COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

Introduction to Catia Compass

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 May 2014 23:09:00 +0000

In the previous lesson we talk about one of the most important tools in the 3d modeling software, which is the tree. and now I will explain another important tools which is the compass.

Here, I'll offer a brief introduction about Catia v5 Compass, And I will explain it in more detail in other lessons.

CATIA COMPASS

The Compass for catia program is located in the upper-right corner of the screen, It's A three-dimensional tool, used to move the objects to get the best viewing angle for analysis and design. To choose a certain part of the Compass, just put the cursor above it. The specified part will then turn to the orange color.

Compass in Catia V5 program consists of three main parts:

>Privileged Plane: XY plane, or the base of the compass is called Privileged Plane, it is using in the Free-Style Shaper workbench.

>Compass Manipulation Handle: To transfer the compass and fixed it on the face of the object, you can press continuously on this handle by left mouse button and then move the compass any where, and note that when fixed the compass on the object the color of the Compass become green to denote that it is now 'assigned' to an object.

>Free Rotation Handle : After choosing this indicator and pressing on the left mouse button, you will be capable to rotate the object just in the same method as while pressure on the left mouse and middle mouse buttons.

Practical experiment is the best way to understand and learn how the compass work.

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To know more details about this subject visit this Catia compass lesson.

Also you can read:
- Introduction to CATIA V5.
- CATIA User Interface.
- CATIA V5 Documents.

Tree In Catia V5

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 20:57:00 +0000

After that we knew an introduction about Catia program, and learned about catia User Interface, Before we get into the details, and delve more into the program, We should learn one of the most important tools in the 3d modeling software, which is the tree.

Here, I'll offer a brief introduction about Specification tree for catia v5 program, And I will explain it in more detail in other lessons.

CATIA TREE

The tree in catia v5 include all the processes completed through your design session such as mirroring, symmetry, extrude, pocket, parts creation, etc.. These processes are readily re-traceable due to they each have a various icon.

Operations that have been processed firstly are located higher in the tree than the operations that have been processed in the last thing, and you must note that if you delete higher level the lower levels Will be deleted automatically.

The main branch of the tree is different according to current workbench, for example if the current workbench is Assembly Design workbench, the major branch of the tree will be ProductX (where X is a number), and if the current workbench is Part Desgin workbench, the major branch of the tree will be PartX, This means that every workbench in the CATIA program has own way to be displayed in the tree.

The Tree is Located in the most 3d modling software in the left part of the screen, as well as CATIA.

You can use the specification tree to the deactivate the drawing zone (Geometric Area) Where it becomes dark blue, This happens by pressing the left mouse button on the white section of the Specification Tree, after deactivate the drawing zone you can zooming and moving the tree any where inside Geometric Area, and if you click again on the white section of the Specification Tree the Geometric Area will be reactivate.

By pressing on + sign or - sign, you can expand or shrink the Catia Tree.

It is necessary to notice the icons in the Catia V5 tree. A small certain mark, can show on the icon to indicate us that some of the properties require an update, have a broken link, are disable, etc.

To entry to some operations for object like paste, copy, properties,cut, etc. just click on eright mouse button on an object.

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To know more details about this subject visit this Catia tree lesson.

To know more details about Catia modules visit this lesson. (Catia modules)
In the next lesson we will give you an introduction about Catia Compass.

Profile Creation Tool-bar

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 16:38:00 +0000

Most of the Computer Aided Design programs containing several tools and icons that make drawing more easy and flexibility, in this cad course we will get familiar with Profile Tool-bar that used to generate wireframe drawing with sketcher. The Profile tool-bar contains eight groups of icons each group contains its own drawing tools that make drawing easier.
In this drawing lesson we will talk about the first two groups ( draw a profile consisting of arcs and lines, and predefined profiles) and in the next drawing lessons we will talk about the others groups.

The Profile Tool-bar

In the previous CAD lessons we have provided you a general introduction about sketcher workbench tool-bars and icons, which are (Constraints, Profile Creation tool-bar, Operations tool-bar, and The Sketch Tools tool-bar) but now we will explain Profile Creation Tool-bar separately and in more depth.

1 To draw a profile consisting of arcs and lines.
2  To draw predefined profiles.

3  To draw arcs and circles.
4  To draw 2D Splines.

5  To draw Conical shapes.
6  To draw lines.

7  To draw an axis line.
8  To draw Points.

1 The Profile Icon

We can used this icon to draw a profile consisting of arcs and lines. When choosing this icon the drawing tools tool-bar changes to show more options. now you can start drawing an arc or line but, By default the first element will be a Line as evidenced by the icon being highlighted in the tool-bar.
If we choose the automatic dimensions constraint, we can create or draw profile by two methods:

The first method is by entering the coordinates of the line in the coordinate fields, that shown in the figure below, firstly enter the start point followed by the Enter Key and then enter the end point then press on the Enter Key, After that you should see on the screen the start point and the end point in addition to the constraint values.
The second way is the easier method to generate or drawing geometry. which is just by click on the sketch plane to suggest the start point and the end point, but in this way no constraints will be produced, although they can be added at any time.

