CATIA V5 Basic Training PDF

CATIA V5 October 2006
CATIA V5 Basic Training
Presentation
CATIA V5 Basic - Presentation | V5 14 | Issue: Draft A6 | Date: 29. October 06

Contents
CATIA V5 Basic Training

Functionalities and AIRBUS methodologies
• Introduction Catia V5
• Sketcher
• Part Design
© AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GmbH. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Vertrauliches und geschütztes Dokument.
• Generative Shape Design Introduction

• Q-Checker
• Assembly Design
• Generative Drafting
• DMU Introduction
• Settings
CATIA V5 Basic - Presentation | V5 14 | Issue: Draft A6 | Date: 29. October 06 Page 2 of 312
Introduction
V5 Basics
• Philosophy of CATIA V5
• Product Structures
• Solutions and Workbenches
• Using the Mouse
• Desktop User Interface
• Toolbars
• Starting the Part Design Workbench
• Online Documentation
• Select Objects and Geometry
• Delete Objects and Geometry

• General Toolbars
• Options and Settings
• Naming and Numbering
• Layer
• Filter
Introduction
Philosophy of CATIA V5
CATIA Version 5 is an integrated suite of (CAD) Computer Aided Design,
(CAM) Computer Aided Manufacturing,
(CAE) Computer Aided Engineering
applications for digital product definition and simulation.
• Interoperability between all CATIA V5 modules (Workbenches)

• Consistency of data
• Support of process chains
• Build up and working in Product structures
• Parametric design with links inside a Part as well as between the Parts inside an Assembly
• Individual degree of parameterisation

• Knowledge based technology
• Specification-driven modelling for part design, assembly design and integrated drafting
• Associative feature based modelling
• Multi window desktop environment
• Platform independent (UNIX, NT)
Introduction
Solutions and Workbenches
Solutions Workbenches
E.g. Part Design Workbench

Catia V5 is divided into different solutions, which contain workbenches that are dedicated
to specific tasks
Introduction
Solutions and Workbenches
During the design process you can switch between the workbenches to change the available functions
for different tasks.
Changing the workbench
Start
With the workbench icon, which is normally
located in the right top corner, you have access to
your most favourite workbenches
Configure the favourites workbenches
Tools Configure
Available workbenches Favourites
Note: If you choose the same workbench, which is still open, a new part,
product or drawing will be started
Introduction
Using the Mouse
Right handed users Left handed users
Selecting Click MB1 Click MB3
Zooming Hold down MB2 and click MB1 once Hold down MB2 and click MB3 once
Rotating Hold down MB2 and then MB1 Hold down MB2 and then MB3
Rotation Centre Click MB2 once Click MB2 once
Panning Hold down MB2 Hold down MB2
Contextual menu Click MB3 Click MB1
Right Button (MB3)
Middle Button (MB2)

Left Button (MB1)
The following pages refer to right handed users

Introduction
Catia V5 Desktop User Interface
Pull Down Menus Compass Windows Manipulations
Help
Menu
Workbench icon
Specification
Tree
Workbench
Toolbars /
Icons
General
Toolbars /
Icons
Dialogue
area
Document window
Standard Toolbar View Toolbar /
Manipulation Icons Command Input Box
Introduction
Toolbars (1/3)
All workbenches are driven by the use of icons to issue

commands, which are grouped together in toolbars.
Click with the MB1 on the icon to activate Some icons have a subtoolbar,
the command. The icon will be highlighted which is indicated by a small black
in orange. arrow in the right corner at the

bottom of the icon.
Note: By double clicking on some of the
icons the command will stay active. To
deselect the command, click on the Icon
again or press the Esc key.
Note: It is also possible to activate the commands by using the pull down menus.
Introduction
Toolbars (2/3)
Use View > Toolbars to know which toolbars should be

displayed. You can also click with MB3 on an visible toolbar
The tick indicates that the

toolbar is visible in the
activated workbench
Note: If a toolbar with the tick is

missing in the workbench, it may
be outside of the visible desktop
area. This will be indicated with
chevrons. With MB1 on the
chevrons drag the hidden toolbar
into the desktop.
Introduction
Toolbars (3/3)
Resetting Toolbars
CATIA V5 memorizes the last toolbar
positions.
To reset the toolbars and reach an initial state

select View > Toolbars > Customize >
Restore position
Introduction
Starting the Part Design Workbench
Start CATIA V5 from VPM too build up the connection between this two programs
A new part can be creates of two different ways:
• Use the Start > Mechanical Design > Part Design pull down menu for starting the Part
Design Workbench.
• Use the File > New pull down menu to create a new CATPart.
Note: It is not necessary to enter a part name, since

the naming and numbering mandatory has to be done
by the use of the create & save functionality in VPM.
Introduction
Catia V5 Online Documentation (1/3)
Use the keyboard key F1 to start the Online
F1 Documentation either with Netscape or
with Mozilla and get more detailed
Information about a functionality
CATIA Documentation
Home Page
Full-Text Search
Workbench
Indexes
Automation Documentation
Home Page
Introduction
Full-Text Search
2
1
3
Introduction
Workbench Indexes
2
1
Introduction
Selecting Elements
Selecting Elements can be done in the geometry area or in the specification tree.
Geometry area
In the geometry area you normally select a sub element of the geometry. For a Solid the sub elements are:
• Vertex
• Edge Vertex
• Face Edge
Face
During a modification this sub elements will be new calculated by CATIA and in some cases the
references will be lost!
Specification tree
In the specification tree you
can select only whole features.
When ever possible use the specification tree for select elements. Because, these kind of selection
is a more stable solution for modifications and updates!
Introduction
Selecting Objects and Geometry (1/4)
By pointing it to an object’ s element

(e.g. lines, edges, vertices, faces, planes)
the arrow will be replace by a hand, and by
clicking with the MB1 on the element, the Select
object name will be highlighted in the
specification tree.
Multi-selection is possible by using the Ctrl-Key

Only the objects located entirely

inside the trap will be selected Selection
Trap
Note: It is also possible to drag a
bounding outline using the select icon.
Introduction
Any objects partly or entirely

inside the trap will be selected
Intersecting
Trap
Drag to create the polygon around

the objects to be selected. Close
the polygon
Polygonal
with a double-click.
Trap
inside the trap will be selected
Introduction
Any objects crossed by the paint
will be selected
Paint Stroke
Trap
Introduction

outside the trap will be selected
Outside
Trap
Selection
Any objects partly or entirely inside

the trap will be selected
Intersecting
Outside
Trap
Selection
Introduction
Preselection Navigator (1/1)
With the preselection navigator hidden or coincident elements, or elements located
elsewhere in the specification tree can be selected
The Preselection Navigator can by activated by:
• Any keyboard arrow (left, right, up, down)
• ALT + MB1
• CTRL+F11
• Time function
The following Options are available (see Options and Settings)

Activate timer
Display element list
Display additional Window

(Auxiliary Viewer)
Highlight behavior of elements
Introduction
Preselection Navigator (2/2)
Arrows for navigating Additional Display window
Black arrow indicates

the last element in
this direction
Cross display the

selected location
List of stacked
elements
Depth selection arrow controls for hidden and coincident elements

(up / down)
Arrow controls for navigating in the specification tree

(top / bottom)
MB1 Click on an element or in the circle to select it
In the Dialog area the identification of the pre selected element is displayed:
Introduction
Delete Objects and Geometry
To delete objects or geometry:
• select the element with the MB1 and use the Del (Entf) key on the
keyboard
or
• move the cursor to the element and click the MB3 to open the
contextual menu. Select the Delete option.
Introduction
General Toolbars
Standard Toolbar
Undo
Open Quick Print Copy Selection What‘s this?
Note: Do not use the

Cut function to delete
objects or geometry
New Save Cut Paste Redo (Memory effect)
Selection
Undo last Action Redo last Action

Undo with History Redo with History
Change the numbers of steps to Undo in:

Tools > Options > General > Performance
Note: By increasing the Stack size, the

Computer’ s performance will decrease!!
Introduction
General Toolbars
View Toolbar
Create View Swap Visible
Fit All In Rotate Zoom Out multi view Mode Space
Fly Mode Pan Zoom In Normal Quick Hide/

View View Show
Isometric View
Shading (SHR)
Front View
Shading with Edges

Back View
Shading with Edges without smooth Edges

Left View
Shading with Edges and Hidden Edges
Right View
Shading with Material
Top View
Wireframe (NHR)
Bottom View
Customized view parameters
Named Views
Introduction
Multi view
Divide the screen in several views of the 3D model.
The views can be customized in the Menu
View Navigation Mode Multi-View Customization
Choose a Layout
Viewpoint definition
for each view
Define Options
for each view
Introduction
Named Views / Compass
Additional Viewpoints can be saved.
1. Define the viewpoint by rotate, translate an zoom
2. Create a new view
Add the new view to the selection list
Modify the View parameters
Rename the view

Activate the standard views using the compass.

Click on the X, Y or Z letter
Click on Z axis Click on Z axis
again to reverse
view direction.
Introduction
Customize View Parameters
Define the visualistaion of the 3D model
Introduction
General Toolbars
Graphic Properties
Fill colour Line weight Point type Layer Wizard
Transparency Line type Rendering Painter

style (copy graphic
Properties)
1. Select the element of which the graphic properties will be changed

2. Select the icon

3. Select the element with the reference graphic properties
With the Wizard the graphic

properties of an element
and its parents can be
analysed
Introduction
Colours (1/3)
With colours a hole part or sub elements See AM2232 Module 1 Layers and Colours within CATIA V5
of a part can be marked.
Colours can be defined for different elements:
CATPart
• Face (Solid)
• Feature
• Body
• Wireframe and Surface
Inside a CATPart the priority of the element colour is from bottom up which can be analyzed with the
graphic wizard (CATIA V5 R14):
Introduction
Colours (2/3)
CATProduct See AM2232 Module 1 Layers and Colours within CATIA V5
• Product / Sub product
• Instance
Inside a CATProcuct the priority of the element colour is top down up which can be analyzed with the
graphic wizard (CATIA V5 R14):
Introduction
Colours (3/3)
See AM2232 Module 1 Layers and Colours within CATIA V5
Regulations for Colours

• Do not use the colours red and orange, because this are system
colours of CATIA V5 and define a special model status.
• Do not use colours on Product level
• A CATPart should have only one colour.
• For A-UK set all colourdefinitions back to colour by layer. (see NATCO
Add-on)
Introduction
Layer (1/2)
CATIA V5 functionality enables See AM2232 Module 2 CAD Layers Organisation

designers to manage their own design
and data organisation without layering See AM2232 Module 1 Layers and colours within CATIA V5
use.
Nevertheless, the use of layers is necessary for
Master Model identification, DMU Visualization, Data transfer and Manufacturing processes
CATPart
• In case of solid definition, only the Part-body has to be on a layer
• In case of wire-frame or surface definition (MG, DP, FM), the Open-body grouping
some elements might be on the appropriate layer and elements inside the Open-
body may be on layer none
• Use of layers forbidden for Part Number property level
CATProduct
Use of layers forbidden for CATProduct and CATPart Part Number property levels.
CATDrawing
No mandatory layers
Introduction
Layer (2/2)
Select View > Toolbars > Graphic Properties
in the pull down menu Layer box
Catia V5 provides
several layers. All
layers will be visible
in the layer box
• "None" in the Layer box indicates that there is no current layer for the
selected object.
• If an object is selected, the name of the layer on which the object is
located is displayed in the box. To find out which layer an object is
assigned to, select the object and look at the Layer box.
• When no objects are selected, the layer is displayed in the Layer box
as “None”
• Any new objects will be created on the current layer
• To move from the current layer, make sure that no object is selected,
then enter the new layer number in the box.
To change the layer of an object

Note:
• select the object
• select a layer in the Layer box It is not allowed to modify or
add a layer name
Introduction
Filter
After assigning objects to layers, create some filters which allow you to display only the
objects which are located in specific layers.
Select Tools > Visualization Filters...

To create a new filter Select a filter
click on New Define the new filter and click ok
New
To use one of the default To rename the filter select it,

filters select the filter and (MB1) and once more, a bounding
click ok box appears round it.
You can now change its name.
Introduction
Options and Settings
To modify the CATIA V5 options use the pull down menu Tools > Options.
There are several general options and special options for each Workbench.
For example Tools > Options > General > Display > Tree to show the “display of the
specification tree” options
If an option is locked
(a red symbol) the user

can’t modify it.
Sketcher
• Basics
• Sketcher Rules
• Accessing the Sketcher
• Toolbars and Icons Overview
• Toolbar Profile Creation
• Toolbar Operations
• Toolbar Constraints
• Toolbar Sketch Tools
• Constraints
• Formula
• Parameter
• Sketch Analysis
• Hints and Tips
Constraints
Dimensioning
Sketch positioning
Multi domain
Projection and Intersection
Create Circle
Sketcher
Basics
• A Sketch is a geometric elements which contains one or several

contour created in the Sketcher workbench.
• The sketcher workbench provides a set of functions for creating and
modifying sketched elements.
• A sketch contour may include profiles, construction lines and points
• It is possible to apply constraints to the sketched elements.
• In the Sketcher it is possible to work with an individual degree of
parameterisation. This is not allowed at AIRBUS.
Sketcher
Sketcher Rules
• Keep sketches as simple as possible to make modifications easily.

