Generative Shape Design

Preface

                               Using This Guide                               More Information

What's New?Getting Started

                               Entering the Workbench                               Lofting and Offsetting                               Splitting, Lofting and Filleting                               Sweeping and Filleting                               Using the Historical Graph                               Transforming the Part

Basic Tasks

                               Creating Wireframe Geometry

                                                              Creating Points                                                              Creating Multiple Points and Planes                                                              Creating Extremum Elements                                                              Creating Polar Extremum Elements                                                              Creating Lines                                                              Creating Polylines                                                              Creating Planes                                                              Creating Planes Between Other Planes                                                              Creating Circles                                                              Creating Corners                                                              Creating Connect Curves                                                              Creating Conic Curves                                                              Creating Splines                                                              Creating a Helix                                                              Creating Spirals

                                                              Creating a Spine                                                              Creating Parallel Curves                                                              Creating Projections                                                              Creating Combined Curves                                                              Creating Reflect Lines                                                              Creating Intersections

                               Creating Surfaces

                                                              Creating Extruded Surfaces                                                              Creating Revolution Surfaces                                                              Creating Spherical Surfaces                                                              Creating Offset Surfaces                                                              Creating Swept Surfaces                                                              Creating Swept Surfaces Using an Explicit Profile                                                              Creating Swept Surfaces Using a Linear Profile                                                              Creating Swept Surfaces Using a Circular Profile                                                              Creating Swept Surfaces Using a Conical Profile                                                              Creating Adaptive Swept Surfaces                                                              Creating Fill Surfaces                                                              Creating Lofted Surfaces                                                              Creating Blended Surfaces

                               Performing Operations on Shape Geometry

                                                              Joining Surfaces or Curves                                                              Healing Geometry                                                              Smoothing Curves                                                              Restoring a Surface                                                              Disassembling Elements                                                              Splitting Geometry                                                              Trimming Geometry                                                              Creating Boundary Curves                                                              Extracting Geometry                                                              Extracting Multiple Edges                                                              Creating Shape Fillets                                                              Creating Edge Fillets                                                              Creating Variable Radius Fillets                                                              Creating Variable Bi-Tangent Circle Radius Fillets Usinga Spine                                                              Creating Face-Face Fillets

                                                              Creating Tritangent Fillets                                                              Translating Geometry                                                              Rotating Geometry                                                              Performing a Symmetry on Geometry                                                              Transforming Geometry by Scaling                                                              Transforming Geometry by Affinity                                                              Transforming From An Axis to Another                                                              Extrapolating Surfaces                                                              Extrapolating Curves                                                              Inverting the Orientation of Geometry                                                              Creating the Nearest Entity of a Multiple Element                                                              Creating Laws

                               Editing Geometry

                                                              Editing Surface and Wireframe Definitions                                                              Quick Edition of Geometry                                                              Replacing Elements                                                              Creating Elements From an External File                                                              Selecting Implicit Elements                                                              Moving Elements From an Open Body                                                              Copying and Pasting                                                              Deleting Surfaces and Wireframe Geometry                                                              Deactivating Elements

                               Using Tools

                                                              Parents and Children

                                                              Updating Your Design                                                              Defining an Axis System                                                              Using the Historical Graph                                                              Working with a Support                                                              Creating a Grid Set                                                              Creating Datums                                                              Inserting Elements                                                              Selecting Bodies                                                              Creating Constraints                                                              Managing Groups                                                              Checking Connections Between Surfaces                                                              Checking Connections Between Curves

                                                              Performing a Draft Analysis                                                              Performing a surfacic Curvature Analysis                                                              Performing a Curvature Analysis                                                              Displaying Geometric Information on Elements                                                              Repeating Objects                                                              Stacking Commands                                                              Editing a List of Elements                                                              Applying Materials                                                              Creating Textual Annotations                                                              Creating Flag Notes

Advanced Tasks

                               Managing Open Bodies                               Duplicating Open Bodies                               Hiding/Showing Open Bodies                               Creating a Curve From Its Equation                               Patterning

                                                              Creating Rectangular Patterns                                                              Creating Circular Patterns

                               Managing Power Copies

                                                              Creating PowerCopies                                                              Instantiating PowerCopies                                                              Saving PowerCopies into a Catalog

                               Using Hybrid Parts                               Reusing Your Design                               Working with the Generative Shape Optimizer Workbench

                                                              Developing Wires and Points                                                              Creating Junctions                                                              Creating Bumped Surfaces                                                              Deforming Surfaces According to Curve Wrapping

Workbench Description

                               Menu Bar

                               Wireframe Toolbar                               Surfaces Toolbar                               Operations Toolbar                               Tools Toolbar                               Generic Tools Toolbars                               ReplicationToolbar                               Advanced Surfaces Toolbar                               Historical Graph                               Specification Tree

CustomizingGlossaryIndex

PrefaceThe Generative Shape Design workbench allows you to quickly model both simple andcomplex shapes using wireframe and surface features. It provides a large set of tools forcreating and editing shape designs and, when combined with other products such as PartDesign, it meets the requirements of solid-based hybrid modeling.

The feature-based approach offers a productive and intuitive design environment to captureand re-use design methodologies and specifications.

This new application is intended for both the expert and the casual user. Its intuitive interfaceoffers the possibility to produce precision shape designs with very few interactions. The dialogboxes are self explanatory and require practically no methodology, all defining steps beingcommutative.

As a scalable product, Generative Shape Design can be used with other Version 5 productssuch as Part Design and FreeStyle Shaper and Optimizer. The widest application portfolio inthe industry is also accessible through interoperability with CATIA Solutions Version 4 to enablesupport of the full product development process from initial concept to product in operation.

This User's Guide has been designed to show you how to create and edit a surface design part.There are numerous techniques to reach the final result. This book aims at illustrating thesevarious possibilities.

Using This GuideMore Information

Using This GuideThis book is intended to help you become quickly familiar with the Generative Shape Designproduct. You should already be accustomed with basic Version 5 concepts such as documentwindows, standard and view toolbars.

To get the most out of this guide, we suggest you start reading and performing the step-by-stepGetting Started tutorial.

This tutorial shows you how to build a shape design from a basic wireframe model. 

The next sections present the main capabilities in the form of basic and advanced user's tasks.It may be a good idea to take a look at the section describing the workbench menus andtoolbars. 

Where to Find More InformationPrior to reading this book, we recommend that you read the Infrastructure User's Guide.

The Part Design User's Guide  may also prove useful.

Conventions

What's New?This table identifies what new or improved capabilities have been documented in Version 5Release 9 of the Generative Shape Design workbench.

Getting Started:Enhanced: Lofting and OffsettingEnhanced: Splitting, Lofting and FilletingEnhanced: new contextual options in the Historical Graph Creating Wireframe Geometry:Enhanced: Creating PointsEnhanced: Creating LinesEnhanced: Creating PlanesEnhanced: Creating CornersEnhanced: Creating Connect Curves Creating Surfaces:Enhanced: new Sub-Elements To Remove tab when creatingoffset surfacesEnhanced: Creating Revolution SurfacesEnhanced: new Deviation from guide option when creating sweptsurfaces using an explicit profileEnhanced: new With draft direction subtype when creating sweptsurfaces using a linear profileEnhanced: new Deviation from guide option when creating sweptsurfaces using a linear profileEnhanced: new Deviation from guide option creating sweptsurfaces using a circular profileEnhanced: new Deviation from guide option creating sweptsurfaces using a conical profileEnhanced: Creating Adaptive Swept SurfacesEnhanced: new Planar Boundary Only option when creating fillsurfaces Performing Operations on Shape Geometry:

Enhanced: Joining Surfaces or CurvesEnhanced: Healing GeometryEnhanced: Smoothing CurvesEnhanced: Splitting GeometryEnhanced: Creating a variable radius fillet when creating shapefilletsEnhanced: Face-face Fillet: a new option "hold curve with spine" isavailableEnhanced: Extracting Geometry Editing Surfaces and Wireframe GeometryEnhanced: Deleting Surfaces and Wireframe Geometry Using Tools:Enhanced: Parents and ChildrenEnhanced: new Internal edges check box when checkingconnections between surfacesEnhanced: Selecting BodiesEnhanced: Managing GroupsEnhanced: Performing a Draft AnalysisEnhanced: Performing a Surfacic Curvature AnalysisEnhanced: Performing a Curvature AnalysisEnhanced: Displaying Geometric Information on Elements Advanced Tasks:Enhanced: Managing Open Bodies

Getting StartedBefore getting into the detailed instructions for using CATIA Generative Shape Design, thefollowing tutorial aims at giving you a feel of what you can do with the product. It provides astep-by-step scenario showing you how to use key functionalities.

The main tasks described in this section are:

Entering the Shape Design Workbench and Selecting a PartLofting and Offsetting

Splitting, Lofting and FilletingSweeping and Filleting

Using the Historical GraphTransforming the Part

This tutorial should take about 20 minutes to complete.

 

Entering the WorkbenchThis first task shows you how to enter the Shape Design workbench and open a wireframe design part.

Before starting this scenario, you should be familiar with the basic commands common to allworkbenches. These are described in the Infrastructure User's Guide.

Select Shape -> Generative Shape Design from the Start menu.1.

The Shape Design workbench is displayed.

Select File -> Open then select the GettingStartedShapeDesign.CATPart document.2.

A wireframe design part is displayed.

In the rest of this scenario, you will use the construction elements of this part to build up the followingshape design.

 

Lofting and OffsettingThis task shows you how to create a lofted surface and an offset surface.

Click the Loft icon .1.

The lofted Surface Definitiondialog box appears.

Select the two section curves.2.

Click within the Guides windowthen select the two guide curves.

3.

Click OK to create the loftedsurface.

4.

Click the Offset icon .5.

Select the lofted surface.6.

Enter an offset value of 2mm.7.

The offset surface isdisplayed normal to thelofted surface.

Click OK to create the offsetsurface.

8.

 

Splitting, Lofting and FilletingThis task shows how to split surfaces then create a lofted surface and two fillets.

Click the Intersection icon .1.

The Intersection dialog box appears.

Select the offset surface then the first plane(Plane.2) to create the intersection betweenthese two elements, then click OK in thedialog box.

2.

Click the Split icon .3.

The Split Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the offset surface by clicking on theportion that you want to keep after the split.

4.

Select the first plane (Plane.2) as cuttingelement.

5.

Click OK to split the surface.6.

Repeat the previous operations by selectingthe lofted surface then the second plane(Plane.3) to define the intersection first,then to cut the surface.

7.

Click OK to split the surface.8.

Click the Loft icon .9.

The Lofted Surface Definition dialog box appears.

Select the intersection edges of the two split surfaces as sections.10.

Click OK to create the lofted surface between the two split surfaces.11.

Click the Shape Fillet icon  .12.

The Fillet Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the first split surface as the firstsupport element.

13.

Select the lofted surface you just created asthe second support element.

14.

Enter a fillet radius of 3mm.The orientations of the surfaces are shownby means of arrows.

15.

Make sure that the surface orientations arecorrect (arrows pointing down) then clickOK to create the first fillet surface.

16.

Repeat the filleting operation, clicking theicon, then selecting the second split surfaceas the first support element.

17.

Select the previously created filletedsurface as the second support element.

18.

Enter a fillet radius of 3mm.19.

Make sure that the surface orientations arecorrect (arrows pointing up) then click OK tocreate the second filleted surface.

20.

 

Sweeping and FilletingThis task shows how to create swept surfaces and fillets on both sides of the part.

You will use the profile element on the side of the part for this. In this task you will alsocreate a symmetrical profile element on the opposite side of the part.

Click the Sweep icon .1.

The Swept Surface Definition dialog boxappears.

Click the Explicit sweep icon.2.

Select the profile element(Corner.1).

3.

Select the guide curve (Guide.1).4.

Select the central curve (Spline.1)as the spine.

5.

Click OK to create the sweptsurface.

6.

Click the Symmetry icon  .7.

The Symmetry Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the profile element to betransformed by symmetry.

8.

Select the YZ plane as referenceelement.

9.

Click OK to create the symmetricalprofile element.

10.  

Click the Sweep icon again.11.

Select the profile (Symmetry.3) andthe guide curve (Guide.2).

12.

Select the central curve as thespine.

13.

Click OK to create the sweptsurface.

14.

To create a fillet between the sideportion and the central part click theShape Fillet icon  .

15.

Select the side sweep element andthe central portion of the part, thenenter a fillet radius of 1mm (makesure the arrows are pointing up).

16.

Click Apply to preview the fillet, thenOK to create it.

17.

Repeat the filleting operationbetween the other sweep elementand the central portion of the part,and entering a fillet radius of 1mm(make sure the arrows are pointingup).

18.

Click OK to create the fillet.19.

 

Using the Historical GraphThis task shows how to use the historical graph.

Select theelementfor whichyou wantto displaythehistoricalgraph.

1.

Click theShowHistoricalGraphicon .

2.

The HistoricalGraph dialogbox appears.In this case, you can examine the history of events that led to the construction of the Loft.1 element. Eachbranch of the graph can be expanded or collapsed depending on the level of detail required.

The following icon commands are available.Add graphRemove graphReframe graphSurface or Part representationParameters filterConstraints filter

Right-clicking anywhere in the historical graph enables the user to:

  hide orshow anelementdisplaythepropertiesof anelementreframethe graph

displaythe wholegraph ofthe part(as wellas theroots andtheir firstparents)clean thegraphrefreshthe graphdisplaytheparentsof theelementsin thegraph(but notthe roots)

  Selecting and right-clicking an element enables the user to add the children to the selected element

Just click the Close icon to exit this mode.3.

 

Transforming the PartThis task shows you how to modify the part by applying an affinity operation.

Click the Affinity icon .1.

The Affinity Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the end section profile tobe transformed by the affinity.

2.

Specify the characteristics ofthe axis system to be used forthe affinity operation:

3.

point PT0 as the originplane XY as reference planehorizontal edge of the cornerprofile as x-axis.

Specify the affinity ratios: X=1,Y=1 and Z=1.5.

4.

Click OK to create the new profile.5.

Edit the definition of the lofted surface (Loft.1), by double-clicking it, then select thesecond section, click the Replace button and select the new profile.

6.

Click OK in the dialog box.7.

If needed, click the Update icon   to update your design.8.

 

Basic TasksThe basic tasks you will perform in the Generative Shape Design workbench will involvecreating and modifying wireframe and surface geometry that you will use in your part.

The table below lists the information you will find in this section.

Creating Wireframe GeometryCreating Surfaces

Performing OperationsEditing Surfaces and Wireframe Geometry

Using ToolsWhen creating a geometric element, you often need to select other elements as inputs.When selecting a sketch as the input element, some restrictions apply, depending on thefeature you are creating. 

You should avoid selecting self-intersecting  sketches as well as sketches containingheterogeneous elements such as a curve and a point for example. 

However, the following elements accept sketches containing non connex elements (i.e.presenting gaps between two consecutive elements) as inputs, provided they are of thesame type (homogeneous, i.e. two curves, or two points):

IntersectionsProjectionsExtruded surfacesSurfaces of revolutionJoined surfacesSplit surfacesTrimmed surfacesAll transformations: translation, rotation, symmetry, scaling, affinity and axis to axisDeveloped wires (Generative Shape Optimizer)

Creating Wireframe GeometryGenerative Shape Design allows you to create wireframe geometry such as points, lines,planes and curves. You can make use of this elementary geometry when you create morecomplex surfaces later on.

Create points by coordinates: enter X, Y, Z coordinates.

Create points on a curve: select a curve and possibly a reference point, and enter a lengthor ratio.

Create points on a plane: select a plane and possibly a reference point, then click theplane.

Create points on a surface: select a surface and possibly a reference point, an element toset the projection orientation, and a length.

Create points as a circle center: select a circle.

Create points at tangents: select a curve and a line.

Create point between another two points: select two points

Create multiple points: select a curve or a point on a curve, and possibly a referencepoint, set the number of point instances, indicate the creation direction or indicate thespacing between points.

Create extrema: select a  curve and a direction into which the extremum point is detected.

Create polar extrema: select a contour and its support, a computation mode, and areference axis-system (origin and direction) .

Create lines between two points: select two points.

Create lines based on a point and a direction: select a point and a line, then specify thestart and end points of the line.

Create lines at an angle or normal to a curve:  select a curve and its support, a point onthe curve, then specify the angle value, the start and end points of the line.

Create lines tangent to a curve:  select a curve and a reference point, then specify thestart and end points of the line.

Create lines normal to a surface: select a surface and a reference point, then specify thestart and end points of the line.

Create bisecting lines: select two lines and a starting point, then choose a solution.

Create polylines: select at least two points, then define a radius for a blending curve isneeded.

Create an offset plane: select an existing plane, and enter an offset value.

Create a parallel plane through a point: select an existing plane and a point. The resultingplane is parallel to the reference plane and passes through the point.

Create a plane at an angle: select an existing plane and a rotation axis, then enter anangle value (90° for a plane normal to the reference plane).

Create a plane through three points: select any three points

Create a plane through two lines : select any two lines

Create a plane through a point and a line : select any point and line

Create a plane through a planar curve: select any planar curve

Create a plane normal to a curve: select any curve and a point

Create a plane tangent to a surface: select any surface and a point

Create a plane based on its equation: key in the values for the Ax + Bu + Cz = D equation 

Create a mean plane through several points: select any three, or more, points

Create n planes between two planes: select two planes, and specify the number of planesto be created

Create a circle based on a point and a radius: select a point as the circle center, a supportplane or surface, and key in a radius value. For circular arcs, specify the start and endangles.

Create a circle from two points: select a point as the circle center, a passing point, and asupport plane or surface. For circular arcs, specify the start and end angles.Create a circle from two points and a radius: select the two passing points, a supportplane or surface, and key in a radius value. For circular arcs, specify the arc based on theselected points.

Create a circle from three points: select three points. For circular arcs, specify the arcbased on the selected points.Create a circle tangent to two curves, at a point: select two curves, a passing point, asupport plane or surface, and click where the circle should be created. For circular arcs,specify the arc based on the selected points.Create a circle tangent to two curves, with a radius: select two curves, a support surface,key in a radius value, and click where the circle should be created. For circular arcs,specify the arc based on the selected points.

Create a circle tangent to three curves: select three curves.

Create conics: select a support plane, start and end points, and any other threeconstraints (intermediate points or tangents).

Create spirals: select a support plane, center point, and reference direction, then set theradius, angle, and pitch as needed.

Create splines: select two or more points, if needed a support surface, set tangencyconditions and close the spline if needed.

Create a helix: select a starting point and a direction, and specify the helix pitch, height,orientation and taper angle.

Create a spine: select several planes or planar curves to which the spine is normal

Create corners: select a first reference element (curve or point), select a curve, a supportplane or surface, and enter a radius value. 

Creating connect curves: select two sets of curve and point on the curve, set theircontinuity type and, if needed, tension value.

Create parallel curves: select the reference curve, a support plane or surface, and specifythe offset value from the reference. 

Create projections: select the element to be projected and its support, specify theprojection direction, 

Create combined curves: select the curves, possibly directions, and specify the combinetype.

Create reflect lines: select the support and direction, and specify an angle.

Create intersections: select the two elements to be intersected.

 

Creating Points  This task shows the various methods for creating points:

by coordinateson a curveon a planeon a surfaceat a circle centertangent point on a curvebetween

Open the Points3D-1.CATPart document.

Click the Point icon  .1.

The Point Definition dialog box appears.

Use the combo to choose the desired point type.2.

Coordinates

Enter the X, Y, Z coordinates in thecurrent axis-system.Optionally, select a reference point.

The corresponding point isdisplayed.

When creating a point within a user-defined axis-system, note that the Coordinates inabsolute axis-system check button is added to the dialog box, allowing you to be define,or simply find out, the point's coordinates within the document's default axis-system.

On curve

Select a curveOptionally, select a reference point.

If this point is not on the curve, it isprojected onto the curve.If no point is selected, the curve'sextremity is used as reference.

Select an option point to determinewhether the new point is to be created:

at a given distance along thecurve from the reference pointa given ratio between thereference point and the curve'sextremity.

Enter the distance or ratio value.If a distance is specified, it can be:

a geodesic distance: the distanceis measured along the curvean Euclidean distance: thedistance is measured in relationto the reference point (absolutevalue).

The corresponding point is displayed.

You can also:click the Nearest extremity button to display the point at the nearest extremity ofthe curve.click the Middle Point button to display the mid-point of the curve.

use the Reverse Direction button to display:the point on the other side of the reference point (if a point was selectedoriginally)the point from the other extremity  (if no point was selected originally).

click the Repeat object after OK if you wish to create equidistant points on thecurve, using the currently created point as the reference, as described in CreatingMultiple Points in the Wireframe and Surface User's Guide . 

You will also be able to createplanes normal to the curve at thesepoints, by checking the Createnormal planes also button, and tocreate all instances in a new OpenBody by checking the Create in anew open body button.If the button is not checked theinstances are created in the currentOpen Body.If the curve is infinite and no reference point is explicitly given, by default, thereference point is the projection of the model's originIf the curve is a closed curve,  either the system detects a vertex on the curve thatcan be used as a reference point, or it creates an extremum point,  and highlights it(you can then select another one if you wish) or the system prompts you tomanually select a reference point.

On plane

Select a plane.Optionally, select a point to define areference for computing coordinates inthe plane.

If no point is selected, theprojection of the model's origin onthe plane is taken as reference.

Furthermore, the referencedirection (H and V vectors) iscomputed as follows: With N the normal to the selectedplane (reference plane), H resultsfrom the vectorial product of Z andN (H = Z^N). If the norm of H is strictly positivethen V results from the vectorialproduct of N and H (V = N^H).Otherwise, V = N^X and H = V^N.

Would the plane move, during anupdate for example, the referencedirection would then be projectedon the plane. Click in the plane to display a point.

On surface

Select the surface where the point is tobe created.

Optionally, select a reference point. Bydefault, the surface's middle point istaken as reference. You can select an element to take itsorientation as reference direction or aplane to take its normal as referencedirection.You can also use the contextual menuto specify the X, Y, Z components of thereference direction.Enter a distance along the referencedirection to display a point.

 Circle center

Select a circle, circular arc, or ellipse.

A point is displayed at the center ofthe selected element.

Tangent on curve

Select a planar curve and a directionline.

A point is displayed at eachtangent.

The Multi-Result Managementdialog box is displayed becauseseveral points are generated. Click YES: you can then select areference element, to which only theclosest point is created.Click NO: all the points are created.

Between

Select any two points.

Enter the ratio, that is the percentage ofthe distance from the first selected point,at which the new point is to be.You can also click Middle Point button tocreate a point at the exact midpoint(ratio = 0.5).

Use the Reverse direction button tomeasure the ratio from the secondselected point.

If the ratio value is greater than 1, the point is located on the virtual line beyond theselected points.

Click OK to create the point.3.

The point (identified as Point.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Creating Multiple Points and PlanesThis task shows how to create several points, and planes, at a time:

Open the MultiplePoints1.CATPart document.Display the Points toolbar by clicking and holding the arrow from the Point icon.

Click the Point & Planes Repetitionicon  .

1.

Select a curve or a Point on curve.2.

The Points Creation Repetitiondialog box appears.

Define the number or points to becreated (instances field).Here we chose 5 instances.

3.

You can choose the side onwhich the points are to becreated in relation to theinitially selected point on acurve. Simply use the ReverseDirection button, or clicking onthe arrow in the geometry.

If you check the With endpoints option, the last and firstinstances are the curve endpoints.

Click OK to create the pointinstances, evenly spaced over thecurve on the direction indicated bythe arrow.

4.

The points (identified as Point.xxx as forany other type of point) are added to thespecification tree.

If you selected a point on a curve,you can select a second point, thusdefining the area of the curve wherepoints should be created.Simply click the Second point fieldin the Multiple Points Creationdialog box, then select the limitingpoint.If you selected the Point2 createdabove as the limiting point, whilekeeping the same values, youwould obtain the following:

If the selected point on curvealready has a Reference point(as described in CreatingPoints - on curve), thisreference point is automaticallytaken as the second point.By default, the Second point isone of the endpoints of thecurve. 

When you select a point on a curve,the Instances & spacing option isavailable from  the Parametersfield.In this case, points will be createdin the given direction and taking intoaccount the Spacing value.For example, three instancesspaced by 10mm.

Check the Create normal planesalso to automatically generateplanes at the point instances.Check the Create in a new openbody if you want all object instancesin a separate Open Body.A new Open Body will be createdautomatically.

If the option is not checked theinstances are created in thecurrent Open Body.

Creating Extremum ElementsThis task shows how to create extremum elements (points, edges or faces), that iselements at the minimum or maximum distance on a curve, a surface, or a pad, according to given directions.

Open the Extremum1.CATPart document.Display the Points toolbar by clicking and holding the arrow from the Point icon.

Click the Extremum icon  .The Extremum Definition dialogbox is displayed.

1.

Set the correct options:2. Max: according to a givendirection the highest point onthe curve is createdMin: according to the samedirection the lowest point on thecurve is created

Extremum Points on a curve:

Select a curve.3.

Select the direction into whichthe extremum point must beidentified.

4.

Click OK.5.

The point (identified as Extremum.xxx)is added to the specification tree.

Extremum on a surface:

Select a surface.3.

Select the direction into whichthe extremum must be identified.

4.

If you click OK, theextremum face is created.

Giving only one direction is not always enough. You need to give a second, and possiblya third direction depending on the expected result (face, edge or point) to indicate to thesystem in which direction you want to create the extremum element. These directionsmust not be identical.

Select a second direction.3.

If you click OK, theextremum edge is created.

Select a third direction.4.

Click OK.5.

The point (identified as Extremum.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

 

Creating Polar Extremum ElementsThis task shows how to create an element of extremum  radius or angle, on a planarcontour.

Click the Polar Extremum icon  .1.

The Polar Extremum Definitiondialog box appears.

Select the contour, that is a connexplanar sketch or curve on which theextremum element is to be created.

2.

Non connex elements, such as the letter A in the sample, are not allowed.

Select the supporting surface of thecontour.

3.

Specify the axis origin and a reference direction, in order to determine the axissystem in which the extremum element is to be created.

4.

Click Apply:5.

Depending on the selected computation type, the results can be:

Min radius: the extremum element isdetected based on the shortestdistance from the axis-system origin

Max radius: the extremum element isdetected based on the longestdistance from the axis-system origin

Min angle: the extremum element isdetected based on the smallest anglefrom the selected direction within theaxis-system

Max angle: the extremum element isdetected based on the greatest anglefrom the selected direction within theaxis-system

The radius or angle value is displayed in the Polar Extremum Definition dialog box forinformation.

Click OK to create the extremum point.6.

The element (identified as Polar extremum.xxx), a point in this case, is added to thespecification tree.

 

Creating LinesThis task shows the various methods for creating lines:

point to pointpoint and directionangle or normal to curvetangent to curvenormal to surfacebisecting

Open the Lines1.CATPart document.

Click the Line icon  .1.

The Line Definition dialog box appears.

Use the combo to choose the desired line type.2.

A line type will be proposed automatically in some cases depending on your first elementselection.

Point - Point

Select two points.

A line is displayed between thetwo points.Proposed Start and End pointsof the new line are shown.

If needed, select a support surface.In this case a geodesic line iscreated, i.e. going from one point tothe other according to the shortestdistance along the surfacegeometry (blue line in the illustrationbelow).If no surface is selected, the line iscreated between the two pointsbased on the shortest distance (pinkline in the illustration below).

Specify the Start and End points of the new line, that is the line endpoint location inrelation to the points initially selected. These Start and End points are necessarilybeyond the selected points, meaning the line cannot be shorter than the distancebetween the initial points.Check the Mirrored extent option to create a line symmetrically in relation to theselected Start and End points.

The projections of the 3D point(s) must already exist on the selected support. 

Point - Direction

Select a reference Point and aDirection line.A vector parallel to the direction lineis displayed at the reference point.Proposed Start and End points ofthe new line are shown.

Specify the Start and End points ofthe new line.The corresponding line is displayed.

 

The projections of the 3D point(s) must already exist on the selected support. 

Angle or normal to curve

Select a reference Curve and aSupport surface containing thatcurve.Select a Point on the curve.Enter an Angle value.

A line is displayed at the givenangle with respect to thetangent to the reference curveat the selected point. Theseelements are displayed in theplane tangent to the surface atthe selected point.You can click on the Normal toCurve button to specify anangle of 90 degrees.Proposed Start and End pointsof the line are shown.Specify the Start and End points of the new line.The corresponding line is displayed.

Click the Repeat object after OK ifyou wish to create more lines withthe same definition as the currentlycreated line. In this case, the Object Repetitiondialog box is displayed, and you keyin the number of instances to becreated before pressing OK.

As many lines as indicated inthe dialog box are created,each separated from the initialline by a multiple of the anglevalue.

You can select the Geometry on Support check box if you want to create a geodesic lineonto a support surface.The figure below illustrates this case.

Geometry on support option not checked Geometry on support option checked

Tangent to curve

Select a reference Curve and apoint or another Curve to define thetangency.

if a point is selected(mono-tangent mode): avector tangent to the curve isdisplayed at the selectedpoint.If a second curve is selected(or a point in bi-tangentmode), you need to select asupport plane. The line willbe tangent to both curves.When several solutions arepossible, you can chooseone (displayed in red) directlyin the geometry, or using theNext Solution button.

Line tangent to curve at a given point Line tangent to two curves

Specify Start and End points to define the new line.The corresponding line is displayed.

Normal to surface

Select a reference Surface and aPoint.A vector normal to the surface isdisplayed at the reference point.Proposed Start and End points ofthe new line are shown.

Specify Start and End points todefine the new line.The corresponding line is displayed.

Bisecting

Select two lines. Their bisecting lineis the line splitting in two equalsparts the angle between these twolines. Select a point as the starting pointfor the line. By default it is theintersection of the bisecting line andthe first selected line.

Select the support surface ontowhich the bisecting line is to beprojected, if needed.Specify the line's length in relationto its starting point (Start and Endvalues for each side of the line inrelation to the default end points).The corresponding bisecting line,  isdisplayed.You can choose between twosolutions, using the Next Solutionbutton, or directly clicking thenumbered arrows in the geometry.

 

Click OK to create the line.3.

The line (identified as Line.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Regardless of the line type, Start and End values are specified by enteringdistance values or by using the graphic manipulators.Check the Mirrored extent option to create a line symmetrically in relation to theselected Start point.In most cases, you can select a support on which the line is to be created. In thiscase, the selected point(s) is projected onto this support.

You can reverse the direction of the line by either clicking the displayed vector orselecting the Reverse Direction button (not available with the point-point line type).

 

Creating PolylinesThis task shows how to create a polyline, that is a broken line made of several connectedsegments.These  linear segments may be connected by blending radii.Polylines may be useful to create cylindrical shapes such as pipes, for example.

Open the Spline1.CATPart document.

Click the Polyline icon.1.

The Polyline Definitiondialog box appears.

Select several points in a row.Here we selected Point.1,Point.5, Point.3 and Point.2 inthis order.

2.

The resulting polylinewould look like this:

From the dialog box, selectPoint.5, click the Add Afterbutton and select Point.6.

3.

Select Point.3 and click theRemove button.

4.

The resulting polylinenow looks like this:

Still from the dialog box select Point.5, click the Replace button, and select Point.4in the geometry.

5.

The added point automatically becomes the current point in the dialog box.

Click OK in the dialog box tocreate the polyline.

6.

The element (identified asPolyline.xxx) is added to thespecification tree.

Double-click the polyline from the specification tree. 7.

The Polyline Definition dialog box is displayed again.

Select Point.6 within the dialogbox, enter a value in theRadius field, and click Apply.

8.

A curve, centered on Point.6, andwhich radius is the entered value(R=30 here) is created.

You can define a radius for each point, except end points.You can also define radii at creation time.The blending curve's center is located on the side of the smallest angle betweenthe two connected line segments.

Click OK to accept the new definition of the polyline.9.

The polyline's orientation depends on the selection order of the points.You can re-order selected points using the Replace, Remove, Add, Add After, andAdd Before buttons.

You cannot select twice thesame point to create apolyline. However, you cancheck the Close polylinebutton to generate a closedcontour.

 

Creating Planes  This task shows the various methods for creating planes:

offset from a planeparallel throughpointangle/normal to aplanethrough three pointsthrough two linesthrough a point anda line

through aplanar curvenormal to acurvetangent to asurfacefrom itsequationmean throughpoints

Open the Planes1.CATPart document.

Click the Plane icon  .1.

The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

Use the combo to choose the desired Plane type.2.

Once you have defined the plane, it is represented by a red square symbol, which youcan move using the graphic manipulator.

Offset from plane

Select a reference Plane then enter anOffset value.

A plane is displayed offset from thereference plane.

Use the Reverse Direction button to reverse the change the offsetdirection, or simply click on the arrowin the geometry.

Click the Repeat object after OK if youwish to create more offset planes . In this case, the Object Repetition dialogbox is displayed, and you key in thenumber of instances to be created beforepressing OK.

As many planes as indicated in thedialog box are created (including theone you were currently creating),each separated from the initial planeby a multiple of the Offset value.

 

Parallel through point

Select a reference Plane and a Point.

 

A plane is displayed parallel to thereference plane and passing throughthe selected point.

Angle or normal to plane

Select a reference Plane and a Rotationaxis.This axis can be any line or an implicitelement, such as a cylinder axis forexample. To select the latter press andhold the Shift key while moving the pointerover the element, then click it.Enter an Angle value.

 

A plane is displayed passing throughthe rotation axis. It is oriented at thespecified angle to the referenceplane.

Click the Repeat object after OK if you wish to create more planes at an angle fromthe initial plane. In this case, the Object Repetition dialog box is displayed, and you key in thenumber of instances to be created before pressing OK.

As many planes as indicated in thedialog box are created (including theone you were currently creating),each separated from the initial planeby a multiple of the Angle value.

Here we created five planes at anangle of 20 degrees.

Through three points

Select three points.

The plane passing through the threepoints is displayed. You can move itsimply by dragging it to the desiredlocation.

