ProCAM II CAD-Surf Tutorial

CAD / SURFACING
TUTORIAL
www.teksoft.com
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PC27c June, 2004
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 CAD BASICS 1-1
How to Use This Manual.............................................................................. 1-2
Installing Learning Files ......................................................................... 1-2
Steps to Draw a Part ..................................................................................... 1-3
Step 1: Study the Print ........................................................................... 1-3
Step 2: Insert Each Graphic Entity ........................................................ 1-4
Step 3: Save the Part .............................................................................. 1-9
Step 4: Start 2½ Axis Mill or Surfacing ................................................. 1-9
Points to Remember................................................................................ 1-9
CHAPTER 2 INSERTING GRAPHIC ENTITIES 2-1
Points ............................................................................................................ 2-2
Inserting Points at a Specified Distance Along an Entity....................... 2-2
Inserting a Specified Number of Points.................................................. 2-2
Inserting Points at a Spline Node Location ............................................ 2-3
Circles........................................................................................................... 2-4
Inserting a Circle with a Known Center ................................................. 2-4
Inserting a Circle at the Endpoint of a Line ...................................... 2-5
Inserting a Circle at the Midpoint of a Line ...................................... 2-6
Inserting a Circle at the Intersection of Two Lines........................... 2-6
Inserting a Circle with an Unknown Center ........................................... 2-6
Trimming Circles .................................................................................... 2-7
Trimming with the Trim to Keep Modifier....................................... 2-7
Trimming with the Trim to Cut Modifier ......................................... 2-8
Fillets ............................................................................................................ 2-9
Inserting a Fillet with Automatic Trimming........................................... 2-9
Inserting a Fillet with No Trimming.....................................................2-10
Chamfers.....................................................................................................2-11
Inserting a Chamfer with Automatic Trimming ...................................2-11
Inserting a Chamfer with No Trimming ...............................................2-12
Arcs.............................................................................................................2-13
Inserting an Arc with a Known Center and Radius ..............................2-13
Using the Direction Modifiers ..............................................................2-13
Inserting an Arc with an Unknown Center ...........................................2-14
Lines ...........................................................................................................2-15
Inserting Horizontal and Vertical Lines................................................2-15
Inserting a Line of a Specified Length .................................................2-15
Inserting a Line at a Specified Angle....................................................2-16
Inserting a Perpendicular Line..............................................................2-17
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Polygons .....................................................................................................2-19
Inserting a Polygon with Known Corners ............................................2-19
Inserting a Polygon with Three Known Points.....................................2-19
Using the Inscribed and Circumscribed Modifiers...............................2-20
Changing the Number of Sides.............................................................2-21
Changing the Angle ..............................................................................2-21
Using the Length Modifier ...................................................................2-22
Splines ........................................................................................................2-23
Inserting a Parametric Spline ................................................................2-23
Inserting a NURB Spline ......................................................................2-24
Using the Define NURBS Points Modifier.....................................2-24
Using the Define Control Points Modifier ......................................2-24
Inserting Splines From a File................................................................2-26
Inserting a Parametric Spline From a File.......................................2-26
Inserting a NURB Spline From a File.............................................2-27
Offset Entities.............................................................................................2-29
Inserting an Entity Offset from a Line, Arc and Circle ........................2-29
Inserting an Entity Offset from a Spline...............................................2-30
Text.............................................................................................................2-31
Inserting Text ........................................................................................2-31
Picking Text ..........................................................................................2-32
Cross Hatching ...........................................................................................2-33
Inserting Cross Hatching ......................................................................2-33
Using the Break Utility Before Cross Hatching ...................................2-34
CHAPTER 3 DRAWING IN 3D 3-1
Locating Entities in 3D Space ...................................................................... 3-2
The Basics of Views and Cplanes........................................................... 3-2
Changing the Axis Mode and Origin Offset........................................... 3-3
Depth and 2D/3D Mode.......................................................................... 3-7
Using Endpoint Snap with Depth and 2D/3D Mode ........................ 3-7
Using Digitize with the Depth and 2D/3D Mode ............................. 3-9
For More Practice .......................................................................................3-11
CHAPTER 4 DIMENSIONS 4-1
Inserting Dimensions.................................................................................... 4-2
Chained Dimensioning ........................................................................... 4-2
Inserting Dimension Notes ..................................................................... 4-6
Inserting an Angle Dimension ................................................................ 4-6
Setting the Number of Decimal Places and Text Size............................ 4-7
Using Baseline Dimensioning ................................................................ 4-7
Turning Extension Lines On and Off ..................................................... 4-8
Using Coordinate Dimensioning ............................................................ 4-9
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Setting Dimension Attributes .....................................................................4-11

Changing Linear and Angular Attributes .............................................4-11
Changing Center Attributes ..................................................................4-12
Changing Dimension Arrow Styles............................................................4-14
Changing Arrow and Tick Sizes...........................................................4-14
Customizing Dimension Text.....................................................................4-15
Changing Dimension Text Options ......................................................4-15
CHAPTER 5 CAD SKILL BUILDER EXERCISES 5-1
Exercise 1 ..................................................................................................... 5-2
Exercise 2 ..................................................................................................... 5-3
Exercise 3 ..................................................................................................... 5-4
Exercise 4 ..................................................................................................... 5-5
Exercise 5 ..................................................................................................... 5-6
Exercise 6 ..................................................................................................... 5-7
Exercise 7 ..................................................................................................... 5-8
Exercise 8 ..................................................................................................... 5-9
Exercise 9 ...................................................................................................5-10
Exercise 10 .................................................................................................5-11
Exercise 11 .................................................................................................5-15
Exercise 12 .................................................................................................5-16
Exercise 13 .................................................................................................5-17
Exercise 14 .................................................................................................5-18
Exercise 15 .................................................................................................5-19
Exercise 16 .................................................................................................5-20
CHAPTER 6 CREATING SURFACES 6-1
Surfacing Overview...................................................................................... 6-2
Using Cross Section Entities to Define Surfaces.................................... 6-2
Surfacing Terminology ........................................................................... 6-2
Steps to Create a Surface.............................................................................. 6-4
Step 1: Draw the Part or Open Part File ................................................ 6-4
Step 2: Start Surfacing ........................................................................... 6-4
Step 3: Insert Cross Section Entities...................................................... 6-5
Step 4: Create a Surface......................................................................... 6-6
Cross Section Surface................................................................................... 6-8
Creating a Plane Surface......................................................................... 6-8
Creating a Ruled Surface ........................................................................ 6-9
Drive Curve Surface ...................................................................................6-11
Creating a Surface with One Cross Section Entity...............................6-11
Creating a Surface with Multiple Cross Section Entities .....................6-13
Creating a Surface with a Director Curve.............................................6-14
Surface of Revolution.................................................................................6-16
Creating a Surface of Revolution..........................................................6-16
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Four-Curve Surface ....................................................................................6-18

Using Synchronized and Non-Synchronized Modifiers.......................6-18
Creating Four-Curve Surfaces ..............................................................6-20
Complex Surface ........................................................................................6-27
Creating a Complex Surface .................................................................6-27
Three-Curve Surface ..................................................................................6-30
Comparing a Three-Curve Surface & Surface of Revolution ..............6-30
Creating a Three-Curve Surface ...........................................................6-31
CHAPTER 7 MANIPULATING SURFACES 7-1
Editing Surfaces............................................................................................ 7-2
Changing the Surface Arrow .................................................................. 7-2
Changing the Surface Arrow Corner................................................. 7-2
Changing the Surface Arrow Side..................................................... 7-3
Changing the Surface Arrow Direction............................................. 7-3
Changing the Number of U and V Patches............................................. 7-3
Changing the Direction of a Cross Section Entity.................................. 7-4
Extending a Surface...................................................................................... 7-6
Creating Surface Curves............................................................................... 7-7
Using the Spline Command .................................................................... 7-7
Inserting a Spline at the Intersection of Two Surfaces ..................... 7-7
Inserting a Spline Along a Surface Edge .......................................... 7-8
Inserting a Spline on a Parting Line .................................................. 7-8
Using the Project Onto Surface Command............................................. 7-9
Projecting Entities Onto a Surface in the -Z Axis Direction............. 7-9
Projecting Entities onto a Surface in a +Y Axis Direction .............7-10
Projecting Text onto a Surface for Engraving.................................7-11
Breaking Surfaces.......................................................................................7-12
Exploding a Spline or Surface Curve ...................................................7-12
Breaking a Surface Along a UV Line...................................................7-13
Breaking a Surface Along a Surface Curve..........................................7-14
Breaking A Surface Along Multiple Surface Curves ...........................7-15
Trimming Surfaces .....................................................................................7-17
Trimming a Surface to Multiple Curves ...............................................7-17
Untrimming a Surface...........................................................................7-18
Trimming Surfaces to the Edges of a Fillet Surface.............................7-18
CHAPTER 8 WORKING WITH SURFACES 8-1
Inserting a Fillet Surface .............................................................................. 8-2
Creating a Constant Radius Fillet Surface.............................................. 8-2
Creating a Variable Radius Fillet Surface .............................................. 8-4
Creating a Fillet Surface Blend............................................................... 8-7
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Creating a Composite Surface...................................................................... 8-9

Creating a Composite Surface ................................................................ 8-9
Exploding a Composite Surface ...........................................................8-10
Creating an Offset Surface .........................................................................8-11
Blending Two Surfaces ..............................................................................8-12
Creating a Line Mesh Surface ....................................................................8-13
Creating a Line Mesh .................................................................................8-14
Separating the Core and Cavity..................................................................8-15
CHAPTER 9 SURFACING SKILL BUILDER EXERCISES 9-1
Exercise 1 ..................................................................................................... 9-2
Exercise 2 ..................................................................................................... 9-4
Exercise 3 ..................................................................................................... 9-7
INDEX
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vi
Chapter 1 CAD Basics
This manual introduces you to the features of ProCAM CAD and Surfacing.
IMPORTANT! The ProCAM II Getting Started Guide explains the basics of working in
ProCAM and the exercises in this manual assume that you have read the Getting Started
Guide and have an understanding of how to use ProCAM.
This chapter explains basic drawing procedures and locating entities in 3D space.
CAD Basics 1-1

How to Use This Manual
How to Use This Manual

IMPORTANT! The ProCAM II Getting Started Guide explains the basics of working in
ProCAM and the exercises in this manual assume that you have read the Getting Started
Guide and have an understanding of how to use ProCAM.
This manual is a tutorial that guides you through the functions and commands of CAD and
Surfacing.
• The information and exercises in Chapter 1 introduce you to the basic procedure for
designing and drafting parts..
• The exercises in Chapters 2 and 5 provide an opportunity to learn how to use the features
and functions of the CAD system.
• The exercises in Chapters 6 through 9 explain Surfacing.
• If you want more information about a particular feature or function, see the applicable
topics in the online Help system: select Help on the ProCAM menu bar, then select
CAD/Surf Help.
Did You Know ...
When you install ProCAM II from the ProCAM CD, the manuals are copied to a folder
on your PC. These tutorials are PDF files that can be viewed, searched and printed
using the Acrobat Reader. To start the Reader and open a tutorial: click the Start button
on the Windows taskbar, then select Programs|ProCAM II 200x|ProCAM II Manuals.
Pick the desired manual from the list.
If you do not have the Reader, you can install it from the ProCAM CD or download it
from the Adobe web site. The ProCAM CD also contains a complete set of ProCAM
manuals in the Manuals folder.
Installing Learning Files

Sample parts are provided for the exercises in this manual. When you ran the Setup program
to install ProCAM, the program automatically created a \pcii\learn\mill folder containing the
learning part files. The default path to these folders is \Program Files\procamii200x\procad\.
For more information on installing ProCAM, see the ProCAM 2D & ProCAM II Installation
and Quick-Start Guide.
1-2 CAD Basics

Steps to Draw a Part

The following steps are used to draw a part:
1. Study the print to determine the origin location and the geometry that is required.
2. Insert each graphic entity to draw the part:
• Click an insert button on the CAD toolbar.
• Select modifiers to give ProCAM specific information about the entity.
• Click a button on the Snap toolbar to define the location of the entity.
• Optionally, use the Utility toolbar functions to manipulate the entity
(move, trim, etc.).
3. Save the part in a .pcii file.
4. Start Surfacing to create a surface to be machined or start 2½ Axis Mill to generate an
NC program for cutting the part.
The next series of exercises show you how to follow these steps to draw a simple 2D part
that can be machined using the 2½ Axis Mill module.
Step 1: Study the Print
CAD Basics 1-3

• Check the units on the print.

If the units are not what you typically use, you can set the units in ProCAM so that you
can draw the part from the print, then change the units when the drawing is finished.
ProCAM converts units automatically.
• Determine the primary face of the part.
In most cases, you will draw that face parallel to the top construction plane since the top
construction plane is also the primary machining plane.
• Determine the location of the origin or datum (0,0,0).
This is the location that most of the dimensions reference. Absolute zero can be offset to
secondary datum points as required. If the datum for construction is not the same as
program zero, draw the part according to the print and you can move the part to program
zero or move program zero to the part before machining.
• Determine the geometry that you need to draw (circles, lines, etc.) and the absolute
location (where the entity is located in relation to 0,0,0).
Step 2: Insert Each Graphic Entity

Generally, it is easier and more efficient to draw the outside of the part first, then the internal
areas. The following are suggested guidelines for drawing the outside of the part and internal
pockets and holes:
1. First, look for arcs and circles with known centers and known radii/diameters and insert
circles at the locations of the arcs and circles (the arcs can be trimmed later).
Make sure you determine the geometry that would be fillets and chamfers, which are
inserted later. In the print on the previous page, the corners would be considered fillets,
not arcs, and are inserted using the Insert Fillet command.
2. Next, draw the lines between known start and end points. The endpoints of filleted lines
are created from the apex of the fillet arc.
3. Add fillets and chamfers.
4. Finally, trim circles and lines as needed.
In the next series of exercises, you draw the part by inserting the graphic entities. The
procedure is basically the same for each entity:
− Select an insert button on the CAD toolbar.
− Select modifiers.
− Define the location of the entity with a Snap command.
− Optionally, use Utilities to manipulate the entity (move, trim, etc.).
EXERCISE 1. Click New button on the File toolbar or select File on the menu bar, then select the
New command to clear the work area.
− Click No in the message box that displays asking if you want to save the changes.
1-4 CAD Basics

2. When you are drawing 2D parts for

machining in 2½ Axis Mill, the
System toolbar should be set as
shown. Cplane View
− Typically, you will use the Top Cplane (construction plane). This is the 2-dimensional
construction plane on which the geometry will be constructed.
− The View is the perspective the part is looked at from your vantage point. For 2D
parts, you will use the Top View when inserting entities; however, you may want to
look at the part in another View (e.g., 7 ISO 1).
3. On the InfoBar tab, make sure the Depth is set to 0.00 and the 3D button is displayed.
These options are explained in the next exercise. If you are drawing 3D parts for multi-
surface machining, the next exercise provides more information about using Cplanes,
Views and the other options for 3D drawing.
Insert a 6"x6" square to define the general outside shape:
4. Point to the Polygon button on the CAD toolbar and click mouse BUTTON 1 (left button).
The modifier toolbar displays the options that allow you to

specify how to complete the current command.
5. Make sure the Corner Points button is highlighted on the modifier toolbar.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for box start. DIGITIZE is the prompt line
indicator that means you need to click the appropriate Snap command. Any time you are
not sure what information ProCAM is looking for or what you should do next, read the
prompt line.
6. Point to the Keyboard button on the Snap
toolbar and click BUTTON 1 (the left mouse
button).
The InfoBar tab displays the parameters shown on the right and
the prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate for 1st location on box.
7. Press ENTER to accept the 0 value for X start in the InfoBar tab.
The prompt line reads: ENTER Y coordinate for 1st location on box.
8. Press ENTER to accept the 0 value for Y start in the InfoBar tab.
The prompt line reads: ENTER Z coordinate for 1st location on box.
9. Press ENTER to accept the 0 value for Z start in the InfoBar tab.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate for 2nd location on box.
If you are drawing 2D parts, the Z depth will always be 0.
CAD Basics 1-5

10. Type 6 and press ENTER.

The prompt line reads: ENTER Y coordinate for 2nd location on box.
The prompt line reads: ENTER Z coordinate for 2nd location on box.
13. Click the Zoom All button in the lower right corner of the window.
The geometry is enlarged in the work area.
Put fillets on the sharp corners:

EXERCISE 1. Click the Fillet button on the CAD toolbar.
The modifier toolbar displays. You do not have to change the modifiers for this exercise.
2. Double-click the Radius text box on the InfoBar tab.
3. Type .5 and press ENTER.
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st entity for filleting.
4. Pick Line 1 shown in the figure.
The line is highlighted.
The prompt line changes to: PICK 2nd entity for
filleting.
5. Pick Line 2.
Line 1 Line 3
ProCAM inserts a fillet on the sharp corner.
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st entity for filleting.
6. Pick Line 2, then pick Line 3. Line 2
ProCAM inserts a fillet on the sharp corner.
Continue picking lines to put fillets on the
remaining 2 corners.
Insert the circle in the lower left of the square:
1. Click the Circle button on the CAD toolbar.
2. Make sure the Known Center modifier is highlighted.
3. Click the Diameter modifier to highlight it.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER circle diameter.
− In the InfoBar tab, the Diameter text box is highlighted.
1-6 CAD Basics

5. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap

toolbar.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate for circle
center.
The prompt lines changes to: ENTER Y coordinate
for circle center.
The prompt lines changes to: ENTER Z coordinate
for circle center.
The circle is inserted.
EXERCISE Move and copy the circle to the upper right corner:
1. Click the Move button on the Utility toolbar.

2. Click the Move/Copy modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to move (button 2 when done).
3. Click anywhere on the circle.
The circle is highlighted.
4. Click BUTTON 2.
− Make sure the pointer is in the work area whenever you click BUTTON 2.
− You can press the Space Bar instead of clicking BUTTON 2.
− The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to move from.
5. Click the Entity Origin button on the Snap toolbar.
− This Snap command is used when the coordinate location is the center of an existing
circle or arc.
− The prompt line reads: PICK entity origin to move from.
6. Pick the circle again.
− A marker displays in the center of the circle.
− The prompt line reads: PICK entity origin to move to.
7. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.

− You use this Snap command because you want to indicate the X,Y,Z coordinates of
the new circle's location.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate to move to.
8. Type 5 (for X to) and press ENTER.
CAD Basics 1-7

The prompt line changes to: ENTER Y coordinate to move to.

9. Type 5 (for Y to) and press ENTER.
The prompt line changes to: ENTER Z coordinate to move to.
10. Type 0 (for Z to) and press ENTER.
The circle is inserted.
11. Click BUTTON 2 several times until the first circle returns to the original color.
EXERCISE Next, insert the line in the center of the part. First, you change the color ProCAM is using to
insert entities.
1. Click the down arrow next to the
color selection box on the System
toolbar and select a different color.
2. Click the Line button on the CAD toolbar.
3. Click the Angle modifier button to highlight it.
The prompt line reads: ENTER angle of line.
5. Click the Length modifier button to highlight
it.
7. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap
toolbar.
8. Type 2.2929 (for X start) and press ENTER.
9. Type 2.2929 (for Y start) and press ENTER.
10. Type 0 (for Z start) and press ENTER.
ProCAM inserts the line. The part should look
like the figure on the right.
1-8 CAD Basics

Step 3: Save the Part

You have completed the drawing and the next step is to save the part in a file.
Save frequently! You can save what you have drawn at any time. Frequent saves prevent
having to redo a time-consuming drawing or CAM operation.
EXERCISE 1. Click the Save button on the File toolbar or click File on the menu bar, the click Save
or Save As on the File menu.
The Save As dialog box displays.
2. Open the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is \Program
Files\procamii200x\procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf.
3. Type ex1 in the File name text box, then click Save.
− You do not have to type the extension. ProCAM automatically adds a .pcii extension
to the file name and saves the part in ProCAM II format.
− If you are running ProCAM in Demo mode, note that files saved in Demo mode
cannot be opened in a licensed version. Also, NC code generated during post
processing cannot be saved.
Step 4: Start 2½ Axis Mill or Surfacing
The part you have drawn in this lesson is a 2½ Axis Mill part that does not require surfaces
2½ Axis for machining. To generate the NC program for this part, you would click the 2½ Axis Mill
Mill button on the CAD/CAM toolbar to start the 2½ Axis Mill module, then define operations,
generate toolpaths and post process the part as explained in the 2½ Axis Mill Tutorial.
If the part needed a surface before machining, the next step would be to start the Surfacing
Surfacing module and insert the surfaces. Surfaces are explained in chapters 6 through 9.
Points to Remember
• READ THE PROMPT LINE. The prompt line tells you what ProCAM is looking for
next. If you are having problems doing a task, read the prompt line.
• If you need more information about a particular function, use the online Help.
• Click BUTTON 2 when you are finished with a particular drawing function. Clicking this
button also tells ProCAM to accept the input or execute a command.
• Save frequently.
CAD Basics 1-9

1-10 CAD Basics

Chapter 2 Inserting Graphic Entities
The CAD toolbar is used to create and insert all CAD graphic entities. This chapter explains
how to use the commands to insert points, lines, arcs, circles, fillets, chamfers, polygons,
splines and text.
Inserting Graphic Entities 2-1

Points
Points
The Point command on the CAD toolbar is used to insert a single point at a coordinate or
multiple points on entities. A point is a graphic entity at a single X,Y,Z location.
The Point command with the multiple Points modifier allows you to insert points on lines,
arcs, circles, splines and at the nodes on splines.
Inserting Points at a Specified Distance Along an Entity
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Entities.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
\Program Files\procamii200x\procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf.
2. Click the Point button on the CAD toolbar.
3. Click the Multiple Points modifier button.
4. Make sure the Distance modifier button is highlighted.
5. Double-click the Distance text box on the InfoBar tab to highlight the text.
The prompt line reads: PICK
entity to create points.
7. Pick the arc, line, spline and
circle.
ProCAM inserts the first
point at the closest endpoint
of the entity picked.
8. Click the Oops button
on the Utility toolbar
several times to undo the points inserted on each entity.
If you selected another CAD or Utility command prior to selecting Oops, you will not be
able to Oops the points off the drawing. If this happens, you can open the file again (do
not save the changes).
Inserting a Specified Number of Points

EXERCISE 1. Continue using Entities.pcii in the work area.

4. Click the Number of Points modifier button.
5. Double-click the Number text box on the InfoBar tab to highlight the text.
2-2 Inserting Graphic Entities

Points
The prompt line reads: PICK entity to create points.

7. Pick the arc, line, spline and
circle.
ProCAM inserts points at
each end of the entity,
regardless of which end was
picked first and equally
spaces the remaining points
on the entity. The spacing
varies with the length of the
entities picked.
8. Click the Oops button on the Utility toolbar several times to undo the points inserted
on each entity.
Inserting Points at a Spline Node Location

A node location is used to define a spline. The At Spline Nodes modifier allows you to insert
multiple points at the node locations that make up a spline.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using Entities.pcii in the work area.

4. Click the At Spline Nodes modifier button.
5. Try to pick the arc, line and circle.
Nothing happens because ProCAM only recognizes a spline entity.
6. Pick the spline entity.
ProCAM inserts points at each node location of the spline entity.
7. Do not save the changes to the part when you are finished.

Circles
Circles
The Circle command on the CAD toolbar is used to insert circles. When you insert a circle,
the midpoint of the circle is at the 9:00 position on a clock and the endpoint is at the 3:00
position.
In the following exercises, you use the Diameter modifier. However, when you are working
with your own prints and the information is given as radius, use the Radius modifier. Always
try to avoid doing math.
Inserting a Circle with a Known Center

EXERCISE In this exercise, you insert circles with known centers and known diameters.
1. Open the part file Snap.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
Do not save any entities in the work area from previous exercises.
3. Leave the Known Center modifier button highlighted.
4. Click the Diameter modifier button.
The prompt line reads: ENTER circle diameter and the Diameter text box is highlighted on
the InfoBar tab.
5. Type 13.7 and press ENTER.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate for circle center.
8. For the Y coordinate, type 18.73 and press ENTER.
The prompt line changes to: ENTER Z coordinate for circle center.
9. Press ENTER to accept the default 0.
− A circle is drawn above line 8 (labeled A in the figure on the next page). If the circle
does not display in the work area, click the Zoom All button in the lower right corner.
− Notice that the prompt line again reads: ENTER X coordinate for circle center.

