(* An astrisk means I was interested in looking at it's use.)
Appendix-C Commands
AM2DPATH
To solve (profile) the 2D entities and create 2D path for sweeping the profiles.
AM2SF
To convert the model, AutoCAD solid, 3D meshes, lines, arcs, circles and polylines with thickness into 3D AutoSurf surfaces.
AM3DPATH
To create 3D paths for sweeping the profiles. You can create helical path, spline path or pipe path using this command. You can also create a 3D path from an existing edge using this command.
AMABOUT
To display the information regarding the version and copyright of the Mechanical Desktop.
AMACISOUT
To export the models or assemblies into an ACIS (. SAT) file. The version of the ACIS file is controlled using the AMACISOUTVER system variable.
AMACTIVATE
To activate local or external parts, subassemblies, assemblies or the scenes.
AMADDCON
To apply the parametric constraints to a closed sketch, an open entity, cut line, split line or a break line.
AMADJUSTSF
To close the gap between two surfaces by adjusting the edges of one or both the surfaces.
AMANALYZE
To analyze a surface. You can perform the analysis for curvature, draft or reflection lines using this command.
AMANGLE
To apply the angle assembly constraint to a local or external part or a subassembly.
AMANNOTE
To create or modify parametric annotations in the drawing views.
AMASSIGN
To create or modify the user-defined annotations to a part.
* AMASSMPROP
To calculate mass properties information for parts and subassemblies in an assembly. You can write the result of this command into an .MPR file.
* AMATTACHSYM
To attach or display the symbols.
AMAUDIT
To find out if all the external parts in the current drawing are updated.
AMAUGMENT
To create augmented lines on the surface edge or display line.
AMAUTODIM
To automatically dimension the drawing views in the layouts.
AMBALLOON
To add the parametric callouts to the part references in the drawing views in layouts.
AMBASICPLANES
To place the work planes at the top, front and side views of a specified point. A new part definition is created when you place the work planes using this command.
AMBEND
To bend an existing feature using an open profile.
AMBLDFEATNM
To list the features displayed in the desktop browser in the language of the last loaded version of Mechanical Desktop.
AMBLEND
To create a smooth surface between two, three or four wires.
AMBOM
To create or edit the BOM database to be used in the part lists in drawing views.
AMBREAK
To break a surface into two about the specified U or V edge.
AMBREAKLINE
To create the break lines to be used for generating the breakout section views in the layouts.
AMBROWSER
To control the display of the desktop browser.
AMBROWSERFONT
To control the type and size of the fonts used to list the features in the desktop browser.
AMCATALOG
To recall, attach or detach external parts or subassemblies. You can choose to an external reference.
AMCENLINE
To create the parametric centerlines or center marks in circles or arcs in the drawing views.
AMCHAMFER
To bevel the edges of the model. Uses one distance, two distances or one distance and one angle.
AMCHECKFIT
To check the minimum 3D distance or maximum 3D deviation between a surface and a wire or between two wires. This is done to check the product design and data for Coordinate Measuring Machines.
AMCOMBINE
To create complex models by applying the parametric boolean operations on them. The boolean operations that can be performed are union, subtraction and intersection.
AMCOPYFEAT
To copy the features within a model or from one model to the other. The new feature will be placed on the current sketch plane.
AMCOPYIN
To copy the external parts in the current drawing. However, this command localizes the parts placed.
AMCOPYOUT
To copy out a part into a new drawing file.
AMCOPYSCENE
To create a new scene by copying an existing scene.
* AMCOPYSKETCH
To copy an unconsumed sketch or the (profiled?) sketch of a feature.
* AMCOPYVIEW
To copy a drawing view to a new location in same layout or to a different layout.
AMCORNER
To create a blended surface at the corner of three filleting surfaces.
AMCUTLINE
To create the parametric offset or aligned cut lines for generating the offset or aligned section views in the layouts.
AMDATUMID
To create the datum identifiers in the form of frames. The drafting standards that can be used are ANSI, BSI, DIN, ISO, JIS, CSN, or GB.
AMDATUMTGT
To place the datum targets in the drawings. The drafting standards that can be used are ANSI, BSI, DIN, ISO, JIS, CSN, or GB.
AMDELCON
To delete the constraints applied to the profiled sketches.
