Lesson One: Basic 3D Drawing in I-DEAS

Introduction:
What is I-DEAS?
I-DEAS is a 3D modeling program used in prototyping and testing designs.
How is I-DEAS used for prototyping and testing designs?
Create a 3D model of the part(s) in the drawing interface (Master Modeler)
Add multiple parts together to form an assembly (Master Assembly)
Perform FEA analysis (Finite Element Analysis) to determine load distributions, break/bending
points, heat transfer, fluid flow etc. (Simulation)
Create 2D draft drawings for manufacturing (Master Drafter)
Why are 3D drawing skills important?
Easier prototyping (more cost efficient)
Create intricate, detailed models
The better your drawing (more accurate etc.) the better your model/analysis is going to be
What are we going to cover today?
I-DEAS computer settings and opening files
I-DEAS Interface
Mouse Buttons for I-DEAS
Getting Help in I-DEAS
Drawing Simple Objects
Cube
Cylinder
Shelf Bracket

Getting Started in I-DEAS:

Make sure that the computer settings are correct for I-DEAS
Mouse button In the Control Panel under Mouse, change the middle scroll button to ENTER
Icon Menu Under Preferences, select Display. In the window, deselect Windows Look and Feel
(NOTE: You will have to exit and reopen I-DEAS in order for the setting changes to occur)
Once these changes are made (especially the Icon Menu), you will not have to go through this process
again. However, another user may change the settings of the mouse, so you should double-check that
particular setting.
 To open I-DEAS, select I-DEAS-11, I-DEAS Open GL from the Start Menu. You will then need to select
the following:

Project Use your login name for your project file name. All drawings that you do in I-DEAS will
be stored under this.
Model File Name Create a file name for the drawing. If you click on the file folder icon (just beside
the field for entering the file name) you can choose the location the file is to be stored (NOTE: Be
sure to store them on your own H:\ drive)
Application Select Design
Task Select Master Modeler to enter into the 3D drawing section of I-DEAS
Other I-DEAS tasks are as follows that you will be using are:
Master Assembly Combine multiple parts together to form one object (i.e. assembly
Master Drafter Import a 3D model (part) and I-DEAS will draw the 2D drafting drawings
according to your specifications. (NOTE: You will need to insert all the appropriate
drafting dimensions YOURSELF I-DEAS will not do this automatically for you)
 There are four separate windows in I-DEAS:

I-DEAS Prompt: Watch here for what I-DEAS is looking for you to select and what commands are
active
I-DEAS List: This is where I-DEAS will return any information involving part properties,
dimensions, measurements etc.
Icon Panel: Where all I-DEAS commands are located. The panel is split up into 3 sections; Drawing
tools, Application toolbar and Display toolbar
Workbench: The area in which you can draw etc. The workbench is further divided into viewports,
in which you can control display settings and have several views of the same object open on the
workbench (to a maximum of 4)

Drawing in I-DEAS:
BORN Technique:
Starting a part with an orphan node (i.e. a point without any references to another part/location) that
contains a coordinate system is called the BORN technique (Base Orphan Reference Node). This gives you
greater control when:
Establishing reference dimensions
Constraining part instances within assemblies
Adding associative copy features
as it defines a place in space and a starting point with which you can reference for drawing/feature commands
etc.

Mouse Buttons:
Left Mouse Button
- Single click:
(i) Over 2D (wireframe) objects to select lines and/or points
(ii) Over 3D parts to select the whole part, part features, lines, surfaces and vertices.
 Note: When commands require a part or feature to be selected, a single click will select the
whole part. Multiple clicks after will go through the hierarchy of the object (i.e. the second
click will select a feature and a third specific geometry.)
- Slow single click: Over icons will bring up the pull down menu associated with the icon
Middle (Scroll) Mouse Button
- Single click: Signifies DONE (or ACCEPT depending on the command. Watch the I-DEAS
Prompt window for this) for selecting an object within a feature command, and for completing a
command
NOTE: The <Enter> key is ONLY used when information via the keyboard is required (Data is
entered in the I-DEAS Prompt window)
Right Mouse Button
- Holding the button: Brings up a menu that allows you to
(i) selecting existing graphical entities specifically
(ii) defining implicit geometry in a command
(iii) sketching options
(iv) command-specific options (such as cancel, backup, and done an alternative to the
middle mouse button)

Delete, Refresh and Update Icons

To Delete an object, you can either:

Select the Delete icon and then the object to be deleted and select yes from the menu
Select the object to delete and then the Delete icon and select yes from the menu

When you zoom and rotate objects on the screen in I-DEAS, the graphics resolution deteriorates (e.g. if
you were to zoom in tight on a circle, it would appear more like a octagon). Use the Redisplay icon to
refresh the graphics resolution.

When modifications are made to a part, the model will need to be updated (i.e. rebuilt) in order for the
changes to take affect. The model (or the specific part of the model modified) will be in light purple if
this is the case. Selecting the Update button will rebuild the part with the new changes added.

Getting Additional Help

Under the Help menu, you can select Help Library. There are two useful places here to look at: Tutorials
and Bookshelf
Within Tutorials are step by step processes on how to create drawings, assemblies etc. They walk you
through I-DEAS commands and are a great place to learn how to use I-DEAS and if you want to
remember how to do a specific feature.
Within Bookshelf is the User Guide and Command Definitions. It assumes that youve already gone
through the tutorials as its explaining the commands etc. It is a great resource if you want to know more
indepth information about the commands and how to use them.
Command descriptions, Drawing Checklists and a Glossary is located in WebCT. Check these out for
more information!
Drawing Tasks:
Create Part: 3D square
Create Part and name it square.

XY Plane

Square

Select the XY Plane to sketch on. (Notice that the plane is now highlighted in blue)

Use (Rectangle by 2 corners) and draw a square anywhere on the screen (Note: Were not
concerned right now about dimensions)

Extrude the square into 3D. Youll need to select the square you drew and hit Done (i.e. the
middle mouse button).
Note: You can control the direction into which the object is extruded into 3D by using the flip icon on
the Extrude form. i.e. the icon with the double arrows

Use the F-keys to move and rotate the square on the screen. (Hold down the F-key and move the mouse
around)
F1 Move
F2 Zoom
F3 3D Rotate
Create Part: 3D cylinder
Create Part and name it cylinder. Select the XZ Plane to sketch on.

Use Center Edge to draw a circle (Note: Were not concerned about the dimensions)

Extrude the circle into 3D

Use the orientation icons in the Display Panel to change the orientation of the cylinder on the
screen
Managing Bins
Your project is like a filing cabinet. There are many drawers in which you can store drawings with each
drawer being a different subject heading.

Select Manage Bins and explore how your files are saved. You can either get or put away
drawings from the Manage Bins window, or use the individual commands.
Put both square and cylinder away.
ON YOUR OWN (Due next class!)

Homework for next Lab

Perform the Online Tutorials Under Design: Part Modeling, Fundamental Skills:
Introducing the I-DEAS Interface, Quick Tips to Using I-DEAS, Creating Parts, Viewing Parts

Perform the Online Tutorials Under Design: Part Modeling, Fundamental Skills:
Introducing the I-DEAS Interface, Quick Tips to Using I-DEAS, Creating Parts, Viewing Parts

Perform the Online Tutorials Under Design: Part Modeling, Fundamental Skills:
Introducing the I-DEAS Interface, Quick Tips to Using I-DEAS, Creating Parts, Viewing Parts

Perform the Online Tutorials Under Design: Part Modeling, Fundamental Skills:
Introducing the I-DEAS Interface, Quick Tips to Using I-DEAS, Creating Parts, Viewing Parts