Interactive Surface Design using Creo

Parametric 2.0

T3921-390-02

Authored and published using

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Training Agenda
Day 1
Module 01 ― Introduction to the Style Surface Modeling Process
Module 02 ― Understanding Style Surface Modeling Concepts
Module 03 ― Creating Initial Style Curves
Module 04 ― Developing Style Surface Models

Day 2
Module 05 ― Advanced Tools and Techniques for Defining Style Shapes
Module 06 ― Creating Smooth Style Surface Models
Module 07 ― Integrating Style and Parametric Features
Module 08 ― Techniques for Creating Common Detailed Shapes
Module 09 ― Creating Complex, High Quality Style Surface Models
Table of Contents
Interactive Surface Design using Creo Parametric 2.0
Developing Style Surface Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Creating a Motorcycle Front Fender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Advanced Tools and Techniques for Defining Style Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Creating Wheel Spokes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Creating a Shoe Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Creating Smooth Style Surface Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Creating a Modem Using Surface Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Techniques for Creating Common Detailed Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Creating a Recess in a Mobile Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
 Module 4
Developing Style Surface Models

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 1

Exercise 1: Creating a Motorcycle Front Fender

Objectives
After successfully completing this exercise, you will be able to:
• Create a blend type surface.
• Drop a curve.
• Trim a surface.

Scenario
You are assigned the project of creating the front fender for a motorcycle. Reference geometry for
the fork tube, wheel, and tire has been imported into the fender model to assist with development of
the fender shape. You can delete this reference geometry when the fender is complete.
Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Style\Motorcycle_Fender FENDER.PRT

Task 1: Create a planar curve to define the spine of the fender.

1. Disable all Datum Display types.

2. Click Style from the Surfaces group in the
ribbon.
• Right-click and select Set Active Plane.
• Select datum plane FRONT from the model
tree.
• Click Active Plane Orientation from the
In Graphics toolbar.
3. Right-click and select Curve.
• Select Planar Curve from the dashboard.
• Select point locations to create a curve, as
shown.

Remember that this is a “freeform” design of the fender. Follow the image as closely as
possible when placing points and defining the curve. However, your design does not
need to exactly match the image.

Module 4 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

 4. Right-click and select Edit Definition.
• Click Pause Feature from the dashboard.
5. Select the Analysis tab.

• Click Curvature from the Curvature types

drop-down menu in the Inspect Geometry
group.
• Select the previous style curve.
• In the Curvature dialog box, type 85 for the
Scale value and press ENTER.
• In the lower left of the Curvature dialog box,
select Saved from the drop-down list.
• Click Accept in the Curvature dialog box.
6. Select the Style: Curve Edit tab and click
Resume Feature from the dashboard.
• Move points to refine the shape of the curve
using the curvature plot as a guide, as shown.
7. Click Complete Feature to complete the creation of the style surface.
8. Click Hide All .

Task 2: Create another planar curve to define the cross-sectional shape of the surface.

1. Right-click and select Set Active Plane.

• Select datum plane RIGHT from the model
tree.
• Click Named Views from the In Graphics
toolbar and select RIGHT.
2. Right-click and select Curve.
• Ensure that Planar Curve is selected
from the dashboard.
• Press SHIFT to snap the upper-right end of
the curve to the previous curve, as shown.
• Select the remaining point locations to create
a curve, as shown.

3. Right-click and select Edit Definition.

• Select the upper-right endpoint of the curve.
• Right-click the tangent handle and select Normal.
• Select datum plane FRONT.
4. Click Pause Feature from the dashboard.
• Select the Analysis tab.

• Click Curvature .
• Select the previous style curve, if necessary.
• In the Curvature dialog box, type 25 for the Scale value and press ENTER.
• Click Accept in the Curvature dialog box.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 3

 5. Select the Style: Curve Edit tab and click
Resume Feature from the dashboard.
• Move points to refine the shape of the curve
using the curvature plot as a guide, as shown.
6. Click Complete Feature to complete the
creation of the style surface.
7. Click Hide All .

Task 3: Create the fender surface.

1. Right-click and select Standard Orientation.

2. Right-click and select Surface.
• Select the primary curve, as shown.

3. Right-click and select Cross Collector.

• Select the cross curve, as shown.

Module 4 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

 4. Click Complete Feature .

Task 4: Create a planar curve to be used for a projected curve on surface.

