functions used in such a description, determines the level of clarity and simplicity of scripts for a particular class of parametric parts. Note: It is intended that the set of basic functions will expand from version to version.

Description of Parameters

It is important to understand the structure used to within a Parameter function.

Format: <id> = Parameter(<name>, <default value>, <type>[, <condition1>][, <condition2>]..);

NOTE: The '<>' markers are used to designate elements in the expression, and the '[ ]' markers are used to indicate elements which are optional.

Example of Parameter Description:

Alpha = Parameter("Rotation Angle", 45, ANGULAR, Interval(-90, 90)); // This creates a parameter used to define a rotation angle. The name is 'Rotation Angle', the default is 45, the value type is ANGULAR, and the Interval is from '-90' to '90'

Functions for Creating 2D Entities

The following functions are used to create 2D graphic entities

Circle

The Circle function is used to create circles

Format: Circle(<radius>[, <cx>, <cy>]);

Example:

N = Circle(D/2, 0, y0);

A more extensive example:

//circle.ppm – two circles r1 = Parameter("Radius1", 2.5, LINEAR, Interval(0.0, 10.0)); r2 = Parameter("Radius2", 1.25, LINEAR, Interval(0.0, 10.0)); xc = Parameter("CenterX", 3, LINEAR, Interval(-100, 100)); yc = Parameter("CenterY", 3, LINEAR, Interval(-100, 100)); c1 = Circle(r1); // circle centered on the origin c2 = Circle(r2, xc, yc); // circle offset from the origin Output(c1, c2);

Rectangle

The Rectangle function is used to create rectangles.

Format: Rectangle(<width>, <height>[, <cx>, <cy>]);

Example:

rect = Rectangle(W, H, W/2. H/2); // Left bottom corner is in (0,0) point

Polyline

The Polyline function is used to create polylines consisting of straight line segments and arc segments.

Format: Polyline(<list of arguments>);

A line segment is defined by 2 Points. An arc segment is defined with a Fillet function or with an Arc0 or Arc1 function and two Points on the ends of the arc. For polylines that contain only straight line segments, the<list of arguments> consists of only 2D points, defined using Point(x,y) function.

Format: Point(<cx>,<cy>)

For example, a rectangle can be defined in the following way:

rect = Polyline( // no end-of-line is used semicolon here Point(0,0), // since this function in on multiple lines Point(W, 0), Point(W,H), Point(0, H), Point(0,0) );

It should be noted that when a polyline's, first and last points are coincident, is called a closed polyline. This type of polyline bounds a certain area, and can be used for creating 3D objects. 
Polylines with arc segments are defined by adding auxiliary functions Arc0 and Arc1 to the list of arguments. Arc0 builds the circular arc clockwise, while Arc1 builds the circular arc counterclockwise.

Format: Arc0(<cx>,<cy>), Arc1(<cx>,<cy>),

The start and end point of an arc are defined by the preceding and the following arguments. Arc0 and Arc1 cannot be the first or last argument in the list of arguments. For a polyline that contains only one arc segment, the <list of arguments> consists of 2 Points defined with Point(x,y) function and an arc defined with either the Arc0 or Arc1 function.

Example of arc0 and arc1 in a polyline:

//Polyarc.ppm – polyline with arcs YSize=5; XSize=6; R = 1; Path = Polyline(Point(0, R), // start at top of rounded lower left corner. Point(0, YSize-R), // go to bottom of rounded top left corner. Arc1(0, YSize, R), // make this corner a "cutout" Point(R, YSize), // left side of top edge Point(XSize-R, YSize), Arc0(XSize-R, YSize-R, R), // make this corner a "fillet" Point(XSize, YSize-R), Point(XSize, R), Arc0(XSize-R, R, R), // another filletPoint(XSize-R, 0), Point(R, 0), Arc1(0, 0, R), // another cutout Point(0, R)); Output(Path);

Another method of creating an arc in a polyline is to use the auxiliary function Fillet, which "smooths" two linear segments that start and end in the preceding point, by adding an arc with the specified radius into the corner. This ensures smoothness at the junction points.

Format: Fillet(<radius>);

Example of fillets in a polyline:

  
// polyfillet.ppm – polyline with fillets H = 5; L = 10; FR = 1; p2 = Polyline(// Rectangle with rounded corners Point(0,0), // lower left corner Point(L,0), // lower right corner Fillet(FR), // places fillet at bottom rightPoint(L,H), // upper right corner Fillet(FR), // places fillet at top right Point(0,H), // upper left corner Fillet(FR), // places fillet at top left Point(0,0), // closes rectangle Fillet(FR) // fillets start/end corner. Since this is a closed shape, // no following Point function is needed. ); Output(p2);

  
Fillet and Arcs can be used together in the same Polyline function.

