Section 7 Wireframe and Surface Design: S7-1 V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

SECTION 7 WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN
V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002
S7-1
S7-2
WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN

Wireframe and surface design concept Wireframe and surface design interface Creating wireframe geometry Creating basic surfaces Surface-based solid features
S7-3
WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN CONCEPT
CATIA V5 Wireframe and Surface Design is used to create 3D points, lines, curves, planes and surfaces.
3D wireframe elements are often used as reference elements in the creation of surfaces or solid features. Wireframe and Surface Design main concepts:
3D wireframe creation - points, lines, curves and planes can be defined

directly in the 3D environment.
Surface design - a surface is used to define the topology of a part that

can not be defined using solid features.
Surface-based solid features - surface geometry can be used to create

solid features.
S7-4
WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN METHODOLOGY
3D wireframe creation
Components positioned with assembly constraints
Components prior to positioning
The relative position of components is defined by assembly constraints. If a component moves, constraints can be updated to restore position.
V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002 S7-5
Surface contact and axial coincidences created
Surface design
Surface-based solid features

The V5 Wireframe and Surface Design tool is used:
to create 3D points, lines, curves and planes used as construction geometry when defining surfaces or solid features
to create wireframe geometry directly in 3D not limited to a 2D sketch plane to create surface geometry defining the part topology which is able to be used in the creation of solid features
S7-8
WIREFRAME AND SURFACE INTERFACE

Accessing the workbench Settings and customizations Workbench toolbars Terms
S7-9
ACCESSING THE WORKBENCH
Access the Wireframe and Surface Design workbench
1. Select Wireframe and Surface Design
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ACCESSING THE WORKBENCH
Activating the Wireframe and Surface workbench:

A new part document is created. An Open Body is added in the tree as the In Work Object.
Wireframe and Surface Design workbench
Open body is the In Work object
S7-11
SETTINGS AND CUSTOMIZATIONS
Wireframe and Surface Design settings
Settings that effect wireframe and surface creation are linked to the settings for Part Design. Settings are identical and can be changed in Shape or Part Design.
Settings are linked
Select the Shape branch
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WORKBENCH TOOLBARS
Wireframe and Surface Design toolbars

Select:
Select
Selection tools and Sketcher.
Sketcher
Wireframe:
Point Line Plane Projection - includes combine, reflect line Intersection Parallel curve Circle - includes corner, connect curve, conic Spline - includes helix, spiral, polyline
Create 3D wireframe geometry.
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WORKBENCH TOOLBARS

Surfaces: Create surface geometry.
Extrude Revolve Sphere Offset Sweep Fill Loft Blend
Operations:
Join - includes healing, untrim, disassemble Split - includes trim Boundary - includes extract Translate - rotate, symmetry, scaling, affinity, axis to axis Extrapolate
Modify, transform or extract geometry from existing elements.
S7-14
WORKBENCH TOOLBARS

Replication: Create several instances of a wireframe or surface object.
Object Repetition - includes points and planes repetition Pattern - includes rectangular, circular PowerCopy (advanced replication tool) UserFeature (advanced replication tool)
Analysis: Curve and surface analysis tools.
Connect checker - analyze surface connections Curve connect checker - analyze curve connections
Constraints:
Apply constraints.
Constraint Constraint Dialog Box
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USER TOOLS
Additional user tools are available during wireframe and surface creation.

User tools provide assistance in the geometry creation process. A user tools icon will be highlighted when activated.
Create datum
Select body
Icon not activated
Update all
Axis system
Working supports activity

Snap to point Icon activated (highlighted)
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Work on support
USER TOOLS
Wireframe and Surface user tools:
Update All
Update design to current specifications.
Axis System creation
Create a local coordinate axis system to work in.
Work On Support
Create a surface or planar support element to work on.
Snap To Point
Snap to the nearest grid intersection point when working on a support.
Working Supports Activity
Activate or deactivate the current working support.
Create Datum
Create an element without history when this icon is active.
S7-17
USER TOOLS
Wireframe and Surface user tools (continued):
Catalog Browser
Create instances from a catalog or from a document (advanced replication tools).
Select Body
Select a body from the pull-down list to make it the In Work body. This is a convenient method for defining a body as the In Work object.
Body is now the In Work object Select the body
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WIREFRAME AND SURFACE TERMS
In the V5 part structure:
Open Body - an open body contains wireframe and surface geometry created for use in the design of the part. - accessing the Wireframe and Surface workbench will create an open body in the specification tree. Part Body - the part body contains solid geometry features created using the Part Design workbench.
Part body Open body
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CREATING WIREFRAME GEOMETRY