• Don’t create geometry which can be created as a feature
(e.g. fillets, chamfers, holes)
• Use the mirror function in the Part Design, not in the Sketcher.
• The sketch has to be fully constrained.
•
Auxiliary elements have to be created as construction elements
Sketcher
Sketcher Rules
There are some restrictions for sketches to create solid features:
Allowed Sketch Contours
One closed contour Several contours Several contours
Sketch Contours with restrictions for some solid features

Open contour Intersecting open contour Point (In standard mode)
Not Allowed Sketch Contours
Intersecting closed contours Self intersecting contour
Sketcher
Accessing the Sketcher (1/4)
There are different possibilities to start the sketcher:
• Inside e.g. the Part Design or Wireframe and Surface Design Workbench click the
Sketcher Icons
Sketcher
Sketch with Absolute Axis definition

• From any Workbench double-click an existing sketch

• Alternatively : Start > Mechanical Design > Sketcher from the pull down menu.
Note: If there is no CATPart open, Start > Mechanical Design > Sketcher will create a
new CATPart inside the Part Design Workbench
Sketcher
Sketcher
To define the Sketch Support, select a plane or a planar face or surface (either in the
geometry area or in the specification tree).
Sketcher
The normal of the working support is the same as the principal normal of the selected plane.
Eg. If you choose a plane parallel to the xy plane, the principal normal is z. The origin of the
Absolute Axis system of the sketch is automatically positioned on the origin of the CATPart.
Note: A sketch used to create a Part Design element (e.g. a pad) should be created directly in
the body that will contain this element and not in an open body. Otherwise it will be duplicated
and its management will be trickier. (See AM2259)
Sketcher
This command enables to create a logical sketch origin. This will give better control and
easier constraining of the sketch.
Origin
(e.g. intersection
between the axis
and the face of
the shaft)
Sketch Sketch Support

with (e.g. face of the
Absolute shaft)
Axis
definition
Note: You can use the contextual

menu (MB3 > Sketch object > Orientation
Change Sketch Support ...) to (e.g. horizontal direction
change the Sketch Positioning at any (H) parallel to an edge
time. of the pocket)
Sketcher
Origin: Define the Origin of the sketch

Origin: Part origin
Projection point Project a point on the sketch plane
Intersection 2 lines Intersection Point of two lines
Curve intersection Intersection point of a curve with the sketch plane
Middle point Middle point of a curve / line
Barycentre Centre of gravity of a surface
Orientation: Define the orientation of the h and v axis

Orientation: X, Y, Z-Axis
Components define a vector by its components
Through point Line between the origin and a point
Parallel to line Parallel to a line
Intersection plane intersection between a plane an the sketch plane
Sketcher
Toolbars and Icons Overview (1/9)
Toolbar
Rectangle Spline Line Point
Profile Creation
(1/2)
Profile Circle Ellipse Axis
Spline
Rectangle Circle
Oriented Rectangle Three Point Circle Connect

Parallelogram Circle using Coordinates
Elongated Hole Tri-Tangent Circle
Cylindrical Elongated Hole Three Point Arc
Three Point Arc Starting With Limits

Keyhole Profile
Arc
Hexagon
Centered Rectangle
Centered Parallelogram
Sketcher
Toolbar
Profile Creation
(2/2)
Rectangle Spline Line Point
Profile Circle Ellipse Axis

Ellipse Line Point
Parabola by Focus Infinite Line Point Using Coordinates
Hyperbola by Focus Bi-Tangent Line Equidistant Points
Intersection Point
Creates a Conic Bisecting Line
Projection Point
Line Normal to Curve
Sketcher
Toolbar
Operation
Chamfer Symmetry
Corner Trim Project 3D-Elements

Trim Symmetry Project 3D Elements
Break Translate
Intersect 3D Elements
Quick Trim Rotate
Close Project 3D Silhouette Edges

Scale
Complement Offset
Sketcher
Toolbar
Constraints
Animate
Constraint Constraint
Constraints Edit Multi

Defined in Constraint
Dialog Box
Constraint Fix together
Contact Constraint Auto Constraint
Sketcher
Toolbar
Sketch tools
(Standard)
Snap to Point on Grid
Construction/Standard Element
Geometrical Constraints
Dimensional Constraints
Sketcher
Further tools belonging to the selected
Toolbar Standard tools
function (e.g. Profile)
Sketch tools
(Extended)
Options Fields for entering

constraints value manually
Function: Option: Function: Option:
Symmetrical Extension Select a Curve before

Line Line normal

to a curve
Profile Infinite Line Line through two

Three Point Arc
Points
Tangent Arc Vertical Line
Line (Standard) Horizontal Line
Sketcher
Toolbar
Sketch tools (Extended)
Funktion: Option: Funktion: Option:
Connect with an Arc Nearest Endpoint
Connect Conic
Connect with a Spline Two Points
Continuity in Point Four Points

Continuity in Tangent Five Points
Continuity in Curvature Start and End Tangent
Tension of the tangency Tangent Intersection Point
Sketcher
Toolbar
Function: Option: Function: Option:
Trim all Elements Trim all Elements
Corner Trim first Element Chamfer

Trim first Element
No Trim No Trim
Standard Lines Trim Standard Lines Trim
Construction Lines Trim Construction Lines Trim
Construction Lines No Trim Construction Lines No Trim
Sketcher
Toolbar
Funktion: Option: Funktion: Option:
Trim Quick Trim

Trim first Element Break and keep
Break and rubber
Trim all Elements out
Break and rubber

in
Both Side Along a Direction

Offset
Offset Projection
Point Propagation Orthogonal Projection
Point
Tangent Propagation
No Propagation
Sketcher
SmartPick (1/3)
Using SmartPick, you will easily specify a location:
• somewhere on the grid • all over a curve
• using coordinates • at the intersection point of two curves
• on a point • aligned at a vertical/horizontal position
• at the extremity point of a curve • on the fictitious perpendicular line through a line end point
• at the midpoint of a line • any of the above cases possibly combined together,
• at the centre of a circle or an ellipse whenever possible.
There are four ways to use the SmartPick:

1. 3D graphic window and 2. Contextual menu:

SmartPick cursor:
3. Sketch tools toolbar

(Coordinates and parameters):
4. Ctrl and Shift key
Sketcher
SmartPick (2/3)
Symbols for the SmartPick cursor
horizontal
Vertical
Point, Curve Extremity Point, Midpoint of a Line
All over a Curve, Intersection Point
Tangent
Parallel
Perpendicular
Selection not possible
Note:
To create a geometrical constraint from the SmartPick detection the „Geometrical Constraint“ icon must be
activated (orange).
To create a dimensional constraint from the parameter values in the Sketch Tools Toolbar the
„Dimensional Constraint“ icon must be activated (orange).
Sketcher
SmartPick (3/3)
Control the activity of the constraint detection
Shift Key: Dynamic deactivation of the auto-detection (SmartPick)
Press and
Keep Hold In this example the
of the Shift horizontal and
Key coincidence constraints
are not longer detected
Ctrl Key: Lock the current detected constraint to reduce the degree of freedom
Press and
Keep Hold
of the Ctrl
Key
In this example the tangency

constraint is locked
Sketcher
Toolbar Profile Creation (1/6)
Create an open or closed shape including arcs and lines. You can
create either by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar. When you
create a profile by using the Sketch tools toolbar, constraints are
similarly assigned to this profile.
Profile
Create a rectangle by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar. The

orientation of the lines will be horizontal or vertical.
Rectangle
Create a rectangle in the direction of your choice by clicking or using

the Sketch tools toolbar. Define the direction of the first side with a
line, and then the height of the rectangle with a point.
Oriented Rectangle
Create a parallelogram by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar.
Parallelogram
Create an elongated hole by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar.

Define the first and the second point of the symmetry axis, and then
the elongated hole radius.
Elongated Hole
Sketcher
Create an cylindrical elongated hole by clicking or using the Sketch

tools toolbar. Define the circle centre, the arc extremities and the
radius of the cylindrical elongated hole.
Cylindrical Elongated Hole
Create a keyhole profile by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar.

Define the first and the second point of the symmetry axis, the first
radius and then the second radius.
Keyhole Profile
Create an hexagon inside a construction circle by clicking or using the

Sketch tools toolbar. Define the hexagon centre and then either a point
on this hexagon or the hexagon dimension and angle
Hexagon
Create a circle by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar. Define the
circle centre and the radius.
Circle
Create a circle by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar. Define

the circle start point, second point and end point one after the other.
Three point Circle
Sketcher
Create a circle by using the Circle Definition dialog box. Define the
centre point coordinates and the Radius. If you select a point before
clicking the icon, this point will be used as reference point. Else the
reference point is the origin of the sketcher axis system.
Circle using Coordinates
Create a circle by clicking. Define three elements (point, line, circle,

spline) one after the other to create a circle made of three tangent
constraints (line, circle, spline) or coincidence constraints (point).
Tri-Tangent Circle
Create an arc by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar. Define

the arc start point, second point and end point one after the other.
Three Point Arc

the arc start point, end point and second point one after the other.
Three Point Arc Starting With Limits

the arc centre and then the arc start point and end point.
Arc
Sketcher
Create a spline by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar. Indicate

the points through which the spline goes. Double-click to end the
spline. To edit a control point (position, tangency, curvature radius)
double-click on this.
Spline
Create a connection between two curves. Select the connect option in the
Sketch tools toolbar: With an Arc or With a Spline. Select the first element
and then the second element. The connection is tangent to both selected
Connect elements.
Create an ellipse by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar. Define

the ellipse centre, major semi-axis and minor semi-axis endpoints one
after the other.
Ellipse
Create a parabola by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar. Define

the focus, apex and then the parabola two extremity points.
Parabola by Focus
Create a hyperbola by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar.

Define the focus, centre and apex, and then the hyperbola two
extremity points.
Hyperbola by Focus
Sketcher
Create a conic type element (circle, ellipse, parabola, hyperbola) by

clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar. Define the desired points
and if needed, use tangents or enter the excentricity
Creates a conic
Create a line by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar. Define the
startpoint and the endpoint of the line. Use the contextual menu to
copy the length of an existing line or to take an existing line as angle
Line reference.
Create an infinite line either horizontal, vertical or through two points

by clicking and using the Sketch tools toolbar. Select an option in the
toolbar and then indicate one or two points.

Infinite Line
Create a line by clicking. Define two elements (point, line, circle, spline)
one after the other to create a line made of two tangent constraints
(line, circle, spline) or coincidence constraints (point).
Bi-Tangent Line
Create an infinite bisecting line by clicking or using the Sketch tools

toolbar. Select two existing lines. If both selected lines are parallel to
each others, a new line will be created between these lines.
Bisecting Line
Sketcher
Create a point by clicking or using the Sketch tools toolbar. Define the
horizontal and vertical coordinates of the point. To get the centre of gravity
between existing points (isobarycenter), select this points before clicking
the point’s icon.
NOTE: All the points must be converted into construction elements, before
using a sketch for creating a solid feature (e.g. a pad).
Point
Create a point by using the Point Definition dialog box. Define the point
coordinates. If you select a point before clicking the icon, this point will be
used as reference point. Else the reference point is the origin of the
sketcher axis system.
Point Using Coordinates
Create a point by using the Equidistant Point Definition dialog box. Select
a line or a curve-type element. Define the number and spacing of the
points.
Equidistant Points
Create one or more points by intersecting curve type elements. Multi-select

the elements to be used for intersecting, then click the Intersection Point
icon and then select the element which intersect with the first selected.
Intersection Point
Create one or more points by projecting points perpendicular onto curve

type elements. Select the points to be used for projection, then click the
Projection Point icon and then select an element on which the points will be
Projection projected.
Point
Sketcher
Create a profile (1/2)
1. Click with MB1 to define the start point of the
profile
2. Move the mouse to define the end point of the

first segment. Click with MB1 to define the end
point. This is the start point for the next line.
The parameters for the segments can also

defined in the Sketch tool bar.
3. Finish a closed profile by select the start point.

Pay attention for the SmartPick icon.
4. Finish a open profile by double click.
Sketcher
Create a profile (2/2)
5. To create an tangent arc, hold down the
MB1 and move the mouse away from the
last endpoint.
The parameters for the segments can also

defined in the Sketch tool bar.
6. To create an non tangent arc or start the profile

with an arc, you have to use the “Three point
arc” icon.
Sketcher
Toolbar Operation (1/3)
Create a rounded corner between two lines or curve type elements using
trimming operation. The arc will be tangent to the two lines or curves. To
modify the trim option (Trim All Elements, Trim First Element, No Trim)
use the Sketch tools toolbar.
Corner You can create several corners by multi-selecting
Create a chamfer between two lines or curve type elements using trimming
operation. To modify the trim option (Trim All Elements, Trim First
Element, No Trim) or the chamfer definitions (Angle/Hypotenuse,
Length1/Length2, Length1/Angle) use the Sketch tools toolbar.
Chamfer You can create several chamfers by multi-selecting
Trim lines or curve type elements. If an element does not intersect with
another element an extrapolation is done. To modify the trim option
(Trim All Elements, Trim First Element) use the Sketch tools toolbar.
Trim You can multi-select the elements to be trimmed
Break a line or a curve type element. First select the line to be broken
and then the element which is used for breaking.
By using the break icon, you can also isolate points.
Break
Quickly breaking, trimming and/or deleting (rubber) elements

intersected by other Sketcher elements. To modify the trim option
(Break And Rubber In, Break And Rubber Out, Break And Keep) use the
Quick Trim Sketch tools toolbar.
Sketcher
Close circles or ellipses.

Set splines which was relimited by using the trim icon to its original
limitation again.
Close
Complement an arc (circle or ellipse)
Complement
Create the symmetry of existing Sketcher elements by using a line, a

construction line or an axis. The geometry will be duplicated. If the
Dimensional Constraint option in the Sketch tools toolbar is activated a
Symmetry symmetry constraint is created.
Create a translation by using the Translation Definition dialog box. Enter

the number of copies, (multi-)select the element to be translated, select the
start and endpoint of the translation vector and define the value for the
translation length. The duplicate mode is activated by default. Internal and
Translate external constraints (geometrical and dimensional) can be preserved.
Create a rotation by using the Rotation Definition dialog box. Enter the
number of copies, (multi-)select the element to be rotated, select the
rotation centre point, click a point to define the reference line, define the
Rotate value for the rotation angle. The duplicate mode is activated by default.
Internal constraints can be preserved. External geometrical constraints
are deleted. External dimensional constraints are modified.
Sketcher
Scale a profile. The distance values will be resized, the angle values will
not be modified. (Multi-)select the element to be scaled, define the centre
point on the geometry, enter the scale value. The duplicate mode is
activated by default. Internal constraints can be preserved. External
geometrical constraints are killed. External dimensional constraints are
Scale modified.
Create an offset of 2D geometry (lines and curves). Create an associative

offset of 3D geometry (edge, face and geometrical features). To modify
the offset options (No Propagation, Tangent Propagation, Point
Propagation and Both Side Offset) use the Sketch tools toolbar.
Offset Constraints are not created. No propagation on 3D edges.
Project 3D elements (e.g. edges or faces) onto the sketch plane. If you
select a face, the edges are projected. These projections (marks) are
yellow and associative to the 3D part. If needed, use the contextual menu
to isolate the marks.

Project 3D Elements
Intersect 3D elements (e.g. edges, faces, pads) onto the sketch plane. If
you select a face or pad, the edges are projected. These projections
(marks) are yellow and associative to the 3D part. If needed, use the
contextual menu to isolate the marks.
Intersect 3D Elements
Project silhouette edges from a canonical surface onto the sketch plane.
The axis of the canonical surface must be parallel to the sketch plane.
These projections (marks) are yellow and associative to the 3D part. If
needed, use the contextual menu to isolate the marks.
Project 3D Silhouette Edges
Sketcher
Toolbar Constraints
Define one or several constraints simultaneously using the Constraint

Definition dialog box. Select or multi-select the elements to be
constrained and then the Constraints Defined in Dialog Box Icon.
Constraints Defined in Dialog Box
Set dimensional or geometrical constraints between one or several elements.

The constraints are in priority dimensional. Use the contextual menu to get
other types of constraints and to position this constraint as desired.
Constraint
Apply a constraint with a relative positioning that can be compared to

contact: Concentricity, coincidence or tangency
Contact Constraint
Automatic detection and creation of possible constraints between selected

elements. It is possible to define reference elements and symmetry lines.
Automatic Constraint
Examine how the whole sketch is reacting when one constraint is varied
between a maximum and a minimum value.
Animate Constraint
Sketcher
Toolbar Constraints
Join geometry to a rigid set. If one element is moved, the hole group
move together.
Fix together
All the dimensional constraints of a sketch can be edit in a dialog box at the
same time
Edit Multi-Constraint
Sketcher
Toolbar Sketch Tools
If activated, this option makes your sketch begin or end on the points of the grid. As
you are sketching the points are snapped to the intersection points of the grid.
Snap to Point
Create standard elements when the icon is inactivated and construction elements
when the icon is activated. Construction elements are not taken into account
when creating features, and they do not appear outside the Sketcher
Construction/Standard Element
Geometrical Constraints will automatically be created while creating the sketch.

