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Catia V5-Modeling Methodology & Best Practice.

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The Following general methodologies and best practices can be followed in the modeling of components in CATIA V5. The Below methodologies and Best practices followed will help in capturing the design intent of the Feature that is to be Modeled and will make the design robust and easy to navigate through.

Items Discussed
 

  •   SPECIFICATION TREE STRUCTURING
  • RENAMING APPROPRIATE FEATURES & BODIES IN SPECIFICATION TREE
  • HANDLING INPUT DATA & FOREIGN BODIES
  • DIMENSIONING & CONSTRAINING IN SKETCHES
  • PARAMETERS  & RELATIONS

   

SPECIFICATION TREE STRUCTURING: -

SUGGESTIONS

  • The SPECIFICATION TREE is the place where the histories of the features modeled are captured. So it is highly important to have an organized tree structure which gives ease for navigation of the features when any modification takes place.
  • Fig .1
  • shows the SPECIFICATION TREE in a structured manner. The Machining Body features are grouped under one body and base block features in another and so on with appropriate feature operations.
  • It is also important in structuring the reference and construction element in the tree in an orderly manner, like the one shown in the figure right.
  • The points that would be often used (like the Global Origin Point 0, 0, 0,) can be created under Points GEOMETRICAL SET and any reference planes defining legal limits can be created in the planes GEOMETRICAL SET.


ADVANTAGES OF HAVING STRUCTURED TREE

Transparent design intent achieved Navigation of features becomes easy.

  Modification of features becomes easy.

BEST PRACTICES

  • No usage of hybrid modeling in the parts. (Client Dependent Requirement)
  • RENAMING APPROPRIATE FEATURES & BODIES IN SPECIFICATION TREE: -

SUGGESTIONS

  • The renaming of features within the design becomes mandatory as it will be useful for the end users to by far identify things for modification.



·         Fig 2 shows a SPECIFICATION TREE that has features renamed at the time of creating them

  • For instance an end user who wants to identify the M5 holes on the model the SPECIFICATION TREE helps easily in identifying the M5 holes in the model thereby making modifications easy.
  • Also renaming all the features every now and then as it is created will easy things at the end.
  • Figure shows the features pad and sketch renamed as “Base_Block_Sketch” and “Base_Block” which will be useful in identifying them at a later stage.
  • Renaming the Bodies also helps in navigation.


ADVANTAGES OF RENAMING

  • Easy identification of Features & Bodies in SPECIFICATION TREE.
  • Using Search Command Effectively to find features.
  • Modification of features becomes easy.    


BEST PRACTICE


  Rename the features relevant to operations performed in a logical manner.
                                                                                                                      
HANDLING INPUT DATA & FOREIGN ELEMENTS


SUGGESTIONS
 
  • Any external data that are to be handled in the model can be grouped under a GEOMETRICAL SET called input data which can be used in the model when situation demands.
  • The fig 3 shows some foreign elements like planes, points, curves and surfaces that would be used in the modeling process.
  • By grouping the foreign elements in a separate GEOMETRICAL SET it is easy to identify them in the SPECIFICATION TREE.

     
 

ADVANTAGES OF HANDLING INPUT DATA

  • No mixing up of Model features with input data.
  • Dependency can be traced.
  • Some Input data’s like planes can be reverted back to parametric geometries.
  • Easy identification of Foreign Elements.


·         Text Box: Fig 3

BEST PRACTICES
 

  • No usage of input data in the model.                    

 

DIMENSIONING & CONSTRAINING IN SKETCHES:
 

SUGGESTIONS

  • It is important in dimensioning & constraining the sketches in a logical manner.


BEST PRACTICES

  •  Planes should be intersected in the sketches and made as construction elements and should be used as dimension reference for geometries, this helps in identifying the dimension line clearly in a complex sketch.
  • Equivalent dimension should be used wherever possible to minimize modification time in the sketches.
  • Usage of sketch analysis command is mandatory at the end of every sketch build which helps in diagnosing the sketch thereby identifying abnormalities.
  • Robust design Intent can be Achieved with the Integration of Parameters and Relations.




