CAT I A V 5

Basic Training
Preface
The present script includes an introduction of the main features in the 3D design software
package Catia V5. Beside the basic tools of 3D design, a number of exercises and examples
point to different construction strategies in several applications. In addition to the primary
functions, methods for the generation of solid components and assemblings are explained and
executed by use of different examples.

Training targets:

 Sketch mode
 Basic part design
 Enhanced features of part design
 Assembly design and product structure
 Generating drawings

The script is based on Catia V5 Release 15 and will be updated continuously. To keep the
paper up to date and to fulfill the requirements on the Catia V5 education at a high level,
questions, critics and new inputs are sincerely welcome. Please write an email to:

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Table of contents

1 Introduction.......................................................................................................7
1.1. An excerpt of available workbenches............................................................................8

2 The user interface of CATIA V5......................................................................9

2.1.Graphic display..................................................................................................................9
2.2.Mouse button assignment................................................................................................10
2.3.User defined settings........................................................................................................10

3 An excerpt of menus.......................................................................................11
3.1 Start.............................................................................................................................11
3.2 File...............................................................................................................................11
3.3 Edit..............................................................................................................................12
3.4 View............................................................................................................................12
3.5 Insert............................................................................................................................14
3.6 Tools............................................................................................................................14
3.7 Window.......................................................................................................................15
3.8 Help.............................................................................................................................16

4 Toolbars in the workbench Part Design.........................................................16

4.1 Standard toolbar..........................................................................................................16
4.2 Knowledge...................................................................................................................17
4.3 Workbench..................................................................................................................17
4.4 Graphic Properties.......................................................................................................17
4.5 View............................................................................................................................18
4.6 Select...........................................................................................................................19
4.7 Sketcher.......................................................................................................................19
4.8 Sketch-Based Features, Sketch-Based Features (compact)................................19
4.9 Dress-Up Features.......................................................................................................20
4.10 Advanced Dress-Up Features......................................................................................20
4.11 Reference Elements, Reference Elements (extended)..........................................20
4.12 Constraints...................................................................................................................20
4.13 Transformation Features..............................................................................................21
4.14 Surface Based Features, Surface Based Features (Extended).....................21
4.15 Insert............................................................................................................................21
4.16 Boolean Operations.....................................................................................................22
4.17 Selection Sets..............................................................................................................22
4.18 Tools............................................................................................................................22
4.19 Annotations..................................................................................................................22
4.20 Analysis.......................................................................................................................23
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4.21 Apply Material............................................................................................................23

4.22 Measure.......................................................................................................................23

5 The sketch mode Sketcher..............................................................................24

5.1 Using the Sketcher.......................................................................................................24
5.2 Operations in the sketch mode....................................................................................24
5.2.1 Sketcher...............................................................................................................25
5.2.2 Profile..................................................................................................................25
5.2.3 Operation.............................................................................................................26
5.2.4 Constraint............................................................................................................27
5.2.5 Sketch Tools........................................................................................................27
5.2.6 Tools....................................................................................................................28
Example 1: Regular hexagon, wrench size of 100mm............................................................29
5.3Structure of the specification tree of a sketch...................................................................38
Example 2: Milled panel.........................................................................................................39
Example 3: Mounting plate.....................................................................................................40

6 Generation of bodies in the workbench Part Design.....................................40

6.1 3D Basic Features........................................................................................................40
Example 4 - PAD: Hexagon profile, Wrench size 100mm, Height 20mm.............................40
Example 5 - SHAFT: Rotational solid....................................................................................43
Example 6 - RIB: Profile swept along a center curve.............................................................45
6.2 Manipulation features..................................................................................................46
Example 7: Plate......................................................................................................................47
The Feature Pocket..............................................................................................................47
The Feature Groove.............................................................................................................49
The feature Hole..................................................................................................................49
Helpful additional functions....................................................................................................53
Applying material................................................................................................................53
Measure Inertia....................................................................................................................53
Using Search.......................................................................................................................53
Using Search.......................................................................................................................54
Taking pictures of elements................................................................................................54
Example 8: Clevis....................................................................................................................55
Beispiel 9: Lever......................................................................................................................55
Example 10: Prism piece.........................................................................................................56
Beispiel 11: Sleeve..................................................................................................................56
Example 12: Prism with threaded holes..................................................................................57
6.3. Dress-Up Features.......................................................................................................58
Example 13: Angle piece.........................................................................................................58
The feature Fillet.................................................................................................................59
The feature Chamfer............................................................................................................60
The feature Draft Angle.......................................................................................................61
Checking the Draft (Draft Analysis)...................................................................................62
The feature Shell..................................................................................................................63
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Feature Thickness................................................................................................................63
Feature Thread....................................................................................................................64
Example 14: Bearing block.....................................................................................................65
Example 15: Angular prism.....................................................................................................65
Example 16: Angle anchor plate with holes............................................................................66
Example 17: Machined part.....................................................................................................66
6.4Transformation Features...................................................................................................67
Example 18: Drilled Panel.......................................................................................................68
Beispiel 19: Angle bracket......................................................................................................69
Example 20: Asterisk shaped bracket......................................................................................70

7 Part Design with several Bodies and Boolean Operations............................71

7.1Boolean Operations...........................................................................................................72
Example 21: Piston of a two-stroke engine.............................................................................74
Example 22: Conrod................................................................................................................76

8. The Specification Tree in Part Design...........................................................77

Example 23: Prism body.........................................................................................................80
Example 24: Pendulum............................................................................................................80
Example 25: Adjusting wheel.................................................................................................81

9 Creating assemblies in the workbench Assembly Design...............................82

9.1. Operations in the Assembly Design mode..................................................................82

9.1.1 Product Structure Tools...............................................................................82

9.1.2 Constraints...................................................................................................83

9.1.3 Move............................................................................................................83

9.1.4 Space Analysis.............................................................................................84

9.1.5 Update.........................................................................................................84
9.2. The Specification Tree in Assembly Design...............................................................85
9.3. The Desk in CATIA V5..............................................................................................86
Example 25: Crank drive.........................................................................................................87
Example 26: Clamping device................................................................................................91

10 Excerpt of data management..........................................................................92

10.1.......................................................................................Exporting 3D data 92
10.2.......................................................................................Exporting 2D data 93
10.3..........................................................................................CATIA V4 data 93
10.4File administration..........................................................................................................93
10.5................................................................................................Publication 94
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11 Creating drawings in the workbench Drafting...............................................95

11.1...............................................................Operations in the Drafting workbench 96
11.1.7 Drawing...............................................................................................................96
11.1.8 Views...................................................................................................................96
11.1.9 Dimensioning.......................................................................................................96
11.1.10 Generation.......................................................................................................97
11.1.11 Dress-up...........................................................................................................97
11.1.12 Geometry Creation..........................................................................................97
11.1.13 Geometry Modification...................................................................................97
11.1.14 Annotations......................................................................................................98
11.2................................................................................The Properties Window 98
11.3......................................Basic steps for the creation of a dimensioned 2D drawing 99

12 Create and use Parameters............................................................................102

Formula..................................................................................................................................102
6
 1 Introduction
The 3D CAD system CATIA V5 was introduced in 1999 by Dassault Systems. Replacing
CATIA V4, it represented a completely new design tool showing fundamental differences to its
predecessor.
The user interface, now featuring MS Windows layout, allows an easy integration of common
software packages such as MS Office, several graphic programs or SAP-R3 products
(depending on the IT environment) and others.

Figure 1: User interface CATIA V4.2.2 Figure 2: User interface CATIA V5 R15

The concept of CATIA V5 is to digitally include the complete

process of product development, comprising the first draft, the design,
the layout and at last the production and the assembly. The present
training includes a selection of functionalities in the workbench
Mechanical Design.

Figure 3: Selection of
Workbenches

Sets of workbenches can be composed according to the user’s preferences. Therefore Dassault
Systems offers three different software installation versions.
The platform P1 contains the basic features and is used for training courses or for reduced
functionalities. For process orientated work the platform P2 is the appropriate one. It enables,
apart from the basic design features, analysis tools and production related functions. P3
comprises specific advanced scopes such as the implementation of external software packages.

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1.1. An excerpt of available workbenches

Mechanical Design:
Sketches, 3D Design, 2D Drawings

Shape:
Surface based design, Free formed surfaces

Digital Mockup
Digital Mockup, Packaging and Assembly Simulation

Equipment and Systems:

Integration of complex elements and components such as wiring
harnesses, hydraulic systems etc.

Analysis & Simulation:

Calculation tool for the design accompanying simulation and analysis

Machining:
Manufacturing simulation and control tool for numerically controlled
machines

AEC Plant:
Manufacturing and production planning, Optimization of production
lines

Infrastructure:
Interfaces, Comprehensive work with other software
packages, Data transfer

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 2 The user interface of CATIA V5
Compared to CATIA V4, the desktop design is completely new. Established elements of other
software packages have been integrated and several well known features can be used in CATIA
V5.

Thus, figures can be directly inserted into MS Word documents out of CATIA V5, and MS
Excel tables can be easily used as design tables in CATIA V5.

2.1. Graphic display

Figure 4: Graphic display in CATIA V5

 Menu bar with pull down menus for the access of CATIA features
 Workbench symbol for quick switching between the workbenches
 Standard toolbar containing common features such as Open, Close, Print, Cut
and Paste
 The open window contains the model field and the specification tree
 Compass, used for changing the view and moving objects
 Status bar with instructions and prompts
 The workbench toolbar displays all the features, that can be used within a
specific workbench

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2.2. Mouse button assignment

A three buttoned mouse is needed to control the movements of the elements and the zooming,
in the 3D-space as well as in the specification tree. The following mouse button operation is
used in the default configuration of CATIA V5.

Elements in the 3D-design space:

Move ... Press and hold the middle mouse button and move the mouse.
Rotate ... Press and hold the middle mouse button. While still holding it, press and
hold the left (or right) button and move the mouse.
Zooming ... Press and hold the middle mouse button. While still holding it, press the
left (or right) button once and move the mouse.
Changing the center ... Click the middle mouse button on the location of the element that
shall be moved to the center of the window. The window center also
represents the rotation center.

Specification Tree:
Move ... Press and hold the left mouse button while the mouse
points at a branch of the tree, and move the mouse.
Zooming ... Click once on a branch of the specification tree (or on the coordinate
system in the right lower corner of the working space) with the left
mouse button. The construction elements in the 3D space get darker, the
tree is now set active. The zooming of the tree can be done as described
above. Another click on a branch deactivates this function.