AMDELETE
To delete parts, instances or scenes.
AMDELFEAT
To delete a feature. If the feature has some dependent features, they will also be deleted. (I believe there is some way around this loss of dependant features ..see tips and memory joggers ..however if you don't plan or if you place holes with respect to a fillet edge for example you will always end up in trouble when it's time to make the changes which are the point of parametric modelling -aj)
AMDELTRAIL
To delete the trails from the exploded assemblies in the Scene mode.
AMDELTWEAKS
To delete the tweaks from the exploded assemblies in the Scene mode. The component moves back to its original position once the tweak is deleted.
AMDELVIEW
To delete the specified drawing view from the layout. If the view has some dependent views then you will be asked whether you want to delete the dependent views or retain them.
AMDIMALIGN
To align a dimension in the drawing view with a specified base dimension.
AMDIMARRANGE
To arrange the dimensions in the drawing views or in the sketches in the Model tab.
AMDIMBREAK
To break the dimension line or the extension line in the drawing views.
The associativity of the dimensions is not lost by breaking them using this command.
AMDIMDSP
To control the display mode of the dimensions. The dimensions can
be displayed as parameters, equations or as numbers using this command.
AMDIMFORMAT
To modify the dimension format for the linear, angular, radial or diameter dimensions in the drawing views.
AMDIMINSERT
To break an existing dimension into two individual dimensions.
The break point for the dimensions is specified by you.
AMDIMJOIN
To join two individual dimensions into a single dimension. This reduces the number of dimensions in the drawing views.
AMDIMMEDIT
To edit multiple dimensions in a single attempt.
AMDIRECTION
To display and reverse the direction of a surface. This is used in the NC machining or in the Coordinates Measuring Machines.
AMDISPSF
To control the display of the AutoSurf surfaces. You can change the surface normal size, the number of the U and V display lines and the surface patches using this command.
AMDIST
To calculate the minimum 3D distance between sets of components in 3D space during the analysis of the assembly.
AMDWGDIMDSP
To control the display of the parametric dimensions in the drawing
views. You can display the parametric dimensions in the drawing views as param-eters,
equations or numbers.
AMDWGVIEW
To create the 2D drawing views from the model or the assembly scenes. You can create orthographic, auxiliary, isometric, section, detail and broken views using this command.
AMEDGE
To untrim, copy and extract the edges of the surfaces. This command is also used to display the edge nodes at the surfaces and the faces.
AMEDGESYM
To generate a symbol that is used to define the current condition of an edge during the annotation of the drawing using the DIN standard.
AMEDIT
To edit the annotations like welding symbols, feature control systems, surface textures and datums.
AMEDITAUG
To resize, rotate, copy and modify the vectors on the augmented lines. You can also create augmented lines from lines and polylines using this command.
AMEDITCONST
To modify the distance and angle offset value of the assembly constraints. You can also delete the individual or all the assembly constraints applied to the assembly.
AMEDITFEAT
To edit the existing features on models.
AMEDITSF
To modify the surfaces. Various modifications that can be performed using this command are lopping off the surfaces, reverse the direction of the surface normal, increasing the number of the surface grips, changing the density of the surface grips in the U and V directions and changing the distance between the surface grips.
AMEDITTRAIL
To edit the trails added to the exploded scenes of the assemblies in the Scene mode.
AMEDITVIEW
To modify the scale factor, associativity and the hidden lines display options of the drawing views created in the layouts.
AMEXTRUDE
To create a 3D model from a profiled sketch by extruding it in the Z direction of the current sketch plane.
AMEXTRUDESF
To create the surface by extruding the lines, polylines, arcs, circles, ellipses or splines.
AMFACEDRAFT
To apply the draft angle to the faces of the model for its easy withdrawal from the molds during manufacturing.
AMFACESPLIT
To split the specified faces of the model using a planar face or by projecting a split line on to the specified faces.
AMFCFRAME
To create the feature control frames used to display the tolerances, orientation, position and so on. The standards that can be used are ANSI, BSI, CSN, DIN, GB, ISO, and JIS.
AMFEATID
To create the feature identification symbol to be used in the feature
control frames. The standards that can be used are ANSI, BSI, CSN, DIN, GB, ISO, and JIS.
AMFILLET
To fillet the edges of the model. The fillet feature created is parametric in nature and can be edited at any time.
