CATIA

Useful Methods

By :
Nayyar Rahman
 To add advantages of OGS to GS

In GSD ---------------Tools Toolbar--------------Insert Mode Command.

Use this command to insert command below any operation (command) in specification tree and to
update the parent child relationship.
1) Click on Insert mode Command from Tools toolbar.
2) Then Click on the command from specification tree.
3) Complete the new command..... Click OK.
4) the command gets updated in the specification tree. and the parent child relationship gets updated.
 How to Shell a sphere
• Model a solid Sphere using shaft command, ------sketch Semicircle D of 50mm diameter

2) Shell Command ----------Add a value in Default Inside Thickness eg: 1mm

3) Select the sphere surface in " Face To Remove".

4) Again Select the same surface in "Other Thickness Faces“

5) Click OK.

Only by selecting shell command and then clicking on OK the sphere is shelled. But we tend to
select surface for shell where the command doesn't work.
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Name key features

It is important to rename key features in the spec tree to provide a useful name for other users
to know what that feature is defining.Example: Point.1Renamed to: Upper mounting point -
left sideKeep in mind you should not use special characters such as ", $, !, etc.
 Selective V4 migration elements to V5

When you need a geometrical element from an existing V4 model you can selectively migrate just
the one or more elements that you need without having to migrate the entire model.
Open the V4 model in V5 and expand the *Master in the Spec Tree.
Select just the elements that you want to migrate and copy them.
In a new V5 CATPart document paste the selected V4 elements.
Some of the older V4 models have lots of wireframe and solids that you do not need to migrate
then have to clean up. It is best to just migrate only the elements that you might need to create your
new part.

Save sections in Assembly Desgin without SPA license

If you use e.g. a HD2 or MD configuration of CATIA (without DMU or SPA license), there is no
button to save a dynamic section in Assembly Design. After closing the panel the section
disappears.But not always. There is a workaround to save a section permanently in the
CATProduct: Also it is possible to modify such a section afterwards (and save the modified
section).
First you open the product and any other part in 2 seperate windows of the same CATIA session.
Select Windows / Tile Vertical to see both of them
In the product: create a section as you need it.
Instead of closing the section-panel you just select the other window containing the part with left
mouse button
Then you come back to the window of the product (left mouse button). The section panel appears
again as before
then you close the section panel by 'Cancel' (do not click on 'OK'!)
That's all. The section is permanently saved in the product. In order to modify the section you
double click on the Section-entry in the specificat ion tree (look for Applications/Sections). The
sectioning panel appears again, you may modify the section and leave the panel now with 'OK'.
 Dynamic Sectioning in Part Design

Starting with R19 you can use an new function

Dynamic Sectioning' directly in Part-Design Workbench. It works similar to sections in Assembly

Design except there is no panel for options.In order to get it you have to modify the used
environment by adding a new variable: PRT_DYNAMIC_SECTIONING=1You may do this either
by using the 'Environment Editor'
In the Windows start menu: All Programs / CATIA / Tools / Environment Editor
Select the used environment-file in the upper panel of the window
Right-click on the last line in the lower panel, choose 'New Variable' in the context-menu
Key in for Name: PRT_DYNAMIC_SECTIONING
Key in for Value: 1
Select OK
File / Close Environment Editor
Save the modified Environment: Select OK
Or you may edit the environment-file itself with a text-editor:
E.g. in windows explorer adressline you got to the home-directory of
'All Users', then sub directory .\Applications\DassaultSystemes\CATENV
There you'll find the environment-file. In default installations it's name is CATIA.V5R19.B19.txt.
Open this file with notepad or an other text-editor
add a line at the end of the file as given above.
Save the file
close the editor.
When CATIA V5R19 will be startet, you'll find in Part-Design a new toolbar with an icon for
Dynamic Sectioning.
 Lock your icons so they do not move
From the View pull down menu select Toolbars and Customize. Then in the
Customize dialog box select the last tab called Options. At the bottom you can
check the box to Lock Toolbar Position.

Power input zone search

You can use the power input zone to perform searches. If you type in T:Point it will
search the spec tree and selects all of the points.

Difference between Product and component

Products can be saved and found in local file system. They are given an actual
.catproduct extension.

Components on the other hand, are assembly specific. Unless using a data
manager like Enovia/Smarteam etc, they will not be saved as separate files or
stored in local file system.