2.3. User defined settings

The pull down menu Tools

/ Options offers several user
definable settings. For
instance, display settings,
construction facilities, file
import and export settings,
memory settings and many
more settings can be
adjusted. By using the Reset
button, all parameter values
can be set to the initial values
fixed by Dassault Systems.

Figure 5: Options

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 3 An excerpt of menus
This chapter explains a selection of the most important menu bars of the workbench Part
Design. A couple of basic features (Start, File, Edit etc.) are also available in other workbenches,
other menu bars differ depending on the specific demands of the modes. The following chapters
give a deeper understanding of single menu bars in different workbenches.

3.1 Start

The Start menu contains the

workbenches defined previously.
The pull down menu is used to
switch from one workspace to the
other. Additionally, the recently
opened, the active and the previous
open file names are shown. By
clicking on the names, the files can
be activated.

3.2 File Figure 6: Start menu

File comprises all the administrative functions for opening, saving or printing files. In addition,
the recently used files are displayed.

Figure 7: File menu

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3.3 Edit

Some functions frequently needed during the design process such as Copy, Paste, Cut
or Delete can be found in the menu Edit.

The feature Update is used to refresh the construction. Undo and Repeat are very useful
commands to move one design step backwards or forwards again.

Search can find elements within the active document.

The commands Selection Sets, Selection Sets Edition and Find Owning Selection Sets
enable the definition and the recall of selection criteria. To

edit document connections, Links is used.

The definition or changing of component properties happens through Properties.

Scan or Define In Work Object makes the navigation between elements and the definition of In
Work-objects possible. The following construction steps are executed on this (defined) object.

Figure 8:Edit menu

3.4 View

The menu Toolbars allows the configuration of the toolbar visualisation on the screen. By
clicking on a single toolbar name, the respective toolbar can be activated or deactivated.

The Commands List is used to directly access commands.

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The commands Geometry, Specifications, Compass and Reset Compass activate or deactivate the
corresponding elements.

Tree Expansion permits the activation of the desired levels of the specification tree.

Specifications Overview and Geometry Overview provide an overlook of the active

Specification Tree and geometry.

The visualization on the screen can be controlled by Fit All In, Zoom Area, Zoom In Out, Pan
and Rotate with Modify providing even more options.

Figure 9: View menu

If different predefined views should be created with the possibility to quickly switch between
them, the command Named Views can be useful.

Render Style enables the adjustment of visualization settings. Apart from standard settings, user
defined render styles can be configured.

The menu Navigation Mode is used to choose from different types of part movement on the
screen: Fly: => Translative and rotatory movement
Walk: => Translative movement within an predefined plane The

features Lighting and Depth Effect affect the display style of shaded objects.

A base plane can be inserted via Ground.

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Magnifier can be used to display details.

Hide/Show switches to the invisible space. Components, that are not needed at present, can be
deposited in the invisible space.

To enlarge the window to its full size, Full Screen has to be applied.

3.5 Insert

The Insert menu contains specific commands for each workbench. Most of these features can be
activated via the toolbars as well. A detailed description of the main commands is carried out in
the specific modes Part Design and Drafting.

Figure 10: Menu Insert within the Product mode Figure 11: Menu Insert within the Drafting mode

3.6 Tools

The features contained in Tools control the settings and user defined features. Additionally,
several workbench specific tools are available.

Formula ... The parameters of the applied operations are displayed in a window. In
addition, modifications and specific applications can be defined.

Image ... Creation of pictures and videos

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Macro ... The creation of macros is carried out in Visual Basic. An administration
function supports a creation and organisation of libraries.
Customize ... The menu Customize enables user specific modifications, as there are the
arrangement of menu bars or a setting of the interface language.
Visualization filters ... Layers (e.g. design spaces) can be switched visible / invisible.
Options ... Basic settings are adjusted via the Options - menu:
Specification tree
Navigation
Performances
Visualization
Thickness & Font
Line type

Figure 12: Tools menu

Standards ... To set default values for element properties, use Standards.
Conferencing ... Conferencing is needed to organize conferences.

3.7 Window

Opened windows can be arranged and new windows can be opened with the Window
menu. Furthermore the open files are displayed there.

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3.8 Help

A contextual help (What’s This?), explaining the commands instantly and a help menu (CATIA
V5 Help) which requires special installation, are provided by CATIA V5.

4 Toolbars in the workbench Part Design

The desired toolbars can be shown and removed using the menu View / Toolbars. Depending on
the activated workspace, specific toolbars are available.

Beside the general toolbars

Standard Knowledge
Workbench
Graphic Properties and
View,
some workbench specific toolbars will be explained. After switching to another workbench, the
menu Toolbars automatically activates the accordant functions. Operational functions are not
only accesseble in the according toolbars, they can also be accessed by the pull down menu
Insert.

4.1 Standard toolbar

New ... Creates a new part, assembly or drawing document

Open ... Opens an existing document
Save ... Saves the active document
Print ... Prints the active document on the default printer, using the default
printer settings
Cut ... Removes the selection from the active document and places it on the
clipboard
Copy ... Copies the selection to the clipboard
Paste ... Inserts the content of the clipboard at the selected location
Undo selection ... Reverses the last action. It is possible to recall the command log and
undo the last actions using the pull down menu
Redo ... Repeats the last cancelled action
What’s this? ... Provides help on toolbar icons

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4.2 Knowledge

Formula ... The feature Formula corresponds with the one of the pull
down menu Tools
URLs and Comment ... Create and edit URL addresses.
Check Analysis Toolbox …The check analysis tool allows users to show and fix all
broken checks to validate the design and generate reports
Design Table ... Create and edit design tables and laws to create and edit
component families
Knowledge Inspector ... Analyzes impacts of change in parameter value or advises
parameter modification
Lock Selected Parameters … Locks selected parameters and parameters in
selected features
Equivalent Dimensions … Creates equivalent dimensions

4.3 Workbench

Workbench ... The Workbench icon indicates the active workbench

4.4 Graphic Properties

Graphical adjustments such as fill colour, zooming, line thickness, line style, point style and
layer setting can be done.

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4.5 View

Fly ... When navigating in the Fly mode, translations and rotations in all
three directions in space are possible.
Fit all in ... Zooms in or out, so that all the selected geometry optimally
fits the available space.
Pan ... Pans the view
Rotate ... Rotates the view
Zoom In... Zooms in in increments
Zoom Out ... Zooms out in increments
Normal View ... Displays the part with a view normal to a plane
Create Multi-View … Creates four different views in the current window
Views ... Different standard views can be chosen: Isometric View, Front
View, Back View, Left View, Right View, Top View, Bottom View,
Named Views
View Modes:
Shading … Displays the geometry in shading mode
Shading with Edges … Displays the shaded geometry with edges
Shading with Edges without Smooth Edges … Displays the shaded
geometry with edges without smooth edges
Shading with Edges and Hidden Edges … Displays the geometry with
edges and hidden edges
Shading with Material … Displays the shaded geometry with material
Wireframe … Displays the geometry in wireframe mode
Customize view parameters … Activates the customized view mode,
enabling a customization of the view parameters

Hide / Show ... Alternatively displays hidden and shown objects. Hidden elements are
dimmed grey in the specification tree.
Swap visible space ... Makes hidden space visible again

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4.6 Select

The Select menu offers several selection tools. Apart from a

single selection, different trap selections can be chosen.

4.7 Sketcher

The sketch mode is used to create 2D contours as a basis for the following
3D modeling. A parameterization of the sketches is not mandatory. A
detailed description of the sketcher follows in chapter 5.

4.8 Sketch-Based Features,

Sketch-Based Features (compact)

Sketch-Based Features and Sketch-Based Features (compact) are required to generate 3D solid
geometries.

Pad ... Creates a prism from an open or closed profile. The profile can
be generated in a sketch.
Pocket ... The command Pocket creates a prism from a profile that is
removed from a body.
Shaft / Groove ... Shaft creates a rotating solid from a profile and an axis of
revolution. A Groove is a shaft that is being removed from an
existing geometry
Hole ... Creates a hole within an existing body. The hole can also be
threaded or countersunk
Rib / Slot ... Creates a rib or a slot (i.e. a removed rib) by sweeping a profile
along a center curve
Stiffener ... Creates a stiffener
Multi-sections Solid / Removed Multi-sections Solid ... Creates a solid (or a
removed solid) defined by several profiles and corresponding
guiding curves

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 4.9 Dress-Up Features

The Dress-Up Features enable changes on existing bodies.

Edge Fillet ...Generates an edge fillet. Additionally, several other modes are
available: Variable Radius Fillet, Face-Face Fillet and Tritangent
Fillet
Chamfer ... Creates a Chamfer by removing or adding material from a selected edge.
Several input modes are possible (Length – Angle, Length – Length)
Draft Angle ... The commands Draft Angle, Reflection Line and Variable Angle Draft
facilitate the creation of drafts on existing solids.
Shell ... Creates a shell by hollowing out an existing geometry
Thickness ... Selected surfaces of an existing solid can be supplied with allowances
Thread / Tap ... Creates a thread or tap by specifying its support, limits and numerical
values
Remove Face … Removes one or more faces

4.10 Advanced Dress-Up Features

The command Advanced Draft offers enhanced draft options such as defining several
pulling directions for one solid.

4.11 Reference Elements, Reference

Elements (extended)

Reference elements are generated by means of prompt windows to define all relevant parameters.

Point ... Creates one or more points in space

Line ... Creates a line in space

Plane ... Creates a plane in space

4.12 Constraints

Constraints Defined in Dialog Box ... Manages predefined constraints

Constraint ... Creates a constraint

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4.13 Transformation Features

Translation ... Translative movement of a solid in space

[Direction, Distance]
Rotation ... Rotates a solid around an axis [Axis,
Angle]
Symmetry ... Mirrors a solid without duplication in
reference to a selected face or plane
[Reference = face/plane]
Mirror ... Mirrors a solid (with duplication) in reference to a selected face or plane
[Reference = face/plane]
Rectangular Pattern ... Creates a two dimensional rectangular pattern to repeat a feature
[Instances, Spacing]
Circular Pattern ... Creates a circular pattern to repeat a feature [Instances, Angular Spacing]
User Pattern ... Creates a user pattern to repeat a feature
Scaling ... Scales (expands or compresses) an element

4.14 Surface Based Features,

Surface Based Features (Extended)

Split ... Splits a solid by use of a plane, face or surface

Thick Surface ... Creates a thick surface based on a surface by
specifying two thicknesses
Close Surface ... This feature closes surfaces (e.g. surfaces that were
designed in Wireframe and Surface mode),
i.e. it generates a solid from the surface
Sew Surface ... Integrates surfaces into a solid

4.15 Insert

Insert is used to insert a new body or geometrical set in the specification tree. The new
element is inserted beneath the active element or into a specified component.