Now to determine the profile, you need to indicate the end point of the line, so by using the mouse clicks click on the sketch plane, and note that the angle and length of the line is shown on the sketch tools tool-bar.

To draw a tangent arc:

From the sketch tools tool-bar choose the Tangent Arc icon and click on the drawing surface to indicate the end of the arc.
By using mouse, click and pull the pointer In the direction that you want to show the arc, then free the button and the sketch tool will transform to draw tangent arc mode. Now you must press on the drawing plane to indicate the end of the arc. and note that if the geometric constraints are active the arc will turn green or blue if you used the old version from CATIA.

Note that the radius field is automatically displayed on the sketch tools tool-bar and you can enter the radius directly on it.

When you finish drawing arc, the insert line mode will appear again, and you can note the line length field is displayed on the sketch tools tool-bar again, Then by using the left mouse button you can determine the end point of the line.

Now to close your drawing or your profile click and pull from the end of the line to the start of the first line and note that the sketch tools tool-bar will switch to insert arc mode and a solid green dot will appear (blue dot in the old version) which mean that the end of the arc will apply to the start of the line.

Starting your drawing by a three point Arc:

You can use the following method To start the your drawing with a arc instead of a line:

1. Choose the Profile icon then click on the sketch plane to refer to start point of the arc and then from sketch tools tool-bar click on the insert three point arc icon.

2. Click on the sketch plane again to indicate the second point

3. Finally, click again to refer to the endpoint of the arc.

Now the insert line mode will appear again in the sketch tools tool-bar.

Note that we cannot be generated a complete circles using this icon.

2 Pre-Defined Profiles

ِAs we know the CATIA V5 sketcher workbench containing four major Tool-bars, profile creation toolbar is one of them and it is containing eight groups of icons, now we will talk about the second group which is pre-defined profile.

Seven icons are used in the creation of pre-defined profiles, and We'll talk about each one of them separately.

1 To draw a Rectangle.

2 To draw Oriented Rectangle.

3 To draw Parallelogram.

4 To draw Elongated Hole.

5 To draw Cylindrical Elongated Hole.

6 To draw Keyhole Profile.

7 To draw Hexagon.

Draw rectangle using locations or 2 points:

By using left mouse button click on the sketch plane to indicate the first point of the rectangle after that click again to indicate the diagonally opposite point.

Draw an Orientated Rectangle by using 3 points:

Firstly we must draw the first side, by using MB1 click on the sketch plane to indicate the first point (corner) after that click to indicate the second point (corner), then Click for the last time to indicate the diagonally opposite point.

An Overview to Sketcher Workbench

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 31 May 2013 17:26:00 +0000

This computer aided design courses aims to give you a general introduction to Sketcher Workbench, so we will learn about how to access this workbench, and how to Select a Sketch Plane, and we will learn about Sketcher Icons and Tool bars, and about Positioning and Selecting the sketch. So at the end of this CAD courses, you must possess the ability to access the Sketcher Workbench, and realize the Sketch Icons and Tool bars. To be ready to the drawing lessons.

General Introduction to Sketcher Workbench

The main use for Sketcher is for the user to draw and define 2D sketches with accurate and rapid manner, Where it can be used later to define the solids and surfaces. As we will learn in the next drawing lessons.

We can draw 2D sketches (wireframe) through Sketcher Workbench, that can be used to generate surfaces or Solids, and the solid line font will represent it . also we can created 2D construction which uses as a tool to help to generate the solid 2D wireframe geometry.Positional constraints and geometric constraints (which are presented in green) are used to determine the position of the sketch and to control the size of the drawing sketch.

The figure Below explain what is meant by Geometric Constraints, Positional or Dimensional constraints, Wireframe Geometry, Construction Wireframe Geometry.

1  Specification Tree.
2  Geometric Constraints.
3  Wireframe Geometry.
4  Construction Wireframe Geometry.
5  Dimensional Constraints.

To Entering to the Sketcher Workbench:

Their is tow method to enter to the Sketcher Workbench the first one is from start menu select > Mechanical Design > then choose Sketcher.

The second one is press on the sketcher icon from any workbench that allows to generate sketches.

To learn more about how to access to any workbenches please review this Computer Aided Design Course.

To Edit a Node name from Specification Tree;

From Specification Tree we can rename the name of a node by selecting the node by mouse button 1 then click on the mouse button 3 to show the contextual menu, then you can click on the properties to display a Properties panel.

From Feature Properties tab we can see the name of the Node In the Feature Name field. Now you can change the name of the node by entering new name in the feature name field, after that you must click O.K to save changes and exit from contextual menu.

To Select a Sketch Plane:

To begin drawing your sketches, firstly you must select a planar face, plane from coordinate, or an existing Sketch, after selecting the the desired plane, sketch or face the CATIA interface will turn into the sketcher workbench interface and graphic display.
The figure below explain this three methods to select a sketch plane.

