How to Use Parametrize in BricsCAD BIM

Quick answer: Parametrizing automatically adds constraints and parameters to a set of 3D solids, without any manual work, creating a specific parameter for each unique value. Constraints and parameters show up by name and expression in the Mechanical Browser, each parameter can be animated to reveal what it actually controls, and changing one automatically updates the geometric model.

Parametrizing a Component Automatically

Octave’s own documentation for this article uses a sample chair geometry, downloadable directly from their site, as its worked example.

1. Open the geometric model representing your component.
2. Open the Mechanical Browser via its icon in the Toolbar panel, or run MECHANICALBROWSEROPEN (if the icon isn’t visible, right-click a toolbar, choose Panels, then Mechanical Browser). If the model has no existing parameters or constraints, only its 3D solids show under Bodies; if it does, you’re asked whether to reuse them.
3. Select the component geometry you want to parametrize.
4. Launch Parametrize from the Constraints tab of the Quad, or run PARAMETRIZE; a set of parameters and constraints defines automatically, shown in the Mechanical Browser. Depending on the geometry, Parametrize creates Distance, Radius, Rigid Sets, Fix, Coincidence, or Concentric constraints. Perpendicularity and tangency, where applicable, can be set via DMRECOGNIZE in the Settings dialog.
5. Right-click a parameter and choose Animate to see exactly what it corresponds to. In the sample chair, for example, Length_X_Y controls width and depth, Length_Z controls overall height, p_1 controls seat thickness, p_2 controls leg thickness, and ratio_1 controls the ratio between seat height and overall height.

Changing Parameters and Constraints in the Parameter Manager

After auto-parametrizing, use the Parameter Manager to clarify or adjust anything about the resulting parameters and constraints.

1. Select one of the component’s faces; the constraint type affecting it (distance, fix, and so on) displays.
2. Click the distance constraint icon on that element; its editable dimension(s) display inside the box.
3. Click the editable dimension box; the Parameter Manager opens, showing the distance constraint’s expression and the parameter tied to the selected face.
4. Rename the parameter by clicking its name field in the Parameter Manager.
5. Optionally define a new parameter using the New option in the Parameter Manager’s context menu.
6. Right-click the Parameter Manager and choose New.
7. A new parameter is added to the list.
8. Give it a Name and type an expression in the Expression field.
9. To link this new parameter to an existing constraint, change that constraint’s expression field to reference the new parameter’s name.

This same procedure can also be done directly through the Mechanical Browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of constraints does Parametrize create automatically? Distance, Radius, Rigid Sets, Fix, Coincidence, or Concentric, depending on the geometry involved.

How do I figure out which measurement a specific parameter controls? Right-click it in the Mechanical Browser and choose Animate to see it demonstrated directly on the model.

Can I set perpendicularity or tangency constraints automatically too? Yes, where applicable, via DMRECOGNIZE in the Settings dialog.

Can I edit parameters through the Mechanical Browser instead of the Parameter Manager? Yes, the same editing procedure works through either interface.