To check this, create an assembly, and create some products, then create some
components (All inside of one assembly). Go to Save management, and notice the
components are nowhere to be seen. Only the products can be saved. The
components act as more of a part management/part placeholder inside of a given
assembly
 USEFUL CATIA HOTKEYS
• Esc (escape) - Abort the current process
or exit the current dialog box (when there
is one)
• F3 - Structure tree out or insert (Toggle
specification tree display on and off)
• F9 - Toggle Hide/Show
• F10 - Toggle Swap Visible Space
• SHIFT - F1 - Context assistance (Get help
on toolbar icons)
• SHIFT - F2 - Toggle the specification tree
overview on and off - opens an overview
on specifications tree in a new window.
• SHIFT - F3 - Structure tree activate around
e.g. character size to modify (activate the
graph if the model is active and inversely)
• SHIFT + left - rotate to the left
• SHIFT + right - rotate to the right
• SHIFT + UP - rotate upward
• SHIFT + down - rotate downward
• ALT + F8 - Macros start
• ALT + F11 - Visual basic wordprocessor
• Home - Display the top of the graph
• End - Display the bottom of the graph
• ALT + Enter – Properties
• ALT + SHIFT + Right arrow >> ROTATE
the model
• ALT + SHIFT + Left arrow >> ROTATE the
model
• CTRL + PAGE UP >> ZOOM IN the model
or tree whichever is active
• CTRL + PAGE DOWN >> ZOOM OUT the
model or tree whichever is active
• CTRL + RIGHT arrow >> Move the model
to the right >> PAN
• CTRL + LEFT arrow >> Move the model to
the Left >> PAN
• CTRL + TOP arrow >> Move the model to
the TOP >> PAN
• CTRL + BOTTOM arrow >> Move the
model to the Bottom >> PAN
• CTRL + SHIFT + Right arrow >> ROTATE
the model around z axis Clockwise
• CTRL + SHIFT + LEFT arrow >> ROTATE
the model around z axis Anti Clockwise
• CTRL + Tab - switch between the different
windows (swap active document windows)
• CTRL + N - New document open
• CTRL + O - Document open
• CTRL + S - Document save
• CTRL + P - Document print
• CTRL + F – Search
• CTRL + U - Update
• CTRL + X - Cut out
• CTRL + C - Copying
• CTRL + V - Insert
• CTRL + Y - Redo
• CTRL + Z - Undo
• CTRL + F11 >>>to get the Prselection
navigator, for selecting coincident / very
close elements in geometry area.
 Settings to see parameters and relations of a part
Even after creating paramers and relations inside a part, these are not seen unless and untill you check following settings.
Settings to see parameters and relations:
1. Tools -> Options -> Infrastructure -> Part Infrastructure -> Display -> Parameters,
Relations

2. Tools -> Options -> General -> Parameters and Measure -> Knowledge -> With
value, With formula (as per requirement)
 To pattern multiple objects in one go

Including multiple objects - E,g While using the Rectangular Pattern command in the Part Design module, you can
include multiple objects in your pattern. To do so, just multi-select (while holding the CTRL key) the objects before
clicking on the Rectangular Pattern command. You will then see the list of objects to pattern in the "Object to Pattern"
section of the dialog box.

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Bring Toolbar from diffrent Workbench into current Workbench

•Tools > Customize > Toolbars > New
•Select required Workbench from "Workbenches"
•Select available toolbar under selected Workbench
•Click OK to confirm
 Altering any View in CATIA 3D Session

View > Named Views

Select the view as per requirement
Click on Properties button

Manupulate as per requirement using the arrows

Click Appy to Preview OK to Confirm

Click OK on the Named Views to close the command
Technique to easily rotate a big heavy assembly and part

While working on big assemblies manier times its difficult to rotate assembly as desired. Now to change
"instantaneous center of rotation of big assembly" 1. Middle click mouse button at desired location on part /assembly
about which we want to rotate the part/assembly. That shifts the centre of rotation of part/assembly to the point which
is clicked by mouse thus making it easy to rotate a big assembly.
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Trick to disable opening product file at startup

Trick to disable opening product file at startup

Take a new environment variable using "new" in
For that
1. Right click my computer icon-- advanced-Environment variable
2. Click on "new"
3. Give variable name as ADL_ODT_IN
variable value as 1
4. Click OK . Then start catia .