Geometrical Constraints
Dimensional Constraints will automatically be created while creating the sketch.
Sketcher
Tools
If the Icon is activated Projections, Intersections and Silhouettes from 3D are not
associative.
Create Datum
With the output feature construction elements and single elements can be used
outside the sketch. Output features have a special update behaviour.
Output feature
Several Profiles inside a complex sketch can be defined. In the specification tree each profile can
be selected separate
Output Profil
Analyse if the sketch is fully, under or over constraint
Sketch Solving Status
Analysis sketches for inconsistence
Sketch Analysis
Sketcher
Visualisation
Cut the 3D Solid geometry temporary on the sketch plane to see the inside
the volume.
Cut Part by Sketch plane
The Usual mode is the default option. When activated, the 3D geometry
is visible in the Sketcher.
Usual
In the Low Light mode all geometrical elements and features appear as gray-
colored, except for the current sketch. You cannot select the 3D geometry,
you can just handle Sketcher elements.
Low Light
The No 3D Background mode hides all geometrical elements and features

(products, parts, etc.) except for the current sketch.
No 3D Background
Sketcher
Visualisation
Show / Hide the diagnostic colours of the sketch
Diagnostic
Show / Hide all dimensional Constraints of the sketch
Dimensional constraint
Show / Hide all geometrical Constraints of the sketch

Geometrical Constraint
Sketcher
Constraints (1/4)
Constraints are used to control the size and the position of an element
and its relationship to other elements.
Geometric Constraints
control the
• relationship between the elements (e.g. coincidence, parallel) or
• the orientation of an element (e.g. horizontal, vertical).
control the
• size of an element (e.g. length, radius) or
• the distance and angle between elements.
Sketcher
Constraints (2/4)
Visualization of Geometric Constraints
Fix Concentricity
Coincidence Symmetry
Horizontal Midpoint
Vertical Equidistant point
Tangency
Perpendicular
Parallelism
Sketcher
Constraints (3/4)
Visualization of Dimensional Constraints
Length / Distance
Note:
Radius You can obtain a radius
constraint by editing a
Diameter diameter constraint. You
just need to double-click
Angle the diameter constraint and
choose the radius option in
the displayed dialog box.

Semiminor axis
Semimajor axis
Sketcher
Constraints (4/4)
Constraint Colors
Select another element or

Orange Selected the background
All relevant dimensions are created. The whole

Green Fixed geometry has been fixed using the fix Sketch can be used
constraint
The element is fixed and cannot be moved
Green Iso-constrained from its geometrical support. (E.g. if you fix a Sketch can be used
line it is still possible to move the endpoints)
Sketch can be used but is

White Under-constrained Still some degrees of freedom remaining
not allowed at AIRBUS
Too many dimensions have been applied to Remove one or more

Purple Over-constrained the geometry dimensional constraints
The system is unable to find a consistent At least one dimension

Red Inconsistent solution for the dimension system value needs to be changed
Geometry No recalculation because some geometrical Remove one or more

Brown elements are over-defined or inconsistent constraints
not changed
E.g. marks which were created via projection Sketch can be used.
Yellow Protected or intersection with associativity to external 3D Isolate the marks to get rid
elements of the associativity
Sketcher
Formula (1/3)
Adding a Formula
Select the Edit

formula option to
Double-clicking on the open the Formula

desired constraints to Editor
modify the related data
in the displayed
Constraint Definition
dialog box
move the cursor to the value and

click the MB3 to open the
contextual menu
Sketcher
Formula (2/3)
Adding a Formula
In the upper field
you will find the
selected constraints,
the field below is for
the formula.
In the sketch the value

of the constraint is
modified and the
formula symbol is
shown.
Define the
formula
In the Constraint Definition

dialog box the Value is
dimmed and the formula
symbol appears.
Sketcher
Formula (3/3)
Show the name of a dimension
For a better overview, it is possible to display the name of a dimension in the sketch.
Move the cursor to the

value and click the MB3
to open the contextual
menu
Note:
Use formulas only for real master elements and not for creation comfort reasons (See AM2259)
Sketcher
Parameter (1/4)
Creating a user Parameter
It is possible to create additional parameters which can be used e.g. in a formula.
The parameter will

automatically get a
name (e.g. Length.1).
Replace the name and
assign the value to

this parameter
3
2
Click New
Parameter of type
1
Select e.g. the Length item with Single Value in the
New Parameter of type list
Sketcher
Parameter (2/4)
Displaying a user Parameter
The user parameters are displayed in the

Parameters box of the specification tree
Note:
To display the parameter use

Tools > Options > Infrastructure > Part Infrastructure > Display > Display in Specification Tree
To display the parameter with their provided values, use

Tools > Options > General > Parameters and Measure > Knowledge > Parameter Tree View
Sketcher
Parameter (3/4)
Using a user Parameter
The new parameter can be used to define a formula.

To display the new and renamed parameter select Renamed parameters in the field Members
of Parameter
Double-click the
parameter in the field
Members of Renamed
parameters to insert
the parameter in the
formula.
Sketcher
Parameter (4/4)
Lock Parameter
With this functions parameters can be looked and unlooked. The
value of a looked parameter can not be changed.
Lock
Select the parameter and the icon for lock and unlock.
Unlock
A special icon identify the locked status of a parameter.
Alternatively the MB3 can be used to lock and unlock parameters.
Sketcher
Equivalent Parameters (1/4)
Equivalent Parameters
With this function several (Length and Angle) Parameters can be set to
the same value. When one of the equivalent parameters will be changed
all the other will became the same value.
Menu to choose the parameters

Sketcher
Select the parameters in the sketch or in the

left column of the dialog window.
Add the parameter to the list of equivalent

dimensions.
Sketcher
List of the parameters with the same values
Change the parameter value
Finish the function by clicking OK

In the specification tree the equivalent dimensions is positioned under the relations
Sketcher
Equivalent Dimensions can be edit by double click the specification tree or one of the values
Sketcher
Sketch Analysis (1/3)
Inside the Sketcher Workbench use the Tools > Sketch Analysis pull down menu to start
the Sketch Analysis
Sketcher
A general status of all
geometrical elements will
be shown
After the selection of an

element in the Geometry
list (e.g. Point.22) or in the
Projections/Intersections
list, it is possible to use
some corrective actions if
the geometry is not
correct.
Geometry Projections / Intersections
turn this element into a

isolate geometry
construction element
close an open profile activate/deactivate a constraint
erase a disturbing element erase geometry
Hide constraints replace 3D geometry
Hide Construction Geometries Hide constraints
Hide Construction Geometries

Sketcher
The Diagnostic tab

provides
information about
under-constraint
elements
Sketcher
Hints and Tips – Constraints (1/3)
Starting the Sketch in the origin of the sketch absolute axis

If the origin of the sketch absolute axis (yellow axis)
has been selected as the starting point of the sketch
(e.g. the centre point of a circle), the system will
automatically create a coincidence constraint between
the origin and the starting point.
Note: This constraint won’ t be displayed, therefore

it won’ t be possible to select the constraint
directly to delete it.
Hint:
By using the Break icon, you can
isolate points: If you select a point Select the
with a coincident constraint, this point Break icon
will become independent of the and then
coincidence constraint. the point
Sketcher
Control the activity of the constraint detection (3/3)

SmartPick switch button: Permanent deactivation of the auto-detection (SmartPick).
As you create more and more elements, SmartPick detects multiple directions and
positions, and more and more relationships with existing elements. This may lead to
confusion due to the rapid highlighting of several different detection possibilities as you
point the cursor at different elements in rapid succession. Consequently, you can
decide to filter out undesired detections.
Use the Tools > Options > Mechanical Design > Sketcher > Sketcher > Constraints
menu and select the SmartPick Icon to modify the SmartPick options.
Alternatively you can

press the Shift key
to deactivate all smart
pick options.
Sketcher
Modify the Constraint Type

1. Activate the Constraint command or the Contact Constraint command .
2. Click with the MB3 the constraint to be modified.
3. Select the option corresponding to the desired operation, from the contextual
menu.
Coincidence 1 Distance
constraint type. 2 constraint type.
Sketcher
Hints and Tips – Dimensioning (1/2)
Manage the orientation and type of the current dimension
Constraint Icon activated + MB3 (Contextual menu):

• Change length or distance to horizontal or vertical dimension
• Change the type of the dimension (e.g. from Angle to Perpendicular)
Sketcher
Hints and Tips – Dimensioning (2/2)
Modify geometry
Edit dimensional constraint values just by dragging constrained geometry
Press and
Keep Hold
of the Shift
Key while
dragging the
geometry
The constraint is temporary a reference
Sketcher
Hints and Tips - Multi domain
Sketch Multi domain
A sketch can contain several contours with functional links.
Sketcher
Hints and Tips - Projection and Intersection (1/2)
Projection and Intersection of 3D Elements
Note that the order of the selection (Action-Object or Object-Action) can change the result
1. Action-Object
Select the Surface The axis will The result is
Select the of a cylinder be highlighted a point
Intersection
Icon
2. Object-Action
Select the Surface The result is
Select the a circle
of a cylinder Intersection
Icon
Sketcher
Hints and Tips - Projection and Intersection (2/2)
Projection and Intersection of 3D Elements
Projection and intersection of 3D elements directly to sketches
• Marks created via projection, intersection or silhouette edges are associative to their
parent 3D elements
• To break this associativity use the MB3 > Sketch.object > Isolate. The marks are
isolated and each trace is replaced by an equivalent geometrical element
Note if working in an assembly:
If the option “Keep link with selected object” is active, an object created from the selection
will keep the link with it. A selection between two different CATParts (selection in context) will
create and keep a link (external reference) between these.
To avoid undesired links, make sure that at least the option Tool > Option > Infrastructure
> Part Infrastructure > General > “Confirm when creating a link with selected object”
is activated.
Sketcher
Hints and Tips - Create Circle
Switch between radius and diameter
double-click the radius value > Constraint Definition

Copy radius to the next circle

Select the circle Icon MB3 > Parameters > Copy Radius
and move the cursor
over the existing
circle, now MB3.
Sketcher
Hints and Tips - Dimension of an Ellipse
Semiminor axis
For a iso constraint ellipse you need the following five constraints:
Position of the centre
Semimajor axis
Semimajor Axis: Select the ellipse Angle
Semiminor Axis: Select the ellipse

and select Semiminor axis in the
context menu
Angle: select the ellipse and

a reference element.
Part Design
• Basics • Hints and Tips

• The Specification Tree • Pattern
• PartBody, Body and Open body • Searching Elements
• Features • Change the Sketch Support
• Toolbars and Icons Overview • To stack Actions
• Sketch-Based Features • Hide Elements
• Dress-Up Features • Behaviour of Show/Hide
• Transformation Features • Hole positioning
• Reference Elements • Variable Edge Fillet

• Surface based Operations • Using multi domain Sketch
• Boolean Operations • Basic Methods
• Using Boolean Operations • General Modelling Rules
• Using Fillets and Drafts
• Link management
• Sketch
• Publication
• Material
Part Design
Basics – The Specification Tree (1/3)
Structure of the Specification Tree
The specification tree shows the hierarchy of the part
defined by the operations during the design process. The
structure of each operation created by the designer will be
kept in the tree. Thus, at the beginning you start with a very
small tree which will grow up during the design. At the end you
might have a very long and complex tree, but nevertheless all
your design steps are included in it. A new part starts with
these objects:
• the 3 main planes xy, yz and zx
• the absolute axis system
• the PartBody
A good structure of the tree is profitable for:
• a clean construction
• updates with no problems
• good overview of the part design
Before starting the construction, take time to create a strategy. Note:
Investigate: You may require more time to produce a good
concept, you will gain this by spending less
• the aproach time during the design.
• the logical structure of the part Starting without a concept can lead in extreme
• the expected result cases in having to start again.
• the down stream processes and their interfaces.
Part Design
Structure of the Specification Tree Note:
The elements will automatically
get names which are built out of
Starting point for the solid
strings defined by the element
generation is the
type and a running number
PartBody.
(e.g. Pad.1).
By using only this automatic
naming you can easily loose the
overview and orientation in the
tree. It is difficult to remember
Below the PartBody all the what e.g. Assemble.278
different elements (like connects with Body.9.
features, sketches etc.) will A good practice will be to
be automatically rename the features to help you

implemented corresponding to navigate through the tree.
to their chronological You can rename by selecting
creation. the feature and using MB3 on
that Feature> Properties >
Feature Properties
Short cut = ALT-ENTER.
To have a clean structure in

complex parts, you should
implement additional Bodies.
Part Design
Structure of the Specification Tree
You can reorder the positions of the features in the tree afterwards. But remember,
this can have an influence on the geometry of the part. Sometimes the result will
totally change or some geometry won’ t be calculated. On the other hand, the
reordering of the tree can sometimes help to get the desired result.
MB3 > ….Object > Reorder

Part Design
Basics – PartBody, Body and Geometrical Sets (1/7)
PartBody
The PartBody has a special role in the specification tree. Its use and influence on the construction has
to be known.
The finished designed part has to be completed within the PartBody (at AIRBUS this is mandatory!).
Only by this way, a clean connection to down stream processes (e.g. calculations or automatic bill of
material) is guaranteed.
Important:
• The PartBody cannot be deleted
• Boolean operations which will use the PartBody (e.g. Remove-, Add- or Assemble-body) are not
possible. The PartBody cannot be added to or subtracted from other bodies, but it is possible to add
(subtract) other bodies to (from) it.
Part Design
PartBody
It is possible to move all or part of the content of the PartBody into a new body
The new body is automatically

assembled to the PartBody
It is also possible to let an existing body becomes the PartBody
MB3
The body becomes
the PartBody
Part Design
Body
Additional bodies can be inserted. They will help to generate a
better structure of the tree in cases of complex parts.
These bodies can be connected by Boolean operations. E.g. using

separate bodies for the inner areas, outer areas, the raw casting
and/or machining helps to divide the different operation steps and
make a clearer structure.
Remember: The finished designed part has to be completed

within the PartBody
Use the Insert > Body pull down menu for creating an additional Body.
Part Design
Geometrical Set
During the work in PartDesign, by creating

reference elements (point, line or plane), a
“Geometrical Set” will be automatically
inserted in the tree as a store for the
elements.
By default, the wireframe and surface
geometry is created in an Geometrical Set
in parallel with the PartBody. There will be
no chronological trace of the design if the
tree remains as such.
Part Design
Ordered Geometrical Set
The ordered geometrical Set (OGS) contains wireframe and

surface geometry like the normal geometrical Set.
The OSG works like an Solid Body. The elements will created
and ordered in a linear way and a chronological order.
Properties of an OSG:
• OSG is fully linear
• The order of the appararation of features in the specification

tree is consistent with the chronological creation
• Modification features will absorb there parents which are not
longer accessible for users
• An OSG must created by the user
• Every element in an OSG can be defined as in work object,
all elements located behind the work object are not
accessible.
• An OSG can be scanned by the “Scan” function
Part Design
Geometrical Set
To keep the overview in the tree, it is good to add one or several
Geometrical Sets to the tree and name them with corresponding names.
By that you can group the wireframe objects.
Change into the Wireframe and Surface Design
Workbench > Insert > Geometrical Set
The sequence of the various bodies in the specification tree

must be ordered logically.
To obtain a more logical tree, insert the Geometrical Set where
the wireframe or surface geometry is needed.
Insert > Geometrical Set…
Part Design
Geometrical Set
The function „Change Geometrical Set…“ allows you to move the

Geometrical sets within the specification tree. They can also be moved
directly under a given body.
MB3 > ….Object > Geometrical Set…

