Creo 3.0 tips and tricks r4

Creo Parametric 3.0

Tips and Tricks Evan Winter

System

Options Dialog Favorites section in Options menu allows you to quickly change

config.pro settings.

Right click config options and “Add to Favorites”

Color Schemes allow fast switching of system colors while

maintaining contrast.

File > Options > System Colors

Cmdmgr_trail_output – provides explicit command instructions

for Trail files and mapkey creation. Set this to “yes” when

defining Mapkeys for simpler and more robust scripts.

Note on Mapkeys: Avoid using RMB shortcuts in Mapkeys as they are

not consistently repeatable. For example, use Operations > Edit

Definition instead of RMB > Edit Definition.

Creating Mapkeys File > Options > Environment > Mapkeys Settings…

Creating Mapkeys (Cont.)

Create a Mapkey

Modify an existing

Mapkey

Run (Test) a Mapkey

Delete

Save a single mapkey

definition to file

Enter key

sequence

Assign a name

Provide a

description

Choose Record

Keyboard Input

Start recording,

add Pause for

any user inputs

needed, Stop

recording.

Creating Mapkeys (Cont.) File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar

This process should be repeated for each mode where command

should be available (Part, Assembly, Drawing).

Part Mode

Using Intent References You can increase the robustness of features using Intent

References, which capture the intent of the feature when

selecting resulting edges or surfaces.

No failure

after base feature

modification

Query Select to Intent

references, or use “Pick

from List” in RMB while

creating Rounds,

Chamfers, Draft, etc.

Leveraging Advanced Selection

Methods

1. Hold ALT and select the Seed surface.

2. Hold SHIFT and select the

first Boundary surface.

3. While holding SHIFT, hold

CTRL and select additional

Boundary surfaces (as

many as needed).

4. Release CTRL and SHIFT

to complete the selection.

You can build more robust features using advanced Seed and Boundary selection.

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Leveraging Advanced Selection

Methods (Cont.) Within a feature, use the Details dialog to manage advanced

selections.

Showing Feature and Component

Layers

Settings > Tree Columns

Type = Layer

“Layer Names” and/or “Layer Status” > Add Column > OK

You can show Layer Placement and Status for Part Features and Components.

Using Solidify To Trim Solid

Geometry Solidify with Datum Planes – Use the Solidify command to trim

geometry from one side of a model (e.g. flat cuts at spring

ends, setting up “Mirrored” simulation models).

Improving Patterns Pattern Regeneration options (General, Variable, Identical).

General is the default option. It is the most robust but also the slowest to

regenerate. Only use this option if pattern instances intersect each other.

Variable is faster and works as long as instances are not intersecting each

other. Patterns can cross into other surfaces.

Identical is the fastest to regenerate, but all pattern instances must fall

on the same surface and cannot intersect each other. Use this option

whenever possible unless design changes are expected.

Note: Downstream Reference Patterns can fail if referencing

Identical regenerated patterns. Use Variable or General if

patterns are failing for reasons otherwise not clear.

Getting Transform measurements

using Vertices Vertices can be used to gather Delta X, Y and Z measurements.

While measuring distance between vertices, add a CSYS feature to

the Projection collector to see the transform distances.

Measuring Multiple Distances from

a Single Reference Activating Replace mode for second reference allows quicker

repeated dimensions.

Single-click on additional references will Replace tagged reference

(Edge: F7) and update the distance measurement from original

reference (Surf: F6).

Set measure_auto_replace_mode to Yes will flag second added

reference as “Replace” automatically.

Creating Cast/Machined Parts Create a refined (machined) version of a Cast part using the

Inheritance feature.

1. First create the part as-cast (part_cast.prt)

2. Create a new part to represent the finished design

(part_machined.prt) and insert a Merge/Inheritance feature.

3. Browse to the cast part and place it using Default, then Toggle

Inheritance in the Dashboard.

Additional features can now be added to the new model to

represent final machining operations. The base geometry is

dependent with the original cast part, and will update with design

iterations.

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Adding colors to Cast/Machined

Parts Apply colors to a model that represent machining operations on a

previously Cast part.

1. In the machined model (an inheritance part from the previous slide), apply a

color to the “part” definition that represents the machined surfaces (select

the part name in the Model Tree when applying color).