Through two lines

Select two lines.

The plane passing through the twoline directions is displayed.When these two lines are notcoplanar, the vector of the secondline is moved to the first line locationto define the plane's second direction.

Through point and line

Select a Point and a Line.

The plane passing through the pointand the line is displayed.

 

Through planar curve

Select a planar Curve.

The plane containing the curve isdisplayed.

Tangent to surface

Select a reference Surface and a Point.

A plane is displayed tangent to thesurface at the specified point.

Normal to curve

Select a reference Curve.You can select a Point. By default, thecurve's middle point is selected.

A plane is displayed normal to thecurve at the specified point.

Mean through points

Select three or more points to display themean plane through these points.

It is possible to edit the plane by firstselecting a point in the dialog box listthen choosing an option to either:

Remove the selected pointReplace the selected point byanother point.

Equation

Enter the A, B, C, D components of the Ax+ By + Cz = D plane equation.

Use the Normal to compass button toposition the plane perpendicular tothe compass direction.

Use the Parallel to screen button toparallel to the screen current view.

Click OK to create the plane.3.

The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

 

Creating Planes Between Other PlanesThis task shows how to create any number of planes between two existing planes, in onlyone operation:

Open the Planes1.CATPart document.

Click the Planes Repetition icon  .1.

The Planes Between dialog box appears.

Select the two planes between which the newplanes must be created.

2.

Specify the number of planes to be created between the two selected planes.3.

Click OK to create the planes.4.

The planes (identified as Plane.xxx) are added to thespecification tree.

Check the Create in a new Open Body button to create a new Open Body containing onlythe repeated planes.

 

Creating CirclesThis task shows the various methods for creating circles and circular arcs:

center and radiuscenter and pointtwo points and radiusthree pointsbitangent and radiusbitangent and pointtritangent.

Open the Circles1.CATPart document.

Click the Circle icon .1.

The Circle Definition dialog boxappears.

Use the combo to choose the desiredcircle type.

2.

Center and radius

Select a point as circle Center.Select the Support plane or surfacewhere the circle is to be created.Enter a Radius value.

Depending on the active Circle Limitations icon,the corresponding circle or circular arc isdisplayed.For a circular arc, you can specify the Start andEnd angles of the arc.

If a support surface is selected, the circle lies on the plane tangent to the surface at the selected point.

Start and End angles can be specified by entering values or by using the graphic manipulators.

Center and point

Select a point as Circle center.Select a Point where the circle is to becreated.Select the Support plane or surfacewhere the circle is to be created.

The circle, which center is the first selectedpoint and passing through the second point orthe projection of this second point on the planetangent to the surface at the first point, ispreviewed.

Depending on the active Circle Limitations icon,the corresponding circle or circular arc isdisplayed.For a circular arc, you can specify the Start andEnd angles of the arc.Two points and radius

Select two points on a surface or in thesame plane.Select the Support plane or surface.Enter a Radius value.

The circle, passing through the first selectedpoint and the second point or the projection ofthis second point on the plane tangent to thesurface at the first point, is previewed.

Depending on the active Circle Limitations icon,the corresponding circle or circular arc isdisplayed.For a circular arc, you can specify the trimmedor complementary arc using the two selectedpoints as end points.

You can use the Second Solution button, todisplay the alternative arc.Three points

Select three points where the circle is tobe created.

Depending on the active Circle Limitations icon,the corresponding circle or circular arc isdisplayed.For a circular arc, you can specify the trimmedor complementary arc using the two of theselected points as end points.

In each of the methods above, you can select the Geometry on Support check box if you want the circleto be projected onto a support surface.

3.

In this case just select a support surface.

 

Bi-tangent and radius

Select two Elements (point or curve) to which the circle is to be tangent.Select a Support surface.Enter a Radius value.Several solutions may be possible, so click in the region where you want the circle to be.

Depending on the active Circle Limitations icon, the corresponding circle or circular arc isdisplayed.For a circular arc, you can specify the trimmed or complementary arc using the two tangent pointsas end points.

Bi-tangent and point

Select a point or a curve to which the circle is to be tangent.Select a Curve and a Point on this curve.Select a Support plane or planar surface.Several solutions may be possible, so click in the region where you want the circle to be.

Depending on the active Circle Limitations icon, the corresponding circle or circular arc isdisplayed.

Complete circle

For a circular arc, you can choose the trimmed or complementary arc using the two tangent points as endpoints.

Trimmed circle Complementary trimmed circle

Tri-tangent

Select three Elements to which the circleis to be tangent.Select a Support planar surface.Several solutions may be possible, soselect the arc of circle that you wish tocreate.

Depending on the active Circle Limitations icon,the corresponding circle or circular arc isdisplayed.For a circular arc, you can specify the trimmedor complementary arc using the two tangentpoints as end points.

Click OK to create the circle or circular arc.4.

The circle (identified as Circle.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

When several solutions are possible, click the Next Solution button to move to another arc of circle, or directlyselect the arc you want in the geometry.

 

Creating CornersThis task shows you how to create a corner between two curves or between a point and acurve.

Open the Corner1.CATPart document.

Click the Corner icon  .1.

The Corner Definition dialog box appears.

Choose the Corner Type:2. Corner on Support: the support can be asurface or a plane

Select a curve or a point as firstreference element.

1.

Select a curve as second referenceelement.The corner will be created between thesetwo references.

2.

Select the Support surface. Here we selected the zx plane.

3.

The resulting corner is a curve seen as an arcof circle lying on a support place or surface.

The reference elements must lie on this support, as well as the center of the circledefining the corner.

3D Corner: corner between two 3D curves

Select a 3D curve or a point as firstreference element.

1.

Select a 3D curve as second referenceelement.The corner will be created between thesetwo references.

2.

Select a Direction.Here we selected Line.2.

3.

 

 

The resulting corner is a 3D curve seen as an arcof circle along the user input Direction.

The input elements must not be collinear to the 3D Corner direction. Moreover, if theplane projection of an input element along the user input direction is singular or is selfintersected, some corner solution might not be computed.

Enter a Radius value.3.

Several solutions may be possible, so clickthe Next Solution button to move to anothercorner solution, or directly select the corneryou want in the geometry.

4.

Not all four solutions are alwaysavailable, depending on the supportconfiguration (if the center of one ofthe corners does not lie on the supportfor example).

You can select  the Trim elements checkbox if you want to trim and assemble the tworeference elements to the corner.

5.

Click OK to create the corner.

The corner (identified as Corner.xxx) isadded to the specification tree.

6.

When the selected curves are coplanar, the default support is the background plane.However, you can explicitly select any support.

 

Creating Connect CurvesThis task shows how to create a connecting curve between two curves.

Open the Connect1.CATPart document.

Click the Connect Curve icon  .The Connect Curve Definition dialog box appears.

1.

Select the Connect type.2.

Normal: 

Select a first Point on a curvethen a second Point on a secondcurve.The Curve fields are automaticallyfilled.

Base Curve: Select a base curve as thecurve reference.The orientation of the connectcurve will be the orientation ofthe base curve.Select a first Point on a curvethen a second Point on asecond curve.

The support Curve is optional (it isset as Default)

The first point can be either on thebase curve or on the supportcurve.

The Base Curve option is usefulwhen creating several profiles orguides that have the same shape.

Normal curve Base Curve

Use the combos to specify the desired Continuity type: Point, Tangency orCurvature.

3.

If needed, enter tension values.4.

If the Base Curve type is selected, the Continuity and Tension options for the first and thesecond curve are grayed out and set to Tangency and 1 respectively.

The connect curve is displayed between the two selected points according to thespecified continuity and tension values.

Normal curve with point continuity at bothpoints

Normal curve with point continuity at onepoint

and tangent continuity at the other

Normal curve with point continuity at onepoint

and curvature continuity at the other

Normal curve with tangent continuity at onepoint

and curvature continuity at the other

Normal curve with curvature continuity atboth points

Normal curve with tangent continuity atboth points

An arrow is displayed at each extremity of the curve. You can click the arrow toreverse the orientation of the curve at that extremity or click the Reverse button..

5.

A graphic manipulator also allows you to modify the tension at the extremity of theconnect curve, rather than in the dialog box.

If the Base Curve type is selected, the Reverse Direction options are grayed out.

You can select  the Trim elements check box if you want to trim and assemble thetwo initial curves to the connect curve.

6.

If no Base Curve type is selected, the Trim option is grayed out.

Normal curve Base Curve

Click OK to create the connect curve.7.

The curve (identified as Connect.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Normal curve Base Curve

 

Creating Conic CurvesThis task shows the various methods for creating conics, that is curves defined by fiveconstraints: start and end points, passing points or tangents. The resulting curves arearcs of either parabolas, hyperbolas or ellipses.The different elements necessary to define these curves are either:

two points, start and end tangents, and a parametertwo points, start and end tangents, and a passing pointtwo points, a tangent intersection point, and a parametertwo points, a tangent intersection point, and a passing pointfour points and a tangentfive points.

Open the Conic1.CATPart document.

Click the Conic icon .1.

The Conic Definition dialog box opens.

Fill in the conic curve parameters, depending on the type of curve to be created byselecting geometric elements (points, lines, etc.):

2.

Support: the plane on which the resulting curve will lie

Constraint Limits:

Start and End points: the curve is defined from the starting point to the end pointTangents Start and End: if necessary, the tangent at the starting or end pointdefined by selecting a lineTangent Intersection Point: a point used to define directly both tangents from thestart and end point. These tangents are on the virtual lines passing through thestart (end) point and the selected point.

 

a. Selecting the support planeand starting point

b. Selecting the ending point

c. Selecting the tangent at the starting point

d. Selecting the tangent at the ending point

Resulting conic curve

If you check  the Tgt Intersection Point option, and select a point, the tangents arecreated as passing through that point:

Using a tangent intersection  point Resulting conic curve

Intermediate Constraints

Point 1, 2, 3: possible passing points for the curve. These points have to beselected in logical order, that is the curve will pass through the start point, thenthrough Point 1, Point 2, Point 3 and the end point.Depending on the type of curve, not all three points have to be selected.You can define tangents on Point 1 and Point 2 (Tangent 1 or 2).

Parameter: ratio ranging from 0 to 1 (excluded), this value is used to define apassing point (M in the figure below) and corresponds to the OM distance/OTdistance.If parameter = 0.5, the resulting curve is a parabolaIf 0 < parameter < 0.5, the resulting curve is an arc of ellipse,If 1 > parameter > 0.5, the resulting curve is a hyperbola.

Click OK to create the conic curve.3.

The conic curve (identified as Conic.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

 

Creating SplinesThis task shows the various methods for creating spline curves.

Open the Spline1.CATPart document.

Click the Spline icon  .1.

The Spline Definition dialog box appears.

Select two or more points where the spline is to be created.2.

An updated spline is visualized each time a point isselected.

It is possible to edit the spline by first selecting a point in the dialog box list then choosing a button to either:3. Add a point after the selected pointAdd a point before the selected pointRemove the selected pointReplace the selected point by another point

You can select  the Geometry on support check box, andselect a support (plane, surface),  if you want the spline to beprojected onto a support surface.

4.

It is better when the tangent directions belong to thesupport, that is when a projection is possible.

In this case just select a surface or plane.

In the  figure above,  the spline was createdon a planar support grid.

Click on the Add Parameter button to display further options.5.

To set tangency conditions onto any point of the spline, selectthe point and click on Tangent Dir.

6.

There are two ways of imposing tangency and curvature constraints:

Explicit: select a line or plane to which the tangent on thespline is parallel at the selected point

1.

From curve: select a curve to which the spline is tangent at theselected point.

2.

Use the Remove Tgt., Reverse Tgt., or Remove Cur. to manage the different imposed tangency and curvature constraints.

Spline with a tangency constraint on endpoint (tension = 2) Spline with reversed tangent

To specify a curvature constraint at any point of the spline, once a tangency constraint has been set, indicate a curvaturedirection and enter a radius value:

7.

The curvature direction is projected onto a plane normal to the tangent direction.If you use the Create line contextual menu, and want to select the same point as a point already used to define the tangentdirection, you may have to select it from the specification tree, or use the pre-selection navigator.

Spline with tangency constraint Spline withtangency

constraint andcurvatureconstraint (radius =50mm)

Spline with tangency constraint and curvature constraint (radius = 2mm)

Note that there are prerequisites for the Points Specifications and you must enter your information in the following order:Tangent Dir. (tangent direction)Tangent TensionCurvature Dir. (curvature direction)Curvature Radius (to select it, just click in the field)

The fields become active as you select values.

Click OK to create the spline.The spline (identified as Spline.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

8.

To add a parameter to a point, select a line in the Points list. This list is highlighted.You have two possibilities:

extended parameters1. select any line or plane for the direction.2.

When imposing 

Use the Close Spline option to create a closed curve, provided the geometric configuration allows it.

Spline with Close Spline option unchecked Spline with Close Spline option checked

 

Creating a HelixThis task shows the various methods for creating helical curves, such as coils and springs forexample.These curves are 3D curves, as opposed to the spirals.

Open the Helix1.CATPart document.

Click the Helix icon .1.

The Helix CurveDefinition dialog boxappears.

Select a starting point and an axis.2.

Set the helix parameters:3.

Pitch: the distance betweentwo revolutions of the curve

You can define theevolution of the pitchalong the helix using alaw.

Click the Law button todisplay the Law Definitiondialog box.

1.

Choose type of law to beapplied to the pitch: It canstay Constant, or evolveaccording to a S type law

2.

For the S type pitch,you need to define asecond pitch value.The pitch distance willvary between thesetwo pitch values, overthe specified numberof revolutions.Click OK to return to theHelix Curve Definition dialogbox.

3.

Height: the global height of the helical curve, in the case of a constant pitch type helixOrientation: defines the rotation direction (clockwise or counter clockwise)Starting Angle: defines where the helical curve starts, in relation to the starting point.This parameter can be set only for the Constant pitch only.Taper Angle: the radius variation from one revolution to the other. It ranges from -90° to 90°excluded. For a constant radius, set the taper angle to 0.Way: defines the taper angle orientation.Inward: the radius decreasesOutward: the radius increases.

Profile: the curve used tocontrol the helical curveradius variation. The radiusevolves according to thedistance between the axisand the selected profile(here the orange curve).Note that the Starting pointmust be on the profile.

Click the Reverse Direction button to invert the curve direction.4.

Click OK to create the helix.5.

The helical curve(identified as Helix.xxx)is added to thespecification tree.

 

Creating SpiralsThis task shows how to create curves in the shape of spirals, that is a in 2D plane, asopposed to the helical curves.

Open the Spiral1.CATPart document.

Click the Spiral icon .

1.

The SpiralCurve Definitiondialog boxappears.

Select a supportingplane and the Centerpoint for the spiral.

2.

Specify a Reference direction along which the Start radius value is measured andfrom which the angle is computed, when the spiral is defined by an angle.

3.

The spiral ispreviewed withthe currentoptions:

Specify the Start radius value, that is the distance from the Center point, along theReference direction, at which the spiral's first revolution starts.

4.

Define the spiral's Orientation, that is the rotation direction: clockwise or counterclockwise

5.

Specify the spiral creation mode, and fill in the corresponding values:6.

Angle & Radius: thespiral is defined by agiven End angle fromthe Referencedirection and theradius value, theradius beingcomprised betweenthe Start and Endradius, on the firstand last revolutionsrespectively (i.e. thelast revolution endson a point whichdistance from thecenter point is theEnd radius value). 

Ref. direction = Z, Start radius = 5mm, Angle = 45°,  End radius = 20mm, Revolutions = 5

Angle & Pitch: thespiral is defined by agiven End angle fromthe Referencedirection and thepitch, that is thedistance betweentwo revolutions of thespiral.

Ref. direction = Z, Start radius = 5mm, Angle = 45°,  Pitch = 4mm, Revolutions = 5

Radius & Pitch: thespiral is defined bythe End radius valueand the pitch.The spiral ends whenthe distance from thecenter point to thespiral's last pointequals the Endradius value.

Ref. direction = Z, Start radius = 5mm, End radius = 20mm, Pitch = 4mm

Depending on the selected creation mode, the End angle, End radius, Pitch, and Revolutions fields are available or not.

Click OK to create thespiral curve.

7.

The curve (identified asSpiral.xxx) is added to thespecification tree.

Creating a SpineThis task shows how to create a spine, that is a curve normal to a list of ordered planes orplanar curves. These spines are useful when creating complex surfaces such as swept,lofted, or filleted surfaces.

Creating a Spine Based on Planes

Open the Spine1.CATPart document.Display the Curves toolbar by clicking and holding the arrow from the Spline icon.

Click the Spine icon  .The Spine Curve Definition dialogbox is displayed.

1.

Successively select planes orplanar profiles. 

2.

Click Apply. The spine is displayed.

4.

You can also select a start point.The point is projected onto thefirst plane as the spine startingpoint, as illustrated here (point.3is selected) except if it is alreadylying onto this first plane.

5.

Use the contextual menu on theStart point field to create a point.(See Stacking Commands). If you do not select a start point(default mode) one is computedautomatically.To remove a selected point,check the Computed start pointbutton.

Select one of the elements in thedialog box, then click: 

6.

Replace, then select thereplacing element in thegeometry or the specificationtreeRemove to delete it from thespine definitionAdd then select a new elementto be added after the last one.Using the contextual menu, youcan choose to Add After or AddBefore the selected element.

Click OK.7.

The curve (identified as Spine.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

When non planar curves are selected, their mean planes are used to compute the spine.

Creating a Spine Based on Guiding Curves

Open the Spine2.CATPart document.

Click the Spine icon  .The Spine Curve Definition dialogbox is displayed.

1.

Click within the Guide list andsuccessively select two guidingcurves.

2.

The spine is immediatelypreviewed.

Click OK to create the spine. 3.

The curve (identified as Spine.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

This type of spine is very useful when creating a swept surface, as illustrated below:

Swept surface without any spine Swept surface with specified spine

Creating Parallel CurvesThis task shows you how to create a curve that is parallel to a reference curve.

Open the Parallelcurves1.CATPart document.

Click the ParallelCurve icon  .

1.

The ParallelCurve Definitiondialog boxappears.

Choose the parallelism mode to create the parallel curve:2. Euclidean: the distance between both curves will be the shortest possible one,regardless of the support. 

If you select this mode, you can choose to offset the curve at a constantdistance from the initial element, or according to a law. In this case, you needto select a law as defined in Creating Laws.

You can apply laws created with the Knowledge Advisor  workbench to parallel curves.However, in this case, you need to make sure that the law is strictly positive andcurvature continuous.

Geodesic: the distance between both curves will be the shortest possible one,taking the support curvature into account. In this case, the offset always is constant in every points of the curves.

Select corner type  (useful for curves presenting sharp angles):3.

Sharp: the parallelcurve takes intoaccount the angle inthe initial curve

Round: the parallel curve is rounded off as in a corner

Select the referenceCurve to be offset.

4.

Select the Supportplane or surface onwhich the referencecurve lies.

5.

Specify the Offset byentering a value orusing the graphicmanipulator.

6.

The parallel curve is displayed on the support surface and normal to thereference curve.

Click OK to create the parallel curve.7.

The curve (identified as Parallel.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

You can use the Reverse Direction button to display the parallel curve on the otherside of the reference curve.

When the selected curve is a planar curve, its plane is selected by default.However, you can explicitly select any support.

Would the value beinconsistent with theselected geometry, awarning message isdisplayed, along witha warning sign ontothe geometry. If youmove the pointer overthis sign, a longermessage is displayedto help you continuewith the operation.Check the Both Sidesbutton to create twoparallel curves,symmetrically inrelation to theselected curve, andprovided it iscompatible with theinitial curve'scurvature radius.

In this case, twoindependentparallel curvesare created.

Use the Repeatobject after OKcheckbox to createseveral parallelcurves, eachseparated from theinitial curve by amultiple of the offsetvalue.Simply indicate in theObject Repetitiondialog box thenumber of instancesthat should becreated and click OK.The options set in the dialog box are retained when exiting then returning to theParallel curve function.

 

Creating ProjectionsThis task shows you how to create geometry by projecting one or more elements onto a support. The projection may be normal or along a direction.You can project:

a point onto a surface or wireframe supportwireframe geometry onto a surface supportany combination of points and wireframe onto a surface support.

Generally speaking, the projection operation has a derivative effect, meaning that theremay be a continuity loss when projecting an element onto another. If the initial elementpresents a curvature continuity, the resulting projected element presents at least atangency continuity. If the initial element presents a tangency continuity, the resultingprojected element presents at least a point continuity.

Open the Projection1.CATPart document.

Click the Projection icon  .1.

The Projection Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the element to be Projected.2.

You can select several elements to beprojected.  In this case, the Projectedfield indicates: x elements

Select the Support element.3.

Use the combo to specify the direction typefor  the projection:

4.

Normal: the projection is done normal to thesupport element.

Along a direction: you need to select a lineto take its orientation as the translationdirection or a plane to take its normal as thetranslation direction.

You can also specify the direction bymeans of X, Y, Z vector components byusing the contextual menu on theDirection field.

Whenever several projections are possible, you can select the Nearest Solutioncheck box to keep the nearest projection.

5.

Click OK to create the projection element.6.

The projection (identified as Project.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Multi-selection is available. Refer to Editing a List of Elements to find out how to displayand manage the list of selected elements.

 

Creating Combined CurvesThis task shows you how to create combined curves, that is a curve resulting from theintersection of the extrusion of two curves.

Open the Combine1.CATPart document.Display the Project-Combine toolbar by clicking and holding the arrow from the Projectionicon.

Click the Combine icon  .1.

The Combine Definition dialog box appears.

Choose the combine type: normal or along directions.2. Normal: the virtual extrusion are computed as normal to the curve planesAlong directions: specify the extrusion direction for each curve (Direction1 andDirection2 respectively).

Normal Type

Successively select the two curves to becombined.

3.

Using the Normal type, the combinecurve is the intersection curve betweenthe extrusion of the selected curves invirtual perpendicular planes.This illustration represent the virtualextrusions, allowing the creation of theintersection curve that results in thecombine curve. 

Click OK to create the element.4.

The combine (identified as Combine.xxx) is addedto the specification tree.

Along Directions Type

Successively select the two curves to becombined and a direction for each curve.

3.

Using the Along directions type, thecombine curve is the intersection curvebetween the extrusion of the selectedcurves along the selected directions, asillustrated here:

Click OK to create the element.4.

The combine (identified as Combine.xxx) is addedto the specification tree.

The Nearest solution option, allows to automatically create the curve closest to the firstselected curve, in case there are several possible combined curves.

 

Creating Reflect LinesThis task shows you how to create reflect lines, that is curves for which the normal to thesurface in each point present the same angle with a specified direction.

Open the ReflectLine1.CATPart document.Display the Project-Combine toolbar by clicking and holding the arrow from the Projectionicon.

Click the Reflect Lines icon  .1.

The Reflect Lines Definitiondialog box appears.

Successively select the supportsurface and a direction.

2.

Key in an angle, representing thevalue between the selected directionand the normal to the surface.Here we keyed in 15°.

3.

You can also use the displayed manipulators to modify the angle value (ANGmanipulator) or to reverse its direction (Support arrow). 

The Normal option lets you choose whetherthe angle should be computed: 

between the normal to the supportand the direction (option checked)

between the plane tangent to thesupport and the direction (optionunchecked)

Click OK to create the element.4.

The Reflect Line (identified asReflectLine.xxx) is added to thespecification tree.

A closed or open reflect line can be created.

When several reflect lines arecreated, as for example on a cylinderas illustrated here, you are promptedto choose to either keep bothelements within the ReflectLineobject, or to choose one as thereference, as described in Creatingthe Nearest Entity of a MultipleElement.

Do not use a null angle value on a closed surface issued from a circle for example.

 

Creating IntersectionsThis task shows you how to create wireframe geometry by intersecting elements.

You can intersect:wireframe elementssurfaceswireframe elements and a surface.

Open the IntersectSurface1.CATPart document.

Click the Intersection icon 

.

1.

The IntersectionDefinition dialog boxappears.

Select the two elements to be intersected.The intersection is displayed.

2.

Multi-selection is available on the first selection, meaning you can select severalelements to be intersected, but only one intersecting element.

Choose the type ofintersection to be displayed: 

3.

A Curve: when intersecting acurve with another, or with asurface

Points: when intersecting acurve with another, or with asurface

A Contour: when intersectinga surface with another, orwith a pad

A Face: when intersecting asurface with another, or witha pad (we increased thetransparency degree on thepad and surface)

Click OK to create the intersection element.4.

This element (identified as Intersect.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

This example shows the lineresulting from the intersection of a

plane and a surface.

This example shows the curve resulting from theintersection of two surfaces.

Multi-selection is available. Refer to Editing a List of Elements to find out how to display andmanage the list of selected elements.

 

Creating SurfacesGenerative Shape Design allows you to model both simple and complex surfaces usingtechniques such as lofting, sweeping and filling.

Create extruded surfaces: select a profile,  specify the extrusion Direction, and define thestart and end limits of the extrusionCreate revolution surfaces: select a profile, a rotation axis, and define the angular limits ofthe revolution surfaceCreate spherical surfaces: select the center point of the sphere, the axis-system definingthe meridian and parallel curves, and define the angular limits of the spherical surfaceCreate offset surfaces: select the surface to be offset, enter the offset value and specifythe offset directionCreate swept surfaces: select one or more guiding curves, the profile to be swept,possibly a spine, reference surface, and start and end valuesCreate adaptive swept surfaces: select a guiding curve, a profile to be swept, points todefine more sections if needed, set the constraints on each section, and choose a spine.Create fill surfaces: select curves, or surface edges,  forming a closed boundary, andspecify the continuity typeCreate lofted surfaces: select two or more planar section curves, possibly guide curvesand a spine, and  specify tangency conditionsCreate blend surfaces: select two curves, and possibly their support, specify the tension,continuity, closing point and coupling ratio, if needed.

 

Creating Extruded SurfacesThis task shows how to create a surface by extruding a profile along a given direction.

Open the Extrude1.CATPart document.

Click the Extrude icon  .1.

The Extruded Surface Definitiondialog box appears.

Select the Profile to be extruded and specify the desired extrusion Direction.2.

You can select a line to take its orientation as the extrusion direction or aplane to take its normal as extrusion direction.

You can also specify the direction by means of X, Y, Z vector components byusing the contextual menu on the Direction area.

Enter values or use the graphic manipulators to define the start and end limits of theextrusion.

3.

You can click the Reverse Direction button to display the extrusion on the other sideof the selected profile.

4.

Click OK to create the surface.5.

The surface (identified as Extrude.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

 

Creating Revolution SurfacesThis task shows how to create a surface by revolving a planar profile about an axis.

Open the Revolution1.CATPart document.

Click the Revolve icon  .1.

The Revolution Surface Definitiondialog box appears.

Select the Profile and a line indicating thedesired Revolution axis.

2.

Enter angle values or use the graphicmanipulators to define the angular limits ofthe revolution surface.

3.

Click OK to create the surface.4.

The surface (identified as Revolute.xxx) isadded to the specification tree.

There must be no intersection between the axis and the profile. However, if theresult is topologically consistent, the surface will still be created.If the profile is a sketch containing an axis, the latter is selected by default as therevolution axis. You can select another revolution axis simply by selecting a newline.

 

Creating Spherical SurfacesThis task shows how to create surfaces in the shape of a sphere.The spherical surface is based on a center point, an axis-system defining the meridian &parallel curves orientation, and angular limits.

Open the Sphere1.CATPart document.

Click the Sphere icon from theExtrude-Revolution toolbar.

1.

The Sphere Surface Definitiondialog box is displayed.

Select the center point of the sphere.2.

Select an axis-system.3.

This axis-system determines theorientation of the meridian andparallel curves, and therefore of thesphere.By default, if no axis-system hasbeen previously created in thedocument, the axis-system is thedocument xyz axis-system.Otherwise the default axis-system isthe current one.Click Apply to preview the surface.4.

Modify the Sphere radius and  the AngularLimits as required. Here we choose -90° and 90° for theparallel curves, and 240° and 0° for themeridian curves, and left the radius at 20mm.

5.

Parallel angular limits are comprised within the -90° and 90° range.Meridian angular limits are comprised within the -360° and 360° range.

Click OK to create the spherical surface.6.

The spherical surface (identified as Sphere.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

You can also choose to create a whole sphere.In this case, simply click the icon from thedialog box to generate a complete sphere,based on the center point and the radius. Theparallel and meridian angular values are thengrayed.

 

Creating Offset SurfacesThis task shows how to create a surface, or set of surfaces, by offsetting an existing surface, or set of surfaces.It can be any type of surface, including multi-patch surfaces resulting from fill or any other operation.

Open the Offset1.CATPart document.

Click the Offset icon .1.

The Offset Surface Definition dialog box appears.

Select the Surface to be offset.2.

Specify the Offset by entering a value or using the graphicmanipulator.

3.

An arrow indicates the proposed direction for the offset.4.

Click Apply to previews the offset surface.5.

The offset surface is displayed normal to thereference surface.

Click OK to create the surfaces.6.

The surfaces (identified as Offset.xxx) are added to the specification tree.

Depending on the geometry configuration and the offset value, an offset may not be allowed as it would result in adebased geometry. In this case, you need to decrease the offset value or modify the initial geometry.

The Parameters tab allows you to:

display the offset surface on the other side of the referencesurface by clicking either the arrow or the ReverseDirection button.

use the Both sides button checkbox to generate two offsetsurfaces, one on each side of the reference surface.

use the Repeat object after OK checkbox to create severaloffset surfaces, each separated from the initial surface bya multiple of the offset value.Simply indicate in the Object Repetition dialog box thenumber of instances that should be created and click OK.Remember however, that when repeating the offset it maynot be allowed to create all the offset surfaces, if it leads todebased geometry.

Would the value be inconsistent with the selectedgeometry, a warning message is displayed, along with awarning sign onto the geometry. If you move the pointerover this sign, a longer message is displayed to help youcontinue with the operation.

Furthermore, the manipulator is locked, and you needto modify the value within the dialog box and clickApply.

The options set in the dialog box are retained when exiting then returning to the Offset function.

The Sub-elements tab helps you for the analysis in case the offset encounters a problem.

Open the Offset2.CATPart document.

Perform steps 1 to 4.1.

Reverse the direction.2.

Click Apply.3.

  The Warningdialog boxappears andthe geometryshows theerroneoussub-elements.

ClickYes toaccepttheoffset.

4.

 

 

In the OffsetSurfaceDefinitiondialog box,theSub-ElementsTo Removetab lists theerroneoussub-elementsand a previewof the offset isdisplayed.

  You can remove a sub-element by right-clicking it and choosing RemoveSel from the contextual menu.

  The following modes are optional, you may use them if you need to add or remove a sub-element to create the offset.Add Mode: when you click an unlisted element in the geometry, it is added to the list when you click a listed element, it remains in the listRemove Mode: when you click an unlisted element in the geometry, the list is unchanged when you click a listed element, it is removed from the list

If you double-click the Add Mode or Remove Mode button, the chosen mode is permanent, i.e. successively selectingelements will add/remove them.  However, if you click only once, only the next selected element is added orremoved.You only have to click the button again, or click another one, to deactivate the mode.

 

Click Apply.The offset surface is displayed normal to the referencesurface.

4.

Click OK to create the surfaces.

The surfaces (identified as Offset.xxx) are added to thespecification tree.

5.

 

Creating Swept SurfacesYou can create a swept surface by sweeping out a profile in planes normal to a spine curvewhile taking other user-defined parameters (such as guide curves and reference elements) intoaccount.

You can sweep an explicit profile:along one or two  guide curves (in this case the first guide curve is used as the spine)along one or two guide curves while respecting a spine.

The profile is swept out in planes normal to the spine.

In addition, you can control the positioning of the profile while it is being swept by means of a reference surface.The profile position may be fixed with respect to the guide curve (positioned profile) oruser-defined in the first sweep plane.

You can sweep an implicit linear profile along a spine. This profile is defined by:two guide curves and two length values for extrapolating the profilea guide curve and a middle curvea guide curve, a reference curve, an angle and two length values for extrapolating theprofilea guide curve, a reference surface, an angle and two length values for extrapolating theprofile.a guide curve, and a reference surface to which the sweep is to be tangent.

You can sweep an implicit circular profile along a spine. This profile is defined by:three guide curvestwo guide curves and a radius valuea center curve and two angle values defined from a reference curve (that also definesthe radius)a center curve and a radius.

You can sweep an implicit conical profile along a spine. This profile is defined by:three guide curvestwo guide curves and a radius valuea center curve and two angle values defined from a reference curve (that also definesthe radius)a center curve and a radius.

Generally speaking, the sweep operation has a derivative effect, meaning thatthere may be a continuity loss when sweeping a profile along a spine. If the spinepresents a curvature continuity, the surface presents at least a tangencycontinuity. If the spine presents a tangency continuity, the surface presents atleast a point continuity.

Generally speaking, the spine must present a tangency continuity.However, in a few cases, even though the spine is not tangent continuous, theswept surface is computed.

when the spine is a planar curve, as the swept surface is extrapolated thentrimmed to connect each of its segmentswhen consecutive segments of the resulting swept surface do not presentany gap.

Tangency discontinuous spinewith connex swept segments(the sweep is created)

Tangency discontinuous spinewith non connex swept segments

(the sweep is not created)

Defining Laws for Swept Surfaces

Whatever the type of sweep, whenevera value is requested (angle or length)you can click the Law button to displaythe Law Definition dialog box. It allowsyou to define your own law to beapplied rather than the absolute value.

Four law types are available:Constant: a regular law, only one value is needed.1. Linear: a linear progression law between the Start and End indicated values2. S type: an S-shaped law between the two indicated values3. Advanced: allowing to select a Law element as defined in Creating Laws4.

Check the Inverse law button to reverse the law as defined using the above options.

You can also apply laws created with the Knowledge Advisor  workbench to sweptsurfaces. However, in this case, you need to make sure that the law is strictly positive andcurvature continuous.

