40 Tips in 60 Minutes

Jon Jarvis – PTC

[email protected]
October 19, 2006
 #1 Creating Slots With An Axis At The Center

ƒ Create initial cut in part

ƒSketch geometry of slot:
ƒCreate a diagonal line
through slot and change it
to a construction line
ƒAdd an Axis Point to the
center of the construction
line
ƒFinish the feature

2 © 2006 PTC
 #2 Modeling: Surface Offset w/draft Feature

Offset draft w/
ƒ Draft Offset 45 deg bevel
and straight or
tangent sides

3 © 2006 PTC
 #3 Compare Geometry

By Geometry
By Feature
Shape Indexing

4 © 2006 PTC
 #4 Layers

ƒ Many benefits to knowing and loving them…

5 © 2006 PTC
 #4 Layers (cont)

ƒ Updating layers in legacy parts

ƒ ModelCHECK- identifies/updates old layers
ƒ Rule-based layers and mapkeys (RSL) to strip and recreate
ƒ “Extend” down through assembly
ƒ When duplicating a legacy design (if not “rule-based” layering):
ƒ Create new “start part-based” model with good layers
ƒ #Feature / #Copy / #Independent / #FromDifModel / #Range (1-xx)
ƒ Ungroup the copied features

6 © 2006 PTC
 #5 Sketch – Convert to spline

ƒ Many facets in original and Splined out…

blended surfaces ƒRedefine sketch
ƒ Select all entities
ƒ #Edit / #Convert to / #Spline

7 © 2006 PTC
Transition 1

Engineers aren't boring people…

we just get excited over boring things.

8 © 2006 PTC
 #6 Using Offset Replace to Trim/Extend Protrusions

ƒ 2001 – Tweak/Replace
command

9 © 2006 PTC
 #7 Generating Non-Circular Helixes
ƒTypical method: Create two surfs, one
extruded (shape of spring) the second a
helical surf using a multi traj sweep.
Then get a datum curve intersection to
drive spring profile.

ƒThe problem is you get a varying slope

due to changing dist. between the
centerline and intersection point.

10 © 2006 PTC
 #7 Generating Non-Circular Helixes (cont.)

ƒCreate a sheet metal wall

ƒRip along one of the tangent
edges of the wall and unbend
the wall.
ƒCreate a projected datum
curve.
ƒPerform a bend back.
ƒCopy the helix into the real
part.
ƒCreate sweep

11 © 2006 PTC
 #8 How to Create a Mapkey to Start an Application Outside of Pro/E

ƒ Select Utilities > Mapkey >

New
ƒ Fill in mapkey Name and
Description field
ƒSelect OS Script tab and full
pathname to desired
application
(C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\notepad.exe)

Select OK, close mapkey dialog

box

12 © 2006 PTC
 #9 New Windows Icons in PRO/E

ƒ 1) Open a Windows OS application, such as Microsoft Word.

ƒ2) Select #Tools #Customize.
ƒ3) Under the "Toolbars" tab, put a checkmark next to any of the toolbar names.
This will bring up a pop-up window of the toolbar that was checked. For
example, putting a checkmark next to"Microsoft" will bring up a toolbar with
various Microsoft Application icons, such as Excel and Power Point.
ƒ4) From the pop-up window, right click on the desired icon and select "Copy
Button Image". This will copy the icon image to the clipboard.
ƒ5) In Pro/ENGINEER, create a mapkey. Select #Utilities #Customize Screen.
ƒ6) Select the "Commands" tab and the mapkey icon whose image will be
modified
ƒ7) Click on "Modify Selection", then "Paste Button Image". This will replace the
default mapkey icon image with the image that was copied to the clipboard.

13 © 2006 PTC
#10 Thin Thru all for Thin Extrudes

~ Thin features
− Sketch outside the model
− Thru all option
− Automatically trims and adjusts for
depth of model
~ Great for patterning

14 © 2006 PTC
Transition 2

Dilbert's "Salary Theorem" states that

"Engineers and scientists can never earn as
much as business executives, sales people,
accountants and especially liberal arts
majors."
This theorem can now be supported by a
mathematical equation based on the following
two well known postulates:

15 © 2006 PTC
Transition 2 cont….

Postulate 1: Knowledge is Power.