From the Specification Tree you can choose a Plane.

From an existing solid choose a Planar face.

From the Specification Tree you can choose an existing Sketch.

The Sketcher Workbench Interface

When accessing to the Sketcher Workbench, A new Sketch node will show in the Part of Tree, in the figure below We'll show the most important characteristics and tools, for Sketcher Workbench user interface. To become ready for drawing lessons.

1 Part tree.

2 New Sketch.

3 Standard tools.

4 Work in standard or popular view.

5 Tools for Sketcher Design.

6 Constraints Icons.

7 Exit from function.

8 Turn into 3D view.

9 Sketch Grid.

10 Sketch Axis.

11 Operations and Tools.

Before going to drawing lessons you can review this CAD lesson to learn more about the user interface for CATIA V5 program.

Drawing axes:

When entering to the sketcher workbench we note 2D axis ( Origin point, Vertical 'V' axis, and Horizontal 'H' axis), We can use these axes to position our design or drawing on the sketch plane by using Constraints.

1 Vertical 'V' axis.

2 Horizontal 'H' axis.

3 Origin point.

Sketcher Icons and Tool-bars

Any Computer Aided Design program containing Tool-bars and icons that make drawing process more easy and flexible, Each Workbench in the CATIA program contains its own tool-bars and in the context of the sketcher workbench there are four basic tool-bars:

1 Constraints: constraints is very important for controlling and adjusting drawing Dimensions and position.

2 Profile Creation: This is the most important Tool-bar, and it is used for the building of geometric elements and creation the drawing design. for more details review this lessons drawing profile part 1, part 2.

3 The Operations tool-bar: we can used this tool-bar, to make very important operations in the geometry, Such as: (Chamfer, Trimming, Corner, Filleting, etc.) and to manipulating geometry, Such as: ( Translating, Symmetry, Projection, Mirroring, etc.).

4  The Sketch Tools tool-bar: is used for controlling and adjusting drawing Dimensions and positioning the geometry by applying automatic Dimensional constraints and Automatic Geometric constraints or entering constraint value manually.
  I   Toggle to the Grid snapping.
II   Toggle to the Construction geometry.
III  Automatic Geometric constraints.
IV  Automatic Dimensional constraints.
V   Areas to enter the constraint value manually.
Note that, the icons with orange color indicates that the tool is activated.

If we are activate the automated geometric constraints, the geometric Permissions Must be applied to the items that is created, the automated dimension (interval) constraints are only created on chamfers or fillet radii and when insert in the related area on the Sketch tools tool-bar.
Under the Sketch node (in the specification tree) we can see all constraints.
We can deleted undesirable constraints by choosing it by MB1 and click on deleted key.

For more details about the Sketcher Icons and Tool-bars, you can review this drawing lessons, Where we explain each tool separately and in more depth.

Positioning and Selecting the Sketch

We can selected a single sketch either from the specification tree or graphically, and by using [ Ctrl + MB2] we can selected two or more elements. In this drawing lesson we will get familiar with the selection icons, so the selection can be implemented by using [MB2] and one of the selection icons.

1 Standard or normal selection: This icon is used to identify and select items by clicking on them, or by clicking constantly and dragging a rectangle over the items to be identified and selected, and then leave clicking to specify all the elements inside the rectangle.

2 Selection Trap: Analogous to the Standard or normal selection command except single element cannot be selected. Select by clicking constantly and dragging a rectangle over the items to be identified and selected, and then leave clicking to specify all the elements inside the rectangle.

3 Intersecting Trap: Select by clicking constantly and dragging a rectangle over the items that you want to identified and selected, All elements inside and crossing the rectangle will be selected.

4 Polygon Trap: Selection by drawing a polygon around the elements that you want to selected, by clicking on the [MB1]. Double clicking to completes the selection. Only elements inside the polygon will be selected.

5 Paint Stroke Selection: Selection by drawing a curve through the elements that you want to selected, by clicking on the [MB1]. Double clicking to completes the selection. Only elements that are crossed by the curve will be selected.

Polygon Trap

Paint Stroke Selection

Note that:

In all selection cases the selected geometry will converting to the orange color.
by clicking [MB1] anywhere on the graphics window, the selected elements will be deselect.

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Start CATIA, and Open, Save, Close V5 Documents

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:11:00 +0000

Most of the 3D modeling software start as any windows software just double click on its icon and the software will start, CATIA V5 one of them. In this computer aided design course, we will get Familiar with open, save, and close V5 documents, and we will learn different ways to start CATIA V5, and will learn multi methods to save V5 documents.

Starting CATIA V5

In this part of CAD courses we will learn how to start any 3D modeling software, and as any windows software, we can start CATIA V5 by three way:

The first one is just click double click on the CATIA V5 icon on the desktop, and the program will start, then you can start to using computer aided design.

The second one is by using the start menu to starting any 3D modeling software.

