CATIA V5 Workbook

Releases 12 & 13

By: Southern Utah University

Richard Cozzens

PUBLICATIONS

SDC

Schroff Development Corporation

www.schroff-europe.com

www.schroff.com

Lesson 1
Introduction

Introduction to CATIA V5

CATIA V5 is a powerful software package yet has a relatively short learning curve. One of the reasons for the short learning curve is that it is fully Windows compatible and the processes are consistent across the workbenches, toolbars and tools. If you learn the basics of a particular workbench the same process can be used for more complex problems. Several tools are used in more than one workbench. The lessons in this workbook present basic real life design problems (when possible) and the workbenches, toolbars, and tools required to solve the problem. The lessons present this information with step-by-step instructions. For every step there are numerous possible methods of accomplishing the same thing. The steps are to be used as guides to solving the design problem. You are encouraged to try new and different methods, find the method that works for you. This lesson provides a brief foundation about CATIA V5 to build upon in the following lessons.

Figure 1.1

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CATIA V5 Workbook

Objectives
The objective of this workbook is to instruct anyone who wants to learn CATIA V5 through organized, graphically rich, step-by-step instructions on the basic processes and tools provided by CATIA V5. The objectives of this lesson are listed below: Provide suggestions on how to best utilize this workbook. Provide some basic background on CATIA and CATIA V5. Provide an overview of all the CATIA V5 Applications Tools and their Workbenches. Provide an overview of all the possible CATIA V5 document types. Provide an introduction to CATIA V5 and MS Windows functionality.

The CATIA Acronym

The CATIA acronym stands for: Computer Aided Three Dimensional Interactive Application. V5 stands for Version 5.

How To Use This Workbook

Although most of the steps are detailed for the beginner, the steps and processes are numbered and bolded so the more experienced user can go directly to the subject and/or area of interest. All of the lessons follow the same format: Introduction: This section introduces the problem covered in the lesson and the CATIA V5 workbenches and tools used to solve the problem. This section is a quick overview of the problem, basic steps and completed results. Objectives: This section provides the main concepts that will be covered in the lesson. The Review Questions and Practice Exercises are tied directly to these the stated objectives. Work Bench and Tool Bars: This section introduces the workbenches and tools with a brief definition of each tool. The tool icons are also displayed in this section. Step-by-Step Instructions: The bulk of each lesson consists of step-by-step instruction on how to apply the newly introduced tools to solve the lesson problem. This section is designed for basic users and more advanced users. The beginner will want to read through each step while the more advanced user may want to skip to the bolded words

Introduction to CATIA V5 which for the most part are the actions required by each step. There are Notes, Hints and Comments along with links to all of the graphics for visual explanations. Summary: This section brings everything you have learned together.

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Review Questions: This section consists of 20 questions taken from the lesson. The purpose of the review is to help solidify the concepts and tools taught in the lesson. The questions tie directly back to the listed objectives. Practice Exercises: Being able to answer questions is one thing, being able to create is another! The Practice Exercises are problems that require the use of the tools and processes covered in the lesson. Some of the Practice Exercises have helpful hints on how to create the part.

To get the most out of each lesson, it is suggested that you preview the entire lesson so you get an overview of what information is contained in each lesson. This overview will also give you an idea of what it will take to complete the lesson. Read through the Lesson Review questions before you begin, this way you can be searching for the answers as you go through the lesson. Preview the Practice Exercises, as you go through the lesson you can be looking for the tools and processes required to complete the Practice Exercises.

A Brief History of CATIA

CATIA was developed by Dassault Systemes in the early 1980s and quickly emerged as an industry leader. CATIA V5 is different from V4 and earlier versions because it was programmed to take advantage of the MS Windows capability while maintaining the UNIX power and stability. As a user, making the transition to CATIA V5 from CATIA V4 is a huge step. CATIA V5 does not resemble CATIA V4 at all; it is new. For Experienced CATIA V4 users often seem to struggle with the change at first, until they can let go of the old and embrace the new. The learning curve has been greatly reduced, while maintaining the power and significantly improving the flexibility and integration. With CATIA V5 the designer is not limited by the software but is limited only by his/her own ability to put the software to work. CATIA V5 is the engineering package that will lead industry into the world of Product Life Cycle Management (PLM).