Part Design
Basics – Features (1/3)
Feature-based design
Features are entities that should be combined to make up a part. They include the
generating of geometry, an operation or a combination of both. Some operations
consist in adding material (e.g. rib), others in removing material (e.g. hole and
pocket)
There are several groups of Features:

• Sketch-based Features
• Dress-Up Features
• Surface Based Features

• Transformation Features
Part Design
Handling of Features
Features can be duplicated, copied, translated, deleted, deactivated, or modified in the

structure position.
• With the context menu of the right mouse button you can delete, deactivate, or
translate the features.
• You can also use the buffer for the cut, copy, and translate functions to modify the
Features in the structure.
Note:
It is not allowed to use the Drag&Drop functionality at Airbus.
Part Design
Parameters and References of Features
The parameter values and the references of a Feature can be modified at any time.
• Double click on the Feature in the structure tree and the corresponding panel will
appear.
• The same is true for the sketches. A double click on it to open it, then constraints,
dimensions or geometry can be modified, added, or deleted.
New references which lead to new dependencies will be created during,

• the dimensioning,
• the defining of geometrical constraints (like tangency, symmetry ..)
• and the defining of Dress-Up-Features
Deleting a used reference implies that the related dimensioning parameters, constraints, or
features will also be deleted automatically.
Attention: The deletion of a reference can happen during the design process. If e.g. an edge
which had been used for a fillet doesn’t exist any more after a change during the design, the
fillet will be deleted automatically.
Part Design
Toolbar
Sketch - Based Features
Pocket Groove Rib Stiffener Removed Loft
Pad Shaft Hole Slot Loft

Pad Pocket Stiffener
Drafted Filleted Pad Drafted Filleted Pocket Solid Combine
Multi Pad Multi Pocket
Part Design
Toolbar
Dress – Up Features
Champfer Shell Thread/Tap
Fillet Draft Thickness Remove Face

Edge Fillet Draft Angle Remove Face
Variable Fillet Draft Reflect Line Replace Face
Face – Face Fillet Variable Draft
Tritangent Fillet
Part Design
Toolbar Toolbar
Surface Based Feature Transformation Feature
Mirror Scaling
Surface
Translation Pattern
Split
Translation Rectanggular Pattern

Thick Surface
Rotation Circular Pattern
Close Surface
Symmetry User Pattern
Sew Surface
Part Design
Toolbar
Boolean Operations
Add Remove Lump
Assemble Union Trim

Add
Remove
Intersect
Part Design
Sketch-Based Features (1/2)
Create a pad means extrude a profile in one or two directions. You

can choose the limits of creation as well as the direction of extrusion.
Pad
Create a pocket consists in extruding a profile and removing the material

resulting from the extrusion. You can choose the limits of creation as well
as the direction of the extrusion.
Pocket
Create a shaft by revolve a open or closed profile in one or two

directions.
Shaft
Grooves are revolved features that remove material from existing features
Groove
Create a hole consists in removing material from a body. Various shapes

of standard holes can be created.
Hole
Part Design
Sketch-Based Features (2/2)
Create a rib by using a centre curve, a planar profile and possibly reference
element or a pulling direction. Ribs can also be created from sketches
including several profiles. These profiles must be closed and must not
Rib intersect.
To define a slot, you need a centre curve, a planar profile, a reference element
and possibly a pulling direction. Slots can also be created from sketches
including several profiles. These profiles must be closed and must not
Slot intersect.
To define a stiffener you need an open profile. Make sure that the material can
limit the extrusion of this profile.
Stiffener
Define a Solid with an intersection of two sketches in different planes
Solid Combine
Part Design
Pad /Pocket
A pad /pocket is a prismatic volume based on a sketch, planar curve or surface / face
Closed sketch or Face or Surface

closed planar curve
A pad / pocket can be limited by parameters or geometric elements
Dimension Up to next Up to last Plane Surface
Note: The limits for „Up to next“ / „Up to last“ must be in the same Body!
Part Design
Pad /Pocket
The extrusion direction of a pad / pocket normally is normal to the sketch plane. You
can define the direction by select a linear curve.
Reference for
direction
With the Thick option a wall thickness on the sketch contour can be created.
Closed contour Open contour
Part Design
Pad /Pocket
Special cases
If another solid feature in the body exists, an open contour can be trimmed on this
geometry
Pad Pocket
Open contour Open contour
Open contour
Options: Thick, Merge Ends
Note: The limits for „Merge Ends“ must be found on both ends of the contour in the current body!
Part Design
Shaft / Groove
A shaft / groove is a rotational volume based on a sketch, planar curve or surface / face
The rotation axis can be:

• A sketch axis (preferred solution)
• A cylindrical face
• A linear curve (line)
The contour does not intersect the rotation axis:
9 8
Closed Contour
Open Contour
Part Design
Shaft / Groove
Rotation Angle
Rotation Axis
Recognized by CATIA,
if the sketch contains
an axis
Sketch for shaft Shaft
Part Design
Hole (1/5)
The sketch of a hole must not defined in advance, the sketch will be
created automatically an contain one point in standard mode.
Select a face (or plane)
Extension
Hole
dimensions
Direction of
the hole axis
Bottom shape Modify the position of the

hole center by edit the
positioning sketch
Part Design
Hole (2/5)
Hole Types
Simple Tapered Counterbored Countersunk Counterdrilled
For the countersunk hole type are three parameter combinations available:
Depth & Angle
Depth & Diameter
Angle & Diameter
Part Design
Hole (3/5)
Thread
Activate Thread
Select Thread standard
Select Thread size

Thread Analysis Numeric Value

Symbolic
geometry
Define Filters
Start Thread analysis

with Apply
Part Design
Hole positioning (4/5)
It is possible to constraint a hole during the creation
Available selections:
• Circular edge + support = concentricity
• 1 edge + support = 1 dimension

• 2 edge + support = 2 dimension
• Point + support = coincidence to point
Part Design
Hole positioning (5/5)
To control the hole direction on a non planar face you can use an line
for steering the hole direction
• Line + support = hole direction and center point

The center point is the intersection between the face and the line
Part Design
Rib / Slot
Merge rib’s ends

If there exist an other solid feature in the body, the rib/slot can be trimmed on this geometry
Note: The limits for „Merge rib’s ends“ must be found on both ends of the rib/slot in the current body!
Part Design
Rib / Slot
Profile Control
Keep Angle Pulling Direction Reference Surface
The angle between the profile The angle between the profile The angle between the profile
plane and center curve is plane and the reference and the normal to the surface is
constant element is constant constant
Part Design
Stiffener
Mode: From Side
Sketch the Side view of the Stiffener

An open sketch is limited by intersect or extrapolation on the solid
geometry of the current body. A limitation in all directions is necessary.
Direction of the wall thickness

Direction of search material for
Intersect / extrapolate
NF
NF
Remark: The sketch plane define the Neutral Fiber
Part Design
Stiffener
Mode: From Top
Sketch the Top view of the Stiffener

An open sketch is limited by intersect or extrapolation on the solid
geometry of the current body. A limitation in all directions is necessary.
Direction of the wall thickness

Direction of search material for
Intersect / extrapolate
NF
NF
Remark: The sketch contours define the Neutral

Fiber
Part Design
Combine
Define a Solid with an intersection of two pads with extrusion directions in one step.
+ =
The profiles can be a sketch, a planar

contour or a surface / face. (See pad
feature for details)
The extrusion direction of a pad / pocket
normally is normal to the sketch plane.
You can define the direction by select a
linear curve. (See pad feature for details)
Part Design
Dress-Up Features
A fillet is a curved face of constant or variable radius. It is tangent to two

surfaces. These three surfaces form either an inside or an outside corner.
You obtain a fillet by propagation along one or several edges.
Edge Fillet
Variable radius fillets are curved surfaces created to a variable radius. That
means that at least two different constant radii are applied to two entire
edges.
Variable Radius Fillet
The fillet can be created between two faces without intersection or when there
are more than two sharp edges between the faces.
Face-Face Fillet
You can create a fillet between three surfaces. One of the three surfaces is
replaced by a fillet. This fillet is tangent to the three selected surfaces.
Tritangent Fillet
A chamfer consists in removing or adding a flat section from a selected

edge to create a bevelled surface between the two original faces common to
the edge. You obtain a chamfer by propagation along one or several edges.
Chamfer
Part Design
Fillets
The fillet operation create a curved face with a constant radius. The fillet need an edge or a
faces for support.
Limits
Radius
Object to fillet
Support Support
Support: Faces on which rolling a sphere. The fillet is tangent to the supports.
Limits: Define the end of the supports
Object to fillet: Edge: Edge which will be filleted
Face: All non tangent boundaries of the face will be filleted
Radius: Radius of the sphere
Part Design
Fillets
Trim ribbons
With the option „Trim ribbons“ overlapping fillets will be trimmed by CATIA.
Without Trim ribbons

With Trim ribbons
Part Design
Fillets
Edge(s) to Keep
With The Option „Edge(s) to Keep“ one or several Edges can be selected on which the sphere is rolling
instead of one support face.
Edge(s) to keep:
In this case the fillet is
tangent to one Support face
and goes through a curve
(kept edge).
Examples
Edge to keep
Part Design
Fillets
Blend Corner(s)
With the option „Blend corner(s)“ the connection point of several edges in one fillet operation becomes
smoother.
Without Blend corner With Blend corner
1. Select the edges 2. Select the „Blend

to be fillet corners“ button
3. The corners are recognized 4. Edit the „Setback

automatically by the distance“ global in the
system. dialog box or individual
by double click on the
value in the 3D window.
Part Design
Variable Fillet
The fillet operation create a curved face with a variable radius. The fillet need an edge or a
faces for support.
A radius value can be defined on a vertex, a point, a plane

ore somewhere on the edge(s) to fillet
Edit the list to Remove or replace the elements of

the radius values
Part Design
Variable Fillet
Planes or Points can be used to

define intermediary radius values
(In the variable Edge Fillet creation
window in the point field)
By moving these planes, Catia will

compute the intersections again
and modify the fillet
Part Design
Variable Fillet
Variation
The kind of the run between the points can be defined with the variation option:
Cubic Linear
Part Design
Face-Face Fillet / Tritangent Fillet
Face-Face Fillet
A Face-Face Fillet is normally used if two support faces have no common edge.
Tritangent Fillet
A Tritangent Fillet connect two surfaces which are separated by a third surface. The third surface will be
replaced by the fillet.
Part Design
Dress-Up Features
Drafts are defined on moulded to make them easier to remove from moulds.
The characteristic elements are pulling direction, draft angle,
parting element and neutral element
Draft Angle
Shelling a feature means emptying it, while keeping a given thickness

on its sides. Shelling may also consist in adding thickness to the
outside.
Shell
The function Thickness add or remove materiel on the faces which are
selected.
Thickness
The Thread capability removes material surrounding the hole. To define

a thread, you can enter the values of your choice, but you can use
standard values or personal values available in files too.
Thread
Part Design
Dress-Up Features
Simplify a part by removing some of its faces e.g. for finite

element analysis
Remove Face
Replace a face or a set of tangent faces with a surface
Replace Face
Part Design
Draft Angle
Create conical faces on a prismatic geometry
Neutral element Pulling Direction

Draft angle Faces to draft
Angle: Cones for mould in degree

Faces to draft: Faces with cones.
- Selecting the faces or
- Select the neutral element first, the faces to draft will be selected automatically by
CATIA (Option: Selection by neutral face)
Neutral element: On the neutral element the dimension of the geometry will not be modified.
Pulling direction: The direction for remove the moulds from the part.
Part Design
Draft Angle
Neutral and Parting Element
On the parting element the draft is

limited along the pulling direction.
The parting element can be equal to
the neutral element.
A plane, a surface or a join can be
used for the parting element
Neutral
Pulling Direction
Neutral Neutral Parting

Parting
Neutral
Part Design
Draft Angle
Draft in two directions
For a draft in two directions the parting

element must be equal to the neutral plane.
Note:
Pulling Direction
Neutral The neutral and parting

element must not be a
Parting planar element.
Part Design
Shell
Faces to remove and

default Inside and outside thickness
Inside thickness Outside thickness Inside and Outside thickness
Initial geometry
Initial geometry
Initial geometry
Face with other thickness
Part Design
Transformation Features
Create a translation of the current body. Select a line, edge or plane (to take
its normal) as the translation direction. The original element is no longer
visible but remains in the specification tree. No duplicate available.
Translation
Create a rotation of the current body around an axis. Select a line

or edge as the rotation axis. The original element is no longer
visible but remains in the specification tree. No duplicate
Rotation
available.
Create a symmetry operation of the current bodies. Select a point, line or

plane as reference element. The original element is no longer visible but
remains in the specification tree. No duplicate available.
Symmetry
Mirroring a body or a list of features consists in duplicating these

elements using a symmetry. You can select a face or a plane to define
the mirror reference. If you modify the original object, the mirrored one
Mirror will also change .
Create a scale operation of the current body. Select a point or plane as

reference element. The original element is no longer visible but remains in
the specification tree. No duplicate available.
Scaling
Part Design
Translation / Rotation
Translation Note: Do not use the translation and
Move the current body by a rotation rotation for position the parts in an
assembly!
Direction (Linear curve) and distance

Point to Point: Select the start and end point of the translation
Coordinates: Define the translation between the origin and a point
defined by x, y and z value
Rotation
Move the current body by a rotation
Axis: Linear curve
Note:
The original elements are no longer visible but remains in the specification
tree. No duplication available.
Part Design
Symmetry
Create a symmetry operation of the current body by selecting a point, line or plane as reference
element.
Plane
Line
Point
Note: The symmetry operation must be used for opposite handed parts
Part Design
Mirror
Mirroring a body or a list of features consists in duplicating these elements using a symmetry.
Current Solid
Select the operation Mirror and the mirroring plane
Feature List
Select the features by multi select, the Operation Mirror and the mirroring plane.
Not all features can by mirrored by a feature list.
The feature list cannot be edited.
The mirror done by a feature list can be exploded into single features.
Part Design
Transformation Features
Duplicate geometry of one or more features at the location of a

rectangular pattern.
Rectangular Pattern
Duplicate geometry of one or more features right away at the

location of a circular pattern.
Circular Pattern
Duplicate geometry of one or more features right away at the

location of a pattern defined by user.
User Pattern
Note:
In the assembly workbench it is possible to reuse pattern for positioning. To benefit from
this possibility, use pattern as standard practice.
Part Design
Rectangular Pattern
Length
Spacing
Object to pattern
Reference directions
Instances: Number of Copies including the object to pattern

Spacing: Distance between to Copies
Length: Distance between the first and last copy
With the Option „Keep Specifications“ the limitation options e.g. „Up to Last“ of the initial element is
used for all pattern instances .
Part Design
Circular Pattern
Angular Spacing
Reference Element
Circle Spacing
Object to pattern
Instances: Number of Copies including the object to pattern

Angular spacing: Angle between two Copies
Total Angle: Angle between the first and last copy
Circles: Number of Circles
Circle Spacing: Distance between two Circles
Crown Thickness: Distance between the inner and outer circle
Reference Element: Rotation Axis
Part Design
Circular Pattern
It is possible to use a cylindrical face as a reference element of a circular Pattern
Select cylindrical face as

pattern origin
a reference element
Activate Deactivate
Radial alignment Radial alignment
Part Design
Circular Pattern
With the option “Instance(s) &unequal angular spacing” an individual

angel between all instances can be defined.
Edit each angel by

double click
Part Design
User Pattern
In case of „User Defined Pattern“, only points which are defined in one sketch can be selected. Single
3D Points can’t be used, even if they are all on the same plane.
Each Point in standard

mode in the sketch define
the position of a pattern
instance.
Object to pattern
(Hole)
Anchor: The Centre of the object to pattern is positioned of the sketch points. If you need an other point
of the initial geometry you must define an anchor.
Anchor
Without Anchor
Initial Situation
With Anchor
Part Design
Pattern – Hints and Tips
• Deleting an instance of the pattern, the whole pattern will be deleted
• Suppress an Instance of the pattern by clicking the small orange dot
• If no feature is selected, the current Solid will be pattered.
Pattern based on a feature list

