Rhino 9 Feature: Geometric Tolerance Control Frames

Serengeti (Rhino WIP)
1

You can now create Geometric Tolerancing control frames in Rhino 9 WIP.

Interview with the Developer

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) is a system that uses symbols on engineering drawings to define and communicate the acceptable variation in a part’s geometry.

This ensures it will function as designed if manufactured to the specifications detailed by the symbols.

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Here is an example of a GD&T Feature Control Frame:

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Why?
Users familiar with other applications that have this capability have requested this feature in Rhino.

Those involved in manufacturing will now be able to produce drawings with these GD&T annotations in Rhino 9.

What you need to know:

  • The new GeometricTolerance command builds a feature control frame to display the special text.
  • The feature control frame is made up of a simple text entity that is assigned to the annotation style Geometric Tolerance.
  • The annotation style Geometric Tolerance is configured with a GD&T font that is specifically designed for use in geometric dimensioning & tolerancing. This font is capable of producing a boxed basic frame.
  • This font uses metrics to create boxes around characters, align these boxes and build special strings that control the display of the GeometricTolerance.
  • The GeometricTolerance object can be edited by double-clicking. The existing text will be displayed in the command dialog for editing. Edit and pick OK. The GeometricTolerance will be updated.

See the geometric tolerance in use here.
geotol01a

Try it:

  1. Download and open file in the Rhino 9 WIP: GeoTol Try it.3dm (94.6 KB)
  2. Use the suggested Geometric Tolerance on the light gray Try it layer as a guide to create your own control frame
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  3. Type GeometricTolerance or click the command from the Drafting menu, Other Annotations and GeometricTolerance.
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  4. Fill out the form as suggested. Click OK.
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  5. Pick a location and your Geometric Tolerance Control Frame will appear. (you can move it with the Gumball, if necessary.)
  6. To edit the Control Frame, double click and it will be added to the Control Frame Editor.
  7. Click OK when editing is complete.
  8. From the Layers panel, turn off the Do This layer.
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19 Likes
2

YES

This is huge for anyone in mechanical/manufacturing engineering. It was one of my most wanted features when I made a post some time ago about improvements I would like to see to layouts

Big thank you!

3 Likes
3

If I can make a suggestion:

Please, make the leader part of the annotation, with a checkbox toggle.

1 Like
4

Hi Ivelin -

Thanks. → RH-89151 GD&T: Include a Leader Option
-wim

1 Like
5

That’s a big improvment for mechanical drawings. Very needed feature!

@wim I agree with Ivelin that the leader should be part of the tolerance set construction.

6

A helpful companion when using GD&T.

1 Like
7

GD&T Basics also offer a free symbols chart on their website which you can get access to by signing up with an email. They also offer a master poster for a price, though it’s a little steep

Their website is still a good place to begin for anyone interested in learning more about GD&T

1 Like