Circles
10. For the second circle (labeled B), repeat

steps 7 - 9 using -19.05 for X, 49.67 for
Y, and 0 for Z, then press ENTER to use
the same diameter.
You can insert all the circles without
having to select the Diameter or Radius
modifier each time you have a different
size circle. You can continue entering the
X,Y,Z coordinates for multiple circles.
11. For the third circle (labeled C), use
-4.98 for X, -51.57 for Y, 0 for Z and 22.5
for the Diameter.
Inserting a Circle at the Endpoint of a Line

EXERCISE Insert 2 circles: one at the endpoint of the line near 1 and one at the endpoint of a line near 5.
1. Pick a different color.
2. Click the Endpoint button on the Snap toolbar.
3. Make sure the Diameter modifier is still highlighted.
4. Make sure the Known Center
modifier is still highlighted.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for
circle center.
5. Pick the end of the line near the #1.
Remember that you do not have to pick
the exact endpoint.
A 22.5mm diameter circle is inserted at
the end of the line (labeled D).
6. Pick close to the end of the line near #5.
A 22.5mm diameter circle is inserted at
the end of the line (labeled E).

Circles
Inserting a Circle at the Midpoint of a Line

EXERCISE Insert a circle at the midpoint of the line between 7 and 8:
1. Click the Midpoint button on the Snap toolbar.

2. Pick anywhere on the line between 7 and 8.
A circle is inserted at the midpoint of the line (labeled F in the figure on the previous
page).
Inserting a Circle at the Intersection of Two Lines
EXERCISE Insert a circle (labeled G) at the intersection of lines 3 to 2 and 4 to 5 using the Double
Intersection Snap:
1. Click the Double Intersection button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st intersecting entity for circle center.
2. Pick anywhere on the line between 3 and 2.
3. For the second intersecting entity, pick anywhere on the line between 4 and 5.
ProCAM inserts the circle.
Inserting a Circle with an Unknown Center

EXERCISE One of the features of ProCAM is the ability to insert circles and arcs without knowing
where the centers are. This can be done with the Tangent To Snap command.
2. Click the Center Unknown modifier button.

3. Click the Tangent To button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK tangency location for 1st location on circle. ProCAM is asking
you to pick the first entity you want the circle to be tangent to.
4. To insert the first circle (labeled H in the figure below), pick the line between 7 and 8 for
the first entity to be tangent to.
− Be sure to pick the line on the side closest to 8.
− The prompt line changes to: PICK tangency location for 2nd location on circle.
5. Pick the line between 1 and 2.
Be sure to pick the line near the 2.
Did You Know ...
ProCAM determines where to put the tangent circle based on which end of the line you
pick. If your circle is not like the one in labeled H in the figure, click Oops and try it
again.

Circles
EXERCISE Insert the circle (labeled I) tangent to the line between 4 and 5 and tangent to the circle at the
endpoint of that line:
1. Pick anywhere on the line between 4 and 5
for the first tangency location.
2. Pick the circle at the endpoint of the line (5)
on the left side.
Be sure to pick the circle near where you
want the tangency.
EXERCISE Insert the circle (labeled J) tangent to the two
circles:
1. Pick the circle on the left near the tangency
point you want.
2. Pick the circle on the right near the
tangency point.
3. If the circle displays on the opposite
side from what you expected, click Oops and pick tangency points closer to the true
tangency points.
Did You Know ...
ProCAM determines where to put the circle based on which side of an entity you select
for the tangency.
4. Continue inserting circles using the different modifiers and Snap commands that have
been covered up to this point until you feel comfortable with them. Then go on.
Trimming Circles
Trimming with the Trim to Keep Modifier
EXERCISE Follow the steps in this exercise to trim the perimeter of the part to look like the figure on
page 2-8.
1. Open the part file Utility.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
2. Click the Trim button on the Utility toolbar.
Make sure the Trim to Keep modifier is highlighted.

This modifier keeps or extends the portion of the entity or entities selected.
3. Click the Continuous modifier.
This modifier trims/extends entities in a continuous chain by selecting each entity in
order one after the other. This is the most frequently used trim method.
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st entity to trim.

Circles
4. Pick the top left on circle #1.

5. For the second entity to trim, pick
the vertical line.
The prompt line continues to
read: PICK 2nd entity to trim.
6. Pick the lower left on circle 2.
7. Continue picking around the part: the bottom
line, circle 3, the right vertical line, circle 4,
the top line and circle 1.
The perimeter should look like the
figure below.
Trimming with the Trim to Cut Modifier
EXERCISE In the following exercise, you trim circle 5 to look like the figure on this page.
1. Continue using the part in the work area.
2. Click the Trim to Cut modifier button.
This modifier removes the portion of the entity or entities selected.
3. Click the Trim Multiple Entities modifier button.
This modifier trims/extends one or more entities between two defined locations. The
prompt line reads: PICK entities to trim (button 2 when done).
4. Pick circle 5, then click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint to trim from.
6. At the top of the circle, pick the right line close to the circle.
The prompt line changes to: PICK endpoint to trim to.
7. Pick the left line near the circle.
With the Trim to Cut modifier, picking in a
counterclockwise direction removes the
section of the circle between the two selected
entities.
8. To remove the bottom section, pick the left
line near the bottom of circle 5, then pick the
right and click BUTTON 2.
When you make a mistake and trim an entity
the wrong way, if you have not clicked
BUTTON 2, you can just pick the lines the
correct way. If you have clicked BUTTON 2,
click Oops and trim again.

Fillets
Fillets
The Fillet command on the CAD toolbar allows the insertion of a radius between any two
intersecting entities. Fillets are smooth blends between intersecting entities. Intersections
may be real or theoretical. Real intersections physically intersect on the drawing.
Theoretical intersections occur when two entities would intersect if they were extended out.
Once they are inserted, fillets are arc entities and can be modified as arcs. You can insert
fillets between intersecting lines, arcs, circles, and splines. Fillets can be trimmed
automatically or left untrimmed.
Inserting a Fillet with Automatic Trimming

EXERCISE Insert .5" fillets:
1. Open the part file Fillet-Chamfer.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
path is \Program Files\procamii200x\procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf.
2. Click the Fillet button on the CAD toolbar.
Leave the Trim modifier button highlighted.
3. Double-click the Radius text
box on the InfoBar tab, type
.5 and press ENTER.
1st entity for filleting.
4. Pick the bottom horizontal
line.
The prompt line changes to:
PICK 2nd entity for filleting.
5. Pick the bottom vertical line
on the left.
The lines are trimmed
automatically.
Fillet the other end of the bottom
line:
6. Pick the bottom line.
7. Pick the vertical line on the right.

Fillets
Inserting a Fillet with No Trimming

In the previous exercise, ProCAM automatically trimmed the lines when you inserted the
fillet. When you do not want ProCAM to trim the lines, you can use the No Trim modifier.
EXERCISE 1. Click the No Trim modifier button.
2. Double-click the Radius text box on the InfoBar tab.
4. Insert a fillet between the two lines in the upper right corner.
This time ProCAM inserts a fillet between the lines, but does not trim them to the radius.
5. Oops out the fillet.
6. For more practice, change the modifier back to Trim and insert the fillets shown in the
figure on the preceding page.
When you are finished, DO NOT choose the Save command on the File menu to save
the part. This part is used in the exercises for inserting a chamfer in the next section and
you do not want to save the part with the fillets.
7. If you want to save the part, you can use the Save As command on the File menu. This
command allows you to save the modified part with a different name. The original part
file is retained.

Chamfers
Chamfers
The Chamfer command on the CAD toolbar allows you to insert a chamfer of any angle and
length between any two intersecting lines.
Chamfers can be inserted at both real and theoretical intersections. Real intersections
physically intersect on the drawing. Theoretical intersections occur when two entities would
intersect if they were extended out.
The Chamfer command is similar in operation to the Fillet command and uses the same
Trim modifiers.
Inserting a Chamfer with Automatic Trimming

EXERCISE Insert the two .250 x 45 degree chamfers at the bottom of the part (see the figure on the next
page).
1. Open the part file Fillet-Chamfer.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
You used this part in the Fillet exercises and the part may still be in the work area. Do not
save the changes.
2. Click the Chamfer button on the CAD toolbar.
Leave the Trim modifier highlighted.
3. Double-click the Length text box on the InfoBar tab, type .25 and press ENTER.
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st edge for chamfer.
4. Pick either the vertical or horizontal line on the bottom left of the part.
The prompt line changes to: PICK 2nd edge for chamfer.
5. Pick the second line.
6. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to insert the second chamfer on the bottom right.
EXERCISE Insert the 30 degree x 1.000" chamfer at the top right of the part.
1. Highlight the Angle text box on the InfoBar tab.
3. Type 1 (for the Length) and press ENTER.
Did You Know ...
ProCAM determines which way to put the 30 degree angle based on which line you pick
first.

Chamfers
4. Pick the vertical line.

5. Pick the horizontal line. 1.000 x 30
6. To see how it would look

the other way, click Oops, then
select the lines in reverse order.
.250 x 45
Typ 2 places
Inserting a Chamfer with No Trimming

The Chamfer modifiers are identical to the Fillet modifiers. If you do not want the lines
trimmed automatically, you can use the No Trim modifier.
EXERCISE 1. Oops out the last chamfer.
2. Click the No Trim modifier.
3. Insert the chamfer again.
This time the lines are not trimmed.

Arcs
Arcs
The Arc command on the CAD toolbar allows you to insert arcs with known or unknown
centers. You can also insert arcs with known radii and diameters.
Inserting an Arc with a Known Center and Radius
EXERCISE In this exercise, you draw the arc on the right side of the part. This arc has a known center
location and known start and end points.
1. Open the part file Arc.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
2. Click the Arc button on the CAD toolbar.
3. Make sure the Known Center modifier button is highlighted.
4. Make sure the Counterclockwise modifier button is highlighted.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for arc center.
5. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar. The X,Y coordinates for the arc
center are given in the figure.
6. Type 4.625 (for X center) and press ENTER.
7. Type 0 (for Y center) and press ENTER.
8. Press ENTER to accept the default 0 for Z
center.
9. Click the Endpoint button on the Snap

toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for arc
start.
10. Pick the endpoint of the top 45 degree line
(indicated by Start in the figure).
The prompt line changes to: PICK endpoint for
arc end.
11. Pick the endpoint of the other 45 degree line (indicated by End in the figure).
Using the Direction Modifiers

In the previous exercise, you defined the arc counterclockwise, starting at the top and ending
at the bottom. The Direction modifiers determine which way the arc is inserted. In the
following exercise, the same arc is inserted in a clockwise direction.
EXERCISE 1. Click Oops to delete the arc you just inserted.
2. Click the Clockwise modifier button.

Arcs

4. Press ENTER to accept the values for X center, Y center and Z center.
6. Pick the endpoint of the lower 45 degree line (indicated by End in the figure on the
preceding page), then pick the top 45 degree line (indicated by Start in the figure).
Inserting an Arc with an Unknown Center

In this exercise, you draw the arc on the left side of the part as shown in the figure on the
previous page. Since there is no information given about this arc, except that it is tangent to
the three lines, you use the Center Unknown and Counterclockwise modifiers.
Did You Know ...
The Counterclockwise modifier is the default. You should get in the habit of defining arcs
this way.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part file Arc.pcii in the work area.
2. Make sure the Radius and Diameter modifiers are not highlighted.
3. Click the Center Unknown modifier button.
4. Click the Counterclockwise modifier button.
5. Click the Tangent To button on the Snap toolbar.
− The prompt line reads: PICK tangency location for arc start.
− Remember that you are defining the arc in a counterclockwise direction.
6. Pick the bottom line for the arc start.
7. Pick the top line for the arc end.
The prompt line reads: Pick tangency location
for 3rd location on arc.
In order to calculate the arc size, ProCAM
needs a third point. This point is the line on
the right.
8. Pick the line on the right, which is the radius.
The arc is inserted.
Did You Know ...

If you wanted information on the arc (e.g., radius, X start and end, Y start and end, length),
you could use the Measure Utility.

Lines
Lines
The Line command on the CAD toolbar inserts a line entity by defining the start and end of
the line.
Inserting Horizontal and Vertical Lines

EXERCISE 1. Click New on the File menu.

3. Click the Horizontal Line modifier button.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for line start.
4. Position the pointer anywhere on the left side of the work area and click BUTTON 1.
A point displays to mark the location and the prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for
line end.
5. Move the pointer to the right side of the work area and click BUTTON 1.
A horizontal line displays and the point moves to mark the end of the line.
6. Move the pointer to a different location to the right of the line and click BUTTON 1.
The line keeps moving horizontally along the line you just inserted.
Did You Know ...
When drawing horizontal and vertical lines, be careful if you try to insert another line
from the endpoint of the one you just inserted. The line will keep moving along the same
path until you click BUTTON 2.
7. Click BUTTON 2 to tell ProCAM you are finished.

8. Select a different color.
9. Click the Vertical Line modifier button.
10. Position the pointer anywhere at the top of the work area and click BUTTON 1.
11. Move the pointer to the bottom of the work area and click BUTTON 1.
A vertical line displays.
12. Practice inserting horizontal and vertical lines.
Inserting a Line of a Specified Length

The Length modifier allows you to specify the length of the line to be inserted. You can use
this modifier in combination with all the other Line modifiers except the Orthogonal
modifier.
EXERCISE 1. Pick a different color.
2. Before continuing, make sure the prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for line start. If it
does not, click BUTTON 2.

Lines
3. Click the Length modifier button.

− Leave the Vertical modifier button highlighted.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER length of line.
− The Length text box is highlighted on the InfoBar tab.
5. Move the pointer near the middle of the work area and click BUTTON 1.
Because there are two ways to draw a vertical line at a given distance from a point,
ProCAM draws a vertical line up and down from where you digitized.
The prompt line reads: PICK proper direction of line.
6. Move the pointer on the top part of the line and click BUTTON 1.
ProCAM erases the bottom half of the line, leaving only the 2.5 inch vertical
line.
7. Click the Length modifier button twice to change to a different length.
− The first click turns it off, the second turns it back on.
− ProCAM displays the same prompt and InfoBar tab as in step 3.
8. Change the length and insert another line.
9. Click BUTTON 2 when done.
Inserting a Line at a Specified Angle
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Line.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
3. Click the Angle modifier button.
The prompt line reads: ENTER angle of line.
You do not have to type the degree symbol (^).
5. Click the Entity Origin button on the Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity origin for line start.
6. Pick the circle for line start.
The prompt line changes to: PICK entity origin for line end.
7. Click the Digitize button on the Snap toolbar.
8. Position the pointer outside the circle in approximately
the same location as the line shown in the figure Position pointer here
and click BUTTON 1.
and click BUTTON 1.

Lines
9. Click BUTTON 2.
Change the angle and insert the line again:
11. Click the Angle modifier button twice.

− The first time turns it off, the second time turns it back on.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER angle of line.
12. Type -60 and press ENTER.
13. Use the Entity Origin Snap command again and pick the circle for the entity origin
for line start.
14. For the end, use the Digitize Snap command.
15. Position the pointer inside the circle in approximately the same location as the line
inserted in the previous exercise and click BUTTON 1.
16. Click BUTTON 2.
The line is drawn at the
same angle. The only
difference is the way the
angle was defined.
Depending on how a
print is dimensioned, you
may find it easier to
define angles as negative
numbers as shown in
these figures.
Counterclockwise Clockwise
Positive Numbers Negative Numbers
Inserting a Perpendicular Line

EXERCISE 1. Click the New button on the File toolbar to clear the work area.
If you have a part open, do not save the changes in the work area.

Lines
3. Insert intersecting lines as shown on the right.

4. Click the Perpendicular modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st line to be
perpendicular to.
5. Pick one of the lines.
The prompt line reads: PICK 2nd line to be
perpendicular to (button 2 if none).
6. Pick the second line.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for line start.
8. Pick the endpoint of one of the lines.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for line end.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER length of line.
− On the InfoBar tab, the Length text box is highlighted.
− The prompt line reads: PICK entity to keep.
− ProCAM inserts two lines perpendicular to the first line at the endpoint selected. You
must decide which of the two lines to keep.
11. Pick the top line.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for line start.
12. Pick the endpoint of one of the lines.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity to keep.
13. Pick the entity to keep.
This process is repeated until you select a new toolbar button.

Polygons
Polygons
The Polygon command on the CAD toolbar allows you to insert boxes, rectangles,
octagons, etc. A polygon can have from three sides up to whatever number of sides you
need. The most common use for this command is to draw squares and rectangles.
Inserting a Polygon with Known Corners

The Corner Points modifier allows you to insert a polygon by defining two points at opposite
corners. These corners can have known X and Y positions or you can use any of the Snap
commands to define the corners. Typically, this modifier is used for inserting squares and
rectangles. When you use the Corner Points modifier, the polygon is inserted in the current
Cplane only. To insert a polygon on a plane other than the current construction plane, use the
Three Point Definition modifier.
EXERCISE Insert a simple rectangle with known X,Y coordinates in Cplane 1 Top at a Z depth of -3":
1. Click the New button on the File toolbar to clear the work area.
2. Click the Polygon button on the CAD toolbar.
The Corner Points modifier button is highlighted. This is the default.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate for 1st location on box.
4. Press ENTER three times to accept the default 0 for X, Y and Z start.
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate for 2nd location on box.
6. For the Y coordinate for the second location, type 5 and press ENTER.
7. For the Z coordinate for the second location, type 0 and press ENTER.
A 6" by 5" rectangle is inserted in the Top Cplane.
Did You Know ...
If you specify a value other than 0 for the Z coordinate for the second location, a
three-dimensional box is inserted.
Inserting a Polygon with Three Known Points

The Three Point Definition modifier allows you to insert a four-sided polygon in the current
Cplane or in 3D space. The first two locations are defined as the side of the polygon. The
third location represents a perpendicular vertical distance from the first side of the polygon.
EXERCISE Insert a rectangle with known X,Y,Z corner coordinates in 3D space:
1. Open the part file Polygon.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is

Polygons

3. Click the Three Point Definition modifier
button.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for
1st location on box.

toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for 1st
location on box.
5. Pick PT1 (lower left front point of box).
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for 2nd
location on box.
6. Pick PT2 (lower right front point of box).
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for 3rd
location on box.
7. Click the Midpoint button on the Snap

toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK midpoint for 3rd
location on box.
8. Pick PT3 (upper left top line of box).
ProCAM inserts a rectangular polygon in 3D
space whose horizontal side passes through the
first two locations and whose vertical height is
determined by the third location.
Using the Inscribed and Circumscribed Modifiers

2. Click the Circle button on the CAD toolbar and insert a 2" diameter circle at
X0,Y0,Z0.
4. Click the Center Known modifier button to highlight it.
5. Make sure the Inscribed modifier button is highlighted.

Polygons
6. Click the Diameter modifier button to highlight it.

The prompt line reads: ENTER polygon diameter.
8. For the location of the polygon, click the Entity Origin Snap command to put the
polygon at the same center as the 2" circle.
9. Pick the circle.
ProCAM inserts the polygon inside the defined diameter.
10. Click the Circumscribed modifier button.
11. Pick the circle again to insert another polygon at the same
center.
ProCAM inserts the second polygon outside
the defined diameter.
Changing the Number of Sides

EXERCISE 1. Continue using the geometry in the work area.
2. Leave the Circumscribed modifier highlighted.

3. On the InfoBar tab, highlight the # Sides text box.
The prompt line reads: ENTER number of sides.
5. Pick the circle again for the Entity Origin.
A triangle is inserted at the same location as the circumscribed four-sided polygon.
Changing the Angle

EXERCISE The Angle parameter determines where the first corner of the polygon is located. The default
value is 45 degrees.
1. Click the New button on the File toolbar to clear the work area.
3. Click the Center Known modifier button.
4. Click the Diameter modifier button.
The prompt line reads: ENTER polygon diameter.
5. Press ENTER to accept the 2.0000" diameter.
6. Double-click the # Sides text box on the InfoBar tab to highlight it.

Polygons

− The prompt line reads: ENTER angle of 1st vertex.
− The first vertex is the angle of the first corner of the polygon.
10. Press ENTER three times to accept the default (0.0000") for X center, Y center and Z center.
A six-sided polygon is inserted with sides at a 35 degree angle.

11. Click the Zoom All button.
Insert another polygon at a different angle:

12. Click BUTTON 2.
13. Change the color.
14. Double-click the Angle text box on the InfoBar tab.

17. Press ENTER twice to accept the default (0.0000") for X center
and Y center.
Another polygon is inserted at the same location with sides at
a 25 degree angle.
Using the Length Modifier

The Length modifier refers to the length of the polygon sides.
3. Click the Center Known modifier button.
6. Highlight the # Sides text box on the InfoBar tab.
8. Click BUTTON 2.
9. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar and
insert the polygon at X0,Y0,Z0.
ProCAM inserts a six-sided polygon with each side 2" in
length.

Splines
Splines
The Spline command on the CAD toolbar allows you to insert a spline entity through a
series of points. In mathematical terms, a spline curve is a continuous curve comprising
several polynomial segments.
Splines can be inserted using either of these types of curves: parametric or NURBS
(Nonuniform Rational B-Spline). A parametric curve is defined by locations on the curve. A
NURB curve is defined by control points.
Once a spline is inserted, it is treated just like any other entity. For example, you can edit,
move and mirror a spline.
Inserting a Parametric Spline
EXERCISE Open the part file Spline1.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
1. Click the Spline button on the CAD toolbar.
2. Leave the Parametric modifier highlighted.
3. Leave the Digitize modifier button highlighted.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for spline point.
4. Click the Endpoint button on the
Snap toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for
spline point.
5. Pick each inside endpoint of the spiral
lines from the lowest to the highest in
order.
The points at each selected endpoint
represent the nodes of the spline.
6. Click BUTTON 2 after the last point is
selected.
A parametric spline is inserted through
the endpoints selected.
7. Pick each outside endpoint of the spiral
lines from the lowest to the highest in
order, then click BUTTON 2.
A parametric spline is inserted through
the endpoints.

Splines
Inserting a NURB Spline

Using the Define NURBS Points Modifier
EXERCISE Open the part file Spline2.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
2. Click the NURBS modifier button.
3. Click the Define NURBS Points modifier button.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for point on NURB spline.
toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for point
on NURB spline.
5. Pick each point labeled 1 - 5 in order.
The point at each endpoint represents the node
of the spline.
6. Click BUTTON 2 after the last point is selected.
A NURB spline is inserted through the selected
points.
Using the Define Control Points Modifier
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part file Spline2.pcii in the work area.
3. Click the Layers tab at the bottom of the Part Manager.

4. Right click anywhere on the Layers tab and select Create New on the shortcut menu.
5. In the Layers dialog box, define Layer 2 - NURB Ctl Pts, turn off Layer 1, then click OK.
8. Leave the Define Control Points modifier button highlighted.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for control point of NURB spline.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for control point of NURB spline.
10. Pick the first point labeled 1.
On the InfoBar tab, the Weight text box is highlighted and the prompt line reads: ENTER
spline weight.

Splines
11. Press ENTER to accept the default weight of 1.

If the Weight text box has a different value, type 1, then press ENTER.
The weight is a magnitude at the different control points. The range of weights is from 1
to 9999. The larger the weight, the closer the spline comes to the control point (the
sharper the curvature). The lower the weight, the further away the spline is from the
control point (the larger, more gentle the curvature).
12. Pick the remaining points labeled 2-5 in order, pressing ENTER to accept the weight of 1
for each control point.
13. Click BUTTON 2.
A NURB spline is inserted passing through the first and last points. The curvature is
controlled by the other control points.
14. Click the Layers tab at the bottom of the Part
Manager and turn on Layer 1.
15. Compare the two splines.
17. Right click anywhere on the Layers tab in the
Part Manager and select Create New on the
shortcut menu.
18. In the Layers dialog box, define Layer 3,
Splines #3.
19. Turn off Layer 1 and Layer 2, then click OK.
20. Insert another NURB spline through Control
Points using the following weights:
PT 1 = 1
PT 2 = 10
PT 3 = 1
PT 4 = 99
PT 5 = 1
21. Click BUTTON 2 after the last weight is
entered.
A NURB spline is inserted passing through
the first and last points.
22. Click the Layers tab at the bottom of the
Part Manager and turn on Layer 2.
23. Notice the effect the larger weights have on
the NURB spline curvature at control points
2 and 4.

