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Useful Methods
By :
Nayyar Rahman
To add advantages of OGS to GS
Use this command to insert command below any operation (command) in specification tree and to
update the parent child relationship.
1) Click on Insert mode Command from Tools toolbar.
2) Then Click on the command from specification tree.
3) Complete the new command..... Click OK.
4) the command gets updated in the specification tree. and the parent child relationship gets updated.
How to Shell a sphere
• Model a solid Sphere using shaft command, ------sketch Semicircle D of 50mm diameter
5) Click OK.
Only by selecting shell command and then clicking on OK the sphere is shelled. But we tend to
select surface for shell where the command doesn't work.
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Name key features
It is important to rename key features in the spec tree to provide a useful name for other users
to know what that feature is defining.Example: Point.1Renamed to: Upper mounting point -
left sideKeep in mind you should not use special characters such as ", $, !, etc.
Selective V4 migration elements to V5
When you need a geometrical element from an existing V4 model you can selectively migrate just
the one or more elements that you need without having to migrate the entire model.
Open the V4 model in V5 and expand the *Master in the Spec Tree.
Select just the elements that you want to migrate and copy them.
In a new V5 CATPart document paste the selected V4 elements.
Some of the older V4 models have lots of wireframe and solids that you do not need to migrate
then have to clean up. It is best to just migrate only the elements that you might need to create your
new part.
Components on the other hand, are assembly specific. Unless using a data
manager like Enovia/Smarteam etc, they will not be saved as separate files or
stored in local file system.
To check this, create an assembly, and create some products, then create some
components (All inside of one assembly). Go to Save management, and notice the
components are nowhere to be seen. Only the products can be saved. The
components act as more of a part management/part placeholder inside of a given
assembly
USEFUL CATIA HOTKEYS
• Esc (escape) - Abort the current process • CTRL + PAGE UP >> ZOOM IN the model
or exit the current dialog box (when there or tree whichever is active
is one) • CTRL + PAGE DOWN >> ZOOM OUT the
• F3 - Structure tree out or insert (Toggle model or tree whichever is active
specification tree display on and off) • CTRL + RIGHT arrow >> Move the model
• F9 - Toggle Hide/Show to the right >> PAN
• F10 - Toggle Swap Visible Space • CTRL + LEFT arrow >> Move the model to
• SHIFT - F1 - Context assistance (Get help the Left >> PAN
on toolbar icons) • CTRL + TOP arrow >> Move the model to
• SHIFT - F2 - Toggle the specification tree the TOP >> PAN
overview on and off - opens an overview • CTRL + BOTTOM arrow >> Move the
on specifications tree in a new window. model to the Bottom >> PAN
• SHIFT - F3 - Structure tree activate around • CTRL + SHIFT + Right arrow >> ROTATE
e.g. character size to modify (activate the the model around z axis Clockwise
graph if the model is active and inversely) • CTRL + SHIFT + LEFT arrow >> ROTATE
• SHIFT + left - rotate to the left the model around z axis Anti Clockwise
• SHIFT + right - rotate to the right • CTRL + Tab - switch between the different
• SHIFT + UP - rotate upward windows (swap active document windows)
• SHIFT + down - rotate downward • CTRL + N - New document open
• ALT + F8 - Macros start • CTRL + O - Document open
• ALT + F11 - Visual basic wordprocessor • CTRL + S - Document save
• Home - Display the top of the graph • CTRL + P - Document print
• End - Display the bottom of the graph • CTRL + F – Search
• ALT + Enter – Properties • CTRL + U - Update
• ALT + SHIFT + Right arrow >> ROTATE • CTRL + X - Cut out
the model • CTRL + C - Copying
• ALT + SHIFT + Left arrow >> ROTATE the • CTRL + V - Insert
model • CTRL + Y - Redo
• CTRL + Z - Undo
• CTRL + F11 >>>to get the Prselection
navigator, for selecting coincident / very
close elements in geometry area.
Settings to see parameters and relations of a part
Even after creating paramers and relations inside a part, these are not seen unless and untill you check following settings.
Settings to see parameters and relations:
1. Tools -> Options -> Infrastructure -> Part Infrastructure -> Display -> Parameters,
Relations
2. Tools -> Options -> General -> Parameters and Measure -> Knowledge -> With
value, With formula (as per requirement)
To pattern multiple objects in one go
Including multiple objects - E,g While using the Rectangular Pattern command in the Part Design module, you can
include multiple objects in your pattern. To do so, just multi-select (while holding the CTRL key) the objects before
clicking on the Rectangular Pattern command. You will then see the list of objects to pattern in the "Object to Pattern"
section of the dialog box.