Example of Arcs and Fillet in a polyline:

Poly1 = Polyline( // Rectangle with rounded corners Point(0,0), Point(W - r, 0), Arc1(W - r, r), Point(W, r), Point(W, H - r), Arc1(W - r, H - r), Point(W – r ,H), Point(0, H), Fillet(r), Point(0,0), Fillet(r) );

Functions for Creating 3D Entities from 2D Entities

You can use 2D entities as the basis for creating 3D objects.

Thickness

The Thickness function creates a 3D entity based on the 2D entity by adding thickness. It also allows you to change the thickness property of the 3D object.

Format: Thickness(<Object>, <value>);

Example of Thickness:

RectA = Rectangle(2, 5); RectThick = Thickness(RectA, 3);

Example of Thickness Used to Create a Box Function:

Input(x0,y0,z0,x1,y1,z1) R = Rectangle(x1-x0, y1-y0, (x0+x1)/2, (y0+y1)/2); T = Thickness(R, z1-z0); Output(Move(T, 0, 0, z0));

Another Example of Thickness:

//thickrect.ppm – draws a 2D rectangle and adds thickness L = Parameter("Length", 4, LINEAR, Interval(0.1, 20)); W = Parameter("Width", 3, LINEAR, Interval(0.1, 20)); H = Parameter("Height", 1.5, LINEAR, Interval(0.1, 20)); Rect = Rectangle(L, W); Box = Thickness(Rect, H); Output(Box);

An Example of Thickness with a Circle:

// thickcircle.ppm – draws a circle and adds thickness Cylind=Thickness(Circle(1,2,2),2); Output(Cylind);

An Example of Changing Thickness:

// thickcircle2.ppm – draws a cylinder and changes thickness Cylind=Thickness(Circle(1,2,2),2); Cyl2 = Thickness(Cylind, 4); // changes the thickness of the first cylinder Output(Cyl2);

Sweep

The Sweep function creates a 3D object by extruding a specified profile along a path, defined by a 2D polyline or circle. The profile is defined by a closed 2D polyline or circle.

Format: Sweep(<profile>, <path>[,<rotation angle>]);

Example of Sweep:

Poly1 = Polyline( Point(0,0), Point(1, 0), Point(1,2), Point(0, 2), Point(0,0) ); PolyProfile = RotateX(Poly1, 90); // the Rotate function will be explained later PolyPath = Polyline( Point(0,0), Point(10, 0), Point(10,10),Point(0, 10), Point(0,0) ); PolySweep = Sweep(PolyProfile, PolyPath); Output(PolySweep);

Another Example of Sweep

//sweep1.ppm R = 2; D = 5; C1 = RotateX(Circle(R, D/2+R, 0),90); // profile C2 = Circle(D/2, 0, 0); // path Torus = Sweep(C1,C2); Output(C1, C2, Torus); //C1 and C2 shown for reference

An Extended Example of Sweep

//sweep2.ppm – another sweep example L = Parameter("Length", 5, LINEAR, Interval(0.005, 1000)); W = Parameter("Width", 3, LINEAR, Interval(0.005, 1000)); H = Parameter("Height", 1, LINEAR, Interval(0.1, 3));FR = Parameter("Fillet Radius", 0.3, LINEAR, Interval(0.001,100)); 
p = Polyline(Point(0,0), Point(0,H), Point(-FR,H), Point(-FR,0), Point(0,0)); p1a = RotateX(p,90,0,0); p1 = Move(p1a, 0, W/2, 0); p2 = Polyline( Point(0,0), Point(0,W), Fillet(FR), Point(L,W), Fillet(FR), Point(L,0), Fillet(FR), Point(0,0), Fillet(FR)); 
s = Sweep(p1, p2); Output(s);

Functions for Creating 3D Entities Directly

3D object may also be created directly without reference to a 2D entity.

Sphere

The Sphere function is used to create a 3D sphere.

Format: Sphere(<radius>[,<cx1>,<cy1>,<cz1>]);

Sphere Example:

SR1 = Sphere(10,1,3,5.5);

Another Sphere example:

//sphere.ppm – simple sphere example R = Parameter("Radius", 2.5, LINEAR, Interval(0.01, 20)); cx = Parameter("CenterX", 0, LINEAR, Interval(-100, 100)); cy = Parameter("CenterY", 0, LINEAR, Interval(-100, 100));cz = Parameter("CenterZ", 0, LINEAR, Interval(-100, 100)); S = Sphere(R, cx, cy, cz); Output(S);

Cone

The Cone function is used to create a 3D cone.