It is possible to pattern a list of Part Design features. These features must belong to the same body. The
body must be set as “Define in Work Object”.
You can only get a feature list while the creation of the pattern. You have to multi-select at least two
objects before you click the Pattern Icon.
Note that adding a feature to a pattern is only possible
if your pattern is already based on a feature list.
It is not possible to add

any feature to a basic
pattern created using a
single feature.
Part Design
Reference Elements
Define a point by coordinates, on a curve, on a plane, on a

surface, at a circle centre, tangent point on a curve, and between two
elements.
Point
Create lines by following methods: point to point, point and direction,

angle/normal to curve, tangent to curve, normal to surface, and
bisecting.
Line
Create planes by various methods: Offset from a

plane, parallel through point, at an angle to a plane,
through three points, through two lines, through a
point and a line, through a planar curve, normal to a
Plane curve, tangent to a surface, from its equation, mean
through points.
Part Design
Surface Based Operations
Split a body with a plane or surface.
Split
Add material to a surface in two opposite directions by using the

thick surface capability.
Thick Surface
Define a body by closing a surface. The sites to be close must be

planar.
Close Surface
Add or remove material by computing the intersection between a

given surface and a body. The surface must completely intersect the body.
Sew Surface
Part Design
Split
Split the current body on a plane or surface.
Split on a surface
The surfcae must intersect the whole solid

The arrow indicate the side to keep. Select the arrow to invert.
Split on a plane
Part Design
Thick surface
The arrows indicate the

direction of the first offset.
Click on an arrow or the
“Reverse Direction” button to
invert the direction.
Negative Second Offset

Positive Second Offset
Is the Offset value greater then the smallest concave

curvature radius of the surface, this face cannot be on
the borders of the surface
Part Design
Sew Surface
The Sew Surface operation integrate a surface in the current body an combine them.
Remove material Add material

Without the option „Intersect body“ the surface boundaray have to lay down complitly on the triming body
With the option „Intersect body“

the sew Operation is combined
with a split operation.
Part Design
Boolean Operations
Assemble a body to another body. The second body will be attached to

the first one.
Assemble
Add a body to another body. Adding a body to another one

means uniting them.
Add
Remove a body from another body. Removing a body from

another one means subtracting them.
Remove
The material resulting from an intersection operation between two bodies

is the material shared by these bodies.
Intersect
Assemble two bodies by defining the elements to be kept or

removed while performing the union operation.
Union and Trim
Part Design
Using Boolean Operations (1/4)
Using Boolean Operations
Add
A fusion of a body to the existing geometry which doesn’t define a NC-operation like pocket
or drilling hole. Most common operation, also often used to make a better structure in the
tree. Don’t use it for pockets and holes.
Remove
Removes a body from the existing geometry. Only use it for non NC-operations.
Note:
If the Remove is the highest part in the sub-tree, it automatically changes to an Add and
leads to undesired results!
Part Design
Using Boolean Operations
Assemble
Assemble of positive or negative bodies for operations.
Before the Assemble the raw part has a positive volume.
Holes and NC pockets in parts should not be created by Boolean volumes in the raw part,
since these cannot be recognized later as NC relevant operations.
It is also wrong to create the holes as normal pads, you get geometrically the same result,
but the logical structure would be incorrect, since it should be a hole and not a dummy
subtraction body.
Assemble means:
• Remove material, if the body consists of pocket volumes.
• Add material, if the body consists of pads.
Note:
NC pockets should be created using the Pocket feature.
Part Design
• Structure Parts with different bodies
Feature Tree Bodies Tree
• Used for simple parts up to ~20 features • Used for complex parts with more then ~20
• Only one body (PartBody) is used features
• The first feature must be positive, up from • The geometry is divided into several
the second feature positive and negative geometrical areas
features can be used • The bodies must be connected by Boolean
operations
Part Design
Part Design
Using Fillets and Drafts
Fillet and Draft Rules
Draft before Fillet
Fillets should always be added to a part after drafts, since the value of the fillet will be changed and a kind
of “variable fillet” with different radii will show up. (Exception: draft on reflect line.)
Large Fillets before small Fillets

If the rule is not take into account, it can lead to incorrect geometry and even in special cases to error
messages, since the geometrical creation is impossible.
Vertical Fillets before horizontal Fillets

Order of the Fillets in the Specification Tree

To get a higher update performance and improve modification possibilities, the Dress- up features (fillet,
chamfer, draft and shell) should be used in a special order. E.g. fillet should be one of the last features. On
the other hand, by waiting with the fillets to the total end of the design, the creation of the fillets might be
more complex or even impossible. So, use the fillet function quite early, but take the later design into
account.
Only group together edges which mandatory will have the same radius value (See AM2259)
Part Design
Link management – Sketch (1/5)
Using Sketch from Geometrical Sets (1/2)
…the sketch appears twice in the
structure tree, under the Geometrical
… and create through it a Set body and under the pad. For
Create a sketch in a Pad (Pad.1) in a new modification just click on one of
Geometrical Set Body (Body.2) … them.
(Sketch.1) …
Note: If the sketch is deleted in the
Geometrical Set, the pad will also be
deleted.
Note:
To avoid this “duplication” of the sketch, create it directly in the body which will
contain the element bearing on the sketch, or cut and paste into that body.
Part Design
Using Sketch from Geometrical Set (2/2) Then edit the pad definition of
Pad.2. Double-click on Pad.2 or
In this case In order to use MB3 on Pad.2 > Pad.2
Sketch.1 from independently modify object > Definition.
Geometrical Set.1 the Sketch of Pad.2,
is used to create create a new sketch Under Profile > Selection,
Pad.1 and Pad.2. first. Use “copy and replace the Sketch.1 by
Changing the paste” to create a copy Sketch 2 (Copy of Sketch.1).
Sketch.1, will of the original sketch.
modify both Pads.
Part Design
Copy and paste a sketch from Geometrical Set
Create a sketch in a … there won’ t be any link

Geometrical Set created between the
(Sketch.1) … sketches . The new sketch
is independent (Sketch.2)
… and copy this one by
“copy and paste” in a
Body (Body.2), ...
Part Design
Copy and Paste a Body
Create a sketch (Sketch.3) … The result will be a new Body

in a body (Body.2) … (Body.3) and an independent sketch
(Sketch.4).
… copy and Paste

this body in the Part
(Part1), …
Part Design
Copy and paste special a sketch from Geometrical Set or Body Caution:
… the new sketch (Sketch.2)
Create a sketch in a has a link to the original
Geometrical Set or a … and then copy it with “copy and paste sketch and it can’t be modified.
Body (Sketch.1) … special” > AsResultWithLink into another
body (Body.2), …
The link can be deleted afterwards by

MB3 on the new sketch > Sketch.2
object > Isolate. By this operation the
Icon of the sketch in the Specification-
Tree will change.
Part Design
Link management – Publication (1/2)
Published Geometry
Publication is the process of naming elements (geometric features or parameters) with specific tags.
Published elements can be used in one CATPart or for maintaining multi-model links. Published
geometry is similar to that of linked geometry but published elements have a greater level of
associativity.
The Publication command is available in the workbenches Assembly Design, Part Design and
Generative Shape Design and lets you:
• publish one or several geometric element/s

• edit the default name given to the published element
• replace the geometric element associated with a name
• delete a published element.
Note:
To create Symmetrical Parts or Assembly-Cut Parts it is necessary to publish the PartBody
Part Design
Link management – Publication (2/2)
Published Geometry
Tools > Publication

Select the element to
be published (e.g.
plane.2)
Select the Name

(plane.2) twice and
Rename it (e.g. Main The plane is published under a new name, but the geometric
Plain) element Part1/Geometrical Set.1/Plane.2 has not been renamed.
Part Design
Material
Apply Material Select a material on the list Set the properties
Apply
Material
Show Material
Applies customized
view parameters
The window can also be opened with

View > Render Style > Customize View
Part Design
Hints and Tips – Searching Elements
To find the graphic representation of an element, select this element in the tree and then MB3 > Reframe on.
The element will be centred inside the document window. It is also possible to search for constraints.
Reframe on
To find out where a visible graphic element is located in the specification tree, select the element and
then MB3 > Center Graph. The element will be highlighted in the tree.
Center Graph
Part Design
Hints and Tips – Working with the specification tree
Show / Noshow the Specification tree
With the F3 key the Specification tree can be noshow an show
Collaps and Expand the Specification tree

The specification tree ca be collapsed and expanded by View
>Tree Expansion . In the menu Expand Selection you can
choose the expansion level
Move and zoom the Specification tree

After clicking on a branch (white line) in the specification tree you can zoom and pan the tree instead of
the geometry. To pan, zoom and rotate the geometry, you have to click on the branch again or on the
axis system in the bottom right corner of the window.
Opening Sub-Trees
For a better visualization of the tree, a
part of it can be opened in a separate
window. Select the item, click with MB3
and choose the contextual command
Open Sub-Tree.
Part Design
Hints and Tips – Change the Sketch Support
To define a new support for a sketch, use the contextual menu. Select the sketch and
then MB3 > Sketch.x object > Change Sketch Support and then the new sketch plane.
Select the new

MB3 sketch plane and
define the origin
and the orientation
of the sketch
Select the sketch

Sketch.x object >

Change Sketch Support
Part Design
Hints and Tips – To stack Actions
If an additional geometry is needed to create an element (e.g. a reference to create a
line), it is not necessary to close the definition panel. By using the contextual menu (MB3)
in the field where the geometry is needed, it’s possible to create it (e.g. a boundary)
directly.
MB3
MB3
Part Design
Hints and Tips – Hide Elements
Design geometry (e.g. sketches and planes) must be in the non visible area (hide)
before finishing a part.
An easy way to hide all elements of one type is to use Tools > Hide in the pull down
menu.
Part Design
Hints and Tips – Behavior of Show/Hide
Show/Hide
There is a hierarchical display status in Catia V5.

By hiding a PartBody, all elements below (e.g. Sketches, Geometrical
sets) will be hidden too.
Note. The status Show/hide of these elements can be changed, but they
won’t be displayed as long as the PartBody is hidden.
Part Design
Hints and Tips – Using multi domain Sketch (1/2)
Using Multi domain Sketch to create e.g. Pockets
If a sketch that contains e.g. 4 contours is used for the pocket definition, the
result will be 4 pockets with the same height.
To manage modifications correctly, initially create 4 pockets bearing on 4
contours. The 4 contours can be either in 4 different sketches or in the
same sketch.
For dimensioning contours, it can be

suitable to group them in the same
sketch.
Part Design
Hints and Tips – Using multi domain Sketch (2/2)
Using Multi domain Sketch to create e.g. Pockets
However it is possible to access a single contour inside the
sketch while creating pockets.
By selecting the profile in the pocket definition panel, use
the contextual menu (MB3) to get the Go to profile
definition panel. This panel allows a selection of a single
contour inside the sketch.
Remove first
Part Design
Hints and Tips – Delete unnecessary elements
In a CATIA V5 Model unnecessary elements (Reference, Wireframe and Surface elements without children) should be
deleted when the design process is finished.
Delete Unnecessary elements is in the Workspaces Part Design and Generative Shape Design (GSD) available:
Keep, Solid: Solids are always be kept

Keep, used by Solid: Non solids will be kept, when there are
parents of a solids
Delete: Non solids will be deleted, if there are not necessary for the
Solid design.
The delete Status can be changed by the Context menu:
Part Design
Basic Methods – General Modelling Rules (1/2)
Starting the Design Process

Elementary part axis system used to design the part
• If no more information are given to the designer by ACMT, CDBT, … the default
method is Local (Axis inside or near the solid). The positioning will be done within
the assembly (See AM5012).
Part Design
Basic Methods – General Modelling Rules (2/2)
Finishing the Design Process

• Delete all unnecessary elements
• Do not use red colours for solids
• Every Sketch has to be fully defined by parameters (only if possible)
• Rename the Part Body with the Partnumber and publish them.
• Publish reference elements
To be able to use the elements in a context, publish the geometry that will be used as reference for the modelling of
other parts
• Activate the button "fit all in“ before saving

• Update the part before saving
• Design geometry must be in NOSHOW (e.g.: Sketches, Planes)
• Every part must have only one body (PartBody) (rule: one part one model)
To allow use of detail part file in CAM, model one part per CATPart file
• The PartBody has to be set as “Define in Work Object“

• Use QCHECKER V5 tools for CATPart
Generative Shape Design Introduction
• Philosophy and Meaning of Surfaces and Wireframe

• Toolbar Wireframe
• Toolbar Surfaces
• Toolbar Operations
Philosophy and Meaning of Surfaces and Wireframe
The Wireframe and Surface product allows the creation of wireframe

construction elements during the preliminary design and enriches the existing 3D
mechanical part design with wireframe and basic surface features.
The Generative Shape Design workbench allows you to quickly model both
simple and complex shapes using wireframe and surface features. It provides a large
set of tools for creating and editing shape designs.
When combined with other products such as Part Design, both Wireframe and Surface
Design and Generative Shape Design meets the requirements of solid-based hybrid
modeling.
Toolbar Parallel
Line Projektion Curve Spline
Wireframe
Point Plane Inter- Circle

section
Point Circle
Projection
Points and
Planes Repetition Corner
Combine
Extremum
Connect
Reflect Line Curve
ExtremumPolar
Conic
Parallel Spline
Line Curve
3D Curve Helix
Axis
Offset
Spiral
Polyline
Spine
Toolbar
Surfaces
Extrude Offset Sweep Fill Loft Blend
Extrude Offset Sweep
Revolve Variable Offset Adaptive Sweep
Sphere Line Conic

Rough Offset
Cylinder
Explicit Circle
Toolbar
Translate
Operations
Join Split Boundary Shape Fillet Extrapolate Rotate
Symmetry
Translate Scaling
Shape Fillet Affinity

Join Split
Boundary Edge Fillet

Healing Axis To Axis
Trim
Extract Variable Radius Fillet
Curve Smooth
Face-Face Fillet
Multiple Edge
Untrim
Extract Tritangent Fillet
Disassemble
Toolbar Wireframe
Create a curve resulting from the intersection of the extrusion of two planar
curves. The extrusions may be normal to the curves or along a direction
Combine
Create a geometry by projecting one or more elements onto a support.

The projection may be normal to the support element or along a
direction
Projection
Create a wireframe geometry by intersecting wireframe elements,

surfaces or solids
Intersection
Create a curve parallel to a reference curve
Parallel Curve
Toolbar Surfaces
Create a surface by extruding a profile along a given direction
Extrude
Create a surface by rotating a planar profile around an axis
Revolve
Create a a full or a partly spherical surface
Sphere
Create a cylindrical Surface
Cylinder
Create one or several surface by offsetting an existing surface or a set

of surfaces
Offset
Create fill surfaces between a number of boundary segments
Fill
Toolbar Operations
Join at least two adjacent surfaces or two adjacent curves.
Join
Split a surface, a wireframe element or a solid with a cutting element.