Points Lines Planes Curves
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Methods for creating wireframe geometry:
Use the Sketcher icon sketch plane.
to create geometry located on a 2D
Use the Wireframe toolbar icons to create geometry that is defined based on 3D coordinate system parameters or in relation to existing 3D geometry.
Line tangent to curve Line normal to surface Point on surface Point on curve Point tangent to curve
Projection curve Intersection curve Parallel curve
Offset Plane Plane normal to curve Plane tangent to surface Circle Connect curve Spline Helix S7-21
Wireframe toolbar
General process
1. Select icon from Wireframe toolbar. 2. Select the definition type from choices in pull-down box. 3. Select other geometry (if necessary). 4. Specify the parameters. 5. Click Apply to preview, OK to accept.
4 3 1
CREATE A POINT

Use the Point icon
to create a point located in 3D.
Choose the type of point from the pull-down box.

Choose the type of point to define
Choose a new reference point or accept the default point as displayed

Note: The reference point is the origin from which parameter values are measured.
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CREATE A POINT
Coordinates
Specify point coordinates (x,y,z) from the reference point.

Coordinates of new point (0, -5, 6)
Reference point
Select an existing point as reference.
(0, -5, 6)
Reference point
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CREATE A POINT
On curve
Specify location on a curve at a distance from the reference point.

Selected curve
Distance on curve
Distance from reference New point Reference point (green) Click for curve mid-point
Click for nearest curve end-point
New point Ratio of curve length
Reference point
Distance as a ratio of curve length (66% of total length)
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CREATE A POINT
On curve
Additional options
Specify an existing point as the reference Reverse the measure direction from the reference point
Add additional points after the first point is created Distance along the curve Repeat type Parameters Repeated points Distance from point to point
First point
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CREATE A POINT
On plane
Specify in-plane point coordinates (h,v) from the reference point.

Horizontal and vertical coordinates of new point (2.5, 4) Selected plane
Reference point
Select an existing point as reference.

(2.5, 4) Reference point Selected plane A reference point is projected onto the plane if the selected point does not lie on the plane.
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CREATE A POINT
On surface
Specify the direction and distance from the reference point.
Direction can be specified by selecting a line, linear edge, plane or planar surface. Selecting a plane or planar surface will specify a direction normal to the plane. Distance is measured along the surface contour.
Selected direction (line)
Reference point (surface mid-point)
Distance from reference New point Selected surface
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CREATE A POINT
Additional options
Create point(s) on a curve tangent to a specified direction line
Create a point between existing points
Create a point at the center of a circle or an arc
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MULTIPLE POINT CREATION
Use the Points Creation Repetition icon multiple points spaced on a curve.
1. Select a curve 2. Specify instances
to create
End points included in total instances
3. Activate options
Points created in a new Open body
Normal planes created at point instances
S7-30
CREATE A LINE

Use the Line icon
to create a line located in 3D.
Choose the type of line from the pull-down box.

Choose the type of line to define
Specify a start and end point distance from the initial points selected
Note: Start and End values of zero (0in) will default to the selected points.
S7-31
CREATE A LINE
Point - Point
Create a line between two selected points.

New line
Selected points Select a support element for the line (optional)
Specify the distance of start and end points from selected points.
Key in distance(s) or Drag green arrows at points
S7-32
CREATE A LINE
Point - Direction
Specify a start point and direction for the line.

Select a line to specify direction Start point
New line
Specify start and end point distance(s)
or Select a plane to specify a direction normal to the plane
S7-33
CREATE A LINE
Angle / Normal to curve
Specify a start point on a curve and an angle for the line.

Start point Angle of line measured from the curve tangent
Curve lies on the selected support
Selected curve
New line Select Normal to Curve for an angle of 90 degrees
S7-34
CREATE A LINE
Angle / Normal to curve
Special option: Specify an angled line on a supporting surface.

Selected support surface
Selected curve
Start point
Activate Geometry on support to create the angled line on the support surface
Not activated
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CREATE A LINE
Tangent to curve
Specify a line tangent to a curve starting at a selected point.

Start point Mono-Tangent mode Selected curve New line
Reverse the line direction from the start point
Line extent is mirrored on both sides of start point
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CREATE A LINE
Tangent to curve
Specify a line tangent with two curves using bi-tangent mode.

Multiple solutions
Bi-Tangent mode Selected curves Support element Current solution is highlighted Other solutions in blue and numbers in brackets (#)
Click Next Solution to highlight another solution
or Select on the screen
Click OK to accept highlighted solution
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CREATE A LINE
Additional options
Create a line bisecting the angle between two selected lines Create a line normal to a surface
Line created on support surface
No support element
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CREATE A PLANE

Use the Plane icon
to create a plane located in 3D.
Choose the type of plane from the pull-down box.