Format: Cone(<Height>,<baseradius>[,<topradius>]);

Cone Example:

CN1 = Cone(10,5,2);

Another Cone Example

//cone1.ppm – a simple cone R = Parameter("BaseRadius", 0.5, LINEAR, Interval(0.01, 10)); H = Parameter("Height", 3, LINEAR, Interval(0.05, 20)); Cone1 = Cone(H, R, 0); Output(Cone1);

Example of a Truncated Cone:

//cone2.ppm – a truncated cone R1 = Parameter("BaseRadius", 0.5, LINEAR, Interval(0.01, 10)); R2 = Parameter("TopRadius", 0.1, LINEAR, Interval(0, 10)); H = Parameter("Height", 3, LINEAR, Interval(0.05, 20));Cone2 = Cone(H, R1, R2); Output(Cone2);

Functions for Transforming Geometric Objects

This class of functions is used for moving, and rotating geometric objects. These transformations are related to the transformation of the coordinate system. As always functions create transformed objects, while original objects do not change.

Move

The Move function is used to move (shift) graphic objects.

Format: Move(<Object>, <dx>, <dy> , <dz>[,count]);

Example of Move:

PolyProfile = Move(Poly1, 1, 3);

Another Example:

//move.ppm – illustrates the Move function RB = Parameter("BaseRadius", 2, LINEAR, Interval(0.1, 10)); RT = Parameter("TopRadius", 0.5, LINEAR, Interval(0, 10)); H = Parameter("Height", 4, LINEAR, Interval(0.1, 20)); con1 = Cone(H, RB, RT); cx = Parameter("CenterX", 5, LINEAR, Interval(-10, 10)); cy = Parameter("CenterY", 0, LINEAR, Interval(-10, 10)); cz = Parameter("CenterZ", 0, LINEAR, Interval(-10, 10)); count = Parameter("Copies", 2, LINEAR, Interval(1, 10)); con2 = Move(con1, cx, cy, cz, count);// create count copies, offsetting each by cx, cy, cz Output(con1, con2);

Rotate

The RotateX, RotateY. RotateZ functions are used to rotate graphic objects around the X, Y and Z axes, respectively.

Format: RotateX(<Object>, <rotation angle>[, <cy>, <cz>[,<count>]]); RotateY(<Object>, <rotation angle>[, <cx>, <cz>[, <count>]]); RotateZ(<Object>, <rotation angle>[, <cx>, <cy>[, <count>]]);

Example of Rotate:

PolyProfile = RotateX(Poly1, 90);

Another Example of Rotate:

//rotate.ppm – demonstrates the rotate functions c1 = Circle(2, 10, 0); // create a circle c2 = RotateX(c1, -90, 0, 0); // rotate the circle to lie in the XZ plane c3 = Move(c2, 0, -0.05, 0); // move it back half the thickness c4 = Thickness(c3, 0.1); c5 = RotateZ(c4, 30, 0, 0, 11); //duplicate the circle by rotating about the Z axis c6 = Circle(2, 0, 10); c7 = Move(c6, 0, 0, -0.05); c8 = Thickness(c7, 0.1); c9 = RotateX(c8, -30, 0, 0, 11); c10 = Circle(2, 0, 0); c11 = RotateZ(c10, -90, 0, 0); c12 = Move(c11, 10, 0, -0.05); c13 = Thickness(c12, 0.1); c14 = RotateY(c13, 30, 0, 0, 11); Output(c4, c5, c8, c9, c13, c14);

Functions for Loading External Symbols as Elements

You can load non-parametric external symbols from external files to be a part of a parametric part. The files must be importable (supported) by the CAD system, such as *.TCW, *.DWG, *.SKP

StaticSymbol

The StaticSymbol function loads non-parametric symbols from external files. When the external symbol's filename is specified with no path information, the symbol is automatically assumed to reside in a sub-folder named Macro that is located in the ppm file's home folder.

Format: StaticSymbol(<FileName>[,BlockName]);

Example of StaticSymbol:

//staticsym1.ppm – loads an external file from the Macro sub-folder S = StaticSymbol("ExternalSymbol.tcw"); Output(S); //static symbol from ExternalSymbol.tcw file is inserted on the drawing

Set(FolderList(...))

To create a list of files in a folder, Set(FolderList(...)) is typically used as the Parameter restriction.