The third one is by using the Contextual Menu to starting any 3D modeling software.

To view the contextual menu click on the MB3, then go to the new list and click on the CATIA Part.

Introduction to CATIA V5 Documents

Most Computer Aided Design programs contains different types of documents, in this part of CAD courses we will highlight on the type of the CATIA V5 documents, and on how to open, save, and close them.

Preface to V5 Documents:

If we want to create geometry with 3D modeling software or modify it we do that within documents, so the documents are containers, and the 3D modeling software contains different types of these containers (Documents).

The type of the CATIA V5 document depends on the module you will use (workbench).

1 Assembly Design, the file extension is (FileName.CATProduct).

2 * Part Design. (FileName.CATPart).

* Sketcher. (FileName.CATPart).

* WireFrame & Surface. (FileName.CATPart).

3 Generative & Interactive Drafting. (FileName.CATDrawing).

4 Current workbench.

5 Current document.

Some of Terminology:

A Workbench is collection of tools (toolkit) which allows you to generate and manage your design.
A Document is a file containing data, is generated and managed with the workbench that is linked with it (specific extension).
A Product Structure is a manner to building and organize your products in logical way, You can transition within the structure and work on its various elements and components.

Opening Documents In 3D modeling Software

In this section of CAD course we will learn how to open new CATIA V5 document, and how to open an existing documents, then we will show you how the document windows Planning. And As we pointed out earlier, there are various types of CATIA documents, Each type is connected with a workbench.

Opening New Documents:

1  Click on file menu then select new.
2  Click on the kind of document you want to create.
3  Then cilck OK.

Opening an Existing Document;

1  From file menu select open or click on the open icon.
2  Select the file position from the File Selection box.
3  To show the document types which you want to open, click on the {Files of type}.
4  To show a preview for the file you select it, Check the {Show Preview}.
5  Click Open to see your Selected document.

Closing and Saving Documents

In this CAD Course we will learn the various method to save documents, and it is a general method to save documents in any computer aided design program.
In the beginning we should know that we must save documents after modifying them or to create new document and we can save them with the same name or by using different name.

Using same name to saving documents:

If you made a changes in the existing document, you can save changes by clicking on the save icon or by pressing [Ctrl+S]. and the document will be saved in the same name and in the same direction.

Using New name to saving documents:

1  If you want to save document for first time, or if you want to save document to generate a new document [or copy], click on the Save As...
2  Browse the file and choose the position where you want to save the document.
3  To generate a new document rename the current.
4   To confirm, Click on the Save button.

Note that, in the figure above the document is stored and saved with a new name in the same folder.

Closing a Document:

1  From file menu choose close, or click on the Close icon [ x ].
2  If you make a changes but you don't save it, a pop-up window will appear to asks you if
you want to save changes or not.
3  click on the [Yes], to save changes, or [No] to close the document without saving the changes, or [Cancel] to leave  the document open.

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By the end of this series of computer aided design courses (CATIA V5 Basics), you should be able to deal with the basics of 3D modeling software (CATIA V5), such as: Workbench Concept, Manipulating Objects, Edit Parts, Manipulating Windows & Multi-documents Support, The compass in CATIA V5 and the properties of the tree, Starting 3D modeling software and open save and close V5 documents.
Now I think you are ready to learn more advanced tools.

Visit this page to read more about Introduction to Computer Aided Design.

The Tree and Compass

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:11:00 +0000

In the previous CAD courses we show you how to reach, access, and allocation the preferable workbenches in CATIA (V5) program, and Manipulate Objects by Mouse ( Moving, Selecting, Editing by using mouse), In this CATIA CAD courses, we will learn about TREE & COMPASS tool, Most of the "computer aided design program" contains Tree that explain the process sequence of drawing and design, CATIA Contains a powerful, easy, flexible, and distinctive tree, and contains the most strong tools that used to manipulate and move objects which is Compass.

The Properties of the Tree

In this lesson we will learn about the properties of the tree for 3d modeling software (CATIA V5), and we will get familiar about their Specifications and attributes.

CATIA V5 provides us a general specification tree which allows use to view and edit elements and objects (sketches, features,... ) in a flexible manner. The hierarchy, is called the Specification Tree, and the tree structure is different with the type of document under the amendment.

1 Pad.1 (before).

2 Pocket.1.

3 Part Number.

To Show and Hide the Tree:

Press F3 key (Keyboard Shortcut) to hide or to show the Specification Tree, or from view list as shown in the figure below

To make tree Activate or Deactivate:

Press [shift] + F3 key (Keyboard Shortcut) to make Object or tree Activate or Deactivate

Or, Put the cursor anywhere on the branch of the History Tree and click on Mouse Button 1

Transfer the Tree:

We can use the scrollbar to show the tree upward or downward, If the size of the tree override the window

1 To Show the head of the tree, Click up arrow.

2  You can Pull the bar up and down.
3  To Show the bottom of the tree, Click down arrow.
4  Put the cursor on a tree branch, note that the shape of the cursor is change to a pointing finger.
5  When you click on the MB1 the shape of the cursor is change to a small hand, then you can pull the mouse to transfer the tree.