 

Creating Swept Surfaces Using an ExplicitProfile

This task shows how to create sweptsurfaces that use an explicit profile.These profiles must not be T- orH-shaped profiles.

You can use the wireframe elementsshown in this figure.

Open the Sweep1.CATPart document.

 

Click the Sweep icon .1.

The Swept Surface Definitiondialog box appears.

Click the  Explicit profile icon.2.

Select the planar Profile to be swept out (DemoProfile1).3.

Select a Guide curve (DemoGuide1).4.

If needed, select a Spine.If no spine is selected, the guide curve is implicitly used as the spine.

5.

The figure below shows the resultobtained when you include a linear spineelement in the definition.

The figure below shows the result obtained afterselectingthe first guide curve and the profile.

If needed, select a Second guidecurve.

6.

within the Second guide tab, you can also specify anchor points for each guide. These anchorpoints are intersection points between the guides and the profile's plane or the profile itself,through which the guiding curves will pass. 

For example, with our model, if you create two points on the profile, as anchor points, the resultis:

Sweep without positioning

If the profile is manually positioned (see below) defining anchor points will position the profilebetween the guides, matching the anchor points with guide intersection points, prior toperforming the sweeping operation.

Positioned swept surface

If you want to control the position of the profile during the sweep, you can select areference Surface.Note that in this case, the guiding curve must lie completely on this reference surface,except if it is a plane.You can impose a Reference angle on this surface.

7.

By default, the sweep follows the mean plane of the spine, otherwise it follows thereference. 

In the Smooth sweeping section,you can check:

the Angular correctionoption to smooth thesweeping motion along thereference surface.  Thismay be necessary whensmall discontinuities aredetected with regards to thespine tangency or thereference surface's normal.The smoothing is done forany discontinuity whichangular deviation is smallerthan 0.5 degree, andtherefore helps generatingbetter quality for theresulting swept surface.the Deviation from guide(s)option to smooth thesweeping motion bydeviating from the guidecurve(s).

If you want to manually position theprofile, click the Position profile check button.

8.

You can then directlymanipulate the profile usingthe graphic manipulators inthe geometry, or  accesspositioning parametersclicking on the ShowParameters>> button.These parameters allow youto position the profile in thefirst sweep plane.

Specify a positioning point in the first sweep plane by either entering coordinates orselecting a point.Specify the x-axis of the positioning axis system by either selecting a line or specifying arotation angle.Select the X-axis inverted check box to invert the x-axis orientation (while keeping they-axis unchanged).Select the Y-axis inverted check box to invert the y-axis orientation (while keeping thex-axis unchanged).Specify an anchor point on the profile by selecting a point. This anchor point is the originof the axis system that is associated with the profile.

If you want to go back to the original profile, uncheck  the Position profile button.

Click OK to create the swept surface.9.

The surface (identified as Sweep.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

It is not mandatory that the profile be a sketch.

 

Creating Swept Surfaces Using a Linear ProfileThis task shows how to create swept surfaces that use an implicit linear profile.

Open the Sweep1.CATPart for the following subtypes: Two limits, Limit and middle, With reference curve, with referencesurface, and With tangency surface.Open the Sweep1bis.CATPart for the With draft direction subtype.

Click the Sweep icon .The Swept Surface Definition dialog box appears.

1.

Click the Line profile icon.The five possible cases are described below.

2.

Two limits:

Select two guidecurves.You can enter oneor two length valuesto define the widthof the sweptsurface.

 

Limit and middle:

Select two guidecurves.Select the Limit andmiddle option fromthe list to use thesecond guide curveas middle curve.

 

Checking the Second curve as middle curve button automatically selects this mode.

With reference curve:

Select a guidecurve, a referencecurve, and key inan angle value.You can enter oneor two length valuesto define the widthof the sweptsurface.

 

With reference surface:

Select a guidecurve, a referencesurface,  and key inan angle value.The guiding curvemust lie completelyon this referencesurface, except ifthe latter is a plane.You can enter oneor two length valuesto define the widthof the sweptsurface.

 

With tangency surface:

Select a guidecurve, and areference surface towhich the sweep isto be tangent.

 

Depending on thegeometry, theremay be one or twosolutions fromwhich to choose,either by clicking onthe solutiondisplayed in red(inactive) or usingthe Next Solutionbutton. 

 

With draft direction:

Select a guidecurve and a draftdirection (a line, aplane orcomponents), Select the draftcomputation mode:

Square:equivalent toimplicit linearprofile sweptsurface withreferencesurface,using aplane normalto the draftdirection asreferencesurface, andtheprojection ofthe guidecurve ontothis plane asspineCone:envelop ofconesdefinedalong agiven curve

Choose the angulardefinition:

Whollyconstant: theangularvalue is thesame duringthe wholesweepingoperationG1-Constant:a differentdraft valuefor every G1section canbe set; in thiscase, arelimitingplane isrequestedwhendefininglengthsLocationvalues: ongiven pointson the curve,angularvalues canbe defined.

Choose the lengthtypes:

From curve:the sweptsurfacestarts fromthe curveStandard:the length iscomputed insweepingplanesFrom/Up to:the length iscomputed byintersecting aplane or asurface; apoint can beselected: aplane parallelto the draftplane wouldbe computed

In the example above, we selected thefollowing values

Project.1 as guide curvePlane.2 as draft direction

Cone as computation mode50deg as Wholly constant angle

Standard Length type60mm as Length 1

Fromextremum:the lengthsare definedalong  thedraftdirectionfrom anextremumplane; L1correspondsto the"maximumplane" in thedraftdirection,  L2correspondsto the"minimumplane" in thedraftdirection

In the example above, we selected thefollowing values

Project.1 as guide curvePlane.2 as draft direction

Square as computation mode10deg as G1- Constant angleFrom extremum Length types

80mm as Length 130mm as Length 2

 

The location value is only available for a square computation mode and will work onlyon G1 curves.

In the Smooth sweeping section, you can check:the Angular correction option to smooth the sweeping motion along the reference surface.  This may be necessarywhen small discontinuities are detected with regards to the spine tangency or the reference surface's normal. Thesmoothing is done for any discontinuity which angular deviation is smaller than 0.5 degree, and therefore helpsgenerating better quality for the resulting swept surface.the Deviation from guide(s) option to smooth the sweeping motion by deviating from the guide curve(s).A curve smooth is performed using correction default parameters in tangency and curvature.This option is not available for with tangency surface subtype.

Click OK to create the swept surface.3.

The surface (identified as Sweep.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Simply select a new spine using the Spine field, if you want to specify a spine different from the first guide curve.Click the Law button if you want a specific law to be applied rather that the absolute angle value. See Defining Laws forSwept Surfaces.

 

Creating Swept Surfaces Using a Circular ProfileThis task shows how to create swept surfaces that use an implicit circular profile.

You can use the wireframe elements shown in this figure.

Open the Sweep1.CATPart.

 

Click the Sweep icon .1.

The Swept Surface Definition dialog box appears.

Click the Circle icon, then use the combo to choose the subtype.2.

The twofollowing casesare possibleusing guidecurves.

Selectthreeguidecurves.

Select twoguidecurvesand entera Radiusvalue.You canthenchoosebetweenfourpossiblesolutionsby clickingthe OtherSolutionbutton.

 

In the example above, the radius value is 45.

The twofollowing casesare possibleusing a centercurve.

Select aCenterCurve andaReferenceanglecurve.You canrelimit thesweptsurfacebyenteringtwo anglevalues.

In the example above, we selected a spine

Select aCenterCurve andenter aRadiusvalue.

 In the example above, we selected the following values:

Center curve: DemoGuide 3Reference angle: DemoGuide 1

Angle 1: 0 degAngle 2: 60 deg

The two following cases are possible using a reference surface to which the swept surface is to be tangent:

Select twoguidecurves,and areferencesurface towhich thesweep isto betangent.

Depending onthe geometry,there may beone or twosolutions fromwhich to choose.The  solutiondisplayed in redshows the activesweep.

Choosing a solution Resulting Sweep 

Select aguidecurves, areferencesurface towhich thesweep isto betangent,and entera radiusvalue. 

Choosing a solution

 

Resulting Sweep

 

In any of the above cases, you can select a spine if you want to specify a spine different from the first guide curve or center curve.

In the Smooth sweeping section, you can check:the Angular correction option to smooth the sweeping motion along the reference surface.  This may be necessary when smalldiscontinuities are detected with regards to the spine tangency or the reference surface's normal. The smoothing is done for anydiscontinuity which angular deviation is smaller than 0.5 degree, and therefore helps generating better quality for the resulting sweptsurface.the Deviation from guide(s) option to smooth the sweeping motion by deviating from the guide curve(s).A curve smooth is performed using correction default parameters in tangency and curvature.This option is not available for One guide and tangency surface subtype.

Click OK to create the swept surface.3.

The surface (identified as Sweep.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Click the Law button if you want a specific law to be applied rather that the absolute angle value. See Defining Laws for Swept Surfaces.

 

Creating Swept Surfaces Using a Conical ProfileThis task shows how to create swept surfaces that use an implicit conical profile, such as parabolas, hyperbolas orellipses.These swept surfaces are created based on guide curves and tangency directions. The latter can be defined either bythe supporting surface or a curve giving the direction.Open the Sweep2.CATPart.

Click the Sweep icon .1.

The Swept Surface Definition dialog box appears.

Click the Conic icon, then use the combo to choose the subtype.2.

Two guides

Select twoguidecurves andtheirtangencysupports,indicatingan anglevalue inrelation tothesupport, ifneeded.Set theParametervalue. It isa ratiorangingfrom 0 to 1(excluded), and is usedto define apassingpoint asdescribedin CreatingConicCurves andillustratedin thediagram.

 

Three guides

Selectthree guidecurves, andthetangencysupportsfor the firstand lastguides. Ifneeded,indicate anangle inrelation tothesupport.

Four guides

Select fourguidecurves andthetangencysupport forthe firstguide. If needed,indicate anangle inrelation tothesupport.

Five guides

Open theSweep3.CATPart.

Select fiveguidecurves.

In any of the above cases, you can select a spine if you want to specify a spine different from the first guide curve orcenter curve.

Provided you are using two, three, or four guides, in the Smooth sweeping section, you can check:the Angular correction option to smooth the sweeping motion along the reference surface.  This may benecessary when small discontinuities are detected with regards to the spine tangency or the referencesurface's normal. The smoothing is done for any discontinuity which angular deviation is smaller than 0.5degree, and therefore helps generating better quality for the resulting swept surface.the Deviation from guide(s) option to smooth the sweeping motion by deviating from the guide curve(s).

Click OK to create the swept surface.3.

The surface (identified as Sweep.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Click the Law button if you want a specific law to be applied rather that the absolute angle value. See DefiningLaws for Swept Surfaces.

 

Creating Adaptive Swept SurfacesThis task shows how to create swept surfaces that use an implicit profile and its constraints along aguiding curve.These swept surfaces are created based on sections along the guiding curve and constraints that can bespecified for each of these sections.The implicit profile is a sketch and as such supports the creation of associative sketch elements overmulti-cell surfaces. This allows, when creating the swept surface, to impose a constraint over a multi-cellsurface that is used as a construction element.

When designing the profile to be swept, keep in mind that the constraints imposed on the sketchedprofile affect the resulting swept surface. For example, with the apparently similar sketch (only itsconstruction differs, but there is a coincidence constraint between the sketch extremity and the point onthe guiding curve) you can obtain the following results: 

Sketch  based onthe point (no coincidence constraint, but a

geometric superimposition)

Sketch  basedon the point

as theintersection of

the sketchand the guiding

curve

Sketch  based on projectionof the point in 3D

Similarly, it is best to use angle constraints rather than tangency or perpendicularity constraints, to avoidchanges in the sketch orientation as it is swept along the guiding curve. In some cases, with tangency orperpendicularity constraints, the sketch may be inverted and lead to unsatisfactory results.

Open the AdaptiveSweep1.CATPart document.

Click the Adaptive Sweep icon .1.

The Adaptive Sweep dialog boxappears.

Select the Guiding curve (Sketch.5 here).2.

If no guiding curve already exists, use the contextual menu on the Guiding curve field  tocreate, either a line, or a boundary.

The Reference surface is optional. It is the surface on which the guiding curve lies and is used to definethe axis system in which the swept surface is created.

If you choose a boundary as the guiding curve, the reference surface automatically is the surface towhich the boundary belongs.You can de-select a reference surface using the Clear Selection contextual menu on the Referencesurface field.In our example, Revolute.1 is used as a reference surface.

Select the Sketch to be swept along theguiding curve.

3.

An axis-system is displayed defining theplane in which the first section iscreated.

Select the end point of the guiding curve tocreate another section.The axis-system is displayed at this newsection.

4.

The list in the Sections tab is automatically updatedwith:

the first section being at the intersection ofthe selected sketch and guiding curvethe second section at the selected point onthe guiding curve.

Use the Remove current section icon, or choose the Remove Section contextual menu, to deletea section from the swept surface. The first section cannot be deleted.

Use the Rename current section icon, or choose the Rename Section contextual menu, to give anew - more explicit - name to any user section.

Click Apply to preview the swept surface:5.

Click the Parent tab to display the elementsmaking up the sweep.

6.

 

You can select one of the parents from the list and click the icon, or choose the Replaceparent contextual menu to choose a new parent for the swept surface.

Click the Parameters tab to display andredefine the constraints on a given section.Use the combo to choose Usersection.2. 

7.

Change the constraint value to 5mm, andclick Apply.

8.

The modified sweep is previewed.

The Moving Frame tab is used to display the spine,and possibly select a new one. 

Changing to this tab automatically activates theacquisition field of the spine.

By default, the spine is the guiding curve.

You can also set the discretization Step.Decreasing this value increases the precision butleads to slower performances.By default the value is 1.

Click OK to create the swept surface.9.

The surface (identified as Adaptive Sweep.xxx) isadded to the specification tree.

Once you have selected the guiding curve, you can select an existing sketch or create one usingthe Create Sketch contextual menu on the Sketch field to start the sketcher within the adaptivesweep context.

In this case, the Sketch Creation forAdaptive Sweep dialog box isdisplayed, and allows you to define theconstruction elements for a new sketchin relation to existing geometry:Select a point, used to position the sketch onthe guiding curve, as well as the origin of thesketch.

1.

If needed, select construction elements(another guiding curve, support surfaces, andso forth).

2.

Click OK.

The selection in the geometry implies a globalselection of the 3D elements.

3.

The system automatically loads the Sketcher workbench, and provided the correct option isactive, sets the sketch plane parallel to the screen. You can then define a new sketch.

Once you exit the Sketcher, you return to the adaptive sweep command after the sketchselection, as described above in step 3.

This local definition of the sketch is particularly interesting as it allows to redefine the sweptsurface simply by editing the local sketch (add/remove construction elements, or constraintsfor example).

In this case, would you want to exit the Adaptive Sweep command, after having created the sketch usingthe Create Sketch contextual menu, yet retain the sketch itself, simply press the To cancel the commandbut keep the sketch button.

You also have the possibility to create your sketch using the Sketcher workbench before entering theSweep command.In this case, when you select the 3D construction elements, please be careful to select them directly inthe specification tree so that they are globally taken into account when creating the swept surface.

To avoid unsatisfactory surface quality such as gaps between surfaces for example, you canperform one of the following:

select a boundary on an adjacent surface as a constraining element when creating thesketch.The selection of the boundary allows a better topological splitting, and therefore betterquality for the created surface.

1.

Swept surface (blue) without selected boundary Swept surface (blue) with selected boundary

impose more sections along the guiding curve2. decrease the discretization step value3.

to better define the sweeping along the guiding curve.

 

Creating Fill SurfacesThis task shows how to create fill surfaces between a number of boundary segments.

Open the Fill1.CATPart document.

Click the Fill icon .1.

The Fill Surface Definition dialog box appears.

Select curves or surface edges to form a closed boundary.2.

You can select a support surface for each curve or edge. In thiscase continuity will be assured between the fill surface and selectedsupport surfaces.

Use the combo to specify the desired continuity type between anyselected support surfaces and the fill surface: Point or Tangent.

3.

The fill surface is displayed within the boundary.

You can edit the boundary by first selecting an element in the dialog box list then choosing a button to either:4.

Add a new element after or before the selected oneRemove the selected elementReplace the selected element by another curveReplace the selected support element by another support surfaceRemove the selected support element.

Click in the Passing point field, and select a point.5.

This point is a point through which the filling surface must pass, thus adding a constraint to its creation. However,you may need to alleviate the number of constraints by removing the supports.

This point should lie within the area delimited by the selected curves. If not, the results may be inconsistent.

The Planar Boundary Only check box allows you to fill only planar boundaries.

Click OK to create the fill surface.6.

The surface (identified as Fill.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Filling surface without specifiedsupports

Filling surface with a passing point andno specified supports

Filling surface with specified supports(Extrude 1 and Extrude 2) and a

tangency continuity

Filling surface with a passing point,specified supports (Extrude 1 andExtrude 2) and a point continuity

 

Creating Lofted SurfacesThis task shows how to create a lofted surface.

You can generate a lofted surface by sweeping two or more section curves along an automaticallycomputed or user-defined spine. The surface can be made to respect one or more guide curves.

Open the Loft1.CATPart document.

Click the Loft icon  .1.

The Lofted Surface Definitiondialog box appears.

Select two or more planar sectioncurves.

2.

The curves must be continuous inpoint.

You can select tangent surfacesfor the start and end sectioncurves. These tangent surfacesmust not be parallel to thesections.

A closing point can be selectedfor a closed section curves.

Example of a loft defined by three planar sections:

If needed, select one or more guidecurves.

3.

Guide curves must intersect eachsection curve and must becontinuous in point.

Example of a loft defined by 2 planar sections and 2guide curves:

The first guide curve will be aboundary of the loft if it intersectsthe first extremity of each sectioncurve.

Similarly,  the last guide curve willbe a boundary of the loft if itintersects the last extremity ofeach section curve.

You can make a loft tangent to an adjacent surface by selecting an end section that lies on theadjacent surface. In this case, the guides must also be tangent to the surface.

In Figure 2 a loft tangent to the existing surface has been created:

Figure 1 Figure 2

You can also impose tangency conditions by specifying a direction for the tangent vector (selectinga plane to take its normal, for example). This is useful for creating parts that are symmetrical withrespect to a plane. Tangency conditions can be imposed on the two symmetrical halves.Similarly, you can impose a tangency onto each guide, by selection of a surface or a  plane (thedirection is tangent to the plane's normal).  In this case, the sections must also be tangent to thesurface.

In the Spine tab page, select the Spine check box to use a spine that is automaticallycomputed by the program or select a curve to impose that curve as the spine. 

4.

Note that the spine curve must be normal to each section plane and must be continuousin tangency.

You can create lofted surfaces between closed section curves. These curves have point continuityat their closing point.This closing point is either a vertex or an extremum point automatically detected and highlighted bythe system.By default, the closing points of each section are linked to each other.

The red arrows in the figures below represent the closing points of the closed section curves. Youcan change the closing point by selecting any point on the curve. 

The surface is twisted A new closing point has been imposedto get a non-twisted surface

It is possible to edit the loft referenceelements by first selecting a curve inthe dialog box list, or by selecting thetext on the figure, then choosing abutton to either:

5.

remove the selected curvereplace the selected curve by anothercurveadd another curve

More possibilities are available with thecontextual menu and by right-clicking on thered text or on the object. For example, it ispossible to remove and replace tangentsurfaces and closing points.

The following example illustrates the result when the tangency condition is removed between theblue loft and the adjacent surface.

Click OK to create the lofted surface.6.

The surface (identified as Loft.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Sections can be 3D curves with following restrictions:the intersection between one 3D profile and all guides must be coplanar (if threeguides or more are defined)in case of a user-defined spine, this spine must be normal to the plane implicitlyobtained above.

The Relimitation tab lets you specifythe loft relimitation type. (Open theLoft3.CATPart document).You can choose to limit the loft only onthe Start section, only on the Endsection, on both, or on none.

when one or both are checked: the loft is limited to corresponding sectionwhen one or both are when unchecked: the loft is swept along the spine:

if the spine is a user spine, the loft is limited by the spine extremitiesif the spine is an automatically computed spine, and no guide is selected:the loft is limited by the start and end sections if the spine is an automatically computed spine, and guides are selected:the loft is limited by the guides extremities.

Loft relimitation option checked on both Start and End section

Loft relimitation option unchecked on End section only

Use the Planar surface detection check button (Canonical Surfaces tab) to automaticallydetect planar surfaces to be used as planes for features needing one in their definition.

Initial loft with planar faces Using a planar face as reference for a sketch

Resulting sketch

CouplingThis task presents the two kinds of coupling during the creation of the lofted surface:

coupling between two consecutive sectionscoupling between guides

These couplings compute the distribution of isoparameters on the surface.

Open the Loft2.CATPart document.

Coupling between two consecutivesections

This coupling is based on the curvilinearabscissa.

Click the Loft icon  .1.

The Lofted Surface Definitiondialog box appears.

Select the two consecutive sections.2.

Click OK to create the loft.3.

If you want to create a coupling betweenparticular points, you can add guides ordefine the coupling type.

Coupling between guides

This coupling is performed by the spine.

If a guide is the concatenation of several curves, the resulting loft will contain as many surfaces ascurves within the guide.

Several coupling types are available,depending on the section configuration:

Ratio: the curves are coupledaccording to the curvilinear abscissaratio.

Tangency: the curves are coupledaccording to their tangencydiscontinuity points. If they do nothave the same number of points, theycannot be coupled using this option. 

Tangency then curvature: the curves are coupled according to their tangency continuity firstthen curvature discontinuity points. If they do not have the same number of points, theycannot be coupled using this option. Vertices: the curves are coupled according to their vertices. If they do not have the samenumber of vertices, they cannot be coupled using this option. 

Manual Coupling

If the number of vertices differ from one section to another, you need to perform a manual coupling.

Select the sections for the loft, andcheck their orientations.

1.

In the Coupling tab, choose theTangency option and click Apply.

2.

An error message is displayed asthe number of discontinuity pointson the first section is greater thanon the other two sections.

The points that could not be coupled, aredisplayed in the geometry with specificsymbol depending on the selected mode,along with coupling lines:

In Tangency mode: uncoupledtangency discontinuity points arerepresented by a square

In Tangency then curvature mode: uncoupled tangencydiscontinuity points arerepresented by a squareuncoupled curvaturesdiscontinuity points arerepresented by a empty circle  

In Vertices mode: uncoupled verticesare represented by a full circle

Click in the coupling list, or choose Addcoupling in the contextual menu, orusing the Add button, and manuallyselect a point on the first section.

3.

The Coupling dialog box isdisplayed.

Select a corresponding coupling pointon each section of the loft.

4.

The Coupling dialog box isupdated consequently, and thecoupling curve is previewed,provided the Display couplingcurves option is active.

When a coupling point has beendefined on each section, thisdialog box automaticallydisappears.

Click OK.5.

The loft is created as defined withthe coupling specifications.

The same loft without couplingand with Ratio option would havelooked like this:

Note the increased number ofgenerated surfaces.

You can create coupling point on the fly, using the Create coupling point contextual menuitem (click on the document background to display the contextual menu) instead of selectingan existing point.To edit the coupling, simply double-click the coupling name in the list (Coupling tab) todisplay the Coupling dialog box. Then you select the point to be edited from the list andcreate/select a replacing coupling point, then click OKUse the contextual menu on thecoupling list to edit defined couplings.

 

Creating Blended SurfacesThis task shows how to create a blended surface, that is a surface between twowireframe elements, taking a number of constraints into account, such as tension,continuity, and so forth.

Several cases are worth surveying:blend between curvesblend between closed contourscoupling blend

Note that for Wireframe and Surface, when working with a P1 configuration, curves withone edge only can be used to create blend surfaces.

Open the Blend1.CATPart document.

Click the Blend icon  .1.

The Blend Surface Definitiondialog box appears.

Note that for Wireframe and Surface,when working with a P1 configuration, theClosing Points and Coupling tabs are notavailable.

Blend between curves:

Successively select the first curve and its support, then the second curve and itssupport.These can be surface edges, or any curve.

2.

Set the continuity type using theBasic tab.It defines the continuity connectionbetween the newly created surfaceand the curves on which it lies.

3.

The illustration above, showsthe Tangency continuity, andthe following illustrationsshow the Point and Curvaturecontinuity types:

Point continuity on both limits Curvature

Activate the Trim first/secondsupport option, on one or bothsupport surfaces to trim them by thecurve and assemble them to theblend surface:

4.

By default the blend surfaceborders are tangent to thesupport surface borders.

You can also specify whether and where the blend boundaries must betangent to the supports boundaries:Both extremities: the tangency constraint applies at both ends of the curveNone: the tangency constraint is disregarded Start extremity: the tangency constraint applies at the start endpoint of the curveonlyEnd extremity: the tangency constraint applies at the end endpoint of the curveonly

The Start and End extremities are defined according to the arrows in theblended surface's preview.

Set the tension type using theTension tab.It defines the tension of the blend atits limits.

5.

It can be constant or linear,and can be set for each limitindependently.

Click OK.6.

Blend between closed contours: (P2only for Wireframe and Surface)

Successively select two contours.2.

Click Apply.The surface to be generated istwisted.

3.

To avoid this you need todefine a closing point.

By default, the system detects and highlights a vertex on each curve that can be used asa closing point, or it creates an extremum point (you can also manually select anotherone if you wish).

Choose the Closing Point tab, and using the contextual menu, choose CreateProjection.

4.

The Projection Definition dialog boxis displayed.

5.

Select the closing point on thesecond contour, then the first curveonto which the point is to beprojected.

6.

Click OK in the Projection Definitiondialog box.

7.

Click OK in the Blend Definitiondialog box.

8.

The blend is correctly created.

Coupling blend: (P2 only for Wireframeand Surface)

Select the elements to be blendedand click Apply.

2.

Select the Coupling tab and definethe coupling type.

3.

Ratio: the curves are coupled according to the curvilinear abscissa ratio.Tangency : the curves are coupled according to their tangency discontinuity points.If they do not have the same number of points, they cannot be coupled using thisoption. Tangency then curvature: the curves are coupled according to their tangencycontinuity first then curvature discontinuity points. If they do not have the samenumber of points, they cannot be coupled using this option. Vertices: the curves are coupled according to their vertices. If they do not have thesame number of vertices, they cannot be coupled using this option. 

Click in the coupling list, or chooseAdd coupling in the contextualmenu, or using the Add button, andmanually select a point on the firstsection.

4.

The Coupling dialog box isdisplayed.

Select a corresponding couplingpoint on each section.

5.

The Coupling dialog box isupdated consequently, andthe coupling curve ispreviewed, provided theDisplay coupling curvesoption is active.

When a coupling point hasbeen defined on each section,this dialog box automaticallydisappears.

Click OK.6.

The surface (identified as Blend.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Selecting a support is not compulsory.You can create closing points using the contextual menu on the First or Secondclosing point fields in the dialog box, or using the contextual menu directly on oneof the selected curves.Use the Replace, Remove, or Reverse buttons, to manage the selected elements(curves, support, closing and coupling points).You can also use the contextual menu on the texts displayed on the geometry toset the continuities, trim the supports or manage the curves and support ingeneral.

 

Performing Operations on ShapeGeometry

Generative Shape Design allows you to modify your design using techniques such as trimming,extrapolating and filleting.

Join geometry: select at least two curves or surfaces to be joined.

Heal geometry: select at least two surfaces presenting a gap to be healed.

Smooth a curve: select the curve to be smoothed and set the tangency threshold

Restore an element: select a split element, and click the icon.

Disassemble elements: select a multi-cell element, and choose the disassembling mode.

Split geometry: select the element to be split and a cutting element.

Trim geometry: select two elements to be trimmed and specify which side of  element.

Create boundary curves: select a surface's edge, set the propagation type, and re-definethe curve limits if needed.Extract geometry: select an edge or the face of a geometric element, and set thepropagation type;

Extract multiple edges: select one or more element(s) of a sketch, and click OK;

Create shape fillets: select two support surfaces, enter a radius value, specify the fillettype and location.Create edge fillets: select an internal edge of a surface, the surface itself, define the typeof fillet and propagation mode, and enter a radius value.Create variable radius fillets: select an edge to be filleted, specify the fillet extremity type,the propagation mode, select a point on the edge where the radius will vary, and enter theradius value at this point.Create variable radius fillets using a spine: select edges with no tangency continuity to befilleted, specify the fillet extremity type, the propagation mode, click the circle option, andselect a spine.

Create face-face fillets: select a support surface, the two faces to be filleted, specify therelimitation mode, and enter a radius value.

Create tritangent fillets: select a support surface, specify the relimitation mode, the twofaces to be filleted and the one to be removed.

Translate geometry: select an element, a translation direction (line, plane or vector),specify the translation distance.

Rotate geometry: select an element, a line as the rotation axis, and specify the rotationangle.

Perform symmetry on geometry: select an element, then a point, line, or plane asreference element.

Transform geometry by scaling: select an element, then a point, plane, or planar surfaceas reference element, and specify the scaling ratio.

Transform geometry by affinity: select an element to be transformed, specify the axissystem characteristics, and the enter the affinity ratio values.

Transform geometry into a new axis-system: select an element to be transformed, specifythe axis system characteristics, and the enter the affinity ratio values.Extrapolate a surface: select a surface boundary then the surface itself, specify theextrapolation limit (value or limiting surface/plane), and specify the extremities constraints(tangent/normal).Extrapolate a curve: select a curve endpoint then the curve itself, specify the extrapolationlimit (length value or limiting surface/plane), and specify the continuity constraints(tangent/curvature).Invert geometry orientation: select the Insert -> Operations -> Invert Orientation menuitem, then the surface or curve whose orientation is to be inverted, click the orientationarrow, and click Invert Orientation again to accept the inverted element.Create the nearest sub-element: select the Insert -> Operations -> Near menu item, theelement made of several sub-elements, then a reference element whose position is closeto the sub-element to be created.

Create laws: select a reference line and a curve.

 

Joining Surfaces or CurvesThis task shows how to join surfaces or curves.

Open the Join1.CATPart document.

Click the Join icon.1.

The Join Definitiondialog box appears.

Select the surfaces or curvesto be joined.

2.

You can edit the list of elements to be joined:3.

by selecting elements in the geometry:Standard selection (no button clicked):when you click an unlisted element, it is added to the list when you click a listed element, it is removed from the listAdd Mode: when you click an unlisted element, it is added to the list when you click a listed element, it remains in the listRemove Mode: when you click an unlisted element, the list is unchanged when you click a listed element, it is removed from the list

by selecting an element in the list then using the Remove\Replace contextualmenu items.

If you double-click the Add Mode or Remove Mode button, the chosen mode ispermanent, i.e. successively selecting elements will add/remove them.  However, if youclick only once, only the next selected element is added or removed.You only have to click the button again, or click another one, to deactivate the mode.

Right-click the elements fromthe list and choose the CheckSolution command.

4.

This let's you checkwhether any element tobe joined presents anyintersection (i.e. at leastone common point) withother elements prior tocreating the joinedsurface:The Checker dialog boxis displayed, containingthe list of domains (i.e.sets of connected cells)belonging to theselected elements fromthe Elements To Joinlist.

Click Apply.5.

An Information message isissued when no intersectionis found.

When an element isself-intersecting, or whenseveral elements intersect, atext is displayed on thegeometry, where theintersection is detected.

Click Cancel to return to the Join Definition dialog box.6.

Click Apply in the JoinDefinition dialog box.

7.

The joined element ispreviewed, and itsorientation displayed.Click the arrow to invertit if needed.

The join is oriented according to the first element in the list. If you change this element,the join's orientation is automatically set to match the orientation of the new topmostelement in the list.Once the join created, you can use the Invert Orientation menu item on the join, to retainthe initial join's orientation.

Check the Check connexitybutton to find out whether theelements to be joined areconnex. If they are not, andthe button is checked, an errormessage is issued indicatingthe number of connexdomains in the resulting join.When clicking Apply, the freeboundaries are highlighted,and help you detect where thejoined element is not connex.

8.

The Simplify the result check button allows the system to automatically reducethe number of elements (faces or edges) in the resulting join wheneverpossible.

The Ignore erroneous elements check button lets the system ignore elementsthat would not allow the join to be created.

You can also set the tolerance at which two elements are considered as being onlyone using the Merging distance.

9.

Check the Angular Threshold button to specify the angle value below which theelements are to be joined.If the angle value on the edge between two elements is greater than the AngleTolerance value, the elements are not joined. This is particularly useful to avoidjoining overlapping elements.

10.

If the edges or the faces have aangular threshold higher than thepredefined value, a text is displayedon the geometry indicating the errortype.You can either deactivate the checkbox or increase the value of theangular threshold, or remove all theelements or sub-elements that arein error.

Click the Federation tab to generate groups of elements belonging to the join thatwill be detected together with the pointer when selecting one of them. 

11.

For further information, see Using the Federation Capability below.

Click the Sub-Elements ToRemove tab to display the listof sub-elements in the join.

12.

These sub-elements areelements making up theelements selected tocreate the join, such asseparate faces of asurface for example,that are to be removedfrom the join currentlybeing created.

Check the Create joinwith sub-elements tocreate a non connex joinwith the sub-elements toremove.

You can edit thesub-elements list asdescribed above for thelist of elements to bejoined.Check the Create join with sub-elements option to create a second join, made of allthe sub-elements displayed in the list, i.e. those that are not to be joined in the firstjoin.This option is active only when creating the first join, not when editing it.

13.

Click OK to create the joined surface or curve.14.

The surface or curve (identified as Join.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Sometimes elements are so close that it is not easy to see if they present a gap ornot, even though they are joined. Check the Surfaces' boundaries option from theTools -> Options menu item, General, Display, Visualization tab.

Once the Join.x element has been created, you can use the Check contextualmenu from the specification tree. In this case however it verifies the connexity of allthe sub-elements making up the joined surface. This is particularly useful whenmany elements have been joined, so has to highlight in the geometry whichsub-element is not connected to the other ones, thus allowing you to rework thegeometry if needed. 