1. Right-click and select Set Active Plane.

• Select datum plane FRONT from the model
tree.
• Right-click and select Active Plane
Orientation.
2. Right-click and select Curve.
• Ensure that Planar Curve is selected
from the dashboard.
• Select point locations to create a curve, as
shown.
3. Right-click and select Edit Definition.
• If necessary, drag the points to refine the
curve shape, as shown.
4. Click Complete Feature .

Task 5: Project the curve onto the surface.

1. Right-click and select Standard Orientation.

2. With the previous curve still selected, click Drop
Curve in the ribbon.
• Select the surface of the fender.
• Click Complete Feature .

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 5

Task 6: Trim the surface using the previous curve on surface.

1. Select the fender style surface.

2. Click Surface Trim from the Surfaces group
in the ribbon.
• Select the projected curve, as shown.

3. Right-click and select Delete Collector.

• Select the outer portion to delete.
• Click Complete Feature .
• Click OK .

Task 7: Mirror the style surface.

1. Select Quilts from the selection filter.

2. Select the trimmed surface, as shown.

Module 4 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

 3. Click Mirror from the Editing group in the
dashboard.
• Select datum plane FRONT from the model
tree.
• Click Complete Feature .

Task 8: Merge the surfaces and create a solid feature.

1. Click in the background of the graphics window

to de-select the mirror feature.
2. Press CTRL and select the original fender
surface, then select the mirrored surface.
• Click Merge from the Editing group.
• Click Complete Feature .
3. With the merge surface still selected, click
Thicken from the Editing group.
• Right-click and select Flip.
• Edit the thickness value to 5.
• Click Complete Feature .
4. Select Style 1 from the model tree.
• Press CTRL and select Mirror 1.
• Right-click and select Hide.
5. Press CTRL+S and then press ENTER to save
the model.
6. Click File > Close.

This completes the exercise.

© 2012 PTC Module 4 | Page 7

Module 4 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC
 Module 5
Advanced Tools and Techniques for Defining Style
Shapes

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 1

Exercise 1: Creating Wheel Spokes

Objectives
After successfully completing this exercise, you will be able to:
• Create a loft type surface.
• Pattern style features.

Scenario
You are assigned the project of creating the stylish spokes for the front wheel casting. Create a
visual prototype using a surface and pattern to create a five-spoke wheel.
Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Style\Motorcycle_Spokes WHEEL.PRT

Task 1: Create planar curves.

1. Disable all Datum Display types.

2. In the ribbon, click Style from the Surfaces
group.
• Select Preferences from the Operations
group drop-down menu. Enable Display Grid
if necessary and click OK.
• Right-click and select Set Active Plane.
• Select datum plane FRONT from the model
tree.
• Right-click and select Active Plane
Orientation.
3. Right-click and select Curve.
• Select Planar Curve from the dashboard,
if necessary.
• Select two points to define the first of four
curves, as shown.
• Click Complete Feature .
• Repeat the procedure to create the other three
curves, as shown.
4. Right-click and select Edit Definition.
• Right-click the active curve and select Add
Midpoint.
• Select the next curve, then right-click and
select Add Midpoint.
• Repeat for the remaining two curves.
• With the last midpoint still selected, press
CTRL and select each curve and then its
midpoint consecutively, until the midpoint of
each curve is selected.
• Drag all four midpoints at once, as shown.
• Click Complete Feature .
5. Click anywhere in the background to de-select
the curves.

Module 5 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

Task 2: Offset the two middle curves.

1. Press CTRL+D to orient to the Standard

Orientation.
2. Rotate the model slightly, and then select the
curve shown.
• Right-click and select Edit Definition.
• Select the References tab in the dashboard.
• Type 10 as the offset value and press ENTER.

3. Select the curve shown.

• Select the References tab in the dashboard.
• Type -10 as the offset value and press ENTER.
• Click Complete Feature .
• Click anywhere in the background to de-select
the curves.

Task 3: Create a loft surface.

1. Right-click and select Surface.

• Press CTRL and, working left to right, select
the four style curves shown.
• Click Complete Feature .
• Click OK .

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 3

Task 4: Thicken the spoke surface.

1. With the style surface still selected, click

Thicken from the Editing group.
• Right-click and select Flip.
• Right-click and select Flip again for both sides.
• Edit the thickness value to 3.
• Click Complete Feature .

If your thicken feature fails, your spoke design may have a sharper profile than shown
in this lab. To correct this, you can either:
1. Decrease the thickness value.
2. Decrease the +/- offset of the curves.
3. Drag the curves to increase their spacing.

