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1 58503 205 0 1 PDF
1 58503 205 0 1 PDF
1 58503 205 0 1 PDF
Releases 12 & 13
By:
Richard Cozzens
SDC
PUBLICATIONS
www.schroff-europe.com
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Lesson 1
Introduction to CATIA V5
Introduction
CATIA V5 is a powerful software package yet has a relatively short learning curve. One
of the reasons for the short learning curve is that it is fully Windows compatible and the
processes are consistent across the workbenches, toolbars and tools. If you learn the
basics of a particular workbench the same process can be used for more complex
problems. Several tools are used in more than one workbench.
The lessons in this workbook present basic real life design problems (when possible) and
the workbenches, toolbars, and tools required to solve the problem. The lessons present
this information with step-by-step instructions. For every step there are numerous
possible methods of accomplishing the same thing. The steps are to be used as guides to
solving the design problem. You are encouraged to try new and different methods, find
the method that works for you.
This lesson provides a brief foundation about CATIA V5 to build upon in the following
lessons.
Figure 1.1
1-2
CATIA V5 Workbook
Objectives
The objective of this workbook is to instruct anyone who wants to learn CATIA V5
through organized, graphically rich, step-by-step instructions on the basic processes
and tools provided by CATIA V5.
The objectives of this lesson are listed below:
-
Introduction to CATIA V5
1-3
which for the most part are the actions required by each step. There are Notes, Hints
and Comments along with links to all of the graphics for visual explanations.
Summary: This section brings everything you have learned together.
Review Questions: This section consists of 20 questions taken from the lesson. The
purpose of the review is to help solidify the concepts and tools taught in the lesson. The
questions tie directly back to the listed objectives.
Practice Exercises: Being able to answer questions is one thing, being able to create is
another! The Practice Exercises are problems that require the use of the tools and
processes covered in the lesson. Some of the Practice Exercises have helpful hints on
how to create the part.
To get the most out of each lesson, it is suggested that you preview the entire lesson so
you get an overview of what information is contained in each lesson. This overview will
also give you an idea of what it will take to complete the lesson. Read through the
Lesson Review questions before you begin, this way you can be searching for the
answers as you go through the lesson. Preview the Practice Exercises, as you go
through the lesson you can be looking for the tools and processes required to complete
the Practice Exercises.
1-4
CATIA V5 Workbook
CATIA V5 Configuration
CATIA V5 is configured into three different platforms. The platform defines a
technical capability. Within each platform there are Applications Tools. These
Application Tools contain workbenches that are organized into categories dependent
on their application, for example the NC Manufacturing Application Tools contain
workbenches that support NC applications like Lath Machining, Prismatic Machining
and Surface Machining. Workbenches contain toolbars and tools that are specific to
that workbench. For example, metaphorically speaking a woodshop contains tools
for woodworking and a weld shop contains tools for welding. This is similar to
CATIAV5s workbenches; the Part Design Workbench contains toolbars and tools for
creating parts. Toolbars within workbenches can also be broken down into specific
functions. Some particular toolbars and tools will show up in numerous
workbenches.
Figure 1.2
Introduction to CATIA V5
1-5
Figure 1.3
CATIA V5 Platforms
CATIA V5 is configured into with three different platforms. The platforms P1, P2
and P3 designate the design level available to the user.
P1 Platform
The P1 Platform is the starting point for smaller companies that do not require the
process-oriented tools. The functionality is limited to design tools.
P2 Platform
The P2 Platform provides the extended design tools as well as additional process
oriented tools. The process tools are fully interchangeable and scaleable.
P3 Platform
The P3 Platform has the look and feel of the P2 Platform but can be customized to fit
a particular industry (highly specialized).
1-6
CATIA V5 Workbook
Figure 1.4
Access to the
Application
Tools
Application Tool:
Mechanical Design
Workbench:
Part Design
Introduction to CATIA V5
1-7
Shape
Analysis & Simulation
NC Manufacturing
Digital Mockup
Knowledgeware
CATIA V5 Workbenches
The following is a list of workbenches that are organized within each Application Tool.
Infrastructure
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to all the other
Applications. These workbenches are integrated across CATIA V5
applications.
Workbench
Material
Library
CATIA V4,
V3, V2
Catalog
Editor
Photo Studio
Real Time
Rendering
Feature
Dictionary
Editor
1-8
CATIA V5 Workbook
Mechanical Design
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to design, solid
modeling, assembly and drafting.
Workbench
Sheet Metal
Design
Sheet Metal
Production
Wireframe
and Surface
Design
Generative
Sheet Metal
Design
Part Design
Assembly
Design
Sketcher
Drafting
Introduction to CATIA V5
1-9
Shape
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to surfaces and
surface design.