 PARAMETERS  & RELATIONS:
 

SUGGESTIONS
 

  • The parameters functionality helps in building a robust design with ease of relating object.
  • fig 6
  • shows a simple model with external radius applied to four vertical edges.
  • Parameters can be declared globally and related to radius value thereby controlling the radius value outside the command.
  • The advantage of declaring parameters is to control and relate the values to multiple values.
  • Fig 6 shows a parameter “corner radius” which is related to the fillet radius, thereby now modifying the corner radius parameter the fillet radius can be modified. Also there can be multiple values associated to the same parameter.
  • The fig 7
  • shows the relations or formulas in the tree describing the relationship between the parameters and the feature dimension values.
  • Usage of relations makes the design intent robust and transparent.


BEST PRACTICES
Declare global parameters offset plane dimensions which will drive the whole Geometry in terms of position.

CATSettings administration in CATIA V5

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This Articlel has been prepared to bring awareness of CATSettings among CATIA V5 users and CATIA V5 Administrators who already have basic knowledge of CATIA V5.

Overview of CATIA V5 CATSettings

  1. CATSettings files store customized attribute values. A single CATSettings file contains multiple attribute values.
  2. To ensure that users meet key company design practices and industry standards, it is required to control and manage CATSettings.

CATIA V5 Settings in Windows and Unix

Definition: Settings (comparable to DCLS in V4)

  • Nearly all settings are set by CATIA V5 Tools/Options
  • All Settings are in Binary Format with Suffix CATSettings
  • The settings are controlled by CATIA V5
  • V5 Settings can be shared between UNIX and Windows
  • They are preserved from session to session
  • The Settings can be locked by an administrator (in this case the Setting is dimmed and hidden for the user)

Contents of Settings

  • Presentation (tree, background colors, …)

  • Properties (tolerances, units, ….)

  • Environment ( licenses, process files, …)

  • Frame information (size, location, …)

  • OS dependent (Search Path, V4 projectfile information, doc location, ..)

  • Workbench customisation

Environment file is in Start -> Programs-> CATIA Tools -> Environment Editor (contains Global and User environments)

Environment variables for CATSettings: CATReference SettingPath and CATUserSettingPath in Environment files

Hierarchical concatenation mechanism

  • How Hierarchical concatenation mechanism works:
  • Dassault Hard coded - Superseded by all customized attribute values defined at CATIA start
  • Defined by CATReferenceSettingPath variable - Store customized attribute values known as ADMIN settings
  • Defined by CATUserSettingPath variable - Store users customized attribute values which supersede all previous attribute values unless LOCKED

 

Customizing CATSettings

  • The flexibility in customizing the CATSettings attribute values drives the creation of many ADMIN paths for a variety of users tasks
  • CATIA V5 CATSettings are customized by Site, Program, CATIA V5 Release, License/Discipline, and 3rd Party Application choice
  • 200 customized CATSettings files
  • 200 files x avg 5 attributes per file customized = 1000 customized attributes!
  • ADMINs are solely responsible for maintaining and modifying the CATIA V5 CATSettings across the company


Process of Customizing CATSettings

Type of change requests:

  • Emergency requests: These requests are to be implemented as soon as possible in support of production users
  • CATIA V5 Domain/Discipline Subject Matter Expert (SME) requests: These requests are made for unique Domain/Disciplines (i.e. – Electrical, NC, Tubing, etc) Workbenches
  • Program approved requests: These requests are made by program users or CAD Development & Support group on behalf of the program

 

Groups of CATSettings attribute changes are gathered together (except for Emergency changes) and rolled when convenient

Implementing Changes:

  1. CATSettings ADMIN stages changes in TEST CATIA V5 Environment to for testing and evaluation prior to production turnover.
  • Start CATIA V5 in Admin mode

cnext –env ADMIN.env –admin

CATOptionsMgt –env ADMIN.env -admin

2.Changes made to Tools->Options panel in ADMIN mode are stored in one of the .CATSettings files

Permanent settings can be locked
- User unable to modify
- Create / enforce standards


3. And the Fun part…figuring out the .CATSettings file that contains the change you made.

4. The CATIA V5 CATSettings ADMIN documents changes made in TEST

5. CATSettings changes made in TEST Environment are reviewed and approved/disapproved by CATIA V5 SME’s and other important Points of Contact