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4.16 Boolean Operations
By means of this menu commands affecting two bodies can be carried out. The reference
body should be set In Work.

Assemble ... Assembles a body with another body

Add ... Adds a body to another body Remove ...
Removes a body from another body
Intersect ... Intersects a body with another body,
resulting in a single body that displays the shared
space
Union Trim ... Merges two bodies and enables a trim function
Remove lump ... Removes a single piece of a body. This is a special case of
Boolean Operations as it concerns only one body

4.17 Selection Sets

Selection Sets Edition ... Create and edit selection sets

Selection Sets ... Management of the saved selection sets
Find Owning Selection Sets … Find all selection sets including the
selected element

4.18 Tools

Update All ... Updates all features and connections within the part
Axis System ... Creates an axis system
Mean Dimensions ... Computes mean dimensions on toleranced parameters
Create Datum ... Creates a datum feature (= feature without history) Only
Current Body … Option to display only the current body
Catalog Browser ... Opens a catalog, e.g. a screw catalog
Select Current Tool … Selects / renames a current tool

4.19 Annotations
Text with Leader ... Creates a text with a leader line
Flag Note with Leader ... Creates a flag note with a leader line and URL
support.
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4.20 Analysis

The Analysis features support a construction check regarding the producibility.

Draft Analysis ... Analysis of drafts

Curvature Analysis ... Analyzes the curvature of surfaces
Tap - Thread Analysis ... Analyzes all threads and taps of a component

4.21 Apply Material

Material properties can be applied to a body, enabling the computation of weight, inertia etc..

Apply Material ... Applies a material to a part

4.22 Measure

Measure Between ... Measures between two elements

Measure Item ... Measures characteristics of an element
Measure Inertia ... Measures inertial properties associated to a
selected volume

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 5 The sketch mode Sketcher
The sketch mode is used to create two dimensional sketches. A parameterization is not
mandatory. When working in the workbench Part Design, sketches can serve as a basis for the
generation and modification of solids.

5.1 Using the Sketcher

The sketch mode is activated by clicking on the button Sketch. The Sketch Support has
to be a plane or a planar surface. The Sketcher rotates the selected plane parallel to the
screen plane (default setting in the Options).

For switching or refreshing the adjustment of the screen view, the feature Normal
View has to be used. The image plane is aligned parallel to the selected support plane.

In sketch mode a
reference coordinate
system islaid
into the chosen
plane. The sketch
module is
positioned just
below the active
object in the
Specification Tree,
and it contains the
Geometry and the
Constraints.
A grid is shown,
offering a snap
function, if Snap to
Point has been
activated. The preset
toolbars are
displayed on the
right margin.
Figure 13: Sketch mode

The individual setup of the desktop is done through Tools / Options (in the menu bar). The
selection of the toolbars happens via the menu View / Toolbars.

5.2 Operations in the sketch mode

The sketch mode contains, apart from standard toolbars, the following workbench- specific tools:

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5.2.1 Sketcher

Workbench – Sketcher icon... Shows the active workbench

Exit workbench ... Leaves the Sketcher and gets back to the
previously active workbench

5.2.2 Profile

The menu Profile provides features for the creation of basic geometrical elements. While
not being parameterized, the contour is displayed as white lines.

Profile ... Creates a profile made of lines and arcs.

Predefined Profile ... Creates predefined profiles:

-Rectangle
-Orientated Rectangle
-Parallelogram
-Elongated Hole
-Cylindrical Elongated Hole
-Keyhole Profile
-Hexagon
-Centered Rectangle
-Centered Parallelogram
Circle ... Creates circles and parts of circles:

-Circle
-Three Point Circle
-Circle Using Coordinates
-Tri-Tangent Circle
-Three Point Arc
-Three Point Arc Starting with Limits
-Arc
Spline ... Creates a spline by clicking or selecting
points:

-Spline (curve through points)

-Connect (Creates an arc connecting two
curves)

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 Conic ... Creates Conic Curves:

-Ellipse
-Parabola by Focus
-Hyperbola by Focus
-Conic
Line ... Creates Lines:

-Line
-Infinite Line
-Bi-Tangent Line
-Bisecting Line
-Line Normal To Curve
Axis ... Creates an axis, e.g. for the creation of
rotating bodies
Point ... Creates a point by clicking:

-Point by Clicking
-Point by Using Coordinates
-Equidistant Points
-Intersection Point
-Projection Point

5.2.3 Operation

Corner ... Creates a corner with a user defined radius.

Chamfer ... Creates a beveled corner.
Relimitations ... Modifies lines or profiles

-Trim
-Break
-Quick Trim
-Close
-Complement

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 Transformation Transformation components:

-Mirror
-Symmetry
-Translate
-Rotate
-Scale
-Offset
3D Geometry ... Generates 2D-curves from 3D elements:

-Project 3D Elements
-Intersect 3D Elements
-Project 3D Silhouette Edges
5.2.4 Constraint

The toolbar Constraint contains features for the assignment of constraints.

Constraints Defined in Dialog Box ... Creates constraints checked in a

dialog box
Constraint ... Creates a geometrical or dimensional
constraint

-Constraint
-Contact Constraint
Constrained Geometry ... Creates Constraints:

-Fix together
-Auto Constraint
Animate Constraint ... Animates dimensional constraints to show
how the constrained system reacts
Edit Multi-Constraint Edits constraint values and evaluates the
constrained geometries at the end

5.2.5 Sketch Tools

Grid ... Displays a grid

27
 Snap to Point Snaps the points to the nearest intersection
points of the grid
Construction / Standard Element ... Converts sketch elements into
‚construction’ or ‚standard’ elements
Geometrical Constraints ... Creates the detected and the internal
constraints during sketching
Dimensional Constraints ... Creates dimensional constraints

5.2.6 Tools

Create Datum … Creates a datum feature (without history) Only

Current Body … Option to display only the current body Output
Feature … Creates an output feature by selecting a 2D
geometry
Profile Feature … Creates a profile feature by selecting a 2D
geometry
2D Analysis Tools … Tools assisting the sketch analysis:

-Sketch Solving Status

-Sketch Analysis

28
Example 1: Regular hexagon, wrench size of 100mm
Intention: Using the Sketcher

This first example should describe how to generate sketches within the Part Design
workbench.
To activate Part Design just open a new part after having started CATIA V5:

1. File / New

By selecting Part the workbench Part

Design opens. The predefined toolbars
of the selected workbench appear
around the working area on the screen.
Figure 14: Opening a new part

2. Open the Sketcher

3. Select the xy-plane as sketch plane

The sketch plane can be selected by clicking on a
plane either in the modelling area or in the structure
tree.
The selected plane is then rotated in a way that it is
parallel to the screen plane, and the sketch mode is
activated. The corresponding toolbars appear.

Figure 15: Select a sketch plane

29
4. Create a sketch

Using the feature Line (contained

in the Profile menu), a hexagon
can be drawn. Double clicking the
icon activates the repetition mode.
The Snap to Point mode allows to
catch the ending point of the
previous lines. When the line
happens to be nearly vertical or
horizontal, a corresponding
constraint is established by
activating the Snap to Point mode.
The repetition mode of the Line
feature is deactivated by clicking
on the icon once more. Another
way of creating curves containing
lines (and circles) is provided by
the feature Profile.

Figure 16:The Sketch workbench

The symbols H and V next to

the lines designate their
horizontal or vertical
orientation. During sketching
the lines turn blue to show a
constraint. Coincidences are
displayed as small green circles.
By double clicking onto the
constraints, the corresponding
windows open. Constraints can
be removed using the delete
function.

The geometrical elements can

be defined in different ways.
One possibility is by double
clicking the geometrical
elements
opening an input window.
Figure 17: The first draft of the hexagon

Figure 18 shows the input window of a vertical line. Similar windows exist for all basic geometrical
elements in the sketch mode.
 The feature Con-
struction Element
enables the creation of
auxiliary sketches or
elements that are NOT
used for the generation
of bodies. Auxiliary
elements have to be
created as
Construction Elements;
otherwise, features as
Pad are not able to
create a geometry from
the sketch.

Figure 18: Definition of the vertical line on the right side

5. Constraining the sketch

Using Constraints, different constraints (geometrical constraints and dimensions) can be

defined. Both, angle dimensions and linear dimensions, can be defined.

Figure 19: Using Constraints

31
One possibility to dimension the hexagon is shown in Figure 21, but several other ways are
possible. The dimensions shown in Figure 19 show the values of the first draft; the dimension
values can be changed by double clicking the values, e.g.:

Figure 20: After confirming the modification, CATIA is changing the geometry according to the new value.

Figure 21: The completely dimensioned hexagon

The hexagon has to be constrained as well as its position in the working space. The
dimensioning of the sketch is complete when all elements turn green. White lines are not
completely parameterized, purple lines are over constrained.

32
 Figure 22: Sketch containing over constrained elements

Over constrained elements have to be revised. Under constrained elements can be used, but
undefined dimensions are considered as variable. Therefore these elements (displayed white)
can be modified by CATIA, if needed.
In case that the profile is opened, it can be closed using Trim. After selecting the
button the two geometrical elements that shall be trimmed have to be selected.
The sketch mode offers the following constraints:
Horizontal
Vertical
Coincidence
Perpendicular (90°)
Fix
Parallelism

Concentricity Figure 23: Constraint definition

Tangency
Length, Distance, Angle, Diameter, Radius
33
The pop up window shows all necessary inputs for the particular constraint. This feature can be
useful especially for the modification of dimensions. Some definition windows are shown in
Figure 24. They are all similar: The specifications of the geometrical elements are displayed
and can be modified.

Figure 24: Definition windows for several geometrical elements

34
 Figure 25: Constraint definition via a definition window

Apart from generating dimensions one by one, it is possible to create several constraints at one
time. To open the according window, the regarding elements have to be marked (left mouse
button, for multi selection press the Ctrl. button on the keyboard) and Constraints Defined in
Dialog Box selected.