Zooming and Expanding the Tree:

1 Click on the MB1 (mouse button 1) on a tree branch.

2 While you pressing on the MB1, drag the mouse up and down to zoom in or zoom out.

3 Note that while zooming the tree, the Geometry dimmed, and to make the geometry active again click on a tree branch.

Expand &Shrink:

Click on the [+] button to expand the tree, and click on the [-] button to shrink the tree. as shown in the figure:

Collapsing and Expanding the Tree:

1 View -->Tree Expansion.

2 To show the first level of the Specification Tree, click on the View --->Tree Expansion ---> Expand First Level.

3 To show the second level of the Specification Tree, click on the View --->Tree Expansion ---> Expand second Level.

4 To collapse the tree, click on the Collapse ALL.

Scan the Design stages:

In the computer aided design program (CATIA V5) there is a powerful and effective tool to display the Part History step by step in order to seeing design process.

1 Choose Edit ---> Scan or Define In Work Object.
2 To scan all steps, You can Choose ‘forward’ at each step.

Using the Compass to Moving Objects

In this part of CAD lessons we will learn how to benefit from the compass to dealing with objects.

Before you start make sure to activate the compass:

The compass in CATIA V5 is a powerful tool to manipulate and move objects, particularly in Free-Style, Assembly Design and Digital Mock-up products.

1 Featured plane (or Base of the compass), Default is XY plane.

Note that, The upper right corner of the screen is Default location of compass. and The reference axis system XYZ is parallel to the Default orientation of the compass.

When we use the compass?

To rotate and transfer items in the Sketcher, parallel to the sketch level.

To transfer elements and components in an assembly and in Digital Mock-up.

To distortion surfaces as patches and identify cutting plane in Free-style.

To Rotate Geometry in 3D way.

Using the Compass in Simple way:

Use the compass to make a rotation

Use the compass to make a Translation

Drag and rotate about Z axis…

Note that, the default position and direction of the Part or element does not change.

To put the Compass at its default position and default orientation, we can either pull it and drop it onto the lower right corner (reference Axis System) or from the view menu click on the Reset Compass command (very helpful when the compass does not appear).

Put the Compass on the element:

The element moving related to the origin.

1 Put the cursor on the red square and click on it.

2 Then drag it to the element.

3 Then Drop the compass on the element, and note that the color of the compass will be green.

4 Choose the desired plane (or axis ) of the compass and pull it.

5 Result.

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Here we come to the end of this computer aided design lesson, where we became familiar with the properties of the tree and the compass.

In the next lesson we will learn more about CATIA V5 Documents (opening, saving, and closing).

-Visit this lesson to learn more about Manipulate Objects using Mouse in the most powerful 3d modeling software CATIA V5.

- Go to this article to know more about CATIA V5 program and its Achievements over the world.

- A brief introduction about Catia v5 Compass.
- A brief introduction about Catia v5 Tree.

General Concepts

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:03:00 +0000

To complement what we started in the previous lesson, where we talked about the (computer aided design CATIA V5 User Interface), In this lesson we will learn How to reach, access, and allocation the preferable workbenches in CATIA CAD program, and Manipulate Objects by Mouse (Selecting, Moving, Editing by mouse).

Workbench Concept

CATIA is systematic into several modules or workbenches. Each workbench is customized to a certain work.

Example for Mechanical Workbenches:

Part Design: To design and layout parts.

Sketcher: To sketch and drawing 2D shapes.

WireFrame and Surface: To give existing mechanical part design, with wire frame properties, and basic surface properties.

Assembly Design: To readily setting up mechanical assembly constraints, and positions parts automatically, and Examination assembly uniformity.

Generative and Interactive Drafting: To create drawings from 3D part and assembly designs and produce clean 2D drawings.

Sheet metal Design: To design sheet metal parts.

The figure below is show the position of current workbench icon.

Note that Your work is saved and stored in documents, and there are several types of document according to the workbench used.

The Workbench Accessing

There is three methods to access to all standards Workbenches, the first one is by choosing from the Start Menu, the second is by Selecting File / New, and the third is by set the favorite workbenches.

Accessing by Start Menu:

To access the part design Workbench or Assembly design Workbench or any Workbench, Open the CATIA V5 program ---> then choosing the Start menu ---> then select Mechanical Design ---> After that Assembly Design.

Accessing by File Menu:

To access the part design Workbench select file ---> then new.

Set the favorite workbenches:

We can Add Assembly Design module in a list of your preferable workbenches, and entering it by the Workbench and Workbenches Toolbar.

First step: Select Tools ---> Customize ---> then drag and drop availability workbench on the Favorites List.

Now you can found the Assembly Design module at the Top of the Start Menu.

Second step: Access by Workbench Toolbar

Or

Favorite Workbenches:
Favorite Workbenches are those that CATIA will show you in the Welcome panel at each time you start new session. and by default Welcome panel is empty.