Format: <id> = FolderList(<path> <mask> = "*.ppm");

Example of Set(FolderList(..)):

// staticsym2.ppm – loads an external symbol from a different folder than Macro DrawingName = Parameter("Drawing", "Drawing1", Set(FolderList("..\..\..\Drawings", "*.tcw")));//quantity of "..\..\" (before folder Drawings) is equal to quantity //of steps over folder tree starting from the Macro sub-folder. S0 = StaticSymbol("..\..\..\Drawings\"DrawingName".tcw"); //here a static symbol is loaded from a file with a tcw-extension, // and a filename picked from the FolderList obtained via the DrawingName parameter. Output(S0);

When specifying a relative path, you must remember that the path is always assumed to start, not at the folder that contains the ppm file, but in a folder below that named "Macro". In the example above, assume for the moment that staticsym2.ppm is located in:

C:\Users\Me\Documents\MyCAD\PPM Documentation Samples

The path used in the FolderList path and the StaticSymbol path must then implicitly begin at

C:\Users\Me\Documents\MyCAD\PPM Documentation Samples\Macro

The external symbol is being loaded from:

C:\Users\Me\Documents\MyCAD\Drawings

That means the script must navigate up three directories to the MyCAD folder, then back down one level to the Drawings folder, so the correct relative path is: 
..\..\..\Drawings

Another example, which loads a specific .tcw file from the Drawings folder:

//staticsym3.ppm – loads a specific file from a different folder S = StaticSymbol("..\..\..\Drawings\3DSliceTest.tcw"); //only loads the specific file 3DSliceTEst.tcw. //Remember that the relative path is still rooted in the Macro subfolder. Output(S);

A parametric part (a file with a *.ppm extension) can loaded by calling the name of the parametric file as if it were a function, whose arguments are the parameters of the part to be loaded, in the order in which they are described in the file. Refer to "Creating Custom Functions" below for more details on this process.

Functions for 3D Boolean Operations

Functions of this class are used to perform Boolean operations on 3D geometric objects.

BooleanUnion

The BooleanUnion function creates an object by adding the specified objects together.

Format: BooleanUnion(<Object>, <Object>, ...);

Example of BooleanUnion:

S1 = Sphere(5); S2 = Sphere(5,5,5); S3 = Sphere(5,5,-5); S4 = Sphere(5,-5,5); S5 = Sphere(5,-5,-5); S6 = BooleanUnion(S1,S2,S3,S4,S5); Output(S6);

Another Example:

R = Parameter("Radius", 8, LINEAR, Interval(0.001, 1000)); s = Sphere(R); c = Circle(R/3); c1 = Thickness(c, R*2); c2 = Move(c1, 0, 0, R); //Cylinder s1 = BooleanUnion(s, c2); //Sphere with cylinder Output(s1);

BooleanSubtraction

The BooleanSubtract function creates an object by subtracting the secondary objects from the primary object.

Format: BooleanSubtract(<PrimaryObject>, <SecondaryObject>, ...);

Example of BooleanSubtract:

S1 = Sphere(5); S2 = Sphere(5,5,5); S3 = Sphere(5,5,-5); S4 = Sphere(5,-5,5); S5 = Sphere(5,-5,-5); S6 = BooleanSubtract(S1,S2,S3,S4,S5); Output(S6);

Another Example of BooleanSubtract:

R = Parameter("Radius", 8, LINEAR, Interval(0.001, 1000)); s = Sphere(R); c = Circle(R/3); c1 = Thickness(c, R*2); c2 = Move(c1, 0, 0, -R); //Cylinder s1 = BooleanSubtract(s, c2); //Sphere with hole Output(s1);

BooleanIntersect

The BooleanIntersect function creates an object derived from the intersection of the primary and secondary objects.

Format: BooleanIntersect(<Object>, <Object>)

Example of BooleanIntersect:

S1 = Sphere(5); S2 = Sphere(5,5,5); S3 = Sphere(5,5,-5); S4 = Sphere(5,-5,5); S5 = Sphere(5,-5,-5); S6 = BooleanIntersect(S1,S2); Output(S6);

Functions for Modifying 3D Objects

Several functions are available to modify the geometry of 3D objects.

Fillet Edges

The Fillet Edges function allows rounding one or multiple edges of 3D object.