The dialog box allows to select constraints

that can
be used for the selected elements.

The button Exit Workbench causes CATIA

to
return into the 3D mode.

35
Alternative hexagon design:
CATIA provides the feature Hexagon, which creates a regular hexagon.

The required input

data are the center
point of the hexagon
and the center point of
one of the edges. The
wrench size and the
orientation of the
hexagon can be
defined by use of
constraints. This
special feature
creates not only the
hexagon contour, but
all the single elements
that can be selected
and
modified individually.
For example, this
permits to delete one
single edge.

Figure 26: Create a hexagon using Hexagon

The toolbar Sketch tools

Sketch tools is used to set miscellaneous helpful adjustments. Grid displays gridlines; the grid
size can be adjusted in the menu Tools / Options / Mechanical Design / Sketcher / Grid. Snap to
Point snaps points to the nearest intersection points of the grid.

The next feature switches to the construction mode.

When Construction / Standard Element is activated,
from now the generated geometry is being defined as
construction elements and can not be used in the sketch
mode. Elements can also be defined as construction
elements ex post by simply selecting them and pressing
the Construction / Standard Element button. Another
possibility to switch between the two modes is to open
the definition box of the respective element and activate
/ deactivate Construction Element.
Figure 27: Turning a point to a
Construction Element

36
The following features activate the automatic assignment of geometrical or dimensional
constraints. These constraints are displayed green and support the sketching. If Geometrical
Elements is being deactivated, the constraints are displayed but not applied.

Figure 28: Sketch Tools toolbar for the feature Profile

Some additional options supporting the creation of geometry are contained in Sketch tools. One
of them is activated, if the feature Profile is used: The type of the profile continuation can be
chosen (Line, Tangent Arc, Three Point Arc).

Sketch Analysis

Sketch Analysis enables an easy check of the

sketch concerning open contours, interfering
points or overlaps. This tool can be used for
revising and editing the sketch.

Figure 29: Sketch Analysis

37
5.3 Structure of the specification tree of a sketch

The Specification Tree shows the position of the sketch

within the Body and all the elements contained in the
sketch. The coordinate system of the sketch is displayed in
the tree as well. When leaving the sketch mode, the
coordinate system is being switched into the no shown
space.

The group Geometry contains the geometrical elements;

double clicking the elements in the tree opens the definition
windows of the according elements.

Constraints contains the set constraints; they can be edited

similar to the geometrical elements (by double clicking).

Clicking on an element with the right mouse button opens a

window with multiple options (Figure 30).

Figure 30: Option window of a line

Apart from editing features such as Hide / Show and Cut /

Copy / Paste, the menu offers access to Properties
(Graphic, Feature Properties and Mechanical) where,
amongst other things, the name and the graphic properties
of the element can be set.

Figure 31: Specification tree of a sketch

38
Figure 32 shows the complete
hexagon sketch. Using Pad generates
a body from the sketch.

For editing the sketch, e. g.

modifying the geometry, the sketch
has to be double clicked, either in the
structure tree or in the modeling area.
The changes of the sketch are
automatically taken into account for
the creation of the pad.

Figure 32: Complete hexagon

Example 2: Milled panel

Intention: Contour creation and dimensioning in the Sketcher

Figure 33: Milled panel

39
Example 3: Mounting plate
Intention: Contur creation and dimensioning in the Sketcher

undimension
ed
radii: 12mm

Figure 34: Mounting plate

6 Generation of bodies in the workbench Part Design

The workbench Part Design is used to create solid bodies. One Part can contain several bodies.
Based on the bodies, other features can be carried out, such as Drafting or the creation of
Products. The bodies are generated by use of sketches (created in the Sketcher mode). Based on
these contours, basic solids are designed. Subsequently the solids can be modified (e. g. with
Pocket, Chamfer, Fillet, Hole etc.).

6.1 3D Basic Features

The following basic features are offered:

Pad Shaft Rib

Example 4 - PAD: Hexagon profile, Wrench size 100mm,

Height 20mm
Intention: Application of the feature Pad

The sketch created in Example 1 is used as a basis for the solid.

Selecting the button Pad opens a definition box wherein the
attributes can be edited. Figure 35: Pad definition

40
The Limit Type specifies the definition of the pad length. One possibility is to use limiting
planes or surfaces. This example uses the limiting type Dimension, the length is set 20mm.
Sketch 1 is selected as a profile.
 Annotation: The sketch has to contain a closed contour to create a standard pad. The feature
Mirrored extent enables the extension of the body in both directions, Reverse Direction
switches the extension direction.

Selecting More activates an extended definition window with the following options:

Second Limit:
Extension into the other
direction
Direction:
Select the extension
direction (e. g. by sele-
cting a line)
Thin Pad (only available
when Thick is activated):
Creates a body with a
defined thickness on
both sides of the profile.

The complete body is

displayed according the
Figure 36: Extended Pad definiton box input values.

The hexagonally shaped solid is based on the sketch and the values of the pad definition. To
modify properties, the solid can be selected (either in the model area or Pad 1 in the
specification tree). The definition box should appear; it also offers the modification of the
according

sketch ( ).

The element Pad 1 has been

inserted by CATIA in the
specification tree.
To rename Pad1, click at the
right mouse button. In the
appearing properties window the
menu Properties / Feature
Properties can be used to
rename the element, and
Properties / Graphic changes the
color.

Figure 37: The complete Pad

41
 Figure 38: Properties menu of a pad

As a result, the hexagonal body is called First Try in the specification tree and is turned
green.

The part can be saved using File / Save as.

Figure 39: Saving the hexagonal part

42
Example 5 - SHAFT: Rotational solid
Intention: Application of the function Shaft

The feature Shaft generates rotating bodies; the rotation of the generating profile doesn’t need
to be full 360°. The rotation axis doesn’t need to intersect the rotating profile, rendering
possible the creation of closed rotating profiles such as tori. The Shaft definition demands a
sketch, defining the rotating profile, and an axis of revolution.
The following profile has to be generated using the sketch mode:

Figure 40: Sketch of the profile

After leaving the sketch mode and selecting the feature Shaft, a definition box for
the shaft appears.

43
 Figure 41: Creating a Shaft

The sketch is used as Profile, the rotation axis is the vertical line of the coordinate system. The
First Angle is set to 360 degrees, the Second Angle is zero degree.

Figure 42: Complete rotating body

44
Example 6 - RIB: Profile swept along a center curve
Intention: Using the Rib feature

Two sketches or curves are needed to create a rib:

1. A contour of the rib

2. The center curve along which the contour
is being swept

Figure 44: Profile and Center curve

Figure 45: Sketch of the Profile Figure 43: Rib

Figure 46: Sketch of the Guide curve

After creating both sketches in two perpendicular planes, the feature Rib can be selected.

45
 Figure 47: Defining aRib

The definition box prompts a Profile and a Guide Curve.

 Annotation: The sketch support can be changed: The sketch has to be clicked with the right
mouse button and Sketch.x object / Change Sketch Support has to be selected. The new support
plane has to be picked. The existing constraints have to be adapted, if they refer to former
reference elements.

6.2 Manipulation features

The following functions are a selection of the toolbar manipulation features and can be used to
modify bodies.

Pocket Groove
Hole

The manipulation features can, similar to the 3D basic features, base on sketches created in the
sketch mode. Only the function Hole allows the definition of parameters within the dialog box;
the positioning of the hole is done with a sketch that can be activated within the box.

46
Example 7: Plate
Intention: Application of the features Pocket, Groove, Hole

As a basis solid, a Pad measuring 80 x 110 x 30mm has

to be generated.

Figure 48: The basis solid

The Feature Pocket

Pocket creates a ‘negative pad’, i.e. it is

removed from the basis solid. To create this
negative pad, a profile is required.
Therefore a surface of the solid pad is
selected as sketch reference for the contour. Figure 49: Selecting a face of the pad as sketch
support

All geometrical
elements should be
constrained clearly
and without
ambiguity.

 Annotation:
It is valid to use
edges, wireframe
elements or other
elements outside the
sketch as references
for the sketch. Figure
50 shows the sketch
using the edges of the
pad as references for
dif- ferent
dimensions.

Figure 50: Sketch for the Pocket

47
 Figure 51: Pocket definition

After picking the button Pocket, a definition box appears. The Depth is set to 20mm, the
Profile is the sketch created before.
Selecting More opens an extended Pocket
definition box providing detailed options
for limitations, shape and extension of the
pocket.

Figure 52: Extended Pocket definition box

Figure 53 shows the basic pad and the cut, displayed

in shaded view. The specification tree
contains the Pad and the according Sketch.1. Figure 53: Body including Pad and
Underneath, the Pocket and Sketch.2, that it is Pocket
48
based on, are displayed. Any modification of the Pocket can be carried out by simply
selecting a face of the Pocket, or by selecting the Pocket within the specification tree. A
definition window of Pocket.1 appears and modifications can be performed.

The Feature Groove

A Groove is a negative Shaft, the definition happens

similar to the function Shaft. The input parameters
have to be a Profile and a Rotation Axis.

As reference plane of the Profile sketch a side face

of the basic Pad is selected.

The definition box prompts the Profile and the

Axis.

Figure 54: Sketch of the Profile

Figure 56 shows the complete

body including the removed
Groove.

Figure 56: Pad with Pocket and

Figure 55: Groove definition Groove

49
The feature Hole

Holes and threads can be created on existing bodies using the feature Hole.

As an example, a Hole is applied on

the upper face of the Pad. Therefore
the icon Hole is activated and the
according surface has to be picked.
All relevant input data are can be
defined in the dialog box. The
Positioning Sketch controls the
position of the Hole.

Figure 57: Selecting the reference plane for the Hole

The desired Hole

measures 10mm
(Diameter) x 10mm
(Depth). The drill ought
to be an ordinary one (V-
Bottom) with an apical
angle of 120°. The Hole
ought to be
perpendicular to the
surface.

Other options for

defining the Hole are
shown subsequently.

Figure 58: Hole definition

50
 The Positioning Sketch of the Hole
enables the definition of the Hole
location on the reference surface.

CATIA positions the coordinate

system of the sketch at the place that
has been clicked at when defining the
reference surface for the hole. If that
point is already constrained (e. g. the
point is already fixed) a Positioning
Sketch is not needed.