AMFILLET3D
To fillet wires in the current drawing. The wires that can be used for this command are lines, coplanar polylines, arcs, elliptical arcs, circles, ellipses and splines.
AMFILLETSF
To fillet two surfaces. The fillet surface thus created will be an independent surface.
AMFITSLIST
To copy the existing fits and their dimension values in a list that can be copied in the drawing. This command is also used to update the fits list when the fits are modified.
* AMFITSPLINE
To fit the spline into a selected polyline, arc, circle or an ellipse and at the same time retaining the properties of the original entity. The spline can be fitted either using the tolerance value or the control points.
AMFLOW
To create the 3D polylines or the augmented lines to be displayed on the surfaces in the U and/ or V directions or on the C1 tangencies.
AMFLUSH
To apply the flush assembly constraint to the planes of components to place them parallel to each other.
AMHOLE
To place a parametric drilled, counterbore or countersink hole on the a planar face of the model. (gee I've used AmHole using the On Point option on a workpoint associated to a curved solid surface ..see Ex 7-3 AutoDesk MDT6 Fundamntals Courseware which I did in MDT4 or any beginners tutorial (Drew's www.mycad.com) on putting a hole on the wall of a cylinder dating back to MDT3,4. Fair to say a workplane is involved which is analgous to a model planar face but gives a lot more flexibility)
AMHOLENOTE
Used in Drawing mode to automatically extract and display the information related to a specified hole in the drawing view.
AMIDFIN
To convert a printed circuit board data in the ID format (Intermediate Data) into a Mechanical Desktop entity.
* AMINSERT
To apply the insert assembly constraint to two components with circular edges or faces. This constraint allows both the selected circular faces or edges to share same central axis and at the same time allows them to make their faces coplanar. You can also specify some offset value for the selected faces. (it is the equivalent of two other existing constraints, a flush or (co-)planer? and an axial, and was brought in about MDT4 to speed up constraining and reduce the browser tree complexity -aj)
* AMINTERFERE
To check for interference between parts in an assembly or in a combined part file. You have an option of creating the interference solid that can be used for the analysis of the extra material.
AMINTERSF
To intersect surfaces at their intersection. You can also create a polyline at the intersection of the surfaces.
* AMJOIN3D
To join lines, polylines, ellipses, arcs, circles, splines or augmented lines into a single polyline, spline or augmented line. The new entity will have the properties of the first object selected to join.
AMJOINSF
To join two or more surfaces.
* AMLAYER
Used for setting the layer properties in the drawing. The Layer Control dialog box is displayed where you can set the layer properties and control the layer groups.
MDT4 Note: LAYER brings up the Layer Properties Manager dialog box while the undocumented AMLAYER initiates command line input.
* AMLENGTHEN
To increase or decrease the length of a surface by a specified distance or percentage.
AMLIGHT
To control the ambient and the direct light that falls on the model. When you invoke this command, the lights window appears next to the desktop browser. Using this window you can modify the ambient and the direct light.
AMLIGHTDIR
To change the target of the current light source that falls on the model.
* AMLISTASSM
Used in the Model mode to display the information related to parts or subassemblies. The information is displayed in the AutoCAD Text Window.
* AMLISTPART
To list the selected part or all the parts in Model mode.
* AMLISTVIEW
To display the information related to the selected view in the Drawing mode. The information is displayed in the AutoCAD Text Window.
AMLOCKSCENE
Used in the Scene mode to lock or unlock a scene. You can not modify the explosion factor and tweaks of the locked scene.
* AMLOFT
To create complex models by blending together two or more dissimilar sketches (profiles? -aj) of (or? -aj faces of the models.
AMLOFTU
To create the surfaces using a single set of base wires.
AMLOFTUV
To create a surface using two sets of base wires. The two sets of wires represent the surface in the U direction and in the V direction.
* AMMAKEBASE
To convert a model comprising of any number of features into a single base feature. No data related to the previous features remain in the memory of Mechanical Desktop and therefore, you cannot edit the base feature.
AMMATE
To apply the mate assembly constraint between two parts defined by selecting points, axes, planes, or non-planar faces.
AMMATE handles most constraint situations.
AMMIGRATEB
To convert the data of the previous release of Genius software so that they can be used in the Mechanical Desktop 4.