2. Right-click Style 1 in the model tree, and select

Hide.
The spoke geometry is protruding through
the rim.

Module 5 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

 3. Fix the rim by selecting Revolve 3 from the
model tree and dragging it to the bottom of the
model tree, just after Thicken 1.

Task 5: Pattern the spokes.

1. Right-click Style 1 and select Pattern.

• Select Axis as the pattern type.
• Select axis A_2 from the model tree.
• Edit the number of members to 5.
• Click Set Angular Extent .
• Click Complete Feature .
2. Right-click Thicken 1 and select Pattern.
• Select Reference from the dashboard, if
necessary.
• Click Complete Feature .
3. Press CTRL+S and then press ENTER to save
the model.
4. Click Close from the Quick Access toolbar.

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 5

 5. Click Open from the Quick Access toolbar,
then select FENDER_WHEEL.ASM and click
Open.
6. Press CTRL+S and then press ENTER to save
the model.

This completes the exercise.

Module 5 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

Exercise 2: Creating a Shoe Design

Objectives
After successfully completing this exercise, you will be able to:
• Create four-boundary surfaces with internal curves.
• Create radial path planar curves.
• Modify and control the shape of a style surface using internal curves.

Scenario
You are tasked with designing a shoe part. You create boundary surfaces to design the basic form
of the shoe part and modify the form using radial path planar curves as internal curves.
Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Style\Shoe SHOE.PRT

Task 1: Examine the surface patches on the model and experiment with directly creating a COS
type curve.

1. Disable all Datum Display types.

2. Select each of the surface patches, as shown.
The contoured surface of the shoe is
defined by multiple surface patches.

3. In the ribbon, click Style from the Surfaces

group.
4. Select Preferences from the Operations group
drop-down menu.
• Clear the Display Grid check box.
• Click OK.
5. Right-click and select Curve.
• Select Curve on Surface from the
dashboard.
• In the In Graphics toolbar, select No Hidden
from the Display Style drop-down menu.
• Click to locate the right-most endpoint, as
shown.
• Moving left, click points on the surface to
create the curve.
• Attempt to locate the endpoint on the front
surface patch of the model.

The direct Curve on Surface creation option is limited to creation on a single surface
patch.

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 7

 6. Click Cancel Feature from the dashboard.
7. Select Preferences from the Operations group drop-down menu.
• Select the Display Grid check box.
• Click OK.
8. Click Shading from the In Graphics toolbar.

Task 2: Create a planar curve and then a projected Curve on Surface curve.

1. Right-click and select Set Active Plane.

• Select datum plane FRONT from the model
tree.
• Right-click and select Active Plane
Orientation.
2. Right-click and select Curve.
• Select Planar Curve from the dashboard.
• Select locations for the five points shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

3. Click Drop Curve from the Curve group.

• Press CTRL+D to orient to the Standard
Orientation.
• Press CTRL and select the two surfaces, as
shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

Task 3: Create a single curve from existing edges.

1. Click in the background to de-select all selected

items.
2. Select Curve from Datum from the Curve
group drop-down menu.
• Spin to position the model, as shown.
• Press CTRL and select the two edges shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

Module 5 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

Task 4: Create cross curves on datum plane FRONT.

1. Press CTRL+D to orient to the Standard

Orientation.
2. Right-click and select Curve.
• Click Planar Curve in the dashboard, if
necessary.
• Spin to position the model, as shown.
• Zoom in to the indicated area.

3. Press SHIFT and select a location for the top

endpoint to snap to the curve intersection, as
shown.
4. Create three intermediate point locations.
5. Press SHIFT and select a location for the bottom
endpoint to snap to the curve intersection.

6. Click Pause Feature .

• Select the Analysis tab.

• Click Curvature from the Inspect Geometry group.

• Select the curve you are creating.
• In the Curvature dialog box, type 3 for the scale and press ENTER.
• In the lower left of the Curvature dialog box, select Saved from the drop-down list, if
necessary.
• Click Accept in the Curvature dialog box.
• Select the Style:Curve tab.

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 9

 7. Click Resume Feature .
• Right-click and select Edit Definition.
• Edit the curve shape using the curvature plot,
as shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

• Select Delete All Curvature from the

Analysis drop-down menu.