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Get the Assembly Product Tree in text file

Open the Assembly in CATIA

File > Save As as shown below with .txt extension
Renaming parts quickly in an assembly without desk problem

Suppose we want to rename some of the part /product files in an assembly avoiding desk problem.
1.Open an assembly first.
2.Right click on the part files to rename and select the option " open in new window".
3.Then go to file "save as" option and save the file with new name/number. This way rename all the required parts without desk
problem.This is fast.
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Tip to reduce Assembly size

While carrying out assembly we require different parts/subassemblies as a reference for doing assembly. Now to
reduce the size of assembly do following
1.Insert a component in an assembly.
2.Under that component bring all the reference parts/sub-assemblies that we will be using as reference
3.All the remaining parts that are coming in given assembly put them as usual under a product .
4. Idea behind bringing all the reference parts/sub-assemblies under a "component " is nothing but "avoiding
duplication of sub-assemblies"though the parts under a component will create a sub-assembly ,it (that sub-
assembly) will not have its separtes existence outside the producty file. That reduces assembly size.

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Trick to give dimension of different unit without changing default unit

Many times a condition arises in which one of the dimension of component is in different unit than
remaining dimensions. E.g in a component only one dimension is given in inches and other are in
mm. In that case we can directly put the dimension given in inch.TO DO THAT THE PROCEDURE
IS AS FOLLOWS
1. Dimension the component including the dimension which is supposed to be in inch.
2. 2. then double click the dimension that we want in inches , it will display that dimension followed by
default unit like suppose here default unit is "mm".
3. 3. In dimension editor delete the dimension and suppose we want to put dimension as 1 inch replace
that dimension by dimension " 1in " and hit enter.It will automaticaly convert that 1 inch to
appropriate value in mm.
 Best Practices for Power Copies

1)When defining PowerCopies including sketches, use profiles constrained with

respect to edges or faces rather than to planes.Additionally, set the option Create
geometrical constraints off before sketching.

2)It is preferable to constrain elements with respect to external references such as

faces, edges, reference or explicit planes. It is preferable not to use projections nor
intersections in the sketch if you want to use that sketch in a PowerCopy.

3)Create sketches on an axis system, in order to better control the Sketch position and
the sketches should be fully constrained.
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Adding a logo or text to part design

Import the image into a CATDrawing and/or type text onto the lower left corner of a
CATDrawing and then save it as a .dxf file. Close the CATDrawing and read the .dxf,
and then Copy/Paste the lines into a sketch plane. From there, treat the sketch as a
normal sketch and use Pad/Pocket, scaling or whatever to make it fit your needs.

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Open profile sketch easy to see

It is easy to identify if a sketch is an open profile without

having to open the sketch. The area that is open will have
black dots at the vertex instead of the white dots that
show connection.
 Ceating center of gravity of any object using formula editor

This tip helps you create center of gravity of any object (e.g. body, curve or surface) using formula editor.
1. Open the Part containing object.
2. Click the f(x) icon. The Formula Editor opens. In the New parameter of type scrolling list, select Point and
click New parameter of type. Then click Add Formula.

3.The Formula Editor opens. Enter the following formula by using the Dictionary-> Point Constructors ->
centerofgravity (Body,…): Point
Operator: centerofgravity()
4. Position the cursor between the parenthesis and double-click the object in the geometry or in the specification
tree.
If you select Part Body. The formula is displayed as follows:
Geometrical Set.1\Point.1= centerofgravity(PartBody )-
Click OK when done. Click Yes in the Automatic
update window.
You will get center of gravity of PartBody as Point.1
You can also create center of gravity using Measure -> Create Geometry.
But this will not work for all geometries (e.g. 3D curves)
 Positioning parts in Circular array when array is not used for creation of feature in reference Part

Requirement: Sometimes we need to position bolts in circular array fashion, but suppose we don’t have Circular Pattern
available in Reference Plate to make use of Reuse Pattern.

Scenario: Let’s have a scenario where I need to position Hexagonal Headed Bolt in Circular Plate where we have Six Holes
on certain PCD. Holes created in Circular Plate are not created using Circular Pattern. Hence we can’t use Reuse Pattern
option from Product Structure Tools. To do so, we can use following steps…
STEP1: Using Existing Component command, get a Bolt & position it in any Hole of Circular Plate. Refer Figure 1 below

STEP2:
Select Bolt from Specification Tree, Copy it
& Paste it Five Times in Product1 as we
have Total six Holes in this scenario. Refer
Figure 2 below

Figure 1
Figure 2

STEP3: Drag & Drop Compass on Circular Plate which should

snap at its axis. Then Right click & Select Edit…Refer Figure 2.