Splines
Inserting Splines From a File

You can insert a spline from an ASCII text file. The format for the text file is X coordinate,
comma, Y coordinate, comma, Z coordinate (e.g., 1.25,2.7532,3.1). Do not include the letters
X, Y and Z in the file.
Inserting a Parametric Spline From a File
EXERCISE Insert two three-node parametric splines from a file:
1. Open the part file Spline3.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
3. Leave the Parametric modifier highlighted.
4. Click the Digitize modifier button.
The modifier changes to From a File
and the Open Spline File dialog box
displays with a list of text files. Spline text
files are located by default in the
\procad\txt folder. Open this folder if it is
not the current folder.
5. Select SPL3D2.TXT in the list, then click
Open.
ProCAM displays points at the locations of
the X,Y,Z coordinates listed in the file.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate
for spline point.
If there were more points for the spline,
you could input them now.
6. Click BUTTON 2 to tell ProCAM you are
finished entering spline points.
ProCAM inserts the spline.
After a spline has been inserted, you can view
and edit the nodes using the Edit utility.
7. Click the Edit button on the Utility toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity to be edited.
8. Pick anywhere on the spline.
− The nodes display.
− The prompt line reads: PICK edit point.

Splines
9. Pick one of the nodes.

− The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for new point.
− You can select a Snap command to specify a location. For this exercise, use the
Digitize Snap.
10. Pick a location in the work area.
The spline is redrawn to go through the new node position.
Inserting a NURB Spline From a File
EXERCISE Insert two three-node NURB splines from a file:
1. Open the part file Spline2.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
Do not save the changes you made in the previous exercise.
3. Click the NURBS modifier.
4. Click the Define NURBS Points
modifier button.
5. The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate
for point on NURB spline.
6. Click the From a File modifier button.

The Open Spline File dialog box displays a
listing of the text files.
7. Select the file SPL3D2.TXT and click Open.
Two NURB splines are inserted through the

coordinate data text points.
Repeat this process for NURB splines defined
through control points:
8. Click Oops twice to undo the splines
defined through NURBS points.

Splines

10. Leave the Define Control Points
modifier button highlighted.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate
for control point of NURB spline.
11. Click the From a File modifier button

and select the same file (SPL3D2.TXT).
Two NURB splines are inserted using
control points from the coordinate data text
points.

Offset Entities
Offset Entities
The Offset command on the CAD toolbar inserts an entity offset a user-specified distance
from another entity. Entities that can offset from are lines, arcs, circles, splines and cross
section entities. The inserted entity will be the same entity type as the entity selected to be
offset from (except when you offset cross section entities) and is inserted in the same
construction plane as the original entity. Offsetting cross section entities generates a
trimmed set of entities for the offset.
The offset entity can be either side of the entity being offset. You use a Snap command to
indicate the side of the entity.
Inserting an Entity Offset from a Line, Arc and Circle
EXERCISE Offset a line, arc and circle by 12mm:
1. Open the part file Entities.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
Do not save the changes you made in the previous exercise.
2. Click the Offset button on the CAD toolbar.
3. Double click the Dist off text box on the InfoBar tab to highlight the text.
The prompt line reads: ENTER distance off of line.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER offset tolerance.
− An offset tolerance value for the Tol parameter is required only when inserting a new
offset spline.
5. Press ENTER.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity for off of.
6. Pick the line.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to indicate offset side.
7. Digitize either side of the line.
A new line is inserted offset from and in the same construction plane as the original line.
8. Pick the arc and digitize to
either side, then pick the
circle and digitize to either
side.
Entities are inserted offset a
distance of 12mm from the
original entities picked.
9. Click the Oops button on the Utility toolbar three times to remove the offset entities.

Offset Entities
Inserting an Entity Offset from a Spline

EXERCISE In this exercise, you offset a spline by 12mm using the Trim and Don't Trim modifiers: The
original spline must be planar and not a 3D spline in space.
1. Continue working with the part in the work area from the previous exercise or open the
part file Entities.pcii again (do not save the changes).
2. Click the Offset button on the CAD toolbar.
3. Leave the Trim modifier highlighted. This is the default.
4. Double click the Dist off text box on the InfoBar tab to highlight the text.
The prompt line reads: ENTER distance off of line.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER offset tolerance.
− An offset tolerance value for the Tol parameter is required when inserting a new offset
spline.
6. Press ENTER to accept the default value of .025.
7. Pick the spline and digitize below the spline.
A spline is inserted offset from and in the same
construction plane as the original spline.
8. Repeat the offsets several times picking the new
spline each time.
ProCAM automatically trims and breaks a spline if
it loops back on itself.
9. Click the Oops button on the Utility toolbar several times to remove the offset
splines.
10. Repeat this exercise using the Don't Trim
modifier.
Notice that ProCAM leaves a spline untrimmed if
it loops back on itself.

Text
Text
The Text command on the CAD toolbar allows you to insert text in the work area. A font is
a style of text. You can select from 18 different TekSoft fonts or from any of the TrueType
fonts installed on your PC. An NC program can be generated for any text in the work area.
Inserting Text
Do not save the changes to the part in the work area.
2. Select Text on the menu bar.
3. Select Fonts on the menu.
The dialog box displays either the TekSoft or the TrueType font choices.
4. Select a font and click OK.
5. Click the Text button on the CAD toolbar.
The prompt line reads: ENTER text.
6. Type TekSoft and press ENTER.
Notice that the default Angle is 0 degrees. With this setting, text is inserted on a
horizontal line.
7. Double-click the Height text box, type 1 and press ENTER.
8. Type 1 (for the Width) and press ENTER.
9. Press ENTER three times to accept the default 0.00 for the X, Y and Z origin.
Did You Know ...
If the correct values are in the text boxes on the InfoBar tab, you can press ENTER to
accept these values instead of retyping them.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for text origin.
10. Click in the upper left of the work area.
The text is inserted on a horizontal line.
The text is left justified, which is the default. The justification determines where the text
is inserted in relation to the defined position. Before you insert text, you can change the
justification on the Text menu.
11. On the InfoBar tab, double click the Angle text box.
12. Type 45 and click BUTTON 2.
13. In the work area, digitize a location to the right of the horizontal text.
The text is inserted at a 45 degree angle.

Text
14. Change the Angle to 135 and digitize a location to the right of the 45 degree angle text.
0 degrees 45 degrees 135 degrees
Picking Text
The text string that you type on the InfoBar tab is inserted as one entity. When you pick the
text entity to modify or cut it, you have to pick only once. The complete text string is picked.
EXERCISE 1. Click the Measure button on the Utility toolbar.
2. Pick the horizontal TekSoft in the lower left corner of the text.
The prompt line indicates the entity is text and the InfoBar tab
displays information about the angle, size and location of the text
entity.
The X0,Y0,Z0 location is at the lower left corner. If you want to Move, Rotate, Scale,
etc., pick this location when ProCAM prompts you to pick the entity. Even if you use
right or center justification, the text origin is still at the lower left corner of the text.

Cross Hatching
Cross Hatching
The Cross Hatch command on the CAD toolbar allows you to insert cross hatching into a
drawing. Cross hatching is a pattern of lines designed to give an effect of shading or
highlighting to an area. Any enclosed area of a drawing can be cross hatched, including
circles, polygons and triangles. You can use cross hatching to designate cut-away sections
and different parts or materials in a CAD drawing.
Inserting Cross Hatching

EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Cross1.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
2. Click the Cross Hatch button on the CAD toolbar.
− The prompt line reads: PICK entities to cross hatch (button 2 when done).
− Distance and Angle display in the InfoBar tab. These are the cross hatch parameters.
3. Click the Select Pattern modifier.
The Pattern dialog box shows the selection of patterns.
The first pattern is the default.
4. Click OK to exit the dialog box.
5. Leave the Every Other Island modifier
highlighted.
This modifier cross hatches every other island that is
encountered (like a donut and hole). The outermost
selected entities, excluding the first level of internal
entities, are cross hatched.
6. Double click the Distance text box, type 6 and press
ENTER.
The prompt line reads: ENTER cross hatch angle.
7. Press ENTER to accept the default 0.000.
With an angle of 0 degrees, the pattern will be inserted as
shown in the Pattern dialog box.
8. Click BUTTON 2.
9. Window pick all the entities and click BUTTON 2.
The cross hatching is inserted on the part.
10. Click the Oops button on the Utility toolbar.
After you click BUTTON 2, you can click Oops to remove
the cross hatching until you select another command.

Cross Hatching
11. Click the Ignore Inside Islands modifier.

This modifier inserts cross hatching that ignores all inside
islands. All selected entities, including all internal entities,
are cross hatched.
12. Click BUTTON 2.
− You did not have to pick the entities again because they
remain picked after you click Oops.
− The cross hatching is inserted as shown in the figure on
the right.
13. Click Oops.
14. Click the Outermost Entities modifier.
This modifier cross hatches only the outermost entities that
are encountered. Only the area between the outermost
boundary and the first encountered island are cross
hatched.
15. Click BUTTON 2.
The cross hatching is inserted as shown in the figure on the
right.
16. Click Oops.
17. Click the Select Pattern modifier.
18. In the Pattern dialog box, select a different pattern and click OK.
Note that you can also double-click the pattern.
19. Try inserting the cross hatch with different patterns.
20. When you are finished, change the Pattern back to the default (the first pattern) as shown
in the Pattern dialog box on the previous page.
Using the Break Utility Before Cross Hatching

EXERCISE In this exercise, you cross hatch a side view. To cross hatch this part, some of the lines need
to be broken.
1. Open the part file Cross2.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
3. Set the Distance to .125 and use the default 0 degree angle.
4. Leave the Every Other Island modifier highlighted.

Cross Hatching
5. Window pick the part and click BUTTON 2.

The cross hatch looks like the figure on the right. ProCAM finds the
places to insert the cross hatch across every other entity. To avoid this,
you can break the lines. Then, you select only the entities you want to
be cross hatched.
6. Click the Oops button on the Utility toolbar.
7. Click the Break button on the Utility toolbar.

The prompt line reads: PICK entity to break.
8. Pick the left horizontal line.
The prompt line reads: PICK intersection for break location.
9. Click the Endpoint button on the Snap toolbar and pick each
of the horizontal lines as shown in the figure.
10. Click BUTTON 2.
11. Pick the right vertical line.
12. Pick the horizontal intersections, then click BUTTON 2.

Cross Hatching
14. Window pick the lines shown in the figure on the right, then click
BUTTON 2.
The cross hatching is inserted.
15. Window pick the same lines at the bottom, then click BUTTON 2.
16. Pick the lines shown as dotted in the figure on the right.
In this step, you pick individual lines. These lines form a boundary
within which the cross hatch is inserted.
Do not pick
these 2 lines
17. Click BUTTON 2.

The part is cross hatched as shown in the figure on the right.

Chapter 3 Drawing in 3D
This chapter explains basic drawing procedures for locating entities on different planes in 3D
space.
Drawing in 3D 3-1
Locating Entities in 3D Space

Inserting entities involves determining what type of entity is going to be inserted, the size of
the entity and where the entity is located.
The location of an entity is defined by the following:
• A two-dimensional construction plane called the Cplane.
The construction plane may lie anywhere in 3D space at any orientation. ProCAM
provides 8 permanent Cplanes. The permanent Cplanes are described as top, front, right,
left, bottom, etc. You can also define up to 256 Cplanes.
• The X,Y,Z position of the entity relative to the coordinate system's origin point (0,0,0)
and axis direction.
ProCAM provides two choices for coordinate system (called Axis Mode): World
Coordinate System (WCS) and User Coordinate System (UCS). Both of these coordinate
systems provide a default origin point for each Cplane. To make drawing easier, you can
offset (move) the origin for a given Cplane.
These concepts are explained in the following exercises.
The Basics of Views and Cplanes
In this exercise, you use the Polygon command to insert a 5" x 5" x 5" (127mm x 127mm x
127mm) cube. This is a procedure you will use frequently in ProCAM to draw stock on a
part.
EXERCISE 1. Click the New button on the File toolbar or Select New on the File menu.
If you have entities in the work area, a message box displays asking whether you want to
save the changes. Click No.
2. Make sure the current Cplane and
the View are 1 Top.
Cplane View
5. Follow the instructions on the prompt line and enter the following values:
− X start = 0 X end = 5 (127)
− Y start = 0 Y end = 5 (127)
− Z start = 0 Z end = -5 (-127)
− Note that in these exercises, the English Decimal values are listed first followed by
the Metric Decimal values in parentheses.
6. If the polygon does not display in the work area, click the All button on the bottom right
side of the window.
3-2 Drawing in 3D
7. Change the View to 7 ISO 1.

A cube displays in the work area.
Points to Remember
There are important terms and concepts that you must
understand in order to draw in 3D:
• The current View of the cube you have just drawn is ISO
1. If you were to place the cube on a glass table and walk
around it looking at the top, sides and bottom of the cube,
this would be your view.
• In order to place entities on the cube, you need to select
the correct side (called the Cplane) and the depth.
• The View and Cplane function independently of each other. For example, you can be
viewing the part in 7 ISO 1 View while inserting entities on the Front Cplane.
Changing the Axis Mode and Origin Offset

ProCAM provides two choices for Axis Mode:
− World – Using the right hand rule, X, Y and Z are in a fixed location and will always
point in the same direction (changing the Cplane does not effect the screen axis). X0,
Y0, and Z0 are absolute and never change.
− UCS – the X, Y and Z axes are always normal to the current plane with positive Z
axis ALWAYS pointing at you (coming out of the screen). Changing the Cplane will
change the screen axis.
To make drawing easier, you can also use an origin offset in conjunction with the Axis
Mode. In the following exercises, you will work with four combinations of Axis Mode and
origin offset.
In this exercise, you insert a 2" (50.8mm) diameter circle in the center of the top, front and
right sides (Cplanes) of the cube and learn how the axis affects the way you insert entities.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the cube in the work area.

2. Select Axis on the Setup menu.
3. In the Axis dialog box, make sure World is selected for Axis Mode, then click OK.
When you insert the circles in the following steps, notice how you must keep track of the
following:
• Where the axis is in conjunction with where you want entities inserted.
• The positive and negative direction.
Insert a circle on the top of the cube:
4. Change the color so you can see the circles better.
5. Make sure the Cplane is 1 Top and the View is 7 ISO 1.
Drawing in 3D 3-3

7. Select the following modifiers:
Known Center and Diameter
8. Type 2 (50.8) for the Diameter and press ENTER.
10. Follow the prompt line and enter the following values:
− X center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Y center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Z center = 0
Insert a circle on the front of the cube:
11. Change the Cplane to 2 Front.
− X center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Y center = 0
− Z center = -2.5 (-63.5)
Insert a circle on the right side of the cube:
13. Change the Cplane to 5 Right.
− X center = 5 (127)
− Y center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Z center = -2.5 (-63.5)
15. Click the Erase button on the Utility toolbar and delete the 3 circles.
EXERCISE Insert the circles using the WCS with an origin offset:
When you insert the circles in the following steps, notice that using an origin offset is
somewhat easier than using only the WCS because the offset allows you to work on a 2D
plane.
1. Set the Cplane to 1 Top and the View to 7 ISO 1.
2. Insert the circle on the top the same way as the previous exercise:
− X center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Y Center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Z Center = 0
4. Select Cplane on the View menu, then select Offset on the cascading menu.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for new origin.
3-4 Drawing in 3D
5. Pick the lower left corner of the front Cplane.

The axis moves to the new location.
6. Insert the circle using the following values:
− X center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Y center = 0
− Z center = 2.5 (63.5)
8. Offset the origin to the lower left corner of the right side.
Notice the axis is all positive.
− X center = 0
− Y center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Z center = 2.5 (63.5)
EXERCISE Insert the circles using UCS without an origin offset (as if you were drawing in 2D):
When you insert the circles in the following steps, notice how the axis changes when you
change to a different Cplane. Using the right hand rule, the axis always changes to positive
X, positive Y and positive Z comes out toward the Cplane.
1. Click the New button on the File toolbar.

Do not save the cube in the work area.
2. Insert a 5" x 5" x –5" (127mm x 127mm x –127mm) cube (if necessary, see the steps on
page 1-2).
You need to draw a new cube in order to clear the previous offsets.
3. Select Axis on the Setup menu and change the Axis Mode to UCS.
6. Insert a 2" (50.8mm) diameter circle using the following values:
− X center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Y center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Z center = 0
− X center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Y center = -2.5 (-63.5)
− Z center = 0
Drawing in 3D 3-5

− X center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Y center = -2.5 (-63.5)
− Z center = 5 (127)
11. Click the Erase button on the Utility toolbar and delete the circles.
EXERCISE Insert the circles using UCS with origin offset (as if you were drawing in 2D):
When you insert the circles in the following steps, notice that using the UCS with the origin
offset is the easiest way to draw in the 3D system.

2. Insert the circle on the top the same way as the previous exercise (X center = 2.5
(63.5), Y Center = 2.5 (63.5), Z Center = 0).
4. Select Cplane on the View menu, then select Offset on the cascading menu.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for new origin.
5. Pick the lower left corner of the front Cplane.
The axis moves to the new location.
− X center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Y center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Z center = 0
8. Offset the origin to the lower left corner of the right side.
− X center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Y center = 2.5 (63.5)
− Z center = 0
3-6 Drawing in 3D
Depth and 2D/3D Mode

When you are inserting entities on a Cplane, the 2D/3D Mode and
Depth settings on the InfoBar tab work together to determine where
the entities are inserted in relation to the Cplane.
• If you use a Snap command other than Digitize:
− In 2D Mode, entities are inserted at the current Depth.
− In 3D Mode, the Depth is not used.
• If you use the Digitize Snap command, the entities are inserted on the Cplane at the
current Depth. Digitizing ignores the 2D/3D Mode.
Using Endpoint Snap with Depth and 2D/3D Mode
In the following exercises, you insert entities using the Endpoint Snap command to see how
the interaction of the Depth and 2D/3D Mode affects where the entities are inserted.
The table below summarizes where entities are inserted when using a Snap command other
than Digitize:
If the Depth is and the Mode is the entity
0 3D snaps to the location you picked.
-1" (-25.4mm) 3D snaps to the location you picked.
0 2D snaps to the location you picked at a depth of 0 (on the
Cplane).
-1" (-25.4mm) 2D snaps to the location you picked at a depth of -1"
(-25.4mm) from the Cplane.
EXERCISE Insert circles in 3D mode using the Endpoint Snap command:

1. Insert a 5" x 5" x -5" (127mm x 127mm x -127mm) cube.
3. Change the Axis Mode to UCS.
4. Change the Cplane to 2 Front and the View to 7 ISO 1.
5. On the InfoBar tab, make sure the Depth is 0.00 and the 2D/3D Mode button is labeled
3D.
7. Select the Known Center modifier.
8. Select the Diameter modifier.
9. Type 5 (127) for the Diameter and press ENTER.
Drawing in 3D 3-7
Endpoint 2 Endpoint 1
11. Pick the upper right back corner of the cube (labeled
Endpoint 1 in the figure), then pick the upper left front
corner (labeled Endpoint 2 in the figure).
The circles are inserted at the endpoints you picked.
13. Double-click the Depth text box on the InfoBar tab,
change the Depth to -1 (-25.4), press ENTER, then
click BUTTON 2.
14. Pick the same two corners.
The circles are inserted at the same location as the
first circles. The Depth is not used.
EXERCISE Insert circles in 2D Mode using the Endpoint Snap command:

2. Change the Depth to 0, press ENTER, then click BUTTON 2.
3. Click the 2D/3D Mode button to change the mode to 2D.
4. Pick the same two corners. 3D mode snaps
The circles are snapped to the to location
endpoints at a depth of 0. Notice
the difference between the
location of the circles inserted in
3D mode in the previous
exercise.
2D mode
snaps to depth

6. Change the Depth to -1 (-25.4), press ENTER, then click BUTTON 2.
7. Pick the same two corners.
The circles are inserted off the Front Cplane at a depth of -1 (-25.4).
8. Click the Oops button until ProCAM beeps (to remove all the circles).
3-8 Drawing in 3D
Using Digitize with the Depth and 2D/3D Mode

In these exercises, you insert entities using the Digitize Snap command to see how the
interaction of the Depth and 2D/3D Mode affects where the entities are inserted. The table
below summarizes where entities are inserted when using the Digitize Snap command:
If the Depth is and the Mode is The entity
0 3D digitizes to the location you picked at a depth of 0 (on
the Cplane).
-1" (-25.4mm) 3D digitizes to the location you picked at a depth of –1"
(25.4mm) from the Cplane.
0 2D digitizes to the location you picked at a depth of 0 (on
the Cplane).
-1" (-25.4mm) 2D digitizes to the location you picked at a depth of –1"
(25.4mm) from the Cplane.
When using the Digitize Snap, the Depth is always active. The 2D/3D Mode button is not in
effect.
EXERCISE Insert circles in 2D Mode using the Digitize Snap command:

1. Select a different color from the color of the cube.
2. Change the Cplane and the View to 2 Front.
3. Select View on the menu bar, then select Zoom Views.
4. Change the Depth to 0, press ENTER, then click BUTTON 2.
5. Make sure the 2D/3D Mode button is labeled 2D.
7. Select the Known Center modifier.
8. Select the Diameter modifier.
9. Type 1 (25.4) for the Diameter and press ENTER.
10. Click the Digitize button on the Snap toolbar.
11. Pick two locations in the polygon.
12. Change to View 5.
Notice the circles are inserted on the Front Cplane.
Drawing in 3D 3-9

14. Change the View to 2 Front.
15. Change the Depth to -1 (-25.4), press ENTER, then click
BUTTON 2.
16. Insert 2 circles in the polygon.
17. Change to View 5.
The circles are inserted off the Front Cplane at a depth
of -1" (-25.4mm) as shown in the figure on the right.
EXERCISE Insert circles in 3D Mode using Digitize Snap command:
1. Click Oops several times to remove all the circles.