AMMIRROR
To create a new part by mirroring an existing part. You have to specify the name of the new part.
AMMODDIM
To modify the parametric dimensions of the sketches in the Model mode or on the drawing views in the Drawing mode.
AMMODE
To toggle between the Model or the Drawing mode.
AMMOVEDIM
To move a dimension within the view or from one view to the other.
AMMOVEVIEW
To move a view to a new location within the current layout or to another layout. If the selected view has
some dependent views then they will also move along with the parent view.
AMMANIPULATOR
To dynamically rotate or move the selected object in the X, Y or Z axis or in the 3D space. You can also create the instances of the selected object at a specified angle or distance using this command.
* AMNEW
To create a new part, subassembly or a scene. This command is also used to convert an AutoCAD solid into a model.
AMNOTE
To create an associative note for the parts, holes or the undercuts in the drawing views.
* AMOFFSET3D
To offset a 3D polyline.
AMOFFSETSF
To create a new surface by offsetting a surface.
AMOPTIONS
To set preferences for the parts, assemblies, surfaces, scenes, drawing views and annotations in the current drawing.
AMPARDIM
To add the parametric dimensions to the profiled sketch. All the dimensions added using this command are displayed during the editing of the model.
* AMPARTEDGE
To create a line, arc or a combination of both on the selected edge or face of an existing model. The new line or arc can be used for creating a new sketch.
AMPARTLINE
To create a 3D polyline representing the parting on the selected surface.
AMPARTLIST
To create a part list in Drawing mode that displays information related to the parts of the assembly. The information is used from the BOM database.
* AMPARTPROP
To calculate the mass properties of the active model. You can also write the result of this command into a .MPR file.
AMPARTREF
To add the attributes to the nonparametric parts or a specified point. The attributes thus added can also be displayed in the Bill Of Material.
AMPARTREFEDIT
To edit the attributes added to the nonparametric parts or points using the AMPARTREF command.
AMPARTSPLIT
To split the active part into two using a planar face, work plane or a split line.
AMPATTERN
To create the rectangular, polar or axial patterns.
AMPATTERNDEF
Used in the Model mode to assign different hatch pattern to all the components of the assembly to be used in the section views in Drawing mode. This is done to easily identify various components in the section views.
* AMPLANE
To create planar surfaces. The surfaces can be created by defining two corners of a window enclosing the surface or select a closed wire. If you select more than one wire, the trimmed surfaces are created depending upon the boundaries of the selected objects.
AMPOWERDIM
To apply the parametric dimensions or nonparametric dimensions to the selected entities in the Model mode or in the Drawing mode. When applied to an un-profiled sketch in the Model mode or to the entities in the drawing views in the Drawing mode, these dimensions will be nonparamet-ric in nature and when applied to the profiled sketch in the Model mode, these dimensions will be parametric in nature.
AMPOWEREDIT
To edit the parametric, nonparametric or reference dimensions in the Model or the Drawing mode. You can also edit the entities like Part Lists, Balloons, Datum Identifiers, Welding Symbols and so on using this command.
AMPOWERSNAP
To create four personalized snap settings in addition to the current snap settings. When you invoke this command, the Power Snap Settings dialog box will be displayed.
AMPRIMSF
To create the primitive surfaces like cone, sphere, cylinder or torus.
AMPROFILE
To solve a closed entity and apply the geometric constraints to it. You can also profile an open entity using this command provided the gap or the opening is very small.
AMPROJECT
To project the selected wire on the specified surface and output can be obtained in the form of a trimmed surface, polyline at the intersection area or an aug-mented line at the intersection area.
* AMPROJECT2PLN
To project a selected 2D planar entity or a 3D planar face on the specified work plane, sketch plane or a 3D planar face.
* AMPSNAP1
To load the power snap 1 settings set using the AMPOWERSNAP command.
AMPSNAP2
To load the power snap 2 settings set using the AMPOWERSNAP command.
AMPSNAP3
To load the power snap 3 settings set using the AMPOWERSNAP command.
AMPSNAP4
To load the power snap 4 settings set using the AMPOWERSNAP command.
* AMRECOVER
To check the Mechanical Desktop file for errors and correct the errors, if any, in the selected file.
AMREFDIM
To add reference dimensions to the entities in the drawing views.