STEP4: Key in Angle increment Value at Along W as 60 deg.

Select second bolt from Specification & click Circular Arrow.
This will position second bolt at second Hole. Repeat the
procedure for rest of the Bolts. Refer Figure 3 below

Figure 3
Opening an assembly in relatively less time than regular process
Do the necessary settings Open assembly (it will appear as in picture)

Right click the tree and select active node command

 How to get Surfaces Toolbar in Part Design

This tip is especially useful for solid modelling projects which needs some sort of work in Surfaces too. In such
cases swapping between Part Design and GSD workbench may be irritating. Rather I would make a Toolbar with
commands which I use most in GSD and bring it down to Part Design. This increases productivity and also
hassles of swapping workbenches.
Step1: From Part Design workbench, Go to Tools--> Customize
Step2: Click on "Toolbars" tab,
 Step3: Now Click "New" Button.
Step4: A "New Toolbar" window pops up. In the workbenches section,
scroll down to "Shape Design Workbench" and select "Surfaces" from the
"Toolbars" list. Give a name to the toolbar. Eg. "My GSD" and click "OK".

Step5: "My GSD" toolbar will appear in the "Toolbars" list. Now you need
to add/remove desired surface based commands in it. Note that
Adding/removing any commands to this toolbar will not affect any standard
toolbars in CATIA. To add commands "Click Add commands" button as
shown in pic above. You can then see list of all surface based features. You
can add as many as you like. In my e.g. I have added "Positioned Sketch,
Join, Split, etc.
Step6: Similarly you can remove any commands which you find not useful.
Step7: When you are done your new toolbar "My GSD" will appear in the
right-click context menu list of toolbars, which you can access in Part-
Design itself!
Creating a Plane Parallel to Monitor Screen
In Plane definition, Select plane type as Equation.

Orient the model to required orientation

In the bottom of the Plane definition dialog box, you will find a button for parallel to screen, Press the
parallel to screen button to get the A,B, & C values of the equation.

The position of the plane in the Screen normal can be controlled by specifying D value
(It is the distance between selected axis system to plane in normal direction) or Position the plane
with a point.
Usage: Patching surfaces
 Export Parameters and Measures to an Excel Worksheet
Creating a Design Table to Transfer Parameters to an Excel Worksheet.
1. Click on the Design Table Icon.
2. Select Create a design table with current parameter values and Vertical or Horizontal
Orientation.
Select OK when finished.
3. Use the filter area to bring up and select your desired Parameters.
Click the Arrow button to transfer the parameters to the inserted side.
4. Select Folder and save Design Table. 5. Design Table configuration window will open click OK to finish.
(This window will always show the information in the vertical
position, click the edit table button if you want to preview.)

5. Click open in Excel. Change type field to Text. Open the Design Table you saved.
7. Click Next through the Text Import Wizard and click Finish at the end. (Use Default Selections.)

8. Click Save or Save As to save the file in Excel format.

 Delete useless elements

Extra geometry that is not needed to define the model is sometimes left in the dataset. This increases the model
size and makes the organization of the data harder to work with.
Exceptions
Fastener locations, ICD definition, reference geometry, etc.

How to check
Use the Delete Useless elements command and see if elements can be deleted. It is important to understand what
elements may need to be deleted and do not rely on the function itself as the default setting only keeps elements
required to define the solid.
Using single sketch for multiple pat design commands
We can use one single sketch for multiple operations by using the profile feature in sketcher.
Also another method is to use the single sketch by right click and select the profile definition and one can select its
subelements or any single entity.(the entity should be closed)
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How To Find Out Version And Revision Of Any Catia Part Product Without Opening It .
Right Click On Any Catia Part/Product-> Open With Notepad (as shown above)-> In Notepad Find (ctrl-F) CATIAV, And It
Will Show The Version And Revision Of That Catia Part/Product.
Hope, the tip will help you to save your time.
 Quick method to check for Surface Tangency
Areas that have a surface tangency issue will impact downstream users such as Stress, Manufacturing, and
even other designers trying to use the non-tangent surface.
How to check
When you need a quick method to check for surface tangency issues it is recommended to have the CATIA
V5 visualization setting set to Shading with Edges without Smooth Edges.
You will notice a sharp black line in everywhere there is not a smooth tangent area.