8. Right-click and select Curve.

• Spin to position the model, as shown.
• Zoom in to the indicated area.

9. Press SHIFT and select a location for the top

endpoint to snap to the curve intersection, as
shown.
10. Create three intermediate point locations.
11. Press SHIFT and select a location for the bottom
endpoint to snap to the curve intersection.

12. Click Curvature .

• Right-click and select Edit Definition.
• Edit the curve shape using the curvature plot,
as shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

• Select Delete All Curvature from the

Analysis group drop-down menu.

Module 5 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

Task 5: Create a surface using four boundaries.

1. Click No Hidden .
2. Press CTRL+D to orient to the Standard
Orientation.
3. Select the curve shown, then right-click and
select Hide.
4. Press CTRL+G to ensure that all the curves are
regenerated.
5. Right-click and select Surface.
• Select the upper curve.
• Press SHIFT and select the upper curve
segment near the toe.

6. Reorient the model as required.

• Press CTRL and select the lower curve.
• Press SHIFT and select the lower curve
segment near the toe.

7. Press CTRL and select the cross curves at the

toe and heel, as shown.
8. Click Complete Feature .

Task 6: Create a radial path planar curve.

1. Right-click and select Curve.

• Select Planar Curve from the dashboard,
if necessary.
• Reorient the model as required.
• Right-click and select Reference Collector.
• Select a location on the curve, as shown.
A new active plane is created.

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 11

 2. Click Shading .
3. Right-click and select Active Plane Orientation,
then rotate the model slightly, as shown.
• Press SHIFT and select a point to snap to the
curve on the left.
• Select locations for three intermediate points.
• Press SHIFT and select a point to snap to the
curve on the right.

4. Right-click and select Edit Definition.

• Right-click and select Active Plane
Orientation.
• Refine the curve shape, as shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

Module 5 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC

Task 7: Create two copies of the radial path planar curve.

1. Press CTRL+D to orient to the Standard Orientation.

2. With the previous curve still selected, select Copy from the Curve group drop-down menu.
• Reorient the model as required.
• Highlight the Z-axis of the jack.
• Press ALT and drag the curve to the location shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

3. With the previous curve still selected, click Copy .

• Reorient the model as required.
• Highlight the Z-axis of the jack.
• Press ALT and drag the curve to the location shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 13

Task 8: Add the radial path planar curves to the surface as internal curves.

1. Select the style surface created in this exercise,

right click, and select Edit Definition.
• Right-click and select Internal Collector.
• Press CTRL and select the three internal
curves, as shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

Task 9: Change the shape of the surface by editing an internal curve.

1. Select the last style curve created (using Copy),

right click, and select Edit Definition.
• Right-click and select Active Plane
Orientation.
• Right-click and select Add Point to add three
points to the curve.
The active plane orientation is determined
based on the original position of the
model. To ensure that you have the same
orientation as shown, spin the model to a
position that is close to this before selecting
Active Plane Orientation.

2. Drag the style points, as shown.

3. Click Complete Feature .

Module 5 | Page 14 © 2012 PTC

 4. Spin to orient the model, as shown.
5. Click OK .
6. Press CTRL+S and then press ENTER to save the model.
7. Click Close from the Quick Access toolbar.

This completes the exercise.

© 2012 PTC Module 5 | Page 15

Module 5 | Page 16 © 2012 PTC
 Module 6
Creating Smooth Style Surface Models

© 2012 PTC Module 6 | Page 1

Exercise 1: Creating a Modem Using Surface
Connections

Objectives
After successfully completing this exercise, you will be able to:
• Understand the fundamentals of surface connections and manipulate tangents in order to achieve
the desired shapes of blend surfaces.

Scenario
You are working on a modem part. You create two style surfaces using trimmed edges of a
surface and style curve. By manipulating the connections between these surfaces, you learn the
fundamentals of surface connections.
Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Style\Modem MODEM.PRT

Task 1: Trim the modem surface using a dropped curve.

1. Disable all Datum Display types.

2. In the model tree, drag the Insert Indicator
directly below Surface id 205.

3. Click Show in the model tree and select

Layer Tree.
4. In the layer tree, right-click TRIM_CURVES and
select Unhide.
5. Click Show in the layer tree and select
Model Tree.