6. A virtual review is typically held via email with a file attachment of the CATSettings change documentation

7. Prepare proposed CATSettings for Production turnover

8. Coordinate and communicate the files required to be moved to PRODUCTION Environment

9. Notify CATIA V5 production users affected by the ADMIN CATSettings modifications

 

Migrating CATSettings for a new release of CATIA V5:

IBM/Dassault recommended using 2 applications within basic CATIA V5 install to migrate CATSettings

  • CATBatGenXMLSet exports .CATSettings file to .XML CATSettings file format (e.g. - v5r17)
  • CATBatImpXMLSet imports .XML CATSetting file format to .CATSettings file (e.g. - v5r18)

When used tools to migrate CATSettings, some customized attributes values did not get migrated correctly.

Missing Attributes and Locks has lead to Creating CATSettings from Scratch.

For some CATSettings files with a large number of customized attribute values, we need to use the utilities.

 

Enhancing the CATIA V5 performance with CATSettings:

There are some CATSettings attribute values that can help or hurt CATIA V5 performance, based on how they are set.

Depending on the CATIA V5 task, performance can have different meanings

  • Performance could mean the time it takes to load a CATIA V5 document (i.e. CATProduct)
  • Performance could mean whether or not there is enough Memory available to create drawing views of Large Assembly CATProduct.
  • Performance could mean the behavior of CATIA V5 with other Microsoft applications in a user’s Windows session.

 

1. Decreasing CATProduct Load Time to Enhance Performance:

 


2. Reducing memory usage to enhance Large Assy/Drafting performance:

Reset CATIA V5 Settings

 

Reset CATSettings for a User

  • Delete User CATSettings
  • Use Tools/Options [RESET] button

 

Dump of CATSettings


Dump CATSettings

  • View Values
  • Retrieve a given setting
  • Compare settings between code levels
  • Compare different configurations by comparing the macros

CAD Model Exchange

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New products are designed and developed by using Computer aided design (CAD) tools such as CATIA, PRO E, UNIGRAPICS...etc. Organizations choose their design tools as per their requirements. After Design completion the models should be transferred to manufacturing, analysis...Etc.

So the data must be formatted in such a way that other CAD/CAM (Computer aided manufacturing) tools should recognize. The neutral format is necessary to transfer the CAD data across the system.

This document helps to understand the importance and types of model exchange formats in CAD.

List of Abbreviations

CAD                                        Computer aided design

CAM Computer Aided Manufacturing

IGES                                        Initial Graphics Exchange Specification

STL                                         Stereolithography Tessellated Language

STEP                                      Standard for Exchange of Product data

VRML                                      Virtual Reality Modeling Language

VDA                                         Verband Der Automobilindustrie

 

Benefits

  • Manufacturability becomes easier because these formats are readable by the CAD/CAM softwares so the quality of the product increases with less productivity time.
  • The neutral formats reduces the time and money to transfer the data
  • The original data need not be shared publicly (Especially to vendors)

So the awareness of the CAD model exchange is important factor to get the final product

Methods for exchange of CAD model data

The following methods are used to exchange the data between different CAD tools

  • Neutral Formats
  • Translators

Neutral Formats

The cad models are stored internally with specified formats in CAD tools. This may be different from the other softwares. For organizations to share designs across the various CAD & Computer aided manufacturing tools (CAM), their data must be formatted. So by using the neutral formats the cad data‘s are converted into compatible formats, which can be used by other CAD softwares

Types of neutral format

Below mentioned are the widely used formats

  • Based on the official standards

  1. Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES)
  2. Stereolithography Tessellated Language (STL)
  3. Standard for Exchange of Product data (STEP)
  4. Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML)
  5. Verband Der Automobilindustrie (VDA)
  • Based on the industrial standards

  1. Data exchange format  (DXF)
  2. AutoCAD Drawing  (DWG)

 

Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES)

IGES is used as a universal tool, providing a neutral format for many companies to transfer the engineering data between CAD/CAM systems.
  • IGES is mainly a surface-based system, and the Latest versions of IGES fully support solid models using Boundary Representation
The following are the capabilities of the IGES format

-            The product definition includes geometric, topological, and non-geometric data

-            The geometry part defines the geometric entities to be used. (Wireframes, Surfaces  ...etc)

-            The topology part defines the entities to describe the relationships between the geometric entities. The geometric shape of a product is described using these two parts (i.e.) geometry and topology.