Choose the type of plane to define
Specify the parameters
S7-39
CREATE A PLANE
Offset from plane
Create a parallel plane offset by a distance from a reference.

Reference plane
Offset distance
3 in
Parallel through point
Create a parallel plane through a selected point.

Selected point
Reference plane
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CREATE A PLANE
Angle / Normal to plane
Create a plane at an angle to a reference plane through an axis.
Rotation axis
Specify angle Reference plane
Select Normal to Plane for an angle of 90 degrees
New plane passes through rotation axis
New plane
Drag the green Move symbol to reposition the new plane
S7-41
CREATE A PLANE
Through element options

Through a planar curve
Through two lines
Through point and line
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CREATE A PLANE
Normal to curve
Create a plane normal to a curve at a given point.

Selected curve
Plane at mid-point (default) Plane at selected point
Tangent to surface
Create a plane tangent to a surface through a selected point.

Selected surface
Selected point
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CREATE A PLANE
Additional options
Create a mean plane through points Create a plane by equation
Ax + By + Cz = D
S7-44
CREATE A CURVE
Two general methods for creating curves located in 3D:
Curves of a certain type based on parameters - examples include a circle, spline, conic, helix, etc. Curves generated from existing geometry - examples include curve projections, intersections, parallel curves, etc.
Curves generated from existing geometry
Curves based on parameters
S7-45
CREATE A CIRCLE
Use the Circle icon
to create a circle or arc in 3D.
Choose the type of circle to define Select limitation options Specify parameters
Part Arc Whole Circle Trimmed Circle
Complementary Circle
Specify start and end limit angles for a partial arc
S7-46
CREATE A CIRCLE
Center and radius
Specify center point, support element and circle radius value.

Whole circle option Support element (yz plane) Circle center point Key in radius value or drag green arrows
Specify angle limits for a partial curve.

Part arc option
S7-47
CREATE A CIRCLE
Center and point
Specify center point, support element and a point on the circle.
Circle center point Support element (yz plane)
Point on circle
Part arc option
Whole circle option
Angle limits are measured from point on circle
S7-48
CREATE A CIRCLE
Two points and radius
Specify two points on the circle, support element and radius value.
Trimmed circle option Complementary circle option
Select 2 points
Multiple solutions Current solution is highlighted
Whole circle option
Click Next Solution button or select another solution on the screen Radius value Click OK to accept highlighted solution
S7-49
CREATE A CIRCLE
Bi-tangent and radius
Specify 2 tangent elements, support element and circle radius value.
Support element (yz plane) 2 elements (line and point)
Arc tangent to the line (Element 1) Circular arc created (radius = 3.5 in) Arc tangent to the point (Element 2)
S7-50
CREATE A CIRCLE
Bi-tangent and point
Specify a tangent element, tangent curve, point on the tangent curve and a support element.
Tangent curve (line or curve)
Tangent element (point, line, or curve)
Arc tangent to the line (Curve 2) at selected point Support element (yz plane) Point of tangency on selected curve Arc tangent to the point (Element 1)
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CREATE A CIRCLE
Additional options
Create a circle through 3 points
Create a tri-tangent circle (circle tangent to 3 elements)
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CREATE A CORNER
Use the Corner icon to create a rounded corner between two elements in 3D.
Select elements Activate Trim Elements option to trim geometry at the corner intersections
Specify corner radius value
Corner created (no trim)
Multiple solutions Click Next Solution button or select another solution on the screen Click OK to accept highlighted solution Elements trimmed
S7-53
CREATE A CONNECT CURVE
Use the Connect Curve icon to create a curve connecting two existing curves at selected points. Connect curve key points:

Elements that can be connected are either curves or lines.
Select points to define the connect curve endpoints.

Selected points must lie on the curves to be connected. Point, tangency or curvature continuity can be imposed at the connect curve endpoints.
Modify continuity tension values to impact the connect curve shape.

Connected elements can be trimmed at the connect curve endpoints.
S7-54
General process
1. Select the Connect Curve icon.