Note: If you split a solid, the result will be a split-surface.
Split
Trim two surfaces or wireframe geometry. Both elements will be

modified.
Trim
Performing an extract from elements (e.g. curves, points, solids)
Extract
Create boundary curves of one or several surfaces
Boundary
Extrapolate a curve or a surface boundary
Extrapolation
Hints and Tips - Managing Multi-Result Operations (1/2)
If the result of an operation is not a single element, you can choose,

which part of the result should be used .
Example:
Intersection between a Circle and a plane. The Operation contain to
points which can normally not used for the next operation (e.g. line from
Point to Point)
The Multi-Result
Dialog box appears
Hints and Tips - Managing Multi-Result Operations (2/2)
Using the „Near“-Function to keep only one Sub-element
Only this element which is nearest to the

reference element will be kept.
The Near- Function can also used by the

menu Insert
Using the „Extract“-Function to keep only one Sub-element
Q-Checker
• General
• Quality Control of Catia V5 Data
• Quality Control of Catia V5 Data in a Batch Process
Q-Checker
General
The Q-Checker controls the data quality of CATProducts, CATParts and CATDrawings.
It checks the compliance with Airbus standards, the structure and the geometry, and
provides automatic correction functionalities. The results of the analysis will be
displayed in an interactive panel. Good data quality avoids a lot of workload in following
process steps (DEX, CNC).
To assure, that errors are detected early so that only a small workload for model
correction will be needed:
• Use the Q-Checker from an early stage
• Repeat the check regularly, at least daily before storing.

It is advised to check the data only with the AIRBUS administrator profiles
Note:
Only the check performed with the administrator profiles will automatically be taken into
account before
• storing in the vault
• data exchange
• release process
Q-Checker
Quality Control of Catia V5 Data (1/4)
Available profiles for Long Range: Q-Checker start without healing
AIRBUS_LONGRANGE (default)
Accessing AIRBUS_LONGRANGE_FLX
Q-Checker (for FLX and CUT parts)
from Catia
V5 Select a check profile
Note: As the Catia model is
considered to be under the
responsibility of its author, the
automatic function will not be used
Start Prepare batch run

Q-Checker
In this mode it is possible to

analyse numerous models at
the same time
Q-Checker
The active
Catia model is
Representation
checked
And
automatically
Description
Healing and
close Analysis
Window
Error Categories
Prevents the execution of Model is rejected in release and data
Red Error certain steps. Not possible to exchange process. Correction is
check in into Primes. mandatory
Results normally in
Correction by user is recommended
Blue Warning disadvantages, but cannot be
but not mandatory
avoided in certain situations
Green Error-free The element is ok
Q-Checker
Representation and Description
Zoom The incorrect element is shown centred and

automatically enlarged
Graphic Fine Getting of additional graphic information for some

Analysis violated criteria.
Criterion This help includes illustrating pictures, the

Help problem description, a suggested solution, and
an application tip.
Q-Checker
Note:
Healing and close Analysis Window The automatic healing is not
to be used for transfer to first
permitted layer
Heal Automatic healing of
errors according to the
settings in the profile.
If the automatic healing isn’t
available in the analysis panel,
the correction must be done
Close panel The analysis panel will by using the Catia function.
and restore be closed and the
original Catia settings

will be restored
Close panel The analysis panel will

Note:
and keep be closed and the
To do the
current current Catia settings
modifications,
(the modifications done
you have to exit
during the healing) will
the Q-Checker
be used
Q-Checker
Quality Control of Catia V5 Data in a Batch Process (1/2)
Q-Checker provides the ability to check more than one model

in a batch process.
1 Pre-selection of CATIA
4 models (Filetree, CATIA
1 Declaration Files, Current
Session)
2 Selection of directory
3 Selection of models – only

the marked model will be
2 checked
3
4 Possibilities to filter the
models for a better selection
Q-Checker
Quality Control of Catia V5 Data in a Batch Process (2/2)
1
2
1 Declaration of the control
3 (*.in) file
4 2 Path and name of the output
file
3 Selection of check profile
4 Declaration of the name of
the report files
After the performing of the batch mode check, the output file will be generated in the
specified directory. The output file contains information about the check run and the
model assessments.
Assembly Design
• Structure and Components

• Document Modes
• Product Structure Tools
• Moving Tools
• Assembly Constraints Tools
• Creating Assembly Constraints
• Save Management
• Linkmanagement
• Standard Parts
• Hints and Tips
• Hide Elements / Search
• Positioning of Components
Assembly Design
Structure and Components
The CATProduct structure is a hierarchical tree composed of items (or nodes). A CAD model
(wireframe, solid, etc.) can be assigned to each item. This model can be positioned in space
within the Assembly Design Workbench. A positioning matrix may be assigned to the link
between the component and the higher sub-assembly. Repetitive parts are instantiated
several times and are therefore assigned several positioning matrices.
Structures are represented in a CATIA V5 specification tree composed of nodes, and

managed by a "parent/child" link system.
Root Node (CATProduct) Component (Components are

internal sub-assemblies within a
M1 product structure and are not
Referenced Assembly saved as external CATProduct

(CATProduct) M2
files)
Link between items
M3
M4
Sub-Assembly (CATProduct)
M5
M6
CATPart
M7
M8
Part instantiated twice
Assembly Design
Document Modes
Document Modes
There are two different document modes available when a product is opened
• Visualisation Mode
Visualisation mode opens a significantly lighter model than its true geometrical
form, and can increase the performance. The visualisation mode uses a
geometrical format .cgr (Catia Graphical Representation) that represents only the
external appearance of the component. No Specification Tree available.
• Design Mode
Design mode is the original editable format, making all geometrical data available.
Exact geometry is loaded.
If the Option “Work with the Cache System” is activated (default at AIRBUS) all parts are
loaded in Visualisation mode.
When modification is required on a part it can be converted from visualisation
to design mode by:
• MB3 over the part icon > Representations > Design Mode or
• double-click MB1 on the part icon
Assembly Design
Toolbar Toolbar
Product Structure Tools Move
Stop
New New Replace Generate Manage manipulate
Component Part Component Numbering Representations on
Snap clash
Manipulation Explode
New Existing Graph Selective Multi
Product Component Tree Load Instantiation

Reordering
Snap
Smart Move
Fast Multi Instantiation
Define Multi Instantiation
Assembly Design
Toolbar Toolbar
Constraints Not allowed Assembly
at AIRBUS
Create
Flexible/
symmetry
Rigid
Fix Sub – Reuse
Contact Angle Together Assembly Pattern
Assembly
Features
Change
Coincidence Offset Fix Quick
Constraint
Constraint Split
Hole
Not allowed
Pocket at AIRBUS
Caution:
Do not use the Flexible / Rigid Sub Assembly command in
the Assembly Design workbench as this causes problems Add
when assembly trees created with CATIA V5 are converted
to Product structure format Remove
(See AM5012)
Assembly Design
Product Structure Tools (1/2)
Insert a component into an existing assembly. Components are internal

sub-products within a product structure and are not saved as external
.CATProduct files
New Component
Insert a product into an existing assembly.
New Product
Insert a part into an existing assembly.

New Part
Insert an existing component (e.g. part or assembly) into an existing assembly. Multiple
Components can be selected using the Control and Shift Keys
Existing Component
Components, Products and Parts can be reordered inside the main Product and Sub-Products.
To reorder the tree: select the reorder icon and then the product to be changed
Graph Tree Reordering
Assembly Design
Product Structures Tools (2/2)
Number the components of an assembly. You can find these instance

numbers in the properties panel of the components.
Generate
Numbering
Load partially some components in an assembly.

Can be applied only when the option Load referenced documents, in
Tools > Options > General is deactivated
Selective
Load
Managing context-specific representation of Parts (e.g. shape or .cgr)

in the assembly structure.
Manage
Representations
Quickly repeat the insert of a component
Fast Multi
Instantiation
Quickly repeat the insert of a component as many times as you wish in

the direction of your choice
Define Multi
Instantiation
Assembly Design
Moving Tools
Move a component freehand (translate or rotate) with the mouse by

using the Manipulation Parameters dialog box. The move can be done
with respect to existing constraints.
Manipulation
Project the geometric element of a component onto another geometric

element . The element selected first is always the element that will
move. No constraints will be created. It is necessary to work in the
Snap Design mode.
Combines the constraint creation and snap capabilities. The smart

move panel contains a list of the constraints that can be set. This list
displays these constraints in a hierarchical order.
Smart Move
Exploding an assembly takes into account the assembly constraints. This

Explode type is applicable when coincidence, constraints axis/axis or
plane/plane are assigned to the assembly
Explode
Manipulate the assembly by checking if the components react in the

expected way, i.e. according to the constraints. Select the red square
at the centre of the compass and drag it onto a component to snap it
Compass to this component. Press and hold down the Shift key while moving.
Assembly Design
Assembly Constraints Tools (1/2)
Is used to align elements. You may obtain concentricity, coaxiality or co-

planarity, depending on the selected elements.
Points, Lines, Planes, Planar Faces, Cylinder’s Axis, Sphere’s Point are
elements which can be selected. Their orientation can be defined by choosing
Coincidence 3 options: Same, Opposite, Undefined (with it, the Application will find the best
Constraint solution)
Create a contact between two planar Faces. The contact area between the Faces
could be a point, a line or a plane.
Planar Faces, Sphere, Cylinder, Cone and Circle are elements which can be selected.
Contact The contact’s Orientation can be external or internal
Constraint
Set an Offset constraint between two components. Points, Lines, Planes,

Planar Faces can be selected. The Faces orientation should be specified

when defining an Offset Constraint.
Offset
Constraint
Set an angle Value as constraint between elements of 2 different components.

Lines, Planes, Planar Faces can be selected as Elements.
Angle
Constraint
Assembly Design
Assembly Constraints Tools (2/2)
Does not allow a component to move from its Position during the update operation.
There are two ways of fixing a component: According to the Assembly geometrical
origin (absolute position) and according to the other components (relative position).
Fix Component
Instead of moving a whole Sub-Assembly, this Function gives the opportunity Not allowed
to move only one component of a sub-Assembly within the main Assembly. at AIRBUS
Before the moving, the Sub-Assembly must be defined as Flexible.
Flexible/Rigide
Sub-Assembly
Repeat automatically a Component in an assembly by using a Pattern created

in Part Design. There are two work modes:

- Using associativity with the geometry: the option "Keep link with the pattern" is on
Reuse Pattern - Using no associativity: the option is off
Assembly Design
Creating Assembly Constraints
Creating Assembly Constraints
Note: The active component is blue framed (default colour) and underlined.
It is activated by double-clicking.
Product A
Sub-Product B
You cannot apply a constraint

Sub-Product C
between two components
Part instance 1.1
belonging to the same
subassembly if this
Part instance 2.1 subassembly is not the active
component
Part instance 3.1
Part instance 4.1
Sub-Product D You can apply constraints

only between the child
components of the active
Part instance 5.1 component
Part instance 6.1

You cannot define constraints between two geometric
Constraints elements belonging to the same component
Assembly Design
Save Management
The Save Management command lets you save all or several of your new or modified
documents (CATParts and CATProducts). In the Save Management panel the state (e.g.
opened, modified, new) is displayed.
Assembly Design
Link management
See AM2252 CATIA V5 Multi Model Links
The option “Keep link with selected object” is deactivated by default

Assembly Design
Standard Parts (1/2)
Using a Standard Part contained in a See AM5012 CATIA V5 Assembly Rules
Standard Part Catalog
Standard parts are elements defined by a standard document. They are delivered in a
CATIA V5 catalog named “AIRBUS CATALOG”.
1. Access the Catalog Browser

Key in or select
Select the Catalog Browser Icon or Tools > Catalog Browser the AIRBUS
to access the Catalog Browser directly, and then browse to find catalog directory
the needed catalog
Catalog Browser
Browse another
Catalog
Assembly Design
Standard Parts (2/2)
2. Navigate through the chosen catalog
3. Select the desired family and within this family the part you need
4. Right-click to select the Copy contextual command
5. Select the base of your assembly
6. Right-click to select the Paste contextual command
The part is copied into your assembly.

Note that this part is no longer linked to the catalog.
Note:
If you select Tools > Mechanical Standard Parts > xxx catalogs you will access a
catalog delivered with CATIA V5 (EN, ISO …). This are not AIRBUS standard catalogs!
Assembly Design
Hints and Tips – Hide Elements / Search
The functionality Tools > Hide is not available in the Assembly Design.
To hide the same type of elements, use the Edit > Search function from the pull down
menu to find the elements and then click the Hide icon.
E.g. search all planes

Assembly Design
Hints and Tips – Positioning of Items (1/4)
The example shows how to position one Part (A) in a specific angle (45 degree) to another cylindrical
Part (B).
1. Fix Part B
2. Create a contact constraint between Part A and Part B

• Select the face of Part A to be constrained
• Select the circular face of Part B
• Click the Contact Constraint icon, select External Orientation and then ok
Part B Part A
Contact
Constraint
Assembly Design
3. Position the compass to get a rotation axis
• Select the red square at the centre of the compass and drag it onto Part B to snap it
to the cylinder axis
4. Select the Part A
5. Double click one of the green compass axis to open the Compass Manipulation panel
Assembly Design
6. Rotate the Part A
• Define the angle value (45 deg) in the Rotation increment field
• Click the rotation icon
7. Close the Compass Manipulation panel

Assembly Design
8. Put the compass back to the default position

• Drag the compass away from the selected part and
drop it on the axis system in the lower right corner of
the document window
9. Fix the Part A

• Select the Part A
• Click the Fix Component icon
Fix Component
Generative Drafting
• Starting the Drafting Workbench

• General Drafting Rules
• Quality Rules
• Generating Views
• Generating Dimensions
• Generating Instantiations
• Generating Drawings from 3D
•
Changing the Drawing Scale

• Replacing the Drawing Sheet
• Overload Properties
• Plot / Print
• Hints and Tips
• View Properties
Generative Drafting
Starting the Drafting Workbench (1/3)
See AM2264 Main Module Drafting with CATIA V5
Use the Start > Mechanical Design > Drafting
pull down menu for starting the Generative
Drafting Workbench. A new CATDrawing will be
activated with an empty sheet. Also use File > Page
Setup to modify the
format
To check that the correct ISO file

(AIRBUS_ISO) is used, proceed to
File > Page Setup within the
CATDrawing
Generative Drafting
If the 3D geometry already is open in V5 when using the Start > Mechanical Design >
Drafting it is possible to select between
an empty sheet or the automatic layout.
OK
Use Modify... to select

the correct ISO file
(AIRBUS_ISO) and to
do the page setup
Generative Drafting
Drawing frames and title
blocks must be stored
within the Background of
the CATDrawing file
The geometry will be

created in the Working
Views
When any work needs to be done on the views,

select Edit > Working Views.
When any work needs to be done on the title block,

select Edit > Background.
Generative Drafting
Titelblock Work arround (1/5)
1. Change from Working Views
in Background
2. Select Button Catalog Browser

Select Button Browse another catalog : /CADLIB/std/CATIAV5-Drafting/A-D
open the catalog: FramesGeneralEng.catalog
Generative Drafting
3. Open the chapter „Frames“.
4. Select a frame format with double click or with the contextual menu „Instantiate
component“. For the exact positioning the smart pick can be used.
Generative Drafting
5. Break the links to the Catalog document.
Select the componenets insert from the catalogs Catalog objects and use the function
„xy Object / Expose 2D Component“ in the context menu from the right mouse button.
6. Is no detailsheet in the drawing a new one will be created..
Generative Drafting
7. Check if all links to the catalog document are broken by the function Edit / Links. Only
the link type ViewLink and no MML may be shown in the link list.
8. Change back to the Working Views
Generative Drafting
9. To insert a Text in the title block you have to change to the detailsheet and edit the text
Do not delete unused text (xxxx) replace this text by a dash ( - ).
Generative Drafting
General Drafting Rules
• Only one sheet per file (CATDrawing) shall be produced

• Many detail sheets can be produced per CATDrawing
• If a drawing will contain more than one sheet a separate CATDrawing file
needs to be created (xxx-01.CATDrawing, xxx-02.CATDrawing, …)
• All title blocks will be inserted within the Background of the CATDrawing
• When creating a drawing with CATIA V5 the naming of the CAD files
shall conform to AP2610 and ABD0004
• The sheet sizes shall conform to ABD0004 Part1
Generative Drafting
Quality Rules
To assure the overall usage (PDM-System and Release Management)
of the drawings there some rules to follow:
• The Magnitude Length shall be mm.

