WELCOME

Instructor background

Teaching – I have been teaching at St Clair College for 16 years. In 1987 I started with
Cadkey, teaching students the basic commands to build geometry. In 1998 the College
acquired the rights to offer Catia courses. I had been designing using the software at work
for ten years it seemed a natural progression to switch to Catia. During the last five years
I have developed a Catia class that taught students how to use Catia in real life situations.
The course focused on product design for automotive type applications. There was
tutoring in drafting techniques as well as advanced surfacing. The focus was strongly
directed at solid modeling.

Work – If work experience is a tool to prepare instructors, I believe my 15 years of

working with Catia has prepared me to deliver an up to date and functional course. Over
the years I have acquired the expert knowledge needed to help teach a student what is
required to be a successful Catia operator. Working in the Mold industry I have been
involved in the creation of thousands of Catia files required to build plastic injection
molds and aerospace tooling. This background in product design, tool design, and fixture
design has helped me understand most of what Catia has to offer as a design tool.

This Class

Outline - This is Catia V5 class 2, the purpose of which is to expand upon the knowledge
obtained in the Part Design Catia 1 class. This is an eleven-week program that we will
spilt up, around “in-class” Theory and Lab time, to develop models and complete tests
and assignments. In V5 Class 1 the student built simple solids using profiles developed
with the sketcher workbench. The student was introduced to creating views and basic
drafting techniques. Solids have been introduced and we will improve our solids
techniques and learn to incorporate Wireframe and Surface design into our solids
creation. Wireframe and Surface design is a command set or Options resting under the
Mechanical Design module of Catia V5. Wireframe and Surface design is a collection of
simple geometry creation commands used to build Catia surface entities. Using sketcher
tools we will learn to create and modify associative, constrained 2D sketches. We will
learn to create 3D associative feature based solid models from 2D sketches. We will also
build 3D geometry outside of the sketcher tool and learn to manipulate data using the
transformation tools inside V5.
We will develop complex surface geometry using the tools provided in the GSD module
of Catia. Generative Shape Design is one of the Advanced Surfacing tools of Catia V5.
GSD contains many of the Wireframe and surface commands for building surfaces and
include many unique tools for surface deformation and analysis. We will use the Product
environment inside V5 to develop tool assemblies. In this area of V5 we will build
several part models and combine them into a finished product.
START - this is the first pull down menu.

Selection
- 01 – Infrastructure – use this to access the knowledge features of V5.
- 02 – Mechanical design – use this to build parts – solids and surfaces etc
- 03 – Shape design – is an advanced surface module inside Catia V5
- 04 – Analysis and simulation – this tool uses meshing tools to investigate
new part data.
- 05 - AC Plant – Use this module to layout manufacturing facilities.
- 06 - NC Manufacturing – use this set of tools to cut dies and molds
- 07 - Digital Mockup – available to analyze assemblies of parts etc.
- 08 - Equipment and Systems – used to incorporate standard templates for
typical design situations i.e. HVAC
- 09 - Digital process for manufacturing. -
- 10- Virtual NC – Zip mill cnc tools
- 11 - Ergonomics Design and analysis – study human characteristics for
manufacturing.
This course will cover the tools found in the Mechanical design and Shape Design
modules as the main focus of the training. (There will be discussion of the other modules
in other Catia V5 courses)

Mechanical Design

Selection
- 01 – Part design – use this to access the tools for creating simple solid
models.

- 02 – Assembly design – use this to build collections of parts – solids and

surfaces etc into finished products.

- 03 – Sketcher – use this tool to build advanced 2D profile geometry.

- 04 – Product functional tolerancing and annotation – use this tool to

create GD&T on part data.

- 05 – Mold tooling design – Use this module to layout mold geometry.

- 06 - Structure Design – use this set of tools to build assemblies.

- 07 – Drafting - available to create drawings of part geometry etc.

- 08 – Core and Cavity design – used to split part geometry into core and
cavity parts.

- 09 - Sheet metal design - use these tools to develop sheet metal part
geometry including folding out geometry.
- 10 - Sheet Metal production – develop die design for sheet metal tools.

- 11 - Wire frame and surface design - study human characteristics for

manufacturing.

- 12 - Functional tolerancing and annotation – use this tool to create

GD&T on part data.

Shape Design

Selection
- 01 – Freestyle - use this to access the tools for creating freeform surface
geometry that incorporates artistic styling tools.

- 02 – Sketch tracer – use this to build sketches off of point or line data.

- 03 – Digitized shape editor – use this tool to build advanced surface

geometry from point clouds and scanned data.