2. Select the points to be used as curve endpoints. 3. Click button to reverse the continuity direction. 4. Specify type of continuity. 5. Choose trim option Apply.
Selecting a point automatically selects the curve the point lies on
Connect curve
No elements trimmed
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Additional options
Reverse Direction of continuity
Imposing Continuity at endpoints Tangency direction arrow (red)
Continuous curvature at the Curve2 point
Tangency direction reversed
Activate Trim elements
Elements trimmed
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CREATE A CONIC
Use the Conic icon to create a conic type curve (parabola, hyperbola, or ellipse) in 3D. The conic curve must lie on a planar support element. A conic is defined using one of these object sets:

Two points, start and end tangents, a parameter value Two points, start and end tangents, a pass through point Two points, a tangent intersection point, a parameter value Two points, a tangent intersection point, a pass through point Four points, a tangent Five points
S7-57
CREATE A CONIC
General process
1. Select Conic icon. 2. Select the support plane. 3. Select the two endpoints. 4. Select the elements used to define tangency. 5. Specify the parameter value Apply.
2
4
1
Conic Also, drag green arrows to change parameter value
S7-58
CREATE A CONIC
Two points, start and end tangents

Specify a Parameter value 2 points selected P = 0.7
2 lines selected as start and end tangents
P = 0.5, parabola P < 0.5, ellipse P > 0.5, hyperbola Select a Pass through point
Support element (yz plane)
S7-59
CREATE A CONIC
Two points, and a tangent intersection point

Specify a Parameter value 2 points selected
Point selected as tangent intersection for both tangencies
P = 0.3
Select a Pass through point
Activate tangent intersection point option
S7-60
CREATE A CONIC
Four points, and a tangent

4 points selected Line selected as a start tangent
Endpoints
Five points
Select 2 endpoints then select 3 additional points
Endpoints
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CREATE A SPLINE
Use the Spline icon to create a 3D curve passing through selected points.

Select points in the order that the spline should be constructed. Points can be added before or after selected points. Points can be replaced with a different point.
Select 1st point Select 2nd point
Spline created
Point options
Spline is created as points are selected
S7-62
CREATE A SPLINE
Impose tangency or curvature conditions on the points that define the spline.

Click to highlight the point in the spline definition window. Impose tangency or curvature on the highlighted point.
Click Add Parameters button for tangency/ curvature options
Selected point is highlighted
Tangency and curvature options
Line selected to impose tangency on Point.8
S7-63
CREATE A PROJECTION
Use the Projection icon to create elements by projecting existing objects onto support geometry.

Points and wireframe geometry can be projected on to a surface. Points can also be projected onto wireframe geometry. The projection can be normal to the support or a defined direction.
Support surface
Curve projected onto surface
Curve to be projected
S7-64
CREATE AN INTERSECTION
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CREATE A PARALLEL CURVE
S7-66
CREATING BASIC SURFACES

From a profile Sphere From boundaries From another surface - offset Lofted surface
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S7-68
SURFACE-BASED SOLID FEATURES

From a profile Sphere From boundaries From another surface - offset Lofted surface
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Section 7 Wireframe and Surface Design: S7-1 V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

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Section 7 Wireframe and Surface Design: S7-1 V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

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SECTION 7 WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN CONCEPT

3D wireframe creation - points, lines, curves and planes can be defined

Surface design - a surface is used to define the topology of a part that

Surface-based solid features - surface geometry can be used to create

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN METHODOLOGY

Components prior to positioning

Surface contact and axial coincidences created

WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN METHODOLOGY

Components prior to positioning

Surface contact and axial coincidences created

WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN METHODOLOGY

Surface-based solid features

Components prior to positioning

Surface contact and axial coincidences created

WIREFRAME AND SURFACE DESIGN METHODOLOGY

The V5 Wireframe and Surface Design tool is used:

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

WIREFRAME AND SURFACE INTERFACE

Accessing the workbench Settings and customizations Workbench toolbars Terms

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

ACCESSING THE WORKBENCH

Access the Wireframe and Surface Design workbench

1. Select Wireframe and Surface Design

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

ACCESSING THE WORKBENCH

Activating the Wireframe and Surface workbench:

Wireframe and Surface Design workbench

Open body is the In Work object

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

SETTINGS AND CUSTOMIZATIONS

Wireframe and Surface Design settings

Settings are linked

Select the Shape branch

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

Wireframe and Surface Design toolbars

Selection tools and Sketcher.

Create 3D wireframe geometry.

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

Wireframe and Surface Design toolbars

Modify, transform or extract geometry from existing elements.

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

Wireframe and Surface Design toolbars

Analysis: Curve and surface analysis tools.

Constraint Constraint Dialog Box

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

Icon not activated

Working supports activity

V5 Fundamentals, Section 7, November 2002

Wireframe and Surface user tools:

Update design to current specifications.

Axis System creation

Create a local coordinate axis system to work in.

Create a surface or planar support element to work on.

Snap to the nearest grid intersection point when working on a support.

Working Supports Activity

Activate or deactivate the current working support.

Create an element without history when this icon is active.