• View Frames shall be invisible, otherwise they would occur in TIFF files
• The first 9 characters of the CATDrawing file name and the CATPart/CATProduct file
name, which is linked by the views, shall be identical. This is needed to assure the
consistency between the part/product and its representation in a drawing
• There shall be no activated View in Sheet / no activated Detail View in Detail Sheet. Plot
problems are possible, if one of the views / detail views etc. is activated instead of the
sheet.
• A View should always linked to Part/Product.
• View with broken link to part/product shall be avoided
• Non-associative Dimensions and Non Up-to-date Dimensions shall be avoided
• Fake Dimensions should be avoided
• Elements in a 2D view, which have been created by hand and have no association to 3D
should be avoided
• Empty sheets, views, detail views should be deleted
• Look the views
• Use the QCHECKER for drawings
Generative Drafting
Sections Clippings Wizard
Toolbar
Views
(1/2)
Projections Details Break view
Unfolded Projection Isometric

View View View
Front View from Auxiliary Advanced

View 3D View Front View
Aligned Section Aligned Section

View Cut Detail Quick Detail
View Profile View Profile
Offset Section Offset Section

View Cut Detail Quick Detail
View View
Generative Drafting
Sections Clippings Wizard
Toolbar
Views
(2/2)
Projections Details Break view
Clipping View
Profile
Clipping Breakout
View View
Broken
View
Views via the Wizard
Generative Drafting
New View
Toolbar
Drawing
(Working Views
New Sheet Instantiate 2D
activated) Component
New Sheet
Selected Edit > Working Views or

Edit > Background in the Pull
Down Menu to switch between the
Views and the Background New Detail Sheet
Toolbar Bill of Material

Drawing
(Background
activated)
Frame Creation Instantiate 2D
Component
Generative Drafting
Toolbar
Dimension
Generating
Generating
Dimensions
Generate Dimensions Step by Step
Generate Generate
Dimensions Balloons
Generative Drafting
Technological Features
Toolbar Dimensions (TFD)
Details
Dimensioning
Length Radius Diameter

TFD TFD TFD TFD Dimensions Re-route
Dimensions
Create Geometrical
Interruption(s) Tolerance
Angle
TFD
Remove
Re-route Datum
Interruption(s)
Dimensions Feature
Length/ Coordinate
Cumulated Distance Radius Chamfer Coordinate Dimension
Dimensions Dimensions Dimensions Dimensions Dimensions Table
Dimension Stacked Angle Diameter Thread Hole

Dimensions Dimensions Dimensions Dimension Dimension
Table
Generative Drafting
Toolbar
Tools Palette
Projected dimension
Force dimension on element
Force horizontal dimension in view
Force vertical dimension in view
Force dimension along a direction
True length dimension
Intersection point detection
Force dimension along a direction

Dimension perpendicular to a direction
Dimension along a fixed angle in view
Generative Drafting
Toolbar Symbols
Annotations
Table
From CSV
Text Table
Table
Text Datum
Text Replicate Target

Welding
Symbol
Text with Ballon Text

Leader Template
Placement Roughness Weld
Symbol
Generative Drafting
Area Fill Arrow
Toolbar
Dress Up
Axis and
Threads Centre Line Thread Axis Line
with with and
Reference Reference Centre Line
Center Thread Axis Line

Line
Generative Drafting
Toolbar
Tools
Analysis Create
Sketcher Display Detected Dimension sytem
grid Mode Constraints selection Mode
Snap to Show Filter

point Constraints Generated
Elements
F1
For the Toolbars Positioning, Analyse, Multi-View,
Dimension generation, Dimension Properties, Profile,
Background and General Tools see the Catia V5 Online
Documentation:
Workbench Indexes > Generative Drafting > Workbench
Description > Command Board
Generative Drafting
Generating Views (1/2)
Create predefined Views about the assistant. It is possible to use default

predefine Views or to create new configurations of views.
View Creation
Wizard
Create associative Views from 3D.
Front View
Create an offset/aligned section view, or an offset/aligned section cut

Offset Section
View
Create a detail by defining a circle or sketched profile.
Detail View
Generative Drafting
Generating Views (2/2)
Create clippings by definition of a circle or a sketched profile.
Clipping
View
Create a broken view by modification of an available view.
Broken
View
Create a breakout view by modification of an available view.

Breakout
View
Generative Drafting
Generating Dimensions (1/2)
Generate Dimensions such as Distance, Length, Angle, Radius, Diameter

and so on.
Dimensions
Create Datum Features and Geometrical Tolerance.
Datum Feature
Create Text such as Text with Leader, Balloon and Datum Target.
5
Text A
Create Roughness Symbols, Welding Symbols and Welds.

Roughness
Symbol
Generative Drafting
Generating Dimensions (2/2)
Generate all Dimensions from 3D in one Shot or Step by Step.
Generating
Dimensions
Analysis of dimensions that were generated and possibly re-positioned

on the active view. Dimensions Analysis shows the dimension
interferences.
Dimensions
Analysis
Dimensions are automatically re-positioned.

Dimension
Positioning...
Generative Drafting
Generating Instantiations
Create a new Detail Sheet. The geometries created in this sheet can be
inserted in the Drawing sheet.
New Detail
Sheet
Insertion of geometries from Detail Sheet.
Instantiate
2d Component
Insertion of Standard Details with Catalog Browser.
Catalog
Browser
Generative Drafting
Generating Drawings from 3D (1/2)
1. Use the Start > Mechanical Design > Drafting pull down menu for starting the
Generative Drafting Workbench. A new CATDrawing will be activated with an empty
sheet.
2. Insert the drawing frame and the title block in the Background
3. Select Edit > Working Views
4. In the same session open an existing part or product (if not already opened)
5. Use Window > Tile ... to show both the 3D geometry and the drawing
6. For View creation use either
• the normal Projection panel
• or the View Creation Wizard
Generative Drafting
Generating Drawings from 3D (2/2)
6. Select a reference plane on the 3D geometry to define the front view
7. Specify the final view direction with the view manipulator

Note:
Drawing views generated are fully associative with the 3D model so therefore when a
CATPart/CATProduct requires a modification, the CATDrawing will subsequently require
an update to take into account the changes.
The drawing can be checked at any time to make sure the links are maintained with the
3D model. This is done using Edit > Links.
Generative Drafting
Changing the Drawing Scale
In order to avoid the loose of associativity, the views scale must be changed only in the
Properties window and not by overwriting in the Text field of the view.
• Move the cursor to the view frame and click the MB3 to open the contextual menu
• Select the Properties option
• Modify the scale of the view
Only the scale of the geometry will be

modified, not the value of the dimensions.
Generative Drafting
Modify the View Projection Plane
After creation of the Front, Projection and Detail Views the projection plane of the Front
View can be changed:
Select the Front View and click MB3 to open the context menu:
Choose a new projection plane in Update the views

the 3D-Window and start the
creation of the front view again.
Generative Drafting
Overload Properties
In the Overload Properties can be set, how a Part should be represented in the section or
in the projection view .
• Move the cursor to the view frame and click the MB3 to open the contextual menu
• Select Front view object > Overload Properties option
• Select an element in the Characteristic list
• Click on Edit to open the Editor
• Modify the properties and click ok
Note: The Overload Properties

are only available when at least
two Parts exist in the extracted
view.
Replace a 3D Document (1)
View-Link
Vi
e w-
Erzeugen einer Neuen Version Erzeugen einer Neuen Version
Li
nk
View-Link
Replace 3D Document
Replace a 3D Document (2)
Replace a 3D document of a drawing
Requirement: The UUID of the old and new 3D document must be the same.
1. Open the new drawing and the new 3D document

2. Replace the link to the 3D document by Edit/Links
3. Select the option „Loaded Document and select the new Dawing in the list
Generative Drafting
Plot / Print (1/2)
To print or to plot the drawings, click on the function 'Print' from the 'File' menu.
It is possible to print/plot the drawings in the actual or in a modified sizes.
The choice of the printer and the settings to Page Size and Page Position take place in the 'Print' menu.
1
Use Tools > Image > Capture to capture a selected region!

Generative Drafting
Plot / Print (2/2)
Choose of Printer Print Preview
1 3
Settings of Page Size
Generative Drafting
Hints and Tips - View Properties
The generation of the geometry is

predefined in Tools > Options >
Mechanical Design > Drafting >
Generation.
To modify the visualisation and dress-up

of a single view, use the View Properties
MB3 on the
View >
Properties >
View…
DMU Introduction
• Basics • DMU Space Analysis

• General • Toolbar Overview
• Design Review • Toolbar Measure
• Document Modes • Toolbar Analyse
• Cache Management • Measure
• Memory Allocation • Clash Computation
• Activate / Deactivate
• Load / Unload
• DMU Navigator
• Toolbar Overview
• Toolbar View
• Toolbar DMU Viewing
• Toolbar Navigation Tools
• Toolbar Data Navigation
• Toolbar DMU Move
• Toolbar DMU Generic Animation
• Fly Mode
DMU Introduction
Basics – General
See AP2264 Management of the digital mock-up
• The CATIA V5 DMU solution includes the
Workbenches DMU Navigator, DMU Space
See AP2266 Digital Mock-Up General Process
Analysis, DMU Fitting, DMU Kinematics and DMU
2D Viewer. This documentation will give an
introduction into the DMU Navigator and the DMU
Space Analysis.
• The DMU Workbenches are integrated into Catia V5, the application must not be changed.
• A CATProduct is needed to work with the DMU Tools.
• Within the DMU Workbenches you will worked mainly in the visualization mode. Original geometries
can be used by switching from the visualization mode in the design mode.
• All results calculated in the DMU Workbenches (Distance, Measure, Group, Sectioning, …) are filed
in the CATProduct under the entry "Applications" in the tree. They are assigned to the highest node
and are stored in the CATProduct.
DMU Introduction
Basics – Design Review
General Process DMU Navigator

• 2D/3D Annotation
• Group
Find and load necessary geometries • Spatial Query
• Create one or more ‚Scene‘ for comparing the
different Assemblies
• Exact positioning ‚Snap‘ of Parts by taking the
Visualize geometries geometrical elements into account (lines,
points, planes, ...)
• Generating of animation (*.avi)
Analyse geometries
DMU Analysis
• Interactive clash detection
• Sectioning
Mark of problem areas
• Performing of measurement
• Compare products, visualisation of removed or
added geometry
• Distance and Band Analysis
Documentation and storage of the results
• Publish of clash detection (*.xml)
• Show clash detection as 2D section
DMU Introduction
Basics - Document Modes
Document Modes
There are two different document modes available when a product is opened
• Visualisation Mode
Visualisation mode opens a significantly lighter model than its true geometrical
form, and can increase the performance. The visualisation mode uses a
geometrical format .cgr (Catia Graphical Representation) that represents only the
external appearance of the component. No Specification Tree available. No axis
and wireframe geometry is visible. No plus sign is visible in front of the
components in the tree.
• Design Mode
Design mode is the original editable format, making all geometrical data available.
Exact geometry is loaded.
If the Option “Work with the Cache System” is activated (default at AIRBUS) all parts are
loaded in Visualisation mode.
When modification is required on a part it can be converted from visualisation
to design mode by:
• MB3 over the part icon > Representations > Design Mode or
• double-click MB1 over the part icon
DMU Introduction
Basics – Cache Management (1/3)
Working with the Cache System
The first time a Part is inserted, it

CATProduct Catia V5 is tessellated. It means that the
Insert an Existing Part1 loaded in corresponding .cgr file is
Component Tessellation visualisation mode computed and saved in the local
(e.g. Part1.CATPart)
or cache as well as displayed in the
Open a CATProduct Local Cache document window.
which includes at
least one Part Part1.CATPart.”timestamp”.cgr The .cgr file is described by the
name of the CATPart and a
timestamp
It is possible to work with a released cache. A released cache is a read-only cache that can
be located anywhere on the network and several directories can be defined for this cache.
DMU Introduction
When this component will be required again, the .cgr file which already exists (and not the
original document) is automatically loaded from the local cache.
Before the loading of the .cgr file, its timestamp will be checked to verify that no
modifications have been made to the CATPart since the generation of the .cgr file.
If the timestamp is out of date, the CATPart will be re-tessellated.
Insert an Existing Component (e.g. Part1.CATPart) or Open a CATProduct which includes at least one Part
Check if .cgr exist in the local cache (e.g. usr/tmp/CATCache)

No Yes
Check if timestamp ok
No Yes
Check if .cgr exist in the released cache (e.g. fc/d21w1 in the ROA)
No Yes
Check if timestamp ok
No Yes
Create a new .cgr in the local cache
Load the .cgr

DMU Introduction
To view the contents of the cache use Tools > Cache Content in the DMU
Navigator Workbench
DMU Introduction
Basics – Memory Allocation
Impact of available Functionalities
Icon Function Impact Comment

Edit/ delete Model and structure element will be unloaded completely
Delete
load Model will be loaded in RAM only *.CATPart and

*.CATProduct
unload Model will be unloaded from the RAM only *.CATPart and
*.CATProduct
activate Model is loaded in the RAM, structure element must exist

deactivate Model will be unloaded from the RAM, structure element survives
design mode Native Geometry will be loaded Strong utilization of RAM!
visualisation Only tessellated Geometry will be loaded, native Geometry will be

mode unloaded from RAM
hide Models will be transferred in the no-show area, no RAM is

released
show Models will be transferred from the no-show area in the show area,
no additional RAM is covered
DMU Introduction
Basics – Activate / Deactivate
MB3 > Representation > …

Grey axis:
Deactivated
Red axis: Activated
Note:
If Tools > Options > Infrastructure > Product Structure > Product Visualization >
Representation: Do not activate default shapes on open is selected, all geometry will be
deactivated while loading.
DMU Introduction
Basics – Load / Unload
Unloaded
MB3 > Components > …

Loaded
Note:
If Tools > Options > General > Referenced Documents: Load referenced documents is
selected, only the structure will be loaded.
DMU Introduction
Navigator – Toolbar Overview 1/4
Toolbar
View (Examine mode)
Fly Mode
Toolbar
View (Fly mode)