-            The non-geometric part can be divided into annotation, definition, and organization. The annotation category consists of dimensions, drafting notations, text, etc.

-            The definition category allows users to define specific properties of individual or collections of entities. The organization category defines grouping of geometric, annotation, or property elements.

Disadvantages

  • Few major CAD/CAM system developers have extended IGES in different ways, leading to minor losses of data during exchange between cad softwares. However, even a minor loss makes the file useless for NC manufacturing.
  • Patching up or fixing the errors in an IGES file imported from different cad software requires considerable effort, leading to loss of productivity

 

Stereolithography Tessellated Language (STL)

 

STL format is widely used in Rapid prototyping system. STL file is generated from a precise CAD model using tessellation process (The format generates the triangles to approximate the CAD model).

  • STL file consists of an unordered list of triangular facets representing the outside surface of the object
  • This triangular facets are described by a set of X, Y and Z co-ordinates for each of the three vertices and a unit normal vector with X, Y and Z to indicate which side of facet is inside the object.
  • The curved surfaces have to be decomposed into a number of facets by the CAD system before exporting. Higher faceting gives a more accurate surface, but increases the memory and computation requirement
  • It is the preferred format for visualization and analysis programs, since these do not require accurate surface data. It is however, not suitable for NC manufacture, particularly with coarse faceting.

Standard for Exchange of Product Data (STEP)

The Standard for Exchange of Product data is proposed and managed by International Standards Organization.
  • The STEP handles Wire frame, surface, and boundary-represented solid geometry
  • STEP does not only define the geometric shape of a product. It also includes topology, features, tolerance specifications, material properties, etc. necessary to completely define the product for purposes of design, analysis, manufacture, test, inspection and product support.

 

STEP is a collection of standards to represent and exchange product information.The development is performed under the control of the International Standards organization (ISO)

Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML)

VRML is a file format for describing interactive 3D objects .It is also an interchange format for integrated 3D graphics and multimedia. The aim of VRML is to make to incorporate 3D models into virtual environments

  • Models can be created with geometry, texture and color.
  • In addition, these models can be animated and sound effects can also be incorporated using this file format. VRML graphics are displayed using a VRML browser.
  • VRML file formats are used in Rapid prototyping
  • One of the advantages of VRML files is that they contain less redundant data when compared with STL files
  • VRML files are very convenient in storing the color information of a model

Verband Der Automobilindustrie (VDA)

VDA is a German standard and developed by the German Automobile Manufacturers Association.
  • It is primarily meant for transferring surface data. This format is not universally used.
  • This is one of format promoted by the German industry consortiums.

Data exchange format (DXF)

DXF (Data exchange Format) was developed by Autodesk. It is widely used to exchange 2D/3D wire frame data

  • A DXF file is a complete representation of the AutoCAD drawing database. Some features or concepts can't be used by other CAD systems.
  • The DXF version R13 supports wire frame, surface, and solid representations.
  • A DXF file consists of four sections: Header, Table, Block, and Entity section.
  • The header section contains general information about the drawing. Each parameter has a variable name and an associated value. The table section contains definitions of line types, layers, text styles, views, etc.
  • The block section contains entities for block definitions. These entities define the blocks used in the drawing. The format of the entities in the block section is identical to entities in the entity section.
  • The entity section contains the drawing entities, including any block references. Items in the entity section exist in the block section and the appearances of entities in the two sections are identical.
AutoCAD Drawing (DWG)

DWG ("drawing") is a format used for storing two / three dimensional design data. DWG format is developed by Autodesk and it is widely used to exchange 2D/3D wire frame data.

DWG transfers model geometry in binary files, while DXF represents the data in ASCII format.

Translator

 

Based on the requirements companies migrate their Cad data’s from one Cad software to another. The cad model created in their original software must be converted to the format of new one. So the translators are used to convert cad data’s between the two software. There are many translators are available in the market.

 

For example, if the original CAD model was designed and developed in Pro-e then the translator helps to convert the cad data from pro e to CATIA.

