Postby Josh Rayburn » Thu, Nov 11 2010, 8:20AM
Hi Gary,
You're right, to constrain to edges is much different than constraining to a dado's edge, (which is not possible anymore) for example - a partition might create the need to constrain the holes in the top or deck when the partition is off center. If it's centered that is a simple formula entered into the 'edit' box for the constraint, for example (W/2). But in an off-center partition, those holes can be constrained to the edges of the top and deck and then to each other vertically with formulas and horizontally for alignment, thus creating only one horizontal constraint that needs to be "moved" or edited if this situation occurs, it's not nearly as bad.
The larger problem that I encounter on a regular basis is that any change to a base cabinet with a toekick notch seems to vomit out all of my carefully placed constraints even if it's just a change in the width of the cabinet. I haven't narrowed that one down yet to the point where I can report the specifics to have it fixed....
In repetitive scenarios with same size and placement, it has proved better to make a dxf overlay and drill the holes 'manually' with the part editor since the geometry is so much easier to place and / or move in a cad program. I also like being reassured by taking a quick measurement to confirm that my holes are where I want them to be. Overall it is often that these pilot hole jobs take longer to program than to cut but that all has to be considered in the programming estimate.
By the way, I am in complete agreement with your point on locking openings. That would also be a very useful feature to have.
jnr
Josh Rayburn
Hall's Edge, Inc.
CNC Machining Service
Dell Precision T3400
Win7 Professional 64 Bit/Core2Duo E8400 3ghz/4 GB Ram/NVIDIA Quadro FX570