Lesson

3 Coordinate Systems

Purpose 3
This lesson is an introduction to the coordinate systems that are used in NX.

Objectives

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Define the Absolute Coordinate System (ABS).

• Define the Work Coordinate System (WCS).

• Move the WCS using dynamic drag handles.

• Obtain geometric information relative to the WCS.

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 Coordinate Systems

Overview of Coordinate Systems

Before creating solid models, you should have a basic understanding of how
NX represents the location and orientation of objects. Since you will be
creating models in a three-dimensiona l environment, model space is defined
as the infinite extension of a three-dimensional field represented in the views
of your graphics window.

All NX coordinate systems are right-hand, Cartesian coordinate systems,

made up of a set of X, Y, and Z axes, 90° apart from each other.
A three-axis symbol is used to identify a coordinate system. The intersection
of the axes is called the origin of the coordinate system. The origin has
the coordinate values of X=0, Y=0, and Z=0. The figure below illustrates
that, starting at the origin, each axis has a positive direction and a negative
direction.

There are several types of coordinate systems that are utilized in NX. This
lesson will discuss the following types:
• Absolute Coordinate System (ABS)

• Work Coordinate System (WCS)

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Absolute Coordinate System

The Absolute Coordinate System (ABS) is not mobile. It defines a fixed point
and orientation in model space. The Absolute Coordina te System is necessary
to relate location or orientation between different objects, solid models, parts,
and even MCAD/CAE systems. An object positioned at absolute X = 1, Y =1,
and Z =1 in one part is the exact same absolute position in any other part.

Work Coordinate System

Since the ABS is not mobile, the Work Coordinate System (WCS) is used to 3
facilitate geometry construction in different orientations. The WCS can be
located and oriented manually anywhere in model space. The WCS is not a
selectable entity.

Most modeling operations in NX do not require manual manipulation of the

WCS because features are added to a model relative to existing geometry. In
those cases, the WCS is handled automatically. Howeve r, certain functions
are dependent on the location and orientation W C S at the time they are
perfo rmed.
The location and/or orientation of the WCS will need to be considered when
using the following functions:
• Creating a Primitive Feature (specifically a Block)

• Defining a plane when creating a Sketch

• Creating a Fixed Datum Plane or Fixed Datum Axis

• Creating a Rectang ular Instance Array

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Manipulating the WCS

You can access WCS options from the Utility toolbar or by choosing
Format? WCS on the menu bar while a part is displayed.
In general, there are four different options available to manipulate the WCS;
Origin, Dynamics (Move), Rotate, and Orient. The Dynamics and Orient
options will be the focus in this lesson.

3 Move WC S provides an interface to dynamically control the location

and orientation of the WCS by keying in distance and angle values or by
dragging origi n, axis, and rotation handles in the graphics window.

Orient WCS displays the CSYS Constructor dialog which includes

various options to position the WCS.

The Absolute CSYS option will move the WCS back to the
Absolute origin and orientation. This can also be accomplished by
using the Set WCS to Absolute icon whi ch can be added to the Utility
toolbar.

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Move WCS (Dynamics)

To access the Move WCS option and display the WCS in a dynamic mode,
double-click the W C S in the graphics window, turn on the Move WCS icon in
the Utility toolbar, or choose Format? WCS? Dynamics from the menu bar.
Drag handles are displayed and are used to move the WCS. These handles
are represented by a cube, three coneheads, and three spheres.

When the cursor passes over the WCS, it will highlight with
temporary rotation planes to indicate that it can be selected. If
there is other geometry in the vicinity and the WCS cannot be easily
selected, use the Utility toolbar or menu bar to access it.

After you move the WCS, you can either choose MB2 or turn off the Move
WCS icon to confirm the location and the WCS will return to a normal displa y.

Undo is available while in dynamic WCS mode and can be used to

restore the WCS to a previous location or orientation.

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Origin Handle

When you select the cube-shaped handle at the origin of the WC S, you can
relocate the WCS to any point in the graphics window as dictated by the Snap
Point toolbar (End Point, Arc Center, etc.). Help indicators will display on a
highlighted object to help you predict where the WCS will be relocated.

Snap Point Toolbar

The Snap Point toolbar becomes active when you need to specify a location.
It is available when the WCS origin handle is selected to help specify the
origin for the W C S.

Cursor Location is always available regardless of the other options that are
enabled in the toolbar.

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Point Constructor Dialog

The Point Constructor dialog is a common tool that appears throughout NX

to define a location. It is available as an icon in the Snap Point toolbar after
selecting the W C S origin handle.
With this dialog, you can define points using existing geometry, coordinate
values, or offsets.

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 Coordinate Systems

Axis H andles

When you select a conehead axis handle, a dynamic input field appears in the
graphics window next to the W C S to input a specific distance or snap
increment. You can also drag the handle to move the coordinate system along
the axis.

Double-clicking an axis handle will reverse the direction of the axi s.