Postulate 2: Time is Money.
As every engineer knows:
Power = Work / Time.

16 © 2006 PTC
Transition 2 cont….

Since: Knowledge = Power,

then
Knowledge = Work / Time,
and Time = Money,
Then -> Knowledge = Work / Money.

17 © 2006 PTC
Transition 2 cont….

Solving for Money, we get:

Money = Work / Knowledge.
Thus, as Knowledge approaches zero, money
approaches infinity, regardless of the amount of
work done.
The less you know…the more money you make.

18 © 2006 PTC
 #11 Family Table printing from Excel

ƒ No formatting/printing from Pro/TABLE

ƒ Dump it to Excel for printing

19 © 2006 PTC
#12 Surface Specific Shortcuts
~There are methods for
selecting multiple surfaces
- Loop Surface
− Selects all surfaces that
loop the edge of a surface
− Select surface to be looped
− Hold Shift key and pick any
edge of first surface
- Seed and Boundary Surface
− Selects all surfaces starting
with the seed surface, and
ending when the boundary
is contacted
− Select surface to be the
seed
− Hold Shift key and select
boundary surface

20 © 2006 PTC
#12 Surface Specific Shortcuts (cont.)
~There are methods for
selecting multiple surfaces
- Solid Surface
− Select a surface from the
model
− Right mouse click over that
surface
− Select the solid surface box
that pops up
− The entire model surface is
selected
− The entire surface can be
used to create a copy

21 © 2006 PTC
#13 Selecting Edges
~ Methodology for selecting
multiple edges
− One by One
− Hold Crtl key and select
individual edges
− Surface Loop
− Select edge on surface
− hold the shift key down while
cursor is over that surface or
another edge of that loop

22 © 2006 PTC
#13 Selecting Edges (cont.)
~ Methodology for selecting
multiple edges
− Surface Loop From-To (Edge
Chain)
− Select starting edge
− Hold Shift key down
− Click right mouse button to
toggle from Surface Loop to
Loop From-To
− Click right mouse button again
to select opposite half of loop
− One more RMB click toggles
back to Surface loop

23 © 2006 PTC
#14 Intent References

~ Edges or Surfaces
~ Follows design intent- regardless of
current/future shape
~ 2 types:
“Sketched” references
“Operation Resultant” references
~Need full regen on pre-WF parts.
~ Challenge-
Round every edge and change base
feature shape in < 60 seconds…

24 © 2006 PTC
 #15 How to Automatically Add Color to Machined Features in a Casting

ƒ Before machined features are added, color the part (Ex. White)
ƒ Paint the outside surfaces of the casting a different color (Ex. Gray)
ƒ As you add cuts to the model representing machined features, outer
skin color will be removed exposing inner model color

ƒAlternative: - Use the Find Tool to find Hole surfaces, or cut surfaces and
apply the color.

25 © 2006 PTC
Transition 3 – Engineering terminology revealed

What we Hear…..What it means…..

The entire concept will have to be

abandoned.

The only guy who understood the thing

quit.

26 © 2006 PTC
Transition 3 – Engineering terminology revealed

Energy saving.

Achieved when the power switch is off.

27 © 2006 PTC
Transition 3 – Engineering terminology revealed

The test results were extremely gratifying.

It works and boy are we surprised.

28 © 2006 PTC
#16 Get to know BMX – Wagon bracket

~ Analysis features solve problem for you

− What angle do I need to make angle = zero

29 © 2006 PTC
#17 Spinal bend

~ For two directional bending

~ Gives you complex geometry and
let’s you skip trying to do it with many
more complex features.

30 © 2006 PTC
 #18 Fill Holes in Quilt with Surface Copy, Fill Loops, Copy inside Boundary
ƒ Additional options are available when copying surfaces
ƒ Eliminates step of trimming surface later

31 © 2006 PTC
 #19 Developable Surfaces have Zero Gaussian Curvature

ƒ Both Min and Max values should be 0

ƒ Color is only a guide…

Non-Developable Surfaces
G.C. != 0
(Sphere, Torus,
Boundary Blend)

Developable Surface
G.C. = 0
(Cylinder, Cone)

32 © 2006 PTC
 #20 Zebra Striping
~ Reflection Analysis
− Simulates a light source
− Quilts or entire model
− Check for continuity of geometry
− Dynamically updates as you spin
model

33 © 2006 PTC
Transition 4 – Engineering terminology revealed

What we Hear…..What it means…..