AMREFINE3D
To refine the selected line or polyline that is used for fitting the surfaces by changing the density of the points on the lines or polylines.
AMREFINESF
To refine a surface by changing the number of U and V patches.
AMREFRESH rr
To refresh all the external components in the current drawing if they have been modified since their last reference in the current drawing or the execution of the last AMREFRESH command.
* AMRENAME
To rename a part, instance, scene or the drawing view.
* AMREORDFEAT
To change the order of the feature used in the creation of the model.
AMREPLACE
To replace the external component referenced in the current drawing with other referenced components.
AMREPLACEDGE
To replace the edge of a selected surface with that of a specified surface. This command not only replaces the edge but also trims the surface at the apparent intersection and blends the transition between the two surfaces.
* AMREPLAY
To display the steps used in the creation of a part in the order they were used. You can truncate the steps at any time or suppress the further steps using this command.
* AMRESTRUCTURE
To move a part or subassembly within the assemblies.
* AMREVOLVE
To create a model or a new revolved feature by revolving a profiled sketch about a line included in the sketch, a work axis or an edge of the existing model.
* AMREVOLVESF
To create a revolved surface by revolving the base curve about an axis.
AMRIB
To convert an open profile into a rib feature.
* AMROTCENTER
To find out a new center of rotation for all the visible objects.
AMRSOLVESK
To resolve a (profiled) sketch and display the number of constraints that are remaining to fully constraining the sketch. This command is also used to solve the sketch in case you have added an addi-tional entity to the already profiled sketch.
AMRULE
To create a surface using two base wires.
AMSCALE
To scale the selected surface or wires individually or uniformly in the direction of their axes.
* AMSECTION
To cut one or more cross sections from a selected set of surfaces. Useful for visualizing and inspecting a surface and for designing 3D products. For example, you can cut a section through an automobile to check clearances for adjacent components.
* AMSELROT
To specify a user define rotation point for all the visible objects.
*AMSHELL
To create hollow model by defining some wall thickness and removing the remaining material. You can define uniform wall thickness for the model or multiple wall thickness. (can be outside the existing surface ..think putting a rubber/PE coating on a part -aj)
AMSHOWACT
To highlight the active part or the current sketch plane in the current file.
AMSHOWCON
To display all the constraints that are applied on the profiled sketch in the Model mode.
AMSHOWINST
To highlight all the instances of the selected model in the desktop browser.
* AMSHOWSKETCH
To highlight all the geometries on the current sketch plane.
AMSKPLN
To create a new sketch plane on the specified planar face for creating the features in other planes.
AMSOLCUT
To cut an AutoCAD solid using the AutoSurf surface that is extending beyond all the faces of the AutoCAD solid.
* AMSPLINE
To create a spline that is tangent to a specified surface, part or an AutoCAD solid.
AMSPLINEDIT
To edit the control point or the fit point spline.
AMSPLITLINE
To create a parametric split line that is used to split the faces or the parts.
AMSTITCH
To stitch selected surfaces or create a blended surface to fill the gap between selected surfaces.
AMSTLOUT
To copy out the selected solids, regions, parts or subassemblies in the .STL format to be used for Stereo Lithography.
AMSTYLEI
To copy only the dimension style from a specified drawing without actually inserting that particular drawing.
AMSUPPRCOLOR
To control the color of the dimensions and the Degree Of Freedom symbols on the suppressed features.
AMSUPPRESS
Used when you do not want some components to be sectioned in the section view created using the scenes.
AMSUPPRESSFEAT
To suppress a feature on the active model. This command also allows you to suppress the features with the help of a spreadsheet.
AMSURFCUT
To cut a model using an AutoSurf surface extending beyond all the faces of the model.
AMSURFPROP
To calculate the mass properties of a surface to be used during the analysis of the surface model characteristics.
AMSURFSYM
Used in the Drawing mode to add the surface texture symbols to the drawing view entities. The standards that can be used for the surface texture symbols are ANSI, BSI, CSN, DIN, GB, ISO, and JIS.
AMSWEEP
To create a complex model by sweeping a profiled sketch along a parametric path created using the AM2DPATH or the AM3DPATH commands.
AMSWEEPSF
To create a complex surface by sweeping one or more base curves about one or more rails or one augmented line and one rail.