Format: G3Fillet(<Object>,<Edges>, <Radii>);

Fillet Edges Example:

Array(Point(x1,y1,z1), Point(x2,y2,z2), Point(x3,y3,z3)); //defines 3 edges for filleting //Point(x1,y1,z1), Point(x2,y2,z2), Point(x3,y3,z3); – 3 middle points on 3 edges to be filleted

Another Example:

Array(r1, r2)-- //array of radius values for rounding the selected edge. It defines rounding //radiuses for 2 ends of the selected edge. //r1 – start radius of fillet //r2 – end radius of fillet.

Example of Filleting 1 Edge:

G3Fillet(PartA,Point(xc,yc,zc), Array(r1, r2)); //where Point(xc,yc,zc) - middle of the edge.

Another Example:

Door= G3Fillet(Door0, Point(0, -1, (Height-FHeight-4-3/4)/2), Array(1, 1)); For example (fillet of 1 edge of the box): x = Parameter("size", 5, LINEAR, GreaterThan(0)); r1 = Parameter("r1", 1, LINEAR, GreaterThan(0));b0 = Box(0, 0, 0, x, x, x); b1 = G3Fillet(b0, Point(x/2, 0, 0), Array(r1, r1*2)); Output(b1);

Example of Filleting 4 Edges of a Box:

L = Parameter("Length", 5, LINEAR); W = Parameter("Width", 3, LINEAR); H = Parameter("Height", 1, LINEAR); R = Parameter("Radius",0.5); g0 = Box(0,0,0,L,W,H); g1 = G3Fillet(g0, Array(Point(L/2, 0, 0), Point(0, W/2, 0), Point(L/2, W, 0), Point(L, W/2, 0)), Array(R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R)); Output(g1);

Chamfer Edges

The Chamfer Edges function allows chamfering any edge or multiple edges of 3D object.

Format: G3Chamfer(<Object>, <Edges>, <Offsets>);

A Chamfer Example:

Array(d1, d2)-- //array of 2 offset values at the ends of an edge.

Another Example:

Door= G3Chamfer(Door0, Point(0, -1, (Height-FHeight-4-3/4)/2), Array(1, 1)); 
//Here Door0 -is the object whose edge is to be chamfered. //Point(0, -1, (Height-FHeight-4-3/4)/2) – indicates this edge. //Array(1, 1) sets 2 chamfer distances

Another Example:

x = Parameter("size", 5, LINEAR, GreaterThan(0)); r1 = Parameter("r1", 1, LINEAR, GreaterThan(0)); b0 = Box(0, 0, 0, x, x, x); b2 = G3Chamfer(b0, Point(x/2, x, x), Array(r1, r1+r1)); Output(b2);

G3Offset

The G3Offset function extends a solid face inward or outward.

Format: G3Offset(<Object>, <Face>, <Offsets>);

Offset Example:

G3Offset(PartA, Point(xf, yf, zf), dist); 
Where: PartA — is the 3D object whose faces are to be offset Point(xf, yf, zf) — is a point for selecting the face to be offset dist — is the value of face offset

Another Example:

x = Parameter("size", 5, LINEAR, GreaterThan(0)); r1 = Parameter("r1", 1, LINEAR, GreaterThan(0)); b0 = Box(0, 0, 0, x, x, x); b3 = G3Offset(b0, Point(x,x/2,x/2), r1/2); Output(b3);

G3Shell

The G3Shell function allows shelling the shape of solid object, leaving the selected face open. It creates a shell of a specified thickness from a single solid object. The new faces are created by offsetting existing faces inside or outside.

Format: G3Shell(<Object>, <Face>, <Thickness>);

Shell Example:

G3Shell(PartA, Point(xf, yf, zf), thickn); 
Where: Part3 — selects the object which is to be shelled Point(xf, yf, zf) — is the point on the face, which should remain open thickn — is the shell thickness

Another Example:

L = Parameter("Length", 5, LINEAR); W = Parameter("Width", 3, LINEAR); H = Parameter("Height", 1, LINEAR); T = Parameter("Thickness", 0.2, LINEAR); g0 = Box(0,0,0,L,W,H); g1 = G3Shell(g0, Point(L/2, W/2, H), T); Output(g1); //After inserting a shelled object in the drawing, shell thickness can be edited in the Selection Info palette (as well as Length, Width and Height parameters)

G3Bend

The G3Bend function is used for bending 3D objects.

Format: G3Bend(<Object>, <Line>, <Angle>, <Radius>, <Depth> );

Bend Example:

G3Bend(Part3, Point(x1, y1, z1), Point(x2, y2, z2), Angle, R, 0);

Another Example:

P1=Thickness(Rectangle(10,20),3); B0 = G3Bend(P1, Point(3, 3, 0), Point(3,8,0), 90, 2, 0); Output(B0);

Setting and Changing Object Properties

The SetProperties function is used to set the properties of objects.