2. Select a single surface, then RMB select Solid Surfaces. Pick a “cast” (matte)

color from the Appearance Gallery to apply the color to the “surface”

definition of the part.

3. Add the final machining features (holes, chamfers, facing, milling, etc.) to

“reveal” the machined part color underneath the cast surface color.

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Assembly Mode

Assembly Constraint Tweaking Use these options to change how constraints are applied by default.

Set auto_constr_always_use_offset to Never

Coincident will be the default constraint type for the following reference pairs:

Planes

Linear edges / Datum Axis

Planes combined with Linear edges

Set auto_constr_always_use_offset to Yes

Offset (Angle or Normal) will be the default constraint type for the following reference pairs,

never coincident:

Planes

Linear edges / Datum Axis

Planes combined with Linear edges

Set auto_constr_always_use_offset to No*

Creo will suggest a constraint type based on current component position and orientation

Coincident

Distance

Angle

Normal

Setting up the orientation tolerance is done with the 3 additional config.pro

options on the next slide.

Assembly Constraint Tweaking

(Cont.)

Check if position fits Angle or Normal. For this use values

set for options:

comp_angle_offset_eps (“-1” seems to work ok)

comp_normal_offset_eps (“-91” seems to work ok)

If position does not fit Angle or Normal, then it will be

either Coincident or Distance. Here decision is made based

on the value of:

auto_constr_offset_tolerance = (0.5 of the model size by default).

If initial distance is bigger than this value, you will receive Distance,

if less, Coincident.

Note: Value is relative to the size of each component being

assembled.

Use these options whenever “auto_constr_always_use_offset” is set to No* .

Previewing Assembly Constraint

Status Change “Secondary Previewed Geometry” in system colors to

enhance the visible status of incomplete assembly constraints.

Partially Constrained

File > Options > System Colors

Assembly Feature (Cut)

Considerations Disable Automatic Update – Reduce memory usage and assembly

cut warnings by manually updating intersection list.

Uncheck Automatic Update and remove any non-cut models.

Why? - “Intersected” models are duplicated in memory.

Increased memory usage.

Assembly Cut regeneration warnings for components “intersected”

without geometry modifications (e.g. “Assembly cut is entirely

outside the model, model unchanged”).

Additional models may be automatically added to Intersected list

when added to the assembly if Automatic Update is left enabled.

Large Assembly Management

On-Demand Simp. Reps – Allow quick retrieval of

required reps only when they are needed for assembly

operations.

Open Subset – Allows the retrieval of an ad-hoc

simplification without creating a new Simplified

Representation that is saved in the assembly. Thought of

as a temporary Simp. Rep.

Auto_backup_new_placemnt_refs – Automatically backs

up assembly references to the assembly context,

allowing component placement to be updated/modified

when using Graphics Reps and lightweight Graphics Reps.

Copy as External – Creates a separate assembly with only

the models included in that Rep. Allows you to share

subsets of a top assembly to other users, and their

changes filter back to the upper level. Note: Must use

“dependent” option for upward filtering.

Options Modeler

Config.pro Options template_cnfg_asm

Specifies the default configurable product template file.

template_module

Specifies the default module template file

Variant Builder Tips When changing variant specifications.

To apply a different variant builder option, double click the modified

Master representation from the view manager to revert it back to

the original and then apply the desired option.

Save Variant Specifications to the assembly for reuse.

Legacy Data Overbuilt Assemblies

1. (Top Level) File > Save As > Save As Configurable Product

2. (Overbuilt Components) RMB > Transfer into Module

Interchange Assemblies

File > Save As > Save As Configurable Module

Mechanism

General Mechanism Notes Wildfire 4.0 mechanism connections will properly convert to

Creo 2.

Typical Mechanism Workflow

1. Create Connections in assembly mode (Pin, Slider, Slot, etc.)

2. In Mechanism application, define servo motors to create motion

profiles.

3. Create motion relationships if needed (Gears, Belts, Cams).

4. Define Mechanism Analyses (servo motors and start/end times).

5. Define Measures and graph them against previously run analyses.

Converting Constraint Sets to

Mechanism Connections

Constraints can often be converted to connections without the

need to redefine references.

