Most Useful Synchronous Modeling Tools: Move, Delete, Resize Face

Most Useful Synchronous Modeling Tools: Move, Delete, Resize Face

The Top 3 Tools Used in  NX CAD Synchronous Modeling

Synchronous modeling tools in NX CAD allow NX users to quickly edit the design geometry without having to edit any original features. This allows for precise, direct push-and-pull edits to the body. The synchronous modeling tool is particularly effective when the features are unavailable to edit, such as with imported STEP or STL files which only contain a single body.

The synchronous modeling tools are organized in their own group within the home tab.

Top 3 Tools used in NX CAD for Synchronous Modeling

Clicking the More tab expands all of the different types of tools in the group. Most of the tools have inputs. In this NX CAD tutorial, we show how you can use the top 3 tools most commonly used within the synchronous modeling feature.

  1. Move Face
  2. Delete Face
  3. Resize Face

But don’t be afraid to mess around with all of them!

All the Synchronous Modeling Tools in the group.

How to Use the Move Face Tool in Synchronous Modeling

Move face is a tool that allows the user to extend or retract entire faces along a selected plane or angle. Here’s how to use it:

1. Select the face or faces to move.

Selecting a face using the Move Face tool in NX Synchronous modeling.

2. Then select which type of motion you’ll be performing.

Selecting the type of motion from a dropdown using the Move Face tool in NX Synchronous Modeling.

3. Next, select the vector direction. If Angle was selected, the pivot point.

Selecting the vector direction when using the Move Face tool in NX Synchronous modeling.

4. Finally, enter the positive or negative distance value. Similarly to other functions, the arrow handle can be dragged to change the distance as well.

Selecting a distance value for the Move Face tool in NX Synchronous Modeling

Note: The move face feature is included in the model history and can easily be edited by right clicking and selecting edit, or double clicking the left mouse button.

Editing the move face feature in the model history in NX Synchronous modeling.

How to use NX CAD Delete Face to easily delete a feature

The delete face tool comes in handy when you’re trying to easily delete a feature like the hole in this part below. Note: Check the Heal option in the Delete Face dialogue to fill the hole left from the deleted face and fill the hole. That’s pretty self explanatory!

Deleting a hole using the Delete Face tool with NX Synchronous Modeling.
Deleting a hole in NX using the Delete Face tool in Synchronous Modeling

How to use Resize Face in NX CAD to change the diameter of a hole

Next we’ll use resize face in Synchronous Modeling to change the diameter of this hole.

Resize Face Synchronous Technology NX
  1. Notice how the diameter is detected upon selection, as well as the option to select other holes of equal radius.
Resize Face diameter automatically selected
  1. Enter a new radius and select OK.
Enter a new radius, resize face, Synchronous technology in NX

This same sequence of steps can be applied to all of the different types of synchronous tools.

And as a bonus, here’s my colleague Reese using Synchronous tools to edit a model from a recent webinar, What the H*ck is Synchronous Modeling? And join our NX University Alumni group for more helpful tips.

Post by Dominic Santoro

Dominic's approach with CAD software is influenced by his heavy background in mechanical engineering. With his career beginnings at Eastman Machine to providing his expertise at Calspan to joining the top tech team at Swoosh, he offers fellow NX CAD engineers best practices in 2D design, concept layout, additive manufacturing, and structural design modifications.

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