Applications

  • Translators are very useful for migrating the data’s from one CAD tool to another CAD Tool.
  • Conversion through translator is more economical and faster than remodeling the cad data (re mastering)
  • The manual re mastering process can be eliminated.

Conclusion

The neutral formats and translator are widely used to translate the cad data’s between the cad software. It helps to reduce the productivity time and gives the quality products to the market.

 

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The following methods are used to exchange the data between different CAD tools

  • Neutral Formats
  • Translators

Neutral Formats

The cad models are stored internally with specified formats in CAD tools. This may be different from the other softwares. For organizations to share designs across the various CAD & Computer aided manufacturing tools (CAM), their data must be formatted. So by using the neutral formats the cad data‘s are converted into compatible formats, which can be used by other CAD softwares

 

IDEAS TO CATIA V5

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Requirements

Part Number must be unique, all parts with the same name are considered as identical.

 

Direct mode

The MULTICAx ID Plug-in allows users to import IDI data generated from IDEAS native data (part and assembly models). This

import converts IDI part geometry into the CATIA Graphical Representation (CGR) or CATPart formats, which renders it readable by V5.

 The MULTICAx ID Plug-in imports IDI assembly files into a V5 product structure document.

Users can perform this import interactively .

The assembly import converts the I-DEAS assembly hierarchy into product structure, along with the proper positions. Attributes of the assembly like hierarchy, positions, and fmcolors of the geometry are addressed in assembly import.

 

Protocols and attributes

For conversions, the following protocols or attributes apply:

Length units for both parts and assemblies are converted to millimeters.

Pure wire frame data is not supported during the conversion.

Text and annotations of 3D data are not supported.

 

 

 

 

Licensing requirements

.idi extension is not natively supported in CATIA, therefore, in CATIA, IDL licenses (ENOVIA PORTAL, CATIA) are required to access these extensions.

 

 

CAD Format

Part

Assembly

Foreign CAD license required

File Extension

V5 License

 

 

 

 

 

 

I-DEAS (IDI)

OK

OK

NO (direct mode)

.idi

IDL (ENOVIA Portal)
IDL (CATIA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IDI data in V5

 

Options to be set in IDEAS modeler to generate correct IDI file

Exporting of IDEAS part or assembly to IDI

Select menu File->Export->Viewer . User will be prompted to select part. After selection, options dialog box will pop-upThis box will have options listed

in following table. Recommended setting of these options for type of IDI file (BREP/FACET) are also listed in the table.

 

 

IDI File Type

Option

Status

Location of option

Comments

 

 

 

Options->Advanced->Advanced Export Options

 

BRep

Auxiliary attributes

ON

Part Options

Auxiliary attributes are exported

 

Precise BRep

ON

Part Options

BRep data are exported

 

Analytic output

ON

Part Options

 

Analytic data are not exported

 

Tessellated Content

OFF

Part Options

 

All the four options under this category to be put OFF. Facetted data will not be exported.

 

Annotation Content

ON/OFF

Part and Assembly Annotation Options

Put ON the options under this category if annotations are to be exported.

 

Compress

OFF

File Options

IDI file written is not zipped.

Facetted

Auxiliary attributes

ON

Part Options

Auxiliary attributes are exported

 

Precise BRep

ON

Part Options

BRep data are exported

 

Analytic output

ON

Part Options

 

Analytic data are exported

 

Tessellated Content

ON

Part Options

 

All the four options under this category to be put ON.

Facetted data will not be exported.

 

Triangle Strips

ON

Advanced Options

Facets made of Tristrips

 

Triangle Fans

ON

Advance Options

Facets made of Trifans

 

Annotation Content

ON/OFF

Part and Assembly Annotation Options

Put ON the options under this category if annotations are to be exported.

 

Compress

OFF

File Options

IDI file written is not zipped.

 




 

 

 

 

 

Environment

The ideal working environment makes use of the following:
 Cache mode ON
(set via Tools->Options->Infrastructure->Product Structure->Cache Management)

File format:

CGR for users that need better performance and do not require exact positioning (or exact measuring)

CATPart for users that need the additional features provided by the CATPart format (such as exact measurement, exact positioning, kinematics, etc.) 