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CATIA V5 Workbook

CATIA V5 Configuration
CATIA V5 is configured into three different platforms. The platform defines a technical capability. Within each platform there are Applications Tools. These Application Tools contain workbenches that are organized into categories dependent on their application, for example the NC Manufacturing Application Tools contain workbenches that support NC applications like Lath Machining, Prismatic Machining and Surface Machining. Workbenches contain toolbars and tools that are specific to that workbench. For example, metaphorically speaking a woodshop contains tools for woodworking and a weld shop contains tools for welding. This is similar to CATIAV5s workbenches; the Part Design Workbench contains toolbars and tools for creating parts. Toolbars within workbenches can also be broken down into specific functions. Some particular toolbars and tools will show up in numerous workbenches.

Figure 1.2

To determine your CATIA V5 configuration from the MS XP Desktop select Start, Programs, CATIA, Tools as shown in Figure 1.2. Select the Software Management V5R13 option. This will bring up a window similar to the one shown in Figure 1.3. The General tab will display the Build Level and Service Pack Level. The Installed Software tab will display all the CATIA V5 Licenses. Notice that there are numerous options under the CATIA, Tools options. These options may not be available depending on how CATIA was installed. These tools may be available at the administration level only. If this is the case you can still find out basic configuration information by selecting the Help option on the top pull down menu (in CATIA V5) and selecting the About CATIA V5 option.

Introduction to CATIA V5 Figure 1.3

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CATIA V5 Platforms
CATIA V5 is configured into with three different platforms. The platforms P1, P2 and P3 designate the design level available to the user. P1 Platform The P1 Platform is the starting point for smaller companies that do not require the process-oriented tools. The functionality is limited to design tools. P2 Platform The P2 Platform provides the extended design tools as well as additional process oriented tools. The process tools are fully interchangeable and scaleable. P3 Platform The P3 Platform has the look and feel of the P2 Platform but can be customized to fit a particular industry (highly specialized).

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CATIA V5 Workbook

Figure 1.4

Access to the Application Tools

Application Tool: Mechanical Design

Workbench: Part Design

Part Design Workbench toolbars and tools

CATIA V5 Applications Tools

The Application Tools are where all the Workbenches are made accessible (organized). To access the Application Tools select the Start menu located at the top left of the CATIA V5 Screen (reference Figure 1.4). The Start menu will display the Application Tools. The number of Application Tools depends on the Platform level and license package purchased. The Applications Tools shown in this section represent the P2 Platform and ED2 License package. Infrastructure Mechanical Design

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Shape Analysis & Simulation NC Manufacturing Digital Mockup Knowledgeware

CATIA V5 Workbenches
The following is a list of workbenches that are organized within each Application Tool.

Infrastructure
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to all the other Applications. These workbenches are integrated across CATIA V5 applications.

Workbench

Workbench Workbench Definition Name

Product Structure This workbench provides tools that help the user organize and work with assemblies. Numerous tools are similar or duplicates of tools found in the Assembly Design Workbench. This workbench provides the tools to create a userdefined material (customized). This workbench provides tools that help integrate the different versions of CATIA. This workbench provides the tools to create a userdefined entity, part and/or assembly. This workbench provides the tools to create pictures (*.jpg) of the CATIA creation. This workbench provides the tools for creating lights, environments, turn tables and simulations for picture and video renderings of the CATIAV5 products. This workbench provides tools for creating feature dictionary, inherited attributes and local attributes.

Material Library CATIA V4, V3, V2 Catalog Editor Photo Studio Real Time Rendering Feature Dictionary Editor

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CATIA V5 Workbook

Mechanical Design
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to design, solid modeling, assembly and drafting.

Workbench

Workbench Workbench Definition Name

Part Design This workbench is the basis for most of CATIA V5s other workbenches. This workbench provides tools for the creation of individual 3D entities (parts). The resulting design document (file) has the file extension of *.CATPart. This workbench provides the tools that bring (constrain) numerous CATPart documents together as an assembly. The resulting document has the *.CATProduct extension. This workbench provides tools to create 2D profiles. This workbench is tied closely to the Part Design Workbench; most of the Part Design entities are created in the Sketcher Workbench and completed (extruded) in the Part Design Workbench. This workbench provides the tools to create production (drafted) drawings of the CATIA V5 CATParts and/or CATProducts. This workbench provides the tools to create Sheet Metal designs. This workbench provides the tools to create Sheet Metal designs. This workbench provides the tools to create 3D wireframe and 3D surfaces. This workbench provides the tools to create Sheet Metal designs.