Format: SetProperties(<Object>, <PropertyName> = PropertyValue, <PropertyName> = PropertyValue, ...);

Example of SetProperties:

BlueRect=Rectangle(10,5); RedRect = SetProperties(BlueRect, "PenColor" = 0xff, "PenWidth" = 0.2); Output(RedRect);

Another Example:

Side2M = SetProperties(Side2, "Material" = "Wood\Pine", "PenColor" = 0xff);

Another Example:

PL1 = SetProperties(PL0, "Brush" = "SOLID");

Another Example: SetPlastic = ("Material" = "Plastics\Plain white"); BoxMaterial = SetProperties(MyBox,SetPlastic);

In the Parametric Part manager there is a special tool to choose the required value for such properties as Material, Pen Color and Brush Style. To activate it, right-click on the property name. This will open the Local Menu either for Material table or PenColor table or BrushStyle table. The appropriate table will appear where the desired value can be chosen.

Nesting Functions

Functions can be nested within a single expression to optimize scripting efficiency.

For Example: BF = BooleanSubtract(B1,Move(RotateZ(RotateY(Box(-5,-5,-5,5,5,5),45),45),-1,-1,-1));

Example Used in a Small Script:

B1 = Box(0,0,0,10,10,10); BF = BooleanSubtract(B1,Move(RotateZ(RotateY(Box(-5,-5,-5,5,5,5),45),45),-1,-1,-1)); Output(BF);

Functions for Creating Text

Text

The Text function defines the text string itself and its characteristics, including fonts, style, effects, etc. Acceptable font values are dependent upon those installed on your machine.

Format: Text(<Text object>, <Text Font>, <Text Style>);

Example:

bsb = Text("BS(b)", Tfont, Tstyle);

TextFont

The TextFont function sets the text font, size, and the angle of text line location.

Format: TextFont(<mode>, <Height>, <Angle>, <font>);

Example:

Tfont = TextFont(0,2, 45, "Arial");

Where: 0 — means that text is Standard 2 — text height 45 — text line is located at 45 degrees Arial — font

TextStyle

The TextStyle function sets the text style including justification, text effects and styles.

Format: TextStyle(<list of characteristics>);

Example:

Tstyle = TextStyle(LEFT, TOP, UNDERLINE);

Another Example:

//Standard text of Times New Roman font with 5in of font size, //with Left,Top justification, with TextBox effect, Bold, Italic, at 45 degrees of Angle ht=5; font_name = "Times New Roman"; Tfont = TextFont(0, ht, 45, font_name); Tstyle = TextStyle(LEFT, TOP, BOX,BOLD, ITALIC); bsb = Text("BS(b)", Tfont, Tstyle); Output(bsb);

Auxiliary Functions

Extents

The ExtentsX1, ExtentsX2, ExtentsY1, ExtentsY2, ExtentsZ1 and ExtentsZ2 functions are used to calculate the extents of graphic objects. Format:

ExtentsX1(<Object>); ExtentsX2(<Object>); ExtentsY1(<Object>); ExtentsY2(<Object>); ExtentsZ1(<Object>); ExtentsZ2(<Object>);

The presence of X, Y or Z characters in the function name determines axis along which the extents will be calculated. 1 or 2 index--indicates whether minimum or maximum value should be calculated.

Example of Extents:

xmin = ExtentsX1(PartA); xmax = ExtentsX2(PartA); ymin = ExtentsY1(PartA); ymax = ExtentsY2(PartA); zmin = ExtentsZ1(PartA); zmax = ExtentsZ2(PartA); P1 = Box(xmin, ymin, zmin, xmax, ymax, zmax);

Another Example of Extents:

A0=Thickness(Rectangle(H-3/4,D), 3/4); A1=RotateY(A0,90); xmin = ExtentsX1(A1); xmax = ExtentsX2(A1); ymin = ExtentsY1(A1); ymax = ExtentsY2(A1); zmin = ExtentsZ1(A1); zmax = ExtentsZ2(A1); P1 = Box(xmin, ymin, zmin, xmax, ymin+3, zmin+4);

ParameterPoint

The ParameterPoint function defines a parametric point with number and coordinates.

Format: ParameterPoint (<N>,<xc>,<yc>,<zc>);

Example of ParameterPoint:

P0 = ParameterPoint(0, l, -l, 0); P1 = ParameterPoint(1, 0, 0, 0);

PointX, PointY, PointZ functions

The PointX, PointY, PointZ are used to calculate the coordinates of parametrical point. The PointX function calculates X-coordinate of parametrical point. The PointY function calculates Y-coordinate of parametrical point. The PointZ function calculates Z-coordinate of parametrical point.