Figure 59: Positioning Sketch for the Hole

Figure 60 shows the

complete plate,
including the Hole. In
case of changeing
parameters, the defi-
nition box can be accessed
by double clicking the
Hole.

Figure 60: Plate with Pocket, Groove and Hole

The following options are available in the definition window Hole:

51
Extension:

The following settings are available:

- Type of Relimitation of Hole Limit (
Blind, Up to Next, Up to Last, Up to
Plane, Up to Surface)
- Dimensions of the Hole.
Direction (normal to the surface or
along an axis)
- Location of the Hole, defined by a
Positioning Sketch.
- Bottom of the Hole (Flat or
V-Bottom)

Figure 61: Hole Definition, Extension

Type:
This menu allows the definition of a
counterbore; several types are possible. If
chosen, the required parameters for the type
are prompted.

Figure 62: Hole Definition, Type

Thread Definition:
To create a Thread all parameters have to
be defined using the according window.
The core diameter is calculated by CATIA
(in case of standard theads).
When generating a 2D Drawing, the
Thread specifications in the drawing can
be created by CATIA itself.

Figure 63: Hole Definition, Thread Definition

52
 Helpful additional functions

Applying material
To apply material to the
plate, the appropriate
feature has to be selected.
A dialog box opens,
offering several material
types. The element that has
to be supplied with material
has to be marked, as the
material has to be. By
selecting Apply material,
the material properties are
assigned to the geometrical
element, and the icon is
displayed in the
Specification Tree.

Figure 64: The dialog box for applying material

Measure Inertia
Beside the common
measure function for
values and distances, the
icon Measure Inertia
activates a number of
measurings, such as
volume, mass, area or
inertia using the set
material properties.
Several options can be set,
e.g. an axis or a coordinate
system for the inertia
calculation, can be
selected.

Figure 65: Measure Inertia

53
Using Search

The feature Edit / Search

can be useful when
looking for specific
elements. There are
several properties to
search for, such as Color,
Type or Name. When
using Name, it is possible
to search for elements
other than geometrical
items, e.g. Constraints.

Figure 66: The Search dialog box

Taking pictures of elements

CATIA offers a feature to take pictures of 3D models.

Therefore Tools / Image / Capture has to be selected. A
toolbar appears. The Options Icon opens a setup window.

Figure 67: The Capture Toolbar

To take the picture, the Capture button

has to be picked. A preview of the
image is shown. It can be saved by
clicking the Save as icon.

Figure 69: The setup window (Options)

Figure 68: The Capture Preview

54
Example 8: Clevis
Intention: Design of simple solid bodies

Figure 70: Clevis

Example 9: Lever
Intention: Design of simple solid bodies

Figure 71: Lever

55
Example 10: Prism piece
Intention: Design of simple solid bodies

Figure 72: Prism Piece

Example 11: Sleeve
Intention: Design of simple solid bodies

Figure 73: Sleeve

56
Example 12: Prism with threaded holes
Intention: Design of simple solid bodies

Figure 74: Prism with threaded holes

57
 6.3. Dress-Up Features

The Dress-Up Features are used to implement constructive modifications on existing solids,
such as Chamfers, Fillets or Draft Angles.
By means of an example these features are explained in detail.

Example 13: Angle piece

Intention: Using the Dress-Up Features

Two Pads, rectangular to each other positioned, serve as a basis for this example. The first
component measures 100 x 80 x 20 mm and is placed in the yz-plane. The second component
measures 60 x 60 x 20 mm and is positioned in the xz-plane.

Figure 76: Sketch of the first Pad

Figure 75: First Pad

Figure 78: Sketch of the second Pad Figure 77: Creation of the second Pad

58
The feature Fillet

After having selected the button Edge Fillet, a dialog box specifies the fillet, prompting the
Radius, the Propagation and, if desired, Limiting Elements (menu More). It is possible to fillet
more than one edge at once. When trying to fillet three or more edges that concur in an acute
angle, the sequence of the filleting does indeed make a difference. It has to be stated, that the
result depends on the order of the filleted edges. Generally it is better to apply the fillets with
bigger radii first.

The submenu Fillets provides features for creating fillets with variable radii, between two faces
or defined by three tangent faces.
The angle piece
has to be
supplied with
fillets with
R=10mm on the
inner
edges and a
fillet with
R=5mm on the
vertical edge.

The Speci-
fication Tree
shows the newly
created Fillets
beneath the
Pads.

Figure 79: Creating a Fillet

Similar Fillets can be generated by use of the function Variable Radius Fillet. The according
radii have to be defined in a dialog box.

59
 To modify the Fillet definition,
double clicked the Fillet (in the
specification tree or on the solid
in the working space) and
redefine the values in the dialog
box.

All single radii can be marked

and modified in the definition
window.

Figure 80: Defining a Variable Radius Fillet

Figure 81: Filleted body

The feature Chamfer

Two input options are selectable for the Chamfer definition: - Length and Angle or
- 2 Lengths.
The Angle is measured from the body surface, the Length is measured from the original
edge to the newly created edge of the chamfer. Several edges can be
selected to create several chamfers in one
step.

The feature Chamfer is inserted in the

specification tree.

Figure 82: Creating Chamfers Figure 83: Part with Chamfers

60
The feature Draft Angle

Draft Angle is used to create slant surfaces on a solid. These drafts are needed for specific
production procedures (die-casting, deep drawing, heavy stamping or others); so they are
demoulded in predefined directions.

The Draft Analysis can check bodies concerning their demouldability.

 Annotation: It may be better to create the Draft Angle before filleting the body, because
CATIA recognizes two filleted surfaces as one single face and applies the Draft Angle onto
the complete surface. In the present example, delete the Fillets
before creating Draft Angles.

When defining the Draft, the surfaces

to be slanted are displayed red. The
Neutral Element is displayed blue and
represents the section where the
original dimension of the body (e.g.
the thickness of the body) is
preserved. The demoulding direction
is displayed with a red arrow.

Various parameters can be defined in

the dialog box, such as Draft Angles

Figure 84: Part without Fillets

The submenu Drafts

contains
miscellaneous
definition options.

Figure 85: Draft Definition

61
 Figure 86 shows the body
including the Draft Angles
and the Fillets.

Figure 86: Part with Drafts and Fillets

Checking the Draft (Draft Analysis)

To check the Part regarding its demouldability, the Draft analysis is the suitable feature. The
icon can be found in the Analysis toolbar. Before picking it, the view mode has to be switched
to Shading with
Material.
The Compass button
in the dialog box has
to be selected.
Now, the compass
can be drawn with
the mouse to a
surface normal to
the desired
demoulding
direction.
Additionally, the
element to analyse
has to be selected.
This results in a
colour coding,
according to
the predefined
settings. Figure
87 shows the
Figure 87: Draft Analysis
62
 analysis results of the drafted angle piece. As the
check direction corresponds with the draft
direction, it is demouldable. This is shown by the
green colour, which identifies all surfaces that
feature an angle of 1 degree or more to the
demoulding direction. Surfaces with 0 degrees are
displayed blue, and those that have less than 0
degrees are displayed red.

Figure 88: Surfaces that are not

demouldable with respect to the given
direction

The feature Shell

Shell is used to hollow out bodies.

The definition of the Shell requires

the thickness (inside and outside) and
the Faces to Remove.

CATIA V5 generates an open shell

element from the surface definition of
the basic body, taking into account all
geometry information.

Figure 89: Defining a Shell

Figure 90 shows the hollowed out body with a wall

thickness of 5mm.

Figure 90: Shell element

63
 Feature Thickness

Thickness adds or
removes thicknesses on
one (or more) faces,
resulting in new
boundaries
parallel to the original
body boundaries (e.
g. for creating
allowances). Different
faces can be defined
with different
thicknesses.
Modifications of
dimension figures are
carried out by simply
clicking on them.

Figure 91: Applying the feature Thickness

The features are displayed in the Specification Tree.

They can be modified, deleted or copied in the
Specification Tree.

Feature Thread

Figure 93: Part with Thickness

The feature Thread / Tap resembles the sub- feature of

Thread definition within the Hole menu. Unlike the
latter, this feature allows the creation of taps. The
Threads / Taps are specified by defining the Lateral
Face, Thread Depth and the nominal Thread
Diameter.

Figure 92: The Thread definition box

64
Example 14: Bearing block
Intention: Application of Dress-Up Features

Figure 94: Bearing block

Example 15: Angular prism

Intention: Part Design

Figure 95: Angular prism

65
Example 16: Angle anchor plate with holes
Intention: Part Design

Figure 96: Angle anchor plate with holes

Example 17: Machined part

Intention: Part Design

Figure 97: Body

66
 6.4 Transformation Features

Transformation operations can be performed on bodies or

parts of bodies, using the Transformation Features.

Translation, Rotation, Symmetry: Translates, rotates or mirrors (without duplicating) bodies.

These features are able to transform the selected solids without displacing their basic geometry
(sketches etc.). Otherwise, design elements can be positioned using the compass or 3D
Constraints.

Figure 98: Starting a Transformation Feature (Translation, Rotation or Symmetry)

Mirror:

This symmetry
function is
duplicating
the original
mirrored element.
It can be used
to mirror
either
bodies or parts
of bodies.
Therefore, the
geometry should
be set active (or
marked) in the
specification tree
BEFORE Figure 99: Mirroring a Pad
selecting the
Mirror button.

67
Patterns:

The Pattern features (Rectangular Pattern, Circular

Pattern and User Pattern) enable the duplication of design
elements using special positioning definitions.

The Rectangular Pattern Definition requires two

translation directions, the according Instance number and
the Spacing. Parameters offers several options for the
input.
The Reference Element defines the translation direction,
the Object to Pattern is the element that is duplicated.
The second direction is defined in a similar way.

Figure 100: Rectangular Pattern

Definition

The dialog box of the Circular Pattern

requires the Instance number, the Angular
Spacing and the definition of a Reference
Element defining the rotation axis. Crown
Definition offers more input options
concerning a pattern in radial direction.

Figure 101: Circular Pattern Definition

The feature User Pattern Definition supports the

individual definition of the duplication of
geometrical elements. To define the positions, a
sketch can be created, containing anchor points.

Scaling:
Figure 102: User Pattern Definition

This feature scales elements to the specified dimension.

Scaling can be carried out with respect to a point or a
direction (line or normal to a plane).