6. Click Style from the Surfaces group.

7. Select Preferences from the Operations group
drop-down menu.
8. Disable Display Grid, if necessary, and click
OK.
9. Click Drop Curve from the Curve group.
• Press CTRL and select the three curve
entities, as shown.
• Right-click and select Surface Collector.
• Select the surface feature, as shown.
• Click Complete Feature .
10. Select the View tab and select Reset Status
from the Status types drop-down menu.
11. Click Repaint from the In Graphics toolbar.
12. Select the Style tab.

Module 6 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

 13. Click Surface Trim the from the Style toolbar.
• Select the surface feature.
• Right-click and select Curve Collector.
• Press CTRL and select the three curves lying
on the surface.
• Right-click and select Delete Collector.
• Select to remove the middle area of the
surface as shown.
• Click Complete Feature .
14. Click anywhere in the graphics window to
de-select all geometry.

Task 2: Create a planar curve and a free curve to define boundaries for the surface.

1. Select Preferences from the Operations group

drop-down menu.
2. Enable Display Grid and click OK.
3. Right-click, select Set Active Plane, and select
datum plane FRONT from the model tree.
4. Right-click and select Curve.
• Select Planar Curve from the dashboard.
• Right-click and select Active Plane
Orientation.
• Press SHIFT and select endpoints for a curve,
snapping to the existing curve, as shown.
5. Right-click and select Edit Definition.
• Right-click the curve and select Add Midpoint.
• Press CTRL+ALT and drag the midpoint vertically, as shown.
• Right-click and select Standard Orientation.
• Click Complete Feature .

© 2012 PTC Module 6 | Page 3

 6. Right-click and select Curve.
• Select Free Curve from the dashboard.
• Press SHIFT and select endpoint locations,
as shown.

7. Right-click and select Edit Definition.

8. Drag the two endpoints to the ends of the curves,
as shown.

9. Right-click the curve and select Add Midpoint.

• Right-click and select Active Plane Orientation.
• Press CTRL+ALT and drag the midpoint vertically, as shown.
• Right-click and select Standard Orientation.
• Click Complete Feature .

Module 6 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

Task 3: Create the first surface.

1. Click anywhere in the background to de-select

all items.
2. Right-click and select Surface.
3. Press CTRL and select the three dropped curve
segments and then the planar curve, as shown.
The Tangent connection arrow at boundary
2 indicates that the surface is tangent to that
boundary. The dashed position connection
icons near curves 1 and 3 indicate that
there is no specified connection at those
boundaries.

4. Click the center of the tangent arrow to make it

curvature continuous.
The tangent arrow changes to the bold
curvature arrow.
5. If necessary, adjust the size of the connection
icons as follows:
• Select the Style tab.
• Select Preferences from the Operations
group drop-down menu.
• Edit the Connection Icon Scale to 2.
• Click OK to close the dialog box.
• Select the Style: Surface tab.
6. Right-click the connection arrow and select
Position.
7. Click Complete Feature .
A tangent connection no longer exists
between the surfaces. This is represented
by the dashed position icon.

© 2012 PTC Module 6 | Page 5

Task 4: Create the second surface and connect it to the first surface.

1. Right-click and select Surface.

2. Press CTRL and select the four boundaries, as
shown.
You can modify surface connections while
creating a surface or while using the
Connect Surfaces option after you have
completed creating a surface.

3. Click the tail of the tangent arrow to flip its

direction.
4. Click the center of the arrow to specify
curvature-continuous, which is indicated by a
bold arrow.
5. Click Complete Feature .

Since both the surfaces share boundaries, you can achieve a curvature connection. The
direction of the arrow indicates which surface is the leader and which is the follower for the
surface connection. This image is of the surface after the connection has been edited to
be curvature-continuous.

Task 5: Create a planar curve and add it as an internal curve.

1. Right-click, select Set Active Plane, and select

datum plane RIGHT from the model tree.
2. Right-click and select Curve.
• Click Planar Curve from the dashboard.
• Press SHIFT and select the three points, as
shown, snapping them to the two style curves
and the edge.
• Click Complete Feature .

Module 6 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

 3. Select the second surface created in this
exercise, right-click, and select Edit Definition.
• Right-click and select Internal Collector.
• Select the previously created planar curve, as
shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

4. Select the first surface created in this exercise,

right-click, and select Edit Definition.
• Right-click and select Internal Collector.
• Select the previously created planar curve, as
shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

Task 6: Connect the internal curve to the outside surface and then modify the connection of the
first surface.