This method works on your Part Design solid model as well as your Surface data.

Keep in mind that CATIA has several functions that can perform more detailed analysis of surface quality
checking. This is just a quick method and a built-in feature that every Designer has access to this function
without any requiring special licenses

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Holes built using the Hole function

It is recommended that all holes in your solid part to be created using the hole function and not by creating
pockets, split with surface, Boolean removes, etc. Downstream processes will be looking for holes create by
the hole function. It is also earier for users to modify the location and size of the hole if the hole feature was
used.
Exceptions
Large cutouts that can be circular milled or produced by other manufacturing processes.

How to check
Select on the 3D geometry for the hole and you should see a hole feature highlighted in the spec tree.
Deactivated feature elements

There should not be any deactivated features in the spec tree when you are done with
the model and it is ready for release. As shown on the sample below the EdgeFillet.1 is
deactivated as indicated by the special symbol on the icon. If a user activates the feature
that is currently deactivated it will impact downstream datasets that are linked to this
model. Some linked datasets can include drawings, stress models, NC datasets, etc, and
the users of those datasets will be required to update the model but will not be notified of
what has changed and it may have significant impacts to the design or manufacturing.

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Solid Combine vs. Boolean operation

The use of Solid Combine function in most

cases can provide a smaller dataset size and
make the spec tree easier to manage.
 Create a Closed End Helical Spring
If you are having trouble creating springs in CATIA, here’s one solution. Instead of using complex law curves, why not use the
Helix command that already exists within the Generative Shape Design workbench? To create the spring, you need three
helixes – the start, end of the spring and one for the center. By linking the parameters for the helix using the Formula Editor,
you can create a spring that will update in height and pitch automatically
Create a new part file and add a reference line to act as the spring axis. Then add a point at a distance from where you want
the spring to start.
. Using this point and the axis, create a helix using an S type law. Start at 0 and end at a pitch value that you want.
Using the end point of this helix and the axis, create a second helix that follows on from the first one using the same pitch value
and the height you want.
Similar to the first helix, and using the end point of the second helix and the axis, create a third helix using an S type law,
starting at the pitch value and ending at 0.
Join these curves together and create a rib using a section sketched at the start of the spring.
At this stage you have a closed end helical spring. Now link the heights, pitches and revolutions of each spring so that when
you update an overall height parameter, the entire spring updates. This is customized to the spring parameters that are desired
CATIA Custom Toolbar

Creating and customizing your own toolbars in CATIA can be very useful and time saving,
depending on the commands and icons you frequently use. CATIA allows you to add commands
to the standard toolbars but also gives you the option of creating your own.
1.Select Tools | Customize to display the Customize dialog and click the Toolbars tab to
display the toolbar options.
2.Click New to display the New Toolbar dialog and enter a name for your toolbar
3.Click OK to create the toolbar and return to the Customize dialog. The newly created toolbar
displays in the Toolbars list .
4.Click Add commands and while pressing CTRL, select the commands you most frequently
use. Click OK to add them to the toolbar.
Creating Thread Type in the Part Design Workbench
Have you ever had problems finding the thread you want for an application, or had to look it up in a
reference book? This is time consuming and repetitive depending on your industry. The Hole command
in the Part Design workbench offers two default thread files - Metric Thin Pitch and Metric Thick
Pitch. This procedure explains how to add your own thread type, which can be update as required.

1.Open Excel or Notepad and save the file with a suitable filename.
2.Create four columns with headings, as shown in the graphic.
3.Enter the values for your threads.
4.Save the file then close it.
5.Open a new CATPart and add a hole to a solid. Activate Threaded on the Thread Definition tab in
the Hole Definition dialog.
6.Click Add and navigate to where you saved your Excel or Notepad file.
Once you have added the file, your name and values appear in the Type menu. The Thread
Description box lists the values in the key column. The other thread values display according to the
selected key value.
 Publication naming

Default names for publications do not help downstream users.

Look in the Spec Tree to see if there is default names used for the publications.
Provide logical naming of the publication names to help identify the element that you are publishing for other
users. An example would be "Interface point A for top mounting location" instead of the default name of "Point.1"