Using the Federation Capability

The purpose of the federation is to regroup several elements making up the joinedsurface or curve. This is especially useful when modifying linked geometry to avoidre-specifying all the input elements.Open the Join2.CATPart document.

Create the join as usual, selecting all elements to be joined.(Make sure you do not select the Sketch.1).

1.

From the Join Definitiondialog box click theFederation tab, then selectone of the elements makingup the elements federation.

2.

You can edit the list ofelements taking part inthe federation asdescribed above forthe list of elements tobe joined.

Choose a propagation mode,the system automaticallyselects the elements makingup the federation, taking thispropagation mode intoaccount.

3.

No Propagation: only theelements explicitly selectedare part of the federation

Continuity Propagation: allelements that present apoint continuity with theselected elements and thecontinuous elements areselected; i.e. only those thatare separated from anyselected element is notincluded in the federation

Tangency Propagation: allthe elements that aretangent to the selectedelement, and the onestangent to it, are part of thefederation

Here, only the topfaces of the joinedsurface are detected,not the lateral faces.

All: all elements belongingto the resulting joinedcurve/surface are part of thefederation

Choose the TangencyPropagation federation modeas shown above.

4.

Move to the Part Designworkbench, select theSketch.1, and click the Pad

icon to create an up to

surface pad, using the joinedsurface as the limitingsurface.

5.

Select the front edge of thepad, and create a 2mm filletusing the Edge Fillet icon.

6.

Double-click the Sketch.1 from the specification tree, then double-click theconstraint on the sketch to change it to 10mm from the Constraint Definition dialogbox.

7.

Sketch prior to modification lyingover two faces

Sketch after modification lying over one face only

Exit the sketcher .8.

The up to surface pas is automatically recomputed even though it does not lie over thesame faces of the surface as before, because these two faces belong to the samefederation. This would not be the case if the federation including all top faces would nothave been created, as shown below.

Double-click the joined surface (Join.1) to edit it, and choose the No propagationfederation mode.

9.

Click OK in the Join Definition dialog box.10.

A warning message is issued, informing you that an edge no longer is recognized on thepad.

Click OK.11.

The Update Diagnosis dialog box is displayed, allowing you to re-enter the specificationsfor the edge, and its fillet.

You then need to edit the edge and re-do the fillet to obtain the previous pad up to thejoined surface.

Select the Edge.1 line, click the Edit button, and re-select the pad's edge in thegeometry.

12.

Click OK in the Edit dialog box.The fillet is recomputed based on the correct edge.

13.

 

Healing GeometryThis task shows how to heal surfaces, that is how to fill any gap that may be appearing between twosurfaces.This command can be used after having checked the connections between elements for example, orto fill slight gaps between joined surfaces.

Open the Healing1.CATPart document.Display the Join-Healing toolbar by clicking and holding the arrow from the Join  icon.

Click the Healing icon.1.

The Healing Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the surfaces to be healed.2.

You can edit the list of elements in the definition list:3.

by selecting elements in the geometry:Standard selection (no button clicked):when you click an unlisted element, it is added to the list when you click a listed element, it is removed from the listAdd Mode: when you click an unlisted element, it is added to the list when you click a listed element, it remains in the listRemove Mode: when you click an unlisted element, the list is unchanged when you click a listed element, it removed from the list

by selecting an element in the list then using the Remove\Replace contextual menu items.

If you double-click the Add Mode or Remove Mode button, the chosen mode is permanent, i.e.successively selecting elements will add/remove them.  However, if you click only once, only the nextselected element is added or removed.You only have to click the button again, or click another one, to deactivate the mode.

From the Parameters tab, define the distance below which elements are to be healed, that isdeformed so that there is no more gap, using the Merging distance as described in JoiningGeometry.Elements between which the gap is larger than the indicated value are not processed.

4.

In our example, we increase it to 1mm.

You can also set the Distance objective, i.e. the maximum gap allowed between two healed elements.By default it is set to 0.001 mm, and can be increased to 0.1 mm.

Change the continuity type to Tangent. 5.

In that case, the Tangency angle field becomes active, allowing you to key in the anglebelow which the tangency deviation should be corrected.

The Tangency objective  is, similarly to the Distance objective,  the maximum allowedtangency deviation allowed between healed elements. The default value is 0.5 degree, butcan range anywhere between 0.1 degree to 2 degrees.

Click the Freeze tab.6.

You can then define the list offrozen elements, that is theelements that should not beaffected by the healing operation.

You can edit the list as describedabove for the list of elements to behealed.

Similarly to the Elements to freeze list, when the Freeze Plane elements or Freeze Canonicelements options are checked, no selected plane/canonic element is affected by the healingoperation.

Click OK to create the healed surfaces.7.

The surface (identified as Heal.xxx)is added to the specification tree.

Check the Surfaces' boundaries option from the Tools -> Options menu item, General ->Display -> Visualization tab to display the boundaries. This may be especially useful whenselecting, and also to identify gaps.

Provided the Tangent mode is active,you can retain sharp edges, by clickingthe Sharpness tab, and selecting one ormore edges.You can edit the list of edges asdescribed above for the list of elementsto be healed.The Sharpness angle allows to redefinethe limit between a sharp angle and aflat angle. This can be useful whenoffsetting the resulting healed geometryfor example.  By default this angle valueis set to 0.5 degree.

In some cases,  depending on thegeometry configuration and the setparameters, the Multi-ResultManagement dialog box is displayed. Click No or refer to Creating the NearestEntity of a Multiple Element.

When the healing failed, the update errordialog box appears.Click OK to improve the geometry.

The erroneous elements are displayed on thegeometry.

 

The Visualization tab enables you to betterunderstand the discontinuities in the model andthe results of the healing action.

It lets you define the way the messages aredisplayed on the smoothed element.

 

You can choose to see:All the messages, that is to say themessages indicating where thediscontinuity remains as well as thoseindicating where the discontinuity typehas changed (in point (><) andtangency (^))

only the messages indicating where thediscontinuity is Not corrected and stillremains

 

None of the messages

 

 

You can also choose to see:Display information interactively: onlythe pointers in the geometry aredisplayed, above which the text appearswhen passing the pointer 

Display information sequentially: onlyone pointer and text are displayed in thegeometry, and you can sequentiallymove from one pointer to another usingthe backward/forward buttons

Smoothing CurvesThis task shows how to smooth a curve, i.e. fill the gaps, and smooth tangency and curvaturediscontinuities, in order to generate better quality geometry when using this curve to create otherelements, such as swept surfaces for example.

Open the Smooth1.CATPart document.

Click the CurveSmooth icon in the Operationtoolbar.

1.

The CurveSmoothDefinitiondialog box isdisplayed.

Select the curve to be smoothed.2.

Texts are displayed on the curve indicating:its discontinuities before smoothing, and type of discontinuity (point, curvature or tangency)and their values (In area). These values type are expressed in the following units: 

for a point discontinuity: the unit is the document's distance unit (mm by default)for a tangency discontinuity: the unit is the document's angular unit (degree bydefault)for a curvature discontinuity: the value is the ratio of the smallest curvature radiusover the largest one, where the curvature radii are taken on each side of theidentified discontinuity.

the discontinuities still present after the smoothing operation, and whether they are withinthe threshold values (yellow box) or outside the set values (red box) (Out area)

The following elements C0, C1 and C2 that are displayed before the discontinuityinformation indicate that the vertex is respectively point continuous (C0), tangentcontinuous (C1) and curvature continuous (C2).

In the example, from top to bottom, once the curve is smoothed:the tangency discontinuity still is presentthere is no more discontinuity, the point discontinuity is correctedthe curvature discontinuity still is present, even though it is slightly modified (different Inand Out values)the curvature discontinuity still is present and not improved at all

Basically:a red box indicates that the system could not find any solution to fix the discontinuity whilecomplying with the specified parametersa yellow box indicates that some discontinuity has been improved, where there was a pointdiscontinuity there now is a tangency discontinuity for examplea green box indicates that the discontinuity no longer exists; it has been smoothed.

From the Parameters tab modify the Tangency , that is the tangency discontinuity valuebelow which the curve is smoothed.If the curve presents a tangency discontinuity greater than this threshold, it is not smoothed.

3.

If you increase the threshold value to 1.0 in our example, you notice that theTangency discontinuity which value was below 1 changes to a curvaturediscontinuity. 

Similarly, you can check the  Curvature button to set curvature discontinuity value belowwhich the curve is smoothed.

4.

Check the Maximum deviation button to set the allowed deviation between the initial curveand the smoothed curve.When this option is checked, the resulting smoothed curve fits into a pipe which radius isthe maximum deviation value and the center curve is defined by the selected curve.

5.

Optionally, you can select a surface on which the curve lies.In this case the smoothing is performed so that the curve remains on the Support surface.From this ensues that the maximum degree of smoothing is limited by the support surface'slevel of discontinuity.

6.

The Topology simplification check button automatically deletes vertices on the curves when thecurve is curvature continuous at these vertices, thus reducing its number of segments.When this is the case, the displayed text indicates: Out: discontinuity erased to inform you that asimplification operation took place.This text is also displayed when two vertices are very close to each other and the system erasesone to avoid the creation of very small edges (i.e. shorter than 10 times the model tolerance)between two close vertices.

Click theVisualization tab.

7.

This tab letsyou definethe way themessagesaredisplayed onthesmoothedelement.You canchoose to:

See All themessages: thoseindicating wherethe discontinuityremains (red box)as well as thoseindicating wherethe discontinuitytype haschanged, orallows smoothing

See only thosemessagesindicating wherethe discontinuityis Not corrected and remains

None of themessages.

You canalso chooseto:Displayinformationinteractively: onlythe pointers inthe geometry aredisplayed, abovewhich the textappears whenpassing thepointer 

Displayinformationsequentially: onlyone pointer andtext are displayedin the geometry,and you cansequentiallymove from onepointer to theother using thebackward/forwardbuttons

Click OK.The smoothed curve (identified as Curve smooth.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

8.

When smoothing a curve on support that lies totally or partially on the boundary edge of a surfaceor on an internal edge, a message may be issued indicating that the application found nosmoothing solution on the support.  In this case, you must check the Maximum deviation buttonfrom the Parameters tab and enter a value smaller than or equal to the tolerance at which twoelements are considered as being only one ( 0.001mm by default)  to keep the result on thesupport.

 

Restoring a SurfaceIn this task you will learn how to restore the limits of a surface when it has been splitusing the Break Surface or Curve  icon (see Splitting Geometry).

Open the Untrim1.CATPart document.

Click the Untrim icon in the Join-HealingModification toolbar.

1.

The Untrim dialog box is displayed.

Select the surface which limits should be restored.2.

The dialog box is updated accordingly.

Click OK in the dialog box.3.

A progression bar is displayed, while the surface is restored.It automatically disappears once the operation is complete (progression at100%). 

The initial surface is automatically restored.

If the surface has been trimmed several times, it is the initial surface which is restored. Topartially untrim the surface, you need to use the Undo command right after the trim.

 

Disassembling ElementsIn this task you will learn how to disassemble multi-cell bodies into mono-cell bodies.

Open the Disassembling1.CATPart document, or any document containing a multi-cellelement.

Select the element to be disassembled.You can select only an edge of a surface, the systemrecognizes the whole element to be disassembled.

1.

Here we selected the join made of threeelements, each made of several cells.

Click the Disassemble icon in the Join-Healingtoolbar.

2.

The Disassemble dialog box is displayed.

Choose the disassembling mode: 3. All Cells: all cells are disassembled, i.e. for all theselected element, a separate curve is created foreach cell.Domains Only: elements are partially disassembled,i.e. each element is kept as a whole if its cells areconnex, but is not decomposed in separate cells. Aresulting element can be made of several cells.

In the illustrations, we have colored the resultingcurves for better identification.

Results when disassemblingall cells

(seven curves are created)

Results when disassemblingdomains only

(three curves are created)

Click OK in the dialog box.4.

A progression bar is displayed, while the surface is being disassembled.It automatically disappears once the operation is complete (progression at 100%). 

The surface is disassembled, that is to say independent surfaces are created, that can bemanipulated independently.Multi-selection is available.

 

Splitting GeometryThis task shows how to split a surface or wireframe element by means of a cuttingelement.You can split:

a wireframe element by a point, another wireframe element or a surfacea surface by a wireframe element or another surface.

Open the Split1.CATPart document.

Click the Split icon .1.

The Split Definition dialog boxappears.

  Select the element to be split.2.

You should make your selectionby clicking on the portion thatyou want to keep after the split.

Select the cutting element.3.

A preview of the split appears.You can change the portion tobe kept by selecting that portion.

You can also select the portionto be kept by clicking the Otherside button.

You can select several cutting elements. In that case, note that the selection order isimportant as the area to be split is defined according to the side to be kept in relation tocurrent splitting element.

In the illustrations below, the top-left line is the first splitting element. In the left illustrationit defines an area that  intersects with the other three  splitting curves, and in theillustration to the right, these three elements are useless to split the area defined by thefirst splitting element.

Would you need to remove, or replace, one of these cutting elements, select it from thelist and click the Remove or Replace button.

Click OK to split the element.4.

The created element (identifiedas Split.xxx) is added to thespecification tree.

Check the Keep both sides option to retain the other side after the operation. Inthat case it appears as aggregated under the first element in the specification tree.

  Check the Intersections computationbutton to create an aggregatedintersection when performing thesplitting operation. This element willbe added to the specification tree asIntersect.x 

When splitting a wire (curve, line, sketch and so forth) by another wire, you canselect a support to define the area that will be kept after splitting the element. It isdefined by the vectorial product of the normal to the support and the tangent to thesplitting element. This is especially recommended when splitting a closed wire. 

The non disconnected elements of the element to cut are kept in the result of the split.

 

Splitting with no support selected: firstsolution

Splitting with no support selected: secondsolution

Splitting with a selected support (xy plane):first solution

Splitting with a selected support (xy plane):second solution

You can create a Join as the splitting element, by right-clicking in the CuttingElements field and choosing the Create Join item.

Splitting surface/curve or surface/surfaceThe following steps explain how split a surface by a curve or another surface.

Split surface/curve

First, the cutting element (the curve) is laid down the surface.1. Then, the result of step 1 is tangentially extrapolated in order to split the surface correctly (asshown in following figure). However, when this extrapolation leads to the intersection of the cuttingelement with itself prior to fully splitting the initial element, an error message is issued as there isan ambiguity about the area to be split.  

2.

If the cutting element does not reach the free edges of the element to cut, an extrapolation in tangencyis performed using the part of the cutting element that lays down the surface.

  Split surface/surface

Open the Split2.CATPart document.

 

First, an intersection (the green wire) iscreated between the two elements (thesurfaces).

1.

 

Then, the result of the intersection isautomatically extrapolated in tangency up tothe closest free edges of the element to cut.The result of the extrapolation is used as thecutting element and the split is created.

2.

Please note that is not the cutting element which isextrapolated but the result of the intersection.

If the result of the split is not what was expected, it is also possible to manually extrapolate the cuttingelement with the extrapolate feature before creating the split.

 

Extrapolate the cutting element (the redsurface) in order to fully intersect the elementto cut.

1.

 

 

Then, use the extrapolated surface as thecutting element to split the surface.

2.

In case surfaces are tangent or intersect face edges, please process as follow in order to avoid eitherindeterminate positioning or the result of the intersection to be unstable.

Use the border edge of the cutting surface to splitthe element to cut:

Delimit the boundary of the cutting surface1.

Project this boundary onto the surface to split2.

Use this projection as the cutting element3.

Steps 2 and 3 may be optional if the tangencyconstraint between the two surfaces has beenclearly defined by the user during the surfacecreation.

 

The following cases should be avoided whenpossible (especially when the tangencyconstraint between the two surfaces has not beenclearly defined by the user during the surfacecreation), as the result of the positioning is likely tobe indeterminate and the result of the intersectionto be unstable.When these cases cannot be avoided, it isrecommended, first to create the intersectionbetween the two surfaces, then to split the elementto cut with the resulting intersection. Doing so, theposition can be properly defined but the instabilityof the result relating to the intersection remains.

 

Trimming GeometryThis task shows how to trim two surfaces or two wireframe elements.

Open the Trim1.CATPart document.

Click the Trim icon .1.

The Trim Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the two surfaces or twowireframe elements to be trimmed.

2.

A preview of the trimmedelement appears. You canchange the portion to be keptby selecting that portion.

You can also select theportions to be kept by clickingthe Other side of element 1and Other side of element 2buttons.

Click OK to trim the surfaces orwireframe elements.

3.

The trimmed element(identified as Trim.xxx) isadded to the specification tree.

You should make your selections by clicking on the portions that you want to keepafter the trim.Please refer to the Splitting Geometry chapter in the case surfaces are tangent orintersect face edges.When trimming wires (curve, line, sketch and so forth) by another wire, you canselect a support to define the area that will be kept after trimming the element. It isdefined by the vectorial product of the normal to the support and the tangent to thetrimming element.

This is especially recommended when trimming a closed wire.

In our example, the Sketch composed oftwo lines (Sketch.11) is trimmed by thecircle (Sketch.10).

Resulting trimmed element without supportselection

Resulting trimmed element with supportselection

Check the Result simplification button to allow the system to automatically reducethe number of faces in the resulting trim whenever possible.Check the Intersectionscomputation button to create acompletely independent elementwhen performing the trimmingoperation. This element will beadded to the specification tree asIntersect.x.

Creating Boundary CurvesThis task shows how to create the boundary curve of a surface.

Open the Boundaries1.CATPart document.

Click the Boundary icon  .1.

The Boundary Definitiondialog box appears.

Select a Surface edge.2.

The boundary curve is displayedaccording to the selected propagationtype.

Use the combo to choose the Propagation type:3. Complete boundary: the selected edge is propagated around the entire surfaceboundary.Point continuity: the selected edge is propagated around the surface boundaryuntil a point discontinuity is met.Tangent continuity: the selected edge is propagated around the surface boundaryuntil a tangent discontinuity is met.No propagation: no propagation or continuity condition is imposed, only theselected edge is kept.

No propagation Tangent continuity

Point continuity Complete boundary

You can relimit the boundary curve by means of two elements, a point on the curvefor example.

4.

Click OK to create the boundary curve.5.

The curve (identified as Boundary.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

If you select the surface directly,the Propagation type no longer isavailable, as the completeboundary is automaticallygenerated. 

Provided the generatedboundary curve is continuous,you can still select limitingpoint to limit the boundary.

Using the arrows you canthen invert the limitedboundary.

You cannot copy/paste a boundary from a document to another. If you wish to doso, you need to copy/paste the surface first into the second document then createthe boundary.

 

Extracting GeometryThis task shows how to perform an extract from elements (curves, points, solids, and soforth.).

This may be especially useful when a generated element is composed of severalnon-connex sub-elements. Using the extract capability you can generate separateelements from these sub-elements, without deleting the initial element.

Open the Extract1.CATPart document.

Select an edge or the face of an element.1.

The selected element is highlighted.

Click the Extract icon .2.

The Extract Definition dialog box isdisplayed.

Choose the Propagation type: 3.

Point continuity: the extracted element willnot have a hole

Tangent continuity: the extracted elementwill be created according to tangencyconditions

 

No propagation: only the selected elementwill be created

Click OK to extract the element.4.

The extracted element (identified as Extract.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

If you extract an edge that you want topropagate, and there is an ambiguity aboutthe propagation side, a warning is issuedand you are prompted to select a supportface. In this case, the dialog boxdynamically updates and the Support field isadded.

The Complementary mode option, oncechecked, highlights, and therefore selects, the elements that were not previouslyselected, while deselecting the elementsthat were explicitly selected.

  If the selected element has a support face and is not a surface, even though theComplementary mode option is checked, the Complementary mode will not be taken intoaccount for the extraction and the option will therefore be inactive. After the extraction,the option will be available again.

Check the Federation button to generate groups of elements belonging to theresulting extracted element that will be detected together with the pointer whenselecting one of its sub-elements.  For further information, see Using theFederation Capability.

Multi-selection is available. Refer to Editing a List of Elements to find out how todisplay and manage the list of selected elements.

You cannot copy/paste an extracted element from a document to another. If youwish to do so, you need to copy/paste the initial element first into the seconddocument then perform the extraction.

 

Extracting Multiple EdgesThis task shows how to extract a subpart from a sketch to generate geometry from onlyone of the sketch's elements.Open the Extract2.CATPart document.It contains a sketch composed of several elements.

Click the Multiple Edge Extract icon from the Extracts toolbar.

1.

The Extract Definition dialog boxis displayed.

Select the element(s) you want toextract from the sketch.

2.

The selected element(s) ishighlighted.

To remove one of the selected element, select it from the list then click the Deletesub-element entry line button.

Click OK to extract the element.3.

The extracted element (identified as Extract.xxx) is added to the specification tree andcan be used as any regular geometry.

You cannot copy/paste an extracted element from a document to another. If youwish to do so, you need to copy/paste the initial element first into the seconddocument then perform the extraction.

 

Creating Shape FilletsThis task shows how to create a shape fillet between two surfaces.The fillet surface is obtained by rolling a sphere between the selected surfaces.

Open the ShapeFillet1.CATPart document.

Click the Shape Fillet icon  .1.

The Fillet Definition dialog boxappears.

Select a surface as the  first supportelement.

2.

Select another surface as the secondsupport element.

3.

Enter the value of the fillet Radius.4.

Up to four fillet locations may bepossible.To help you decide on thelocation an arrow is displayedon each selected surface. Youcan click on the arrows tospecify the desired fillet location.

Click Apply to preview the filletedsurface.

5.

You can uncheck any of the Trim support check buttons. In this case, the support elementinvolved will not be trimmed and assembled to the filleted surface.By default, both trimming check buttons are checked, thus relimiting both supportelements.In the examples below, we changed the filleted surface's color to better visualize it.

With only one support element trimmed With both support elements trimmed

Use the combo to choose the desiredtype of extremity for the fillet:

6.

Straight: no tangency constraint isimposed at the connecting pointbetween the fillet and the initialsupports, generating sometimes asharp angle.

Straight fillet

Smooth: a tangency constraint isimposed  at the connection betweenthe fillet surface and the supportsurfaces, thus smoothing theconnection

Smooth fillet

Maximum: the fillet surface is limitedby the longest selected support'sedgeMinimum: the fillet surface is limitedby the shortest selected support'sedge.

Maximum fillet

Click OK to create the shape fillet.7.

The surface (identified as Fillet.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

You can generate a variable bi-tangentradius fillet by selecting a Hold curve. In thiscase, you need to select a previouslydefined limiting curve that will control thefillet radius, and a previously defined spinethat defines the planes in which the filletedsurface section will pass. Both these curvesmust be larger than the surfaces involved,and the Hold curve must lie on one of theseinitial surfaces. The resulting filleted surfaceis tangent to the initially selected surfacesand limited by the hold curve.

The Radius field is deactivated asthe hold curve defines the variableradius.

See also Creating a variable bi-tangentcircle radius fillets using a spine.

 

Creating Edge FilletsEdge fillets are useful to provide a transitional surface along a sharp internal edge of asurface.

This task shows how to create a constant radius fillet along the internal edge of a joinedsurface.The fillet surface is obtained by rolling a sphere over the selected edge.

Open the EdgeFillet1.CATPart document.

Click the EdgeFillet icon .

1.

Select theedge to befilleted.

2.

You canalsoselect aface,providedthere isnoambiguityas to theedge(s)to befilleted.

 

The Edge FilletDefinition dialog boxappears.

Use the comboto select thedesired type ofextremity forthe fillet:

3.

Straight: notangencyconstraint isimposed attheconnectingpoint betweenthe fillet andthe initialsupport,generatingsometimes asharp angle.

 Smooth: a tangency constraint is imposed  at the connection between the filletsurface and the support surfaces, thus smoothing the connectionMaximum: the fillet surface is limited by the longest selected edgeMinimum: the fillet surface is limited by the shortest selected edge

(Refer to Shape Fillets.)

Enter the valueof the filletRadius.

4.

Apreviewof thefilletappears.

You can choose the Propagation type:5. Tangency: the fillet is propagated up to the first edge that is not continuous intangency.Minimal: the fillet is propagated up to the first geometric limitation.

Use the More>> button to access further options: Edge(s) to keep and Limiting element.

Click OK tocreate the filletsurface.

6.

Thesurface(identifiedasEdgeFillet.xxx)is addedto thespecificationtree.

 

Check the Trim support elements option to relimit the support elements andassemble them to the fillet.

KeepingEdgesYou may also needto explicitly indicateedges that shouldnot be filleted, if aradius is too large forexample. In this caseyou cannot selectboundary edges tobe kept, but onlyinternal edges, i.e.edges limiting twofaces.

Open theEdgeFillet2.CATPartdocument.

To do this, proceedas above, but onceyou have selectedthe edge to befilleted, click theMore to expand thedialog box, then clickthe Edge(s) to keepfield and select theedge you wish tokeep.

If you have difficulties selecting the edge, use the up/down arrows to display thepreselection navigator.

CATIA displays thisedge in pink,meaning that it willnot be affected bythe fillet operation.

Then, click OK tocreate the filletsurface.

LimitingFilletsWhile creating the fillet, you can limit it by selecting a surface that intersects it completely:

Once the edgeto be filletedhas beenselected, andthe radiuskeyed in, clickPreview thenthe Morebutton.

1.  

Click in theLimitingelement field,then select thetrimmingelement.

2.

An arrowindicateswhichportion ofthe filletis to beretained.

Click on thisarrow toinverse it, ifneeded, toretain theopposite sideof the fillet.

3.

Click OK tocreate thelimited fillet.

4.

In theillustration,thelimitingsurfacehas beenhidden.

Make sure that thelimiting element isnot larger than theinitial element, asillustrated here. Inthis case, decreasethe size of thelimiting element asprompted by thewarning message.

Trimming Overlapping Fillets

In some cases, fillets may be overlapping. The Trim ribbons option lets you solve this bytrimming the fillets where they overlapping.

Open the EdgeFillet3.CATPart document.

Click the EdgeFillet icon and, using theCtrl key, selectthe edges atthe base of thecylinder andthe one alongthe verticalsurface.

1.

Click Preview.2.

The twofilletsclearlyoverlap.

In the EdgeFillet Definitiondialog box,check the Trimribbons optionand click OK.

3.

Note that the Trim ribbons option is available with the Tangency propagation mode: 

In Minimalmode, theTrim ribbonsoption isgrayed, as itis implicitlyactive. Theresults wouldbe trimmedfillets, and nopropagation:

In Tangencymode, withthe Trimribbons optionunchecked,the filletsintersect, withno trimming,and thepropagation isperformed

In Tangencymode, withthe Trimribbons optionchecked, thefillets aretrimmed andthepropagation isperformed.

 

Creating Variable Radius FilletsThis task shows how to create a variable radius fillet. In this type of fillet the radius variesat selected points along a selected edge.The fillet surface is obtained by rolling a sphere, which radius would vary, over theselected edge.

Open the FilletVariableRadius1.CATPart document.

Click the Variable Radius Fillet icon .1.

Select the edge to be filleted and clickPreview.

2.

The Variable Edge Fillet dialog boxappears.

The system detects the two verticesand displays the default radiusvalue.

Use the combo to select the desired type of extremity for the fillet:3. Straight: no tangency constraint is imposed at the connecting point between thefillet and the initial support, generating sometimes a sharp angle.Smooth: a tangency constraint is imposed  at the connection between the filletsurface and the support surfaces, thus smoothing the connectionMaximum: the fillet surface is limited by the longest selected edgeMinimum: the fillet surface is limited by the shortest selected edge

(Refer to Shape Fillets.)

You can also choose the propagation type:4. Tangency: the fillet is propagated up to the first edge that is notcontinuous in tangency.Minimal: the fillet is propagated up to the first geometric limitation.

To add an additional point on the edge tomake the variable radius fillet, click thePoints field and select a point on theedge.

5.

Enter a new Radius value for this point.6.

Set the Propagation mode to Cubic toobtain a smooth transition from oneradius to another.

7.

 Click OK to confirm the operation.8.

The surface (identified as EdgeFillet.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

This is the fillet you would obtain using theLinear propagation mode. In this case there is astraight transition from one radius to another.

 

Limiting FilletsWhile creating the fillet, you can limit it by selecting an element (plane or surface) thatintersects it completely:

Once the edge to be filleted has beenselected, and the radius keyed in, clickPreview then the More button.

1.

Click in the Limiting element field, thenselect the trimming element.

2.

An arrow indicates which portion ofthe fillet is to be retained.

If needed, you can click on thisarrow to inverse it, to retain theopposite side of the fillet.

Click OK to create the limited fillet.3.

In the illustration, the limitingsurface has been hidden.

You can also define variable radius fillets on closed edges.

However, the application defines a default vertex on closed edges whenapplying the Edge Fillet command. To define the fillet, you need to removethis vertex first of all, then use 3D points only.

Note that the Linear variation mode is not valid for closed edges or closedsets of edges that are continuous in tangency. In these cases, the Cubicmode is automatically applied.Check the Trim support elements option to relimit the support elements andassemble them to the fillet.In some cases, fillets may be overlapping. The Trim ribbons option lets you solvethis by trimming the fillets where they overlapping. For further information on thisoption, refer to Trimming Overlapping Fillets

Make sure the support involved does notpresent any sharp edge, because thefillet would be relimited, and may yieldunexpected results, or could not becomputed. For example, in theillustration, the fillet cannot bepropagated along the whole edgebecause the fillet is stopped onto thevertical edge.In this case, you should try to removethis discontinuity by either filleting thesharp edge or modifying the supportsurfaces. 

Use the More>> button to display further options:the edge that should not be filleted (see Edge Fillet)the circle fillet using a spine (see Variable Radius Fillet Using a Spine).

 

Creating Variable Bi-Tangent CircleRadius Fillets Using a Spine

This task shows how to create a variable bi-tangent circle radius fillet on an edge orconsecutive edges that do not present any tangency continuity. The propagation alongthe edge(s) can be done smoothly when selecting a spine along which an arc of circle isslid. Cutting the resulting fillet surface by a plane normal to the spine, would result in acircle of the specified radius value.

Using this type of radius may help solve twisted fillets created when using any other typeof fillet.Open the FilletVariableRadius2.CATPart document.To find out more on variable radius fillets, refer to Variable Radius Fillets.

Click the VariableRadius Fillet icon

.

1.

Select the edge(s)to be filleted andclick Preview.

2.

The VariableEdge Filletdialog boxappears.

The fillet ispreviewed onthe geometry.

Change the radiusvalue to 50mm.

3.

Expand the Variable Edge Fillet dialog box and check the Circle Fillet option:4.

Select the line as aspine.

5.

 

Click OK to createthe variable fillet.

6.

The surface (identified asEdgeFillet.xxx) is addedto the specification tree.

The sameoperation withoutchecking theCircle Fillet optionwould have led tothe following fillet:

You can use any curve as a spine, provided it covers all selected edges, i.e. it islonger than the set of selected edges.

In some cases, fillets may be overlapping. The Trim ribbons option lets you solvethis by trimming the fillets where they overlapping. For further information on thisoption, refer to Trimming Overlapping Fillets

Creating Face-Face FilletsThis task shows how to create a face-face fillet.The fillet surface is obtained by rolling a sphere, which radius is larger than the distancebetween the selected elements, between the selected surfaces.

You generally use the Face-Face fillet command when there is no intersection betweenthe faces or when there are more than two sharp edges between the faces.

Open the FaceFillet1.CATPart document.

Click the Face-Face Fillet icon .

1.

Select the two Faces to fillet.2.

The Face-Face FilletDefinition dialog boxappears and the applicationpreviews the fillet to becreated.

Select the Extremities type, that isthe relimitation mode.

3.

Straight: no tangency constraint is imposed at the connecting point between thefillet and the initial support, generating sometimes a sharp angle.Smooth: a tangency constraint is imposed  at the connection between the filletsurface and the support surfaces, thus smoothing the connectionMaximum: the fillet surface is limited by the longest selected edgeMinimum: the fillet surface is limited by the shortest selected edge

(Refer to Shape Fillets.)

Enter a radius value in the Radiusfield if you are not satisfied withthe default one. This value mustbe greater than 0.

4.

Click Preview.5.

Click OK.6.

The faces are filleted. Thisfillet is indicated in thespecification tree.

Check the Trim support elements option to relimit the support elements andassemble them to the fillet.

Click the More>> button.7.

Limiting Elements

While creating the fillet, you can limit it by selecting an element (plane or surface)that intersects it completely in the Limiting element field prior to selecting thetrimming element. For further details, refer to Limiting Fillets.

Hold Curve

  Instead of entering a radius value, you can use a "hold curve" to compute the fillet.Depending on the curve shape, the fillet radius value is then more or less variable.

 

Select both faces as shown thenJoin.2 as the hold curve.

The curve must be sketched onone of the selected faces.

1.

 

Select Sketch.4 as the spine.The spine provides a bettercontrol of the fillet.

2.

To compute the fillet, theapplication uses circlescontained in planes normalto the spine. It is thenpossible to control theshape of the fillet.

 The spine can be a wireframe element or a sketcher element.

 

Preview the fillet.3.

Repeat the operation and selectSketch.3 as the spine.

4.

Click OK to create the fillet.5.

 

For more information, please refer to the CATIA V5 Part Design documentation.

 

Creating Tritangent FilletsThis task shows how to create a tritangent fillet.

The creation of tritangent fillets involves the removal of one of the three faces selected,as the fillet surface is obtained by rolling a sphere, which radius is automaticallycomputed to be larger than the removed surface, between the selected surfaces.

Open the Tritangent1.CATPart document.

Click the Tritangent Fillet icon.1.

Select the two Faces to fillet.2.

The Tritangent Fillet Definition dialogbox appears.

Select the Extremities that is therelimitation mode:

3.

Straight: no tangency constraint isimposed at the connecting point betweenthe fillet and the initial support, generatingsometimes a sharp angle.

Smooth: a tangency constraint is imposed  at the connection between the filletsurface and the support surfaces, thus smoothing the connectionMaximum: the fillet surface is limited by the longest selected edgeMinimum: the fillet surface is limited by the shortest selected edge

(Refer to Shape Fillets.)