AMSYMLEADER
To attach or detach a leader from a symbol in the drawing mode.
AMSYMSTD
To select a drafting standard for the BOMs, Balloons, or other symbols used in the drawing views.
AMTEMPLATE
To modify an existing or create a new holenote template. The new templates are created using the existing standard holenote templates.
AMTEXTSK
To used to create an embedded or an engraved text on the part. The text material written using this command can be extruded, revolved or swept using the Mechanical Desktop commands.
AMTHICKEN
To add thickness to a AutoSURF surface. The surface is thus converted into a solid part.
AMTOLCONDITION
Used in the Drawing mode to control the tolerances used by the parametric dimensions.
AMTRAIL
To add the parametric lines to the exploded or tweaked assemblies displaying the path and the direction of the mating components.
AMTUBE
To create tubular surfaces along a specified wire that acts as the axis for the tubular surface.
AMTWEAK
To redefine the position of the assembled components in the Scene mode by moving or rotating them.
AMUCSFACE
To align the UCS to a specified face.
* AMUCSPERP
## Interesting. AM means it not an AutoCad command. Its something vaguely like a workplan (AmWorkPln) using 1st Modifier: At Start and/or what I did in Ex 7-3 MDT6 Fundamentals Courseware that made a workpoint (-) and a workplane appear on the end of a sketched workaxis (all worked in MDT4).
To define a UCS perpendicular to a selected line with an option to also create a new sketch plane on the UCS.
* AMUNSPLINE
## would this have fixed my attempt to use a splined curve in Ex 7-3 Fundamentals
To break a spline into a polylines fit into a specific tolerance or into fit points.
Converts a spline to an angular or smooth polyline
Use AMUNSPLINE to break down splines into approximations or interpolation points (fit points) or to convert splines directly into polylines that are fit to a specific tolerance.
AMUNSPLINE creates smooth polylines for various applications, such as producing input for CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) equipment that doesn't accept splines. A method called presplining is used. Presplining converts a polyline to a spline and then back to a polyline. The conversion and reconversion smooths the polyline without the polyline losing its character.
To prespline a polyline, enter raw, digitized 3D data in the form of a polyline through an Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) translator, or create polylines in your current drawing. Next, convert the polyline to a spline using a loose tolerance. Finally, use AMUNSPLINE to reconvert the spline into a smooth version of the original polyline.
NOTE The conversion option isn't displayed if the original fit points have been lost. Editing with AutoCAD grips destroys the original fit points of a spline.
AMUNSUPPRESSFEAT
To unsuppress the features that were manually suppressed using the AMSUPPRESSFEAT command.
AMUPDATE
To view the effect of any kind of modifications made to the part, assembly, scene or drawing view.
AMVARS
To create the design variables that can be a numeric value, a parameter or an equation to manage (control the relationship between physical dimensions! -aj) the models in the drawing. You can create two types of design variables using this command; the Active Part and the Global design variables.
* AMVIEW
To control the display of the models in the Model mode. You can rotate the view orientation using this command.
AMVIEWOUT
To export the drawing views (the 'Layouts') of the model created in the Drawing mode into a new drawing file in the form of 2D AutoCAD entities.
AMVISIBLE
To control the visibility of the parts, assemblies, scenes, drawings, work features and other geometric objects.
AMVRMLOUT
To export the selected object in the form of Virtual Reality Modeling Language so that it can be displayed on the Web pages.
AMWELDSYM
To create the welding symbols to be added to the drawing views in the Drawing mode. The standards that can
be used for the welding symbols are ANSI, BSI, CSN, DIN, GB, ISO, and JIS.
* AMWHEREUSED
To find out the location of a model or the component of the assembly in the current drawing.
AMWORKAXIS
To create a parametric axis for the circular or cylindrical features in the active model. You can also sketch the work axis on the current sketch plane.
AMWORKPLN
To place a parametric work plane, with the help of the modifiers, for creating the features on the other faces of the model.
AMWORKPT
To place a parametric point at the specified location on the current sketch plane.
AMXFACTOR
To specify the explosion factor for the scene or individually for different parts of the assembly.
AMXREFCONVERT
To remove the $O$ symbol from the layers, linetypes, blocks, dimension styles, text style and so on of the external references in the current file.
AMZOOM
To zoom in on to a specified part or subassembly.