- 04 – Generative Shape Design – use this tool to create and modify

advanced surface geometry.

- 05 – Quick Surface Reconstruction – use these tools to modify existing

surfaces.
HOUR 1 – Information Gathering session – use this segment of week 1 to gather
information regarding

– 01 Class 1 Knowledge
 What of Catia V5 was featured in the first 44 hours?

– 02 Student History
 What are the backgrounds of our students?
 What do they know?
 What do they want to know?

– 03 Development
 Develop course material for weeks 2 – 11

– 04 Review
 Review Catia V5 command system and main toolbar
HOUR 2-4 – An introduction to the Basic Geometry creation tools.

- POINT CREATION – The Point function is a simple yet important tool

for any Catia designer.
- Point entities allow for positional selection without inputting coordinates.
They are also useful in point cloud applications for building surface
geometry off of scanned data.
- Options shown below are used to create points when required.

- Open the model below (double click or click and hold CTRL) to create
some point geometry using the point options
OPTION 1
Point Coordinates – build a point at a specified XYZ coordinate.
Use a basic XYZ position. (A dimension based on the model origin)

Note – you can select different Reference points. (Start positions)

Try this - create a point using Coordinates at X 2,Y5, Z-1

Try from the back right corner of the tan surface and go towards the front left
corner

OPTION 2
Point On curve – Use an existing curve and create a point on the curve using
any of the available options.
Note – the point can be developed at a distance or as a Ratio along the curve.
Also note the reverse direction options as well as Middle point.

TRY THIS – select the curve near the right end and create a point at a
distance of 35 mm along the curve.
OPTION 3
Point On Plane – Use an existing Plane and create a point on the plane using
any of the available manipulators.

TRY THIS – Select PLANE 1 and add a point at H = 3 V =1.5 (note that
the point is a projection from the origin). Try it now with the corner of
SURFACE 1 as the reference point.

OPTION 4
Point On Surface – Create a point on surface using the available options.

Try this – select SURFACE 1 and place a point on each corner of the surface.

OPTION 5
Point Circle center – Use an existing circle and place a point on its center
point. (Try selecting the displayed circle and adding a point at its center)
OPTION 6
Point Tangent on curve – use this command to create points on a curve that
are tangent to a given direction.

CLARIFICATION NOTE – As important as any future note - the operator,

has in many cases, the ability to Access numerous sub-menus by right clicking
on any input box. For example shown below the operator indicates in the
Direction input box and right clicks to receive the option pull down shown.
OPTION 7
Point Between – this tool uses the existing geometry and calculates the vector
between two locations and allows the operator to build points on the vector.

TRY THIS – select the blue curve and then by selecting point 1 as the left end
on the curve and point two as the right end of the curve place a Point Between
as shown above.
LINE CREATION – The Line is another very simple yet important tool for
any Catia designer.

Line geometry is useful for Wireframe building and for surface extrusions etc.
In practical applications we build rough tool Wireframe to represent core,
cavity, slide, lifter, and insert mechanisms. The groundwork for tool design is
started using line type entities. Once the designer has laid the part into die
position he / she will develop the steel block geometry around the part usually
on a common plane, applying typical formula for tool steel sizes. This
application for line type geometry will apply for most other manufacturing
disciplines. (Die design, Walking beams etc.)

Use the commands shown below to create tangent, normal, or bisecting lines to
name a few.

Use the model shown below to demonstrate the Line commands

OPTION 1
Line Point – Point – Build using the available manipulators a line running
from point A to point B

Note the ability to use a support surface

OPTION 2
Line Point-Direction – Build a line from a point following a direction such as
x, y, or z. Also use any available geometry as a guide.

Clarification Note – Any Catia entity has end points. A Surface entity has
corners that can be used as end points. Remember Circles, Solids, Splines all
have end points. Use them to start a command to build or take advantage inside
of the command.
OPTION 3
Line Angle/Normal to curve – Build the line shown using the available
parameter tools. The curve must be selected first note the other options
available specifically the angle setting.

OPTION 4
Line Tangent to curve – build a tangent line as shown using the software’s
ability to identify tangency relations. Note that the element 2 feature does not
have to be a curve or circle.

OPTION 5
Line Normal to Surface – Using an existing surface entity and point build a
line using the sample shown.

OPTION 6
Line Bisecting – use the tools for line bisecting and build a bisecting line.
03 PLANE CREATION - The Plane entity is a very simple yet important tool
for any Catia designer.