2. Change the 2D/3D Mode to 3D.
3. Repeat the steps in the previous exercise to insert circles at 0 and -1 (-25.4) depths.
The circles are inserted at depths of 0 and -1" (-25.4mm) respectively.
3-10 Drawing in 3D
For More Practice
For More Practice

In this exercise, you practice drawing in 3D by drawing the house shown on the right. You
need to create a new Cplane in order to put the skylight on the roof.
Use the dimensions in the following figures to draw the house. For more practice, you can
add your own features (e.g., chimney, doorknob, window panes, shutters).
First, draw the house geometry using

the dimensions in the figure on the
right.
Drawing in 3D 3-11
For More Practice
Draw the entities on the sides of the

house using the dimensions in the
figures.
Remember to change the Cplane for each
side.
Use UCS Axis Mode with the origin
offset at the lower left corner for each
Cplane.
Change the color for each Cplane.
To draw the sidewalk, change the Cplane
to 1 Top and digitize a spline from the
endpoint of one side of the front door at
a depth of -4".
Then, copy the spline to the endpoint of
the other side of the door.
Front Cplane
Right Cplane
3-12 Drawing in 3D
For More Practice
Back Cplane
Left Cplane
Drawing in 3D 3-13
For More Practice
In order to draw the skylight in the roof, you need to define a new Cplane as explained
below. Note that if you need more information on defining Cplanes, see the ProCAM II
Getting Started Guide.
• Set the View to 7 ISO 1 for picking purposes on this part (the current Cplane and View
do not affect the new Cplane).
• Select Cplane on the View menu, then select Create on the cascading menu.
• Use the 3 Coordinates modifier.
• Use the Endpoint Snap.
• For the endpoint of the Cplane origin, pick the lower left corner of the roof as shown in
the figure.
• For the horizontal direction, pick the right side of the horizontal line at the bottom of the
roof.
• For the vertical direction, pick the 45 degree line coming off the origin.
• For the Name, type 50.
• For the Description, type Roof.
• Keep the check mark in the Make Current View and Make Current Cplane check boxes.
Vertical direction
Cplane origin
Horizontal direction
Cplane Locations
3-14 Drawing in 3D
For More Practice
Insert the skylight on the Roof Cplane

using the dimensions on the right.
Roof Cplane
Drawing in 3D 3-15
For More Practice
3-16 Drawing in 3D
Chapter 4 Dimensions
After you have completed a part, you may need to use the dimensioning function to add
annotations. This chapter explains how to insert dimensions and customize the appearance of
the dimensions.
Dimensions 4-1
Inserting Dimensions
The Dimension command on the CAD toolbar allows you to place dimensions on a part.
The inserted dimensions can be linear (horizontal, vertical or aligned), angular, diametric, or
radial. You can also insert center lines and center marks into arcs and circles.
A series of dimensions can be:
• Chained (Incremental)
Each succeeding dimension is measured from the previous dimension.
or
• Absolute
Baseline dimensioning allows you to insert dimensions that are all referenced from a
single position without having to pick that location for each dimension. Each succeeding
dimension is inserted from the original baseline, not from the previous dimension.
Baseline dimensioning yields less tolerance accumulation between the first inserted
dimension and the last.
Coordinate dimensioning allows you to insert dimensions from a datum zero with a
single extension line.
Chained Dimensioning
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Dim1.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
2. Select Dimension Arrow on the Options menu.
3. In the Dimension Arrows dialog box, if the 2nd Arrow Size is set to 0.000, change the
value to 0.1800, then click OK.
You will learn more about the options in this dialog box in the exercise on page 4-14.
4. Click the Dimension button on the CAD toolbar.
5. If the Horizontal Dimension modifier is not highlighted, click the button to turn it
on.
The Entity Select Snap button is highlighted. This is the default Snap command for
dimensioning. It allows you to dimension an entity without having to pick its endpoints.
6. At the prompt, PICK entity for 1st ext. line origin, pick the top line of the top view.
The prompt line changes to: DIGITIZE coordinate for dimension line location. ProCAM is
asking you where you want to place the dimension on the screen.
7. Position the pointer about .5" above the part and click BUTTON 1.
4-2 Dimensions
The dimension is inserted as shown in the

figure.
The prompt line remains the same.
8. Position the pointer 1.500" above the part and
click BUTTON 1 again.
The dimension text is moved to that position.
Until you click BUTTON 2, you can continue
to move the text around the work area. In
addition, you can change the text options in
the InfoBar tab, including the text and the size
of the text.
9. Click BUTTON 2 when you are finished positioning the text.
10. Click the Vertical Dimension modifier button.
11. Pick the left line.
12. At the prompt, DIGITIZE
coordinate for dimension line
location, position the pointer
about 2" away and click
BUTTON 1.
13. Click BUTTON 2.
Your part should look like the
figure.
EXERCISE You can use different Snap commands to insert dimensions. In this exercise, you dimension
the center pocket.
1. Make sure the Vertical Dimension modifier is highlighted.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for 1st ext. line origin.
3. Pick the top horizontal line of the pocket nearest the left line.
The prompt line asks you to pick the second point.
Pick the bottom horizontal line nearest the left.
4. For the text location, position the pointer about .75" away and click BUTTON 1.
5. Click BUTTON 2 to finish.
6. Click the Horizontal Dimension modifier button.
Dimensions 4-3
7. Pick the left and right lines for

the endpoints to dimension.
8. Position the pointer about 1"
above the part and click
BUTTON 1.
figure.
9. Click BUTTON 2.
EXERCISE Insert the .5000" dimension from the end point of the left vertical line to the center of one of
the small circles and dimension between the two small circles at the bottom.
1. Make sure the Horizontal Dimension modifier is still highlighted.
2. Make sure the Endpoint button on the Snap toolbar is highlighted.
3. At the prompt to pick the entity
for the first extension line, pick
the left vertical line.
4. Click the Entity Origin
Snap button.
5. Pick the lower left circle for the
2nd extension line.
6. Position the pointer below the
part and click BUTTON 1.
7. Click BUTTON 2.
8. Use the Entity Origin Snap
command and pick each small
circle at the bottom of the part
for the extension lines.
9. Position the pointer about 1.5" below and click BUTTON 1, then click BUTTON 2.
EXERCISE Insert the .3125 dimension to the edge of the circle in the figure below. This information
could be used by a machine operator on the shop floor to give a quick check of the part.
Giving an operator this type of dimension can cut down on math errors when he is trying to
figure to the edge of a hole.
1. Click the Vertical Dimension modifier button.
2. Click the Tangent Snap button.
4-4 Dimensions
3. Pick the top of the hole.

4. Click the Endpoint
Snap button.
5. Pick the end of
the top line.
6. Position the pointer to
the right of the part and
click BUTTON 1.
7. Click BUTTON 2.
EXERCISE To finish dimensioning this part, you insert the diameter value and center line of the large
circle and the diameter value of the small circle as shown in the figure above.
1. Click the Diametric Dimension modifier button.
2. Pick the large circle in the center of the part.
Remember that the text is not locked in until you click BUTTON 2. If you do not like
where the text is located, move the pointer and click BUTTON 1 again.
3. Click BUTTON 2 when you have positioned the dimension.
4. Click the Centerline Dimension modifier button and pick the large circle.
A centerline is inserted as shown in the figure above.
5. Click the Diametric Dimension modifier button and pick the lower right hole.
6. Move the text position to the desired location and click BUTTON 2.
Edit the dimension text for the small circle and add the additional text:
8. Pick near the first 0 in the dimension text for the small circle.
− If you pick incorrectly, click Oops and pick again.
− In the InfoBar tab, the text box for the Text parameter shows 0.3750".
9. Position the cursor at the end of the text and type - 4 Places.
10. Press ENTER, then click BUTTON 2.
The dimension text is updated in the work area.
11. Click BUTTON 2 to accept the change.
Dimensions 4-5
Inserting Dimension Notes

You can add dimension notes to a print using the Insert Text command.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part in the work area.
2. Click the Text button on the CAD toolbar.

Parameters display in the InfoBar tab and the cursor is positioned in the text box for the
Text parameter.
3. Type NOTE: Break All Sharp Corners and press ENTER.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for text origin.
4. Pick a location above the side view and click BUTTON 1.
The text is inserted.
5. Click BUTTON 2.
Inserting an Angle Dimension

The Angular Dimension modifier allows you to insert a dimension with the number of
degrees enclosed by an angle that is formed by two lines.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Dim2.pcii in the the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
Do not save the part in the work area.
3. Click the Angular Dimension modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity for 1st ext. line start.
4. Pick the angle line on the upper right of the part.
The prompt line asks you to pick the 2nd entity.
5. Pick the vertical line.
6. Position your cursor above the part and click BUTTON 1.
− The text is inserted.
− Remember that you can move the text simply by re-
positioning the pointer and clicking BUTTON 1 again.
7. Click BUTTON 2 when you are finished positioning the
text.
4-6 Dimensions
Setting the Number of Decimal Places and Text Size

In the previous exercise, the angular dimension is inserted with one decimal place. You can
change the number of decimal places that display for dimensions. You can also change the
text size for the dimension text. After you select the entity or entities to be dimensioned, the
text size is shown in the InfoBar tab.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part in the work area (Dim2.pcii).
2. Choose Units on the Setup menu.
In the Units dialog box, the Decimal Places option is set to 1.

3. Type 4 in the Decimal Places text box, then click OK.
4. With the Angular Dimension modifier selected, pick the first and second extension
lines for one of the angles not yet dimensioned.
The Height and Width parameters display in the InfoBar tab.
5. Highlight the Height text box.
7. Type .3 for the Width and press ENTER three times.
The dimension is inserted. Notice that the angular dimension has four decimal places and
the text is larger.
8. Change the Height and Width back to .1800 in the InfoBar tab and dimension another
angle.
Using Baseline Dimensioning
Baseline dimensioning allows you to insert dimensions that are all referenced from a single
position without having to pick that location for each dimension.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Dim1.pcii in the the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
− You used this part in the previous exercises for chained dimensioning.
− Do not save the changes to the part in the work area.
2. Select Dimension Arrows on the Options menu.
3. In the Dimension Arrow dialog box, if the 2nd Arrow Size is set to 0.000, change the
value to 0.1800, then click OK.
You will learn more about the options in this dialog box in the exercise on page 8-14.
5. Click the More Modifiers modifier button.
6. Click the Horizontal Baseline modifier button.
7. Click the Endpoint Snap button.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for 1st ext. line origin.
Dimensions 4-7
8. Pick the upper left corner of the part.

− This is where all the dimensions will be taken from.
− The prompt line changes to: PICK endpoint for 2nd ext. line origin. This is the location
you want to dimension to from the first location.
9. Pick the upper right corner (#1 in the figure on the next page).
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for dimension line location. This is where you
want the text to be located.
10. Position the pointer about 2.25" above the part and click BUTTON 1.
11. Click BUTTON 2 once.
Be careful to click BUTTON 2 only once, otherwise the
original baseline will be turned off.
The cross remains in the upper left corner marking the
original Baseline location and the prompt line is asking
you to pick for the 2nd extension line.
With baseline dimensioning, after you have told
ProCAM where to take the dimensions from, all you
have to do is pick where you want to dimension to.
12. Click the Entity Origin Snap button.
13. At the prompt to pick the entity origin for second
extension line location, pick the .375 diameter circle. (#2
in the figure).
14. Position the cursor above the part as shown in the figure
and click BUTTON 1.
16. Use Endpoint Snap and Entity Origin Snap to finish dimensioning the part as shown in
the figure.
17. To dimension the Y axis, click the Vertical Baseline modifier and use the Snap
commands to select where you want to dimension to. The datum location remains locked
until you click BUTTON 2 twice.
Turning Extension Lines On and Off

In the previous exercise, each dimension that was inserted had a left and right extension line.
This means that the left extension line actually has 6 extension lines drawn one on top of the
other.
You can turn off one or both of the extension lines after the first dimension is inserted to
prevent extra lines. To turn off extension lines, choose Dimension Attributes on the Options
menu and click the check box to remove the check mark for Right and/or Left Extension On.
For these exercises, you can leave the extension lines turned on.
4-8 Dimensions
Using Coordinate Dimensioning

Coordinate dimensioning allows you to insert dimensions from a datum zero with a single
extension line.
EXERCISE 1. Open Dim1.pcii again.

4. Click the X Coordinate Dimension modifier button.
5. Click the Endpoint Snap button.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for origin.
6. Pick the upper left corner of the part (#1 in the figure on the next page).
− A cross displays identifying the location as the datum. All dimensions will be
referenced from this single position. Each succeeding dimension will be inserted from
the datum, not from the previous dimension.
− The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for dimension line start.
7. Pick the upper left corner of the part again.
The prompt line changes to: DIGITIZE coordinate for dimension text.
8. Position the pointer about .5" above the part and click BUTTON 1.
− Coordinate dimensioning works the same as Baseline dimensioning. The datum stays
locked until you click BUTTON 2 twice.
− The datum is dimensioned as 0.00; however, the location that you pick for the datum
does not actually have to be at zero in the work area.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity origin for dimension line start.
Dimensions 4-9
11. Pick the .375 diameter circle (#2 in the figure).

ProCAM automatically puts the dimension at the
same height as the previous dimension.
12. To accept the dimension, click BUTTON 2 once.
If you wanted the text in a different position, you
would position the pointer in the new position and
click BUTTON 1. Then, click BUTTON 2. All
subsequent dimensions would be at the new height
until you change it again.
13. Dimension circles #3 and #4 the same way.
14. Use Endpoint Snap for #5, #6, and #7.
15. If you wanted to dimension the Y axis, you
would click the Y Coordinate Dimension modifier
button and use the Snap commands to select where you wanted to dimension to. The
datum location remains locked until you click BUTTON 2 twice.
EXERCISE In the following exercise, you dimension the part using Entity Origin Snap to pick the datum
location.
1. Open Dim1.pcii again.

4. Click the X Coordinate Dimension modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity origin for origin.
6. Pick the 1.500" diameter circle.
7. Pick the circle again.
This means that the dimension line will start at the center
of the circle, which is the datum.
8. Position the pointer about .5" above the part and click
BUTTON 1 for the text location.
10. Pick the upper left .375" diameter circle for the next
dimension and click BUTTON 2.
Notice that the dimension has a minus sign. Coordinate dimensioning shows the actual
location from the datum zero.
11. Dimension the .375" circle on the right.
4-10 Dimensions
Setting Dimension Attributes

ProCAM allows you to customize the way the linear, center, and angular dimensions display
on a part. There are three selections for customizing attributes. Each one works basically the
same.
• Linear Attributes
If you want to change how the linear dimensions are inserted on a part, you can specify
different 1st and 2nd tolerances, offset and extension amounts.
• Center Attributes
When you dimension a circle or arc, you can insert either a Center Mark or a Center Line
at the center. If Center Mark is selected, you can specify the Mark Size.
• Angular Attributes
The options for Angular Attributes are identical to those for Linear Attributes.
Changing Linear and Angular Attributes

EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Dim2.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
3. In the Units dialog box, type 4 in the Decimal Places text box, then click OK.
4. Choose Dimension Arrow on the Options menu.
5. In the Dimension Arrows dialog box, if the 2nd Arrow Size is 0.0, change the value to .2
and click OK.
7. Make sure the Horizontal Dimension modifier button is highlighted.
If you are continuing from the previous exercise, the second set of modifiers may be
displayed and you will not see the Horizontal Dimension modifier. Click the More
Modifiers button to return to the first set.
8. Make sure the Entity Select Snap button is highlighted.
9. Choose Dimension Attributes on the Options menu.
The Dimension Attributes dialog box displays.
10. In the Linear Attributes section, change the following:
− Type .005 for the 1st tolerance.
− Type -.005 for the 2nd tolerance. Make sure you type the minus sign, otherwise the
dimension will have two plus values.
11. Click OK.
Dimensions 4-11
12. Dimension the bottom line.

− DO NOT click BUTTON 2 yet.
− Only the 3.0000" dimension is inserted because the Tolerances On or Limits On
function has not been selected yet.
14. Click the Tolerances On option to select it, then click OK.
15. Position the pointer over the 3.0000" dimension and click BUTTON 1.
A dimension with the tolerances is inserted. Dimension with Tolerances On selected
Remember, until you click BUTTON 2 to tell
ProCAM you are done with a dimension, you can
continue to modify the dimension text.
16. Choose Dimension Attributes on the Options
menu.
17. Click the Limits On option to select it and click
OK.
18. Pick the same place on the part, then click
BUTTON 2.
The dimension should look like the figure.
19. Choose Dimension Attributes on the Options
menu.
20. In the Angular Attributes section:
Type 2.0000 for the 1st tolerance
Type -1.0000 for the 2nd tolerance
21. Click the Tolerances On option to select
it, then click OK. Dimension with Limits On selected
22. Dimension the top right angle as shown in the figure.
Changing Center Attributes
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part in the work area (Dim2.pcii).
3. Make sure the Tolerances On option is checked.
The tolerances in the Linear Attributes section should be set to .005 and -.005 from the
previous exercise.
4. In the Center Attributes section:
− Select Center Mark for the Type and use a Mark Size of .375
− Type .25 for the Extension
4-12 Dimensions
5. Click OK.
6. Click the Diametric Dimension
modifier button.
7. Dimension the large circle in the
center.
The dimension is inserted and a cross
displays in the center of the circle.
8. Dimension the circle using Limits On
and different Mark Sizes and Types.
Dimensions 4-13
Changing Dimension Arrow Styles
Changing Dimension Arrow Styles

You can change the display of the arrows, ticks and circles on a part.
Changing Arrow and Tick Sizes

EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Dim2.pcii again.
2. Choose Dimension Arrows on the Options menu.
3. In the Arrow Size section, double-click in the 1st text box.
4. Type .25 and press TAB.
5. Type .25 for the second size.
6. Click OK.
7. Insert some dimensions on the part.
8. Try dimensioning with different sizes for the arrows and ticks. An example is shown in
the figure below.
Line Type = Always Solid Arrows Out
Tick
Arrows In
Line Type =
Break
Circle
4-14 Dimensions
Customizing Dimension Text

You can customize the text that displays when a dimension is inserted.
Changing Dimension Text Options

EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Dim2.pcii again.
In the Units dialog box, the Decimal Places option is set to 1.
3. Type 4 in the Decimal Places text box, then click OK.
4. Choose Dimension Text on the Options menu.
The Dimension Text dialog box displays. Dimension text options include where the text
is placed, how the text is aligned with the dimension line and whether the unit output
symbols and abbreviations are inserted or omitted.
5. Change the options, then insert dimensions on the part.
The figure below shows how each of the options affects the dimension display.
Text on Dimension, Unit Output On
Horizontal
Aligned to
Dimension
Text in Dimension, Unit Output Off
Dimensions 4-15
4-16 Dimensions
Chapter 5 CAD Skill Builder Exercises
Before you go on to the next chapter, complete the following exercises. The parts you draw
in these exercises use the CAD commands that you have learned so far. If you need to
refresh your memory, look back to the applicable section in the previous chapters and in the
ProCAM II Getting Started Guide.
CAD Skill Builder Exercises 5-1

Exercise 1
Exercise 1
This part is drawn using
the Keyboard Snap
command and entering
the X,Y,Z coordinates for
all the lines. Insert the
lines first, then add the
chamfers and fillets.
• Click the New
button on the File
toolbar to clear the
work area.
• Click the Line
button on the CAD
toolbar.
Do not select any modifiers.
• Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.
• Start entering the X,Y,Z coordinates from the X0,Y0,Z0 position moving in a
counterclockwise direction.
Start the first line at X0,Y0,Z0 and end it at X0,Y-3,Z0. Then continue entering the
X,Y,Z coordinates.
The dimensions are to sharp corners. You will insert the fillets and chamfers later.
Click the Zoom All button in the lower right corner of the ProCAM window to position
the entire part in the viewing area.
• At the vertical line that is dimensioned 1.625, you can have ProCAM do the math to
calculate the end point: in the Y end text box, click BUTTON 1 after the -3, then type +1.625
and press ENTER.
Did You Know ...
Any mathematical equation can be entered in the InfoBar tab for any prompt that
requires a value.
• After you have inserted all the lines, insert the chamfers and fillets.
• When you finish the part, choose Save As on the File menu and save the part as
CAD1.pcii.
5-2 CAD Skill Builder Exercises

Exercise 2
Exercise 2
• Select New on the File menu to clear
the work area.
• Start drawing the part shown in the
figure from the upper left corner as
X0,Y0,Z0 and draw counterclockwise.
• Use the Line command on the
CAD toolbar.
• Use the Keyboard Snap
command to enter the coordinates.
• When you get to the line at an
angle, click the Angle modifier.
Remember, you can have ProCAM do the math for you. To enter the angle, type 90 + 30
and press ENTER.
• To end the angled line, use the Digitize Snap command and make sure it extends
slightly beyond the top of the part, then click BUTTON 2.
• Draw the top horizontal line.
Use the Horizontal Line modifier.
Use the Endpoint Snap command to start the line in the upper left corner.
Use the Digitize Snap command to extend the line beyond the line at an angle.
• Trim the top horizontal line and the angle line.
• When you finish the part, choose Save As on the File menu and save the part as
CAD2.pcii.

Exercise 3
Exercise 3
Draw the part:

• Clear the work area.
• Use the Polygon command with the Corner Points modifier and Keyboard Snap to insert
the square.
• Chamfer the four corners.
• Insert 8 circles with known X,Y,Z positions (6 circles with .500 diameters and 2 circles
with .312 diameters).
Remember, when you insert circles using Keyboard Snap, ProCAM prompts you for the
radius or diameter at each position.
• Use the Line command with Tangent To Snap for the slot in the middle of the part. Draw
the two lines tangent to the circles.
• Trim the excess parts of the circles in the slot.
• When the drawing is finished, choose Save As on the File menu and save the part as
CAD3.pcii.

Exercise 4
Exercise 4
Draw the part in the print shown above.

• Start by inserting a 1.5 radius circle at X0,Y0,Z0.
• In order to put in a radius that is not defined, you need to draw a construction line at X
6.25:
Draw a line that starts at X6.250,Y1.000,Z0 and ends at X6.250,Y-1.000,Z0.
• Draw the 10 degree lines
starting tangent to the 1.500
radius and digitize the ends out
beyond the vertical
construction line.
figure on the right.
• Draw the smaller arc using the
Arc command with the No Known Center modifier.
Do not select either the Radius or Diameter modifier.
Pick the Tangent To Snap command.
Pick the bottom line for the arc start, the top line for the arc end, and the vertical line for
the third location.
Remember, in order to calculate a radius or diameter, ProCAM requires the arc touch 3
points.
• Trim the lines and the circle.
• Erase the construction line.
CAD4.pcii.

Exercise 5
Exercise 5
• The way to approach a part like CAD5 is to insert all the circles first.
ProCAM prompts you for a circle radius at each location, so all you have to do is keep
entering the X,Y,Z locations and then the circle radius.
• Insert all the lines tangent to the circles.
• Trim all the circles.
CAD5.pcii.

Exercise 6
Exercise 6
• Start the drawing by inserting the five known circles.

• This part is similar to CAD5; however, all of the lines are not tangent to known circles.
• The left vertical line is tangent to the .600 radius, but you do not know the end point
location.
− To insert this line: use the Vertical Line modifier with the Tangent Snap to start it.
Then, use Digitize Snap to end it somewhere beyond the top of the part.
− You can repeat this step for some of the other lines on the part.
• After you have inserted all the lines, insert the fillets.
• Trim the entities that need trimming.
• When the drawing is finished, choose Save As on the File menu and save the drawing as
CAD6.pcii.

Exercise 7
Exercise 7
This drawing is similar to the previous two exercises.

• Start by inserting the circles with known centers.
• Insert the lines that are tangent to the circles.
• To insert the line that goes from the 1.125 radius up to the .500 fillet, use Tangent To and
Keyboard Snap commands.
Remember, you can always mix Snap commands for starting and ending locations.
CAD7.pcii.

Exercise 8
Exercise 8
• Note where X0,Y0 is located on this drawing. All

dimensions are given from there.
• On this drawing there are two 3.000 radius arcs with
unknown centers.
• After you pick the tangency locations for the start and
endpoint of the arc, ProCAM draws two arcs as
shown in the figure on the right.
The prompt line asks you to PICK entity to keep. When
there is more than one solution, ProCAM displays the
solutions and then prompts you to pick the one you
want to keep. After you select the one you want, the
other one is deleted automatically.
• When the drawing is finished, choose Save As on the
File menu and save the part as CAD8.pcii.

Exercise 9
Exercise 9
• This drawing requires the use of construction

lines to define arcs and circles.
You need to draw two construction lines: the first
so you have two tangent entities for the .200
radius circles and the second for the big unknown
radius at the right side of the part.
Remember, you need three points to calculate the
size of the arc.
• The big radius on the right side of the part is
similar to CAD4.
• When the drawing is finished, choose Save As on
the File menu and save the part as CAD9.pcii.

Exercise 10
Exercise 10
After you have completed
a drawing, you may need
to draw a side view. The
easiest way to accomplish
this is to use the
information already on
the screen with the Snap
commands.
EXERCISE In this exercise, you draw the part first, then the side view.
1. Draw the part shown on the left in the figure above and save it as CAD10.pcii.
To draw the side view, the first line to insert is the left side line of the side view. This line is
2" away from the top view.
3. Click the Line Off Of modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK an entity for off of.
4. Pick the right side vertical line on the part.
The prompt line changes to: ENTER distance off of line.

Exercise 10

The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for line
start.
7. Pick the top endpoint of the right vertical line.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for line
end.
8. Pick the bottom endpoint of the right vertical
line.
Two lines are inserted.
The prompt line reads: PICK proper side of line.
9. Pick the line on the right to keep.
10. Click BUTTON 2.
EXERCISE The next line to insert is the 1" depth of the pocket.
1. Click the Line Off Of modifier button twice.

The first time turns it off; the second time turns it on again so you can pick a different
line to draw off of.
2. Pick the line you just inserted for the line
to be off of.
3. Type 1 (1.000") for the distance off and
press ENTER.
4. Pick the endpoints of the line for start and
end.
5. Pick the line to the right.
6. Click BUTTON 2.
EXERCISE Draw the right side line of the side view:
1. Click the Line Off Of button twice.

2. The prompt line reads: PICK an entity for off of.
3. Pick the 1.000" line.
4. Type .5 (.500") for the distance and press ENTER.
5. Pick the endpoints.
6. Pick the line to the right, then click BUTTON 2.

Exercise 10
EXERCISE Draw the top and bottom horizontal lines:
1. Click the Line Off Of button to

turn it off.
2. Use Endpoint Snap to draw the
lines.
Your part should look like the figure.
3. Click BUTTON 2.
EXERCISE Draw the through holes in the side view:
1. Click the Horizontal Line modifier button.