 

 

 

 

 

Settings To Be Done In Catiav5

(Tools/Options/External Format)

 

Tips and Tricks

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Category: Mechanical Design



1.       What does CATIA stand for?

Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application

2.       What is a UUID, and how does it affect my Catia work?

After researching the web for a generic answer, this is what I found: What is a UUID? UUID stands for a Universal Unique IDentifier. These are 128 bit numbers assigned to any object within a DCE cell which is guaranteed to be unique. The mechanism used to guarantee that UUIDs are Unique is through combinations of hardware addresses, time stamps and random seeds. There is a reference in the UUID to the hardware address of the first network card on the host which generated the UUID - this reference is intended to ensure the UUID will be unique in space as the MAC address of every network card is assigned by a single global authority and is guaranteed to be unique. (Alternate addresses might be a problem here, but the author has not tested creating a UUID on a machine with an alternate address set) The next component is a timestamp which, as DCE always moves clocks forward, will be unique in time.Just in case some part of the above goes wrong, there is a random component placed into the UUID as a catch-all for uniqueness.The timestamp component though is one of the reasons why DCE does not react well to clocks going backwards.A UUID may be generated using the uuidgen command, the following is an example of a generated UUID:- 58f202ac-22cf-11d1-b12d-002035b29092 This has come from a machine with the hardware address shown in the output of the command below:- lscfg -vl ent0 DEVICE LOCATION DESCRIPTION ent0 01-01 IBM ISA Ethernet Adapter Network Address.............002035B29092 From this it may be observed that the Network address of the ethernet adapter matches the last portion of the uuid. Dassault has made their applications permanently identified with a UUID by creating their Interface Definition Language file with the uuidgen command, giving it the "-i" option. What this means to us is that unless all files originate from a single point seed file (thus always having the same UUID), Component Replace and Drawing replace links will always fail.

3.    


6.       How do you switch sketches on a part design?

1) Create a Curve Parameter 2) Create a String Parameter with 2 or more values 3) Create 2 Sketches 4) Create a Rule that watches the String Parameter and sets the Curve Parameter = 1 Sketch 5) Create a Pad that uses the Curve Parameter as it's profile 

7.       How can I change the startup CATIA Graphic to my company Logo?

Replace the C:\Program Files\Dassault Systemes\B12\intel_a\resources\graphic\splashscreens\CATIASplash.bmp with your own Company Logo!

8.       Why can I not save an Iges or Step file when my Product is open?

First, check to see if you have the proper license checked out. Now, make sure that the Parts and/or Products are in Design Mode. This can be done Globally by unchecking the Work in Cache Mode option or by switching the desired data to Design Mode via the Right Click Contextual Menu.

9.       How can I change the background on my Catia V5 window?

Replace C:\Program Files\Dassault Systemes\B13\intel_a\resources\graphic\icons\ClientMDIBackgroundNT.bmp with the new image.

10.   I am unable to read V4 Data that contains E3D Logical lines.

Deselect the radio button in Tools+Options+Compatibility+V4 Data Reading that says 'Open In Light Mode'. E3D has strong links to the Drafting views in V4 that require a complete load of the .model file to be viewed. I have not verified it, but suspect that the Tubing Module in V4 has the same issue when read into V5 due to it's similar architecture.

 

11.   Why do I lose CATDrawing links to Imported CATParts?

Non-Catia Data Migration - When dealing with Cad Data that did not originate in Catia, and basing CATDrawings on it, many issues will arise. The following workflow will reduce the number of issues due to STEP and IGES Import methods into V5. The root of the problem that is experienced while linking CATDrawings to CATProducts and CATParts of new versions of files is due to an encryption routine Windows that CATIA utilizes to create a unique identifier for each and every new CATPart and CATProduct that is created. This encryption routine creates and embeds an Object called a UUID which stands for Universal Unique IDentifier. These are 128 bit numbers assigned to any object within a DCE cell which is guaranteed to be unique. The mechanism used to guarantee that UUIDs are Unique is through combinations of hardware addresses, time stamps and random seeds. What that means to you and me is that the File Name that we see when we save the file or reference it to create a CATProduct or CATDrawing is NOT the ID that is being referenced by CATIA, and can therefore not simply be replaced with another file of the same name. Assuming that the Cad data is not originating in V5, the process for revising a CATPart (non-native) while maintaining links to CATDrawings is this: 1) Non-V5 Modeling------>2) STEP/IGES Export/Import------>3) New CATPart with Original UUID------>4) CATDrawing------>5) Non-V5 Modeling------>6) STEP/IGES Export/Import------>7) New CATPart with New UUID------>8) Copy/Paste from New CATPart with New UUID to Existing CATPart with Original UUID------>9) Open CATDrawing to verify link Basically, the concept is to establish the relationship from the CATDrawing Child file to it's Parent CATPart or CATProduct and maintain this relationship by changing the contents of the CATPart or CATProduct but re-use the original file so that it's UUID remains intact.