Assembly Design

Sketcher

Drafting

Sheet Metal Design Sheet Metal Production Wireframe and Surface Design Generative Sheet Metal Design

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Shape
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to surfaces and surface design.

Workbench

Workbench Name
Free Style Sketch Tracer Digitized Shape Editor Generative Shape Design

Workbench Definition
This workbench provides the tools for creating and modifying free style surfaces. This workbench provides tools for tracing sketches. This workbench provides tools for importing/exporting clouds of points and creating surfaces from the points. This workbench provides the tools for creating and modifying wireframe and surface geometry.

Quick Surface This workbench provides the tools for creating Reconstruction surfaces from existing geometry.

Analysis & Simulation

This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to Analysis and Simulation.

Workbench

Workbench Workbench Definition Name

Advanced Meshing Tools Generative Structural Analysis This workbench provides the tools for creating and modifying advanced meshes. This workbench provides the tools to apply loads on existing parts and/or assemblies. The results of the loads and supports can then be calculated and printed out in a report.

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CATIA V5 Workbook

NC Manufacturing
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to Numeric Control applications.

Workbench

Workbench Name
Lathe Machining Prismatic Machining Surface Machining Advanced Machining NC Manufacturing Review STL Rapid Prototyping

Workbench Definition
This workbench provides the tools to create NC programs for Lathe applications. This workbench provides the tools to create NC programs for 3 axis-milling machines. This workbench provides the tools to create NC programs for 3 and 5 axis-milling machines. This workbench provides advanced tools to create NC programs for 3 and 5 axis milling machines This workbench provides the tools to review CATIA V5 NC programs. This workbench provides the tools for STL Rapid Prototyping.

Digital Mockup
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to digital recreation of the real world.

Workbench

Workbench Name
DMU Navigator DMU Space Analysis DMU Kinematics DMU Fitting

Workbench Definition
This workbench provides the tools to help the user navigate through the design. This workbench provides the tools to help the user analyze space in a design. This workbench provides the tools to help the user apply and extract kinematics information about a specific design. This workbench provides the tools for analyzing assemblies such as part clash detection, simulations, part shuttles and automated assembly explosions. This workbench provides the tools to analyze and annotate 2D documents. This workbench provides the tools to help the user optimize the design.

DMU 2D Viewer DMU Optimizer

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Knowledgeware
This Application Tool contains workbenches that allow the user to incorporate intelligence into CATIAV5 documents.

Workbench

Workbench Name
Knowledge Advisor Knowledge Expert Product Engineering Optimizer Product Knowledge Template Product Function Optimization Product Function Definition

Workbench Definition
This workbench provides the tools to create and apply rules and checks for defined parameters. This workbench also has macro and script tools. This workbench provides the tools to create and apply expert rules and checks. This workbench provides the tools to optimize assembly designs. This workbench provides the tools to create template copies of existing knowledgeware creations. This workbench provides the tools to create and modify functional actions. This workbench provides the tools to define functional actions.

CATIA V5 Documents
All files created using CATIA V5 are referred to as documents. The basis of most CATIA V5 documents is the part document. The part document is similar to the *.model file in CATIA V4. Different CATIA V5 Workbenches generate different types of documents (extension types). The following is a list of different workbenches and the extension types. Part Design Sketcher Surface Design Drafting Assembly Design GSA NC Material Shape *.CATPart *.CATPart *.CATPart *.CATDrawing *.CATProduct *.CATAnalyis *.CATProcess *.CATMaterial *.CATShape

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CATIA V5 Workbook

Running CATIA V5 On Windows

This book was developed with CATIA V5 running on Microsoft Windows XP Professional. CATIA V5 running on UNIX is similar although there are some minor differences. The biggest difference is UNIX will not have all of the Windows functionality. The Windows functionality gives the user the flexibility of having several options for completing almost any task. For example, you have the Cut/Copy and Paste tools in the Windows XP pull down menu, you have the quick keys that accomplish the same thing ( Ctrl c and Ctrl v ) or you could use the CATIA V5 Cut and Paste tool found in the CATIA V5 Standard tool bar. Another example is you have the choice to highlight an entity then select the tool to apply or you can reverse the choices and select the tool, then select the entity. Some of these options are not available on the UNIX operating system. This workbook assumes you have at minimum a basic knowledge of the Windows Operating System.