Give us the benefit of your thinking.

We'll listen to what you have to say as long as it

doesn't interfere with what we have already
done.

34 © 2006 PTC
Transition 4 – Engineering terminology revealed

All new.

Parts not interchangeable with previous

design.

35 © 2006 PTC
Transition 4 – Engineering terminology revealed

No maintenance.

Impossible to fix!

36 © 2006 PTC
#21 Rounds for cleaning up IGES data

~ Use rounds to clean up IGES data

~ Helps smooth out variable radius
rounds if desired

37 © 2006 PTC
#22 Round surf-surf

~ Surf – Surf Round for adding space in

gap
~ One feature instead of many for
adding geometry into gap

38 © 2006 PTC
#23 Round tips

~ Drag handle + Shift to vertex

~ Round – un-force tangency
Use SHIFT to override “Tangent Chain”
with “From-To”
~ Transitions- Stop Condition

39 © 2006 PTC
#23 Round tips (cont)

~ Optional “Pieces” function

40 © 2006 PTC
#24 Flexible Components
~ Flexible components allows the
user to alter a component as used
in an assembly
No family table definition is
required
Multiple instances of a component
can be treated separately in an
assembly
Does not affect part definition or
create instances
~ Creating flexible definitions
RMB / Make Flexible
~

41 © 2006 PTC
#24 Flexible Components (cont.)
~ Set the flexibilty definition using
the GUI and model window
− This example has an flexible spring
length dimension
− Other items are variable
− Dimensions, Features, Geometric
Tolerances, Parameters
− Define flexibility by “value” or via
“on-the-fly”, parametric
measurements

~ This spring can have infinitely

variable instances in a multitude of
assemblies

42 © 2006 PTC
#25 Assembly offset tools
~ CTRL – ALT – MMB/RMB during assembly to move components into
“ballpark”
− Use orthogonal views for better control
~ Tools / Assembly Settings / Drag Preferences / “Modify Offsets” (or “add
offsets”)

43 © 2006 PTC
Transition 5 – You might be an engineer if….

You might be an engineer if….

you can't write unless the paper has both

horizontal and vertical lines.

the salespeople at Circuit City can't

answer any of your questions.

44 © 2006 PTC
Transition 5 – You might be an engineer if….

You might be an engineer if….

you ever forgot to get a haircut... for 6

months.

you have ever purchased an appliance

"as-is".

45 © 2006 PTC
#26 Simplified Rep of Parts in Drawings – WF 3.0
~ WF 3.0 Enhancement
~ Place view of Simplified Rep in
drawing
~ Working region or excluded feature
simplified reps

46 © 2006 PTC
 #27 View Manager

ƒ Visual states of assembly

- Blanking components
- Shade, wireframe
combination
- All – Combo view

47 © 2006 PTC
#28 Lasso Selection

~ Selection for drawings

~ Default selection is ‘inside’ box
~ Lasso allows you to select more
accurately inside a drawing
~ Also can use ‘across’ box selection

48 © 2006 PTC
 #29 TEXT_HEIGHT_FACTOR

ƒ The "TEXT_HEIGHT_FACTOR" config option (hidden option) will

increase the size of the dims and the plane/csys/axis tags for better
viewing. The default value appears to be 50. Set it to a lower value and
the text height increases.

Text_Height_Factor = default (50) Text_Height_Factor = 35

49 © 2006 PTC
 #30 Mechanism constraints

ƒ Regeneration value

ƒ Snapshots
ƒ Joint axis limits

50 © 2006 PTC
Transition 6 – You might be an engineer if….

You might be an engineer if….

you remember a dozen passwords and ten-

digit codes & project #’s, but you have to
call your niece "kiddo."

you think your computer looks better

without the cover.

51 © 2006 PTC
Transition 6 – You might be an engineer if….

You might be an engineer if….

your spouse hasn't the foggiest idea what

you do at work.

you think that when people around you

yawn it's because they didn't get enough
sleep.