Figure 103: Scaling Definition

68
Example 18: Drilled Panel
Intention: Transformation Features

Figure 104: Drilled Panel

Beispiel 19: Angle bracket

Intention: Transformation Features

Figure 105: Angle bracket

69
Example 20: Asterisk shaped bracket
Intention: Transformation Features

Figure 106: Asterisk shaped bracket

70
 7 Part Design with several Bodies and Boolean
Operations
The creation of complex bodies is supported by logic connection of Bodies. The logic
operations (Boolean Operations) concern two bodies. The first body has to be active (Define in
Work Object) and serves as a basic element. The second body affects the first one and is
integrated in the first body in the Specification Tree.

Figure 107: Inserting a new Body

A new body can be inserted in the

Specification Tree using Insert / Body.
The new body is set the In Work Object
automatically. The two Bodies are
considered independent elements; one
can be edited without affecting the
other. The Bodies can be switched to
the noshown space autonomously, for
instance.

 Annotation: Modifications are

carried out at the active body. Bodies
can be activated by double clicking the
desired branch of the
Figure 108: Part containing two Bodies specification tree (for features as
Sketch, Pad, …), or by picking the
element with the right mouse button and selecting Define in Work Object (for Bodies).

71
When clicking on an element with the right mouse button and picking Properties, user defined
setting can be adjusted, such as renaming the design elements, changing the graphic
representation or retrieving the object status.

Figure 110: Defining the In Work Object Figure 109: Properties dialog box

7.1 Boolean Operations

The Boolean Operations are accessed via the pull down menu Insert / Boolean
Operations or the
toolbar Boolean
Operations.

The features can be

divided into three
groups:

- adding
- subtracting or
- intersecting

independent bodies. Figure 111: Accessing the Boolean Operations menu

72
This example uses two Bodies.
Figure 113 shows the result of a Remove operation; Body 2 has been removed from
Part Body. Body 2 is integrated into the Part Body in the Specification Tree.

The following figures show miscellaneous Boolean Operations; all of them have been carried
out using the same boundary conditions (PartBody as In Work Object and Body 2 marked).

Figure 113: Result of Removing Body 2 from Figure 112: Result of Adding PartBody and
PartBody Body 2

Figure 115: Dialog box of the Remove

feature
The features Assemble, Union Trim and Remove
Lump are exemplified in the following
Figure 114: Result of Intersecting PartBody examples.
and Body 2

 Annotation: CATIA regards the PartBody as the ‚first’ basic body. It can be modified
using construction features, but the PartBody cannot be removed. Therefore it is important to
consider the structure of the specification tree, especially for more complex parts.
The PartBody can be changed: Select the Body that should be defined the new
PartBody with the right mouse button and select Body.x / Change Part Body.

The following example is going to show how to use Boolean Operations.

73
Example 21: Piston of a two-stroke engine
Intention: Part Design including several bodies and Boolean Operations

Figure 116: Piston of a two-stroke engine

Figure 118: 3D views of the piston

A piston of a 175 ccm two stroke engine has to be
designed. The two ring grooves are needed for the
compression rings. The piston-pin bearing’s diameter
measures 15mm. For simplification reasons the grooves
for the piston-pin retainers, the piston-ring retainers and
the draft angles of the
Figure 117: Specification tree of piston were disregarded. The dimensions of the piston
the piston are defined in Figure 116.
74
The Specification Tree shows that the part is built from three bodies:
Outer Contour
Inner Contour
Piston-Pin Bearing Support

The Outer Contour represents the

outline of the piston. It can be created
using the feature Shaft.

The inner contour consists of two

bodies. The body Inner Contour
consists of a Shaft, the Piston-Pin
Bearing Support is a Pad.

The body Piston-Pin Bearing Support

is being removed from the Inner
Contour using the Boolean Operation
Remove. It is commended that the
Fillets be created as soon as possible,
i.e. just after the Boolean Operation.

The Inner Contour is removed from

the Outer Contour. At last the Hole
for the Piston Pin is
Figure 119: Creating the Outer Contour applied (feature Hole) and mirrored.

Of course other design strategies are

possible. The example above shows a way
that uses Boolean Operations to create a
Part from several Bodies.

 Annotation: When designing a part that

should be suitable for production, it is
advantageous to design the outlines of the
cast part and the machining separately. For
the piston this strategy would result in an
Outer Contour containing the draft angle
and allowances. The machining is created
in a body containing the final contour and
the holes. One advantage of this strategy is
the 3D model of the cast contour that can
be directly accessed. The Machining body
can be inactivated and the cast contour can
be used as basis for the NC programming
of the manufacturing machine for mould Figure 120: Inner Contour of the piston
building.

75
 Example 22: Conrod
Intention: Part Design

A conrod for a two-stroke engine has to be designed

according to the drawing above. As displayed in the
Specification Tree, the symmetry of the part can be
considered. Special attention has to be paid to the fillets
and the draft angles. (Annotation: The conrod is machined
at the bearings and at the side contact faces of the
bearings.)

Figure 121: Specification tree of the conrod

Figure 122: Conrod

76
8. The Specification Tree in Part Design
The Specification Tree contains all elements of the actual Part. Not
only the geometrical elements, but also the coordinate systems and
constraints are shown. The levels are marked by vertical lines. The sub
trees can be opened or closed in different ways, either by clicking on
the nodes (+) or (-), or with the feature Tree Expansion in the pull
down menu View.
When clicking on a branch of the Specification Tree, the tree can be
edited and the Part itself is shaded dark. Clicking on a branch again
reactivates the Part.
The active element of the Part is underlined in the Specification Tree
(Figure 123: Sketch.1).To activate another element, click on it with the
right mouse button and choose Define In Work Object.
To hide (or show) the Specification Tree, hit the F3-button.

Figure 123:
Specification Tree

Figure 124 displays the Specification Tree of the

conrod, showing a typical structure of a simple
Part in CATIA V5. The conrod is built from a
basic Body (Pad.1) that is modified using Pockets
and Holes. The Dress-up Features Draft and Edge
Fillet complete the part, which represents one half
of the conrod. At last it is duplicated using the
Transformation Feature Mirror.

Figure 124: Specification Tree of the

conrod
77
 The input parameters of the single
elements can be modified by double
clicking them. To change Sketch.1
for example, double clicking it opens
the sketch mode. The modifications
of the sketch are applied to the
element automatically after leaving
the Sketcher.

Similarly, the parameters of all

features and operations can be
changed. Figure 126 shows the
dialog box that appears after double
clicking Pocket.1 in the Specification
Tree. The according feature is
activated ( underlined in the tree)
and the definition window opens.
CATIA changes the display mode of
the body and shows the modifiable
parameters.
Figure 125: Modifying Sketch.1

Figure 126: Modifying Pocket.1

78
A Part consisting of several Bodies, connected e.g. via Boolean Operations, can be modified
by accessing the Specification Tree that offers a well structured overview of the build-up.
Figure 127 shows the Specification Tree of a piston. The part is structured in a basic Body
(Outer Contour) and a removed Body (Inner Contour). The two Bodies are connected with the
Boolean Operation Remove.3.

Figure 127: Piston

After activating the removed Body (Inner Contour), only the elements of the active branch of
the tree are displayed. The buildup of the Inner Contour (it consists of two Bodies as well) can
be seen. Activating the Part step by step in the Specification Tree offers a helpful overview of
the construction and enables quick comprehension of the structure and easy modification of
parameters when editing the part. CATIA V4 used the feature Smart Solid to analyse the
Specification Tree and the Part structure. In CATIA V5, this feature has been integrated in the
Specification Tree, offering the possibility to set single elements In Work.

 Annotation: The display mode of elements that are activated in the tree can be set by use of
the button Only Current Body in the Tools toolbar. If this option is activated, only the active
body is displayed; otherwise all bodies are visible. This option can also be set in the pull down
menu Tools / Options / Infrastructure / Part Infrastructure / Display / Display in Geometry
Area / Only the current operated Solid or Only the current Body.
 Annotation: Specific component adjustments can be set by clicking on the Specification
Tree with the right mouse button. The Properties menu allows several options, such as
switching elements from / to the noshown space (Hide / Show), rename an element or change
its appearance. (See chapter 5.3 Structure of the specification tree of a sketch.)
 Annotation: Objects can be moved within the Specification Tree by picking them with the
right mouse button and selecting Object X / Reorder. The dependencies of the moved objects
have to be considered.

79
Example 23: Prism body
Intention: Part Design

Figure 128: Prism body

Example 24: Pendulum

Intention: Part Design

Figure 129: Pendulum

80
Example 25: Adjusting wheel
Intention: Part Design

Figure 130: Adjusting wheel

81
 9 Creating assemblies in the workbench Assembly Design
The workbench Assembly Design is used to integrate several construction elements (Parts or
Products) into one Product. Thus, a Product specifies the assembly of components that are
positioned according to user requested constraints. The workbench is activated by calling up a
new Product in the List of Types window (pull down menu File / New).

Figure 132: Creating a new

Product

This chapter treats the most

frequently used basic features
of Assembly Design. They are
subsequently exemplified in
a simple example. The
Product generation repre- Figure 131: The Assembly Design workbench
sents the basis for further CATIA V5 tools, such as the features in the DMU (Digital Mockup)
workbench.

9.1. Operations in the Assembly Design mode

9.1.1 Product Structure Tools

Component ... Inserts a new Component in the selected Product
Product ... Inserts a new Product in the selected one
Part ... Inserts a new Part in the selected component Existing
Component ... Inserts an existing component in the selected one
Existing Component With Positioning ... Inserts an existing component in the
selected one and launches a command to position it
Replace Component ... Replaces a component by another existing one Graph
Tree Reordering ... Changes the order in the Graph Tree of the
children of the selected component
Generate Numbering ... Generate a number on all components owning a
representation
Selective Load ... Select instances of the Products which must be
loaded

82
Manage Representations ... Manages the representations of the selected
component
Fast Multi Instantiation ... Define and create multi instantiations

9.1.2 Constraints
The four constraints Coincidence, Contact, Offset and Angle are used to position components to
each other. To fix the Product in space, one component can be fixed using Fix Component.