2. Click the Tangent To Snap button.
The prompt line reads: PICK tangency for line start.
3. Pick the top of the 3/8" hole as shown in the figure on the next page.
4. Click the Single Intersection Snap button.
The prompt line reads: PICK intersection for line end.
5. Pick the right side line of the side view and click BUTTON 2.
A line is drawn from the circle to the line.
6. Draw the horizontal lines at the bottom of this hole and the 3/8" hole at the bottom of the
part using the same method. Remember to click the Tangent To button to start.
Endpoint Start (step 8) Tangent Start (step 3)

Single Intersection
End (step 5)
Endpoint End (step 8)
Single Intersection
End (step 7)
Tangent Start (step 7)

Exercise 10
7. Use the same procedure to draw the horizontal lines from the 1.500" circle to the 1.000"
depth line.
You could also use Endpoint Snap for the line end. Because you have the Horizontal Line
modifier picked, ProCAM would draw a horizontal line to the intersection of the
endpoint. This would accomplish the same thing as using the Single Intersection endpoint
of the pocket near the fillets to the 1.000" depth line in the side view.
8. Use Endpoint Snap to insert the
horizontal lines from the endpoint of
the pocket near the fillets to the
1.000" depth line in the side view.
9. Trim the lines so the part looks
like the figure.
10. Save the part as CAD10.pcii.

Exercise 11
Exercise 11
• The dimensions are in metric. Before you begin drawing, choose Units on the Setup
menu and change the Units Type to metric in the Units dialog box.
• Choose Axis on the Setup menu and turn on the axis lines so you can mirror the
rectangle, the 45 degree line, and the 3.40mm radius circle.
• Use the Arc command with the Known Center and Unknown Radius modifiers to put the
arcs at the end of the slot. Use the Tangent To Snap command.
• You need a construction line to put in the radius at the top of the 45 degree line.
Remember, you need three points to determine an unknown arc.
• Use the Polygon command to insert the rectangle.
• When the drawing is complete, save it as CAD11.pcii.
• Change the Units back to decimal.

Exercise 12
Exercise 12
• Draw only the tab that is at zero degrees. Draw it completely including all the fillets.
• Use the Rotate Utility with the Rotate/Copy modifier to rotate the tab to 45 degrees.
• Use the Rotate/Copy Repeat modifier for the other 3 tabs that are at 90 degree
increments.
The angle stays in the InfoBar tab. You have to change it by highlighting the Angle text
box and entering the new angle.
• Use the Trim to Cut modifier to remove the sections of the 1.000 radius circle in between
the fillets.
• When the drawing is complete, save it as CAD12.pcii.

Exercise 13
Exercise 13
In this exercise, you use many of the commands you have learned up to this point.
• Start this drawing by inserting all the lines that you can.
• Then, insert the circles.
• Use the Rotate Utility for the bolt circle.
• Insert the fillets and chamfers last. You can have any angle in chamfers, so the 60 degree
by .500 angles can be input with the Chamfer command.
• Save the part as CAD13.pcii.

Exercise 14
Exercise 14
• For the bolt hole circle holes on this part, draw 1 hole, then rotate and copy for the rest of
the holes. Remember, you can use the Entity Origin Snap command for the location to
rotate around.
• Draw 1 hole each for the .250 and 1.000 diameter holes at the location given on the print.
Then move and copy for the rest of the holes.
• Use the Entity Origin Snap command for the location to move from, then press ENTER to
get to the end of the number and add or subtract the distance to move to.

Exercise 15
Exercise 15
• To start this drawing, draw the cutout shape and holes first at X0,Y0,Z0.
You want to draw the cutout first because you can draw it using X0,Y0,Z0 as its center.
This allows you to move it using the Keyboard Snap command to move from and to, and
the .500 radius at the corner of the outside will not be in the way when you are picking
the entities to move.
• Move and copy the cutout and holes to the X,Y,Z locations.
• Rotate the cutouts to the correct angle.
• Draw the outside using the Polygon command with the Corner Points modifier. Input the
known X,Y,Z coordinates.
• Fillet the corners.

Exercise 16
Exercise 16
• The key thing to note about this print is the .406 Typical all surfaces. This means all the
dimensions not given are assumed to be .406 from the given dimensions.
• Start the part by inserting a 2.187 diameter circle at X0,Y0,Z0.
− Insert another circle at the same location that is .812 smaller.
− Remember: .406 All Surfaces.
• Draw a vertical construction line at X3.0935 (half of the 6.187). You need this for the arc
on the right.
• Draw the 10 degree lines on the right tangent to the top and bottom. End them to the right
of the vertical construction line.
• Insert a circle tangent to the two 10 degree lines and the vertical line.
− Click the Radius modifier.
− At the prompt, ENTER circle radius, click the Capture Snap and then click the Capture
Radius modifier.
− In the work area, pick the circle on the right to capture the radius information. The
Circle Radius size displays in the Radius text box in the InfoBar tab.
− Type -.406 and press ENTER. This gives you the size of the circle to insert.
− Click the Entity Origin Snap button and put the circle at the same center as the
existing circle.
• Click the Line command button and the Line Off Of modifier button.

Exercise 16
Draw a line off of the 10 degree lines top and bottom. Digitize the start and endpoints.
The fillets will automatically trim them.
• Insert the 1/8 fillets.
• Trim the 10 degree lines.
• Trim the circles so the part looks like the figure
on the right.
• Mirror the part.
• Finish trimming the big circle, then save the
part as CAD16.pcii.

Exercise 16

Chapter 6 Creating Surfaces
The information and exercises in this chapter help you understand the process to constructing
surfaces from the geometry created in ProCAM CAD or imported from another CAD
system. After you create a surface, you can modify the surface, if necessary, using the
commands on the Utility toolbar. Then, you can rough and finish machine surfaces using the
Multi-surface Machining cutting cycles to generate toolpaths and NC code for specific
machine tool controllers.
You can create the following types of surfaces:
Type Defined by . . .
Cross Section Two or more cross section entities.
Surface
Drive Curve Sweeping one or more cross section entities along a drive curve.
Surface
Surface of Rotating a cross section entity about a linear axis.
Revolution
Four-Curve Two generator curve cross section entities and two director curve
Surface cross section entities, which form the four sides of the surface.
Complex Sweeping three or more generator curve cross section entities along
Surface two or more director curve cross section entities.
Three-Curve Three cross section entities that form the three sides of the surface.
Surface
This chapter provides an overview of Surfacing and introduces you to some of the terms and
functions. An exercise guides you through the steps to create a simple Cross Section surface.
Then you learn how to generate the surfaces listed above. The Fillet Surface, Composite
Surface, Offset Surface, Blend Two Surfaces and Line Mesh Surface commands are
discussed in Chapter 8.
Creating Surfaces 6-1

Surfacing Overview
Surfacing Overview
Surfaces are similar to splines in that they are mathematical entities, which to a large degree
are often approximations of the surface. ProCAM uses complex mathematical algorithms
(equations) to smoothly blend through or drive cross section entities to generate surfaces.
Surfaces in Wire Frame Mode Surfaces in Shaded Mode
Using Cross Section Entities to Define Surfaces

The primary building blocks of surfaces are cross section
entities. A cross section entity is a complex entity (complex
means that it is made of one or more entities) that has
continuity (no breaks between connecting entities),
smoothness (no sharp corners) and direction (a start and end).
Cross section entities may be planar (situated on a flat surface)
or non-planar (situated in 3D space). Cross section entities are
used by most of the insert surface commands to define
surfaces.
Cross section entities cannot contain sharp corners. The connection from one entity in the
cross section to another must be tangential with no gaps. If entities are not tangent, you can
use the Fillet command to blend the entities together.
Surfacing Terminology
A surface is displayed as an entity with three or four boundaries (surface sides), a number of
mesh lines and a surface arrow on one corner of the surface. The terms used in surfacing are
explained on the next page.
6-2 Creating Surfaces

Surfacing Overview
Mesh Lines Patch Points
Surface Arrow
Patches
U Direction
V Direction Cross Section Entity Arrow
Term Description
Mesh Lines Mesh lines are curves crossing the surface from boundary to boundary.
Mesh lines are used only to graphically represent the surface. They do not
affect the accuracy of the surface in any way. All calculations are done to
very fine tolerances regardless of the mesh lines.
Surface Arrow The surface arrow defines the side, direction and corner to start cutting for
UV finishing cycles. It also defines where to place a fillet on intersecting
surfaces.
U and V A surface has two directions: U and V. The U and V directions run
Direction crosswise to each other across the surface and are represented by mesh
lines. Generally speaking, the U direction is the first direction defined and
the V direction is the second direction defined.
Patches Surface patches are the rectangles that are created when mesh lines cross.
Surface patches can be cut without cutting the whole surface.
Patch Points Patch points are at the intersection of mesh lines.
Cross Section Cross section entities have a direction (a start and end) and are displayed as
Entity Arrow an entity that looks like an arrow with tail feathers on the start and an arrow
on the end.

Steps to Create a Surface

The following steps are used to create a multi-surface part that can be machined in ProCAM
Multi-Surface Machining or exported:
1. Draw or open the part
2. Start Surfacing
3. Insert cross section entities
4. Select surface type and create surface
Step 1: Draw the Part or Open Part File

In addition to drawing parts in ProCAM, you can also import files that are in a number of
different formats, including DXF, DWG, IGES, x_t, x_b, CADL, sat, and sab. Surfaces can
be brought in (imported) from other systems or saved (exported) to other systems using
IGES (Initial Graphic Exchange Standard) file format. Typically, these parts are imported
from IGES files created in another CAD program. For more information on importing and
exporting IGES files, see the CAD/Surf online help.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Surface1.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
This part was drawn in ProCAM CAD and
depicts an 8" x 6" x 3" box with five
splines spaced approximately 1.5" apart.
Step 2: Start Surfacing

The Surf button on the CAD/CAM toolbar starts Surfacing.
EXERCISE 1. Click the Surf button on the CAD/CAM toolbar.
The Surf toolbar replaces the CAD toolbar. This toolbar displays the Surfacing
commands.

Step 3: Insert Cross Section Entities

The Cross Section Entity command on the Surf toolbar is used to create cross section
entities. Cross section entities are used by most of the Surf commands as the primary
building block for defining surfaces.
EXERCISE In this exercise, you insert cross section entities on five spline entities in Surface1.pcii.

2. Double-click layer 2 - Cross Sections to turn it on and make it the current layer.
While not required, it is good practice to use a different layer and color when you insert
cross section entities.
3. Click the Cross Section Entity button on the Surf toolbar.
The Chained modifier displays. This is the default boundary type and is used when
you are inserting one cross section entity by selecting each entity or each group to be
chained.
Leave the Check Breaks/Sharp Corners modifier button highlighted. When this
modifier is selected, ProCAM checks for breaks and sharp corners. If any is found, the
cross section entity is not inserted and an error message displays.
When creating surfaces, cross section entities cannot contain sharp corners. The
connection from one entity in the cross section to another must be tangential with no
gaps. If entities are not tangent, you can use the Fillet command to blend the entities
together.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity for cross section start.
4. Pick the left side of one of the outermost
splines for the cross section start, then click
BUTTON 2 (the middle mouse button).
Clicking BUTTON 2 tells ProCAM you are
finished with a particular function and you
want to go on to the next entity or select a
different command. This button also tells
ProCAM to accept the input or execute a
command.
The cross section entity direction arrow
displays starting from the end picked.
5. Pick the remaining splines making sure that the
arrow directions are the same for all.

Step 4: Create a Surface

In the exercise below, you create a lofted Cross Section surface. In this chapter, you will
learn more about Cross Section surfaces and the other types of surfaces that can be created.
EXERCISE 1. Change the color.

3. Double-click layer 3 - Lofted Surface to turn it on and make it the current layer.
4. Click the Cross Section Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
Leave the Non-Synchronized modifier button highlighted. This is the default. When
a surface is created with non-synchronized mesh lines, the entities of each opposite the
cross section entity are divided equally by distance into the number of U and V patches
required.
Most surfaces can be created with the mesh lines either synchronized or non-
synchronized depending on what the design requirements are and what the final
manufactured part should look like.
5. Double click in the V Patch input box on the InfoBar tab.
This parameter determines the number of mesh lines.
The prompt line reads: PICK cross section for the surface (button 2 if done).
7. Pick the cross section entity arrows
starting at the lower edge and picking
each arrow in order.
A lofted surface (composed of three or
more cross section entities) is created.
The figure on the right shows the
surface in Shaded mode. If your
surface displays in wire frame,
press S on the keyboard.
The surface arrow defines the side,
direction and corner to start cutting for Surface Arrow
UV finishing. It also defines the side
of the surface to place a fillet on
intersecting surfaces.
9. Press W on the keyboard to change the surface display to wire frame.

In wire frame mode, mesh lines are

Surface Patch
used to graphically represent the
surface. They do not affect the
accuracy of the surface. All
calculations are done to very fine
tolerances regardless of the mesh
lines.
Surface patches are the rectangles
created when surface lines cross.
Surface patches can be cut without
cutting the entire surface.
10. In the Surface Display dialog box, Mesh Line
check the Shaded option again.
11. Click OK to close the dialog box.
Did You Know ...

You can switch the surface display quickly between Wire Frame and Shaded mode:
make sure the focus is in the work area (click in the work area), then press the W and S
keys on the keyboard.

Cross Section Surface

The Cross Section Surface command on the Surf toolbar is used to create a surface defined
by blending two or more cross section entities. The three common types of surfaces that can
be created by this command are plane, ruled and lofted surfaces.
Creating a Plane Surface

EXERCISE 1. Choose New on the File menu.
2. On the InfoBar tab in the Part Manager, make sure the Depth is set to 0.00.
5. Make sure the Corner Points modifier button is highlighted.
6. Use the Keyboard Snap and insert the polygon at coordinates (-3,-3,0) to (3,3,0).
7. Click the Surf button on the CAD/CAM toolbar.
8. Change the color on the System toolbar.

10. Right click on the Layers tab and select Create New on the shortcut menu.
11. In the Layers dialog box, define a new layer for the cross section entities and make that
layer the current layer, then click OK.
13. Insert cross section entities on the two horizontal sides of the polygon.
Make sure the cross section entity
directions are the same direction.
15. Click the Layers tab, create

a new layer for the cross section
surface and make that layer
current.

16. Click the Cross Section Surface

button on the Surf toolbar.
17. Pick the two cross section entities.
18. Click BUTTON 2.
The plane surface is generated. The
figure on the right shows the surface
in wire frame mode. You can toggle
between wire frame and shaded
display using the W and S keys on
the keyboard.
Creating a Ruled Surface

Create a truncated cone ruled surface:
EXERCISE 1. Choose New on the File menu.
Do not save the drawing in the work area.

2. On the System toolbar, make sure the View is 7 ISO 1 and the Cplane is 1 Top.
3. Insert two circles with known centers and diameters:

− The first circle has a 4" diameter and the center at (0,0,0).
− The second circle has a 7" diameter and the center at (0,0,-5).

8. In the Layers dialog box, create a new layer for the cross section entities and make that
layer current, then click OK.
9. Click the Cross Section Entity button on the Surf
toolbar.
10. Insert cross section entities on the two circles.
Make sure the cross section entity directions are the
same direction.
12. Click the Layers tab.

13. Right click on the Layers tab and select Create New on
the shortcut menu.
14. Create a new layer for the cross section surface and
make that layer current, then click OK.

15. Click the Cross Section Surface button on the

Surf toolbar.
16. Pick the two cross section entities.
17. Click BUTTON 2.
A truncated cone ruled surface is generated. The
figure on the right shows the surface in shaded mode.
You can toggle between wire frame and shaded
display using the W and S keys on the keyboard.

Drive Curve Surface
Drive Curve Surface

The Drive Curve Surface command on the Surf toolbar is used to create a surface defined
by sweeping one or more cross section entities along a drive curve. Optionally, a director
curve can be used to direct the orientation of the cross section entities about the drive curve.
The cross section entities to be swept along the drive curve must be created in the XY plane
or Cplane 1 Top at any depth in the work plane. The drive curve and director curve (if
applicable) can be oriented anywhere in space.
Creating a Surface with One Cross Section Entity

In this exercise, you create a swept drive curve surface defined by one cross section entity
and without a director curve.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Drive Curve Surface.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The
default path is \Program Files\procamii200x\procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf.
This part was drawn in CAD and
depicts an 8" x 6" x 2" box, five
cross section entities with
attachment points, and a drive
curve.
2. Click the Surf button on the
CAD/CAM toolbar.
3. Click the Drive Curve
Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
4. Leave the Non-Synchronized
modifier button highlighted. This
is the default.
The prompt line reads: PICK drive
curve for surface.
5. Pick the drive curve.
− A drive curve defines how the cross section entities will be swept (i.e., moved along
the drive curve in their original orientation or in an orientation modified by a director
curve). A drive curve cross section entity, created using the Cross Section Entity
command, contains one or more lines, arcs and splines connected end-to-end. A drive
curve can be planar (situated on a flat surface) or non-planar (situated in 3D space).
− The node points are highlighted.
− The prompt line reads: PICK director curve for surface (button 2 if none).
6. Click BUTTON 2 (you are not using a director curve).
The prompt line reads: PICK cross section for surface.

Drive Curve Surface
7. Pick the cross section entity CS 1 anywhere on the entity.

− The cross section entity highlights.
− The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for attach location.
Did You Know ...
The cross section entity remains highlighted. If you need to use a similar cross section
entity a second time, you must make a copy of the cross section entity. Cross section
entities can be selected only once.

The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for attach location.
9. Pick the attachment point for cross section entity CS 1.
− An attachment point is a location on the cross section entities and on the drive curve.
This point is used to define where the cross section entity will be moved from and
where each cross section entity will be attached to the drive curve. The attachment
point on the cross section entity (the from point) can be any point in the XY plane or
Cplane 1 Top.
− The point highlights.
− The prompt line reads: PICK node for attach location on drive curve.
10. Pick the first node point on the left end of the drive curve.
The attachment point on the drive curve (the to point) must be a node or endpoint of the
elements that make up the drive
curve.
A highlighted point at the node
indicates the node has been
selected.
The prompt line reads: PICK cross
section for surface (button 2 if
done).
11. Click BUTTON 2 (you are defining
the swept drive curve surface
with only one cross section
entity).
ProCAM generates a swept drive
curve surface.

Drive Curve Surface
Creating a Surface with Multiple Cross Section Entities

In this exercise, you create a swept drive curve surface defined by multiple cross section
entities and without a director curve.
EXERCISE 1. Continue working with the part Drive Curve Surface.pcii currently in the work area.
2. Click the Erase button on the Utility toolbar.

The prompt line reads: PICK entities to erase.
3. Pick the drive curve surface to erase (not the drive curve), then click BUTTON 2.
4. Click the Drive Curve Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
Leave the Non-Synchronized modifier button highlighted.
The prompt line reads: PICK drive curve for surface.
5. Pick the drive curve.
− The node points display.
− The prompt line reads: PICK director curve for surface (button 2 if none).
6. Click BUTTON 2 (you are not using a director curve).

7. Pick cross section entity CS 1 anywhere on the entity.
− The cross section is highlighted.
− The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for attach location.
9. Pick the attachment point for cross section CS 1.
− The point is highlighted.
− The prompt line reads: PICK node for attach location on drive curve.
10. Pick the first node point of the drive curve.
The prompt line reads: PICK cross section for surface (button 2 if done).
Attach cross section entities CS 3 and CS 5 to the middle and end node points of the drive
curve respectively:
11. Pick cross section entity CS 3 anywhere on the entity.
The cross section entity is highlighted.

The point is highlighted.

Drive Curve Surface
13. Pick the middle node point of the drive curve.

section for surface (button 2 if done).
14. Pick cross section entity CS 5
anywhere on the entity.
15. Pick the attachment point for
cross section entity CS 5.
16. Pick the end node point of the
drive curve.
section for surface (button 2 if done).
17. Click BUTTON 2.
A swept drive curve surface
defined by multiple cross section
entities is created.
Did You Know ...
The order of selecting and attaching cross section entities on the drive curve does not
matter. The only restriction is that the cross section entities and the node points of the
drive curve can be selected only once.
Creating a Surface with a Director Curve

In this exercise, you create a swept drive curve surface defined by one cross section entity
and with a director curve.
EXERCISE 1. Continue working with the part Drive Curve Surface.pcii in the work area.

3. Pick the drive curve surface to erase (not the drive curve), then click BUTTON 2.
4. Click the Layers tab and turn on Layer 3 - Director Curve.

5. Click the Drive Curve Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK drive curve for surface.

Drive Curve Surface
6. Pick the lower curve.

The node points display and the
prompt line reads: PICK director
curve for surface (button 2 if none).
Optionally, a director curve can be
used to direct the orientation of
the cross section entities about the
drive curve. A director curve cross
section entity contains one or
more lines, arcs and splines
connected end-to-end. A director
curve can be planar (situated on a
flat surface) or non-planar
(situated in 3D space).
7. Pick the upper curve.
The director curve is highlighted and the prompt line reads: PICK cross section for surface.
8. Pick cross section entity CS 1.
The cross section entity is highlighted.
The point is highlighted and the prompt line reads: PICK node for attach location on drive
curve.
11. Pick the first node point of the drive curve and click BUTTON 2.
A swept drive curve surface is created. Notice how the director curve twisted the
resulting surface.
When you use a director curve, the cross section entities are moved from the attachment
points of the cross section entities to the attachment points of the drive curve. However,
the cross section entities are rotated so that the cross section entity +Y direction is
oriented in the direction of the vector from the drive curve to the director curve.

Surface of Revolution
The Surface of Revolution command on the Surf toolbar is used to create a surface defined
by rotating a cross section entity about a linear axis (axis of rotation) in 3D space. The
surface of revolution is rotated about the axis of rotation a specified number of degrees
(degrees of rotation).
The following restrictions apply to using this command to create a surface:
• The cross section entities must be on the same plane.
• The rotation axis must be coplanar with the cross section entity.
• The cross section entity and the rotation axis cannot intersect.
Creating a Surface of Revolution
In this exercise, you generate a surface of revolution cavity with 180 degrees rotation about
an axis parallel to the X axis.
EXERCISE 1. Open part file Surface of Revolution.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
Did You Know ...
When you pick the first entity, ProCAM determines the start direction of the cross
section entity according to which side of the midpoint you pick.
4. Pick the right side entity (Line 1 in the figure) at a point close to the axis of rotation (you
want the direction to start at this end).
The entity is highlighted.
The prompt line reads: PICK Line 2
next entity for cross section.
5. Pick the left side entity (Line 2
in the figure).
All the solid entities between
and including the two selected Axis of
lines are highlighted. Rotation
6. Click BUTTON 2. Line 1

The cross section entity
displays.

8. Double-click Layer 2 - Surf of Revol to make it the current layer.


10. Click the Surface of Revolution button on the Surf toolbar.
11. Pick the cross section entity you just created.
The entity is highlighted and the
prompt line reads: DIGITIZE
coordinate for revolution axis start. Cross Section Entity
12. Click the Endpoint button
on the Snap toolbar.
endpoint for revolution axis start. Axis of
Rotation
13. Pick the right side of the dashed
line.
endpoint for revolution axis end.
On the InfoBar tab, the X, Y, Z start and end coordinate parameters display. If you were
using the Keyboard Snap command instead of the Endpoint Snap, you would type values
for these coordinates.
14. Pick the left side of the dashed line.
− On the InfoBar tab, the Angle text box is highlighted.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER angle of rotation.
− Use the right-hand rule to determine the direction of positive rotation: roll the fingers
of the right hand towards the palm; point the thumb away from the palm; point the
thumb along the direction from the first point defining the rotation axis to the second
point. The fingers now curl in the positive rotation direction.
− You want a cavity of 180 degrees, but is it positive or negative? If you pick the axis of
rotation from right to left, the rotation angle will be +180 degrees.
On the InfoBar tab, the U patch text box is
highlighted. This parameter determines the
number of times a cross section entity is
displayed in the axis parallel to the axis of
rotation. This option is for display only and
does not affect the accuracy of the surface.
The prompt line reads: ENTER number of
patches in primary direction.
16. Type 36 and press ENTER. A surface of
revolution cavity of 180 degrees is
generated.