        13.   How do I enable the Product to Part conversion?

Add this string to your environment file IRD_PRODUCTTOPART = 1

14.   How do I enable Part Comparisons?

IRD_PART_COMPARISON = 1

15.   How do I migrate a Solidm to CATPart?

Add this string to your environment file and paste 'As Spec' CATMigrSolidMUV4AsPart=1

16.   How do I save a V5 Solid to a V4 Volume?

Add this string to your environment file V5V4SaveAsVolume=1

17.   How do I control the max gap in the automatic topology cleaner?

Add this string to the envirnment file V5V4CleanTolerance=0.01

18.   How do I concatenate small surfaces with larger adjacent surfaces

Add this string to your environment file V5V4MaxSimplif=1

19.   How do I save an entire CATDrawing as a single PDF?

Add the following string to your Environment file SAVE_AS_ONE_PDF=1

20.   How can I add a logo or text to my part design?

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. There is a shockwave viewlet on my website, if you would like to see this demonstrated.

21.   how can I modify (write what I want) the UUID of catparts?

What is the particular use case? I am unaware of a way to simply edit the UUID within the CATPart, but there may be methods of achieving what you want if you can describe the specific case.

22.   How do I read an STL file in V5?

Check out the STL license Create a CATPart Load the STL Workbench Select the Import button Set the file type to ASCII-Free and Browse to read the .stl file This will load the raw STL data into the open part Any further manipulation requires further training (try F1 Help).

23.   How to convert Pdf file to CATDrawing file

Try converting it to DXF and then reading the file into Catia V5. http://www.trixsystems.com/pdf2cad.html

24.   How do you start DMU in Administration mode?

Add -admin to your startup script.

Category: Surface Design


1.       How are V4 Surf2 and V5 Surfacing similar?

This is a very broad subject,any surfacing that you were capable of doing in V4 can be done in V5. Most of the command inputs are the same, only the Interface and some naming has changed. V5 has capabilities that V4 never had, but it requires an in-depth study of the tool set. 

 

 

2.       I would like to know what is MID CRV, in catiav4 SURF2 Function, and how do we can create the MID CRV, for a set of generating curves. Also What is TANG INT , in SURF2+CRV CRV+TANG INT.

A Mid Curve is a curve that is used to control the behavior and shape of a surface, and is located between and somewhat parallel to the Boundary Curves, and also are in contact and somewhat perpendicular to the Generating Curves. A key relationship to be aware of is that the Mid Curves must be in contact with the generating curves, and that the Spine must be perpendicular to each of the Generating Curve support planes. The Tangent Intercept curve represents where the focus of the conic sections of a surface lie. If you extrapolate the surfaces that you are trying to join until they intersect and create a Curve1+Intersect curve, you have created a Tangent Intercept. Once you get this concept down, you can venture into the concept of Conic Surfaces that use this resultant curve to control the tension of the surface. In a 2d sense, the TI Curve is the same as a Conic Focal Point. Follow this link to observe an example... http://catiadr.com/Styling.htm

3.       How do I enable rolling offsets in GSD?

Add this string to your Environment file CGM_ROLLINGOFFSET=1

4.       How can I create a single patch surface from a multi-patch?

Tesselate the surface via Imagine and Shape WB and then Power Fit via Quick Surface Reconstruction WB.