Note that you can obtained welcome panel by clicking on Workbench icon.

Manipulating Objects Using Mouse

Now we will learn the several ways to manipulate, select and view objects by using Mouse.

The Functions of Mouse:

MB1 To select and edit objects.

MB2 To manipulate objects.

MB3 To show the contextual menu.

Note that MB = Mouse Button.

To Select One Object:

The default way to choose one object is to use left button (mouse button 1) (MB1) and click the object in the tree or in the geometry.

1 Click the object in the tree or the geometry.
2 Choose icon mode, to do not choose an element click in the empty or free background.

Note that when the cursor is over an object, its form change to a pointing finger and the element is highlighted (predefined), to select it you must have to click on it.

To Select Different Elements and Objects Using {Ctrl} Key:
To make multi-selection elements in your windows you must using [Ctrl] key so it is standard Windows method.

1  Press [Ctrl] key.
2  Keep [Ctrl] key pushed and choose the wanted element (in the geometry or tree), to don't choose a single element, keep holding the [Ctrl] key then click on it.
3  To end the selection, Release [Ctrl] key.

Click in the empty or free background, To de-select elements.

Selecting Several Elements with Trap-Tool

In these computer aided design course we will learn how to select several objects in the 3d modeling software CATIA V5.

To select several objects, just trapping them:

1 To Select icon, Choose the down arrow.

2 Press on the Selection trap icon to choosing it.

3 While pressing Mouse Button 1, Drag or pull your cursor to trap the required objects. and a small hand will appear instead of the cursor.

4 When you Leave mouse button 1, all objects in the trap area, are completely selected and highlighted.

How to Edit Parts in the CATIA CAD Program

We mean by editing parts in the computer aided design program (CATIA V5) is modifying some properties such as: the part number or density of the part, but in most cases editing parts consists in amendment the sketches or the attributes that the part consists from it. This process can be done at any time.

From the Specification Tree you can make double-click on the sketch to edit it, then you can redefine the parameters of your selection from the dialog boxes to edit feature.
1 In the geometry area or in the specification tree click Double-click to edit feature.
2 Adjusted Parameters.

The dialog box for

the Circular Pattern

will appears

Moving Elements and Objects by Using Mouse

In this CATIA V5 training, we will show you how to get familiar with Moving, zooming and rotating, capabilities of 3d modeling software (CATIA V5) by using Mouse.

1  Translation MB2 (Mouse Button 2).

2  Rotation, Click (MB2 + MB1).

3  Zooming, Click (MB1).

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After we got to know some history about Computer aided design and after we show you some of CATIA 3d modeling software Achievements, In the previous CAD lesson we learn how to get familiar with the user interface for CATIA 3d modeling software, and in this CAD course we show you how to reach, access, and allocation the preferable workbenches in CATIA (V5) program, and Manipulate Objects by Mouse ( Moving, Selecting, Editing by using mouse).

In the next lesson we will learn about Tree and Compass Specification in CATIA V5 .

Also you can read:

- Compass in CATIA V5.
- Profile Creation Tool-bar.

User Interface

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:19:00 +0000

In this course we will study essential manipulations and tools and get knowledge with standerd CATIA CAD CAM interface and behaviors.

Now we will take a quick idea of the user interface for the largest mechanical drawing program in the world.

CATIA User Interface

We will learn and exercise basic concepts of CATIA V5 user interface such as: Standard manipulations {Drag and Drop, Edit in place, Copy & Paste...},Tool-bars, Standard and exclusive menus {File, Edit, Wive, Insert, Tools...}, Workbenches (modules) and related tool-bars, Specification Tree inclusive all technological lineaments, relationships, constraints..., Multi-document support.

1 Menus.

2 Window of active document.

3 Tree.

4 Tree scroll bar.

5 Icons to maximize, minimize, or close windows.

6 Icon of active workbench (Part Design).

7 Tool bars of active workbench.

8 Dual arrows mean there are more toolbars pull the [>>] mark to move invisible toolbars.

Note that we can open more than one document at the same time within the CATIA V5 window.

And we can easily change the styling of CATIA V5 window by hiding, removing, adding or moving toolbars.

Toolbars and Menus

Toolbars supply fast entry to tools, for mechanical design program (CATIA), which are also available in menus.

1 Use the View menu to activate toolbars.

2 Dual arrows mean there are more toolbars pull >> mark to move invisible toolbars.

3 Drag separator to move the toolbar anywhere.

4 Right mouse click in the prompt zone to fast access the toolbar list.

5 Click {x - Button} to close the toolbar.

6 Toolbars that are checked are accessible. Others are invisible.

Dialog Boxes

The Dialog boxes provide parameters to introduce features. They are standardized and simple to use.
For example: if we double-click on a hole, we will obtain the definition dialog box for Hole, such as this:

1 Click the [X] to close the dialog box.

2 Click the question mark [?] and choose a field to obtain help.

3 Name of the function or task.

4 Select a tab to define standards setting or parameters.

5 Select an choices in the drop down list.

6 Write the value, or click up or down arrows

7 Fields locked (not selectable).

8 Select button to activate the action.

9 Click check box to activate the option.

10 Inactive field.

11 Click OK to emphasize.

12 Click Cancel to quit the mission.

13 Click Preview to display demo the result.

Manipulating Windows & Multi-documents Support

As we see in the figure below the mechanical design program catia V5 support multi documents, that is mean we can open more than one project at the same time as any Flexible windows program.