Four-Curve Surface
Four-Curve Surface
The Four-Curve Surface command on the Surf toolbar is used to create a surface defined by
selecting the four sides of the surface to be generated. The first generator curve is the first
curve selected. The side opposite the first generator curve is the second generator curve.
The other two opposite curves are defined as the director curves. All curves defining a four-
curve surface must be connected end-to-end.
Using Synchronized and Non-Synchronized Modifiers
In this exercise, you generate a four-curve surface using the non-synchronized generator and
director curve method. Then, you recreate the four-curve surface using the synchronized
generator and director curve method and compare the results.
EXERCISE 1. Open part file Four Curve Surface1.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
This part depicts four sides of a surface. Each side is made up of a line, an arc and a line.
The cross section entities have already been inserted on the geometry.
2. Select Surface Display on the Options
menu.
3. In the Surface Display dialog box, make
sure the Shaded option is checked, then
click OK.
CAD/CAM toolbar.
5. Click the Layers tab at the bottom of

the Part Manager and turn off Layer 0 -
Stock.
6. Click the All button in the lower right
corner of the window.
7. Click the Four-Curve Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
8. Leave the following modifiers highlighted:
Non-Synchronized Generator Curve and Non-Synchronized Director Curve
The Non-Synchronized modifiers match up the generator and director curves using a
distance formula. Segments of equal length are calculated for each opposite generator and
director curve in order to synchronize the curves within the surface.
Bicubic Blend modifier
With this modifier selected, the algorithm or equation used to calculate the surface
blending is a bicubic interpolation of both the U and V tangent vector directions. Use this
modifier on curved surfaces and to prevent flat spots on the surface.

Four-Curve Surface
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st generator curve for surface.
9. Pick any cross section entity to be designated the generator curve.
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st director curve for surface.
10. Pick one of the two adjacent cross section entities as the director curve.
− The direction does not matter.
− The prompt line reads: PICK 2nd generator curve for surface.
11. Pick the next adjacent cross section entity as the generator curve.
The prompt line reads: PICK 2nd director curve for surface.
12. Pick the last cross section entity as the director curve.
ProCAM generates a four-curve surface bounded by the four cross section entities.
Notice that the arcs on the opposite sides of the generator and director curves are not
synchronized and create a dark trough in the center of the surface.
EXERCISE Create the four-curve surface using the synchronized generator and director curve method
and select the same four curves in the same order as before:

2. Double-click layer 4 to turn it on and make it current, then turn off layer 3.
4. Click the Four-Curve Surface button.
5. Leave the Bicubic Blend modifier highlighted.
6. Click the following modifier buttons:
Synchronized Generator Curve
Synchronized Director Curve
The Synchronized modifiers match up surface patches to the entities of the generator and
director curves using a one-to-one match. Both generator curves and both director curves
must have the same number of entities.
7. Pick the four curves in the same order as the previous surface.
ProCAM generates a four-curve surface bounded by the four cross section entities.
Notice that the entities on the opposite sides of the generator and director curves are now
synchronized and create a different surface. This is not to say that the first surface
generated was wrong. The Synchronized and Non-synchronized modifiers give you
options to more closely create the surface you are trying to achieve.
8. Click the Layers tab and turn on Layer 3.

9. Rotate the part and compare the surfaces.

Four-Curve Surface
Creating Four-Curve Surfaces

In this series of exercises, you create a part consisting of several four-curve surfaces and a
surface of revolution. You use the following functions and commands:
− Move entities to a different construction plane (Cplane)
− Create user-defined Cplanes
− Move entities to user-defined Cplanes
− Create cross section entities
− Create four-curve surfaces
− Create a surface of revolution (the tip)
EXERCISE Move copies of the cross section geometry labeled aa, bb, and cc from Cplane 1 Top to
Cplane 2 Front, and copy cross section geometry ee from Cplane 1 Top to Cplane 5 Right on
corresponding locations on the hook profile geometry:
1. Open part file Four Curve Surface2.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
This part could have been drawn in either 2D or 3D CAD and depicts the XY view of the
cross section geometry (the entities that will make up each cross section entity) and the
profile geometry of a hook mold part.
2. Click the Move button on the Utility toolbar.
Hook Profile Geometry
Geometry for Cross

Section Entities
3. Click the Move to Cplane modifier button.

5. Pick the cross section geometry labeled aa. The entities are highlighted.

Four-Curve Surface
6. Click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to copy from.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint to copy from.
8. Pick the lower right endpoint of cross section geometry aa (located on Cplane 1 Top).
The prompt line reads: SELECT a Cplane to move from.
9. In the Cplane dialog box, select 1 Top, then click OK.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for to copy to.
10. In the hook profile geometry, pick the right endpoint of the line labeled aa.
The prompt line reads: SELECT a Cplane to move to.
11. In the Cplane dialog box, select 2 Front, then click OK.
12. A copy of cross section geometry aa is moved from the Top Cplane to the Front Cplane
on the hook profile geometry.
13. Repeat this process for the cross section geometry labeled bb, cc and ee.
− Note that cross section geometry ee moves to the 5 Right Cplane.
− When completed the hook should look like the figure on the next page.
14. Choose Save As on the File menu.
15. Save the part as exhook.pcii.
You are going to continue working with this part. However, it is good practice to save
frequently.
The cross section geometry labeled
dd and tip does not fall on any of the
eight permanent orthogonal
construction planes (Cplanes). You
must create a Cplane for this cross
section geometry.
In the next exercise, you create
Cplanes using the three points method
to define the construction plane. You
make copies of the dd and tip lines
.5" incrementally up in Z axis above
the original lines, then use the
endpoints of these two lines to define
the Cplanes.
EXERCISE 1. Click the Move button on the Utility toolbar.
2. Click the Move modifier button.

Four-Curve Surface

4. Pick the dd line and the tip line on the profile geometry of the hook.
The entities are highlighted.
5. Click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate to move from.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER x coordinate to move from.
− You want to move from coordinate (0,0,0) to coordinate (0,0,0.5).
7. Type the following X, Y, Z coordinates to move from:
− 0 and press ENTER
8. Type the following X, Y, Z coordinates to move to:
− .5 and press ENTER
9. Click BUTTON 2 when
done.
Copy of dd
Copy of
tip line
10. Click View on the menu bar and select Cplane.

11. Choose Create on the cascading menu.
Leave the Three Coordinates modifier button highlighted. This is the default.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for Cplane origin.
13. On the hook profile geometry, pick line dd at the left end of the line.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for Cplane + horizontal dir.

Four-Curve Surface
14. On the hook profile geometry, pick line dd at the right end of the line.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for Cplane + vertical dir.
15. On the copy of line dd, pick at the left end of the line.
The Save Cplane/View dialog box displays.

16. Type 20 for the Name and press TAB.
17. Type Sec dd for the Description.
18. Remove the check marks for the Make Current View and Make Current Cplane
parameters and click OK.
The Cplane created.
19. Repeat this procedure to create a Cplane for the tip cross section geometry.
In the Save Cplane/View dialog box, type 21 for the Name and Tip for the Description.
Remove the check marks for the Make Current View and Make Current Cplane
parameters.
20. Erase the lines (copies of dd and tip) that were used to create the new views.
21. Press CTRL + S to save the part (this is the shortcut key for the Save command on the File
menu).
EXERCISE Move copies of the cross section
geometry labeled dd and tip from
Cplane 1 Top to the corresponding
user-defined Cplane locations on
the hook profile geometry. The
steps are the same as in the first
exercise and are not repeated here.
EXERCISE Create cross section entities on the wire frame geometry of the hook:
4. Pick the lower portion of the right vertical line of section aa on the wire frame model of
the hook.
− The entity is highlighted.
− The prompt line reads: PICK next entity for cross section.

Four-Curve Surface
5. Pick the left vertical line of section aa on the wire frame.

All the entities between the two lines are highlighted.
6. Click BUTTON 2.
The cross section entity direction arrow displays starting from the right vertical line to the
left vertical line of section aa. This is one side of a four-curve surface.
7. Repeat this procedure for the all the cross section geometry sections that were moved to
Cplane as shown in the figure on the next page.
8. Create additional cross section entities on the spline entities between each cross section
entity as shown in the figure below.
Cross Section Entity
on Section aa
Cross Section Entity

on Spline Entity
EXERCISE Create a series of four-curve surfaces:

1. Press CTRL + S to save the part.
3. Click the Layers tab at the bottom of the Part Manager and turn off layers 1 - 7.
Did You Know ...
When you moved copies of the cross section entities to Cplane on the hook profile,
the copy was inserted on the same layer as the original cross section geometry. For
example, the copy of cross section geometry aa on the hook profile is on layer 1 - aa.
4. Double-click Layer 9 - Surfaces to turn it on and make it the current layer.
5. Click Four-Curve Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
6. Leave the default modifiers highlighted:
Non-Synchronized Generator Curve modifier
Non-Synchronized Director Curve modifier
Bicubic Blend modifier

Four-Curve Surface
7. Pick the section aa cross section entity.

8. Pick the next adjacent cross section entity.
The prompt line reads: PICK 2nd generator curve for surface.
9. Pick the section bb cross
section entity.
2nd director curve for surface.
ProCAM generates a four-curve
surface bounded by the four
contiguous cross section
entities.
10. Repeat this procedure to
generate the next 4 four-curve
surfaces.
Remember, the direction of the
cross section entity arrows does
not matter.
Did You Know ...
The common cross section entities between the four-curve surfaces can be selected
again for the next surface.
EXERCISE In this exercise, you create a Tip surface, which is a surface of revolution. The tip cross
section entity is rotated 90 degrees about the axis line of the cross section entity.
1. Press CTRL + S to save the part.

4. Double-click Layer 10 - Tip SOR to turn it on and make it the current layer.
6. Pick the tip cross section entity.
− The entity highlights.
− The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for revolution axis start.

Four-Curve Surface

The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for revolution axis
start.
8. Pick the left endpoint of the axis of rotation.
The prompt line reads: PICK endpoint for revolution axis
end.
9. Pick the right endpoint of the axis of rotation.

− In the InfoBar, the Angle text box is highlighted.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER angle of rotation.
10. Type 90 (degrees) and press ENTER.
The prompt line reads: ENTER number of patches in
primary direction.
11. Press ENTER to accept the default (5) for the U Patch
parameter.
A surface of revolution of 90
degrees is generated.
12. Click the Layers tab at the
bottom of the Part Manager.
13. Turn off all layers except layer 9
- Surfaces and layer 10 - Tip
SOR.
14. Press CTRL + S to save
exhook.pcii.

Complex Surface
Complex Surface
The Complex Surface command on the Surf toolbar is used to create a surface defined by
sweeping two or more director curves along two or more generator curves.
The director and generator curves are constructed as cross section entities. All of the cross
section entities used in a complex surface can be created in 3D space and do not have to be
on the same plane. It does not matter which cross section entities are designated the director
and generator curves. You will generate the same surface except the U and V patches will be
in different directions.
Creating a Complex Surface

EXERCISE In this exercise, you create a complex surface from the geometry of the hook wire frame
previously used to generate a series of four-curve surfaces. You turn off the layer containing
the four-curve surfaces, then recreate the part as a complex surface and compare the surfaces.
1. Open part file Complex Surface.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path
is \Program Files\procamii200x\procad\pcii\learn\CAD-Surf.

4. Double-click Layer 8 - Cross
Sections to turn it on and make
it the current layer.
5. Turn off layers 9 and 10.
6. Click the Erase button on
the Utility toolbar.
7. Pick the hook profile cross
section entities to erase,
leaving only the cross section
entities for sections aa, bb, cc,
dd, ee, and tip (as shown in the
figure).
Insert two cross section entities on either side of the hook profile geometry up to the tip
section:
8. Click the Layers tab and turn on layer 0 - 2D Profile.

Layer 8 - Cross Sections should still be the current layer.

Complex Surface
The part should look like the figure

on the right.
9. Click the Cross Section Entity
The prompt line reads: PICK entity
for cross section start.
10. Pick the profile entity between cross
section entities aa and bb.
The prompt line reads: PICK next
entity for cross section.
11. Pick the next adjacent profile entity
between bb and cc.
The prompt line reads: PICK next
entity for cross section.
12. Continue picking the next adjacent
profile entity until you reach the tip Outside Profile Cross
cross section entity, then click Section Entity
BUTTON 2.
The cross section entity for one side
of the hook is generated.
13. Repeat this process to generate the Inside Profile Cross
Section Entity
cross section entity for the other
side profile of the hook.
The cross section entities for the
profile of the hook will be the
director curves of the complex
surface.
The cross section entities for the sections aa, bb, cc, dd, ee and the tip will be the
generator curves.
The cross section entities must be constructed so that the direction arrows of all the
director curves are in the same direction and the direction arrows of all the generator
curves are in the same direction. The cross section entities of the first and last director
curves are connected end-to-end with the first and last generator curves.
When you work with other parts, if the arrow directions are not correct, you can use the
Edit Utility and the Direction modifier to change the direction.

Complex Surface
EXERCISE Create a complex surface using the two cross section entities on either side of the hook
profile as the director curves and the six cross section entities for sections aa, bb, cc, dd, ee
and the tip as the generator curves.

2. Double-click layer 10 – Complex Surface to turn it on and make it the current layer.
3. Turn off layer 0 - 2D Profile.
4. Click the Complex Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
5. Pick the inside profile cross section entity.
The entity is highlighted and the prompt line reads: PICK 2nd director curve for surface.
6. Pick the outside profile cross section entity.
The entity is highlighted and the prompt line reads: PICK next director curve for surface
(button 2 when done).
7. Click BUTTON 2.
8. Pick section aa cross section entity.
The entity is highlighted and the prompt line reads: PICK 2nd generator curve for surface.
9. Pick section bb cross section entity.
The entity is highlighted and the prompt line reads: PICK next generator curve for surface
(button 2 if done).
10. Pick the remaining cross section
entities from cc to the tip in
order, then click BUTTON 2.
ProCAM generates a complex
surface that can be machined as
one surface.
11. If the surface displays in wire
frame mode, press S on the
keyboard to change to shaded.

13. Turn on layers 9 and 10.
Compare the complex surface
with the series of four-curve surfaces generated previously.
14. Choose Save As on the File menu and save the part as exhook2.pcii.

Three-Curve Surface
Three-Curve Surface
The Three-Curve Surface command on the Surf toolbar is used to create a surface defined
by selecting three sides of the surface. The surface is defined by sweeping the first cross
section entity picked along the other two cross section entities.
It does not matter which side is picked first. You will get the same surface no matter which
side is picked first, except the U and V patches will be in different directions.
Comparing a Three-Curve Surface & Surface of Revolution
EXERCISE In this exercise, you create a surface of revolution and a three-curve surface from three cross
section entities, and then compare the surfaces.
1. Open part file Three Curve SOR.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
This part was drawn in the CAD system and depicts two corners of 2" radius generating a
90 degree surface.

4. Double-click layer 1 - Cross
Sections to turn it on and
make it the current layer.
5. Insert a cross section
entity on the left side of the
three-sided corner of the part
on the left.
6. Insert cross section entities on
the three sides of the three-
sided corner of the part on the
right.
The direction does not matter.
All cross section entities defining a three-curve surface must be connected end-to-end.
Generate a surface of revolution on the part on the left:
8. Click the Layers tab and double-click layer 2 - Surf of Rev.

10. Generate a surface of revolution of 90 degrees about the axis line provided using the
Endpoint Snap to select the top and bottom of the line.

Three-Curve Surface
Generate a three-curve surface on the part on the right:


13. Double-click layer 3 - Three-Curve to turn it on and make it the current layer, then turn
off layer 2.
14. Click the Three-Curve Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
15. Press ENTER twice to accept the default amounts for U and V Patch.
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st cross section for 3 curve surface.
16. Pick the top cross section
entity.
17. Pick the two side cross
section entities for the
second and third cross Three-Curve Surface
sections.
The three-curve surface is
generated. Surface of Revolution
18. Note the differences
between the surface of
revolution and three-curve
surface.
19. Press the W and S on the keyboard to toggle between wire frame and shaded display.
Creating a Three-Curve Surface
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Three Curve Surface.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The
This part depicts three curves.

4. Double-click layer 1 - Cross Sections to turn it on
and make it the current layer.
5. Insert cross section entities on all three sides of
the three-sided corner.
Generate a three-curve surface:

8. Double-click layer 2 - Three-Curve to turn it on and make it the current layer.

Three-Curve Surface

10. Press ENTER twice to accept the default amounts for U and V Patch.
11. Pick the top cross section entity for the first cross section.
12. Pick the two side cross section entities for the second and third cross sections.
The three-curve surface is generated (shown in the figure on the left). The three-curve
surface generates away from the first cross section entity and apexes at the bottom at the
intersection of the other two cross section entities.
The order in which you pick the cross sections does not matter. You will get the same
surface except the U and V patches will be in different directions.
Insert the surface again picking the cross section entities in a different order:

14. Double-click layer 3 and turn off layer 2.
16. Press ENTER twice to accept the default amount for U and V Patch.
17. Pick the left cross section entity as the first cross section, then the other two cross section
entities.
This time the surface generates away from the left cross section entity and apexes at the
right at the intersection of the other two cross section entities (shown in the figure on the
right).
18. Click the Layers tab and turn on layer 2.
19. Press W and S on the keyboard to toggle between wire frame and shaded display and
compare the surfaces.
First Three-Curve Surface Second Three-Curve Surface

Chapter 7 Manipulating Surfaces
After you have created a surface, you can use the commands on the Utility toolbar to make a
finished surface that can be machined.
Surfaces can be moved, copied, rotated, scaled and mirrored as explained in the ProCAM II
Getting Started Guide. The commands and modifiers listed below provide additional options
for manipulating surfaces. These options are explained in this chapter.
Use To . . .
Edit Utility Change the surface arrow side, direction and location, the
number of UV patches and the direction of a cross section
Entities Modifier entity.
Edit utility Extend most untrimmed surfaces by a specified amount.
Extend Modifier
Spline Create surface curves either using the Spline command to insert
splines at the intersection of two surfaces or using the Project
Project onto Onto Surface command to project a line, arc, circle, spline or
Surface cross section entity onto a surface. Surface curves can be used
to trim and break surfaces and for contour cutting and
engraving.
Break Utility Break a surface along a UV line or on a surface curve.
Trim Utility Trim or untrim a surface.
Manipulating Surfaces 7-1

Editing Surfaces
Editing Surfaces
The Edit Utility and the Entities modifier are used to change the geometry of surfaces
Edit Utility including the surface arrow direction, side and corner locations, the direction of a cross
section entity arrow, and the number of patches in the U and V directions.
Changing the Surface Arrow

Changing the Surface Arrow Corner
EXERCISE The surface arrow corner controls the starting corner of machining for UV cutting only. The
arrows are ignored for the other cutting strategies.
1. Open the part file Edit Surface.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path
This part has a lofted surface and
a surface curve.
2. Click the Edit button on the
Utility toolbar.
The Entities modifier button
is highlighted.
entity to be edited (button 2 when
done).
3. Pick the lofted surface.
The surface is highlighted.
The Arrow Corner modifier
button is highlighted.
surface corner for arrow.
4. Pick a corner other than where the
arrow is located, then click
BUTTON 2.
The surface arrow changes to that
corner (as shown in the example
on the right).
5. Pick the original corner again.
7-2 Manipulating Surfaces

Editing Surfaces
Changing the Surface Arrow Side

The surface arrow is used to determine which side of the surface is to be machined. The
arrow is also used to determine the direction of offset for the Offset Surface command and
on which side a fillet surface is inserted for the Fillet Surface command.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part Edit Surface.pcii currently in the work area.
2. Click the Change Arrow Side modifier button.

The prompt line reads: TOGGLE icon to change side.
3. Click the Change Arrow Side button several times to see the arrow change sides, then
click BUTTON 2.
Changing the Surface Arrow Direction
The surface arrow direction controls the direction of machining for UV cutting only. The
arrows are ignored for the other cutting strategies.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part Edit Surface.pcii currently in the work area.
2. Click the Change Arrow Direction modifier button.

The prompt line reads: TOGGLE icon to change direction.
3. Click the Change Arrow Direction button several times to see the arrow change
direction, then click BUTTON 2 when done.
Changing the Number of U and V Patches

When you are working in wire frame mode, you may want to change the number of UV
patches on a surface. UV patches are the rectangles that are created when mesh lines cross.
When a surface is selected for editing, the number of patches in the U and V direction
displays on the InfoBar tab. Remember, a surface is a mathematical entity and increasing the
number of U and V patches is for viewing only. It does not increase the accuracy of the
surface. Changing the number of U and V patches can be used in conjunction with patch UV
cutting.
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part file Edit Surface.pcii currently in the work area.
2. Press W on the keyboard to change to wire frame display.

4. Pick the surface.
− The surface is highlighted.
− The U Patch parameter displays on the InfoBar tab in the Part Manager.
Did You Know ...
If the surface has both U and V patches, U Patch and V Patch parameters display on
the InfoBar tab. Increasing the number of U and V patches is for viewing only and
does not increase the accuracy or shape of the surface.

Editing Surfaces
5. Double-click the U Patch text box

to highlight the text.
number of patches in primary
direction.
The number of surface patches is
increased.
8. Do not save the changes to this
part.
Changing the Direction of a Cross Section Entity

EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Edit Crs Sec Entity.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The
This part depicts cross section entities for two conic ruled surfaces. The cross section
entities on the left were inserted in opposite directions. This results in a twisted conic
surface. The cross section entities on the right were inserted properly. In this exercise,
you use the Edit Utility and the Direction modifier to change the direction of the cross
section entity arrow.
3. Click the Cross Section Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
The Non-Synchronized modifier
highlights. This is the default.
The prompt line reads: PICK cross section
for the surface (button 2 if done).
4. Pick the two cross section entities on the
left.
The entities are highlighted.
5. Click BUTTON 2.
The result is an erroneous twisted conic
ruled surface.
6. Pick the two cross section entities on the
right and click BUTTON 2.
The result is a valid conic ruled surface.
7. If the surfaces display in shaded mode,
press the W on the keyboard to change to wire frame.

Editing Surfaces
9. Pick the erroneous twisted conic surface or the surface arrow.

The surface is erased.
11. Click the Direction modifier button.
to change direction.
12. Pick the left bottom cross section entity.
The arrows change to a clockwise
direction.
13. Click the Cross Section Surface
for surface (button 2 if done).
14. Pick the cross section entities on the left
and click BUTTON 2.
The result is a valid conic ruled surface.
15. Press S on the keyboard to change the
display to shaded.

Extending a Surface
Extending a Surface
The Edit Utility and the Extend modifier allow you to extend most untrimmed surfaces
Edit Utility by a specified amount. This modifier also allows you to edit an entity's length (either longer
or shorter.
The following rules apply when using this function:
• Surface will extend tangent to the edge of the surface.
• Trimmed surfaces cannot be extended (use the Trim utility to trim surfaces to surface
curves).
• Surfaces of Revolution cannot be extended radially beyond 360 degrees.
• For a Surface of Revolution, the unit value for the Dist. Off parameter is degrees.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Surface Curve1.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
2. Click the Edit button on the
Utility toolbar.
3. Click the Extend modifier button.
4. Double click the Dist off parameter on
the InfoBar tab and change the value
to 2.00".
The prompt line reads: PICK entity to
extend.
5. Pick an edge of one of the surfaces.
The edge is extended the 2.00"
distance you set on the InfoBar tab.
6. Pick another edge on the same
surface.
The edge is extended.
7. Double-click the Dist off parameter and change the value to 1.00".
8. Pick the edges of the other surface.

Creating Surface Curves

A surface curve is a spline that is created at the intersection of two surfaces, along a surface
edge, on a parting line, or by projecting a line, arc, circle, spline, or cross section entity onto
a surface. Surface curves can be used for contour cutting and engraving. Surfaces can be
trimmed or broken along a surface curve.
Did You Know ...
When a fillet surface is created between two intersecting surfaces, you also create two
surface curves at the edges of the fillet surface. These surface curves allow you to trim
or break the intersecting surfaces to the respective edges of the fillet surface.
Using the Spline Command

The Spline command on the CAD toolbar is used to insert a parametric spline at the
intersection of two surfaces, along a surface edge and on a parting line.
Inserting a Spline at the Intersection of Two Surfaces
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Surface Curve1.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
2. Select Surface Display on the Options menu.
3. In the Surface Display dialog box,
make sure the Shaded option is
checked, then move the Transparency
slider bar to the right so you can see
the intersections of the two surfaces,
and click OK.
4. Click the Spline button on the
CAD toolbar.
5. Make sure the Parametric and
Digitize modifier buttons are
highlighted.
6. Click the Intersection Two
Surfaces modifier button.
7. Double-click the Max int text box on the InfoBar tab to highlight the text.
The prompt line reads: ENTER maximum number of intersections expected.
There may be several intersections between the two surfaces. It can be very time
consuming for ProCAM to look for additional intersections that may not exist. The Max
int parameter allows you to specify the maximum number of intersections that exist
between the two surfaces. If you are not sure, enter a reasonable amount (for example, 6).