The Snap value is the incremental distance the WCS will move as you drag
the axis handle. The default Snap value is 0 (zero) but you may enter a
different value. The Distance value will update as you drag the handle.

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Rotation Handles

When you select a spherical rotation handle, a dynamic input field appears
next to the WCS to enter a speci fic angle or snap increment. You can also
drag the handle to rotate the coordinate system about the axis.

The Snap value is an incremental angle to rotate the WCS. The default
Snap value is 45 so the WCS snaps in 45 degree increments as you drag the
rotation handle. The Angle value will update as you drag the handle.

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Activity — Manipulating the WCS

In this activi ty, you will move the WCS to different positions and orientations
to help you obtain information about the location of points and objects on
the model.
By defa ult, the WCS coincides with the Absolute Coordina te System in a
new part. Moving the WCS can help you obtain information about geometry
relative to a coordinate system other than the Absolute Coordinate System.
Moving the WCS is also sometimes required for certain modeling functions.
3 Step 1: Open the wcs_1 part.

Step 2: Change the Work Coordinate System origin.

Choose the Move WCS icon in the Utility toolbar.

(Format→WCS→Dynami
cs)

Make sure Control Point is enabled in the Snap Point

toolbar.

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Select the midpoint of the lower edge.

The origin handle is highlighted by default. You simply select

locations in the graphics window to move the WCS based on
the Snap Point toolbar settings. The WCS maintains the same
XC, YC, and ZC directions.

Choose MB2 to return the WCS to a normal display.

Step 3: Rotate the Work Coordinate System.

Choose the Move WCS icon. (Format→WCS→Dynamics)

Select the Rotation Handle shown.

A dynamic input field appears allowing an Angle or Snap to

be entered.

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Key in 90 in the Angle text entry field and press Enter.

The origin of the WCS is unchanged, the coordinate system
is rotated about the XC axis 90°. The direction of rotation is
based on the Right Hand Rule.

3
Choose MB2.

Step 4: Find the location of a point on the model relative to the WCS.
Choose Information? Point.
The Point Constructor is displayed to specify the point.

Select the arc center shown by placing the cursor over the
circular edge. When the center highlighted, select the edge.

The coordinates of the arc center relative to both the W C S and

Absolute Coordinate System are displayed in an Information
window.
Information Units Millimeters
Point XC = 0.000000000 X = 32.500000000
YC = 25.000000000 Y = 14.000000000
ZC = -14.000000000 Z = 16.000000000

Close the Information window.

Step 5: Reverse the direction of the YC Axis.

Choose the Move WCS icon. (Format→WCS→Dynamics)

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Double-click the YC Axis Handle.

This reverses the direction of the YC Axis so that is pointing
downward.

Choose MB2.

Step 6: Change the orientation of the WCS.

The image below has been rotated for clarity. You may shade or
rotate the view for better viewing of the part.

Choose the Move WCS icon. (Format→WCS→Dynamics)

Move the WCS origin to the location shown below.

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Select the XC Axis Handle.

Select the edge at the location shown below. A vector will

appear from the end of the selected edge.

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Select the YC Axis Handle.

Select the edge at the location shown below. A vector will

appear from the end of the selected edge.

Choose MB2 when finished orienting the WC S.

Step 7: Find the location of an object relative to the WC S.

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 Coordinate Systems

Choose Information? Object.

Select the lower edge of the part shown.

Choose OK in the upper left corner of graphics window

(or MB2) to accept the selected edge.
Information about the edge will appear in the Information
window. The coordinates of the start and end points are
displayed relative to both the WCS and Absolute Coordinate
System.
Edge Geometry Line

Angle = 0.000000000
Length = 33.000000000

Vertex 1 XC = 16.000000000 X = 49.000000000

YC = -0.000000000 Y = 145.069219382
ZC = -25.000000000 Z = -33.669872981

Vertex 2 XC = 49.000000000 X = 16.000000000

YC = -0.000000000 Y = 145.069219382
ZC = -25.000000000 Z = -33.669872981

Close the Information window.

Step 8: Move the WCS back to the Absolute CSY S.

Choose Format? WCS? Orient.

Choose Absolute CSYS in the CS Y S Constructor dialog.

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Choose OK.
The WCS moves back to the Absolute origin and orientation.

The Set WCS to Absolute icon can be added to the Utility

toolbar. This can be used without having to use the CSYS
Cons tructo r.

Step 9: Close all parts without saving them.

Choose File? Close? All Parts.

Choose Yes to con firm the closing of modified parts.

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Summary
The Absolute Coordinate System is a stationary coordinate system that
defines a fixed point in model space while the Work Coordinate System (WCS)
is a mobile coordinate system that may be moved and reoriented as necessary
to support other functions.
In this lesson you:
• Identified the difference between the Absolute Coordinate System and the
Work Coordinate System.
3
• Relocated, rotated, and reoriented the WCS.

• Reviewed the Point Constructor and CSYS Constructor dialogs.

• Obtained geometric information relative to the WCS.

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