Coincidence Constraint … Create a coincidence constraint between

two components of the active component
Contact Constraint … Create a contact constraint between
two components of the active component
Offset Constraint … Create an offset constraint between
two components of the active component
Angle Constraint … Create a coincidence constraint between
two components of the active component
Fix Component ... Fix the component position in the active
component
Fix together ... Create a relation between the selected
components which fix their relative location
Quick Constraint ... Automatically constraints the selected
components
Flexible / Rigid Subassembly ... Allows to overload position of child
components of the product instance Change
constraint ... Changes the type of the selected constraint
Reuse pattern... Reuse pattern feature of a part to
instantiate a component

9.1.3 Move
The toolbar Move is used to position single components of a product
in space without using Constraints. The dialog box of the feature
Manipulation shows possible ways of moving and rotating
components along / around the x, y and z axis or user defined axes.
If some constraints have already been defined, they can be taken into
account using With respect to constraints.

Manipulation ... Move a component by Figure 133: Dialog box of

freehand translation or the Manipulation feature
rotation with the mouse
Snap ... Move a component onto another component by
snapping
Explode ... Creates a 3D exploded view
Stop manipulate on clash ... Stop manipulation when a clash occurs

83
 9.1.4 Space Analysis
The features Clash, Sectioning and Distance and Band Analysis enable a
check of components in a Product concerning their relative position.

The dialog box Clash offers options for the type of interference (Contact+Clash,
Clearance+Contact+Clash,
Authorized Penetration, Clash Rule)
and the affected components.

Figure 134: Clash dialog box

The feature Sectioning is available for quickly

creating sections of a Product. A plane is
needed to define the section, which is
displayed in an additional window. The
section can be exported in different file types
(e.g. dxf, igs, etc.). Additionally, the
definition can be modified later on.

Figure 135: Sectioning Defintion window

The feature Distance and Band Analysis can

be used to measure distances between
components. The definition box enables the
input of the Accuracy and the desired
distance orientation.

Figure 136: Distance and Band Analysis definition

9.1.5 Update
The set constraints are realized in the Product after Updating the Product or parts of
it.
Parts that have been manipulated manually without consideration of
constraints are reset to the position defined by the constraints when updated.
After having modified the specification tree, the Product has to be updated as well.

 Annotation: Similar to other design modes (Part Design, Drafting), the properties menu,
activated by right-clicking the Specification Tree, contains helpful features such as Hide / Show
and other component specific definitions.

84
 9.2. The Specification Tree in Assembly Design

In a Product Specification Tree the components

of the assembly (which can be mainly Parts or
Products) are displayed according to their order.
The actually active branch is marked blue.
Additionally, the defined Constraints are shown
in the according layer in the tree. In case
Parameters (Formulas or Design Table) have
been used, they are shown in the tree as well as
Applications, such as Kinematics, Generative
Structural Analysis or other modules.
Via the Specification Tree it is possible to change
from Assembly Design directly to Part Design.
Therefore the respective Part has to be set In
Work. The according branch in the tree is marked
blue and the menu environment of Part Design is
shown. By activating the whole Product, it is
possible to get back to the Assembly Design
workbench again. This method of quick switches
between the single workbenches makes
designing in Products simple and effective,
because it enables easy modifications of Parts.
Nevertheless it is necessary for the

Figure 137: Specification Tree of a Product

designer to consider the influences of modifications of Parts
on the Product. Otherwise problems can occur concerning the
positioning or definition of construction elements, especially,
if Formulas are used to connect single elements.

The properties window

(right mouse button;
similar to the one in Part
Design) contains some
helpful design and
definition features, such as
defining In Work Objects.
With the properties
window of a Product, a
new component can be
inserted in the assembly
using the feature
Components.

Figure 138: Editing a Part Figure 139: Inserting a new component

85
 9.3. The Desk in CATIA V5

The Desk shows all links of an assembly, as there are links to Components, Design Tables or
external objects that have been inserted. If there have been deduced Drawings, these links are
displayed as well (if the Drawings are actually open).

Figure 140: The Desk window

The pull down menu File is used to activate the Desk.

The user interface of the Desk (Figure 140) shows the link structure of the Specification Tree
on the left side. The assembly consists of 2D Drawing (Drawing1.CATDrawing) and a Product
(Crankdrive_1.CATDrawing); which itself consits of the components Piston two stroke,
Crankshaft, Bearing support, Conrod and a subassembly (Crankdrive_1_a). The subassembly
Crankdrive_1_a accesses, like the Product Crankdrive_1, the four Components.

By pressing the right

mouse button, the
property
window of the
component link can
be opened (feature
Links). This feature
enables a remove-
ment, creation or
refreshment of links.
Figure 141: The Links window

 Annotation:
If cross linked files of CATIA assemblies are copied into other folders, the links have to be
reassigned. This process is done in the Desk. CATIA automatically recognizes the components
only in case the file x.CADProduct is in the folder of the linked components.

86
Example 25: Crank drive
Intention: Create an assembly

An assembly has to be created from the following components:

 Piston (Piston of a two stroke engine, Example 21)
 Conrod (Example 22)
 Crankshaft
 Bearing support

The Crankshaft and the Bearing support have to be designed according

to the two Drawings:

Figure 143: Crankshaft

Figure 142: Bearing support

Figure 145: Crankshaft Figure 144: Bearing Support

After opening a new assembly (File / New / Product), the four existing Parts can be inserted
using Existing Component. This feature can be activated either by the properties menu (right
mouse button) Components, by the pull down menu Insert or by activating the according button
in the Product Structure Tools toolbar.

87
CATIA positions the inserted components
according to their location regarding the
coordinate systems in the Part structure.
The four Parts can be seen in the
Specification Tree. If nothing else is
specified, CATIA labels the components in
order of their insertion. The properties
window allows a renaming of the elements.

Figure 146: Product with the unconstrained but

renamed Parts

For improving clarity, the components can be

moved roughly to their final position with
Move / Manipulation.

The precise positioning is done by defining

Constraints.

First the Bearing support should be fixed in

space as a reference. The next Constraints are
applied to the Crankshaft which has to be
positioned relative to the Bearing block using
a Coincidence Constraint (axis of the
Crankshaft and axis of the Bearing block).

Figure 147: Roughly positioned assembly

After activating the feature Coincidence

Constraint, CATIA recognizes the axis when
clicking on the cylinder surfaces. The selected
items are marked red.

Figure 148: Using the Coincidence Constraint

on two axes
88
 By pressing Update, the Crankshaft is moved to the desired position, according to
the constraints.
The Conrod has to be connected to the crankpin with a Coincidence Constraint
and an Offset Constraint.

In the Offset input window the distance

(Offset) between the two elements and
the Orientation have to be set. As
Supporting Elements Planes, Points,
Surfaces etc. are suitable.
The degrees of freedom of the positioned
Conrod can be viewed by choosing
Conrod.1 object / Component Degrees of
Freedom in the properties window.

Figure 149: Dialog box of the Offset Constraint

As the Crankshaft is still rotating

around the crankpin axis and
relocatable in direction of this axis,
the Conrod has four degrees of
freedom, which are displayed in the
appropriate window. Those degrees
of freedom are to be reduced.

Figure 150: Analysis of the degrees of freedom The piston-pin bearing is connected
with the upper Conrod bearing using a
Coincidence Constraint and an Offset
Constraint. The Piston itself is positioned in
the Cylinder with a
Coincidence Constraint of the two axes
(Piston and Cylinder).
Figure 151 shows the completely
constrained assembly. The Crankshaft, the
Conrod and the Piston still have one degree
of freedom each, which results in a movable
crankdrive. The Constraints are displayed in
the Specification Tree and in the design
area; they can be switched to noshown
Figure 151: Complete assembly
space, if desired.

89
 When activating
the feature With
respect to
constraints in
Manipulation, the
assembly can be
moved with
respect to its
constraints.

Figure 152: Rotating the Crank drive using Manipulation / With respect to
constraints

The feature Explode enables a quick generation of exploded views.

Figure 153: Creating an exploded view

Challenge: There is one error within this example which can be detected when carrying
out a clash analysis.

90
Example 26: Clamping device
Intention: Create an assembly

Figure 154: Clamping device

91
 10 Excerpt of data management
CATIA V5 provides several other data formats apart from the standard CATIA files. This can
be useful when exporting data to other CAD software. Different ways of data export are treated
in the course of this chapter.
Data import can be carried out as well; the specific case of importing CATIA V4 data is an
important topic which will be explained too.
The basic settings for data import and export can be adjusted in Tools / Options / General /
Compatibility.

10.1 Exporting 3D data

Most of the 3D data can be transformed into the desired format by simply saving the element
(File / Save as) with the according extension.

Figure 155: Saving options for a Part

The following listing describes some of the most frequently used formats for Parts and
Products.
 cgr … The cgr format includes simplified geometry data and can be used
as a memory efficient way to handle complex elements in CATIA, especially for DMU
applications. The cgr files cannot be opened in CATIA by simply selecting File / Open,
but they have to be inserted in a product using Components / Existing Component.
92
  stp … Step files of CATIA V5 Products still contain the Product structure.
They are set up from volumes, points and surfaces. As with the other formats, the build-
up of the parts can not be retrieved, i. e. the volumes can be viewed but not edited (The
geometry information is without “history”.). The Step files can be opened via File /
Open.
 igs … These files consist of points and surfaces. They can be opened similar to
the Step files. The geometry information is without “history”.

10.2 Exporting 2D data

2D data such as drawings can be exported as well. Common formats are:
 dxf
 dwg

They are both vector graphics.

10.3 CATIA V4 data

Importing and exporting CATIA V4 data to and from CATIA V5 requires special
methods.

Converting CATIA V5 data to CATIA V4:

To convert V5 data into data usable for V4, the operation File / Save as can be used. For Parts
the format option model has to be used, for Products the appropriate format is session.

Converting CATIA V4 data to CATIA V5:

This conversion can be done in different ways.

A simple way is to open the V4 files using File / Open. This possibility, being the quickest one,
has a drawback: The elements can be viewed, but not modified as the build-up information is
enabled. The same characteristics apply to V4 elements that have been inserted in a Product via
Components / Existing Components. Therefore V4 elements inserted like this are suitable for
DMU analyses. An alternative way is to open V4 elements with File / Open and copy the
specification tree (MASTER). The tree has to be inserted into an existing CATIA V5 Part.

If the V4 data is to be modified later on, it has to be converted using a special tool which can be
accessed with the menu Tools / Utility / Migrate V4 to V5.
An alternative way is to open the V4 element with File / Open and copy the specification tree
(MASTER). The tree has to be inserted into an existing CATIA V5 Part.