Coincident constraints converted to Pin connection once Allow

Assumptions is unchecked. Otherwise, Convert Constraints to

Mechanism is greyed out.

Mechanism Connection type assigned is based on constraint types

already defined.

Using Advanced Collision Settings

Config.pro - enable_advance_collision “yes”

Assembly Model Properties > Collision Detection Settings.

Global Collision Detection or

Partial Collision Detection

Push Objects on Collision

You can simulate part interaction without Mechanism Contacts (Cams, Gears,

3D Contact) using Advanced Collision settings.

Degrees of Freedom

Type Total DOF Rotation Translation

Rigid 0 0 0

Pin 1 1 0

Slider 1 0 1

Cylinder 2 1 1

Planar 3 1 2

Ball 3 3 0

Weld 0 0 0

Bearing 4 3 1

General Varies Varies Varies

6dof 6 3 3

Gimbal 5 0 0

Slot Varies Varies Varies

Connection sets constrain motion while still permitting various degrees of

freedom.

Creating Analyses

Select an Analysis type.

Position – verifies the validity of the mechanism based on defined

motors.

Kinematic – used to analyze the motion of bodies as a result of defined

motor profiles.

Dynamic – Incorporates forces to analyze reactions at connections (e.g.

the Normal load on a pin due to gravity and Mass Properties).

Choose Motors and define start/end times.

An analysis lets you define conditions for servo motors that move the assembly

Creating Measures

Create measurements (position, velocity, acceleration, etc.)

A measure allows you to get dynamic information on a component as a result

of the Analysis definition (Speed, position, acceleration, etc.)

• Use previously defined

analyses to get measurement graphs and values.

Creating Snapshots Snapshots allow you to capture mechanism position states for

use in analysis features, animations and to display in a drawing

view.

Activate as “Explode State” in

a drawing view.

Set as Initial

Condition

Drawings

Working in Multiple Windows In a Drawing, select the Window overflow from the View tab

and pick New. You will be prompted for a sheet number to

navigate to.

You can now work in multiple drawing sheets simultaneously.

(Also works well for large models where regular reorientation is

time consuming).

Dimensioning Right-click while dragging a dimension will “Flip Arrows” on-the-fly.

Use dimension names with “&” symbol in notes and other dimensions

to reference values parametrically (i.e. “&d17”).

Use “Rounded Dimension Value” to prevent modification of nominal

value when decimal places are decreased.

Text placed in Prefix/Suffix fields appear within “Basic” dimension

boxes. Text placed in Dimension text field appears outside Basic

dimension boxes.

Managing Large Drawings

(Config.pro Options)

Allow_refs_to_geom_reps_in_drws – Controls whether

dimensions and notes can be created in views using Geometry

Reps. Care should be taken as dimensions and annotations may

not update if geometry changes.

Auto_regen_views – Sets whether drawing views update

automatically when changing sheets or windows. Set to no,

drawing views must be updated manually, but large drawing

performance is dramatically improved.

Hlr_for_quilts – Determines if HLR is performed on quilt

features.

Save_display – Saves the display of drawing items such as notes

and dimensions so that they are shown when a drawing is

retrieved in read-only mode.

Force_Wireframe_in_drawings

Displaying Set Datums on

Drawings

In this drawing there is a Set Datum that is currently hidden from

view. Although we can select it from the Drawing Tree and

“unerase”, it will still be hidden if it is on a hidden layer.

The easiest method is to leave the layer containing datums “shown”

and control the datums visibility through “Erase/unerase”,

otherwise you need to set individual view layer status (shown on

next slide).

Set Datum visibility is controlled through layers, but they can also be erased.

Displaying Set Datums on

Drawings (Cont.)

To set the layer status for an individual view, we pick the view from

the layer tree Active View drop-down and then set the layer status.

This views layers will now behave independently of the drawings

layer status, and must be managed separately.

To set the layer status of the view back to that of the drawing, we

select the view again in the Active View list and click “Drawing

Dependent” in the Layers drop-down

Drawing views can have their layer status set independently of the drawing.

Dealing with Erased Dimensions

and Axes

File > Prepare > Drawing Properties > Detail Options

“user_command” ‘delete_erased_dimensions’

“user_command” ‘delete_erased_axes’

Add/Change > Apply or OK

The user_command is applied once and is not maintained in the .dtl

file. It can be run again later if required.