Plane geometry is developed to assist in the creation of intersections between

the standard system planes and previously created geometry. We will also use
the angled plane to assist in the creation of locking wall surfaces and the
proper draw angles of mechanism movement in injection molding. (Lifters)
The plane entity is also the guide in any symmetry that we practice in the
design process.

Use the plane commands displayed below to create plane geometry parallel
through a point, through two lines, etc.

Use the displayed model below to try out the plane commands
OPTION 1
Offset from plane – Use a previously created plane and offset by the required
amount. Try this option on the sample below.

OPTION 2
Parallel through point – Create a plane parallel to an existing plane through a
point location. Select the reference plane and drop a parallel plane on the point.
OPTION 3
Angle/normal to plane – use an axis to rotate at an angle a plane used for
construction purposes.

OPTION 4
Through three points – Use the existing geometry or enter coordinate values
to build the plane shown.

OPTION 5
Through two lines – using the model shown above use two existing lines to
create the plane
OPTION 6
Through point line – as above using a point and a line.

OPTION 7
Through planer curve – take advantage of an existing planer curve to create
the plane.

OPTION 8
Normal to curve – Using the default middle option or by right click assign a
required point that specifies the location for the plane normal on the curve.
OPTION 9
Tangent to surface – select an available surface and a point or right click and
develop a point and the software will assign a plane through the point that is
tangent to the surface entity.

OPTION 10
Equation – Define an appropriate formula to position a plane referencing the
active axis.

OPTION 11
Mean through points- Pick three appropriate points and the system will
develop a plane that divides all conditions.
CIRCLE CREATION - The Circle entity is yet another simple and important
tool for any Catia designer.

Circle creation for tool and die design is used to support the need for circular
cutouts in tool and part geometry. A circle will always fall on a plane and this
is described as a support. The circle entity can be created in a full 360 degrees
or as a portion based on starting and ending angles.

OPTION 1
Center and radius – Simply call the command and indicate the center
location, either by selecting an existing entity or by right clicking to create a
point entity. The Operator will also define the support that will be used to
define the plane of the curve. Please note the available options for circle
limitations, radius, support, and center.
OPTION 2
Center and point – Take advantage of existing geometry or create new
construction geometry and use one point to define the circle center and then
use a point outside of the center selected point to define the radius of the new
circle. Don’t forget to select the Support entity (Plane.4 shown below)

OPTION 3
Two points and radius – The designer can select a pair of points and using a
defined radius value build a circle or arc on a selected support. Note the
available next solution option giving the designer several solutions

OPTION 4
Three points – Simply select three point entities or use the end point of an
existing entity to create a circle.

OPTION 5
Bitangent and radius – using existing entities and a radius value build a circle
or arc on a support that is tangent to two selected entities. Note the next
solution options 1-4

Note – This command shows options Trim Element 1 and Trim Element 2
these are selected if the designer would like Element 1 and or 2 trimmed back
to the newly created circle entity.

OPTION 6
Bitangent and point – build a circle or arc by selecting two curves or
elements and a point used to define either the center or the extremity of the
curve and lastly select a plane as a support.

OPTION 7
Tritangent – use the tri-tangent option and three existing curves to create a
circle or arc. The support will be the last selection required.

OPTION 8
Center and Tangent – use the Center and tangent option a circle or arc. The
support will be the last selection required. Select a point or create a point in the
center element option box. Now select a curve line spline or some existing
entity and a circle or arc will be created.

HOUR 4 – Basic surface commands

Shown below is the pulldown which presents all of the GSD surfacing
commands
EXTRUDE – requires a basic part or profile and will create a surface extruded
off of the selected profile at users desired length. Review parameters!

Use an existing line, circle, or Spline as the profile entity. The direction can be
defined by using the X, Y, or Z direction arrows on your axis or you can use
existing geometry to define the direction for your extrusion.

Note - you may right click on the box for Profile or Direction and the system
will bring a dialog box forward that allows for several selection options.
Use the model below and build an extruded surface. Select the green line as the
profile and the limit1 and limit2 values for a surface extruded 2 in along the X-
axis.

Note the options that are available to adjust how the surface is created. The
reverse direction option and direction options in particular. Try building the
extrude off of the purple line along the supplied green line as shown below.
HYPERLINK "create_extrude_surf_ex1.CATPart"

REVOLVE - requires a basic part or profile and will create a surface revolved
off of the selected profile and axis of rotation at the designers desired angle.
Review parameters!

Select the light blue line shown below and the yellow axis and create the
revolved surface shown below.
SPHERE – used to create spherical surface shapes of any radius and angle
combination.

