• The Variable Constraint System provides variational sketching functionality within AutoCAD. It enables geometric or dimensional constraints to be applied that control relationships between drawn objects. Those relationships may be parametrically driven and include values, variables, or mathematical formulas in relation to other variables.

IDX Variable Constraint System incorporates the D-Cubed™ 2D Dimensional Constraint Manager from Siemens PLM Software. This is the same core engine typically available in much more expensive parametric modeling programs including Autodesk® Inventor®; CATIA and SolidWorks® by Dassault Systems; or Solid Edge by Siemens PLM Software.

• Control Your Drawing.  Parametrically-driven and geometrically constrained drawings create a truly precise environment. Provides real precision design, not simply drawing tools.
   
• Parametrically-driven dimensions — Use variable dimensions to drive geometries, or change geometries and see all associated dimensions recalculated automatically.
   
• Calculator palette — Manage all key dimensions in a simple table.  These dimension variables can be values such as length, radius, or angle. Also, they may be expressed formulaically.
   
• Formulaic variables — Manage variables in the calculator palette with powerful relationships, whether A1 = 2*A2, or complex equations including algebraic, trigonometric, and even integral equations.  For example, dimension B2 = B1* ((1+sqrt(5))/2) and your variables B1 and B2 will be in the golden ratio, scaling automatically based on the value of B1. This could continue with B2 representing another side of a golden rectangle, or could be used as a driving dimension of an arc radius.  Use expressive names for variables such as Radius, GadgetHeight, and GadgetWidth.
   
• Associative geometric positioning — Ensure that all geometries are in precise relation to one another so that a spline is tangent to an elliptical arc, or the radius of a fillet is in direct proportion to an arm length, and is concentric to a punched hole… 
   
• Be More Creative. Variational sketching allows for quick revisions and what-if changes.  You save enough time drafting changes that you will have more time for design creativity.
   
• Variational sketching — Conceptually, a constrained object has bi-directional associations between the dimensions, geometries, and positional relationships.  Drawings can be completely modified simply by changing one or two values or relationships.
   
• Constrained relationships — Just as a spreadsheet allows for what-if analysis by changing an assumption, a fully constrained drawing provides what-if design analysis driven by a parameter.
   
• Auto-constraints accelerates learning —  Draw with this feature turned on and the application applies basic geometric constraints, quickly showing the power of associative geometric relationships.
   
• Works with the AutoCAD user interface —  The Variable Constraint System toolbar and variable dimension palette are integrated naturally within AutoCAD allowing you to get up to speed right away, and focus on design.
   
• Great Value.  Enjoy a rapid ROI through immediate productivity gains.  No new platform licenses, expensive training, or porting files and causing a risk from major platform changes.
   
• Uses the D-Cubed™ 2D Dimensional Constraint Manager (2D DCM) from Siemens PLM Software — This is the same trusted engine used by far more expensive design platforms such as Autodesk® Inventor®, AutoCAD Mechanical®, and AutoCAD Architecture; by Dassault Systems for CATIA and SolidWorks®; by Siemens PLM Software for Solid Edge; by think3® for thinkdesign; and by IMSI/Design for TurboCAD® Pro.
   
• The fastest ROI — Because it is an addition to the AutoCAD you already know, there is much less to learn and you will be productive immediately in your chosen CAD platform.
   
• Like a selective upgrade — If you don’t need all the features of more expensive platforms, this is like purchasing only the features you need.

Create entire part families from a single sketch — Design the first part fully-constrained, then create the rest of the part family by changing driving dimensions to automatically draw new parts.

Paul The CAD