Format: PointX (<point>); PointY(<point>);. PointZ(<point>);

Examples of Point:

x0 = PointX(P0); // x0=1 for P0 = ParameterPoint(0, l, -l, 0); y1 = PointY(P1); //y1=0 for P1 = ParameterPoint(1, 0, 0, 0); z1 = PointZ(P1); //z1=0 for P1 = ParameterPoint(1, 0, 0);

Special functions and operators

IF

The IF function allows various actions to be performed depending upon whether the specified condition is fulfilled or not fulfilled. It plays the role of a conditional operator, and can be used to create branches in the logic of building a parametric part.

Format: IF(<Condition>, <ExprOnTRUE>, <ExprOnFALSE>);

IF Example:

A = IF(L >= H, Rectangle(L, H), Rectangle(H, L)); //Regardless of the specified size of L and H, the created rectangle A will be positioned //horizontally (the longer side will be along the X axis). 
/* In this example "Rectangle(L, H)" is the TRUE result and "Rectangle(H, L" is the FALSE result. */

Another Example:

Tstyle = IF(dir > 0, TextStyle(MIDDLE, RIGHT), TextStyle(MIDDLE, LEFT)); //Regardless of the specified size of dir, Text Style will be specified with Right or Left justification.

UNITS

The UNITS function defines the units that will be used in the script. It defines the System, Space Units and Scale of dimensions used while creating objects. This function allows loading parts correctly in drawings with different specified units.

Format: Units(<N>[<units of dimension>]);

Units (1[in]) — this means that the main units of measurement are inches. It is possible to use other units for some particular values even when the entire drawing is created with the default unit. In order to use millimeters for particular values while inches are default units, you can explicity declare the desired unit for these values.

For Example:

Units(1[in]);// means that default unit of drawing is inches Units(1[mm]);// means that default unit of drawing is millimeters

For example, you can use value M=5[mm]; and Units(1[in]) in the same script. It means that only M value is measured in mm while all others are measured in inches. 
Moreover, this function allows for scaling the created objects down (when N<1) or up (when N>1).

For Example:

Units(2[in]);//created object is scaled up 2 times compared with the case of Units(1[in]); _Units(0.5[in]);// created object is scaled ½ as large as compared with the case of Units(1[in]);_

RefPoint

The RefPoint function sets the location of the Reference Point for the parametric part. When the Reference Point is one of the output values of a script, it is inserted in the drawing along with the part. This enables precise insertion of the parametric object into the drawing.

Format: RefPoint(<Point>);

For Example:

xArrow = PointX(P0); yArrow = PointY(P0); rf = RefPoint(xArrow, yArrow, 0); //-> RefPoint is placed on the point (xArrow,yArrow, 0) Output(rf);

Input and Output

The Input and Output functions are used for inputting initial values or objects into the script and outputting result objects from the script.

Format: Input(<list of variable identifiers, separated with commas>); Output(<list of variable identifiers, separated with commas>);

For Example:

Input(H, W, D, A, Dis); Output(SideA_L,Bottom_B,Back_I, Face1, FalseD1, E1,E2,E3,E4, N1, T1, Door, FF, SideA_R);

Example of the Output with Conditional Output:

Sw = Parameter("Switch", 1, CHECKBOX); P1 = Thickness(Rectangle(5,5), 3); S1= Thickness(Circle(2.5),4); Output(IF(Sw,P1,S1)); //Here is either cylinder or box inserted on the drawing //depending on checkbox Sw value

min and max

The min and max functions are used for choosing the minimum or maximum values within a set of values.

Format: min(<set of values>); max(<set of values>);

For Example:

r=min(2,5,1,7,9);//r=1 R=max(2,5,1,7,9);//R=9

For Example:

A=2; B=5; C=1; D=7; E=9; A1=2; B1=5; C1=1; D1=7; E1=9; r=min(A,B,C,D,E);//r=1 R=max(A1,B1,C1,D1,E1);//R=9

Example of using Array of Values:

A=2; B=5; C=1; D=7; E=9; r=min(Array(A,B,C,D,E));//r=1

Note: A Group of objects cannot be used as argument of these functions, because a Group is a collection of graphic objects, rather than a collection of numbers.