1. With the surface still selected, click Surface

Connect .
There is a position connection established
only for the upper edge.
2. Click Cancel Feature from the dashboard.

3. Select the internal curve, right-click, and select

Edit Definition.
4. Zoom in and select the top endpoint of the
internal curve, as shown.
5. Right-click the tangent handle and select
Surface Tangent.
The symbol has changed at the endpoint
from an 'X' to a square.
6. Click Complete Feature .

© 2012 PTC Module 6 | Page 7

 7. Click Surface Connect and select the first
created surface.
8. Right-click the top surface connection icon and
select Tangent.
9. Click Complete Feature .

Task 7: Change the shape of the first surface by making the boundary curves tangent.

1. Select the first planar curve created in this

exercise, right-click, and select Edit Definition.
• Select the left endpoint.
• Right-click the tangent handle and select
Surface Tangent.
• Select the right endpoint.
• Right-click the tangent handle and select
Surface Tangent.
• Click Complete Feature .

2. Click Surface Connect and select the first

created surface.
• Right-click the position connection icon on the
left side and select Tangent.
• Right-click the position connection icon on the
right side and select Tangent.
• Click Complete Feature .

Task 8: Change the shape of the second surface by editing the surface connections and allowing
the curve connections to be automatically updated.

1. Click Surface Connect and select the

second created surface.
• Right-click the position connection on the right
side and click Tangent.
• Click Yes to confirm that the connecting
curves will be edited accordingly.
• Right-click the position connection on the left
side and click Tangent.
• Click Yes to confirm that the connecting
curves will be edited accordingly.

For the first surface, you edited the curve connection before editing the surface connection.
With the second surface, you edited the surface connection to tangent and Creo Parametric
automatically edited the corresponding curve connections to be tangent.

Module 6 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

 2. With Surface Connect still selected in the
style toolbar:
• Press CTRL and select the first surfaces (so
that both are selected), as shown.
• Click the center of the curvature handle
between the surfaces to toggle the connection
type to Tangent.
• Click the tail of the tangent handle to flip its
direction, as shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

Task 9: Analyze the surface curvature and then make the surface connection curvature-contin-
uous.

1. Select Preferences from the Operations group

drop-down menu.
2. Disable Display Grid, if necessary, and click
OK.
3. Select Shaded Curvature from the Analysis
group drop-down menu.
• Select Component from the Selection Filter
drop-down list, located in the upper-right area
of the window.
• Select a surface on the model.
• Examine the curvature display. Notice that the
new surfaces blend smoothly with each other,
but do not blend smoothly with the outside
surfaces.
• Click Cancel .
Your curvature plot looks different because
your style geometry is slightly different.

4. Select the internal curve that was created

second, right-click, and select Edit Definition.
• Select the top endpoint, right-click the tangent
handle, and select Surface Curvature, as
shown.
• Click Complete Feature .
5. Select the planar curve that was created first,
right-click, and select Edit Definition.
• Select the left endpoint, right-click the tangent
handle, and select Surface Curvature, as
shown.
• Select the right endpoint, right-click the tangent
handle, and select Surface Curvature, as
shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

© 2012 PTC Module 6 | Page 9

 6. Select the last curve created in the exercise,
right-click, and select Edit Definition.
• Select the left endpoint, right-click the tangent
handle, and select Surface Curvature, as
shown.
• Select the right endpoint, right-click the tangent
handle, and select Surface Curvature, as
shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

7. Click Surface Connect from the style

toolbar.
• Press CTRL and select all three surfaces, as
shown.
• Click the tail of the tangent handle located
near the center of the model to flip its direction,
if necessary.
• Click all of the tangent handles to toggle the
connection type from Tangent to Curvature,
as shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

8. Select Shaded Curvature from the Analysis

group drop-down menu.
• Select Component from the Selection Filter
drop-down list, located in the upper-right area
of the window.
• Select a surface on the model.
• Examine the curvature display. Notice that the
new surfaces blend smoothly with each other,
but do not blend smoothly with the outside
surfaces.
• Click Cancel .
9. Click OK .

Task 10: Use the style surface to finalize the model shape.

1. In the model tree, drag the Insert Indicator

directly below Protrusion id 926.
2. Select the top surface of the protrusion, as
shown.

Module 6 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

 3. Click Offset from the Editing group.
• Select Replace Surface from the Offset
types drop-down menu in the dashboard.
• Select the surface, as shown.
• Click Complete Feature .