Workbench
Workbench
Name
Workbench Definition
Free Style
Sketch Tracer
Digitized
Shape Editor
Generative
Shape Design
Workbench
1-10
CATIA V5 Workbook
NC Manufacturing
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to Numeric Control
applications.
Workbench
Workbench
Name
Workbench Definition
Lathe
Machining
Prismatic
Machining
Surface
Machining
Advanced
Machining
NC
Manufacturing
Review
STL Rapid
Prototyping
Digital Mockup
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to digital recreation
of the real
world.
Workbench
Workbench
Name
Workbench Definition
DMU
Navigator
DMU Space
Analysis
DMU
Kinematics
DMU 2D
Viewer
DMU
Optimizer
DMU Fitting
Introduction to CATIA V5
1-11
Knowledgeware
This Application Tool contains workbenches that allow the user to
incorporate intelligence into CATIAV5 documents.
Workbench
Workbench
Name
Workbench Definition
Knowledge
Advisor
Knowledge
Expert
Product
Engineering
Optimizer
Product
Knowledge
Template
Product
Function
Optimization
Product
Function
Definition
CATIA V5 Documents
All files created using CATIA V5 are referred to as documents. The basis of most
CATIA V5 documents is the part document. The part document is similar to the
*.model file in CATIA V4. Different CATIA V5 Workbenches generate different
types of documents (extension types). The following is a list of different
workbenches and the extension types.
Part Design
Sketcher
Surface Design
Drafting
Assembly Design
GSA
NC
Material
Shape
*.CATPart
*.CATPart
*.CATPart
*.CATDrawing
*.CATProduct
*.CATAnalyis
*.CATProcess
*.CATMaterial
*.CATShape
1-12
CATIA V5 Workbook
Contextual Menus
CATIA V5 was developed to take advantage of MS Windows functionality. One of
the most powerful functions offered by MS Windows technology is the Contextual
Menu. For most tools/functions in CATIA V5 there are several different ways to
accomplish and/or access the same tool. The Contextual Menu is one of the quicker
methods to accomplishing some tasks, rather than attempting to locate a tool or
navigate through the pull down menus. The Contextual Menu can provide immediate
access to some tools/functions by selecting the particular item and selecting the right
mouse button. Figure 1.5 shows an example of the Contextual Menu applied to the
Pad.1.
Introduction to CATIA V5
1-13
Figure 1.5
Summary
This is a brief background and introduction to the world of CATIA V5. It is also a
brief guide to how to get the most out of this workbook no matter what skill level you
are at. The better you remember and understand the information presented in this
lesson the easier it will be to learn and apply the information contained in the
remaining lessons.
1-14
CATIA V5 Workbook
Review Questions
After completing this lesson you should be able to answer the questions and explain the
concepts listed below.
1. T or F The acronym of CATIA stands for Computer Aided Three
Dimensional Interactive Application.
2. T or F CATIA V5 is a product of Dassault Systemes.
3. How many sections are there in each lesson?
4. How many Platforms are there in CATIA V5?
5. T or F The P1 Platform contains the most functionality.
6. How can you find out what CATIA V5 release level you are working on?
7. T or F The Part Design workbench is found in the Infrastructure Applications
Tools.
8. T or F Sketcher is an Application Tool.
9. As presented in this lesson how many different types of documents can
CATIA V5 create?
10. T or F The Part Design Workbench creates a *.CATPart type document.
11. T or F The Part Design Workbench creates a *.CATProduct type document.
12. As presented in this lesson how many options are on the Contextual Menu?
13. T or F The Contextual Menu applies only to the selected entity prior to
activating the Contextual Menu.
14. How do you activate the Contextual Menu?
15. What does the short cut Ctrl+c (Ctrl key along with the c key) accomplish?
16. What does the short cut Crtl+v (Ctrl key along with the v key) accomplish?
17. T or F This lesson covers another method of accomplishing the same thing as
selecting the Crtl +C short cut.
Introduction to CATIA V5
1-15
1-16
CATIA V5 Workbook
Practice Exercises
1. Start CATIA V5.
2. Select the Part Design Workbench. Practice moving around between the different
Application tools and Workbenches, particularly the Part Design, Sketcher,
Assembly Design and Drafting Workbenches.
3. Select (highlight) the Part1 from the Specification Tree as shown below. Once
Part1 is selected select the right mouse button to bring up the Contextual Menu
specific to that entity. Review the options provided by the Contextual Menu.
Select the Properties option, review the information provided. The more familiar
you are with the information available
and how to access it the better off you
will be throughout the remaining
lessons.
4. Using either method presented in this
lesson determines the Release level of
CATIAV5 and the current Service Pack
installed.
5. Get comfortable with finding your way
around the Application Tools and
workbenches as well as using the
Contextual Menu.