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While working on big assemblies manier times its difficult to rotate assembly as desired. Now to change
"instantaneous center of rotation of big assembly" 1. Middle click mouse button at desired location on part /assembly
about which we want to rotate the part/assembly. That shifts the centre of rotation of part/assembly to the point which
is clicked by mouse thus making it easy to rotate a big assembly.
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Suppose we want to rename some of the part /product files in an assembly avoiding desk problem.
1.Open an assembly first.
2.Right click on the part files to rename and select the option " open in new window".
3.Then go to file "save as" option and save the file with new name/number. This way rename all the required parts without desk
problem.This is fast.
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Many times a condition arises in which one of the dimension of component is in different unit than
remaining dimensions. E.g in a component only one dimension is given in inches and other are in
mm. In that case we can directly put the dimension given in inch.TO DO THAT THE PROCEDURE
IS AS FOLLOWS
1. Dimension the component including the dimension which is supposed to be in inch.
2. 2. then double click the dimension that we want in inches , it will display that dimension followed by
default unit like suppose here default unit is "mm".
3. 3. In dimension editor delete the dimension and suppose we want to put dimension as 1 inch replace
that dimension by dimension " 1in " and hit enter.It will automaticaly convert that 1 inch to
appropriate value in mm.
Best Practices for Power Copies
3)Create sketches on an axis system, in order to better control the Sketch position and
the sketches should be fully constrained.
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Import the image into a CATDrawing and/or type text onto the lower left corner of a
CATDrawing and then save it as a .dxf file. Close the CATDrawing and read the .dxf,
and then Copy/Paste the lines into a sketch plane. From there, treat the sketch as a
normal sketch and use Pad/Pocket, scaling or whatever to make it fit your needs.
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Open profile sketch easy to see
This tip helps you create center of gravity of any object (e.g. body, curve or surface) using formula editor.
1. Open the Part containing object.
2. Click the f(x) icon. The Formula Editor opens. In the New parameter of type scrolling list, select Point and
click New parameter of type. Then click Add Formula.
3.The Formula Editor opens. Enter the following formula by using the Dictionary-> Point Constructors ->
centerofgravity (Body,…): Point
Operator: centerofgravity()
4. Position the cursor between the parenthesis and double-click the object in the geometry or in the specification
tree.
If you select Part Body. The formula is displayed as follows:
Geometrical Set.1\Point.1= centerofgravity(PartBody )-Click OK when done. Click Yes in the Automatic
update window.You will get center of gravity of PartBody as Point.1
You can also create center of gravity using Measure -> Create Geometry.
But this will not work for all geometries (e.g. 3D curves)
Positioning parts in Circular array when array is not used for creation of feature in reference Part
Requirement: Sometimes we need to position bolts in circular array fashion, but suppose we don’t have Circular Pattern
available in Reference Plate to make use of Reuse Pattern.
Scenario: Let’s have a scenario where I need to position Hexagonal Headed Bolt in Circular Plate where we have Six Holes
on certain PCD. Holes created in Circular Plate are not created using Circular Pattern. Hence we can’t use Reuse Pattern
option from Product Structure Tools. To do so, we can use following steps…
STEP1: Using Existing Component command, get a Bolt & position it in any Hole of Circular Plate. Refer Figure 1 below
STEP2:
Select Bolt from Specification Tree, Copy it
& Paste it Five Times in Product1 as we
have Total six Holes in this scenario. Refer
Figure 2 below
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Opening an assembly in relatively less time than regular process
Do the necessary settings Open assembly (it will appear as in picture)
This tip is especially useful for solid modelling projects which needs some sort of work in Surfaces too. In such
cases swapping between Part Design and GSD workbench may be irritating. Rather I would make a Toolbar with
commands which I use most in GSD and bring it down to Part Design. This increases productivity and also
hassles of swapping workbenches.
Step1: From Part Design workbench, Go to Tools--> Customize
Step2: Click on "Toolbars" tab,
Step3: Now Click "New" Button.
Step4: A "New Toolbar" window pops up. In the workbenches section,
scroll down to "Shape Design Workbench" and select "Surfaces" from the
"Toolbars" list. Give a name to the toolbar. Eg. "My GSD" and click "OK".
Step5: "My GSD" toolbar will appear in the "Toolbars" list. Now you need
to add/remove desired surface based commands in it. Note that
Adding/removing any commands to this toolbar will not affect any standard
toolbars in CATIA. To add commands "Click Add commands" button as
shown in pic above. You can then see list of all surface based features. You
can add as many as you like. In my e.g. I have added "Positioned Sketch,
Join, Split, etc.
Step6: Similarly you can remove any commands which you find not useful.