4. In the model tree, right-click the Insert Indicator

, select Cancel, and then click Yes to confirm.
5. In the model tree, right-click Style 1 and select
Hide.
6. Press CTRL+S and then press ENTER to save
the model.
7. Click Close from the Quick Access toolbar.

This completes the exercise.

© 2012 PTC Module 6 | Page 11

Module 6 | Page 12 © 2012 PTC
 Module 8
Techniques for Creating Common Detailed Shapes

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 1

Exercise 1: Creating a Recess in a Mobile Phone

Objectives
After successfully completing this exercise, you will be able to:
• Create split surface geometry using the Style tool.

Scenario
You are working on a mobile phone project. You use the Style tool to create the display screen
surface of the mobile phone.
Close Window Erase Not Displayed

Style\Phone PHONE.PRT

Task 1: Create two curves using the Curve on Surface option.

1. Disable all Datum Display types.

2. Click Wireframe from the In Graphics toolbar.
3. In the ribbon, select Style from the Surfaces
group.
4. Right-click and select Curve.
• Click Curve on Surface from the
dashboard.
• Starting from the upper left, select locations
for four points, as shown.
• Press SHIFT and snap the far right endpoint
to the datum curve.
5. Right-click and select Edit Definition.
• Select the endpoint attached to the datum
curve.
• Right-click the tangent handle and select
Normal.
• Select datum plane TOP from the model tree.

Module 8 | Page 2 © 2012 PTC

 6. Click Named Views from the In Graphics
toolbar and select TOP.
7. Drag points of the curve as required to refine the
shape, as shown.
8. Click Complete Feature .

9. Right-click and select Curve to create a second

curve.
• Press SHIFT and snap the left curve endpoint
to the previous curve.
• Select an intermediate point location.
• Press SHIFT and snap the right endpoint to
the vertical curve.

10. Right-click and select Edit Definition.

• Select the endpoint attached to the datum
curve.
• Right-click the tangent handle and select
Normal.
• Select datum plane TOP from the model tree.
• Drag points as required to refine the shape of
the curve, as shown.
11. Click Complete Feature .

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 3

Task 2: Create a third style curve.

1. Click Shading from the In Graphics toolbar.

2. Click Named Views from the In Graphics
toolbar and select 3D.
3. Right-click, select Set Active Plane, and select
datum plane TOP from the model tree.
4. Right-click and select Curve.
• Click Planar Curve from the dashboard.
• Press SHIFT and snap the first endpoint at the
intersection of the blue datum curve and the
black style curve.
• Select two additional free point locations, as
shown.
5. Right-click and select Edit Definition.
• Right-click and select Active Plane
Orientation.
• Select the left endpoint of the curve.
• Right-click the tangent handle and select
Surface Tangent.

6. Click Pause Feature from the dashboard.

• Select the Analysis tab.

• Click Curvature from the Inspect Geometry group.

• Select the curve you are currently editing.
• Drag the scale handle upward to approximately 1.0.
• In the lower left of the Curvature dialog box, select Saved from the drop-down list.
• Click Accept in the Curvature dialog box.
• Select the Style: Curve Edit tab.
7. Click Resume Feature from the dashboard.
8. Drag points of the curve as required to refine the shape, as shown.
9. Click Complete Feature .

10. Select Delete All Curvature from the Analysis group drop-down menu.

Module 8 | Page 4 © 2012 PTC

Task 3: Edit the previous curve to free, and then copy and edit it.

1. Click Named Views from the In Graphics toolbar and select 3D.
2. Select the previously created curve, right-click and select Edit Definition.
• Click Free Curve from the dashboard.
• Click Yes in the message window that appears below the dashboard.
3. Right-click, select Set Active Plane, and select datum plane RIGHT from the model tree.
4. With the free curve still selected, select Copy
from the Curve group drop-down menu on
the Style tab.
5. Press CTRL+ALT and drag the copied curve as
far to the left as it will move.
6. Click Complete Feature .

7. With the copied curve still selected, right-click

and select Edit Definition.
8. Click Named Views from the In Graphics
toolbar and select SIDE.
9. Drag the left endpoint downward, as shown.
10. Click Complete Feature .
11. Click Named Views from the In Graphics
toolbar and select 3D.

Task 4: Create a free curve and a surface.