Select the Face to remove.4.

The fillet will be tangent to this face.

Click OK.5.

The faces are filleted. The creation ofthis fillet is indicated in thespecification tree.

Check the Trim support elements option to relimit the support elements andassemble them to the fillet.

While creating the fillet, you can limit it by selecting an element (plane or surface)that intersects it completely. This capability is available when clicking the More>>button, and clicking within the Limiting element field prior to selecting the trimmingelement. For further details, refer to Limiting Fillets.

 

Translating GeometryThis task shows you how to translate one, or more, point, line or surface element.

Open the Translate1.CATPart document.

Click the Translate icon.

1.

The TranslateDefinition dialog boxappears.

Select the Element to be translated.2.

Select a line to take its orientation as the translation direction or a plane to take itsnormal as the translation direction.

3.

You can alsospecify the directionby means of X, Y, Zvector componentsby using thecontextual menu onthe Direction field.

Specify the translation Distance by entering a value or using the drag manipulator.4.

Click OK to create the translated element.5.

The element (identified as Translat.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

The original element is unchanged.

Use the Repeat objectafter OK checkbox tocreate several translatedsurfaces, eachseparated from the initialsurface by a multiple ofthe Distance value.Simply indicate in theObject Repetition dialogbox the number ofinstances that should becreated and click OK.

You can translate several elements at a time. In this case, refer to Editing a List ofElements to find out how to display and manage the list of selected elements.

 

Rotating GeometryThis task shows you how to rotate geometry about an axis.

Open the Transform1.CATPart document.

Click the Rotate icon .1.

The Rotate Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the Element to be rotated.2.

Select a line as the rotation Axis.3.

Enter a value or use the dragmanipulator to specify the rotationAngle.

4.

Click OK to create the rotated element.5.

The element (identified as Rotate.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

The original surface is unchanged.

Use the Repeat object after OKcheckbox to create several rotatedsurfaces, each separated from theinitial surface by a multiple of theAngle value.Simply indicate in the ObjectRepetition dialog box the number ofinstances that should be created andclick OK.

You can rotate several elements at a time. In this case, refer to Editing a List ofElements to find out how to display and manage the list of selected elements.

 

Performing a Symmetry on GeometryThis task shows you how to transform geometry by means of a symmetry operation.

Open the Transform1.CATPart document.

Click the Symmetry icon  .1.

The Symmetry Definition dialogbox appears.

Select the Element to be transformed by symmetry.2.

Select a point, line or plane as Reference element.3. The figure below illustrates the resultingsymmetry when the line is used asreference element.

The figure below illustrates the resultingsymmetry when the point is used as

reference element.

Click OK to create the symmetrical element.4.

The element (identified as Symmetry.xxx) is added to the specification tree.The original element is unchanged.

You can perform a symmetry on several elements at a time. In this case, refer toEditing a List of Elements to find out how to display and manage the list of selectedelements.

 

Transforming Geometry by ScalingThis task shows you how to transform geometry by means of a scaling operation.

Open the Transform1.CATPart document.

Click the Scaling icon .1.

The Scaling Definitiondialog box appears.

Select the Element to be transformed by scaling.2.

Select the scaling Reference point, plane or planar surface.3.

Specify the scaling Ratio by entering a value or using the drag manipulator.4. The figure below illustrates theresulting scaled element when theplane is used as reference element(ratio = 2).

The figure below illustrates the resulting scaledelement when the point is used as reference element(ratio = 2).

Click OK to create the scaled element.5.

The element (identified as Scaling.xxx) is added to the specification tree.The original element  is unchanged.

Use the Repeat object afterOK checkbox to createseveral scaled surfaces,each separated from theinitial surface by a multiple ofthe initial  Ratio value.Simply indicate in the ObjectRepetition dialog box thenumber of instances thatshould be created and clickOK.

You can perform a scaling operation on several elements at a time. In this case,refer to Editing a List of Elements to find out how to display and manage the list ofselected elements.

 

Transforming Geometry by AffinityThis task shows you how to transform geometry by means of an affinity operation.

Open the Transform1.CATPart document.

Click the Affinity icon .1.

The Affinity Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the Element to be transformed by affinity.2.

Specify the characteristics of the Axis system to be used for the affinity operation:3. the Origin (Point.1 in the figures below)the XY plane (the XY plane in the figures below)the X axis (Line.1 in the figures below).

Specify the affinity Ratios by entering the desired X, Y, Z values.4. The figure below illustrates the resulting affinity

with ratios X = 2, Y =1 and Z=1.

The figure below illustrates the resulting affinitywith ratios X = 2, Y =1 and Z=2.

The figure below illustrates the resulting affinitywith ratios X = 2, Y =2.5 and Z=2

Click OK to create the affinity element.5.

The element (identified as Affinity.xxx) is added to the specification tree.The original element  is unchanged.

You can perform an affinity on several elements at a time. In this case, refer toEditing a List of Elements to find out how to display and manage the list of selectedelements.

 

Transforming ElementsFrom an Axis to Another

This task shows you how to transform geometry positioned according to a given axissystem into a new axis system. The geometry is duplicated and positioned according tothe new axis system. One or more elements can be transformed at a time, using thestandard multi-selection capabilities.See also Defining an Axis System.

Open the Transform2.CATPart document.

Click the Axis To Axis icon .1.

The Axis to Axis Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the Element to be transformed into anew axis system.

2.

Select the initial (Reference) axis system,that is the current one.

3.

Select the Target axis system, that is theone into the element should be positioned.

4.

Click OK to create the transformed element.New geometry is now positioned into the new axis system.

5.

The element (identified as Axis to axis transformation.xxx) is added to the specificationtree.

You can choose to display only the elements resulting from the transformationusing the Hide/Show Initial Element button.Use the contextual menus on the dialog box fields to create elements as needed.A contextual menu is also available to manage the list of selected elements.

You can transform several elements from an axis to another at a time. In this case,refer to Editing a List of Elements to find out how to display and manage the list ofselected elements.

 

Extrapolating SurfacesThis task shows you how to extrapolate a surface boundary.

Open the Extrapolate1.CATPart document.

Click the Extrapolate icon .1.

The Extrapolate Definition dialog boxappears.

Select a surface Boundary.2.

Select the surface to be Extrapolated.3.

Specify the Limit of the extrapolation by either:4. entering the value of the extrapolation lengthselecting a limit surface or planeusing the manipulators in the geometry.

Specify Extremities conditions:5. Tangent: the extrapolation sides are tangent to the edges adjacent to the surfaceboundary.Normal: the extrapolation sides are normal to the original surface boundary.

Select the Assemble result check box if you want the extrapolated surface to beassembled to the support surface.

6.

Click OK to create the extrapolated surface.7.

The surface (identified as Extrapol.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

 

Extrapolating CurvesThis task shows you how to extrapolate a curve.

Open the Extrapolate2.CATPart document.

Click the Extrapolate icon .1.

The Extrapolate Definition dialog boxappears.

Select an endpoint on  a curve.2.

Select the curve to be Extrapolated:3. entering the value of the extrapolation Length.In Curvature mode, this length actually is the distance on the tangent extrapolationat which a plane normal to the curve is located. This plane is used to split theextrapolated curve.selecting a limit surface or plane.

Specify Continuity conditions:4. Tangent: the extrapolation side is tangent to the curve at the selected endpoint.Curvature: the extrapolation side complies with the curvature of the selected curve.

Extrapolation in Curvature mode Extrapolation in Tangent mode

If needed, and provided you are working in with a tangency continuity, and the  initialcurve lies on a plane or surface, you can select this support. In this case the extrapolatedcurve lies on the surface too, and is relimited by the support boundary.

Extrapolation without a support Extrapolation with a support 

Click OK to create the extrapolated curve.5.

The Curve (identified as Extrapol.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

 

Inverting the Orientation of GeometryThis task shows you how to easily invert the orientation of a surface or curve.

Open any document containing wireframe or surface type element.

Select the Insert -> Operations -> Invert Orientation... command.1.

Select the surface or curve whose orientationis to be inverted.An arrow is displayed on the geometryindicating the orientation of the element andthe Invert Definition dialog box is displayed.

2.

Click the arrow to invert the orientation of the element, or click the Click to Invertbutton.

2.

Click OK to accept the inverted element.3.

The element (identified as Inverse.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Once the orientation is inverted, the Click to Invert button changes to Reset Initial whetheryou changed the orientation using the button itself, or the arrow.

 

Creating the Nearest Entity of a MultipleElement

This task shows you how to create the nearest entity of an element that is made up fromseveral sub-elements.Open the Near1.CATPart document from the samples directory.

Select the Insert -> Operations-> Near  command.

1.

The Near Definitiondialog box appears.

Select the element that is made up from several sub-elements.2.

Select a reference element whose position is close to the sub-element that youwant to create.

3.

This example shows a parallel curvecomprising two sub-elements.

This example shows the sub-element that isnearest to the reference point.

Click OK to create the element.4.

This element (identified as Near.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

The Near Definition dialog box is automatically displayed, when a non-connex element isdetected at creation time so that you can directly choose which element should becreated.

 

Creating LawsThis task shows how create evolution laws within a CATPart document, to be used lateron when creating Generative Shape Design elements, such as swept surfaces, or parallelcurves.

Open the Law1.CATPart document.

Click the Law icon.1.

The Law Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the reference line.2.

Select any curve.3.

The law is computed as the distance between points on the reference line andtheir matching points onto the curve.

If the X parameter on definition option is checked, the X parameter is displayed on theselected curve and represents the percentage of the curvilinear abscissa on this curve.The law is computed by projecting the start point normally onto the reference line.

When the law is applied to a geometric element,the latter usually is not of the same length as thereference line. Therefore a linear mapping isapplied between the reference line and theelement the law is applied to, resulting in ascaling of the law.

In the illustration, the law is applied to a circularsweep (top) and to a parallel curve (bottom).The dotted lines represent the linear mappingbetween the law (middle) and the two elementsto which it is applied.

You can analyze the law using the manipulator, or specifying a value in the X field. Thisparameter represents the percentage of the curvilinear abscissa on the reference line.The Y field indicates the distance between any point on the reference line and itsmatching point on the selected curve.

Click OK to create the law.4.

The law (identified as Law.xxx) is added to the specification tree.It is now ready for use in the creation of other Shape Design elements.

Click the Parallel Curve icon  .5.

In the Parallel Curve Definition dialog box,choose the Law mode.

6.

Select the Law.1 from the specificationtree.

7.

Click OK.8.

The law is applied to the selectedelement.

Only positive laws, i.e. with positive values only,can be used when creating parallel curves. 

When the reference line and definitioncurve do not present the same length,only the common area is used tocompute the law.

Check the Both sides option to generate a parallel curve symmetrically on eachside of the selected curve.Note that depending on the geometry, the elements may not appear symmetrical.They are if the curve is a line, otherwise, the resulting curves' shape may differ:

Resulting parallel curveswhen a line is selected

Resulting parallel curveswhen any curve is selected

When the X parameter on definition option is unchecked,  the selected curveshould not present several intersections with the plane normal to the referenceline. If there are several intersections, the law cannot be evaluated and cannot beapplied when creating geometric elements.

Laws created using the Knowledge Advisor product, being mathematical formulas,can be used with Generative Shape Design's operators, such as swept surfaces,or parallel curves for examples.For further information, refer to the Knowledge Advisor's User's Guide, BasicTasks, Creating and Using a Knowledge Advisor Law.Note that laws created with the Law icon of Generative Shape Design product, canbe referenced by laws created with Knowledge Advisor product.

 

Editing Surfaces and WireframeGeometry

Generative Shape Design provides powerful tools for editing surfaces and wireframe geometry.

Edit definitions: double-click on the element in the tree and modify its parameters 

Quick edition: click the icon, and select the element.

Replace elements: select the element to be replaced, choose the Replace... contextualcommand, then select the replacing element.Create elements from an external file: key in space coordinates of elements into an Excelfile containing macros, then run the macro.Select implicit elements: Press and hold the Shift key while clicking the element to whichthe implicit element belongs.Move a geometrical element within an OpenBody: select the element, use the ChangeBody contextual menu, select the element before which it should be inserted

Copy and paste: select the element(s) to be copied, click the Copy icon, select the targetOpen Body, then click the Paste icon.

Delete geometry: select the element, choose the Delete command, set the deletionoptions

Deactivate elements: select the element to be deactivated, choose the deactivatecontextual menu and choose to deactivate its children as well, if needed.

 

Editing Surface and WireframeDefinitions

This task shows how to edit the definition of an already created geometric element.

Activate the Definition dialog box of the element that you want to edit in one of thefollowing ways:

1.

Select the element then choose the xxx.object -> Definition menu item from thecontextual menuSelect the element then choose the Edit -> xxx.object -> Definition commandDouble-click the element identifier in the specification tree.

Modify the definition of the element by selecting new reference elements or byentering new values.

2.

Click OK to save the new definition. 3.

 

Quick Edition of GeometryThis task shows how to access rapidly to sub-elements in the geometry without scrollingin the specification tree. By a simple click on the final geometry, you identify thegenerating element of the final element, and can directly trace the "parent" elements.

Open the QuickEdit1.CATPart document.

Click the Quick Edit icon. 1.

Move the pointer over the geometry.Just like in the regular selection mode the element is highlighted, in the geometryarea, and the object name is highlighted in the specification tree. Moreover, theidentity of the pre-selected element is displayed in the status bar: 

2.

Click the element.3.

Information is displayed on thewhole geometry:

in green: the feature selectedusing the standard selectiontool.in red: its direct parentsin purple: the "generating"element, that is the featuregenerating the underlyingsurface/curve where youinitially selected the element.

If you display the element's graph using the the Show Historical Graph icon , you canbetter relate the elements to its "parents:

The Split.1 is the last generated element, to the left of the graph, and is displayedin green.The Project.1 is its direct parent, as shown in the graph and is displayed in red.The Fillet.1 is another direct parent, but is also the generating one, as it is the firstelement that unite other independent elements (the extruded surfaces)  that lead tothe creation of the split. Therefore it is displayed in purple, the precedence beinggiven to the generating element over the direct parent.

Along with the information onto thegeometry, the Quick Edit dialog boxis displayed: it indicates whichelement has been selected, alongwith all its parents, and childrenwhere applicable.

Within the dialog box, select theFillet.1 element, or click the Fillet (G)text in the geometry.

The Quick Edit dialog box is updatedaccordingly: 

Use the check buttons at thebottom of the dialog box to display or hide a number ofelements in the geometry.

4.

If you check the Hide otherelements and the Parentsbutton, you see this:

If you check the Hide otherelements and Current (i.e. theonly filleted surface) buttons,you see this:

If you check Children buttononly (i.e. the projection andthe split), you see this:

Click OK in the dialog box. 5.

You can double-click on any arrow, not necessarily the generating parent asshown above, to edit any of the elements.

You can also edit any of the elements by using the contextual menu available onall elements from the Quick Edit dialog box, as well as from the texts in thegeometry.

You can select another "final"element directly in thegeometry, without having toreselect the Quick Edit icon.

Click in space to deselect any geometry and reset the quick edition withoutdeselecting the icon.

 

Replacing ElementsThis task shows how to replace a geometric element by another.This may be useful when a modification occurs late in the design as the whole geometry based onto theelement that is replaced is updated according to the new specifications coming from the replacing elements. 

Open the Replace1.CATPart document.

Right-click  the pink curve (Profile.1) andchoose the Replace contextual menu.

1.

The Replace dialog box appears.

Click the With field and select the bluecurve in the geometry.

2.

The Replace dialog box is updatedaccordingly and the geometrydisplays the curves orientation.

You can check the Delete replaced elements and exclusive parents if you do not need these elements for lateroperations.

Click OK to validate the replacement.The geometry is updated accordingly.

4.

 

Creating Elements From An External FileYou can create points, curves, and lofted surfaces from a Microsoft ®  Excel spreadsheetcontaining macros, and in which you define:

 the points space coordinatesthe points through which the curves passthe curves used as profiles for the lofted surface.

Only Excel sheets created with Excel 97 and subsequent versions are supported.Therefore this capability is available with WindowsTM only.

Open any .CATPart document containing an Open Body (automatically created whenentering the Generative Shape Design workbench).

Open the GSD_PointSplineLoftFromExcel.xls file from the Samples directory intoExcel, and enable the macros.

1.

The document looks like this:

It contains:instructions, such as StartLoft and EndLoft, StartCurve and EndCurve betweenwhich other instructions or numerical data are given. numerical data that are point space coordinates: X, Y, Z respectively from the leftto the righta final End instruction

In the above example, a loft is to be created based on three curves. The first and secondcurve pass through four points, and the third curve passes through five points.

The elements will be created from top to bottom, i.e. the four points of the first curve willbe created, then the curve itself, then the points making up the second curve and thelatter itself, and so forth.

You can add rows to create more elements or delete rows to edit elements or delete them(point), then save the spreadsheet.

From Excel, selectthe Tools ->Macro -> Macrosmenu item.

2.

The Macrodialog box isdisplayed.

Select the Feuil1.Main macroand click Run.

3.

The User Info dialogbox is displayed.

Key in the type of element to be generated:4. 1: to generate only the point(s)2: to generate the points and the curve(s)3: to generate the points, curves and lofted surface(s)

Click OK.5.

The elements (points, curves, and lofted surface) are created in the geometry.The specification tree is updated accordingly.

The Generative Shape Design workbench needs not to be loaded, provided aCATIA session is running and a .CATPart document is loaded.The curve definition is limited to 500 points, and the loft definition to 50 splines,with the delivered macro. This can be modified using the Excel macro editioncapabilities.

 

Selecting Implicit ElementsThere are many ways of selecting geometrical elements, either in the geometry asdescribed in the Infrastructure User's Guide,  Selecting Objects section, or in thespecification tree.

However, specific to wireframe and surface elements are some implicit elements, such asthe axis of a cylinder, or the vertex of a cone for example,  participating in the creation ofa feature yet not directly selectable as a separate element.

This task shows how to select these implicit elements.

Open the Cylinder1.CATPart document.

Click the Spline icon and successively select thefour points.

1.

The Spline Definitiondialog box looks likethis:

Select Point.3 from the list, to impose a tangency constraint on this point.2.

Note that you cannot select the cylinder's surface.

Press and hold the Shiftkey, then move the pointerover the cylinder.The cylinder's axis isautomatically detected as aselectable element toindicate a direction, anddisplayed.

3.

Click anywhere on thecylinder's surface, stillholding the Shift keypressed down.

4.

The tangencyconstraint direction,based on thecylinder's axis, isdisplayed at theselected point.

Click OK to create thespline tangent to thecylinder at the selectedpoint.

5.

 

Moving Elements From an OpenBodyThis task shows how to move any element from an OpenBody to another location withinanother body (PartBody or OpenBody).

Open any .CATPart document containing several geometrical elements.You can also open the OpenBodies2.CATPart document.

From the specification tree, select theelement then choose the xxx.object ->Change Body menu item from thecontextual menu.

1.

Multi-selection of elements of different types is supported. However, note that in thiscase, the contextual menu is not available, and that you can access this capability usingthe Edit menu item.

The Change Body dialog box isdisplayed.

Select the Destination Body for the selected element.Here we selected Open_body.3

2.

You can do so by selecting the Body in the specification tree, or using thecombo list from the dialog box.

Select the element above which the oneyou already selected is to be inserted.

3.

You can directly select this positioning element. In this case the Destination field of theChange Body dialog box is automatically updated with the Body to which this secondelement belongs.

Click OK in the dialog box.4.

The element selected first is movedto its new location in thespecification tree, but geometryremains unchanged.

Check the Change body unsharedparents option to move all parents of thefirst selected element to its new location,provided, these parents are not shared byany other element of the initial body.In this case, all the unshared parents arehighlighted prior to the move.

Check the Change body all parentsoption to move all parents of the firstselected element to its new location,regardless of whether these parents areused (shared) by any other element of theinitial body.In this case, all the parent elements arehighlighted prior to the move.

You can move a whole branch, i.e. awhole body and its contents, at a time.

See also Managing OpenBodies in the Specification Tree.

 

Copying and PastingThis task shows how to copy and paste open body entities in your part design.

Select the elements that you want to copy either directly in the part geometry or inthe specification tree.

1.

Select the Edit -> Copy command.2.

Click the Open Body entity in the tree where you want to paste the selectedelements.

3.

Select the Edit -> Paste command.4.

The elements are copied into the target Open Body.The identifiers of copied elements are incremented with respect to the originalelements.The original elements and copied elements can be edited independently.A few elements cannot be copied/pasted as such. They need their parent elementto be copied as well. This is the case with boundaries, extracts (basic and multipleedges), and fillets for example.In this case, you may also consider using PowerCopies.

 

Deleting Surfaces and WireframeGeometry

Deleting a Specific Element

This task shows how to delete geometry from your design.

Select the entity you want todelete. 

1.

Select the Delete command eitherfrom the Edit menu or thecontextual menu.

2.

The Delete dialog boxappears.

Set the desired options for managing the deletion of parent and children entities.3.

Two options are available:Delete exclusive parents: deletes the geometry on  which the elementwas created. This geometry can be deleted only if it is exclusively usedfor the selected element

1.

Delete all children: deletes the geometry based upon the element to bedeleted, in other words, dependent elements

2.

Click OK to validate the deletion.4.

While deleting elements you may want to replace children of the deleted elements. To dothis, click the More>> button to display the Advanced Children Management area, andrefer to the Replacing Elements task as the replacement principles are the same.

 

Deleting Useless ElementsThis task shows how to delete all un-referenced elements, i.e. not participating in thecreation of other geometrical elements.Please note that the command would delete all the elements of the part, if you do notwish all elements to be deleted, you have to specify it.

Open the Delete1.CATPart document.

Choose the Tools -> Delete useless elements menu item. 1.

The Delete Useless Elements dialog box appears.It lists all the wireframe and surface elements, datum or not, that are presentin the document or in other documents when working in context (in aCATProduct document referencing CATPart documents).

When an element is used by a Part Design feature, its status is Keep, used by solid,meaning it cannot be deleted.

Select an element you wish to keep from the list, and using thecontextual menu, choose the Keep menu item.

2.

The list of un-referenced elements is automaticallyupdated, indicating a new status for the selectedelement (Keep) and which elements are to be kept as aconsequence (Keep, propagate status).In the bottom left corner of the dialog box, the globalstatus is also updated.

Click OK to confirm the deletion of all elements listed  with the Delete status.3.

Use the Delete contextual menu item, to delete an element which status is eitherKeep or Keep, propagate. Also available in the contextual menu, are the Center Graph and Reframe Onitems.Bodies, whether OpenBodies or PartBodies located directly below the main Partare not displayed in the list, as when creating a new document, they arenecessarily empty of geometric elements, and it does not make sense to deletethem.

 

Deactivating ElementsThis task shows how to inactivate a geometric element by another.This may be useful when, in a complex Part, a branch of the part is not affected by anupdate, or is not updating correctly for example. This capability will let you work on theother elements present in the document while ignoring a specific element. Deactivated elements are identified by the ( ) symbol in the specification tree. Also referto Symbols Reflecting an Incident in the Geometry Building.

Open the Join3.CATPart document.

Right-click  the element to be deactivated from the specification tree, and choosethe XXX object -> Deactivate contextual command. Here we select Extrude.4.

1.

If the selected element does not have any children,it is directly deactivated. This is indicated by asymbol in the specification tree: 

 If the selected element has children, theDeactivate dialog box appears, listing the elementsto be deactivated, and their children as affectedelements.

In this case, the geometry is displayed in red,as if needing an update.

Click OK.2.

The selected element and its children aredeactivated.The ( ) symbol is displayed in the specificationtree, and the corresponding geometry ishidden. 

To re-activate the elements, right-click their name in the specification tree andchoose the XXX object -> Activate contextual command. Multi-selection is available, i.e. you can select several elements to be deactivatedat a time. In this case the Deactivate dialog box will show a list of the selectedelements.

Using Tools for Shape DesignGenerative Shape Design provides powerful tools to help you manage and analyze yoursurfaces and wireframe geometry.

Display Parents and Children: Select the feature understudy, the Tools -> Parent / Children... command and usethe diverse contextual commands to display parents andchildren.Update your design: select the element and click the icon oruse the contextual menuDefine an axis-system: set the origin and X, Y, and ZdirectionsUse the Historical Graph: select an element, click the iconand work in the graphWork with a support: click the icon and select a plane orsurface as support elementSnap on a point: snap to the nearest intersection point whenworking with a support Create a grid set: select a direction, origin point, and set astep value

Create Datums: click the icon to deactivate the History mode

Insert elements: click the icon to automatically insert a newelement after its main parentSelect Bodies using the Body Selector: click the combo,choose a body, release the combo

Create constraints: select the element to be constrained

Create constraints on several elements: multi-select elementand check the adequate optionsCreate groups: choose the Create Group contextual menuon an OpenBody and select the group's elementsEdit groups: choose the Edit Group contextual menu on agroupCollapse/Expand groups: choose the Collapse/ExpandGroup contextual menu on a group

Move groups: choose the Change Body contextual menuand select a new OpenBodyCheck connections between surfaces: select the surfaces,and set the analysis type and parametersCheck connections between curves: select two curves,specify the type of analysis (distance, tangency, curvature)and set the analysis parameters.Perform a draft analysis: select the surface, set the analysismode and color range parameters, and manipulate thesurfacePerform a surfacic curvature analysis: select the surface, setthe analysis mode and color range parameters, andmanipulate the surfacePerform a curvature analysis: select a curve or surfaceboundary, specify the curvature comb parameters (spikesnumber and length, orientation, etc.). Display information on elements: click the icon and selectany elementRepeat objects: select an object, choose the ObjectRepetition...menu item and key in the number of objectinstancesStack commands: right-click an editable field, choose thecontextual menu item allowing the creation of anotherelement.Edit a list of elements: select several elements, enter acommand and choose the Element list contextual menu fromthe adequate field in the dialog box.Apply a material: select an object, click the icon, and select amaterial.Create Textual Annotations: click this icon, select a face andenter your text in the dialog box.Create Flag Notes: click this icon, select the object you wantto represent the hyperlink, enter a name for the hyperlinkand the path to the destination file.

 

Parents and ChildrenThe Parent and Children command enables you to view the genealogical relationships betweenthe different components of a part. 

It also shows links to external references and explicitly provides the name of the documentscontaining these references.

If the specification tree already lets you see the operations you performed and re-specify yourdesign, the graph displayed by the Parent and Children capability proves to be a more accurateanalysis tool. We recommend the use of this command before deleting any feature.

Open the Parent1.CATPart document.

1.  Select the feature of interest, that is Pad1.

2.  Select the Tools -> Parent/Children... command (or the Parent/Children... contextualcommand).

A window appears containing a graph. This graph shows the relationships between thedifferent elements constituting the pad previously selected.

If you cannot see the element of interest in the specification tree because you have created alarge number of elements, right-click this element in the graph then select the Center Graphcontextual command: the element will be more visible in the specification tree.

3.  Position the cursor on Pad 1 and select the Show All Children contextual command. 

You can now see that Sketch 2 and Sketch 3 have been used to create two additional pads.

Here is the exhaustive list of the diverse contextual commands allowing you to hide parentsand children. These commands may prove quite useful whenever the view is overcrowded.

Show Parents and ChildrenShow ChildrenShow All ChildrenHide ChildrenShow ParentsShow All ParentsHide Parents

  4. Position the cursor on Sketch.1 and select the Show Parents and Children contextualcommand.

We can see that Sketch.1 has been created on xy plane. Moreover, you can see that it is a published element.

5.  Now, select EdgeFillet1 in the graph.

The application highlights the fillet in the specification tree, in the graph and in the geometryarea.

6. Position the cursor on EdgeFillet1 and select the Show Parents and Children contextualcommand.

The parent Pad.1 is displayed.

Double-clicking on the components alternately shows or hides parents and children.

 

 The Edit contextual command can be accessed from any element. For example, right-clickEdgeFillet.1 and select Edit. The Edge Fillet dialog box appears. You can then modify thefillet. When done, the  Edge Fillet dialog box closes as well as the Parents and Childrenwindow close and the fillet is updated.

 7.

Close the window and select MeasureEdge3 from the specification tree.

8. Select the Tools -> Parent/Children... command.

The graph that displays shows Pad.2 as MeasureEdge3's parent.

 

 

9. Select the Show All Parents contextual command.

Sketch.2 as Pad.2's parent is now displayed. In turn, Sketch.2's own parent Pad.1 is displayedand so on.

 

 

Updating Your DesignThis task explains how and when you should update your design.

The point of updating your design is to make the application take your last operation intoaccount. Indeed some changes to geometry or a constraint may require rebuilding thepart. To warn you that an update is needed, CATIA displays the update symbol next tothe part name and displays the corresponding geometry in bright red.

To update a part, the application provides two update modes:automatic update, available in Tools -> Options -> Shape, General tab. Ifchecked, this option lets the application update the part when needed.manual update, available in Tools -> Options -> Shape, General tab, it lets youcontrol the updates of your part. You simply need to click the Update icon whenever you wish to integrate modifications. 

Non-updated wireframe and surface elements are displayed in red.

To update the part, click the Update icon .1.

A progression bar indicates the evolution of the operation.

You can cancel the undergoing update by clicking the Cancel button available in theUpdating... dialog box.

Keep in mind that some operations such as confirming the creation of features(clicking OK) do not require you to use the update command. By default, theapplication automatically updates the operation.

The Update capability is also available via Edit -> Update and the Updatecontextual command. 

To update the feature of your choice, just select that feature and use the Local Update contextual command.

Besides the update modes, you can also choose to visualize the update on thegeometry as it is happening by checking the Activate Local Visualization optionfrom the Tools -> Options -> Shape, General tab.In this case, as soon as you have clicked the Update icon :

the geometry disappears from the screen1. each element is displayed as it is updated, including elements in NoShow mode. Once they have been updated, they remain in No Showmode.

2.

Interrupting Updates

This tasks explains how to update a part and interrupt the update operation on a givenfeature by means of a useful message you previously defined.

Open any document containing geometric elements.

Right-click an element from the specification tree and choose the Propertiescontextual menu item.

1.

The Properties dialog box is displayed. 

From the Mechanical tab, check the Associate stop update option.2.

Enter the text to be displayed when the updating process will stop when reachingthis element.

3.

Click OK to confirm and close the dialog box.4.

The Stop Update.1 feature is displayed in thespecification tree, below the element for which it wasdefined.

Whenever it is needed, click the Update icon to update the whole part.5.

The updating process stops after having updated the element selected above,and issues the message as has been defined earlier:

Click Yes or No, depending on what you intend to do with the geometry createdbased on the selected element.

6.

Would you no longer need this capability, you can:right-click the element for which the stop was defined, choose the Propertiescontextual command and check the Deactivate stop update option from theMechanical tab: the update will no longer at this element.You notice that when the capability is deactivated, the Stop Update icon changesto: in the specification tree.right-click Stop Update.1 from the specification tree, and choose the Deletecontextual command.

 

Defining an Axis SystemThis task explains how to define a new three-axis system locally. There are two ways ofdefining it: either by selecting geometry or by entering coordinates.

Open the PowerCopyStart1.CATPart document.

Select the Insert -> Axis System  commandor click the Axis System icon  .

1.

The Axis System Definition dialog boxis displayed.

An axis system is composed of an origin point and three orthogonal axes.It can be right or left-handed. This information is displayed within the Axis SystemDefinition dialog box.You can choose from different types of axis system: 

Standard: defined by a point of origin andthree orthogonal directions (by default thecurrent directions of the compass)

Here only the point was selected andnothing specified for the axes.

Axis rotation: defined as a standard axissystem and a angle computed from aselected reference

Here the Y axis was set to thestandard axis system Y axis, and a 15degrees angle was set in relation toan edge parallel to the X axis.

Euler angles: defined by three anglevalues computed from the initial X, Y, andZ directions

Here, the Angle 2 and Angle 3 wereset to 30 degrees.

Select the point as shown to position the origin of the axis system you wish tocreate. The application then computes the remaining coordinates. Both computedaxes are then parallel to those of the current system. The axis system looks likethis:

2.

If you are not satisfied with x axis, for instance click the X axis field and select a lineto define a new direction for x axis.

3.

The x axis becomes colinear with this line.

It can be a line created along the surfaceedge, for example, using the Create Linecontextual menu on the selection field, andselecting two surface vertices.Similarly you can create points, andplanes.You can also select the Rotationcontextual menu, and enter an angle valuein the X Axis Rotation dialog box.

Click the y axis in the geometry to reverse it.Checking the Reverse button next to the Y Axis field reverses its direction too.

4.

You can also define axes throughcoordinates. Right-click the Z Axis field andselect the Coordinates contextualcommand. The Z Axis dialog box appears.

5.

Key in X = -1, retain the Y and Zcoordinates, and click Close.

6.

The axis system is modifiedaccordingly, and is now left-handed.

Click More to display the More... dialog box.7.

The first rows contains the coordinates of the origin point. The coordinates ofX axis are displayed in the second row. The coordinates of Y and Z axis aredisplayed in the third and fourth row respectively.

As you are defining your axis system, the application detects if its axes are orthogonal ornot. Inconsistencies are revealed via the Update diagnosis dialog box.

Uncheck the Current option if you do not want to set your axis as the reference. Theabsolute axis at the bottom right of the document then becomes the current threeaxis system.

8.

Click OK.9.

The axis system is created. It is displayed in thespecification tree. When it is set as current, it is highlighted asshown aside.Local axes are fixed. If you wish to constrain them, you need to isolate them (usingIsolate contextual command) before setting constraints otherwise you would obtainover-constrained systems.The display mode of the axes is different depending on whether the three-axis system is right-handed or left-handed and current or not.

THREE-AXIS SYSTEM CURRENT AXIS DISPLAY MODE

right-handed  yes solidright-handed  no dashedleft-handed yes dottedleft-handed no dot-dashed

Right-click Axis System.1 from the specification tree and select the Axis System.1 object-> Set as current contextual command. Axis System.1 is now current. You can then selectone of its plane, to define a sketch plane for example.Editing an Axis SystemYou can edit your axis system by double-clicking it and entering new values in the dialogbox that appears. You can also use the compass to edit your axis system. 