10.4 File administration

Save management:
The Save Management enables a selective saving of CATIA elements. This option is useful,
especially when working with Products. The menu File / Save Management opens a dialog
box. The State column shows whether an element is modified or not.

93
By marking an element and selecting Save, it is marked to be saved. Independent saves can be
enabled by clicking the according button; this feature deactivates saves that are caused by other
saves. After clicking OK, the preselcted items are saved automatically.

Figure 156: The Save Management window

Send To:
To transfer data to another directory or to other data media, the feature File / Send To can be
used. By using this function, the file structure can be preserved, which means that the moved
elements keep their relations.

Desk:
The Desk (File / Desk) graphically displays the links between the single elements (see page
86).

CATDUA:
CATIA provides a check and
clean program for erroneous
files named CATDUA. It can
detect errors and, if possible,
mend them. To activate it,
the menu Tools / Utility /
CATDUAV5 can be used;
alternatively, CATDUA can
be opened by right- clicking
the selected element on the
Desk.

10.5 Publication Figure 157: CATDUA

Making elements available to other users can be done by publicating them. When using the
assembly design mode, this can be quite useful. To publicate elements, choose the menu Tools /
Publication.

94
 11 Creating drawings in the workbench Drafting
The Drafting mode in CATIA V5 enables the generation of 2D drawings. In principle all 2D
views, sections, unfolded views, details etc. are connected with the 3D design elements.
Additionally to deriving drawings from 3D data, CATIA allows the creation of independent 2D
geometries.

The Drafting mode can be activated by either opening a

new drawing (File / New / Drawing) or by selecting the
workbench Mechanical Design / Drafting in the Start
menu.

The definition window of the new drawing offers options

for the Standard, the Sheet Style and Size of the drawing
and the Scale.

The user interface of the Drafting mode is similar to the

one in the 3D design mode. In the center the worksheet is
positioned, the Specification Tree can be found on the left
side, the toolbars are arranged around the worksheet.
Figure 158: Definition box of the
drawing

The manipulation features that

can be carried out with the
mouse buttons correspond to the
ones in the 3D design mode.
When pressing and holding the
middle mouse button, the
moving mode is active. After
clicking the left mouse button
once, the zooming feature is
activated. The Specification
Tree can be hidden by hitting
the F3 button. If more than one
sheet has been inserted in the
drawing, it is possible to switch
between the sheets
by means of the bar at the top of
the worksheet (‘Sheet.1’)
Figure 159: The Drafting workbench
or by selecting the sheet in the Specification Tree.

To control the operations, the pull down menu Insert or the toolbars (they are set up in the
menu View / Toolbars) can be used. An excerpt of the most important toolbars is shown
subsequently.

95
11.1. Operations in the Drafting workbench

11.1.7 Drawing

New Sheet, New Detail Sheet ... Creates a new sheet

New View ... Creates a new (empty)

view
Instantiate 2D Component ... Creates a 2D component
instance

11.1.8 Views

Create views: Different views can be selected: Front

View, Unfolded View, View from 3D, Projection
View, Auxiliary View, Isometric View, Advanced
Front View
Sections: Different directions of sectional
drawings can be selected:
Offset Section View, Aligned Section View,
Offset Section Cut, Aligned Section Cut
Details: Detail views can be created:
Detail View, Detail View Profile, Quick
Detail View, Quick Detail View Profile Clipping
View: Create a Clipping View with a
circle or a profile as callout:
Clipping View, Clipping View Profile

Broken View, Breakout View

View Creation Wizard: Different view options can be

selected

11.1.9 Dimensioning

Dimension modes:
Distance, Angle, Radius,
Chained Dimensions etc.

Technological Feature Dimensions Reroute

Dimensions,
Create or Remove Interruptions

Datum Feature, Geometrical

Tolerance
96
11.1.10 Generation

Automatically create dimensions and balloons:

Generate Dimensions
Generate Dimensions Step by Step Generate
Balloons

11.1.11 Dress-up

Create center lines, axis lines and threads in views or

sections:
Center Line, Center Line with Reference, Thread,
Thread with reference, Axis Line, Axis Line and
Center Line
Area Fill ... Fill a selected contour

11.1.12 Geometry Creation

2D sketches can be created using the Geometry Creation features. They are to be used similar
to the tools in the sketch mode.

Point creation features Line

creation features

Definition of circles and ellipses Create

profiles and polygons

Create splines, connecting curves and conic

sections

11.1.13 Geometry Modification

Corner, Chamfer, Trim, Break, Quick Trim, Close,

Complement … Manipulation features for 2D
geometry
Mirror, Symmetry, Translate, Rotate, Scale, Offset
… Duplication and modification tools
Geometrical Constraint, Constraints Defined in Dialog
Box, Contact Constraint
… Define Constraints

97
11.1.14 Annotations

The toolbar Annotations can be used for inserting text, surface specifications, welding symbols and
tables.
Text, Text with Leader, Text Replicate, Balloon, Datum
Target, Text Template Placement

Roughness Symbol, Welding Symbol, Weld Table,

Table from CSV

11.2 The Properties Window

For creating a 2D drawing, the Properties Windows of the dimensions are important tools. The
windows are activated by right-clicking the regarding dimension and selecting Properties. The
Properties Window contains several settings, definitions and additional features.

Feature Properties ... Allows renaming of

the dimension and
shows the creation
date
Graphic ... Graphical properties
Value ... Value orientation,
format, precision,
fake dimension, etc.
Tolerance ... Different options for
tolerance values
Dimension Line ... Graphical formatting
of the dimension line

Figure 161: Properties window of a dimension

Extension line ... Graphical formatting of the

dimension line
Dimension Text ... Enables the input of text to
the dimension
Font ... Formats the font size, type
and style
Text ... Text settings

Figure 160: Dimension Text

menu

98
11.3. Basic steps for the creation of a dimensioned 2D drawing

By means of a simple
example,
the basic steps for creating
a 2D drawing are shown. A
drawing has to be deduced
from a simple body. It
should contain three basic
views and a section view.
Additionally, the drawing
has to be provided with

Figure 162: 3D Part

After opening a new file
Drawing.1, a DIN A4 is
sheet selected in Portrait
orientation.

The 3D Part is still

The featur View

Creation e Wizard can
be
used to select the
desired views that
should be displayed.
Figure 163: The Drafting workbench

The View Wizard provides assistance for configuring the views.

Single views can be

created using the feature Front View.

After determining the desired views, a

geometrical element
has to be chosen in the
according 3D editor.
That’s how to link a 2D
Drawing and a 3D
element. Right after
clicking the
ew Wizard
Figure 164: Control
geometrical element button
in 3D, CATIA
switches back to Drafting mode and displays a preview of the views.

99
By means of the control button the views can be rotated. To finish the view creation, a click on
the drawing sheet or on the middle of the control button settles the views.
Based on the defined views, a section view of the
body can be created.

The feature Offset Section View enables the

selection of the section profile. The section
profile can be drawn by clicking
the single points of the line with the left mouse button
and finishing it is done by double clicking. The
section is displayed according to the profile line.
The single views are bordered with a broken line.

All objects contained in the drawing are displayed in

the Specification Tree. The object to be activated can
be set active using Activate
Figure 166: Different views of a Pad View (right mouse button).
with Hole

Figure 167: Specification Tree

of a Drawing

Dimensioning is applied using the

manifold features contained in
the Dimensioning toolbar.

A text can be inserted by means

of the toolbar Annotations.

Figure 168: Drawing containing dimensions and text

 Annotation: All operations, such as Dimensioning, Text, inserted profiles etc. are added to
the active object. Therefore, inconveniences may occur when objects are edited without being
active.

100
 Apart from the standard
format CATDrawing, the
drawing can be saved in
several other exporting
formats. Frequently used
formats such as dxf- or dwg-
can be used to import data to
other CAD or CNC programs.

 Annotation: Objects like

frames or title blocks can be
inserted via the feature File /
Page Setup / Insert
Background View.

Figure 169: Saving options for a Drawing

Additional helpful functions:

- Auto dimensioning (Function Generation)

- View positioning (in the context menu of the right mouse button)
- Properties in the context menu of the right mouse button
- Changing between working views and the background (in the pull down menu
Edit)
- Toolbar Geometry Creation
- Toolbar Text

101
 12 Create and use Parameters

Formula
Mathematical relations between parameters can be created and edited using the feature
Formula. The corresponding dialog box can be opened with the menu Tools / Formula or the
button Formula (toolbar Knowledge).

Figure 171: The Knowledge toolbar

The menu Formula lists all

parameters used in the actual element.
To enhance the overview, filters can
be used to show only special
parameter types. Figure 172 shows all
Length parameters of a simple body.

Figure 170: Starting the Formula editor

When choosing Import,

data from external
programs can be
integrated. New, user
defined, parameters are
inserted / deleted with the
feautres New Parameter /
Delete Parameter. The
features Add Formula and
Delete Formula enable
the
mathematical
connection between the
listed parameters.
Activating Add Formula
opens an additional
window for the input of the
Figure 172: The Formula dialog box desired formula. The
parameter that has been marked afore is defined through the formula.

102
The solid body shown above measures 100 x 70 x 50 mm. The according parameters have been
assigned automatically by CATIA.
width: `Part Body\Pad.1\Length` ... 50 mm
length: `Part Body\Sketch.1\Offset.6\Offset` ... 100 mm
height: `Part Body\Sketch.1\Offset.8\Offset` ... 70 mm
The parameters can be
renamed by simply
selecting them and
modifying the name in the
input line. Figure 173
shows the parameters that
have been renamed from
the default values to user
defined names for width,
length and height.
Additionally, the length and
the width should be linked
in such a way that the Pad
is three times as
Figure 173: Formula editor with renamed Parameters long as it is wide.

The parameter length has

to be marked, the Formula
editor opened and the
parameter width is to be
double clicked. Now the
formula length
= width*3 can be set and
OK can be picked.
Therewith the desired
relation is active and
displayed in the Formula
column.
Figure 174: Entering a Formula

Figure 175: The Formula is displayed and set active

103
 The dependency of the
length from the width is
displayed in the Formula
window next to the
value, and in the
Specification Tree in the
Relations branch. Double
Clicking the relation
in the
Specification Tree opens
the Formula editor. (To
show the Relations
branch in the tree, the
according setting in
Tools / Options /
Infrastructure
/ Part Infrastructure /
Display have to be
adjusted.)
Figure 176: The Specification Tree, including the Formula

104