#### SectionCutObject

The SectionCutObject lets you define a section cut (cutaway view) of the CAD model. You can insert a SectionCutObject into the Report Template Editor as with other objects, or you can insert it into a final report page on the Report window directly. To insert this object, position the mouse pointer, and drag a box. When you release the mouse, the object appears, and—at least in the Report Template Editor—it will display “No Image!” until you associate the CAD model with the object by modifying its properties.

Changing the Object's Properties

If you insert the SectionCutObject into the Report Template Editor, right-click on it to access the object's Properties dialog box. You can modify the properties directly in the Properties dialog box or select the (Settings Dialog) property, and click the ... button to use the Section Cut Settings dialog box to more easily modify its properties.

If you insert this object on-the-fly into a report page of the Report window, the same Section Cut Settings dialog box appears.

Section Cut Settings dialog box

You can use this dialog box to define a cutaway image of your part model that will later appear in your report.

Defining a Cutaway Image Using the Selection Cut Settings Dialog Box

1. Fill out the X, Y, and Z boxes to define a point on the CAD model where the clipping plane intersects with the model.

2. Fill out the I, J, and K boxes to define the direction the plane faces.

3. Modify the Tolerance value as needed.

4. Click the Load button to see a live preview the cutaway image in the Section Cut Settings dialog box.

5. Use the large left and right arrow icons to fine tune the placement of the plane, getting the exact cutaway view that you need. The preview in the dialog box updates to match the placement of the plane.

6. Reposition the image as desired. Pan the image by right-click dragging. Zoom in or out on the cutaway image by right-clicking above or below the imaginary horizontal line that splits the image view. 2D rotate the part image by holding the CTRL key and right-click dragging.

7. Finally, place callouts onto the dialog box image by using the Add Tag button.

8. Click OK to accept your changes.

Section Cut Settings Dialog Box Items

Item | Description
X, Y, and Z boxes | These boxes define a point on the CAD model where the clipping plane will cut the model.
I, J, and K boxes | These boxes define the IJK direction vector of the clipping plane.
Tolerance box | The tolerance parameter is used to:

1. Check if the polyline is closed. The start and end point distance is less than the tolerance value.

2. Reduce the polyline.

3. Merge polylines.

Load button | This previews the section cut line on the CAD image as well as the section cut profile.
Hide Image check box | This hides the section cut profile image on the preview window. If you click the OK button, PC-DMIS also hides the section cut profile image in the Report Template Editor or on the Report window's page.
Move clipping plane along above IJK area | This area contains an edit box and arrow buttons. The edit box defines the distance that the clipping plane will move when you click the left arrow or right arrow button. The arrow buttons move the clipping plane along the IJK vector, by the specified distance with each click.

If you have 1,0,0 then the plane will move along the X axis.

If you have 0,1,0 then the plane will move along the Y axis.

If you have 0,0,1 then the plane will move along the Z axis.

Scale Factor area | When you insert a section cut profile the scale of the profile image is the same as the actual part in the Graphics Display window, a 1:1 relationship. The Scale Factor area lets you view or change this scale. For example, typing .25 would size the section cut to one fourth the size of the actual part.
Add Tag button | This button allows you to place callouts on the cutaway image of the part model. Clicking this button changes your cursor to a cross-hair icon. You can click and drag a leader line on the cutaway image in the dialog box. When you release the mouse button, a small text box appears allowing you to type the callout text. The number of characters this text box can display is only limited by the size of the text box. Increasing the size of the box will allow it to hold and display more characters.

You should place tags on the image only when the cutaway image has been completely finalized. If not, the tag likely will be deleted with any future modification to image.

OK and Cancel | Clicking OK applies your changes to the section cut profile image and displays the image in the Report Template Editor or Report window. If your report contains a CadReportObject, the section cut line will appear on the CAD image. Clicking Cancel closes the dialog box without applying your changes. However, if you've added the object on-the-fly into your Report window, the SectionCutObject will still exist. If desired, you can remove it by right-clicking on the object and selecting Remove Object.

Object Properties

Property | Description
(Settings Dialog) | This displays the Section Cut Settings dialog box.
Bottom | Common Properties
Left | Common Properties
Plane Anchor X | See description in table describing dialog box items above.
Plane Anchor Y | See description in table describing dialog box items above.
Plane Anchor Z | See description in table describing dialog box items above.
Plane Vector I | See description in table describing dialog box items above.
Plane Vector J | See description in table describing dialog box items above.
Plane Vector K | See description in table describing dialog box items above.
Right | Common Properties
Tolerance | See description in table describing dialog box items above.
Top | Common Properties
Enable | Common Properties
Font | Common Properties
Hide Image | See description in table describing dialog box items above.
Visible | Common Properties
EventReportData | About Events and Visual Basic Code

Defining On-The-Fly Section Cut Profiles

Perhaps the easiest way to use section cut profiles is to define them using an on-the-fly creation method within the final report in the Report window itself. To do this:

1. Right-click on the Report window. A short cut menu appears.

2. Select the Add Object on Page | Section Cut Profile... menu item.

3. Click and drag a box directly on the Report window the size of the cutaway image you want. When you release the mouse button, the Section Cut Settings dialog box appears.

4. Use the dialog box to define the cut profile as described above. PC-DMIS inserts the section cut profile into the Report window.

Sample Section Cut Profile

Modifying Section Cut Profiles in the Report Window

Right-click on the object and select Edit Object... from the resulting shortcut menu.