Note that editing the geometrical elements selected for defining the axes or the originpoint affects the definition of the axis system accordingly.

Right-clicking Axis System.Xobject in the specification tree lets you access the followingcontextual commands:

Definition...:redefines the axis systemIsolate: sets the axis system apart from the geometrySet as Current/Set as not Current: defines whether the axis system is thereference or not.

Using the Historical GraphThis task shows how to use the Historical Graph.

Select the elementfor which you want todisplay the historicalgraph.

1.

Click the ShowHistorical Graph icon

.

2.

The HistoricalGraph dialogbox appears.

The following icon commands are available.Add graphRemove graphReframe graphSurface or Part graph representationParameters filterConstraints filter.

Just close the dialog box to exit this mode.3.

 

Working with a SupportThis task shows how to create a support. It may be either a plane or a surface.This will allow you to automatically reference a surface or plane as the supportingelement whenever you need one, when creating Lines for example. You will no longerhave to explicitly select the support element.It will also allow you to create reference points on the fly on the support, whenever youneed a reference point to create other geometric elements.

Open the WorkOnSupport1.CATPart document.

Creating a support from a surface

Click the Work on Support icon .

1.

The Work on Support dialogbox appears.

Select the surface to be used as support element.2.

If a plane is selected, a grid is displayed to facilitate visualization.

Select a point.3.

By default the surface'smidpoint is selected.

Click OK in the dialog box. 4.

The element (identified as WorkingSupport.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Click the Point icon  .5.

The Point definition dialogbox is displayed. TheReference Point field isautomatically filled in withthe point selected whendefining the currently activeworking support.

Creating a support from a plane

Click the Work on Support icon  .1.

Select the plane to be used as support element.2.

The Work on Support dialog box is displayed, allowing you to define theplane:

By default, the Grid type is set to Cartesian, to define a Cartesian plane.

A grid can also be displayed to facilitate visualization. You can hide it by checking theHide grid option.

Select a point, as the support plane's origin.3.

By default the plane's origin is selected. Beware of the plane representation not beinglocated at the plane's origin. In this case, the default point, really is displayed at the originand therefore not necessarily onto the plane representation.

Define the First direction scale (H for horizontal), by setting Primary spacing andGraduations values.

4.

If needed, select a direction to specify the H direction.You can right-click in the editable field to display the contextual menu and definethe direction (by defining its vector, creating a line, and so forth).

5.

If you wish, you can define another scale for the Second direction scale (V forvertical), thus allowing distortions of the grid. Check the Allow distortions option toactivate the Primary spacing and Graduations fields of the second direction.

6.

Check the Shade grid plane option to visualize the support plane as a solidgeometric element.This is possible only if the View mode is adequate.

7.

Check the Position grid plane parallel to screen to reset the grid visualizationparallel to the screen.

8.

Click OK in the dialog box. 

The element (identified as WorkingSupport.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

9.

By default the last createdworking support is displayed inred in the specification tree.Use the Set As Current/Set AsNot Current contextual menu, orthe  Working Supports Activity

icon, to define which is the

default current support that willbe automatically selected whenentering a command thatrequires a working support.

Regardless of the type of working support created (surface or plane) once youchoose to work on the support, you can directly click onto the support to createpoints. This capability is available with commands such as point, line, spline,polyline, and most commands where you need to select points as inputs.

Working supports can be edited, updated, or deleted just as any other feature.

Click the Snap to point icon to snap the point being created onto the nearestintersection point on the grid.

 

Creating a Grid SetThis task shows how to create a Cartesian grid set, that is a number of planes in a givendirection. This grid is created based on an origin point, a direction, and a step (distanceseparating two planes).The created planes can then be used whenever a list of planes is required as supports forexample (see Working with a Support).

Open the GridSet1.CATPart document.

Click the Create a new Set icon ,available from the Grid sub-toolbar in theTools toolbar.

1.

The Set of Plane Definition dialog boxappears.

Select a direction to define the grid'sDirection.

2.

This direction can be given by a line(use the Create contextual menu on thefield if needed), or a plane.

Use the Reverse Direction button to inverse the current direction if needed.

Select a point as the grid's Origin.The grid's orientation being defined by the selected direction and point, you maywish to modify it. To do so, check the Invert orientation at origin button.

3.

Define a Step value. 4.

The step is the distance between twoplanes of the grid set. It is constantbetween any two consecutive planes ofthe set.

Define the number of planes to be created on each side of the origin point.5.

Enter a name to prefix the default name.This will allow you to know what this grid set is used for when building moregeometry, as you may define several grids within the same document.

6.

Click OK.7.

The grid set (identified as Set of planes.xxx) is added to the specification tree.It is composed of subset of planes, each subset being composed of thespecified number of grids.

Several sets can be created in the same direction.

 

Creating DatumsThis task shows how to create geometry with the History mode deactivated. In this case, when you create an element, there are no links to the other entities thatwere used to create that element.

Click the Create Datum icon to deactivate the History mode.1.

It will remain deactivated until you click on the icon again.

If you double-click this icon, the Datum mode is permanent. You only have toclick again the icon to deactivate the mode.

A click on the icon activates the Datum mode for the current or the nextcommand.

The History mode (active or inactive) will remain fixed from one session to another: it is infact a setting.

 

Inserting ElementsThis task shows how to create a geometric element and automatically inserting it next toits main parent in the specification tree.This may be useful to add an element that was not initially designed, while retaining itslogical positioning within the specification tree.All children of the main parent are then attached to the inserted element.

Open the Insert01.CATPart document.It contains, amongst other geometric elements, an extruded surface that has beentranslated.

Click the Insert Mode icon .It stays active and you can select another icon.

1.

Click the Split icon .2.

Successively select theextruded surface(Extrude.1) and theplane (Plane.1) as thesplitting element.

3.

Click OK in the Split Definition dialog box.4.

The Split.1 element is created and inserted directly below the Extrude.1 element, and thetranslated surface is split as well, as the splitting operation takes place chronologicallybefore the translation.

Right-click the Split.1element in thespecification tree andchoose theParent/childrencontextual menu.

5.

The Parents and Childrendialog box is displayed.

The Extrude.1 and Plane.1are parents of the splitsurface, which children is thetranslated surface(Translate.1).

Would the insert mode not been activated, the splitting operation would have beenrecorded in the specification tree, at the end of the currently active Open body, and thetranslated surface would not have been split:

Using the Parent/childrencontextual menu, on the splitsurface, you notice that theSplit.1 element does nothave any children.

This insertion capability is available when creating:shape filletssplit elementstrimmed elementsextrapolated elementsjoined elementsinverted elements

 

Selecting BodiesThis task shows how to rapidly select a specific Body, whether an OpenBody or PartBody, using the Body Selector. This is especially useful when the specification tree ishidden or too large to be easily manipulated, in the case of a large document for example.

Open the PowerCopyStart1.CATPart document.

From the Tools toolbar, click the arrow on the combo, to display the list of Bodiespresent in the document.

1.

Choose the body you want to work in, from thelist.

2.

The selected body is displayed in the BodySelector's field, and underlined in thespecification identifying it as the currentbody.

All Bodies are displayed in the list, whether they are in Show or No Show mode.This command is equivalent to selecting the Body in the specification tree usingthe icon, right-clicking it and choosing the Define In Work Object command.To rename your Body, you need to follow five steps:

Select the object from the specification tree1. Choose the Properties contextual menu2. Click the Feature Properties tab in the Properties dialog box3. Key in a new Name4. Click OK in the Properties dialog box.5.

 

Creating ConstraintsThis task shows how to set geometric constraints on geometric elements.

Such a constraint  forces a limitation. For example, a geometric constraint might requirethat two lines be parallel.

To set a constraint  between elements:

Multi-select two or three elements to be constrained.1.

Click the Constraint defined in dialog box icon .2.

The Constraint Definition dialog box appears indicating the types of constraint you can setbetween the selected elements.

Select one of the available options to specify that the corresponding constraint is tobe made.

3.

Click OK.4.

The corresponding constraint  symbol appears on the geometry.

To set a constraint on asingle element:

Select the elementto be constrained.

1.

Click the Constraint

icon .

2.

 The correspondingconstraint  symbolappears on the geometry.

 

 

Managing GroupsThis task shows how to manage groups of elements in an Open Body entity as follows:

creating a groupediting a groupcollapsing and expanding a groupmoving a group to a new body.

A group is a visualisation element that applies on an open body entity. Thus a groupcannot exist without an open body.A group enables to reorganize the specification tree when it becomes too complex or toolong and deals with the structure of the part being created.

Creating a group

Right-click the desired Open Body entity in thespecification tree.

1.

Choose the Open_Body.x object -> CreateGroup command from the contextual menu.

2.

The Group dialog box appears.The Support area indicates the name ofthe Open Body entity where the group isto be created.

If needed, modify the proposed default groupname that appears in the Name area.

3.

Select entities to be included in the group andremain visible in the tree.

4.

Click OK to create the group5.

In the Group dialog box you can:click the check box to specify whether group is expanded or collapsed.click the Remove Group button to reset the group definition.

 

Editing a group

Right-click the desired group in the specification tree and select the  Open_Body.xobject -> Edit Group command from the contextual menu.

1.

You can then:2. rename the groupremove the groupadd entities to the group.

 

Collapsing and expanding a group

To collapse a group, right-click the desired group in the specification tree and selectthe  Open_Body.x object -> Collapse Group command from the contextual menu.

1.

The portion of the specification tree related to the group appears reduced.

To expand a collapsed group, right-click the desired group in the specification treeand select the Open_Body.x object -> Expand Group command from the contextualmenu.

2.

All the entities belonging to the group are then visible in the specification tree.

Moving a group to a new body

Right-click the desired group in thespecification tree and select the Open_Body.xobject -> Change Body command from thecontextual menu.

1.

A dialog box entitled Change Bodyappears.

Select the new body where the group is to belocated.

2.

By default, if you select a body, the group is positioned last within the newbody. However, you can select any element in the new body, before which thegroup will be located.

See also Moving Elements From an Open Body.

Click OK to move the group to the new body.3.

 

Checking Connections Between Surfaces

This task shows how to analyze how two surfaces are connected, following a blend, match, or fill operationfor example.Three types of analyses are available.

Distance: the values are expressed in millimetersTangency: the values are expressed in degreesCurvature: the values are expressed in percentage.

Open the ConnectChecker1.CATPart document.

Select both surfaces to be analyzed.1.

Click the Connect Checker icon in the

Shape Analysis toolbar.

2.

The Connect Checker dialog box isdisplayed identifying by color ranges themaximum and minimum values for theanalysis. The color range can be Linear,Sharp left, Sharp right, or Center. Theanalysis representation in the colorrange varies according to the chosenoption.

Check the Internal edges option if you want to analyse the internal connectionsBy default, the check box is unchecked.

The number of selected elements and the number of detected connections are displayed below the colorrange.

 

 

Choose the analysis type to be performed: Distance, Tangency or Curvature.3.

Set the Maximum gap above which no analysis will be performed. All elements apart from a greatervalue than specified in this field are considered as not being connected, therefore do not need to beanalyzed.Be careful not to set a Maximum gap greater than the size of the smallest surface present in thedocument.

4.

Check the analysis results on the geometry.5.

Here we are analyzing the distancebetween the surfaces. Each colorsection indicates on the geometry thedistance between the surfaces.

From the Connect Checker dialog box, you can choose a number of visualization and computation options.the comb: that is the spikes corresponding to the distance in each pointthe envelope: that is the curve connecting all spikes togethersome information: the minimum and maximum values

Finally, the scaling option lets you define the visualization of the comb. In automatic mode thecomb size is zoom-independent and always visible on the screen, otherwise you can define acoefficient multiplying the comb exact value.

Check the Information button:6.

Two texts are displayed on the geometrylocalizing the minimum and maximumvalues of the analysis as given in theConnect Checker dialog box.

You can also choose the discretization,that is the numbers of spikes in thecomb (check the Comb option to see thedifference):

Coarse: 15 spikes are displayedMedium: 30 spikes are displayedFine: 45 spikes are displayed.

Switch to Linear mode, and check the Finediscretization, and compare with the previousresults.

7.

Click the Quick button to obtain a simplifiedanalysis taking into account tolerances (eitherdistance, tangency, or curvature).

8.

The comb is no longer displayed.The Connect Checker dialog boxchanges to this dialog box.

You can use the check button to switchfrom one analysis type to another.The Maximum gap and information areretained from the full analysis.The maximum deviation value is alsodisplayed on the geometry.

You can check the Overlapping button to highlight  where, on the common boundary, the twosurfaces overlap. In this case the other analysis types are deactivated.

In P1 mode, only the quick analysis is available.

Use the spinners to define the tolerances.9.

For example, the red area indicates allpoints that are distant of more than 0.1mm.

The maximum deviation values on thecurrent geometry are displayed to theright of the dialog box.

Click OK to create the analysis as an element in the specification tree (P2 only).This allows the automatic update of the analysis when you modify any of the surfaces, using the controlpoints for example.If you do not wish to create the analysis, simply click Cancel.

10.

You can edit the color range in both dialog boxes by double-clicking the color range manipulators(Connect Checker) or color areas (Quick Violation Analysis) to display the Color chooser.If you wish to edit the Connection Analysis, simply double-click it from the specification tree.If you no longer need the Connection Analysis, right-click Connection Analysis in the specification tree,and choose Delete.The curvature difference is calculated with the following formula:

(|C2 - C1|) / ((|C1 + C2|) / 2)

The result of this formula is between 0% et 200%.

You can analyze internal edges of a surfacicelement, such as a Join for example, byselecting only one of the initial elements:

You can create an analysis on an entire open body simply by selecting it in the specification tree.

Checking Connections Between CurvesThis task shows how to analyze how two curves are connected, following a blend, ormatch operation for example.Four types of analyses are available.

Distance: the values are expressed in millimetersTangency: the values are expressed in degreesCurvature: the values are expressed in percentageOverlapping: the system detects overlapping curves

Open the ConnectChecker2.CATPart document.

Select both curves to beanalyzed.

1.

Click the Curve ConnectChecker icon in theShape Analysis toolbar.

2.

The ConnectChecker dialog boxis displayed. At thesame time a text isdisplayed on thegeometry, indicatingthe value of theconnectiondeviation.

You can choose thetype of analysis tobe performed usingthe combo: distance,tangency orcurvature.

In P1 mode, only this mode is available (no quick mode available).

This step is P2 only forWireframe and Surface.

Press the Quick button.3.

The dialog boxchanges along withthe text on thegeometry.. With our example,the text in thegeometry disappearsbecause thedistance betweenthe two curves issmaller than the setDistance value.Check the Tangencybutton:

4.

A text is displayedon a greenbackground (asdefined by default forthe Tangencycriterion) to indicatethat the Tangencycriterion is notrespected, becausethe first textdisplayed is the onefor which the settolerance is notcomplied with. Youcan then increasethe Tangency value,or modify thegeometry to complywith your needs.

Similarly, if you check theCurvature value, thedisplayed text indicatesthat the curvature betweenthe two analyzed curves isgreater than the set value.

5.

Modify the tolerancevalues, or the geometry tocomply with thetolerances.

For example, if you modifythe Tangency value to setit to 16 degrees, thegeometry instantly reflectsthe compliance with thenew value. 

6.

The maximum deviation values on the current geometry are displayed to the right of thedialog box.

Click OK to create the analysis as an element in the specification tree.This allows the automatic update of the analysis when you modify any of thecurves, using the control points for example (see Editing Curves Using ControlPoints).If you do not wish to create the analysis, simply click Cancel.

7.

Double-click the Curve Connection Analysis from the specification tree to edit it.

You can analyze internaledges of a element, suchas a Join for example, byselecting only one of theinitial elements:

Use the Overlapping mode to highlight  where, on the common boundary, the twocurves overlap.When the Overlapping button  is checked, other analysis types are deactivated.In Full mode, a text is displayed indicating whether the curves overlap.

The Overlapping mode is P2 for Wireframe and Surface.

The curve connection checking analysis is permanent in P2 mode only, i.e. it isretained in the specification tree for later edition and on the geometry till you resetor delete it, whereas in P1 mode, it is present at a time, but not retained whenexiting the command.

  

Performing a Draft AnalysisThis task shows how to analyze the draft angle on a surface.The Draft Analysis command enables you to detect if the part you drafted will be easily removed.

This type of analysis is performed based on color ranges identifying zones on the analyzed element where the deviation from the draftdirection at any point, corresponds to specified values.

These values are expressed in the unit as specified in Tools -> Options -> General -> Parameters -> Unit tab.You can modify them by clicking on their corresponding arrow or by entering a value directly in the field.

Open the DraftAnalysis1.CATPart document.The visualization mode should be set to Shading with Texture and Edges, and the discretization option should be set to a maximum (inCATIA Infrastructure User Guide, see Improving Performances, the 3D Accuracy -> Fixed option should be set to 0.01).

Check the Materials  option in  the View -> Render Style -> Customize View  command to be able to see the analysisresults on the selected element. Otherwise a warning is issued.

Select a surface.It is highlighted.

1.

Click the Draft Analysis icon in the Shape Analysis

toolbar.

2.

The Draft Analysis dialog box is displayed. It gives informationon the display (color scale), the draft direction and the directionvalues.The Draft Analysis.1 dialog box showing the color scale isdisplayed too.

 

 

Mode option

The mode option lets you choose between a quick and a full analysis mode. These two modes are completely independent.The default mode is the quick mode. It simplifies the analysis in that it displays only three color ranges.

 

  Quick mode Full mode

In P1 mode, only the quick mode is available is available.

 

You can double-click a color and modify the values in thecolor range to highlight specific areas of the selectedsurface. The Color dialog box is displayed allowing theuser to modify the color range.

  You can also double-click a value and modify theedition values. The Value Edition dialog box isdisplayed.

  Display option

  Uncheck the Color Scale checkbox to remove the Draft Analysis.1 dialog box.

This dialog box only appears in edition mode.

  Activate the On the fly checkbox and move the pointerover the surface.This option enables you to perform a local analysis.

Arrows are displayed under the pointer, identifying thenormal to the surface at the pointer location (greenarrow), the draft direction (red arrow), and the tangent(blue arrow). As you move the pointer over the surface,the display is dynamically updated.

Furthermore, circles are displayed indicating the plane tangentto the surface at this point.

The displayed value indicates the angle between the draftdirection and the tangent to the surface at the current point.It is expressed in the units set in using the Tools -> Options ->General -> Parameters -> Units tab.

The On the fly analysis can only be performed on the elements of the current part.

Note that you can activate the On the fly option even when not visualizing the materials. It gives you the tangent plane and thedeviation value.

Click the Inverse button to automatically reverse the draftdirection:

When several elements are selected for analysis,the draft direction is inverted for each element whenthe button is clicked.

In case of an obviously inconsistent result, do not forget toinvert locally the normal direction via the Inverse button.

The manipulator on the draft direction allows you to materialize the cone showing the angle around the direction.

 

Direction in the cone Direction out of the cone

 

Right-click the cone angle to display the Angle Tunerdialog box.When you modify the angle using the up and downarrows, the value is automatically updated in the colorscale and in the geometry.

Please note that you cannot modify the angle below the minimum value or beyond the maximum value.

 

Full mode Quick mode

 

Right-click the Direction vector to display the contextualmenu.It allows you to:

hide / show the conehide / show the anglehide / show the tangentlock / unlock the analysis positionkeep the point at this locationA Point.xxx appears in the specification tree.

In P1 mode, the Keep Point option is not available.

Direction

By default the analysis is locked, meaning it is done according to a specified direction: the compass w axis.In P1 mode, the default analysis direction is the general document axis-system's z axis.

Click the Locked direction icon , and select a direction (a line, a plane or planar face which normal is used), or use the

compass manipulators, when available.

Using the compass manipulators Selecting a specific direction

Click the Compass icon to define the new current draft direction.

The compass lets you define the pulling direction that will be used from removing the part.

You can display the control points by clicking the Control Points icon, yet the draft analysis is still visible, then allowing you

to check the impact of any modification to the surface on the draft analysis.

Once you have finished analyzing the surface, click OK in the Draft Analysis dialog box.3.

The analysis (identified as Draft Analysis.xxx) is added to the specification tree. It is stored in the specification tree and you are able to re-edit it later.

This capability is not available in P1 lide.

Note that settings are saved when exiting the command, and redisplayed when you select the Draft Analysis icon again.Be careful, when selecting the direction, not to deselect the analyzed element.A draft analysis can be performed just as well on a set of surfaces.

  If an element belongs to an analysis, it cannot be selected simultaneously for another analysis, you need to remove the currentanalysis by deselecting the element to be able to use it again.

In some cases, even though the rendering style is properly set, it may happen that the analysis results are not visible. Check thatthe geometry is up-to-date, or perform an update on the involved geometric element(s).

Performing a Surfacic Curvature AnalysisThis task shows how to analyze the mapping curvature of a surface.

Open the SurfacicAnalysis1.CATPart document.

The visualization mode should be set to Shading with Texture and Edges, and the discretization option should be set to a maximum(see Improving Performances in CATIA Infrastructure User Guide, the 3D Accuracy -> Fixed option should be set to 0.01).

Check the Materials  option in  the View -> Render Style -> Customize View command to be able to see the analysisresults on the selected element. Otherwise a warning is issued.

Select a surface.1.

Click the Curvature Mapping icon in the Shape Analysis toolbar.2.

The Surfacic curvature dialog box is displayed, and the analysis is visible on the selected element. It gives informationon the display (color scale), the draft direction and the direction values.The Surfacic Curvature.1 dialog box showing the color scale is displayed too.

You can right-click on a color in thecolor scale to display the contextualmenu:

 

- Edit: it allows you to modify thevalues in the color range tohighlight specific areas of theselected surface. The Colordialog box is displayed allowingthe user to modify the colorrange.

 

- Unfreeze: it allows you toperform a linear interpolationbetween non defined colors. 

The unfreezed values are nolonger highlighted in green.

  - No Color: it allows you to remove a color in the color scale. 

  You can also right-click on the valueto display the contextual menu:

  -  Edit: it allows you to modifythe edition values either. TheValue Edition dialog box isdisplayed.

  - Use Max / Use Min: it allows you to automatically define the edition values for the selected element.

  - Interpolation: by default the interpolation is linear

Type

Select the type analysis:3.

In the following examples, we defined minimum and maximum values and used the on the fly option.

Gaussian

Minimum: to display the minimumcurvature value

Maximum: to display the maximumcurvature value

Limited: the quick mode is displayedand the Limited Radius type isselected.In the Surfacic curvature dialog box,you are able to modify the radiusvalue using the up and down arrows.The value is automatically updated inthe color scale.

This value is expressed in the same unit as set in the Tools -> Options -> General ->Parameters -> Units tab, Length parameter.

Inflection Area: enables to identify thecurvature orientation:

In green:  the areas where theminimum and maximumcurvatures present the sameorientationIn blue: the areas where theminimum and maximumcurvatures present oppositeorientation

See also Creating Inflection Lines. Note thatthese inflection lines are always createdwithin the blue area, i.e. when the curvatureorientation is changing.

Display options

  Uncheck the Color Scale checkbox to remove the Surfacic Curvature Analysis.1 dialog box.  Activate the On the fly checkbox and

move the pointer over the surface.This option enables to perform a localanalysis.The Curvature and Radius values aredisplayed under the pointer. As youmove the pointer over the surface,the display is dynamically updated.

The values are expressed in the unitsset in using the Tools -> Options ->General -> Parameters -> Units tab.

  The displayed values may varyfrom the information displayedas the Use Max / Use Minvalues, as it is the precise valueat a given point (where thepointer is) and does not dependon the set discretization.

The On the fly analysis can only beperformed on the elements of the currentpart.

  Right-click a point to display thecontextual menu. It allows you to:

- keep the point atthis location (underthe pointer)- keep the pointcorresponding to theminimum value- keep the pointcorresponding to themaximum value

A Point.xxx appearsin the specificationtree. 

In P1 mode, this contextualmenu is not available.

 

Activate the 3D MinMax checkbox tolocate the minimum and maximumvalues for the selected analysis type.

  Analysis options

  The radius mode is only available for the Limited type analysis.

Once you have finished analyzing the surface, click OK in the Surfacic Curvature Analysis dialog box.3.

The analysis (identified as Surfacic Curvature Analysis.xxx) is added to the specification tree.It is stored in the specification tree and you are able to re-edit it later.

This capability is not available in P1 mode.

You can display the control points by clicking the icon, still viewing the surfacic curvature analysis. This allows you to

check the impact of any modification on the surface.Here are examples using the 3D MinMax capability.

 

If you double-click the Surfacic CurvatureAnalysis.xxx in the specification tree, theMinimum and Maximum values are updatedin the Surfacic Curvature.1 analysis but notin the color scale. 

 

To update the values in the color scale,right-click the minimum value and themaximum value and select respectively UseMin / Use max from the contextual menu.

Surfacic curvature analyses can be performed on a set of surfaces.

  If an element belongs to an analysis, it cannot be selected simultaneously for another analysis, you need to remove thecurrent analysis by deselecting the element to be able to use it again.In some cases, even though the rendering style is properly set, it may happen that the analysis results are not visible. Checkthat the geometry is up-to-date, or perform an update on the involved geometric element(s).

 

Performing a Curvature AnalysisThis task shows how to analyze the curvature of curves, or surface boundaries.

Open the Analysis1.CATPart document.

When analyzing surfaceboundaries: 

if you select thesurface, the analysis isperformed on all itsboundaries

if you select a specificboundary, the analysisis performed only onthis boundary.

Click the PorcupineCurvature Analysis icon

.

1.

Select the curve.2.

Automatically the curvaturecomb is displayed on theselected curve:

Define the analysisparameters in theCurvature Analysisdialog box: (Click More... to display allparameters.)

3.

The Automatic optionoptimizes the spikes length sothat even when zooming in orout, the spikes are alwaysvisible.

Use the Project onPlane checkbox  toanalyze the projectedcurve in the selectedplane referenced bythe compass.If you uncheck theProject On Planeoption, the analysis isperformed according tothe curve orientation.This is the defaultoption.Use the Particularcheckbox  to display atanytime the minimumand the maximumpoints. The InverseValue checkboxdisplays the inversevalue in Radius, ifCurvature option isselected, or inCurvature, if Radiusoption is selected.

Click Reverse, you willget something like this:

4.

That is theanalysis oppositeto what wasinitially displayed.This is usefulwhen from thecurrent viewpoint,you do not knowhow the curve isoriented.You can also decide toreduce the number ofspikes in the combclicking as many timesas wished the /2 button.

5.

This option is particularlyuseful when the geometry istoo dense to be read but theresulting curve may not besmooth enough for youranalysis needs.

You could just as well multiplythe number of spikes usingthe X2 button.

Similarly, click the /2button to fine-tune theamplitude (size) of thespikes, and re-computethe analysis curveaccordingly.

6.

Finally, click  the icon to display the curvature graph:7.

The curvature profile and amplitude of the analyzed curve is represented inthis diagram.

When analyzing a surface or several curves, i.e. when there are several curvatureanalyses on elements that are not necessarily of the same size for example, you can usedifferent options to view the analyses. For example, when analyzinga surface, by default youobtain this diagram, where thecurves color match the oneson the geometry.

Same vertical length

: all curves aredisplayed according tothe same verticallength, regardless ofthe scale

Same origin : allcurves are displayedaccording to a commonorigin point on theAmplitude scale

Vertical logarithm scale

: all curves aredisplayed according toa logarithm scale forthe Amplitude, and alinear scale for theCurve parameter.

Depending on the chosen option, values displayed in the diagram are updated.The last icon is used to reframe the diagram within the window, as you may move

and zoom it within the window.

Right-click a curve andchoose one of thefollowing options fromthe contextual menu:

8.

Remove: removes thecurveDrop marker: addsPoints.xxx in thespecification treeChange color: displaysthe Color selectordialog box that enablesyou to change the colorof the curve.

Slide the pointer over the diagram to display the amplitude at a given point of thecurve.You can slide the pointer over the diagram and the 3D analysis.Click the x in the top right corner to close the diagram.

9.

Click OK in the Curvature Analysis dialog box once you are satisfied with theperformed analysis.

10.

 

Displaying Geometric InformationOn Elements

This task shows you how to display or hide geometric information on geometrical elements, such as any curve, or surface, either as a stand-alone element, or taking part inthe composition of another element (intersection curve, cylinder axis, face of a pad, andso forth).

Open the GeometricInformation1.CATPart document, or any .CATPart documentcontaining geometrical elements.

Click the Geometric Information icon .1.

  Select the element for which you want to display information either in the geometricarea or in the specification tree.

2.

The Geometric Analysis dialog box isdisplayed.

Information, such as:the element type (Nurbs surface or curve, Pline, planes, etc.)whether the element has been trimmed, or notthe number of segments (components) in both U & V direction (whereapplicable)the degree of the element in both U & V direction (where applicable)

is displayed in the dialog box.

Moreover, a vector representing theelement's orientation (U for a curve,and U & V for a surface) is displayedon the geometrical element itself.

Uncheck the Geometric Information icon to exit the command, or simply clickanother icon.You cannot select an element from the specification tree as the selected elementmight be too complex (i.e. be composed of more than one cell) and the systemcannot determine which element is to be analyzed.

The geometry type is categorized as follows:Displayed Type What is it ?

NupbsCurve Non Rational NURBS CurveNupbsSurface Non Rational NURBS SurfaceNurbsCurve Rational NURBS CurveNurbsSurface Rational NURBS Surface

PNupbs Parametric non rational curve on asurface

PNurbs Rational parametric curvePSpline Parametric curve on a surfacePLine Isoparametric curve on a surfaceLine Line or line segmentPlane Plane or planar faceCylinder CylinderHelix HelixFilletSurface Procedural Fillet surfaceSweepSurface Procedural Sweep surfaceTabulated Cylinder Procedural Extrude surface.

IntCurve Intersection curve, that is resulting fromthe intersection of two surfaces

MergedCurve The aggregate of two curves withdifferent limits or parameterizations.

 

Repeating ObjectsThis task shows how to create several instances of objects as you are currently creatingone object.This command is available for:

points on a curvelines at an angle or normal to a curveplanes at an angleoffset planesparallel curvesoffset surfacesor when performing a translation, a rotation or a scaling on an object.

Select an object, as listed above.1.

Select the Insert -> Advanced ReplicationTools -> Object Repetition... menu item.

2.

The Object Repetition dialog box isdisplayed.

Key in the number of instances of the object you wish to create.3.

Check the Create in a new open body option if you want all object instances in aseparate Open Body.A new Open Body will be created automatically.

4.

If the option is not checked the instances are created in the current OpenBody.

Click OK.The object is created as many times as required in the Object Repetition dialog box.

5.

See each specific object creation for further details on the  what parameter is taken intoaccount for the repetition.

 

Stacking CommandsThis task shows how to stack commands, that is create another basic object withoutleaving the active. The elements  you can create, are:

boundariescurve smoothextractsextrapolationsextremumsintersections

joinslawslinesplanespointsprojections

This capability  is available with the these commands:Creating pointsCreating linesCreating planesCreating circlesCreating conicsCreating cornersPerforming a translation, a rotation or a symmetry on an object.

Open the Corner2.CATPart document.

Click the Corner icon  .1.

The Corner Definition dialog boxappears.

Select the line.The Element 1 field is automatically filled withthe name o f the selected element, here:Line.2

2.

Right-click in field Element 2.The Create Line contextual menu is displayed.

3.

Click on the contextual menu.The Line Definition dialog box is displayed,allowing you to create any type of line, asdescribed in Creating lines along with theRunning Commands dialog box.

4.

Once the line is created, here by selecting point5 and 6, click OK in the LineDefinition dialog box.The Running Commands dialog box disappears as you return to the maincommand.

5.

Continue filling in the Corner Definition dialog box as described in Creating Corners,then click OK.

6.

While creating the line, you could also fill in theempty fields using the same method.The Running Commands dialog box would thenreflect the new stack of commands, as illustrated:

 

Editing a List of ElementsThis task shows how to edit a list a elements within any other command allowingmulti-selection for input elements, when the list is not already explicitly available from thedialog box. In the latter case (spline, join, fill, loft, split, and so forth)Add/Remove/Replace buttons are usually available, along with a contextual menu on theelements from the list. 

The list edition capability is available with the following commands:IntersectionsProjectionsExtractingAll transformations: translation, rotation, symmetry, scaling, affinity and  axis toaxisDeveloped wires (Generative Shape Optimizer)

Open the Projection1.CATPart document.

Select the Extract.1, Translate.1and Translate.2 elements andclick the Projection icon  .

1.

The Projection Definitiondialog box appears,indicating that threeelements have beenselected.

Right-click the Projected field andchoose the Element list contextualmenu. 

2.

The Element list dialog box is thendisplayed, allowing you to:

view the selected elementsremove any element clicking theRemove buttonreplace any element using theReplace button and selecting anew one in the geometry or thespecification tree.

Select Translate.2 in the list andclick the Remove button.

3.

Click Close in the Element listdialog box to return to the initialcommand: projection in this case.

4.

The Projection Definitiondialog box is updatedaccordingly: only 2 elementsare identified as beingselected for projection.

Select the surface as the support and click OK.5.

The two selected elements have been projected onto the surface and two separateelements appear in the specification tree. Being distinct elements, they be editedseparately.

 

Applying a Material

This tasks explains how to apply a pre-defined material as well as to interactivelyre-position the mapped material.

A material can be applied to: a PartBody, Surface, Body or OpenBody (in a .CATPart document).

Note: you can apply different materials to different instances of a sameCATPart. a Product  (in a .CATProduct document)instances of a  .model, .cgr, .CATPart (in a .CATProduct document).

Within a CATProduct, you should not apply different materialsto different instances of a same Part because a material is partof the specific physical characteristics of a Part. Therefore, thiscould lead to inconsistencies.