Contextual Menus
CATIA V5 was developed to take advantage of MS Windows functionality. One of the most powerful functions offered by MS Windows technology is the Contextual Menu. For most tools/functions in CATIA V5 there are several different ways to accomplish and/or access the same tool. The Contextual Menu is one of the quicker methods to accomplishing some tasks, rather than attempting to locate a tool or navigate through the pull down menus. The Contextual Menu can provide immediate access to some tools/functions by selecting the particular item and selecting the right mouse button. Figure 1.5 shows an example of the Contextual Menu applied to the Pad.1.

Introduction to CATIA V5 Figure 1.5

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Contextual Menu: Select the specific entity from the graphics window or Specification Tree. Select the right mouse button. This brings up the menu as shown. The options will be applied to the selected entity ( Pad.1 in this example).

Drag and Drop

This is another MS Windows tool that CATIA V5 offers the user. With most CATIA V5 tools the user can select the tool (so it is highlighted) and then select the entity to apply the tool to or the user can select the entity/entities and then the tool. Anther option is to drag the tool and drop it onto the entity/entities. In other words the order in which the processes are executed is not critical. Most users get used to applying a tool a particular way and stay with that method. It is important to know that option is available. The methods described in this workbook are usually limited to one method. Even so, be aware of the other options.

Summary
This is a brief background and introduction to the world of CATIA V5. It is also a brief guide to how to get the most out of this workbook no matter what skill level you are at. The better you remember and understand the information presented in this lesson the easier it will be to learn and apply the information contained in the remaining lessons.

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CATIA V5 Workbook

Review Questions
After completing this lesson you should be able to answer the questions and explain the concepts listed below. 1. T or F The acronym of CATIA stands for Computer Aided Three Dimensional Interactive Application. 2. T or F CATIA V5 is a product of Dassault Systemes. 3. How many sections are there in each lesson? 4. How many Platforms are there in CATIA V5? 5. T or F The P1 Platform contains the most functionality. 6. How can you find out what CATIA V5 release level you are working on? 7. T or F The Part Design workbench is found in the Infrastructure Applications Tools. 8. T or F Sketcher is an Application Tool. 9. As presented in this lesson how many different types of documents can CATIA V5 create? 10. T or F The Part Design Workbench creates a *.CATPart type document. 11. T or F The Part Design Workbench creates a *.CATProduct type document. 12. As presented in this lesson how many options are on the Contextual Menu? 13. T or F The Contextual Menu applies only to the selected entity prior to activating the Contextual Menu. 14. How do you activate the Contextual Menu? 15. What does the short cut Ctrl+c (Ctrl key along with the c key) accomplish? 16. What does the short cut Crtl+v (Ctrl key along with the v key) accomplish? 17. T or F This lesson covers another method of accomplishing the same thing as selecting the Crtl +C short cut.

Introduction to CATIA V5

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18. What workbench does the following icon represent? 19. What Application Tool does the following icon represent? 20. What workbench does the following icon represent?

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CATIA V5 Workbook

Practice Exercises
1. Start CATIA V5. 2. Select the Part Design Workbench. Practice moving around between the different Application tools and Workbenches, particularly the Part Design, Sketcher, Assembly Design and Drafting Workbenches. 3. Select (highlight) the Part1 from the Specification Tree as shown below. Once Part1 is selected select the right mouse button to bring up the Contextual Menu specific to that entity. Review the options provided by the Contextual Menu. Select the Properties option, review the information provided. The more familiar you are with the information available and how to access it the better off you will be throughout the remaining lessons. 4. Using either method presented in this lesson determines the Release level of CATIAV5 and the current Service Pack installed. 5. Get comfortable with finding your way around the Application Tools and workbenches as well as using the Contextual Menu.