Use existing geometry as a center point or highlight and right click to bring the
selection dialog box forward - be aware of the axis for your sphere use the
default or select an existing entity.

Note the values for the parallel and meridian angles and create a partial or a
full sphere. (Shown below)

CYLINDER
Build a surface in the shape of a tube (pipe) along a line.
OFFSET – a very powerful tool that uses existing surfaces and offsets
according to designer requirements.

The offset command works with previously created surfaces. Simply select the
surface to offset, as above, note the offset direction is correct and drag the
surface out the required amount or type in the offset amount.

This tool would be used extensively in part design to create the wall stock
offset surface for any body styling GSD type surfaces.
SWEEP – Using several sub options the designer will create a surface along a
selected spine in various controlled manners.
Create a profile curve, guide curve, and use a plane or surface, as a support and
V5 will create a surface along the guide in the shape of the profile.

The operator can also use a surface with contoured shape as a support entity.
This profile surface follows the arced blue surface. Select the green profile
curve then the purple guide curve and finally the surface. Hit ok and the green
surface will be developed.

Other functionality in the sweep option allows the designer to develop angled
extrusions along a guide curve and having its length controlled by a spine
curve. Note the angle value of 30 degrees from the support or reference
surface. This angled extrusion is useful in sheet metal applications.

sweep pipe

FILL – using existing curves or lines the operator will fill in a closed
collection of curves and create the required surface. The collection of curves
shown below creates the displayed surface. Try on the sample file below.

MULTI-SECTIONS SURFACE – using existing profile sections and guides

the student will build the desired surface. Below we have taken three section
curves and two guide curves and created a surface that runs smoothly through
all five specified entities. Note the direction arrows on the sections all point in
the same direction.

BLEND - using existing surface and curve geometry and several adjustable
modifiers the designer will build a surface that will follow parameter
information and create a suitable blend surface.

Select the support curves and the associated surfaces and apply tangency
conditions and select OK to create the surface.

OTHER WIREFRAME AND SURFACE OPTIONS

Several Wireframe options that don’t appear on the toolbox icon bars are
important geometry creation tools these are shown in the screen below.
We have discussed the top three tools – 01– point, 02- line, and 03- plane. The next
few paragraphs will explain the other important tools available for Wireframe and
surface creation in the Wireframe and surface portion of Part Design.

04 – Projection – the operator will create a projection of a curve line or Spline entity
onto a support entity. This will be a projection normal onto the support or a projection
that will follow a direction described by the operator. Note below how the green
curve has been projected onto the blue surface along the Z-axis.
Project – use this command to project Runners and gates onto parting line surfaces.

05 - Combine – the designer will describe a pair of curves that are planer and use this
tool to create a collection of curve entities that represent the smooth collection of the
tangent entities between the two.

Combine along a direction

06 – Reflect – this tool will create lines or curves that represent an angled intersection
along a described axis at a specified angle value. This tool is very useful in
determining Parting line split curves used to separate core from cavity. Note that the
operator has the ability to define a draft angle , the angle definition is useful in the
design stage to investigate the part design for appropriate draft as it relates to part
separation and minimum seal-off conditions.

– Note – the angle and reflect direction are determined by the designer and the
system will apply the formula and create the reflect line.

07 – Intersection - use this command to create intersection curves on a solid or

surface. We can also use this command to create intersection points on lines, curves,
splines, etc.
The two blue lines shown below represent the intersections of the XZ and the YZ
planes with the puck shown.

- The example below shows how intersect will create point entities on curves.

08 – Parallel – used to create offsets on curve or reflect or Spline type entities. This is a
very useful Wireframe tool.
Note the offset curve above is a closed entity; this is not a requirement for curve offset
creation.

09 – Circle – see hour 1-2

10 – Corner – this is a powerful Wireframe command used to create corner fillets

between entities such as lines, circles, arcs, Spline, etc. As shown below the radius
corners will be added and the theoretical corners will be trimmed.

Note the lower corner example shows the surface as a support entity and note that the
corner follows the surface shape.

11 – Connect – Used to join to entities together with a tangent or otherwise create curve.
This is a very strong tool for creating smooth connects between surface geometry. As
shown below curve_1 and curve_2 are joined by a perfectly tangent curve.

12 – Conics – Use this command to create conic geometry

13 – Spline – used to create complex curve shapes other than previously described and
normally these curves run through a series of points. Normally more than three.
The example below was created in the 3d workspace selecting the pattern of points
shown.