 

 

Open the ApplyMaterial.CATProduct document.

Select the View ->Render Style->Apply Customized View command to make sure thatthe "Shading" and "Materials" options are on. The Custom View Modes dialog box is notdisplayed if it has been previously activated during the session.

Select the element on which the material should be applied.1.

 Note: you can also apply a material simultaneously to several elements. Todo so, simply select the desired elements (using either the pointer or thetraps) before applying the material.

Click the Apply Material icon .2.

The Library dialog box opens. It contains several pages of sample materialsfrom which to choose. Each page is identified by a material family name onits tab (each material being identified by an icon) if you select the Displayicons mode...

  ...or each page is identified by a material family name in a pulldown list if youselect the Display list mode:

In Display icons mode, the Open a material library   icon opens the FileSelection dialog box to let you navigate through the file tree to your ownmaterial libraries. Clicking the black arrow to the left displays a drop-down listof the previously opened material libraries. 

Select a material from any family, by a simple click.3.

Once a material is selected, you can drag and drop or copy/paste it onto thedesired element directly from the material library.You can also double-click a material or click it once then select the Propertiescontextual menu to display its properties for analysis purposes.Click the Link to file checkbox if you want to map the selected material as a linkedobject and have it automatically updated to reflect any changes to the originalmaterial in the library.

4.

Two different icons (one with a white arrow and one without ) identifylinked and non-linked materials respectively in the specification tree.

Note: You can edit linked materials. Doing so will modify the original materialin the library. If you want to save changes made to the original material, usethe File->Save All command.

 

When no object is selected in the specification tree, youcan select the Edit->Links... command to identify the librarycontaining the original material. You can then open thislibrary in the Material Library workbench if desired.

 

You can also use the Paste Special... command to paste material as a linkedobject. You can copy both unlinked and linked materials. You can, forexample, paste a linked material on a different element in the samedocument as well as on an element in a different document. For moreinformation, see Copying & Pasting Using Paste Special... in this guide.

Click Apply Material to map the material onto the element.5.

The selected material is mapped onto the element and the specification treeis updated. In our example, the material was not mapped as a linked object.

A yellow symbol may be displayed to indicate the material inheritance mode.For more information, refer to Setting Priority between Part and Product inthis guide.Material specifications are managed in the specification tree: all mappedmaterials are identified. To edit materials (for more information, see ModifyingMaterials), simply right-click the material and select Properties from thecontextual menu or double-click the material. You can also run searches tofind a specific material in a large assembly (for more information, see FindingMaterials in this guide) as well as use copy & paste or drag & dropcapabilities.

 

Unless you select in the specification tree the desiredlocation onto which the material should be mapped,dragging & dropping a material applies it onto the lowesthierarchical level (for instance, dragging and dropping ontoa part will apply the material onto the body and not onto thepart itself).

However, note that a material applied onto a body has noimpact on the calculation of the part physical properties(mass, density, etc.) since only the physical properties ofthe part, and not those of the body, will be taken intoaccount.

 

 

Click OK in the Library dialog box.6.

The object looks the following way:

Note: applying materials to elements affect the physical and mechanicalproperties, for example the density, of elements.

Right-click the material just mapped in the specification tree and choose theProperties item.

7.

The Properties dialog box is displayed:

 

Choose the Rendering tab to edit the rendering properties you applied on theelement.

8.

If necessary; change the material size to adjust the scale of the material relative tothe element.

9.

Click OK in the Properties dialog box, when you are satisfied with the materialmapping on the element.

10.

Note: Appropriate licenses are required to use the Analysis and Drafting tabs.

 

If you are working in "Materials" visualization mode (i.e.Materials option is checked in the Custom View Modespanel) with no material applied to your object, this objectwill be visualized using default parameters which only takeinto account the color defined in the object graphicproperties. As a consequence, an object with no mapped material willappear as if made of matte plastic, non-transparent andwithout any relief.

 

Use the 3D compass to interactively position the material:11.

 

Select the material in the specification tree:

The compass is automatically snapped and the mapping support(in this case, a cylinder) appears, showing the texture intransparency.If necessary, zoom in and out to visualize the mapping supportwhich reflects the material size.

  Pan and rotate the material until satisfied with the result. You can:Pan along the direction of any axis (x, y or z) of the compass(drag any compass axis)Rotate in a plane (drag an arc on the compass)Pan in a plane (drag a plane on the compass)Rotate freely about a point on the compass (drag the freerotation handle at the top of the compass):

 

 

Use the mapping support handles to stretch the material texture alongu- and v- axes (as you can do it with the slider in the Scale U, V fieldsdisplayed in the Texture tab):

 

  For more information on manipulating objects using the 3Dcompass, refer to the Version 5 Infrastructure User's Guide.  

 

 

Creating Textual AnnotationsThis task shows you how to attach text to a part. This text is assigned an unlimited widthtext frame. You can set  graphic properties (anchor point, text size and justification) afteryou create the text.

Open the AdaptiveSweep1.CATPart document.

Click the Text icon  .1.

Select a surfacic element or setof surfacic elements to define alocation for the arrow end of theleader.

2.

If the active view is not valid, a message appears informing you that youcannot use the active view. Therefore, the application is going to display theannotation in an annotation plane normal to the selected face.  You thensimply need to click OK to close the message window.

The Text Editor dialog boxis displayed.

Enter text  in the dialog box, for example "Reference Surface".3.

The textual annotation appears in the geometry. Click OK to end the text creation. 4.

You can click anywhere in the geometry area too.

The textual annotation (identified asText.xxx) is added to the specificationtree.

Right-click the text and select the Properties contextual command.5.

The Properties dialog box is displayed.

Click the Font tab and set a new style and a larger size for the text.6.

Click the Text tab. This tab displays options for defining the following:7. Frame: new shapes for the text frameColor: new colors for the leader lineThickness and Line Type: new thickness for the text frame and the leader linePosition: new positions for the text and the text frameJustification, Word wrap and Mirroring: new display for the text

Set  a new frame and a newcolor.

8.

Click OK to confirm.9.

The textual annotation ismodified accordingly.

Several texts can be attached to the same part. However, they all appear within the sameframe.

 

Creating Flag Notes  

You can add hyperlinks to your document and then use them to jump to a variety oflocations, for example to a marketing presentation, a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or aHTML page on the intranet.You can add hyperlinks to models, products and parts as well as to any constituentelements.

This task shows you how to add hyperlinks.

Open the WeldPlanner.CATProduct document (or GreenPartCATPart document) and preparea document that you want to see displayed via a hyperlink.

1.Click the Flag Note with Leader icon  .

2. Select the object you want to represent the hyperlink. For the purposes of ourexample, select the face as shown:

The Manage Hyperlink dialog box appears.

3.  Enter a name for your hyperlink. For example, "marketing presentation".

4.  Enter the path to the destination file in the URL field then press Enter.

Or,

Click Browse... and select the destination file in the Link to File dialog box.

Note: You can add more than one link. Simply enter another path or click Browse...and select another file. All links created are listed in the Link to file or URL box.

Select a link then click Go to to follow the link to the destination file.●

Select a link then click Remove to remove existing links.●

5. Click OK in the Manage Hyperlink dialog box when satisfied.

The hyperlink is created and is identified as Flag Note.xxx (name of the document)in the specification tree.

6. If you wish to edit the display of the note, use the Properties contextual command.

 

Advanced TasksThe advanced tasks you will perform in the Generative Shape Design workbench includemanaging the specification tree and  interoperating with other workbenches.

Managing Open BodiesDuplicating Open Bodies

Hiding/Showing Open BodiesCreating a Curve From Its Equation

PatterningManaging Power Copies

Using Hybrid PartsReusing Your Design

Working with the Generative Shape Optimizer Workbench

Managing Open Bodies 

This task shows how to manage the specification tree. This involves:inserting open body entitiesremoving open body entitieschanging bodysorting the contents of an open body

You will find other useful information in the Managing Groups section.

An open body enables to reorganize the specification tree when it becomes too complexor too long. You can put any element you wish in the open body, it does not have to bestructured in a logical way.

You can insert and manipulate open bodies in the specification tree in much thesame way as you manage files in folders.These management functions have no impact on the part geometry.You should refer to the Copying and Pasting section for information about howopen bodies can be used in a part edition context.When loading the Generative Shape Design workbench, an Open Bodyautomatically becomes the current body. This also means that only the results of the Part Body, i.e. the result of all theoperations performed on geometry, is visible and not any intermediate state of thePart Body.You can define the Generative Shape Design element that is to be seen whenworking with another application, such as Generative Structural Analysis forexample. 

To do this, while in the Generative ShapeDesign workbench: 

Choose the Tools -> External View...menu itemThe External View dialog box isdisplayed.

1.

Select the element belonging to anOpen Body that should always beenseen as the current element whenworking with an external application.

2.

Click OK in the dialog box.3.

The selected element will be the visible element in other applications, even ifother elements are created later in the .CATPart document, chronologicallyspeaking.

To check whether an external view element has already been specified,choose the Tools -> External View... menu item again. The dialog box willdisplay the name of the currently selected element. This also allows you tochange elements.

Open any .CATPart document containing OpenBodies.You can also open the OpenBodies1.CATPart document.

Inserting an Open Body

In the specification tree, select the branch where you want the new open body to beinserted.

1.

This branch is known as a father location which can be a part, a body or another openbody entity.

Select the Insert -> Open Body menu command.2.

The Insert Open Body dialog box appears.

Select the entities that are to be included in thenew open body.

3.

Click OK to create the open body at the desiredlocation.

4.

Use the combo list to choose the body where the new open body is to be inserted. Allbodies present in the document are listed allowing you to select one without scanning thespecification tree.

Removing an Open Body

This is only possible when the father location of the open body is another open body.

Right-click the desired open body then select the Open_Body.x object -> RemoveOpen Body contextual command.

1.

The open body is removed and its constituent entities are included in thefather open body.

Moving an Open Body to a New Body

Right-click the desired open body in thespecification tree and select the Open_Body.xobject -> Change Body command from thecontextual menu.

1.

The Change Body dialog box appears.

Select the new body where the open body is to belocated.

2.

By default, if you select a body, the open body is positioned last within thenew body. However, you can select any element in the new body, beforewhich the moved open body will be located.

See also Moving Elements From an Open Body.

Click OK to move the open body to the new body.3.

Sorting the Contents of an Open Body

You may need to sort the contents of an Open Body, when the geometric elements nolonger appear in the logical creation order. In that case, use the Auto-sort capability toreorder the OpenBody contents in the specification tree (geometry itself is not affected). 

Open the OpenBodies2.CATPart document.The Open_body.1 contains two extruded surfacesbased on point-point lines. The specification tree lookslike this:

Right-click the OpenBody.1 from the specificationand choose the Open_Body.1 object -> AutoSortOpen Body command.

1.

Instantly, the contents of the OpenBody arereorganized to show the logical creationprocess.

The geometry remains unchanged.

 

Duplicating Open BodiesThis task shows how to duplicate open bodies from the specification tree.

You will find other useful information in the Managing Open Bodies section.

Open the PowerCopyStart1.CATPart document.

Click the Duplicate OpenBody icon, or select theInsert -> AdvancedReplication Tools ->Duplicate Open Body menuitem.

1.

Select the open body to beduplicated. It can be selected within thecurrent .CATPart document,or from any other .CATPartdocument.

2.

Complete the Inputs withinthe dialog box by selectingthe adequate element in thegeometric area.

3.

If needed, click on the Useidentical name button toautomatically select all theelements with the samename.This is especially useful when

4.

the input is the same onerepeated several time.

Check the Repeat option to be able to repeat the duplication.In this case, once you have clicked OK in  the Insert Object dialog box, the latter remainsopen, the Open Bopy's Inputs are listed and ready to be replaced by new inputs, asdescribed above.Modified parameters using Parameters button are retained as well for the nextinstantiation.To exit the command, you then need to uncheck the Repeat button or click Cancel.

Click OK.The new open body iscreated in the specificationtree.

5.

The identifiers of copied elements are incremented with respect to the original elements.The original elements and copied elements can be edited independently.

 

Hiding/Showing Open Bodiesand Their Contents

This task shows how to use the Hide/Show command on different level of open bodiesand for different purposes. Indeed you can: 

hide/show complete open bodieshide/show contextually on any element making up the open body

Open any .CATPart document containing OpenBodies.You can also open the OpenBodies1.CATPart document.

Hiding/Showing an Open Body

In the specification tree, select the open body you wish to hide/show1.

Right-click to display the contextual menu and choose the Hide/show command.2.

The open body is hidden, if it was visible, or becomes visible, if it was hidden.

Visible open body Hidden open body

Hiding or Showing an open body as a whole can also be done using the Hide/Show icon.

Hiding/Showing the Contents of anOpen Body

This contextual menu allows you tohide/show an element of the currentbody, while using a command:

Click the Line icon andselect two points to create a line.

1.

Right-click the element to behidden from the specification treeor the geometry, and choose theHide/Show contextual command.

2.

The selected element ishidden without exiting thecurrently active command.

Click OK in the Line dialog box tocreate the line.

3.

Repeat the operation on the element again to re-display it.

Note that you can hide/show all elements of a document, according to their type. To dothis, simply use the Tools -> Show or Tools -> Hide menu and choose the adequateelement type (All Points, All Lines, All Curves, All Sketches, All Surfaces, All Planes, AllOpen Bodies, All Bodies, All Axis Systems, All Elements, All Selected Elements, AllExcept Selected Elements).

 

Creating a Curve From Its EquationThis task shows how to create a curve by defining its equation as a law.

You must have access to the Knowledge Advisor product.Open a new .CATPart document.

In the Generative Shape Designworkbench, define a working supportusing the Work on Support icon 

.

1.

The Work on Support dialogbox appears.

Select the yz plane, for example, and click OK in the updated Work on Support dialog boxwithout modifying any other parameter.

2.

The Working Support.1 is created, and the system automatically moves into thisplane.You now want to create a horizontal line as the abscissa axis.

Click the Line icon .3.

The Line dialog box isdisplayed.

Right-click in the Point 1 field, andchoose the Create point contextualmenu.

4.

The Point Definition dialog boxis displayed, the Point typeand Plane fields beingautomatically filled.

Create a point at H:0mm andV:0mm, and click OK.

5.

Repeat the operation, right-click thePoint 2 field from the Line dialog boxto create another point at H:100mmand V:0mm, then click OK in thePoint Definition dialog box.

6.

Click OK in the Line dialog box tocreate the line

7.

You may want to hide the grid by checking the Hide grid option from the Work On Support dialogbox.

From the Knowledge toolbar, click the Law icon.8.

The Law Editor dialog box is displayed in which you name the law to be created,give it a description and a storage location.

Click OK.9.

The Law Editor dialog box is updated. The right-hand part allows you to create theparameters to be used in the law. The left-hand part is the law edition box.

Create two real type parameters FormalReal.1 and FormalReal.2, then enter the lawbelow into the edition window: FormalReal.1 =5*sin(5*PI*1rad*FormalReal.2)+ 10

10.

Click OK to create the law.11.

In the Generative Shape Design workbench, click the Parallel Curve icon  .12.

The Parallel Curve Definition dialog box is displayed.

Select the line created in Step 7 asthe reference Curve.

13.

Set the Offset Mode to Law andselect the Equation.1 law as the lawto be applied.

14.

Click OK.15.

A curve parallel to the selected one iscreated, taking the law into account, i.e. itis defined by the equation entered as alaw using the Knowledge Advisor.

 

PatterningCreate rectangular patterns: select the element to be duplicated, define the creationdirections, choose the parameters you wish to define and set these parametersCreate circular patterns: select the element to be duplicated, define the axial reference,the creation direction, choose the parameters you wish to define and set theseparameters

 

Creating Rectangular PatternsThis task shows how to use create rectangular patterns, that is to duplicate an original wireframe or surface-type elementat the location of your choice according to a rectangular arrangement.This means that you will need to define a 2-axis system using two directions.

Open the Pattern1.CATPart document.

Click the Rectangular Pattern icon.1.

Select the element you wish to copy.2.

The Rectangular Pattern Definition dialog box is displayed. Each tab is dedicated to a direction you will use to define thelocation of the duplicated element.

Click the Reference element field and select adirection to specify the first direction of creation.

3.

To define a direction, you may select a line, a planar face or surface edge.You can reverse this direction by clicking the Reverse button.

Set the duplication parameters by choosing the number of instances, the spacing between instances, or the totallength of the zone filled with instances.Three options are available:

4.

Instances & Length: the spacing between instances is automatically computed based on the number ofinstances and the specified total length

1.

Instances & Spacing: the total length is automatically computed based on the number of instances andthe specified spacing value

2.

Spacing & Length: the number of instances is automatically computed to fit the other two parameters.3.

For each of these cases only two fields are active, allowing you to define the correct value.

If you set Instances & Length or Spacing & Length parameters, note that you cannot define the length by using formulas.

Click the Second Direction tab to define the sameparameters along the other direction of the rectangle.

5.

You can delete instances of your choice when creating orediting a pattern. To do so, just select the pointsmaterializing instances in the pattern preview.

The instance is deleted, but the point remains, as you maywish to click it again to add the instance to the patterndefinition again.

Click the  More>> button to display further options.These options let you position the instances in relationto the first selected element.

6.

Increase the Row in direction 2 to 2.You notice that the first selected pattern now is thesecond instance in the vertical direction, as this wasthe second selected direction.

7.

The Simplified representation option lets you lighten the pattern geometry, when more than 15 instances are generated.What you need to do is just check the option, and click Preview. The system automatically simplifies the geometry:

Previewed simplified geometry Simplified geometry

You can also specify the instances you do not want to see by double-clicking them . These instances are thenrepresented in dashed lines during the pattern definition and then are no longer visible after validating the patterncreation. The specifications remain unchanged, whatever the number of instances you view. This option is particularlyuseful for patterns including a large number of instances.

Click OK to create the pattern.8.

The pattern (identified as RectPattern.xxx) isadded to the specification tree.

 

Creating Circular PatternsThis task shows how to use create circular patterns, that is to duplicate an original wireframe or surface-typeelement at the location of your choice according to a circular arrangement.

Open the Pattern2.CATPart document.

Click the Circular Pattern icon.1.

Select the element to replicate as a pattern.Here we selected the loft.

2.

The Circular Pattern Definition dialog boxis displayed.

Click the Reference element field to define thereference direction, that is the rotation axis(Line.2).

3.

To define a direction, you can select a line, anedge or a planar face.Should you select a face, the rotation axiswould be normal to that face.You can click the Reverse button to inverse therotation direction.

Define the Axial Reference by choosing the Parameters type:4.

Instance(s) & total angle: the number ofpatterns as specified in the instances field arecreated, in the specified direction, and evenlyspread out over the total angle.

Instance(s) & angular spacing: the number ofpatterns as specified in the instances field arecreated in the specified direction, eachseparated from the previous/next one of theangular angle value.

Angular spacing & total angle: as manypatterns as possible are created over the totalangle, each separated from the previous/nextone of the angular angle value.

Complete crown: the number of patterns asspecified in the instances field are created overthe complete circle (360°). 

If you set Instance(s) & total angle or Angular spacing & total angle parameters, note that you cannot define thelength by using formulas.Now you are going to add a crown to this pattern.

 Click the Crown Definition tab, and choosewhich parameters you wish to define the crown.

5.

This figure may help you define theseparameters:

Circle(s) and crown thickness: you define the number of circles and they are spaced out evenly over thespecified crown thicknessCircle(s) and circle spacing: you define the number of circles and the distance between each circle, the crownthickness being computed automaticallyCircle(s) spacing and crown thickness: you define the distance between each circle and the crown thickness,and the number of circles is automatically computed.

For example, using the values describedabove for the Angular spacing & totalangle option, you could define the crownas: 

Note that a few patterns are created beyond thesurface. 

You can delete instances of your choice whencreating or editing a pattern. To do so, just select thepoints materializing instances in the pattern preview.

The instance is deleted, but the point remains, as youmay wish to click it again to add the instance to thepattern definition again.

Click the More>> button to display furtheroptions:These options let you position the instances inrelation to the first selected element.

6.

Using these options, you can change the position ofthe selected element within the crown. For example, ifyou set the Rotation angle parameter to 30° and youuncheck the Radial alignment of instance(s) option,this is what you obtain: the initially selected elementhas moved 30° from its initial location, based on therotation direction, and all instances are normal to thelines tangent to the circle.

The Simplified representation option lets you lighten the pattern geometry, when more than 15 instances aregenerated. What you need to do is just check the option, and click Preview. The system automaticallysimplifies the geometry:

Not simplified geometry Simplified geometry

You can also specify the instances you do not want to see by double-clicking them . These instances are thenrepresented in dashed lines during the pattern definition and then are no longer visible after validating the patterncreation. The specifications remain unchanged, whatever the number of instances you view. This option isparticularly useful for patterns including a large number of instances.

When checking the Radial alignment of instances, all instances have the same orientation as the originalfeature. When unchecked, all instances are normal to the lines tangent to the circle.

Click OK to create the pattern.7.

The pattern (identified as CircPattern.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

 

Managing Power CopiesCreate PowerCopies: Select the Insert ->Advanced Replication Tools -> PowerCopyCreation command, select the elements making up the PowerCopy from the specificationtree, define a name for the PowerCopy and its reference elements then choose an icon foridentifying it.Instantiate PowerCopies: Select the Insert -> Instantiate From Document command,select the document or catalog containing the  powercopy, complete the Inputs within thedialog box selecting adequate elements in the geometric area.Save PowerCopies into a Catalog: Select the PowerCopy from the specification tree,select the Insert -> Advanced Replication Tools -> PowerCopy Save In Catalog...command, enter the catalog name and click Open.

 

Creating PowerCopiesThis task shows how to use create PowerCopy elements, to be reused later.A PowerCopy is a set of features (geometric elements, formulas, constraints and so forth)that are grouped in order to be used in a different context, and presenting the ability to bere-specified according to the context when pasted.This PowerCopy captures the design intent and know-how of the designer thus enablinggreater reusability and efficiency.

Open the PowerCopyStart1.CATPart document.

Click the PowerCopy Creation icon, or select the Insert ->Advanced ReplicationTools -> PowerCopy Creation menu item.The PowerCopy Definition dialog box is displayed. 

1.

Select, from the specification tree, the elements to be included in the PowerCopy. 2. ThePowerCopyDefinitiondialog box isautomaticallyfilled withinformationabout theselectedelements. 

Define the PowerCopy as you wish to create it:3.

The Definition tab lets you assign a name to the PowerCopy and presents itscomponents in the 3D viewer.

The Inputstab lets yourename thereferenceelementsmaking upthePowerCopy.

You can do that for clarification purposes as to their roles,  by selecting the elements inthe viewer and entering a new name in the Name field.In this example, we renamed all three elements and in brackets you still can read theelements' default name based on their type.

TheParameterstab lets youdefine whichof theparametervalues usedin thePowerCopyyou will beable tomodify atinstantiationtime.

Simply check the Published button.

Use the Name field to give a more explicit name to the element.

TheDocumentstab showsthe completepath and roleof Designtables thatarereferencedby anelementincluded inthe PowerCopy.

The Icon tablets youmodify theiconidentifyingthePowerCopyin thespecificationstree. 

A subset of icons is available from the Icon choice button.If you click ... the Icon Browser opens, giving you access to all the graphic icons installedwith the CATIA software.

Use theGrab screenbutton to capture animage of thePowerCopyto be storedwith itsdefinition inthe catalog(see SavingPowerCopiesinto aCatalog).

Use the Remove preview button to delete the image captured with the Grab screenbutton.

Click OK to create the PowerCopy.4.

The PowerCopy is displayed close to the top of the specification tree.

Double-click the PowerCopy in the specification tree to display the PowerCopyDefinition dialog box and edit its contents.

A formula is automatically included in a Power Copy definition when all itsparameters are included.Otherwise, i.e. if at least one parameter is not selected as part of the Power Copy,you have to manually select the formula to make it part of the definition. If you doso, all the formula's parameters that have not been explicitly selected, areconsidered as inputs of the Power Copy.

 

Instantiating Power CopiesThis task shows how to instantiate PowerCopies once they have been created as described in Creating  PowerCopies.There are two ways to do this:

using the PowerCopy Instantiation menu item1. using a catalog2.

Furthermore, the use of the Replace viewer, regardless of the instantiation type, is detailed.

Open the PowerCopyDestination1.CATPart document.

Using the icon or menu item: 

Click the Instantiate From Document icon or select the Insert -> Instantiate From Document  menu item.The File Selection dialog box is displayed allowing you to navigate to the document or catalog where the  power copyis stored.

1.

Select the document containing the Powercopy, andclick Open.Here we selected thePowerCopyStartResults1.CATPart document.

2.

The Insert Object dialog box is displayed.

Use the Reference list to choose the correctPowerCopy when several have been defined inthe document.

Complete the Inputs within the dialog box by selectingthe adequate element in the geometric area.

3.

If needed, click on the Use identical name button to automatically select all the elements with the same name.This is especially useful when the input is the same one repeated several time.

4.

You can also click on the Parameters button to displaythe Parameters dialog box and modify values.Here we increased the Radius1 value to 25 mm.

5.

Use the Create formulas button to automatically createa formula on every parameters with the same nameprovided there are any.

6.

Click OK.7.

The Documents button lets you access the list of documents (such as design tables) pointed by one of the elements makingup the Power copy. If there are documents, the Documents dialog box opens and you can click the Replace button to display the File Selectiondialog box and navigate to a new design table to replace the initial one.When no document is referenced, the Documents button is grayed within the Insert Object dialog box.

Click OK to create the PowerCopy instance.8.

The PowerCopy is instantiated in context,meaning its limits are automatically re-definedtaking into account the elements on which it isinstantiated.

When instantiating from the same document, use the PowerCopy object -> Instantiate contextual menu to display theInsert Object dialog box directly.

The icon is always grayed when instantiating Power Copies. It is available with User Features and allows you tocreate and modify URLs.

Check the Repeat button to be able to repeat the instantiation.In this case, once you have clicked OK in  the Insert Object dialog box, the latter remains open, the PowerCopy'sInputs are listed and ready to be replaced by new inputs, as described above.Modified parameters using Parameters button are retained as well for the next instantiation.To exit the command, you then need to uncheck the Repeat button or click Cancel.

 Using the catalog: 

You need to have a catalog available, created either:using the Catalog capability, see Infrastructure User's Guideusing the Insert -> Advanced Replication Tools -> PowerCopy Save In Catalog... menu item.

Click the Open catalog icon.If accessing a catalog for the first time, you need to navigate to the catalog location. This location is stored in thesettings for faster access later on.

1.

Select the catalog containing the PowerCopy you wish to instantiate.2.

Select the PowerCopy to be instantiated, then you can:3. drag and drop it onto the reference elementdouble-click the PowerCopy or right-click on the PowerCopy in the dialog box and use the Instantiate contextual menu.

From then on, you instantiate the PowerCopy as described above starting on step 3.

Using the Replace Viewer

In some cases, when instantiating a powercopy, the replacing element does not present the same sub-elements as thereplaced element. Therefore you need to clearly indicate in a specific dialog box, the Replace Viewer, how to rebuild thegeometry from the replacing element. In the following example, the replacing sketch does not have the same number ofvertices as the initial sketch, and you are prompted to indicate on what edge the filleted surfaces are to be created.

Open the PowerCopyReplace1.CATPart document.

Expand the PowerCopy entry in the specification tree, right-click the PowerCopy.1 feature,  and choose PowerCopy.1object ->  Instantiate command.

1.

Select Sketch.2 to replace Sketch.1.The Replace Viewer is displayed, showing to the left the initial sketch and the edges selected to create the two filletsin the initial geometry, and to the right the replacing sketch on which you are prompted to specify edges.

2.

Select the edges on the replacing sketch.3.

Click OK in the Replace Viewer.4.

Select the XY plane, or click the Use Identical Name to select it as the needed plane.5.

Click OK in the Insert Object dialog box.The PowerCopy is instantiated and the filleted surfaces are computed as per the selection in the Replace Viewer.

6.

Make sure to select the edges as proposed in the ReplaceViewer. For example, you cannot invert Edge.1 and Edge.2 ifEdge.3 remains where specified in the example above.Otherwise, the system will not be able to re-build thegeometry based on these specifications, and the UpdateDiagnosis dialog box will be displayed prompting you to editthe geometry.

 

Saving PowerCopies into a CatalogThis task shows how to use store Power Copy elements into a catalog, for later use asdescribed in Instantiating a PowerCopy.

Open the PowerCopyStartResults1.CATPart document.

Select the PowerCopy from the specification tree for example.1.

Click thePowerCopySave InCatalog icon or choosethe Insert ->AdvancedReplicationTools ->PowerCopySave InCatalog...menu item.The CatalogSave dialogbox isdisplayed: 

2.

Whencreating acatalog forthe first time,click the ...button todisplay theOpen dialogbox, andnavigate tothe locationwhere youwish tocreate acatalog.Then simplykey in the

catalog nameand clickOpen.

If you wish to add a PowerCopy to an existing catalog, simply activate the Updatean existing catalog option in the Catalog Save dialog box

By default, the Catalog Save dialog box recalls the catalog accessed last.

Click OK.3.

The PowerCopy has been stored in the catalog.

 

Using Hybrid PartsThis task shows how to create a hybrid part comprising wireframe, surface and solidgeometry.You must have access to the Part Design product.Open the Hybrid1.CATPart document.

In the GenerativeShape Designworkbench, opena documentcomprising solidentities.

1.

Click the Lineicon thencreateconstructionpoint-point linesbetween theopposite verticesof the two pads.

2.

These linesare createdin an OpenBody entity.

Click the Loft icon and create a

lofted surfacebetween thecurved edges ofthe two pads.

3.

 

Createanotherloftedsurfacebetween thebottomedges of thetwo pads.  

Click the Sweepicon andcreate a sweptsurface betweentwo oppositevertical edges ofthe two pads.

4.

 

Createanothersweptsurface onthe otherside of theside of thetwo pads.

Click the Join icon then select

the four surfacesto create a singlejoined surface.

5.

Open the Part Design workbench and select the Closed Surface icon .6.

Select the joinedsurface in order toclose it.

7.

The modelandspecificationis updatedwith theCloseSurfacefeature.

Reusing Your DesignReusing your design aims at improving performance, but this involves having a goodknowledge of the different capabilities the application provides. There are basically severalways in which you can reuse your design.

Here is a brief description of the purposes of these capabilities:Capabilities Purposes

Copy and PasteProvides a quick way of reusing simple elements or bodies. Thiscommand is to be used when you need to rework one specification orno specification at all.

Cut and PasteProvides a quick way of reusing simple elements or bodies at differentlocations. This command is to be used when you need to rework onespecification or no specifications at all.

Drag and Drop Provides a quick way of copying simple features or bodies at differentlocations.

Paste Special Reuses bodies with or without their specifications.Paste as Result with Link

If this option is used, only the geometry is copied, not thespecifications. Pasted bodies reflect the changes to theinitial bodies. This command is mostly used in amulti-model environment.As specified in Part Document

If this option is used, bodies are pasted as well as theirdesign specifications. The capability is the same as thecommonly used Copy and Paste command.

PowerCopyCreates a feature or set of features (geometric elements, formulas,constraints and so on) that are grouped in order to be used in adifferent context. You can completely redefine these entities' inputswhen you paste the PowerCopy feature. As it captures the designintent and know-how of the designer, it enables greater reusability andefficiency.

To benefit from the best level of performance in the long term, use thiscapability to enrich your feature catalogs.

 

Working with the Generative Shape Optimizer Workbench

Develop wires: select a wireframe contour, a revolution surface, and if needed thedeveloping type, point of origin, and further positioning parameters.Create junctions: select two or more sections, define coupling points and tangencyconstraints on these sections if needed Create bumped surfaces: select a surface, a limit curve, the deformation center, direction,and value.Deform surfaces based on curve wrapping: select the surface to be deformed thenmatching pairs or reference and target curves.

 

Developing Wires and PointsThis command is only available with the Generative Shape Optimizer.

This task shows how to develop connex wires, and points, onto a revolution surface, that is tocreate a new wire by mapping a wire's planar abscissa and ordinate with abscissa and ordinatewithin a local axis-system on a surface, with respect to the surface's curvature.The wire can be any curve or sketch, provided it is a connex element. Therefore it cannot be, forexample, a T or H-shaped element; or any non connex shape.

About Developing Wires

There are two modes of developing on a surface: Develop-Develop1. Develop-Project2.

the difference being in the way the points are mapped onto the revolution surface.The following illustration shows the two developing types, based on developing the black solid wire,the two black dotted wires representing the 1 and 2 coordinate lengths in the wire's axis-system.

In the case of the Develop-Develop option, a given point (p) of the wire is developed on therevolution surface by mapping its first coordinate as a curvilinear abscissa on the revolutionsurface (1 into 1') up to a (p') point (represented by the light blue dotted curve), then fromthat (p') point reporting the other coordinate of (p) as a curvilinear abscissa (2 into 2') alongthe revolution surface (dark blue dotted curve).The resulting developed wire is the dark blue solid curve in the illustration.

In the case of the Develop-Project option, a given point (p) of the wire is developed on therevolution surface by mapping its first coordinate as a curvilinear abscissa (1 into 1') onto avirtual cylinder passing through the point on support (default or user-defined), to generate a(p') point (represented by the light blue dotted curve), reporting the other coordinate parallelyto the cylinder's revolution axis,  then projecting normally from that cylinder onto the revolution surface (dark green dotted line).The resulting developed wire is the dark green solid curve in the illustration.

As you can see, the results differ slightly, the developed curves not ending on the same point.

Open the Develop1.CATPart document.

Click the Develop icon .1.

The Develop Definition dialogbox is displayed.

Select the wire to be developed.2.

By default, the planecontaining this wire isautomatically computed.However, when the wire is aline, you need to specify aWire plane.

Select the revolution surface ontowhich the wire is to be developed.

3.

Click Apply.4.