9. Pick the first surface (the order is not

important), then pick the second
surface.
Two splines are inserted at the
intersections of the two surfaces.
Inserting a Spline Along a Surface Edge

2. Click the Along an Edge modifier button.

The prompt line reads: PICK surface boundary to create spline.
3. Pick one of the surface near an edge.
A spline (surface curve) is inserted along the edge of the surface nearest the picked
location.
4. Pick a surface near another edge.
Additional splines can be inserted with successive picks nearest other surface edge
locations.
Inserting a Spline on a Parting Line
EXERCISE 1. Continue using the part Surface Curve2.pcii currently in the work area.

3. Make sure the Parametric modifier button is highlighted.
4. Make sure the Digitize modifier button is highlighted.
5. Click the On a Parting Line modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to indicate location of parting line.
Did You Know ...
The Cplane determines the construction plane the surface is cut parallel to. There
may be several parting line intersections for the surface. The Cplane in this exercise
is 1 Top.
Parting line splines are inserted on the right and left sides of the surface.

Using the Project Onto Surface Command

The Project Onto Surface command on the Surf toolbar is used to project lines, arcs, circles,
text, cross section entities and splines onto surfaces at a projection direction defined by an
X,Y,Z start and an X,Y,Z end. A special kind of spline called a surface curve is created.
Projecting Entities Onto a Surface in the -Z Axis Direction
This part depicts a lofted surface (three or more cross section entities) with geometric entities
above the surface. In this exercise, you project these entities onto the surface so the surface
can be trimmed to avoid cutting these areas.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Project Entities1.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
2. Click the Surf button on the CAD/CAM
toolbar.
3. Click the Project Onto Surface button on
the Surf toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to project
4. Pick all the entities above the surface
(individually or by window picking).
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to project
onto.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for
projection direction start.
ProCAM is looking for a direction. A -Z direction down the Z axis would start at (0,0,0)
and end at (0,0,-1). You can enter these values from the keyboard.
On the InfoBar tab, the X from text box is
highlighted. The default values on the InfoBar
tab are for projecting down the Z axis from
(0,0,0) to (0,0,-1).
The prompt line reads: ENTER X coordinate for
projection direction start.
8. Press ENTER to select the default for each X,Y,Z
coordinate for the projection direction start and
end (X,Y,Z from and to values on the InfoBar).
The geometric entities projected onto the surface
become surface curves.

9. Click File on the menu bar and click the Save As command.
10. Save the file as exproj.pcii.
You will use this exercise in a surface trimming exercise.
Projecting Entities onto a Surface in a +Y Axis Direction
This part depicts a ruled conic surface with a line entity in front view. In this exercise, you
project the line entity onto the conic surface from in front of the surface down the +Y axis
direction.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Project Entities2.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
3. Click the Project Onto Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to project (button 2 when done).
4. Pick the line entity in front of the surface
and click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to
project onto.
The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE
coordinate for projection direction start.
ProCAM is looking for a direction. A +Y
direction in the Y axis would start at
(0,0,0) and end at (0,1,0).
6. Click the Keyboard button on the
Snap toolbar.
− On the InfoBar tab, the X from text box
is highlighted.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER X
coordinate for projection direction start.
7. Press ENTER to use the default (0,0,0) for each coordinate for
the projection direction start (the X,Y,Z from values on the
InfoBar tab).
8. For the projection direction end, use (0,1,0) for the X,Y,Z
coordinates (the X,Y,Z to values on the InfoBar tab).
The line entity that is projected onto the surface creates a
surface curve.

Projecting Text onto a Surface for Engraving

In this exercise, you project text onto a lofted surface in the -Z axis direction.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Project Text.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path
3. Click the Project Onto Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK entities to project (button 2 when done).
4. Pick the text (CAD/CAM) and click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to project onto.
− The prompt line reads: DIGITIZE coordinate for projection direction start.
− ProCAM is looking for a direction. A -Z direction down the Z axis would start at
(0,0,0) and end at (0,0,-1).
− On the InfoBar tab, the X from text box is highlighted.
− The default values on the InfoBar tab are for projecting down the Z axis from (0,0,0)
to (0,0,-1).
− The prompt line reads: ENTER X
coordinate for projection direction
start.
7. Press ENTER to use the default
(0,0,0) for each coordinate for the
projection direction start (the X,Y,Z
from values on the InfoBar tab).
8. For the projection direction, use
(0,0,-1) for the X,Y,Z coordinates
(the X,Y,Z to values on the InfoBar
tab).
The text that is projected onto the
surface creates surface curves.

Breaking Surfaces
Breaking Surfaces
The Break command on the Utility toolbar is used to break entities into multiple entities.
When a surface is broken, it becomes two surfaces. To have continuity (to maintain the
original shape) both surfaces have all of the original surface geometry. However, ProCAM
displays each surface only up to the break point.
Because the original surface is saved when it is broken, you can restore the original surface
using the Trim Utility with the Untrim modifier.
Exploding a Spline or Surface Curve

EXERCISE In the following exercise, you modify a single entity parametric spline into a string of line
and arc segments whose lengths are calculated so as not to exceed the maximum deviation
from the original spline.
1. Open the part file Break Surface1.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
Measure the parametric spline before exploding it into line and arc segments:
2. Click the Measure button on the
Utility toolbar.
The Entity modifier button is
highlighted.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity to
measure.
3. Pick the spline.
− The spline is highlighted.
− The InfoBar tab displays the
selected entity properties such as
the start and end coordinates,
number of nodes, length, layer, etc.
− The prompt line indicates the type of entity selected: PICK entity to measure (Spline).
Explode the spline into multiple line and arc entities:

5. Click the Explode modifier button.
− On the InfoBar tab, the Dev. (Deviation) parameter displays.
− The prompt line reads: PICK entity to explode (button 2 when done).

Breaking Surfaces
Did You Know ...

When splines or surface curves are exploded, they are broken into line and arc
segments whose lengths are calculated so as not to exceed an acceptable maximum
deviation from the original spline. The Dev. parameter on the InfoBar tab allows you
to specify the maximum acceptable deviation from the spline. A large maximum
deviation generates fewer, longer line and arc segments. A smaller maximum
deviation generates a greater number of finer line and arc segments. The default
maximum deviation is .001 inches.
6. Double-click the Dev. text box to highlight the text.

The prompt line reads: ENTER maximum spline segment deviation.
8. Pick the spline, then click BUTTON 2.
The spline no longer exists. It is replaced by line and arc segments governed by the
specified maximum deviation.
9. Click the Measure button on the Utility toolbar.
10. Measure the multiple line and arc entities.
Breaking a Surface Along a UV Line

EXERCISE In this exercise, you break a surface into two trimmed surfaces. The break line is defined by
selecting two points along a UV line of the surface.
1. Open the part file Edit Surface.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path
This part has a lofted surface with a surface curve.
2. If the part displays in shaded mode, left click in the work area, then press W on the
keyboard to change to wire frame display.

4. Turn off layer 3.
This layer contains the surface
curve, which is not needed for this
exercise.
5. Click the Break button on the
Utility toolbar.
6. Click the Break Surface
modifier button.
surface to break.
7. Click the Break Surface modifier button.

Breaking Surfaces

− The prompt line reads: PICK 1st surface grid point to define break.
9. Pick the surface at the intersection of two grid lines.
− A point appears at the closest grid line intersection.
− The prompt line reads: PICK 2nd surface grid point to define break.
10. Pick the surface anywhere along a UV grid line from the first point picked.
The original surface is broken into two surfaces. Each surface is trimmed to the break line
defined by the two points picked.
Did You Know ...
If you pick a point that is not on either of the two grid lines determined by the first
point you picked, an error message displays.
After the surface is broken, only one surface arrow displays. However, there are two surface
arrows on top of one another. To confirm that there are two surfaces, you can edit the surface
with no surface arrow displayed and change the surface arrow to one of its corners:
12. Pick the surface with no
apparent surface arrow.
Leave the Change Arrow
Corner modifier button
highlighted.
13. Pick a corner on the trimmed
surface, then click BUTTON 2.
The surface arrow displays at
the closest corner to the point
picked.
Breaking a Surface Along a Surface Curve

EXERCISE In this exercise, you break a surface along a surface curve into two trimmed surfaces.
Surface curves are explained on page 7-7.
1. Open the part file Edit Surface.pcii again.
Do not save the changes you made to this part in the previous exercise.

Breaking Surfaces
4. Make sure the Break Along Surface Curve modifier button is highlighted.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to break.
The surface is highlighted and the prompt line reads: PICK surface spline to break surface
at.
6. Pick the surface curve, then click BUTTON 2.
The original surface is broken into two surfaces. Each surface is trimmed to the surface
curve.
Only one surface arrow displays; however, there are two surface arrows on top of one
another. To confirm that there are two surfaces, edit the right side surface and change the
surface arrow corner to the right side:
The prompt line reads: PICK entity to be edited (button 2 when done).
8. Pick the right side surface.
Leave the Change Arrow Corner modifier button highlighted.
9. Pick the trimmed surface on the
right side, then click BUTTON 2.
The surface arrow displays at the
closest corner to the point
picked.
10. Press S on the keyboard to
change the display to shaded.
Breaking A Surface Along Multiple Surface Curves

EXERCISE This part depicts two intersecting ruled surfaces with two surface curves at the surface
intersections. In this exercise, you break a surface along two surface curves into three
trimmed surfaces.
1. Open the part file Break Surface2.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
The prompt line reads: PICK entity to break.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to break.

Breaking Surfaces
4. Pick the smaller ruled surface (along

the X axis).
− The prompt line reads: PICK
surface spline to break surface at.
5. Pick each surface curve.
6. Click BUTTON 2.
The original surface is now broken

into three surfaces and each surface is
trimmed to the surface curves.
Only one surface arrow displays;
however, there are three surface arrows
on top of one another. To confirm that there are three surfaces, you can erase the center
broken surface, then edit the left side surface and change the surface arrow corner to the left
side:
7. Press W on the keyboard to change the display to wire frame.

The prompt line reads: PICK entities to erase.
9. Pick the center broken surface.
The surface is removed from the display.
10. Click the Edit button on the Utility
toolbar.
11. Pick the left side surface.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface corner
for arrow.
12. Pick the trimmed surface on the left side,
then click BUTTON 2.
The surface arrow displays at the closest
corner to the point picked.

Trimming Surfaces
Trimming Surfaces
The Trim command on the Utility toolbar is used to trim surfaces to surface curves. Surface
curves are explained on page 7-7.
When you trim or break a surface, the original surface still exists in its original form to
provide proper continuity (i.e., so the surface does not change shape). The trimmed away
portion of the surface is hidden from view. This allows the surface to be untrimmed (returned
to the original surface before trimming). Other entities such as lines, arcs and circles cannot
be untrimmed to their original shape after they have been trimmed.
Trimming a Surface to Multiple Curves
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file exproj.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
You saved this part file in an exercise on projecting entities onto a surface (see page 7-9).
If you do not have this file, open the part file Trim Surface1.pcii.
The surface has multiple surface curves created from entities projected onto the surface.
2. Click the Layers tab at the

bottom of the Part Manager and turn
off layer 2- Project Entities.
3. Click the Trim button on the
Utility toolbar.
4. Click the Trim Surface modifier
button.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface
spline to trim to (button 2 if done).
6. Pick the larger circular surface curve and click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to
indicate which side to keep.
7. Pick the surface anywhere outside the
circular surface curve.
The original surface is now trimmed
with the portion of the surface inside
the circular surface curve removed.
spline to trim to (button 2 if done).
8. Trim away the other circular shape and
the edges of the surface.
9. Click BUTTON 2 when you are finished trimming.

Trimming Surfaces
Untrimming a Surface
2. Click the Trim button on the Utility toolbar.

3. Click the Untrim Surface modifier button.
− The prompt line reads: SELECT surfaces to untrim (button 2 when done).
− ProCAM allows you to select multiple surfaces to be untrimmed.
4. Pick the surface, then click BUTTON 2.
The surface is returned to its original untrimmed form.
Trimming Surfaces to the Edges of a Fillet Surface

When a Fillet surface is created between two intersecting surfaces, you also create two
surface curves at the edges of the Fillet surface. These surface curves allow you to trim the
intersecting surfaces to the respective edges of the Fillet surface. In this exercise, you trim
two surfaces to the edges of a 0.5" radius Fillet surface.
EXERCISE 1. Open the part file Trim Surface2.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
This part has two surfaces intersecting with
a fillet surface blending between them.
2. Click the Trim button on the Utility
toolbar.
3. Click the Trim Surface modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to trim.
4. Pick the larger cylindrical ruled surface.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface spline to
trim to.
5. Pick the left edge of the fillet surface.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to indicate which side to keep.
6. Pick the surface anywhere outside or left of the fillet surface.
The larger cylindrical ruled surface is now trimmed to the edge of the fillet surface. There
are no more surface curves to trim to on this surface so you are done.
7. Click BUTTON 2.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to trim.
8. Pick the smaller cylindrical ruled surface.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface spline to trim to.
9. Pick the right edge of the fillet surface.

Trimming Surfaces
10. For the side to keep, pick the surface

anywhere outside or right of the fillet
surface.
The smaller cylindrical ruled surface is now
trimmed to the edge of the fillet surface.
There are no more surface curves to trim to
on this surface.
11. Click BUTTON 2.

Trimming Surfaces

Chapter 8 Working with Surfaces
This chapter explains the commands you can use after you have created a surface to make a
finished surface that can be machined.
Use To . . .
Fillet Surface Create a fillet blend at the intersection of two surfaces or a three
curve surface blend between three adjacent fillet surfaces.
Composite Surface Combine two or more surfaces together.
Offset Surface Create a new surface a distance off of the original surface.
Blend Two Create a surface blended between two surface edges.
Surfaces
Line Mesh Surface Work with parts drawn with line mesh entities using the Insert
Line Mesh and Insert Line Mesh Surface commands. Typically,
Line Mesh these parts are imported from IGES files created in another
CAD program.
Cut Cavity Separate the core and cavity on parts designed with thickness
included.
Working with Surfaces 8-1

Inserting a Fillet Surface

The Fillet Surface command on the Surf toolbar is used to create a fillet surface at the
intersection of two surfaces. A fillet surface is a surface that is inserted tangent to two
surfaces. The original surfaces are left untrimmed. There are two types of fillet surfaces:
constant radius and variable radius.
The Fillet Surface command is dependent on the surface arrows of the surfaces being
filleted. When using this command, there are several fillet surfaces that can be inserted
between any two surfaces. The fillet is inserted on the side controlled by the surface arrows
of the intersecting surfaces. To insert a fillet at a different position or side, you can use the
Edit Utility to change the surface arrow side.
In addition to creating a fillet surface, the Fillet Surface command inserts two surface curve
splines at the intersection of each surface and the edges of the fillet surface. These surface
curves can be used to trim or break the filleted surface back to the edges of the fillet.
Creating a Constant Radius Fillet Surface

EXERCISE The Constant Radius modifier creates a fillet surface with the same radius along the entire
length of the fillet surface. In this exercise, you create a constant radius Fillet surface with a
radius of .625" between two intersecting surfaces.
1. Open the part file Fillet Surface1.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
2. Select Surface Display on the
Options menu.
3. In the Surface Display dialog
box, check the Wire Frame
option and remove the check
mark from the Shaded option,
then click OK.
This part has two Cross Section
surfaces oriented 180 degrees
from one another with one
surface lower than the other. In
this exercise, you create a fillet
blend between the two surfaces
on the top side of each surface.
8-2 Working with Surfaces

Several fillet surfaces can be inserted

between any two surfaces as shown in the
figure on the right. First, you must decide
which fillet surface you want to generate.
Then, you must orient the two surface
arrows to indicate the side of each surface to
put the fillet on.
In this exercise, you change the surface
arrows to create fillet 1 in the figure.
5. Change to view 5 Right.
6. Click the Edit button on the Utility Surface Arrows

toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity to be edited (button 2 when done).
7. Pick the highest surface (the surface on the left).
The surface is highlighted.
The Change Arrow Corner modifier button is highlighted.
corner for arrow.
8. Click the Change Arrow Side

modifier button.
The prompt line reads: TOGGLE icon to
change side.
9. Click the Arrow Side modifier button to
change the surface arrow to point to the
outside of the surface as shown in the
figure on the right. Surface Arrow
By moving the left surface arrow to the
outside, you eliminate the fillet
possibilities of generating fillet 3 and 4.
10. Click BUTTON 2.
11. Change the lower or right surface arrow
to point to the outside of the surface to
eliminate fillet possibility 2.
The arrows should look like the figure
on the right.
Surface Arrow

You are now ready to insert the Fillet Surface:

EXERCISE 1. Click the Fillet Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
2. Leave the Constant Radius Fillet modifier highlighted.
3. Leave the Don’t Extend modifier button highlighted.
− This modifier inserts a constant radius fillet surface at the intersection of two surfaces
without extending the fillet surface to the edges in common between the surfaces
being filleted. If you select the Extend modifier, ProCAM extends the fillet surface to
the farthest edges of the surfaces being filleted.
− On the InfoBar tab, parameters display that allow you to enter the fillet radius, the
number of U and V patches to be displayed on the fillet surface and the maximum
number of intersections between the two surfaces to be filleted.
4. Double-click the Radius text box on the InfoBar tab to highlight the text.
The prompt line reads: ENTER fillet radius.
The prompt line reads: ENTER number of patches in primary direction.
6. Press ENTER to accept the default of 3.
The prompt line reads: ENTER number of patches in secondary direction.
7. Press ENTER to accept the default of 10.
The prompt line reads: ENTER maximum number of intersections expected.
8. Press ENTER to accept the default of 1 intersection.
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st surface for filleting.
9. Pick one of the surfaces to be filleted.
− ProCAM highlights the surface briefly.
− The prompt line reads: PICK 2nd surface for filleting.
10. Pick the other surface to be filleted.
ProCAM highlights the surface briefly, then a constant 0.625" radius fillet surface is
generated on the outside of both surfaces.
Creating a Variable Radius Fillet Surface

The Variable Radius Fillet modifier allows you to vary the radius of the fillet along the
length of the fillet surface.
EXERCISE 1. Open part file Fillet Surface2.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is

This part depicts the intersection of two

surfaces, a truncated cone and a plane. In
this exercise, you create a variable radius
fillet surface between the two surfaces on
the top of the plane and the outside of the
cone with the radii defined at the locations
indicated in the figure below.
The surface arrows are correct for this
exercise. When you work with other parts,
you need to determine the fillet surface
possibilities and change the surface arrows
accordingly using the Edit Surface Utility.
90 Degrees
1.125" Radius
180 Degrees 0 Degrees

1.5" Radius 0.75" Radius
360 Degrees
270 Degrees
0.5" Radius
3. Click the Fillet Surface button on the Surf toolbar.

4. Click the Variable Radius Fillet modifier button.
5. Click the Blended Interpolation modifier button.
There are two variations of variable radius fillets: linear and blended interpolation. Linear
interpolation uses a straight line interpolation to approximate the radius between
reference points. Blended interpolation uses a smooth curve fit interpolation to
approximate the radius between reference points.
On the InfoBar tab, parameters display that allow you to input the reference curve radius
and the number of points the reference curve will be broken into.
Typically, you should make the reference curve radius the average of the largest and
smallest variable radii for the variable radius fillet surface. In this example, the average of
the largest (1.5") and the smallest (0.5") is 1". The different radii along a variable radius
fillet surface are defined using this reference curve. The number of points input will
locate reference points equidistant along the reference curve, which allows you to define
a different radius at any reference point location.

6. Double-click the Ref Rad text box on the InfoBar tab to highlight the text.
The prompt line reads: ENTER radius for the reference curve.
8. For the maximum number of intersections expected, type 1 and press ENTER.
The prompt line reads: ENTER number of curve reference points.
− The prompt line reads: PICK 1st surface for filleting.
− To input points at every 10 degrees on a closed loop fillet of 360 degrees, you would
input 37 points as the number of reference points. This is because the first and last
points must be at the same location and have the same starting and ending radius. You
can input any number of points on the reference curve and you do not have to use
each reference point. In this example, you input 5 for the number of reference points.
10. Pick the plane surface.
The prompt line reads: PICK 2nd surface for filleting.
11. Pick the truncated cone surface.
The reference curve is highlighted
offset from both surfaces by 1.00". Reference
Point at 90
The prompt line reads: PICK reference
curve (button 2 if done).
12. Pick the reference curve.
Reference points appear on the
reference curve and the prompt line
reads: PICK reference point (button 2 if
done). Reference
13. Pick the reference point at 0 degrees. Point at 0
On the InfoBar tab, the Radius text box

is highlighted.
The prompt line reads: ENTER radius
on this reference point.
The reference point disappears and the prompt line reads: PICK reference point (button 2 if
done).
15. Pick the reference point at 90 degrees.
− The Radius text box highlights on the InfoBar tab.
− The prompt line reads: ENTER radius on this reference point.
The reference point disappears and the prompt line reads: PICK reference point (button 2 if
done).

Continue picking the reference points and entering the radii:

17. Pick the reference point at 180 degrees and
enter a radius of 1.5.
enter a radius of .5.
The reference point at 360 degrees
displays. This point was under the first
reference point at 0 degrees.
enter a radius of .75.
A blended variable radius fillet surface is
generated between the cone and the plane.
Recreate the variable radius fillet using the
linear interpolation method and compare the
results:
20. Change the current layer to 5 - Var Linear Fill and turn off layer 4 - Var Blend Fill.
21. Repeat steps 5 through 20 using the Linear Interpolation modifier.

22. Turn on layer 4 and use Shaded mode to compare the surfaces.
Creating a Fillet Surface Blend

The 3 Fillet Blend modifier allows you to create a surface between three fillets that have a
common vertex. The surface maintains a tangent (smooth) connection to the three fillets.
Once created, ProCAM automatically trims the three fillets to the blended surface.
EXERCISE This part has three cross sectional surfaces and three intersecting fillet surfaces. In this
exercise, you create a fillet surface blend between the three fillet surfaces.
1. Open the part file Fillet Surface Blend.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The
3. Click the Fillet Surface button on the Surf
toolbar.
4. Click the 3 Fillet Blend modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK 1st fillet for 3 corner
blend.
5. Pick one of the fillet surfaces.
The prompt line reads: PICK 2nd fillet for 3 corner
blend.

6. Pick another fillet surface.

The prompt line reads: PICK 3rd fillet for 3 corner blend.
7. Pick the third fillet surface.
The blend is created along with cross sectional surface curves that trim the fillets.
Did You Know ...
Mesh lines are used for display only. They do not affect the surface. Cutting is not
affected if your mesh lines originate in a different corner.
8. Optionally, trim the three surfaces to the
fillets, then shade the surfaces to view the
effects of the blended fillets.

Creating a Composite Surface

The Composite Surface command on the Surf toolbar is used to create a surface derived
from combining two or more surfaces together. The surfaces used to create a composite
surface can be different types: filleted, four-curve, drive curve, complex, etc. The resulting
composite surface can be worked on as one surface.
Before creating a composite surface, intersecting surfaces to be composited may have to be
trimmed to the common surface curve to ensure that they share a common edge and have
continuity. This is to make sure surfaces do not overlap one another or have a gap between
them. Intersecting surfaces with a fillet between them should also be trimmed to the surface
curve at the edges of the fillet surface to ensure continuity.
Did You Know ...
If you are projecting entities over multiple surfaces, composite the surfaces first and the
entities will be projected on all relevant surfaces.

Create a composite surface from the hook part, which consists of 5 four-curve surfaces and a
surface of revolution at the tip.
EXERCISE 1. Open part file Exhook.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
You generated the surfaces for this part in an exercise on creating four-curve surfaces in
Chapter 6. If you do not have this part, open Hook.pcii.
3. Click the Composite Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
4. Click the Single Pick modifier button.
− When you use a UV Cut cycle to machine a composited surface, you cannot be sure
of the order of machining if you window pick the surfaces. To ensure the correct
machining order, make sure the surface arrow directions and sides are set to the
proper orientation before generating the composite surface, then pick each surface in
the order you want to machine.
− The prompt line reads: PICK 1st surface to composite.

