THE DESIGN

INTENT

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

What Is Design Intent?
is a method used in computer-aided design that defines relationships
between objects, so that a change to one propagates automatically to
others.

In practice it’s the set of:

• engineering specifications
• Knowledge
• Rules
• formulas and parameters

that express the Model in its design evolution

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino
Design intent Example 1: motorbike tank part
Design intents
• Bottom curve fixed by style
• Rider body no-go-zone
• Width < 200mm ergonomic for legs
• Volume = 20l

Different design solutions are possible

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Design Intent Example2 : reducer assembly
• assembly is controlled by three
critical parameters
• inlet diameter
• the outlet diameter
• and the reducer height.

• When the inlet diameter and

outlet diameters increase, the
hole in the plate and pipe, the
sizes of the flange, and the bolt
circle diameters increase

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

implementing design intent

• correct feature
• Parametric Constrained sketch
• dimensioning scheme
• User variables
• Rules and functions
• top-down design
• embedding optimization routines (advanced)

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Choosing the feature
• A simple cylinder can be created in a number of ways, each with
consequences to your product design

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Choosing the feature
• extrude control over the depth
• revolve control of the section
and the angle of revolution
• Swept control path or direction
• blended feature if controlling
the shape at the ends
• Advanced surfacing higher
levels of adaptability to chance.

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Example

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

CONSTRAINED
SKETCHING
Learn the basics of constraint-based
sketching

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Physical parametric model
’70 Sergio Musmeci Bridge @ Potenza
Design intent: «bio mimetic –working-
structure»

Neoprene, strings
and weights!

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

The common CAD process

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Basic sketch primitives and functions

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Format

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

 1

CAD parametric Sketches

1. Sketched features require a 2D sketch
2
2. Select the sketching plane
• Origin planes (XY, XZ, YZ)
3
• Working planes
• Feature surfaces
3. Draw the profile 4

4. Apply constraints

• There are also 3D sketches (curves)

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Design Intent: Prefab House builder
• Height is fixed by man height
• Width is fixed by trucks cargo
• Roof angle depends on latitude
parameter on angle
• Puglia = 0°
• Sweden = 15°

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

 Profile drawing

• Simple primitives (point, line,

circle, arc, rectangle)
• Project geometry
• Modify tools
• Pattern
SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino
Why using constraints?
• Avoid unstable geometry -> 3D model fails

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Constraints types

• Geometric: relations between

elements
• Dimensional: size and location of
elements
• Algebraic: equations
• External: relations external to sketch
(e.g. projections)

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

GEOMETRIC
CONSTRAINTS

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Basic Geometric Constraints
• Constraints relative to the current
User refence system (UCS)
Examples: vertical, horizontal

• Constraints that are relative to other

sketch entities
Examples: perpendicular, parallel

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Constrains icons
• Selected they show the related
elements
• can be activated or deactivated
• can be erased by CANC

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Other Cad symbols

Solid edge
Overview geometric constraints

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Advanced Geometric Constraints

• Tangent
• Arcs or Circles
• Equality
• Equal sizes
• Concentric
• Align Center Points

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Coincidence

General note:For constraints the first selection is the

reference

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

 Inferred real time Constraints
Unwanted constraints icon can be selected
While sketching Inventor will automatically guess at the (left click) and deleted (delete key)
constraints that the user implies

Dotted lines show alignment

and icons show the
constraints

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Automatic constraints ( = no Design intent)

Note: I added rotational

constraint to make it fully
constriained

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Project geometry
• Manually: project 3D geometry (yellow)
created before the sketch on the current
sketch plane
• Automatically: By dimensioning
projections are computed

• You can project:

• Working geom. (axes, planes, points)
• Sketches
• Faces\edges of previous modelled

• Project cut edges can find the section of a

previous defined solid
•

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Design intent with geometrical constraints