Fly Decelerate
Examine Mode Turn Head Accelerate
DMU Introduction
Toolbar
DMU Viewing Horizontal
Previous View Magnifier Ground
Look At Next View Depth Effects Lighting
Toolbar
Navigation Tools Manage

Annotated
Views 3D Annotation Create Scene
Sectioning
Create an Add Group
Annotated Hyperlinks
View
DMU Introduction
Toolbar Go to Applicative Entities
Data Navigation Spatial Query Hyperlinks Reordering
Search Current Start Publish

Selection
Panel
Toolbar
DMU Move
Cumulative Reset
Snap Position s
Translation Symmetry
or Rotation
DMU Introduction
Toolbar
DMU Generic Animation Clash
Detection
Track (Off)
Play a Simulation Edit Record Viewpoint

Sequence Animation
Track Clash Detection (Off)
Colour Action Clash Detection (On)
Visibility Action Clash Detection (Stop)
DMU Introduction
Navigator – View
Navigating in examine mode is the default mode. Documents can be examined from the outside
by moving around the perimeters, or from the inside by turning the head to view or moving
closer to different objects.
Examine Mode
In Fly mode, you can move upwards or downwards on any horizontal view plane. You can also
move forwards or backwards.
Fly Mode
In Walk mode, you can walk forwards and backwards as well as turning right or turning left.
You can also walk along the horizontal plane
Walk Mode
In Walk mode or Fly mode it is possible to use the ‚Turn Head‘ function.
Turn Head
DMU Introduction
Navigator – DMU Viewing
Visualisation of an On-Screen detail by using the button.
Look At
Create a separate window where the enlarged details of a document will be displayed.
The complete environment is permanently visible.
Magnifier
Achieve 3D depth effects by clipping geometry on a plane parallel to the screen and creating
fog effects. After closing the function the clipping planes are still active. Only in deactivating
the clipping planes will the components be complete again.
Depth Effects
Visualise a plane at the ground level of the document, this enables to recognise if the
document is positioned in the right direction.
Horizontal Ground
Variation of ambient lighting effects. It is possible to change the lighting direction,

brightness, contrast and highlights.
Lighting
DMU Introduction
Navigator – Navigation Tools
Generate text fields and marker in a stored view. When moving the view the texts
disappear. The function is usable within a section.
Annotated View
Create a comment to describe a problem or to document a message. The comment is

permanently visible.
3D Annotation
Define a group of Objects by individual selection. Groups can be stored in the document.
Group
Enable: To work on the evolution of an assembly in a separate window from the actual
assembly, Or to save a copy of an assembly in a separate window, work on the development
directly on the assembly.
Create Scene
DMU Introduction
Navigator – Data Navigation
Search for an object with a specific name, or with a specific type or colour.
Search for product properties or objects created using a specific workbench, in a
current document or throughout the whole product structure.
Search
Simplify a complex assembly by displaying only those products you want

to work with. It is based on cubic representation of each part. The size of the cubes
is designated by the accuracy parameter.
Spatial Query Zone Query: The Ability to search all products is included in a rectangular box
Preparation of html reports so that you can publish it on the enterprise intranet. You can
insert a snapshot of a clash conflict, add appropriate comments or annotations and
even select parts to insert as a VRML link.

Start Publish
DMU Introduction
Navigator – DMU Move
Move a set of components by using the parameters in the Move dialog box.
Translation or Rotation
This allows the definition of an environment with additional constraints a

component’s reducing degree of freedom
Cumulative Snap
Create a symmetrical component by mirroring, or a new instance by rotation and

translation, or the same instance by rotation.
Create symmetry on Component
This resets the position of selected products or of all products if none are selected.
The position of products corresponds to the last stored position.
Reset the position of Products
DMU Introduction
Navigator – DMU Generic Animation
The simulation player is available every time you create a track, a sequence or when you
simulate your track.
Simulation Player
Recording of viewpoint animations either using the fly/walk command or direct manipulation
of the geometry. A replay is automatically created for each new viewpoint recording.
Record Viewpoint Animation
Deactivate interference detection while replaying a simulation.

Clash Detection (Off)
Activate interference detection while replaying a simulation.
Clash Detection (On)
Activate automatic clash detection stop mode for simulation.
Clash Detection (Stop)
DMU Introduction
Navigator – Fly mode
• Select the button „Fly“

• Change to perspective projection by confirmation of the counter „Yes“
• Start the fly: Hold MB2 and click MB1 once
• Beginning of the fly phase. In the middle of the screen a target point appears. On
lower screen border there is a green arrow which shows the fly direction. Under the
arrow the current airspeed is indicated.
• The fly direction can be steered with the mouse. The deflection depends on the
distance between mouse pointer and target point.

• Button ‚Screen up / Screen down‘ – makes possible to adjust the speed.
• Click MB1 again to change the direction of the flight (Change from forward to
backward)
• To finish the flight mode switch back into the "Examine“ mode
• Use View > Render Style > Parallel to exit the perspective projection
DMU Introduction
Space Analysis – Toolbar Overview 1/2
Toolbar
DMU Space Analysis
Create an
Compare Measure Measure Annotated
Sectioning Products Item Inertia View Group
Clash Distance and Measure Measure 3D Manage

Band Analysis between Three Annotation Annotated
Points Views
See next page
DMU Introduction
Space Analysis - Measure
Measure the minimum distances and angles between geometrical entities

(surfaces, edges, vertices and entire products) or between points.
Measuring within a section is possible.
Measure between
Measure the properties associated to a selected item (points, edges

surfaces and entire products).
Measure Item
Measure the length, radius and angles of an arc drawn through three
points.
Measure Three Points
Measure the inertia properties of an object. To store the results in a text file
click the export icon.
Measure Inertia
Measure a minimum distance, distances along x,y,z, or run a band analysis

by defining the band and setting the accuracy.
Distance and
Band Analysis
DMU Introduction
Space Analysis – Analyse
Detect interferences between two or more products. It is possible to read or

compare clash command results in the Check Clash dialog box. The interferences
will be shown in a preview window.
Clash
Define a sectioning of one or more products by creating a section plane, a section

slide or a section box.
Sectioning
Compare two parts or two products to detect differences between them and identify
where material has been added and/or removed.
Compare Products
DMU Introduction
Space Analysis – Toolbar Overview 2/2
Sectioning Definition Panel
Sectioning tools
Edit Geometrical Invert Reset

Position Target Normal Position
And Positioning by
Dimension 2/3 Selections
Volume
Cut
Section
Plane
Section Export Edit Results Section Clash

Slice As Grid Window Grid
Fill Detection
Section
Box
DMU Introduction
Space Analysis - Measure
Measurements can be executed in tessellated and native geometry. If native geometry
(design mode) is measured, the exact values are calculated. With the tessellated
geometry the value is approximated. This is made recognisable by a tilde (~).
Tessellated files (cgr) allow no selection of corners, edges and surfaces. To be able to use
also this functional character, the mode must be switched from the visualization in the
design mode. This must take place before the beginning of the measurement procedure.
To avoid unnecessary post loading times, only the geometry which will be measured native
should be loaded.
Note:
The results of the functions Clash, Distance, Band Analysis and Section are always based
on the approximate representation. By working with cgrs it is the SAG value, by working
without Cache or in the design mode it is the 3D Accuracy.
Only the function ‘Measure Between’ guaranteed exactly measured values.
The Value of 3D accuracy will be used for the transformation of data in tessellated shape
automatically. The value can be changed later. If there is a difference between the SAG of
the tessellated Part and the 3D accuracy, the SAG will be used for viewing.
DMU Introduction
Space Analysis – Clash computation
• Contact+Clash
• Clearance+Contact+Clash
• Allow negative Penetration depth, e.g. for
flexible Parts
Clash
Apply
• Inside one selection

• Selection against all
• Between all components (Only
recommend for smaller circumferences)
• Between two selections
•Clash: Red
•Contact: Yellow
•Clearance: Green
CATIA V5
System settings
System settings
• Tools - Options
• Document search
• Display Accuracy
• Display of Geometry
• Part Update
• Assembly Update
• Cache Management
• Part Number
• External References
• Product Visualization
• Tree Customization
• Display in Specification Tree
• UNDO Steps
CATIA V5
Tools - Options
Tools - Options
Settings (Tools - Options)

In this chapter often needed settings are explained for better understanding, user control
and system performance.
General information
A “red closed padlock setting” is created by the administrator and cannot be modified by
the user.
An “grey open padlock setting” can be activated or deactivated (hook, input command or
path and so on).
User setting activated
User setting deactivated
System administrator setting
CATIA V5
Document search
Document search
General - CATIA document search

This defines the possible paths to look for documents single CAD models or linked in
products (“Load referenced documents”).
Allowed or not allowed paths,

the “Current” marked is the
default path to search and save
CAD data.
TOP to BOTTOM search order

and with “Active = Yes”
allowance to look in this paths
for linked CATIA objects.
CATIA V5
Display Accuracy
Display Accuracy
General – Display performance

The “Accuracy” has a great influence in the time needed for rendering your geometry.
Therefore keep the standard value or switch back to this value after temporary use of
better display e.g. for screen shots.
CATIA V5
Display of Geometry
Display of Geometry
General – Display - Navigation - Selection

This defines the way the geometry is shown before or after selecting.
(Face boundary dashed)
CATIA V5
Part Update
Part Update
Updating Parts
Infrastructure – Part Infrastructure – General – Update
These options define the system update
for Parts (Solids and Surface Design).
An automatic update works suddenly on
every modification. If You want to make
more modifications at once You should
change the setting to manual update to
save time.
Synchronization of Links from part to part

e.g. mirrored parts (left / right part)
If activated:
The modification is recognised – but must
manually be updated in “red coloured part”
CATIA V5
Assembly Update
Assembly Update
Updating Assemblies
Mechanical Design – Assembly Design – General - Update
These options define the system update

for Assemblies. Time save on several
modifications like above Î Manual.
CATIA V5
Cache Management
Cache Management
Cache Management
Infrastructure – Product Structure – Cache Management
For large assemblies it is necessary to

work with the cache system. So
normally it is activated.
CATIA V5
Part Number
Part Number
Correct naming for new parts

Infrastructure – Product Structure – Product Structure – Part Number
It is recommended to use the correct part

name from the very first beginning of a new
designed part. So this activated option will help
you to avoid mistakes in naming and saving
your CATIA model.
On opening a New Part …

… Naming is first step Î Saving with correct predefined name:
Otherwise: Inconsistency Î
CATIA V5
External References
External References
External References and Links

Infrastructure – Part Infrastructure – General – External References
Here the creation of “external

Links” between parts is
controlled. It is not allowed to
create such external Links at
AIRBUS today.
The activated “Confirm when

creating a link…” is an additional
control for yourself.
CATIA V5
Product Visualization (1/2)
Display models in products
Infrastructure – Product Structure – Product Visualization
– Representation (1/2)
If you are loading large assemblies, you

can save time on “not activating shapes
on open”. This means, that the product
structure is shown in the specification
tree – but no geometry is loaded.
CATIA V5
Display models in products
Infrastructure – Product Structure – Product Visualization
– Representation (2/2)
In this case you can decide to show only
a few needed geometry models by
activating them in the tree:
MB3 – Representations – Activate Node
CATIA V5
Tree Customization (1/2)
Display in specification tree

Infrastructure – Product Structure – Tree Customization
– Specification tree order
This panel is used to manage the 1

display of Product Structure nodes in
2
the specification tree. But only nodes
belonging to products are affected:
Constraints, relations, applications

defined under a product.
The display within Part structure nodes

1. Position in tree
is not affected!
2. Displayed or not
CATIA V5
Display in specification tree
Infrastructure – Product Structure – Tree Customization
– Specification tree order
Example:
CATIA V5
Display in Specification Tree
Display in Specification Tree
Displayed information in specification tree

Infrastructure – Part Infrastructure – Display
To activate the options to be displayed in

specification tree set the hooks.
Most important informations are:

External References (Links outside the model)
Formula defined:
•Parameters (direct access only in tree)
•Relations
CATIA V5
UNDO Steps
UNDO Steps
General - UNDO steps

Here the possible number of “UNDO” steps is defined.
Increasing this number will influence your system performance especially on big
assemblies and part modifications.
This document and all information contained herein is the sole
property of AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GmbH. No intellectual
property rights are granted by the delivery of this document or
the disclosure of its content. This document shall not be
reproduced or disclosed to a third party without the express
written consent of AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GmbH. This
document and its content shall not be used for any purpose
other than that for which it is supplied.
The statements made herein do not constitute an offer. They

are based on the mentioned assumptions and are expressed
in good faith. Where the supporting grounds for these
statements are not shown, AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
will be pleased to explain the basis thereof.
Document Control
Issue Date Summary and Reasons for change Writer(s)

Draft A1 21 Sep 2004 Initial Issue Michael Schwartz
ACE Academy
Draft A2 03 Jan 2005 Incorporation of information about System settings Michael Schwartz
ACE Academy
Draft A3 10 Oct 2005 Release update CATIA V5 R12 Marcus Bendel
ACE Academy
Draft A4 26 Oct 2005 Release update CATIA V5 R14 Marcus Bendel
ACE Academy
Draft A5 29 Oct 2006 Enhanced function description Marcus Bendel
ACE Academy
Draft A6 29 Mar 2007 Deleted all German Specific informations Volker Kowald
ACE Academy

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CATIA V5 October 2006

CATIA V5 Basic Training

CATIA V5 Basic - Presentation | V5 14 | Issue: Draft A6 | Date: 29. October 06

CATIA V5 Basic Training

• Generative Shape Design Introduction

• Delete Objects and Geometry

• Interoperability between all CATIA V5 modules (Workbenches)

• Individual degree of parameterisation

E.g. Part Design Workbench

Configure the favourites workbenches

Available workbenches Favourites

Right Button (MB3)

Middle Button (MB2)

The following pages refer to right handed users

All workbenches are driven by the use of icons to issue

in orange. arrow in the right corner at the

Use View > Toolbars to know which toolbars should be

The tick indicates that the

Note: If a toolbar with the tick is

To reset the toolbars and reach an initial state

Note: It is not necessary to enter a part name, since

references will be lost!

By pointing it to an object’ s element

Multi-selection is possible by using the Ctrl-Key

Only the objects located entirely

Any objects partly or entirely

Drag to create the polygon around

Only the objects located entirely

Any objects partly or entirely inside

The following Options are available (see Options and Settings)

Display element list

Display additional Window

Highlight behavior of elements

Arrows for navigating Additional Display window

Black arrow indicates

Cross display the

Depth selection arrow controls for hidden and coincident elements

Arrow controls for navigating in the specification tree

MB1 Click on an element or in the circle to select it

Note: Do not use the

Undo last Action Redo last Action

Undo with History Redo with History

Change the numbers of steps to Undo in:

Note: By increasing the Stack size, the

Fly Mode Pan Zoom In Normal Quick Hide/

Shading with Edges

Shading with Edges without smooth Edges

The views can be customized in the Menu

View Navigation Mode Multi-View Customization

for each view

Add the new view to the selection list

Modify the View parameters

Rename the view

Activate the standard views using the compass.

Fill colour Line weight Point type Layer Wizard

Transparency Line type Rendering Painter

1. Select the element of which the graphic properties will be changed

2. Select the icon

With the Wizard the graphic

Regulations for Colours

CATIA V5 functionality enables See AM2232 Module 2 CAD Layers Organisation

To change the layer of an object

Select Tools > Visualization Filters...

Sketch with Absolute Axis definition