The axis-systems aredisplayed both on the wire'svirtual plane and the surface.These are the defaultaxis-systems. By default, theorigin of the support'saxis-system is located at apoint on the surface where theplane is parallel to the wire'splane.

However, it is usually morepretinent to specify exactly theaxis-systems origin.Click the Point field and select apoint, on the surface, defining thesupport axis-system's origin.

5.

The axis-systems aremodified, the support'saxis-system to coincide withthe selected point, and thewire's axis-system to retain theshortest distance between thetwo axis-systems' origins.

Consequently, the resultingwire is also modified.

If you check the Position 2D wirethen click the Show Parametersbutton to expand the dialog box andmodify the wire axis-system'spositioning.

6.

The wire's axis-system turns green,meaning it can be edited, i.e. changelocation. You can directly move it in thegeometry and the dialog box will beupdated accordingly.

Specify the wire axis-system's origin by either entering coordinates, or selecting a point.Specify the x-axis of the axis-system by either selecting a line or specifying a rotation anglein relation to the initial lowlight position.Select the X-axis inverted check box to invert the x-axis orientation (while keeping the y-axisunchanged).Select the Y-axis inverted check box to invert the x-axis orientation (while keeping the y-axisunchanged).

You could get something like this:

If you want to go back to the initial axis-system positioning, uncheck  the Position 2D wire button,and collapse the dialog box using the Hide parameters button.

Click OK to create the developedwire.

7.

The element (identified as Develop.xxx) isadded to the specification tree.

You can then fill in the developedwire, to create a developed surfacein one click:

Three optional parameters areavailable from the DevelopDefinition dialog box allowing toapply a transformation to the wireprior to developing it. They areillustrated below by the developingof a square wire onto a surface:

Radiantness: allowing to specify a radial deformation ratio on the developed wire. Thistransformation is defined by the distance between the axis-system origin on the revolutionsurface and the revolution axis (R), and the ratio you specify in the Develop Definition dialogbox.

1.

The formulas used to define the radiantness are:x' = (R + y1 * Ratio) * x1 / (R + y1)y' = y1Where:x1 and y1 are the coordinates of any point in the initial axis system of the wire to bedevelopedx' and y' are the coordinates the same point on the developed wire

Developing with positive radiantnessvalue

(green curve)

Developing with negative radiantness value(light blue curve)

Inclination: the angular deviation (d)from the default developing.

2.

The formulas used to definethe inclination are:x' = x1 + y1 tan(d)y' = y1

You can combine these two options todevelop a wire:

Intermediate radius: a ratio is applied to the wire's coordinates along the y axis, prior todeveloping it (i.e. the development operation itself is not affected, only the wire's shape ismodified along y before the development).

3.

Developing with intermediate radiusvalue set to 2.

The square's length along y doubles.

Developing with intermediate radiusvalue set to 0.5.

The square's length along y reduced to half its  initiallength..

Multi-selection of wires to be developed is available. Refer to Editing a List of Elements tofind out how to display and manage the list of selected elements.

 

Creating JunctionsThis command is only available with the Generative Shape Optimizer.

This task shows how to create junction surfaces between existing surfaces. These surfaces must have beencreated from contours (sketches, splines, and so forth) provided these are not closed.

Open the Junction1.CATPart document.

Click the Junction icon .1.

The Junction Surface Definition dialog boxis displayed.

Select two sections.These can be surface boundaries or contourlying on surfaces.

2.

Coupling curves on which the junctionsurface will be based are displayedbetween the two sections.

Select another section.3.

New coupling curves are now displayed.

If the sections do not present the same number of vertices, the system automatically links the coupling curvesto the sections retaining the maximum number of points.In our example, two sections present four vertices whereas the last one present only three. The system founda solution by linking two curves to the same vertex on the last section.

Use the Sections coupling combo list to specify if the coupling lines are to connect sections on their tangencydiscontinuity points (Tangency option) or on their tangency discontinuity and curvature discontinuity points(Curvature option).

Click within the Coupling Point area then select apoint on the section on which you wish toredefine a new passing point for the couplingcurve.

4.

Click Apply to preview the junction surface:5.

By default the coupling curves and the junction surface are tangent to the contour plane's normal.

Select a section from the list and click thesurface on which it lies to add it as a supportsurface to the section, and therefore define atangency constraint. 

6.

The coupling curves are modified so as tobe tangent to the selected surface.

You can also specify a user-defined coupling curverather than an automatic one, by clicking the CouplingCurve tab, then selecting another curve connectingtwo sections of the junction.

This new coupling curve either replaces an automaticone, or results in a new computation of automaticcoupling curves.

Indeed, in the following example, the user-defined coupling curve lies across the automatic ones. These aretherefore recomputed to comply with the new constraint: 

Using automatic coupling curves only Recomputed automatic coupling curves when using auser-defined coupling curve (blue curve)

Click OK to create the junction surface:7.

The element (identified as Junction.xxx) is added tothe specification tree.

You can select as many sections as you wish.There is no specific selection order. You can select sections randomly and obtain the same result.

User-defined coupling curves must end on sections.You cannot use a coupling point and a user-defined coupling curve ending on this coupling point.

 

Creating Bumped SurfacesThis command is only available with the Generative Shape Optimizer.

This task shows how to create bumped surfaces, by deformation of an initial surface.

Open the Bump1.CATPart document.

Click the Bump icon .1.

The Bump Deformation Definitiondialog box is displayed.

Select the surface to be deformed.2.

Select the Limit curve, that is the curvedelimiting the deformation area.

3.

The limit curve needs to be lyingon the surface to be deformed. Ifnot, use the Create Projectioncontextual menu on the Limitcurve field to project the limitcurve on the surface.

Select the Deformation center, that isthe point representing the center of thedeformation.

4.

The deviation will be at itsmaximum at this point, andevolve towards the limit curve,where it should reach 0.

Select the curve indicating theDeformation direction.

5.

The deformation is propagatedalong this direction. By default,the Deformation direction isnormal to the deformed element.

Set the Deformation distance, that is the maximum distance, along the Deformationdirection, from the deformed surface towards the Deformation Center.We keyed in -15mm.

6.

Click Apply to preview the bumped surface.7.

Click the Add Parameters button todisplay further options.

8.

You can:specify a projection direction if the Deformation Center does not lie within theselected surface to be deformed, so that it is projected onto it.define the continuity to be kept between the deformed area and the surfaceoutside the deformation area (point, tangent, or curvature continuity)

In case of a curvature continuity, the original continuity between the deformed area andthe surface outside the deformation area will be at best kept but may be approximate incertain cases. 

Click OK to validate the surfacedeformation.

9.

The element (identified as Bump.xxx) isadded to the specification tree.

 

Deforming Surfaces According toCurve Wrapping

This command is only available with the Generative Shape Optimizer.

This task shows how to deform surfaces basing the deformation on curve wrapping, that is matchingeach reference curve onto a target curve.The deformation is then defined by the transformation of the reference curves into target curves.The curves used for the deformation do not necessarily lie on the initial surface.

Several cases are presented here, from the simplest one to cases using various options. Note thatwhatever information is given in the first example also applies to the following examples.

Basic curve wrapping deformationCurve wrapping deformation with a fixed referenceEditing a deformed surfaceHow is the deformation computed ?

Open the WrapCurve1.CATPart document.

Basic Curve Wrapping Deformation

Click the Wrap Curve icon .1.

The Wrap Curve dialog box isdisplayed.

Select the surface to be deformed.2. Successively select the first referencecurve and the first target curve.

3.

Repeat this operation by selecting thesecond  reference curve then the second target curve.

4.

As you select pairs ofreference/target curves, the curveslist in dialog box is updatedaccordingly.

Click OK to create the deformed surface.5.

The element (identified as Wrap curve.xxx) isadded to the specification tree.

You must always select successively a reference then a target curve to define a pair. Youcannot select all reference curves, then all target curves for example.

You need to select only one pair of curves (reference and target) to be able to define thedeformation by clicking Apply.

When several pairs of curves are selected, they must be ordered, not randomly selectedReference curves should not intersect each other, nor should the target curves shouldintersect each otherReference and target curves must be made of only one cell. Joined, blended, or matchedcurves, for example, cannot be used as reference or target curves.

Curve Wrapping Deformation with a Fixed Reference

Some times you need to create a deformed surface in relation to another element, when you want tomatch two surfaces for example. The curve wrapping capability lets you fix an element that can beused by another one, thus allowing you to retain a connection between elements while deformingthe initial surface.

Click the Wrap Curve icon .1.

The Wrap Curve dialog box isdisplayed.

Successively select the surface to bedeformed, and the first reference curve.

2.

Right-click in space to display thecontextual menu, and choose the Fixedreference curve.

3.

The reference curve you selectedpreviously now is fixed, i.e. you donot need a target curve, this curvebeing used to create thedeformation.

In the target area of the list, noelement is displayed.

Select another pair of reference and targetcurves and click Apply.

4.

A new surface is created based onthe first reference curve and thesecond target curve.

Click OK to create the deformed surface.5.

Because the first reference curve is an elementused by the blended surface the connectionbetween the two surfaces is retained.

Editing a Deformed Surface

Using the deformed surface you just created, this section shows you how to modify it by:inserting curve pairsremove curve pairsfix reference curvesadd constraints onto the first and last curve pairs

Double-click on the wrap curve surfaceyou just created.

1.

The dialog box is displayedcontaining the creation information.

Within the list, select the second line (Reference: Line.9, Target: Spline.7) and click the InsertBefore button.

2.

The Reference field of the Current curves area gets active.

Select a new reference curve (Line.8) anda new target curve (Spline.6), and clickApply.

3.

The deformed surface now takes intoaccount the new pair of curves.

To add a pair of curves as the last entry in thelist, you need to select the ... line, and directlyselect the reference and target curves.

With our example, we selected the ... line, thenselected Line.7 and Spline.8 as reference andtarget curves respectively.

Just like you fixed a reference curve at creation time, you can do it when editing a wrap curvesurface:

Select the fourth line from the list in thedialog box, and check the Fix referencecurve option.

4.

The target curve is automatically removed fromthe Target column and field.

Click apply.The resulting surface looks like this:

5.

Select the third line from the list in thedialog box, and click the Remove button,and click OK.

6.

The selected pair of curves no longerbeing used to compute the resultingsurface, the latter looks like this:

You can define further constraints on the deformed surface by means of the Constraints fields. Youcan choose to retain the initial surface's continuity on the first, and/or last; pair of curves.

In case of a curvature continuity, the original continuity between the deformed area and the surfaceoutside the deformation area will be at best kept but may be approximate in certain cases. 

Keeping initial surface's curvature on last reference/target curves

Not keeping initial surface's curvature on last reference/target curves

When the spine or the first reference/target curve (default spine) is too short in relation to thecorresponding surface's bounding box, the curve is extrapolated according to this bounding box.Then other reference/target curves are extrapolated as well, in relation to this extrapolated spine.

How Is the Deformation Computed ?

The following diagrams will help you understand how the deformation is computed in relation to theentered data, i.e. reference/target curves and possible spine.

3D view, where:r1, r2 are the reference curvest1, t2 are the target curvesP is a plane normal to the spine

Planar view, where:Ir1: is the intersection between P and r1Ir2: is the intersection between P and r2It1: is the intersection between P and t1It2: is the intersection between P and t2

The deformation is computed in each plane P, normal to the spine. By default the spine is the firstreference curve, but you can select a new spine using the Spine field in the Reference tab.

In each plane P, the system computes the intersection between the plane and each curve.A curve (Cr) is created between the first intersection point (Ir1) and the last intersection point (Irn) onreference curves, passing through all the intersection points between these two.Similarly, a curve (Ct) is created passing through all the intersections points between the first (It1)and the last intersection point (Itn) on target curves.

Then, for each point Q, resulting from the intersection of the surface to be deformed with the plane,Q is projected onto the curve Cr according to the projection direction (dir). This projection direction isthe vectorial product of: vector(lspine, lr2) ^ vector normal to P.The result of the projection of point Q is the point Qr, which parameter on Cr is v.Similarly, a point Qt is created on the curve Ct, with the same v parameter as point Qr on curve Cr .

Then Qd, that is the transformation of point Q according to the wrap curve deformation, is obtainedby adding: Q+vector(Qr,Qt)

 

Workbench DescriptionThis section contains the description of the icons, menus and Historical Graph that are specific to the CATIA -Generative Shape Design workbench, which is shown below.

You can click the hotspots on this image to see the related documentation.

 

Menu BarWireframe ToolbarSurfaces Toolbar

Operations ToolbarTools Toolbar

Generic Tools ToolbarsReplicationToolbar

Advanced Surfaces ToolbarHistorical Graph

Specification Tree 

Generative Shape Design Menu BarThe various menus and menu commands that are specific to Generative Shape Design are described below.

 

Start File Edit View Insert Tools Windows Help

Tasks corresponding to general menu commands are described in the Infrastructure User's Guide.

EditPlease note that most of the edit commands available here are common facilities offered with the Infrastructure.

The specific Generative Shape Design edit commands depend on the type of object being edited:  Open Body or other entity.Command... Description...

Undo Cancels the last action

Repeat Repeats the last performed action

Update See Updating Your Design

CutCopyPastePaste Special

See Copying and Pasting

Delete See Deleting Geometry

Search Allows searching and selecting objects

Selection SetsDefine Selection Sets Allows to define and modify selected objects as sets

Links Manages links to other documents

Properties Allows displaying and editing object properties

Other Selection See Selecting Using the Other Selections... Command

Scan or Define in Work Object Allows to design features without taking the complete Partinto account

Change Body Allows Managing Open BodiesXXX object -> Definition See Editing DefinitionsXXX object -> Change Body Allows Managing Open BodiesCreate Group Allows Managing GroupsReset Properties Allows resetting object properties

InsertFor... See...Open body Managing Open BodiesAxis System Allows the creation of local axis-system

Sketcher Refer to the Sketcher User's Guide.Wireframe Insert -> WireframeLaw See Creating LawsSurfaces Insert -> SurfacesOperations Insert -> OperationsConstraints Insert -> ConstraintsAnnotations Insert -> AnnotationsAnalysis Insert -> AnalysisAdvanced Replication Tools Insert -> Replication Tools

UserFeatureAllows the creation of user features. Refer to the chapterCreating a User Feature in the Product Knowledge TemplateUser's Guide.

Document TemplateCreation...

Allows the creation of part templates. Refer to the chapterCreating a Part Template in the Product Knowledge TemplateUser's Guide.

Instantiate FromDocument... Instantiating PowerCopies

Advanced Surfaces Insert -> Advanced Surfaces

Insert -> WireframeFor... See...Point Creating Points

Extremum Creating Extremum Elements

Extremum Polar Creating Polar Extremum Elements

Line Creating Lines

Plane Creating PlanesProjection Creating Projections 

Combine Creating Combined Curves

Reflect Line Creating Reflect Lines

Intersection Creating Intersections 

Parallel Curve Creating Parallel CurvesCircle Creating Circles

Corner Creating Corners

Connect Curve Creating Connect Curves

Conic Creating Conic CurvesSpline Creating Splines

Helix Creating a Helix

Spiral Creating Spirals

Spine Creating a Spine

Polyline Creating Polylines

Insert -> Surfaces  For... See...

Extrude Creating Extruded Surfaces

Revolve Creating Revolution Surfaces

Sphere Creating Spherical Surfaces

Offset Creating Offset Surfaces

Sweep Creating Swept Surfaces

Adaptive Sweep Creating Adaptive Swept Surfaces

Fill Creating Fill Surfaces

Loft Creating Lofted Surfaces

Blend Creating Blended Surfaces

Insert -> OperationsFor... See...Join Joining Curves and Surfaces

Healing Healing Geometry

Curve Smooth Smoothing Curves

Untrim Restoring a Surface

Disassemble Disassembling Elements

Split Splitting Geometry

Trim Trimming Geometry

Boundary Creating Boundary Curves

Extract Extracting Geometry

Multiple Edge Extract Extracting Multiple EdgesShape Fillet Shape Fillets

Edge Fillet Edge Fillets

Variable FilletVariable Radius Fillets and Variable Bi-Tangent Circle RadiusFillets Using a Spine

Face-Face Fillet Face-Face Fillets

Tritangent Fillet Tritangent FilletsTranslate Translating Geometry

Rotate Rotating Geometry

Symmetry Performing Symmetry on GeometryScaling Transforming Geometry by Scaling

Affinity Transforming Geometry by AffinityAxis To Axis Transforming Elements from an Axis to Another

Extrapolate Extrapolating Geometry

Invert orientation Inverting the Orientation of Geometry

Near Creating Nearest Entity of a Multiple Element

Insert -> ConstraintsFor... See...Constraint Creating ConstraintsConstraint Defined in Dialog BoxCreating Constraints

Insert -> AnnotationsFor... See...Text with Leader Creating Textual AnnotationsFlag Note with LeaderCreating Flag Notes

Insert -> Analysis

For... See...

Connect Checker Checking Connections Between Surfaces

Curve Connect Checker Checking Connections Between Curves

Draft Analysis Performing a Draft Analysis

Mapping Analysis Performing a Surfacic Curvature Analysis

Porcupine Analysis Performing a Curvature Analysis

Geometric Information Displaying Geometric Information on Elements

Insert -> Advanced Replication Tools

For... See...

Object Repetition Repeating Objects

Points and Planes Repetition Creating Multiple Points

Planes Between Creating Planes Between Other Planes

Rectangular Patterns  Creating Rectangular Patterns

Circular Patterns  Creating Circular Patterns

Duplicate Open Body Duplicating Open Bodies

PowerCopy Creation Creating PowerCopies

PowerCopy Save in Catalog Saving PowerCopie into a Catalog

Insert -> Advanced SurfacesFor... See...Develop Developing WiresJunction Creating JunctionsBump  Creating Bumped Surfaces

Wrap Curve Deforming Surfaces Based on CurveWrapping

 

 

ToolsPlease note that most of the Tools commands available here are common facilities offered with the Infrastructure.

Specific Generative Shape Design commands are described in the present document.Command... Description...Formula Allows editing parameters and formula.

Image Allows capturing images.Macro Allows recording, running and editing macros.

Show Allows to show a set of elements according to theirtype, or whether they are currently selected or not.

Hide Allows to hide a set of elements according to their type,or whether they are currently selected or not.

Parent/Children Allows viewing the parents and children of a selectedobject.

Show Historical graph See Using the Historical GraphWork on Support See Working with a Support

Snap to Point See Working with a Support

Open Catalog  Allows catalog browsing and managementDelete useless elements See Deleting Geometry

External View Allows specifying a body as a reference for otherproducts/applications 

Customize Allows customizing the workbench.Visualization Filters  Allows layer filters managementOptions Allows customizing settingsConferencing Allows setting up of communication toolsPublication Allows to make documents publicly available.

 

Wireframe ToolbarThis toolbar contains the following tools for creating wireframe elements.

 

See Creating Points

See Creating Multiple Points

See Creating Extremum Elements

See Creating Polar Extremum Elements

See Creating Lines

See Creating Planes

See Creating Projections

See Creating Combined Curves

See Creating Reflect Lines

See Creating Intersections

See Creating Parallel Curves

See Creating Circles

See Creating Corners

See Creating Connect Curves

See Creating Conic Curves

See Creating Splines

See Creating an Helix

See Creating Spirals

See Creating a Spine

See Creating a Polyline

 

Surfaces ToolbarThis toolbar contains the following tools for creating surfaces.

 

See Creating Extruded Surfaces

See Creating Revolution Surfaces

See Creating Spherical Surfaces

See Creating Offset Surfaces

See Creating Swept Surfaces

See Creating Adaptive Swept Surfaces

See Creating Fill Surfaces

See Creating Lofted Surfaces

See Creating Blend Surfaces

 

Operations ToolbarsThese toolbars contain the following tools for performing operations on surface and wireframeelements.

 

See Joining Curves and Surfaces

See Healing Geometry

See Smoothing Curves

See Restoring a Surface

See Disassembling Elements 

See Splitting Geometry

See Trimming Geometry

See Creating Boundary Curves

See Extracting Geometry from Solids

See Extracting Multiple Edges

See Shape Fillets

See Edge Fillets

See Variable Radius Fillets

See Face-Face Fillets

See Tritangent Fillets

See Translating Geometry

See Rotating Geometry

See Performing a Symmetry on Geometry

See Transforming Geometry by Scaling

See Transforming Geometry by Affinity

See Transforming Elements from an Axis to Another

See Extrapolating Surfaces and 

See Extrapolating Curves

See Creating Laws

 

Tools ToolbarThis toolbar contains the following tools to help you model your shape designs.

See Updating Constraints

See Axis system

See Using the Historical Graph

See Working with a Support

See Working with a Support

See Working with a Support

See Creating a Grid Set

See Creating Datums

See Inserting Elements

See Instantiating PowerCopies

See Instantiating PowerCopies

See Selecting Bodies

Generic Tools ToolbarsThese toolbars contain the following tools to help you manage constraints between geometricelements, perform analyses, and annotate elements in the documents.

See Creating Constraints

See Checking Connections between Surfaces

See Checking Connections between Curves

See Performing a Draft Analysis

See Performing a Surfacic Curvature Analysis

See Performing a Curvature Analysis 

See Displaying Geometric Information on Elements

See Applying a Material Onto Surfaces

See Creating Textual Annotations

See Creating Flag Notes

 

Replication ToolbarThis toolbar contains the tools to performing operations on surface and wireframe elements.

See Repeating Objects

See Creating Multiple Points

See Creating Planes Between Other Planes

See Creating Rectangular Patterns

See Creating Circular Patterns

See Creating PowerCopies

See Saving PowerCopies into a Catalog

 

Advanced Surfaces ToolbarThis toolbar, available only with the Generative Shape Optimizer, contains the tools to createcomplex surfaces.

Developing Wires

Creating Junctions

Creating Bumped Surfaces

Deforming Surfaces Based on Curve Wrapping

 

CATIA - Generative Shape DesignHistorical Graph

In this chapter we will describe the Historical Graph's commands and contextualcommands that are specific to the CATIA - Generative Shape Design workbench.

Historical Graph Commands

Command... Description...Add Graph Adds a selected element to the graph.

Remove Graph Removes a selected element from the graph.

Reframe Centers the graph in the window.

Surface or Part graph representation Gives a horizontal or vertical representation.

Parameters Displays any parameters associated with theelements in the graph.

Constraints Displays any constraints associated with theelements in the graph.

Historical Graph Contextual Commands

Command... Description...Reframe Centers the graph in the window.Print Allows you to obtain a print of the graph.Graph All Restores the graph to the window.Clean Graph  Clears the graph from the window.Refresh Refreshes the graph display.

 

Generative Shape DesignSpecification Tree

Within the Generative Shape Design workbench, you can generate a number of elements thatare identified in the specification tree by the following icons.

Further information on general symbols in the specification tree are available in Symbols Usedin the Specification Tree.

Sketch Join

Point Healing

Multiple Points Curve smooth

Extremum Surface

Extremum Polar Split

Line Trim

Plane Boundary

Projection Extract

Combine Fillet

Reflect Line Edge Fillet

Intersection Variable Radius Fillet

Parallel Curve Face-Face Fillet

Circle Tritangent Fillet

Corner Translate

Connect Curve Rotate

Conic Symmetry

Spline Scaling

Helix Affinity

Spiral AxisToAxis

Spine Extrapolate

Polyline Inverse

Extrude Near

Revolve Law

Sphere Surface Connection Analysis

Offset Curve Connection Analysis

Sweep Curvature Analysis

Adaptive Sweep Multiple Planes

Fill Circular Pattern

Loft Rectangular Pattern

Blend Open Body

Develop Power Copy

Junction Working support

Bump

Wrapped curve

 

CustomizingThis section describes the different types of setting customization you can perform. All tasksdescribed here deal with permanent setting customization. These tasks are:

General

Display

CATPart Document

GlossaryA

affinity An operation in which an element is transformed by applying X, Y, Zaffinity ratios with respect to a reference axis system.

Cchild A status defining the hierarchical relation between a feature or element

and another feature or element.constraint A geometric or dimension relation between two elements.

Eextrapolate

An operation in which an element is extended a specified amount whilerespecting tangency or curvature conditions. Typically a surface boundarycan be selected for in order to extrapolate the surface a specified length.

extruded surface A surface that is obtained by extruding a profile along a specified direction.

Ffeature A component of a part.

fill surface A surface that is obtained by filling a closed boundary that is made up froma number of segments.

fillet A curved surface of a constant or variable radius that is tangent to and joins two surfaces. Together these three surfaces form either an inner orouter corner.

Gguiding curve A curve, intersecting with a profile, and along which this profile is swept.

See also spine.

Jjoin An operation in which adjacent curves or adjacent curves can be

assembled to make up one element.

Llofted surface

A surface that is obtained by sweeping one or more planar section curvesalong a spine, which may be automatically computed or user-defined. Thesurface can be made to follow one or more guide curves.

Ooffset surface A surface that is obtained by offsetting an existing surface a specified

distance.

Pparent A status defining the hierarchical relation between a feature or element

and another feature or element.part A 3D entity obtained by combining different features. It is the content of a

CATPart document.part body A component of a part made of one or several features.

profile An open or closed shape including arcs and lines.

Rrevolution surface A surface that is obtained by revolving a profile around an axis.

rotate An operation in which an element is rotated by a specified angle about angiven axis.

Sscaling An operation that resizes an element to a percentage of its initial size.

sketch A set of geometric elements created in the Sketcher workbench. Forinstance, a sketch may include a profile, construction lines and points.

spine A curve which normal planes are used to position a profile when creating asurface (lofted or swept surface for example). The profile does notnecessarily intersect with this spine. See also guiding curve.

split An operation in which one element is cut by another element.

swept surface A surface obtained by sweeping a profile in planes normal to a spine curvewhile taking other user-defined parameters (such as guide curves andreference elements) into account.

symmetry An operation in which an element is transformed by means of a mirrorsymmetry with respect to a reference plane, line or point.

Ttranslate An operation in which an element is displaced a specified distance along a

given direction.trim An operation in which two element cut each other mutually.

Wwireframe element Elements such as points, lines or curves that can be used to represent the

outline of a 3D object. 

Index

A

Activate activating

elements Adaptive Sweep

command Affinity

command analysis

geometric information

porcupine curvature analyzing

curvature

curve connection

draft angle

surface connection anchor point

sweep applying 

materialAutoSort Open Body

command Axis System

command Axis To Axis

command

Bbased on spine

fillets between faces

fillets between surfaces

filling blended surfaces

creating  boundaries

creating Boundary

command Bump

command

bumped surfaces

CChange Body

command checking connections

curves

surfaces

children circles

creating Circular Pattern

command

circular patterns circular profile

swept surfaces closed sections

lofted surfaces Collapse Group

command collapsing

groups Combine

command combined

curves combined curves

creating Command

Show

Show Components command

Adaptive Sweep

Affinity

AutoSort Open Body

Axis System

Axis To Axis Blend  

Boundary

Bump

Change Body Children

Circle

Circular Pattern

Collapse Group

Combine

Conic

Connect Checker

Connect Curve

Constraint

Constraint Defined in Dialog Box

Copy

Corner

Create a New Set

Create Datum

Create Group

Curve Connect Checker

Curve Smooth

Deactivate

Definition

Delete

Delete useless elements

Develop

Disassemble

Draft Analysis

Duplicate Open Body

Edge Fillet

Edit Group

Element list

Expand Group

Extract Extrapolate

Extremum

Extrude

Face-Face Fillet

Fill

Geometric Information

Healing

Helix

Hide

Hide Components

Insert Mode

Insert Open Body Intersection

Invert Orientation

Join

Junction

Law Line

Loft

Multiple Edge Extract

Object Repetition

Offset

Parallel Curve Parent

Paste Plane

Planes Repetition

Point

Point & Planes Repetition

Polar Extremum

Polyline

Porcupine Curvature Analysis

PowerCopy Creation

PowerCopy Instantiation

PowerCopy Save In Catalog Projection

Quick Edit

Rectangular Pattern

Reflect Lines

Remove Open Body

Replace

Revolve

Rotate

Scaling

Shape Fillet

Show Historical Graph

Snap To Point

Sphere

Spine

Spiral

Spline Split Stacking  Surface Connect Checker Surfacic Curvature Analysis

Sweep

Symmetric

Translate Trim

Tritangent Fillet

Untrim

Update

Variable Radius Fillet

Work on Support

Working Supports Activity

command Conic

command conic

curves conic curves

creating conical profile

swept surfaces Connect Checker

command Connect Curve

command

connecting curves constant radius

fillets Constraint

command Constraint Defined in Dialog Box

command

constraints

creating contents of an open bodies

hiding

showing Copy

command copying

elements Corner

command corners

creating coupling

lofted surfaces

coupling

coupling curve

coupling point Create a New Set

command Create Datum

command Create Group

command

creating creating

boundaries circles

combined curves

conic curves

constraints

corners

curves

datum

element instances

elements by affinity

elements by rotation

elements by scaling

elements by symmetry

extremum faces

extremum lines

extremum points

fillets

fillets between surfaces flag notes

groups

helical curves

laws lines

lofted surfaces

offset surfaces

patterns

planes

points

polylines

Power Copies

reflect lines

single constraint

spheres

spines

spirals

splines

support planes

surfaces

swept surfaces

wireframe elements curvature

analyzing Curve Connect Checker

command curve connection

analyzing Curve Smooth

command curves

checking connections

combined

conic

creating

disassembling

discontinuities extrapolating

helical

joining

smoothing

spines

customizing

Ddatum 

creating Deactivate

command deactivating

elements defining

laws

local axis-system Definition

command Delete

command Delete useless elements

command deleting

elements

un-referenced elements design capabilities

improving Develop

command developing

wires

developing Disassemble

command disassembling

curves

surfaces discontinuities

curves displaying

geometric information Draft Analysis

command draft angle

analyzing Duplicate Open Body

command duplicating

open bodies

EEdge Fillet

command edges

filleting edges from sketch

extracting Edit Group

command editing

elements

sub-elements element instances

creating Element list

command

element orientation

elements elements

activating

copying

deactivating

deleting

editing

inserting

pasting

replacing splitting

symmetric

translating trimming

elements by affinity

creating elements by rotation

creating elements by scaling

creating elements by symmetry

creating elements within a body

moving Expand Group

command expanding

groups

explicit profiles

positioning

sweeping Extract

command extracting

edges from sketch

faces

propagation

wireframe elements extrapolating

curves surfaces

Extremum

command extremum faces

creating extremum lines

creating extremum points

creating Extrude

command

extruding

FFace-Face Fillet

command faces

extracting

filleting Fill

command filleting

edges

faces

filleting

fillets fillets

based on spine

between faces

constant radius

creating

tritangent fillets between surfaces

creating filling

between surfaces flag notes 

creating

GGenerative Shape Optimizer

workbench Geometric Information

analysis

displaying geometric information

command groups

collapsing

creating

expanding

modifying

moving

HHealing

command healing

surfaces helical

curves helical curves

creating Helix

command Hide

command Hide Components

command hiding

contents of an open bodies

open bodies

history

Iimproving

design capabilities

performances Insert Mode

command Insert Open Body

command inserting

elements

open bodies instantiating

Power Copies interoperability

Knowledge Advisor

Part Design

Intersecting Invert Orientation

command inverting

orientation

JJoin

command joining

curves

surfaces

Junction

command

junction surfaces

KKnowledge Advisor

interoperability

workbench

LLaw

command laws

creating

defining line

creating linear profile

swept surfaces listing elements

projection local axis-system

defining Loft

command lofted surfaces

closed sections

coupling

creating

manual coupling

relimiting

Mmanaging

open bodies

Power Copies

manual coupling manual coupling

lofted surfaces material

applyingmodifying

groups

surfaces moving

elements within a body

groups

open bodies Multiple Edge Extract

command

N

non-associative element

non-updated

OObject Repetition

command Offset

command offset surfaces

creating offsetting

surfaces

on junction open bodies

duplicating

hiding

inserting

managing

moving

removing

selecting

showing

sorting orientation

inverting

PParallel Curve

command

parallel curves

parent Part Design

interoperability

workbench Paste

command pasting

elements

patterning patterns

creating performances

improving planes

creating Planes Repetition

command Point & Planes Repetition

command

points points

creating  Polar Extremum

command Polyline

command polylines

creating porcupine curvature

analysis Porcupine Curvature Analysis

command positioning

explicit profiles

positioning elements Power Copies

creating

instantiating

managing

saving Power Copy

replacing element PowerCopy Creation

command PowerCopy Instantiation

command PowerCopy Save In Catalog

command

projectingprojection

listing elements propagation

extracting

QQuick Edit

command

RRectangular Pattern

command

rectangular patterns Reflect Lines

creating reflect lines

command relimiting

lofted surfaces Remove Open Body

command removing

open bodies Replace

command

Replace Viewer  

replacing

elements replacing element

Power Copy restoring 

surfaces

revolution surfaces Revolve

command Rotate

command

rotating

Ssaving

Power Copies

Scaling scaling

command selecting

open bodies

set of planes Shape Fillet

command Show

Command Show Components

Command Show Historical Graph

command showing

contents of an open bodies

open bodies single constraint

creating smoothing

curves Snap To Point

command sorting

open bodies Sphere

command spheres

creating Spine

command

spine spines

creating

curves Spiral

command spirals

creating Spline

command splines

creating

splitting elements stacking

commands  

sub-elements

editing support planes

creating

support surfaces  

surface connection

analyzing Surfacic Curvature Analysis 

command surfaces

checking connections

creating

disassembling extrapolating

healing

joining

modifying

offsetting

restoring revolution

untrimming Sweep

command sweep

anchor point

sweeping sweeping

explicit profiles swept surfaces

circular profile

conical profile

creating

linear profile Symmetric

command symmetric

elements

T

text2 Translate

command translating

elements trimming 

elements tritangent

fillets Tritangent Fillet

command

Uun-referenced elements

deleting Untrim

command Update

command

updating

VVariable Radius Fillet

command

Wwireframe elements

creating

extracting wires

developing Work on Support

command workbench

Generative Shape Optimizer

Knowledge Advisor

Part Design Working Supports Activity

command