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Exercise 1: geometric constraints
Constraints: Draw and constrain with geometric constraints only
NOTE: Do not put dimensions
• Coincident TIME : 10 Min
• Collinear
• Concentric
• Fix
• Parallel
• Perpendicular
• Horizontal
• Vertical
• Tangent
• Symmetric
• Equal
SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino
Exercise 2 (home)
• List all the necessary constraints to go from the initial shape to the final, then
apply the constraints on the sketch

• Don’t forget to position the sketch

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

DIMENSIONAL
CONSTRAINTS

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Dimensional Constraints

• Linear Dimensions
• Radial Dimensions
• Angular Dimensions

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Algebraic (dimensional) Constraints
• Simple Algebraic
Expressions
• e.g. 20/3

• Related to Other
dimensions
• Driving vs. Driven

Is D5
Driving
or
Driven?

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Dimension Options

Dimensions can be
Or even 2 points as
added between 2 lines Between a point and a
long as the correct
by selecting the lines line
direction is chosen
sequentially

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Slanted lines

Horizon
Aligned Vertical tal

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Circles and Arcs

Circles or Arcs can be dimensioned by A circle can be located by its center point by
the diameter (Ø) or radius (R) constraining both the x and y directions

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Special distances (e.g. tangency)

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Centerline
• It helps definining diameter (simmetric) dimensions

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Angular Dimensions

Angular Constraints can be added by clicking one line and then

the other line. CAD will automatically assume angular constraint.

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Algebraic Constraints

added by Entering a value or by left clicking on a dimension

Using operations +, -, *, /

You can add the variable name before:

Pippo =
SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino
Parameters and formulas

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Driving vs driven dimensions

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

BEST PRACTICE: sketching strategy

starts with shape and

geometry constraints
then add dimensional
constraints
• Start dimensioning
bigger elements first

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

A fully constrained sketch in CATIA

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

FOR A FULLY
CONSTRAINED
SKETCH
Evaluating DOF of Sketched Profiles

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Constraint Solver states & color codes
The system of equation may result:
• Unconstrained: No constraints applied
• Underconstrained: constraints are insufficient =
Degree of freedom(DOF)
• Fully constrained: sketch is solved and unique, 0
DOF
• Overconstrained (some CAD like Autodesk
Inventor prevents it )
Final Model = solution of the system
Evaluation “in parallel”

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Degrees of Freedom for 2D Entities

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Computing DOF in 2D Profiles
• Closed profile (lines and arcs)
• Line requires 4 DOF
• Arc requires 5 DOF
• Coincidence removes 2 DOF
• N. coincidence points = N. lines/arcs

DOF = 2*L + 3*A

DOF = degrees of freedom (free)
L = N. lines
A = N. arcs

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Example: constraining
DOF = 4*2 + 1*3 = 11

Geometric constraints:
2*1(tangent) +
2*1(H/V) +
1*1(perpendicular) +
2*1(ground) =
7 DOF removed

11-7 = 4 free DOF

Dimensional constraints:
4*1 (dimensions) = profile is fully
constrained

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

 Constraining
• Using color code
• Visualization of DOF

• blue lines need to be constrained

• Black lines are fully constrained
• F8 display constraints
• F9 hide constraints
• F11 relax mode (ignore constraints)
SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino
Other CADs

Solid edge

Solid CATIA
Multiple scketches

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Constrained scketch as kinematic protototipation

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Exercise (optional)

• Model this part with fully

constrained sketches.
• If dimensions are missing,
assume them

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

Exercise (optional)

• Model this 2D sketch

as fully constrained.
• If some dimensions are
missing, assume them

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

«impossible mission» (opzionale)
Homework 1 “poison mushroom”
Homework2 Personalyzed Desk paper holder
• Size 50x50 mm
• Fully constrained = Sketch with 0
DOF
• Sections using «manually created»
sketch of your initials (do not use text
function)
• Parametrize the width of the font (not
a perfect one- your style) and make it
consistent to variation
Deliverable Homework
PowerPoint 3 slide
1) Screenshot «mushroom» sketch with constraints
2) Screenshot Desk paper holder Isometric view
3) Annotate problems , questions, curiosity

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino

SPV 22 Prof. Michele Fiorentino