1 Click here to close.

2 Full screen mode (Click to maximize).

3 Iconify (Click to minimize).

4 Use the Window frame, to list and exchange open windows.

5 CATIA window.

6 Inactive Document.

7 Active Document.

8 Click and pull any edge to change the size of window.

9 If full screen or minimized (Click to return to the initial size).

Note that we can activate any CATIA V5 Document by one click on it with MB1.

Positioning Windows

In the mechanical design program CATIA V5 It is easy to Dealing with several documents and positioning them anywhere.

1 To verify the opened documents, Click on the Window menu.

2 The active document.

3 Choose Tile to division the display vertically or horizontally.

4 Two documents are open, The 2nd one is active.

5 Choose the document by the Window menu.

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In the next lessons we will learn General Concepts about mechanical design program CATIA, such as catia workbench (modules), that we have mentioned in an earlier lesson, and To Manipulate Objects by Mouse.

Introduction to CATIA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:17:00 +0000

Initially, CATIA name is an abbreviation for

Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application

We had already said in the introduction of historical, that the French Dassault Systems is the parent company and IBM participates in the softwares and marketing, and catia is invades broad industrial sectors, and has been explained in the previous post position of CATIA between 3d modeling software programs.

Now we will speak about another point which is whether there is a drawing program better than the other?... we must know, that drawing programs provides us drawing tools while not any of them can provide you the ability to design, You should,thinking and looking and imagine then building a design in your mind, either drawing program will help you to transform these designs graphics on papers, for that, we prefer CATIA because it provides us with all the tools that we need.

Before we come to learning any 3d modeling software's, You must know their classification as a drawing program, Where CATIA classified under the following software packages:

CAD (Computer Aided Deign)

CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing)

In general

CAE (Computer Aided Engineering)

Version that most of the people works on it now is CATIA V5 or fifth version, which is a rewriting and revision the code of the fourth edition.
For the fifth version, there are versions from 1 to 20, for example, CATIA V5 R17, it Means CATIA fifth edition version seventeenth, While years system was adoption in the sixth edition, for example, CATIA V6 2011 means CATIA sixth edition version of Year 2011.

CATIA consists of modules each Module specialized in specific design field, And I will review now the most famous of these modules:

Some of CATIA Modules

Sketcher: This module is responsible for the implementation of two-dimensional shapes, in preparation for make a three-dimensional commands on it.

Part Design: This module is responsible for converting two-dimensional graphics to three-dimensional objects which is most famous in Catia and is closely linked with sketcher module. The part design Module it is considered from most important modules, that used by the designer to get the additional advantage from cad programs, which is stereotaxic drawing or three-dimensional drawing.

Assembly: This module is responsible for assembling the parts previously produced in Part Design, and it is most important for those who work in the field of machinery design or design in general, because it is the one who shows the inter-relationships between the parts of the machine or any mechanical establishment.

Stress Analysis: This module is responsible for testing parts designed to withstand the loads expected occurrence on it, and shows how the mechanical parts are affected by the colors, where they can learn the most dangerous points in terms of emotion through the distribution of colors.

Drafting: This module is responsible, for converting what you see on the screen to standard engineering drawings can be traded in the workshop for manufacturing or save them for documentation.

Surface and WireFrame: With this module surfaces can be drawing with zero size and weight and has its uses in the aerospace, automotive, ships and Mold Design.

Simulation: this module is responsible for obtaining a similar movement of the natural movement, which is expected to occur during the actual operation of the machine or mechanical establishment whatever.

Free Style: which is a free drawing, product designers needs it, such as Mobile or furniture or antiques designers.

and other modules such as:

Sheet Metal, Mold Design, Welding, Aerospace Sheet Metal.

The surprise is that all of the above follows the one field which is mechanical design field , while there are other fields such as:

Analysis

Machining

Ergonomics

Each of them containing modules, even electronic circuit design, that is mean CATIA have too many modules, and it is covers almost everything you need, so I prefer to work on it more than others.

CATIA is considered as a CAM program, in addition to it is CAD program, in the meaning that you can export files to CNN machines and then manufactured, CATIA Also supports graphics from other programs such as AutoCAD, for example, it is possible to copy a drawing from AutoCAD and enter it to CATIA and then make on it CATIA operations, CATIA files can be kept with dwg extension which is supported by AutoCAD or the default extension has.