Category: Kinematics

1.       How are V4 and V5 Kinematics similar?

1.       How are V4 and V5 Kinematics similar?

Assuming that you are a V4 Kinematics Master, it will help you to know: 1) V4 Sets = V5 Parts 2) V4 Kinemuse = Simulation with commands 3) V4 Laws = Speed and Acceleration 4) V5 Simulations can generate AVI's 5) V5 Simulations can incorporate Camera movement

Category: Data Management

1.       How do I manage memory for IGES export?

Add this string to your Environment file TAILLE_MEMOIRE_CHOISIE=1

2.       How do I start Catia without a Product?

Add this string to your Environment file CATNoStartDocument=no

 

3.       How do I start Catia without the Universe Background?

Add this string to your Environment file CNEXTBACKGROUND = no

4.       How do I start Catia without seeing the Start screen?

Add this string to your environment file CNEXTSPLASHSCREEN = no

5.       What does the V4 to V5 Batch Migration Utility do?

The V4 to V5 Batch Migration Utility does the following: -- Creates a separate CATPart for each Set in the model. -- Creates a separate CATPart for each Workspace in the model. -- Creates a CATProduct for each Workspace that contains Dittos. It then instanciates the CATParts that were created from the respective Workspaces. If there is only 1 set and/or 1 workspace, no CATProduct is produced. -- For each solid in each workspace, a separate PartBody is created. No geometry is placed into PartBody.1 -- Only Geometry in SHOW is migrated. If a Solid has Parent Geometry, that is brought along as well. All of this information can be found in the on line documentation. Jim Strawn Cessna Aircraft Co. 316-517-5851

Category: Knowledge Management and Engineering.

1.       Where can a CatiaV5 automation document be accessed via web?

Follow this link to the CAA Web site, and register for free access. http://www.caav5.com/developers/autofr.htm

2.       What is the difference in Knowledge Management and Knowledge Engineering?

Knowledge Management is the discipline of extracting, storing and balancing Intellectual Property in a parseable database. The act of leveraging this IP with Applications and Processes is Knowledge Engineering. In the simplest form, the use of a standards document by a designer is Knowledge Engineering. I reserve the term 'Knowledge Engineering' for the act of developing Software Applications leveraging Database Knowledge in order to compress design cycles by providing new efficiencies.

3.       What is the difference in Knowledge Management and Knowledge Engineering?

Knowledge Management is the discipline of extracting, storing, classifying, balancing and maintaining relevant information for use in various tasks, one of which is Engineering. Knowledge Engineering is the discipline of leveraging this Knowledge by dissemination, automation, process inclusion, CAD connection, run-time document creation, and cross database connections for higher level analysis.

4.       What are the Best Practices for Power Copies?

Creating a PowerCopy As far as possible, minimize the number of elements making up the PowerCopy. When defining PowerCopies including sketches, use profiles constrained with respect to edges or faces rather than to planes. Additionally, set the option Create geometrical constraints off before sketching. Generally speaking, it is always preferable to use profiles both rigid and mobile. It is preferable to constrain elements with respect to external references such as faces, edges, reference or explicit planes. It is preferable not to use projections nor intersections in your sketch if you want to use your sketch in a PowerCopy. Avoid constraints defined with respect to reference planes. Before creating your PowerCopies, make sure that your sketch is not over-constrained. Make sure that your sketch is iso-constrained (green color). You can use non-iso-constrained sketches, but it will be more difficult to understand and control the result after instantiation. Create sketches on an axis system, in order to better control the Sketch position. Avoid access to sub-elements. Formulas are automatically included if you select all the parameters. For complex design, integrate knowledge rules. Managing inputs: Always rename your inputs to help the end user understand what he needs to select. A formula is automatically included in a Power Copy definition when all its parameters are included. Otherwise, i.e. if at least one parameter is not selected as part of the Power Copy, select the formula to make it part of the definition. If you do so, all the formula parameters that have not been explicitly selected, are considered as inputs of the Power Copy. Note that when including parameters sets containing hidden parameters in a PowerCopy, the hidden parameters are automatically instantiated when instantiating the PowerCopy. Preview: In a Part document, create only on

5.       How do I disable License errors at startup?

Add this Variable string to your Environment file CATLM_ODTS=1

6.       How can I enable Wilson's spline curves?

Add this string to your Environment file L_WILSON_LAN=1

 

 

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