7. In the Set Layers dialog box, create layer 11 - Composite and make it the current layer,
then click OK.
8. Pick the first surface at the top of the hook.
The surface is highlighted and the prompt line reads: PICK next surface to composite

9. Pick the next five surfaces in order

from the first surface picked to the
tip surface.
All the surfaces should be
highlighted.
10. Click BUTTON 2.
The six surfaces become one
composite surface that you can
project entities across or machine
with a UV Cut operation.
11. Choose Save on the File menu and
save the part as Exhook3.pcii.
Exploding a Composite Surface

EXERCISE You can restore a composited surface to the original surfaces using the Break command on
the Utility toolbar with the Explode modifier.
1. Open part file Composite Surface.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default
This part has a composite surface made Surface 1: Body
up of three trimmed surfaces. The
composite surface is treated as a single Surface 2: Sphere
surface. If you erase it, edit it, change
color or measure it, the surface would be
treated as a single entity.
2. Click the Break button on the Utility
toolbar.
Surface 3: Fillet
3. Click the Explode modifier button.
The Dev. parameter displays on the
InfoBar tab. This parameter is used only
for exploding splines, so you can ignore
it.
The prompt line reads: PICK entity to explode (button 2 when done).
4. Pick the composite surface, then click BUTTON 2.
The surface is highlighted and is exploded into its original trimmed surfaces.
Did You Know ...
The composite surface no longer exists. The individual trimmed surfaces that made
up the composite surface are restored on the original layers with the original
attributes.

Creating an Offset Surface
Creating an Offset Surface

The Offset Surface command on the Surf toolbar is used to create a new surface a distance
off of the original surface. The offset surface is generated by projecting surface normals
(perpendiculars) of an offset distance at every location on the original surface.
EXERCISE In this exercise, you create an offset surface from a core mold part by offsetting the thickness
(.125") of the mold to form the cavity mold of the original part.
1. Open part file Offset Surface.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
2. If the surface displays in shaded mode, position the mouse pointer in the work area and
click the left button, then press W on the keyboard to change to wire frame.
3. Click the Surf button.
4. Click the Offset Surface button on
the Surf toolbar.
On the InfoBar tab, the Dist off parameter
displays. The surface arrow on the
original surface determines the side on
which the offset surface will be created.
A positive offset distance inserts the
offset surface on the same side as the
arrow. A negative distance inserts the
surface on the side opposite the arrow.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to offset.
5. Double-click the Dist off text box to
highlight the value.
7. Pick anywhere on the surface to be
offset.
A second surface is generated the
specified distance from the original
surface on the same side as the surface
arrow.

Blending Two Surfaces
Blending Two Surfaces

The Blend Two Surfaces command on the Surf toolbar allows you to create a surface
blended between two surface edges. ProCAM creates a surface that maintains a tangent
(smooth) connection to the selected surfaces. This function uses bicubic blending to create
the surface.
When blending two surfaces, ProCAM expects surfaces with four sides or less. If a fifth side
is created when you trim a surface, then the blend results will be unpredictable and the blend
may not be correct.
EXERCISE In this exercise, a blend is placed between a cylindrical cross sectional surface and a 4-curve
surface.
1. Open part file Blend Surfaces.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
CAD/CAM toolbar.
3. Click the Blend 2 Surfaces
The prompt line reads: PICK the
boundary of 1st surface to blend.
The InfoBar tab displays the U Patch
and V Patch parameters. These
parameters are for display only and
have no affect on the blended surface
creation.
4. Change the U Patch and V Patch values to 10.
5. Pick the cylindrical surface edge nearest the 4-curve surface.
Surface direction is determined by
the closest edges or pick points on
edges (i.e., the pick point on each
edge dictates the direction).
The surface highlights and the
prompt line reads: PICK boundary of
2nd surface to blend.
6. Pick the 4-curve surface edge nearest
the half cylinder.
ProCAM blends the surfaces.
7. Change views and examine the
blended surface.

Creating a Line Mesh Surface
Creating a Line Mesh Surface

The Line Mesh Surface command on the Surf toolbar is used to create a line mesh surface
derived from a line mesh entity or a line mesh derived from any surface type.
A line mesh is an entity that has lines connecting a grid of points called mesh points. A line
mesh is typically imported from another graphics system through an IGES data translator.
While it appears to be made up of a grid of lines, it is a single entity. A line mesh is a surface
approximation.
A line mesh surface is a surface that blends smoothly through the mesh points. A line mesh
surface has all the properties and capabilities of other surfaces.
EXERCISE In this exercise, you change a line mesh into a line mesh surface.
1. Open the part file Line Mesh.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
This part is an imported line mesh.
CAD/CAM toolbar.
3. Click the Line Mesh Surface
The prompt line reads: PICK line mesh to
create surface.
4. Click the Layers tab at the bottom

of the Part Manager.
The imported line mesh is on layer 0.
6. Define a new layer as layer 1 - Surface and make it the current layer, then click OK.
7. Pick anywhere on the line mesh.
ProCAM highlights the line mesh
briefly, then a line mesh surface and its
associated surface arrow displays on top
of the line mesh.
Note that the line mesh surface goes
through all the mesh points of the line
mesh.
8. Press S and W on the keyboard to toggle
between shaded and wire frame display.
9. Leave this part in the work area. You
will use it to create a line mesh in the next exercise.

Creating a Line Mesh
Creating a Line Mesh

The Line Mesh Surface command includes a Line Mesh modifier that is used to create a line
mesh derived from any surface type. A line mesh is a surface approximation and cannot be
offset, projected onto, shaded, machined or used for other calculations, such as
intersections.
EXERCISE Continue using the part Line Mesh.pcii in the work area. This part has a line mesh surface;
however, any surface type could be used.
2. If the Layers tab is not displayed, click the Layers tab at the bottom of the Part
Manager.
4. Define a new layer as layer 2 - New Line Mesh and make it the current layer.
5. Turn off layer 0, the original imported line mesh.
6. Click OK to exit the dialog box.
7. Click the Line Mesh Surface button on the Surf toolbar.
8. Click the Line Mesh modifier button.
The prompt line reads: PICK surface to create line mesh.
A line mesh displays on top of the line mesh surface.

Separating the Core and Cavity

The Cut Cavity command on the Surf toolbar allows you to easily separate the core and
cavity on parts designed with thickness included. ProCAM separates the part from a Top
Cplane and puts the surfaces on three layers: Core, Cavity and Undercut. An undercut
surface has an area that the tool cannot cut from the Top Cplane.
EXERCISE 1. Open part file Cut Cavity.pcii in the \pcii\learn\CAD-Surf folder. The default path is
2. Click the Surf button on the CAD/CAM
toolbar.
3. Click the Cut Cavity button on the Surf
toolbar.
The prompt line reads: PICK surfaces to
separate core from cavity (button 2 when done).
The following parameters display on the
InfoBar tab to specify layers and the
deviation.
Core The layer that will contain the core surfaces. The default is 51.
Cavity The layer that will contain the cavity surfaces. The default is 52.
Undercut The layer that will contain the undercut surfaces. The default is 53
Dev. Determines the smallest area that will be checked for a single surface to
determine whether it is a core, cavity or undercut. If the deviation is too
large, some surfaces are not checked at all. These surfaces are moved to the
Undercut layer. This deviation is independent of the Design Part Deviation.
4. For this exercise, use the defaults for the parameters on the InfoBar tab.
− Layers are created automatically. If any of the layers exist prior to using this function,
ProCAM adds the entities to the existing layer and the layer name is not changed.
− The default value for the Dev. (deviation) can be used for most parts.
5. Select System Options on the Options menu.
6. In the System Options dialog box, set the Design Part Deviation to 0.001 and click OK.
The Design Part Deviation determines the accuracy of the Surface approximation. For the
Cut Cavity function, the recommended setting is 0.001.
Did You Know ...
The values in this exercise for Dev. and Design Part Deviation should produce good
results for most parts. If you have a very small, complex part, however, you may
want to reduce these values to enable ProCAM to find the small surfaces.

7. Window pick the part and click BUTTON 2.

− The prompt line reads: WORKING. Please wait.
− When ProCAM is finished, the prompt line changes to: PICK surfaces to separate core
from cavity (button 2 when done).
8. Click the Layers tab at the bottom of the Part Manager and notice that ProCAM has
created two layers for the core and cavity surfaces. No undercut surfaces were found.
9. Turn off layer 51 Core.
The Cavity displays (shown on the left below).
10. Turn on layer 51 Core and turn off layer 52.
The Core displays (shown on the right below).
Cavity on Layer 52 Core on Layer 51

Chapter 9 Surfacing Skill Builder Exercises
This chapter includes exercises that provide a chance for you to practice the functions you
have learned in this manual. Instead of the step-by-step procedure used for the previous
exercises, hints and tips furnish the information you need to complete the part from drawing
through generating surfaces.
You will define operations and generate tool paths for similar parts when you go through the
exercises in the Multi-surface Machining Tutorial.
Surfacing Skill Builder Exercises 9-1

Exercise 1
Exercise 1
In this exercise, you insert geometry, then create a complex surface cavity part.
• Create the part as shown in Cplane 1 Top with part zero at the lower left corner of the
part.
• Change layer and color for the rough stock polygon.
• Use the Polygon command to insert the 5.625" x 5.625" x –2.00" rough stock in Cplane 1
Top.
• Change layer and color for the wire frame geometry of the part.
• Draw finish part geometry at a depth=0.0" (top of the rough stock polygon) in Cplane 1
Top.
• Change to Cplane 5 Right and insert two 2.50" diameter 180 degree arcs.
• Change to Cplane 2 Front and insert two 1.0" diameter 180 degree arcs.
9-2 Surfacing Skill Builder Exercises

Exercise 1
• Change layer and color for the cross

section entities.
• Insert cross section entities on the top
profile geometry entities on either
side of the cavity. The cross section
entities will be the director curves for
the Complex surface. Remember to
start the cross section entities at the
same end and in the same direction.
• Insert cross section entities on the
1.0" diameter and the 2.5" diameter
arcs that determine the depth of the
cavity. These cross section entities
will be the generator curves for the
Complex surface. Remember, the
direction of the cross section entities
must be the same.
• Change layer and color for the
Complex surface.
• Create a Complex surface with two
director curves (BUTTON 2) and four
generator curves (BUTTON 2).
• Edit the surface arrow (if necessary)
to the inside and starting at the 1.0"
diameter arc end in the direction of
the director curve.
• Save the part as Skill1.pcii.

Exercise 2
Exercise 2
In this exercise, you insert geometry, then create two Surfaces of Revolution and a Fillet
surface between them.
• Create the part as shown in Cplane 1 Top with part zero at the center of the rough stock.
• Change layer and color for the rough stock polygon.
• Use the Polygon command and insert the rough stock at 6.25" x 6.0" x –1.5" in Cplane 1
Top.
• Change the layer and color for the wire frame geometry of the part.
• In Cplane 1 Top, draw the finish part geometry at a depth=0.0" (top of the rough stock
polygon).
• Make the horizontal centerline 1.6875" offset from the top edge of the polygon to center
the part in the rough stock.

Exercise 2
• Make the vertical centerline at the center of the rough stock.

• The 10 degree centerline starts at the intersection of the vertical centerline and the edge
of the 1.875" diameter dimension.
• Extend the side of the 10 degree section longer than the 2.375" dimension (about 2.5") to
ensure surface-to-surface intersection.
• Fillet all sharp corners at
.15" radius.
• For a Surface of
Revolution, you need to
define only half of the
geometry as shown.
• Change layer and color for the cross section entities.

• To make the first Surface of Revolution, insert a cross section entity on the geometry
above the horizontal centerline (axis of revolution). You have to include half the .15"
fillet radius at either end of the geometry. Break the fillet at the intersection of the
horizontal centerline.
• To make the second
Surface of Revolution,
insert a cross section entity
on the geometry beside the
10 degree centerline (axis
of revolution). You have to
include half the .15" fillet
radius. Break the fillet at
the intersection of the 10
degree centerline.

Exercise 2
• Change the layer and

color for the Surface of
Revolution.
• Create a 180 degree
cavity Surface of
Revolution about the
horizontal centerline.
• Create a 180 degree
cavity Surface of
Revolution about the 10
degree centerline.
• Change layer and color
for the Fillet surface.
• Edit the surface arrows
(if necessary) to the
outside for each Surface
of Revolution to determine the proper
fillet surface. Remember, there are
four possible Fillet surfaces between
any two intersection surfaces.
• Create a .15" radius Fillet surface
between the two intersecting Surfaces
of Revolution.
• Trim the Surfaces of Revolution to the
edges of the Fillet surface.
• Save the part as Skill2.pcii.

Exercise 3
Exercise 3
In this exercise, you insert the geometry, then create three Cross Section surfaces, four Fillet
surfaces, and two Surfaces of Revolution.

Exercise 3
Create the main body

geometry, cross
section entities, and
surface.
Step 1: Build Main Surface
Create the vertical side

wall geometry, cross
section entities, and
surfaces.
Step 2: Add Vertical Sides

Exercise 3
Rotate side walls 5

degrees and align surface
arrows.
Step 3: Rotate Side 5 Deg. & Align Arrows
Create a 0.2" Fillet

surface between the main
body surface and the 5
degree side wall surfaces,
then trim.
Step 4: Fillet .2 Rad. Between Main Surface & Sides

Exercise 3
Create a conic Surface of

Revolution at the center of
the main body surface and
align surface arrows.
Create a 0.2" Fillet surface
between the main body
surface and top conic
Surface of Revolution,
then trim.
Step 5: Build Center Surface & Fillet .2 Radius
Create a cylindrical
Surface of Revolution on
the left side of the main
body and align surface
arrows.
Create a 0.2" Fillet
surface between the main
body surface and the left
side Surface of
Revolution, then trim.
Save the part as
Skill3.pcii.
Step 6: Build Left Surface & Fillet .2 Radius

Index
Index inserting at midpoint of line 2-6

.pdf, file extension for manuals 1-2 inserting with known center 2-4
3D/2D Mode button on InfoBar tab 3-7 inserting with unknown center 2-6
A trimming 2-7
angle, inserting line at specified angle 2-16 complex surface 6-27
arc composite surface
inserting with known center/radius 2-13 creating 8-9
inserting with unknown center 2-14 decomposing 8-10
using direction modifiers 2-13 construction lines 5-5
arrow See surface arrow construction plane See Cplane
attachment point 6-12 coordinate system 3-2
axis Cplane
changing mode (UCS/WCS) 3-3 basics 3-2
offset origin 3-3 creating 6-21
Axis dialog box 3-3 definition 3-2
B inserting entities on multiple planes 3-11
blend two surfaces 8-12 cross hatching
Break utility inserting 2-33
Break Along UV Line modifier 7-13 using Break utility first 2-34
break surface along multiple surface curves 7-15 cross section entity
Break Surface Curve modifier 7-14 arrow 6-3
breaking surfaces 7-12 changing direction 7-4
exploding composite surface 8-10 creating 6-5
exploding surface curve 7-12 definition 6-2
using before cross hatching 2-34 using 6-2
cross section surface
C
lofted 6-6
CAD toolbar
plane 6-8
Arc 2-13
ruled 6-9
Chamfer 2-11
Circle 2-4 D
Cross Hatch 2-33 Depth, using with 3D/2D Mode button 3-7
Dimension 4-2 Dimension Arrows dialog box 4-14
Fillet 2-9 Dimension Attributes dialog box 4-11
Line 2-15 Dimension Text dialog box 4-15
Offset 2-29 dimensions
Point 2-2 baseline 4-7
Polygon 2-19 chained 4-2
Spline 2-23, 7-7 changing arrow and tick sizes 4-14
Text 2-31 changing attributes 4-11
chamfer, inserting 2-11 changing text options 4-15
circle coordinate 4-9
inserting 1-6 inserting notes 4-6
inserting at endpoint of line 2-5 setting number of decimal places 4-7
inserting at intersection of two lines 2-6 setting text size 4-7
turning extension lines on/off 4-8
i
Index
drawing line mesh, creating from surface 8-14, 8-15

3D exercise 3-11 lofted cross section surface 6-6
locating entities in 3D space 3-2 M
steps to draw a part 1-3 mesh lines, definition 6-3
using Views and Cplanes 3-2 Modules toolbar
drive curve surface 2 1/2 Axis Mill 1-9
attachment point 6-12 Surf 1-9, 6-4
creating 6-11 Move utility, moving/copying entities 1-7
director curve 6-14
N
drive curve 6-11
NURB spline
E define control points 2-24
Edit utility define NURB points 2-24
changing cross section entity direction 7-4 inserting 2-24
changing number of UV patches 7-3 node weight 2-24
changing surface arrow 7-2
O
extending surfaces 7-6
offset entity 2-29
engraving, projecting entities onto surface for 7-11
offset surface
entities
changing surface arrow side 7-3
inserting 1-4
creating 8-11
locating in 3D space 3-2
Open Spline File dialog box 2-26
offsetting 2-29
origin
extend surfaces 7-6
determining 1-4
F offsetting 3-3
files
P
installing parts for exercises 1-2
parametric spline, inserting 2-23
saving 1-9
parts
fillet surface
installing for exercises 1-2
3 surface blend 8-7
saving file 1-9
changing surface arrow side 7-3, 8-3
parts used in exercises
constant radius fillet surface 8-2
arc.pcii 2-13
creating 8-2
blend surfaces.pcii 8-12
trimming to edges 7-18
break surface1.pcii 7-12
variable radius fillet surface 8-4
break surface2.pcii 7-15
fillet, inserting 1-6, 2-9
complex surface.pcii 6-27
four-curve surface 6-18
composite surface.pcii 8-10
I Cross1.pcii 2-33
importing surfaces 6-4 Cross2.pcii 2-34
L cut cavity.pcii 8-15
line Dim1.pcii 4-2, 4-7, 4-9, 4-10
inserting 1-8 Dim2.pcii 4-6, 4-11, 4-12, 4-14, 4-15
inserting at angle 2-16 drive curve surface.pcii 6-11, 6-13, 6-14
inserting horizontal and vertical 2-15 edit crs sec entity.pcii 7-4
inserting specified length 2-15 edit surface.pcii 7-2, 7-3, 7-13, 7-14
line mesh surface entities.pcii 2-2, 2-29
creating 8-13 exhook.pcii 6-21, 8-9
Line Mesh modifier 8-14, 8-15 exproj.pcii 7-10, 7-17
ii
Index
fillet surface blend.pcii 8-7 skill-builder exercises, CAD

fillet surface1.pcii 8-2 Exercise 1 5-2
fillet surface2.pcii 8-4 Exercise 10 5-11
fillet-chamfer.pcii 2-9, 2-11 Exercise 11 5-15
four curve surface1.pcii 6-18 Exercise 12 5-16
four curve surface2.pcii 6-20 Exercise 13 5-17
hook.pcii 8-9 Exercise 14 5-18
line mesh.pcii 8-13, 8-14 Exercise 15 5-19
line.pcii 2-16 Exercise 16 5-20
offset surface.pcii 8-11 Exercise 2 5-3
polygon.pcii 2-19 Exercise 3 5-4
project entities1.pcii 7-9 Exercise 4 5-5
project entities2.pcii 7-10 Exercise 5 5-6
project text.pcii 7-11 Exercise 6 5-7
snap.pcii 2-4 Exercise 7 5-8
spline1.pcii 2-23 Exercise 8 5-9
spline2.pcii 2-24, 2-27 Exercise 9 5-10
spline3.pcii 2-26 skill-builder exercises, Surfacing
surface curve1.pcii 7-6, 7-7, 7-8 Exercise 1 9-2
surface curve2.pcii 7-8 Exercise 2 9-4
surface of revolution.pcii 6-16 Exercise 3 9-7
surface1.pcii 6-4 spl3d2.txt 2-26
three curve SOR.pcii 6-30 spline
three curve surface.pcii 6-31 Along Surface Edge modifier 7-8
trim surface1.pcii 7-17 creating surface curve 7-7
trim surface2.pcii 7-18 editing 2-26
utility.pcii 2-7 exploding into multiple entities 7-12
patch points 6-3 inserting from file 2-26
patches, surface inserting NURB 2-24
changing number of 7-3 inserting parametric 2-23
definition 6-3 inserting points on 2-3
picking text 2-32 Intersection Two Surfaces modifier 7-7
plane cross section surface 6-8 On a Parting Line modifier 7-8
points, inserting 2-2 steps to draw a part 1-3
polygon Surf toolbar
changing angle 2-21 Blend Two Surfaces 8-12
changing number of sides 2-21 Complex Surface 6-27
inscribed/circumscribed 2-20 Composite Surface 8-9
inserting with corner points 1-5, 2-19 Cross Section Entity 6-5
inserting with three points 2-19 Cross Section Surface 6-6, 6-8
using length modifier 2-22 Drive Curve Surface 6-11
projecting entities onto surface 7-9 Fillet Surface 7-18, 8-2
R Four-Curve Surface 6-18
ruled cross section surface 6-9 Line Mesh Surface 8-13, 8-14, 8-15
Offset Surface 8-11
S
Project Onto Surface 7-9
side view, drawing 5-11
Surface of Revolution 6-16, 6-25, 6-30
iii
Index
Three-Curve Surface 6-30 V

surface arrow View, comparison to Cplane 3-2
changing 7-2 W
definition 6-3 WCS 3-2, 3-3
surface curves
creating 7-7
using Project Onto Surface command 7-9
using Spline command 7-7
using to break surfaces 7-12
using to trim surfaces 7-17
surface of revolution 6-16, 6-25, 6-30
surfaces
blending 8-12
breaking 7-12
changing arrow 7-2
creating 6-6
extending 7-6
importing 6-4
inserting cross section entities 6-5
offset 8-11
steps to create 6-4
terminology 6-2
trimming 7-17
trimming to edges of Fillet surface 7-18
untrimming 7-18
T
text
inserting 2-31
inserting dimensions notes 4-6
picking 2-32
three-curve surface 6-30
Trim utility
trimming circles 2-7
trimming surface to edge of Fillet surface 7-18
trimming surface to multiple curves 7-17
trimming surfaces 7-17
untrimming surfaces 7-18
U
UCS 3-2, 3-3
Units dialog box 4-7, 4-11, 4-15
Units, Setup menu 4-7, 4-11, 4-15
Utility toolbar
Break 2-34, 7-12
Trim 7-17
UV patches
changing number of 7-3
definition 6-3, 7-3
iv

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CAD / SURFACING

Copyright ©2001, 2004 TekSoft, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Setting Dimension Attributes .....................................................................4-11

Four-Curve Surface ....................................................................................6-18

Creating a Composite Surface...................................................................... 8-9

CAD Basics 1-1

How to Use This Manual

Installing Learning Files

1-2 CAD Basics

Steps to Draw a Part

Step 1: Study the Print

CAD Basics 1-3

• Check the units on the print.

Step 2: Insert Each Graphic Entity

4. Finally, trim circles and lines as needed.

1-4 CAD Basics

2. When you are drawing 2D parts for

The modifier toolbar displays the options that allow you to

CAD Basics 1-5

10. Type 6 and press ENTER.

Put fillets on the sharp corners:

1-6 CAD Basics

5. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap

1. Click the Move button on the Utility toolbar.

7. Click the Keyboard button on the Snap toolbar.

8. Type 5 (for X to) and press ENTER.

CAD Basics 1-7

The prompt line changes to: ENTER Y coordinate to move to.

1-8 CAD Basics

Step 3: Save the Part

CAD Basics 1-9

1-10 CAD Basics

Inserting Graphic Entities 2-1

Inserting a Specified Number of Points

2. Click the Point button on the CAD toolbar.

2-2 Inserting Graphic Entities

The prompt line reads: PICK entity to create points.

Inserting Points at a Spline Node Location

2. Click the Point button on the CAD toolbar.

Inserting Graphic Entities 2-3

Inserting a Circle with a Known Center

2-4 Inserting Graphic Entities

10. For the second circle (labeled B), repeat

Inserting a Circle at the Endpoint of a Line

Inserting Graphic Entities 2-5

Inserting a Circle at the Midpoint of a Line

1. Click the Midpoint button on the Snap toolbar.

Inserting a Circle with an Unknown Center

2. Click the Center Unknown modifier button.

2-6 Inserting Graphic Entities

Make sure the Trim to Keep modifier is highlighted.

Inserting Graphic Entities 2-7

4. Pick the top left on circle #1.

2-8 Inserting Graphic Entities

Inserting a Fillet with Automatic Trimming

7. Pick the vertical line on the right.

Inserting Graphic Entities 2-9

Inserting a Fillet with No Trimming

2-10 Inserting Graphic Entities

Inserting a Chamfer with Automatic Trimming

Inserting Graphic Entities 2-11

4. Pick the vertical line.

6. To see how it would look

Inserting a Chamfer with No Trimming