52 © 2006 PTC
 #31 Datum Plane Sizing

~ Edit Definition > Display > Adjust Outline

~ Resizing first sketch
− Set them predictably in template
− Mapkeys to change sizes & revert to “part-driven”…?
i.e.-
RSD001 = 1” datums
RSD010 = 10” datums
RSD000- Reset datums to “part driven”
~ Reduce clutter and convey
“datum intent”
− Resize by “reference” to
make datums “local”

53 © 2006 PTC
#32 Sketcher Tips
~ Roving Bar (toggling, enabling, disabling)
− Mapkeys to change sizes & revert to “part-driven”…?
i.e.-
RSD001 = 1” datums
RSD010 = 10” datums
RSD000- Reset datums to “part driven”

~ Lock Scale
− 1st sketch scaling
− Scale any feature’s sketch

54 © 2006 PTC
#33 Cross section ref in sketcher
~ X Sec- Use this tool to create references at the intersection of a sketching plane
and a surface.

~ VSS w/ edge refs

− Quilt tied to edges- falls off part

~ Same feature using ‘XSec’ refs

− Quilt stays attached to part xsec
throughout its travel

55 © 2006 PTC
#34 Sketcher – Text Driven by a Parameter

Parameter values edited in Pro/E or PDMLink.

Could even be added to Family Table.

56 © 2006 PTC
#35 Modify/drag sketch in part mode

~ Wildfire 2- “dynamic” sketch

dragging in part mode.
~ Part or Assembly “concepting” tool.
Get basic shape (working sketch), then
hone sizes
− ‘Activate’ part
− ‘Edit’ feature
− Double-click on ‘section’ entities
(watch for cursor shape to change from
arrow to triangle)
− Drag the sketch- behaves as in
sketcher mode, so scheme is important
− Regenerate model

57 © 2006 PTC
Transition 7 – You might be an engineer if….

You might be an engineer if….

you have a habit of destroying things in

order to see how they work.

everyone else on the cruise is on deck

peering at the scenery and you are still on
a personal tour of the engine room.

58 © 2006 PTC
Transition 7 – You might be an engineer if….

You might be an engineer if….

you've ever tried to repair a $5 radio.

you use Pro/ENGINEER to design your

son's Pine Wood Derby car.

59 © 2006 PTC
Transition 7 – You might be an engineer if….

…or your kids’ swingset!

60 © 2006 PTC
Transition 7 – You might be an engineer if….

61 © 2006 PTC
Transition 7 – You might be an engineer if….

62 © 2006 PTC
Transition 7 – You might be an engineer if….

63 © 2006 PTC
 #36 Drag ‘n’ Drop UDFs From a Web Page

In Pro/E Wildfire 1.0 and up it is possible to drag and drop a user-

defined feature (UDF) from an image in a web page:

Create the UDF and save it in a folder

Create an image of the UDF; save it in the same folder

Create a .html file in the same folder containing the following syntax:
<a href=“my_udf1.gph.1">
<img src=“my_udf1.jpg“ height=“100” width=“120” alt=“Simple
description of UDF”></a>
(the image information is optional of course)

Add the .html file as a “Favorite” in the Pro/E Navigator

To apply the UDF, drag its image from the Navigator onto a Pro/E model
in the graphics window, and place as usual

64 © 2006 PTC
#37 A Measurement as a Feature, Displayed in a Note
Ever get tired of making the same measurement over and over?
Ever wish you could just see it on the screen?
The measurement Analysis Feature, a simple application of
Behavioral Modeling, can solve this.
1) Make a measurement (mass props, distance, etc.), pick “Add Feature”
in the Measure dialog box, and give it a name, e.g. “DIST1”
2) Get feature info on the analysis feature to find the name of the
associated feature parameter (for our example let’s assume it’s called
“distance”)
3) Place an annotation (or old-style 3-D) note with the following note text
syntax: &param_name:fid_featname
(e.g. “The distance is = &distance:fid_DIST1”)
4) The note will update whenever that measurement changes!

65 © 2006 PTC
#38 Simplified Reps by Rule
Want to exclude (e.g.) all small parts
from a simplified rep?

66 © 2006 PTC
#39 ISDX tips

~ Trace Sketch
~ 4 port view
~3 sided patch

67 © 2006 PTC
#40 Warp

~ Conceptualization of changes
~ Marketing ‘what if’ tool
~ Simple, quick and powerful

68 © 2006 PTC
Questions? Sorry, out of time…