Mod

The Mod function is used for finding the remainder of the integer division. For example, Mod(5,4) is 1, because 5/4 = 1, with a remainder of 1. Mod(7,4) is 3, because 7/4 = 1, with a remainder of 3. Mod(7,3) = 1, because 7/3 = 2, remainder 1. 
Note: The Mod function is often used to determine if a number is odd or even, because Mod(AnyOddNumber, 2) = 1, while Mod(AnyEvenNumber, 2) = 0.

Format: Mod(<value1, value2>);

For Example:

A = 7; B = 4; C = Rectangle(A, Mod(A,B)); Output(C);

Div

The Div function is used to perform division.

Format: Div(<value1>,<value2>);

For Example:

A=7; B=3; result1 = A/B; result2 = Div(A, B); rect = Rectangle(result1, result2) Output(rect);

Additional Math Functions

sqrt

Calculates the square root of a specified number P = sqrt(b);

asin

Calculates the arcsine. Returns the angle in radians P = asin(0.5);

acos

Calculates the arcsine. Returns the angle in radians P = acos(0.5);

Array

The Array function defines an array of values, or an array of Points, by directly listing the elements of the array. In other words the Array function collects geometric objects or values into an Array object.

Format: Array(<list of objects>)

For Example:

Array(Point(L/2, 0, 0), Point(0, W/2, 0), Point(L/2, W, 0), Point(L, W/2, 0)) // It is the array of points defining the edges for G3Fillet. 
Array(R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R) //It is the array of radius values for filleting the array of edges.

Another Example: Can

txt = Parameter("text", "Simple text example", TEXT); a = Array(TextFont(0,10,"Arial"), TextStyle(CENTER, MIDDLE, ITALIC)); //Array of 2 items: TextFont and TextStyle) s0 = Text(txt, a); Output(s0);

Group

The Group function collects multiple graphic objects into a group and assigns an identifier name to the result. It allows the script to work with multiple objects as if they were a single object. Also a Group can be the output value of a script. Groups of objects can take part in different operations: Move, Rotate, etc.

Format: Group (<list of objects>);

For Example:

bse = Group(bse_below, bse_above); //group of 2 graphic objects Br2 = Group(Br0, Br1);

For Example:

Bx = Group(Move(BxL, -Dis*1.5), Move(BxR, Dis*1.5)); ShelfFBx = BooleanSubtract(ShelfF, Bx); Output(ShelfFBx, Bx);

Special Functions without Parameters

PI

The PI function calculates the value of Pi = 3.14159...

Creating custom functions

When scripts of the same type are created, which describe a particular class of parametric parts, it can be convenient to have the sequence of repeated actions as a separate specialized function. To achieve this, the repeated actions can be put into a separate <name>.ppm file. In this case, all input variables should be listed in the Input operator:

Format:

Input(<list of variable identifiers, separated with commas>);

For Example:

Input(x0,y0,z0,x1,y1,z1);

The Output operator should also be defined.

Format:

Output(<list of variable identifiers, separated with commas>);

A custom function created in this manner must be placed in a Macro folder, which is always located inside the folder of the calling script. When the custom function is used, the script's file name (without the .ppm extension) is used just as if it was a built-in function.

Format:

<file name>(<list of input parameters>)

Below is an example of a custom function. The file box.ppm can be found in the PPM Documentation Samples/Macro folder:

// box.ppm – defines a custom Box function. // The custom function is called in this way: // B = Box(Xmin, Ymin, Zmin, Xmax, Ymax, Zmax); // The function creates a 3D box with given min/max valuesInput(x0,y0,z0,x1,y1,z1); R = Rectangle(x1-x0, y1-y0, // Rectangle with Xmin = x0, Xmax= x1 (x0+x1)/2, (y0+y1)/2); // Ymin = y0, Ymax = y1 T = Thickness(R, z1-z0); // depth = Zmax - Zmin Output(Move(T, 0, 0, z0)); // move result along z to Zmin 
The script below is box_ blend.ppm, which calls the custom function box.ppm 
//box_blend.ppm uses the custom Box.ppm function in the Macro folder. x = Parameter("size", 5, LINEAR, GreaterThan(0)); r1 = Parameter("r1", 0.5, LINEAR, GreaterThan(0)); b0 = Box(0, 0, 0, x, x, x); b1 = G3Fillet(b0, Point(x/2, 0, 0), Array(r1, r1*2)); Output(b1);

File location is crucial when using parametric scripts as custom functions. In the example above, if blend_box.ppm lies in the folder D:/Symbols, then it can only find the box.ppm script if box.ppm is located in the folder D:/Symbols/Macro.

Parametric Parts Reserved Word List