Some WF4 drawings may have large numbers of Erased items that must be

deleted prior to being shown in a different view. These can be deleted

automatically through a hidden drawing option.

Advanced Drawing Update Commands Some WF4 drawings may have errors or outdated standards when

retrieved in newer releases. The commands below can be used to update

drawings as described.

File > Prepare > Drawing Properties > Detail Options

User_command delete_erased_dimensions

User_command delete_erased_axes

user_command clean_duplicate_axes

user_command update_note_text_padding

update_drawing 1808656 (remove extra spaces in basic dimensions)

update_drawing 2119624 (Crosshatching break across text)

Update_drawing 2140864 (secondary dimensions show at maximum decimal

places)

update_drawing all (applies all updates. Use caution as this command may

make more changes than are desired)

Config.sup Options

enable_auto_drawing_update yes *(required to use the options below)

auto_drawing_update all

auto_drawing_update_command delete_erased_axes

auto_drawing_update_command delete_erased_dimensions

Sorting BOM tables by Assembly

Sequence

Repeat Regions in BOM tables often sort alphabetically rather

than by assembly sequence. This can be changed through the

Repeat Region Attributes.

Under Table > Repeat region > Attributes select the table

region > No dup/Level > Recursive > bln by part > No cbl Info >

done/return > done

The BOM table will now be sorted by Assembly sequence.

Sketcher

Expanded Sketcher Right-Mouse

menu items

1. Show Entity Locks – Toggles the display of sketch entity

locks that were used in place of dimension locks.

2. References – Provides a shortcut to the Sketch

References dialog.

3. Shapes shortcuts – Quick access to sketch tools such as

Lines, Rectangles, Circles, etc.

Selection-based Commands:

4. Lock – Locks sketcher entities in leu of locking individual

dimensions.

5. Rotate Resize – Activates the Rotate/Resize command.

6. Constraints (Tangent, Coincident, Equal, etc.) – creates

various constraints based on current selection of single

or multiple sketch entities.

7. OK/Cancel – Allows quick completion of sketch feature.

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Simplifying the Sketching Process When symmetry is desired, create Centerline

features first, allowing Creo to give

symmetry assumptions while

sketching.

Use Modify along with Lock Scale to resize

sketches that are grossly out of proportion.

Resolving Failures

Config.pro settings for managing

failed models.

Regen_failure_handling

No_resolve_mode*

Resolve_mode

Specifies whether to enter resolve mode when regeneration failures

occur. Resolve_mode - Enter resolve mode when regeneration

failures occur. No_resolve_mode - Don't enter resolve mode when

regeneration failures occur.

allow_save_failed_model

Prompt*

Yes

No

Yes - Failed models can be saved. No - Failed models cannot be

saved. Prompt - Let the user decide whether failed models can be

saved.

Top Down Design

Skeleton Models Used for design framework, space claims, Interfaces between

components and assembly references.

Skeletons should contain Sketches, curves, surfaces and Datums

only.

Not factored into Mass Properties calculations.

Use in conjunction with Publish Geom. and Copy Geom. to

share design information.

Publish Geometry in the source part creates a “container” of

references that can be shared with a target part later.

Use “multiple_skeletons_allowed” to share design information

between multiple skeletons.

Create skeletons in subassemblies.

Standard Skeleton Model Methods

For Skeletons that drive geometry and assembly position.

Use “Publish Geometry” and/or “Copy Geometry” that references

the assembly context.

For skeletons that drive geometry only (constraints/connections

added later in assembly context).

Use “Publish Geometry” and/or “External Copy Geometry” that

references the skeleton model directly.

Allows placement between skeleton CSYS and component CSYS.

Motion Skeletons Overview Used for design framework of mechanized assemblies.

Motion Skeleton is a .ASM that contains a standard skeleton and

“Body” skeletons.

Standard skeleton contains design geometry.

Body skeletons are assigned geometry from the standard

skeleton.

The first Body skeleton created is assumed as the “Ground”

component and is fixed. Subsequent Body skeletons are assigned

assembly Connections assumed from sketch constraints

(point/point, point/line).

Create parts in the assembly context

Parts are “attached” to body skeletons and assume their motion

definition. No assembly connections are created manually.