Step7: When you are done your new toolbar "My GSD" will appear in the
right-click context menu list of toolbars, which you can access in Part-
Design itself!
Creating a Plane Parallel to Monitor Screen
In Plane definition, Select plane type as Equation.
The position of the plane in the Screen normal can be controlled by specifying D value
(It is the distance between selected axis system to plane in normal direction) or Position the plane
with a point.
Usage: Patching surfaces
Export Parameters and Measures to an Excel Worksheet
Creating a Design Table to Transfer Parameters to an Excel Worksheet.
1. Click on the Design Table Icon.
2. Select Create a design table with current parameter values and Vertical or Horizontal
Orientation.
Select OK when finished.
3. Use the filter area to bring up and select your desired Parameters.
Click the Arrow button to transfer the parameters to the inserted side.
4. Select Folder and save Design Table. 5. Design Table configuration window will open click OK to finish.
(This window will always show the information in the vertical
position, click the edit table button if you want to preview.)
5. Click open in Excel. Change type field to Text. Open the Design Table you saved.
7. Click Next through the Text Import Wizard and click Finish at the end. (Use Default Selections.)
Extra geometry that is not needed to define the model is sometimes left in the dataset. This increases the model
size and makes the organization of the data harder to work with.
Exceptions
Fastener locations, ICD definition, reference geometry, etc.
How to check
Use the Delete Useless elements command and see if elements can be deleted. It is important to understand what
elements may need to be deleted and do not rely on the function itself as the default setting only keeps elements
required to define the solid.
Using single sketch for multiple pat design commands
We can use one single sketch for multiple operations by using the profile feature in sketcher.
Also another method is to use the single sketch by right click and select the profile definition and one can select its
subelements or any single entity.(the entity should be closed)
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How To Find Out Version And Revision Of Any Catia Part Product Without Opening It .
Right Click On Any Catia Part/Product-> Open With Notepad (as shown above)-> In Notepad Find (ctrl-F) CATIAV, And It
Will Show The Version And Revision Of That Catia Part/Product.
Hope, the tip will help you to save your time.
Quick method to check for Surface Tangency
Areas that have a surface tangency issue will impact downstream users such as Stress, Manufacturing, and
even other designers trying to use the non-tangent surface.
How to check
When you need a quick method to check for surface tangency issues it is recommended to have the CATIA
V5 visualization setting set to Shading with Edges without Smooth Edges.
You will notice a sharp black line in everywhere there is not a smooth tangent area.
This method works on your Part Design solid model as well as your Surface data.
Keep in mind that CATIA has several functions that can perform more detailed analysis of surface quality
checking. This is just a quick method and a built-in feature that every Designer has access to this function
without any requiring special licenses
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How to check
Select on the 3D geometry for the hole and you should see a hole feature highlighted in the spec tree.
Deactivated feature elements
There should not be any deactivated features in the spec tree when you are done with
the model and it is ready for release. As shown on the sample below the EdgeFillet.1 is
deactivated as indicated by the special symbol on the icon. If a user activates the feature
that is currently deactivated it will impact downstream datasets that are linked to this
model. Some linked datasets can include drawings, stress models, NC datasets, etc, and
the users of those datasets will be required to update the model but will not be notified of
what has changed and it may have significant impacts to the design or manufacturing.
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Creating and customizing your own toolbars in CATIA can be very useful and time saving,
depending on the commands and icons you frequently use. CATIA allows you to add commands
to the standard toolbars but also gives you the option of creating your own.
1.Select Tools | Customize to display the Customize dialog and click the Toolbars tab to
display the toolbar options.
2.Click New to display the New Toolbar dialog and enter a name for your toolbar
3.Click OK to create the toolbar and return to the Customize dialog. The newly created toolbar
displays in the Toolbars list .
4.Click Add commands and while pressing CTRL, select the commands you most frequently
use. Click OK to add them to the toolbar.
Creating Thread Type in the Part Design Workbench
Have you ever had problems finding the thread you want for an application, or had to look it up in a
reference book? This is time consuming and repetitive depending on your industry. The Hole command
in the Part Design workbench offers two default thread files - Metric Thin Pitch and Metric Thick
Pitch. This procedure explains how to add your own thread type, which can be update as required.
1.Open Excel or Notepad and save the file with a suitable filename.
2.Create four columns with headings, as shown in the graphic.
3.Enter the values for your threads.
4.Save the file then close it.
5.Open a new CATPart and add a hole to a solid. Activate Threaded on the Thread Definition tab in
the Hole Definition dialog.
6.Click Add and navigate to where you saved your Excel or Notepad file.
Once you have added the file, your name and values appear in the Type menu. The Thread
Description box lists the values in the key column. The other thread values display according to the
selected key value.
Publication naming