1. Right-click and select Curve.

• Click Free Curve from the dashboard.
• Press SHIFT and snap the curve to the endpoints shown.
2. Right-click and select Edit Definition.
• Select the right-most endpoint.
• Right-click the tangent handle and select
Normal.
• Select datum plane TOP from the model tree.
3. Click Complete Feature .

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 5

 4. Click anywhere in the graphics window to
de-select all geometry.
5. Right-click and select Surface.
6. Press CTRL and select the four boundary
curves, as shown.
7. Click Complete Feature .

8. Click Wireframe from the In Graphics toolbar.

9. Click Named Views from the In Graphics
toolbar and select TOP.
10. Select the first curve on surface type curve you
created, right-click, and select Edit Definition.
11. If necessary, refine the curve shape, as shown.
12. Click Complete Feature .

Task 5: Create another curve on surface and then a planar curve.

1. Click Shading from the In Graphics toolbar.

2. Click Named Views from the In Graphics
toolbar and select 3D.
3. Right-click and select Curve.
• Click Curve on Surface from the
dashboard.
• Right-click and select Surface Collector.
• Right-click and select Next to query and select
the style surface, as shown.

Module 8 | Page 6 © 2012 PTC

 4. Create the curve, as shown.
• Click Named Views from the In Graphics
toolbar and select TOP.
• Press SHIFT to snap the upper-left endpoint.
• Select three intermediate points.
• Press SHIFT to snap the lower-right endpoint.
Because this curve is a curve on surface
type curve, its points can only be selected
on the curve you first selected as the surface
reference. If you are clicking and nothing is
happening, this is because you are either
not selecting that surface or you previously
selected the wrong surface as a reference.

5. Right-click and select Edit Definition.

• Select the lower-right endpoint.
• Right-click the tangent handle and select
Normal.
• Select datum plane TOP from the model tree.
• Drag the points to refine the curve shape, if
necessary.
6. Click Complete Feature .

7. Click Named Views from the In Graphics

toolbar and select 3D.
8. Right-click, select Set Active Plane, and select
TOP from the model tree.
9. Right-click and select Curve to create a second
curve.
• Click Planar Curve from the dashboard.
• Press SHIFT and snap the left curve endpoint
to the previous curve.
• Press SHIFT and snap the right endpoint to
the vertical curve.

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 7

 10. Right-click and select Edit Definition.
• Select the upper endpoint, right-click the
tangent handle, and select Surface Tangent.
• Select the lower endpoint, right-click the
tangent handle, and select Surface Tangent.
11. Click Complete Feature .

Task 6: Create a surface using the three curve on surface curves and the planar curve.

1. Right-click and select Surface.

2. Zoom out, press CTRL, and select the four
boundary curves, as shown.
3. Click Complete Feature .

4. Click Wireframe from the In Graphics toolbar.

5. Click OK .

Module 8 | Page 8 © 2012 PTC

Task 7: Mirror and merge the surfaces to create a single quilt.

1. Click Named Views from the In Graphics

toolbar and select 3D.
2. Edit the selection filter from Smart to Quilts.
3. Press CTRL and select the two surfaces, as
shown.

4. In the ribbon, select Merge from the Editing

group.
• Right-click and select Join.
• Click the arrow to flip its direction inward, if
necessary.
5. Click Complete Feature .

6. Click anywhere in the graphics window to

de-select all geometry.
7. Select the merged quilt, as shown.

8. In the ribbon, select Mirror from the Editing

group.
9. Select datum plane TOP from the model tree.
10. Click Complete Feature .

© 2012 PTC Module 8 | Page 9

 11. Click anywhere in the graphics window to
de-select all geometry.
12. Press CTRL and select the two quilts, as shown.
13. Click Merge from the Editing group.
14. Click Complete Feature .

15. Click anywhere in the graphics window to

de-select all geometry.
16. Press CTRL and select the two quilts, as shown.
17. Click Merge from the Editing group.

18. The merge direction arrow should be pointing

out, as shown. Flip it if necessary.
19. Click Complete Feature .

20. Click Shading and examine the resulting

surfaces.
21. Press CTRL+S and then press ENTER to save
the model.
22. Click Close from the Quick Access toolbar.

This completes the exercise.

Module 8 | Page 10 © 2012 PTC

Copyright
Interactive Surface Design using Creo Parametric 2.0
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PRINTING HISTORY
Document No. Date Description
T3921-390-02 08/09/2012 Initial Printing of:
Interactive Surface Design using Creo Parametric 2.0
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Printed in the U.S.A