CATIA Achievements

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:27:00 +0000

CATIA succeeded or CATI succeeded as they call it in the beginning, and the world began to look forward to Dassault Systems to make deals with them to buy this extraordinary program, While Executive Directors began taking their steps to reap greater profit, their first step were to editing CATIA from limited only on the aircraft industry to all industries, where CATIA package for design become able to serve all industries, and demand was began increased on this powerful tool for the development of design and manufacturing, After that, 'CAD-CAM team', which began with fifteen people, was turned to Dassault Systems, Inc.
Giant "IBM" have emerged in the picture as a distributor and marketer of CATIA in the field of three-dimensional graphics. In the eighties of the last century, the doors were opened to the development of the industry, and provide them with CAD CAM techniques, then appeared to light the initial version of CATIA V1 as a product of a partnership between IBM and Dassault Systems, and the initial customers are Dassault Aviation and Grumman and others, and Mercedes, BMW, Toyota and others.

Then, Dassault established based in America, in order to controlled to world of mechanical design, where American Boeing itself has become a client of the biggest customers for Dassault if not already the largest.

In the nineties, became CATIA edition of V4, and its potential enormous, and with IBM logistical serious support, initial candidate for competition to any software engineering best in the field of mechanical design, and here comes the role of rulers to decide who the strongest, the jury composed of major industrial companies and leading industries aircraft and vehicles around the world.

Then changed their motto the old black and white and they gave him more brighter colors, to suit "their glitter name" in the design software market, then changed their motto as a whole and transformed it into the logo now known as 3DS or three-dimensional solutions of Dassault.

Dailamaa and Anovia packages are appeared in the Market then Catia code was fully rewritten , to show on the light what we use now, namely CATIA fifth edition CATIA V5.

Let us return to Referees Committee to prove to us that CATIA is the strongest in the world as a program for drawing and mechanical design:

Boeing choose CATIA as a basic design program , and thus becoming the biggest customers for Dassault Systems and their designed the 777 fully with CATIA and continue to design the 787 with catia now.
Indian Air Force relies on CATIA as adopted by the Chinese Air Force has already designed the plane Axian.
European Airbus depend on CATIA as a basic program for drawing and design.
Canadian Air Force in the list, along with the Brazilian Air Force and English as well as American helicopters parts manufacturers.
Car makers such as: Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, Bentley, Volvo, Fiat, Peugeot, Renault, Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, Citroen, Scania, Skoda, Proton. depend on CATIA as a basic program for drawing and design.

My personal opinion: I prefer CATIA due to contain everything you might need without need for using other programs.

CAD-CAM-History

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 23:33:00 +0000

I was looking a lot about a program that can achieve my wishes in the world of drawing and mechanical design. Program that can combine between drawing and design, animation and simulation production and Manufacturing, Without need to use more than one program, to produce a single project, UntilI found everything I need in the most comprehensive program on earth "CATIA". This program,

which change my point of view in the science of mechanical drawing, where it became more easy, more flexible and more accurate.

Initially, everyone must realize that the secret of success in the future is full access to the past, The past is the Ladder which will step up on it for the future.

So, What about catia history?

In the beginning,I mention that CAM softwares was developed before CAD softwares, with that expected that the opposite is what happened, the methods of (computer aided manufacturing) has been developed, before developing (computer aided design) softwares, But what is the motivation behind the development of this or that.

When the need have emerged, in the forties and fifties of the last century, for the manufacturing of complex aircraft parts, it was necessary to working on the development of CAM or computer-aided manufacturing, in order to be very complex parts manufacturing, such as helicopter fans. When engineers have access to the ideal curves for highly complex parts, the role of production engineers came, in order to manufacture these parts by simple machines available to them, but these simple machines can not manufacture complex parts design, So, they should have added mind to the machines, this mind is computer controllers which produced what is known now as computer aided manufacturing.

With the fast development and increasing complexity of the designs, even painted on paper became very very difficult, in the sixties of the last century, painstaking attempts was began to develop software that can help engineers to the drawing and design.

Engineers have begun to collect and arrange what old scientists have reached from drawing equations and calculations in order to reach formulas can understand and solve intersections and drop objects, etc., which may mechanical designer require in his work, It was also the military field generally and the aircraft industry particularly field, which contained competitions companies to take out the programs drawing and mechanical design by computer.

At this time of the late sixties and early seventies there was in France a man named Dassault has formed a team called Team CAD-CAM was the task of this team is developing formulas and relationships that can be built upon drawing program strongest in the world who can overcome the difficulties mechanical design in general and aircraft design particularly. And was on the ground, a company called Dassault for Aviation owned by the man who I told you about him .. Marcel Dassault.

France began its program to develop self-own drawing program, and the French are right because they are developing generations of aircraft such as Mirage, Concorde and other and they need their personal program to work,

Concorde designed by CATIA-CAD-CAM

When the CAD-CAM Team 'that formed by Dassault Systems' was arrived to the final steps of their program, which was worked on it for years, was appeared to light what we know now .. CATIA.