Pro ENGINEER 

W I L D F I R E  2.0

INTRODUCTION TO
SURFACE MODELING

St e ve n G . Sm i t h
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0
Introduction to Surface Modeling

Steven G. Smith

Pro/ENGINEER is a registered trademark of Parametric Technology Corporation

Wildfire is a trademark of Parametric Technology Corporation
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0
Introduction to Surface Modeling

CADQUEST INCORPORATED
5535 BLAKESLEE AVE
HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17111
USA
Phone 717.565.1965
Toll Free 888.922.5270
Fax 717.564.9599
[email protected]
www.cadquest.com

Copyright  1999-2005 CADQUEST INCORPORATED. All rights reserved.

This publication may not be copied or reproduced by any means unless CADQUEST
INCORPORATED consents in writing in advance.
CADQUEST INCORPORATED assumes no responsibility or liability for errors or
inaccuracies that may appear in this publication.

Publication History
Edition Date Description Pro/E Build
1.0 January 2005 Initial printing M070
2.0 May 2005 Minor corrections M110

ISBN 1-930933-42-8
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction........................................................................................................................1
Objective of This Textbook..............................................................................................1
Textbook Outline .............................................................................................................2
Textbook Conventions ....................................................................................................3
Exercise Files ..................................................................................................................3
System Configuration......................................................................................................4
Why Surface Modeling? ..................................................................................................5
Surface Definitions ..........................................................................................................6
Surface Display ...............................................................................................................8
Surface Mesh Display .....................................................................................................9

Basic Surfaces.................................................................................................................10
Introduction....................................................................................................................10
Extruded Surface ..........................................................................................................11
Revolved Surface..........................................................................................................12
Swept Surface...............................................................................................................13
Blended Surface............................................................................................................14
Swept Blend Surface.....................................................................................................21
Flat Surface ...................................................................................................................22
Exercise 1 – Basic Surfaces...........................................................................................23

Construction Geometry ..................................................................................................35

Introduction....................................................................................................................35
Creating Datum Features..............................................................................................36
Creating Datum Planes .................................................................................................37
Creating Datum Axes ....................................................................................................38
Sketched Curves ...........................................................................................................39
Offset Curves ................................................................................................................40
Curve Thru Points .........................................................................................................41
Curve Thru Points (continued) ......................................................................................42
Curves From Equations ................................................................................................45
Projected and Wrapped Curves ....................................................................................46
Projected Datum Curves ...............................................................................................47
Wrapped Datum Curves................................................................................................48
Curves by Intersection ..................................................................................................49
Curves by Intersection (continued) ...............................................................................50
Creating Datum Points ..................................................................................................51
Datum Point On Curve ..................................................................................................52
Datum Points at Intersections .......................................................................................53
Sketched Datum Points.................................................................................................54
Datum Point Offset from Csys.......................................................................................55
Datum Graph.................................................................................................................56
Datum Tag Display........................................................................................................58
Exercise 2 – Construction Geometry ............................................................................59

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Contents Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Advanced Surfaces .........................................................................................................95

Introduction....................................................................................................................95
Variable Section Sweep ................................................................................................96
The Variable Section Sweep Tool.................................................................................97
Boundary Blend...........................................................................................................101
Boundary Blend (continued)........................................................................................102
Boundary Blend – Example 1 .....................................................................................103
Boundary Blend – Example 2 .....................................................................................105
Section to Surfaces Blend...........................................................................................106
Surface to Surface Blend ............................................................................................107
Exercise 3 – Advanced Surfaces .................................................................................108

Merge Surfaces..............................................................................................................132
Introduction..................................................................................................................132
Example ......................................................................................................................133
Facts about the Merge Feature...................................................................................134
Exercise 4 – Merge Surfaces........................................................................................135

Offset, Solidify, and Thicken ........................................................................................149

Introduction..................................................................................................................149
The Offset Command..................................................................................................150
The Offset Command (continued)...............................................................................151
Standard Offset ...........................................................................................................152
Offset With Draft..........................................................................................................153
Offset With Draft (continued).......................................................................................154
Offset Expand .............................................................................................................155
Offset Replace ............................................................................................................156
The Solidify Command................................................................................................157
The Thicken Command...............................................................................................158
Summary.....................................................................................................................159
Exercise 5 – Offset, Solidify, and Thicken ..................................................................160

Copy and Paste..............................................................................................................170

Introduction..................................................................................................................170
Individual Surface Selection Technique......................................................................171
Seed and Boundary Selection Technique...................................................................171
Seed and Boundary Selection Technique (continued) ...............................................172
Loop Surface Selection Technique .............................................................................173
Using Copy and Paste ................................................................................................174
Exclude Surfaces Option.............................................................................................175
Fill Holes Option ..........................................................................................................176
Copy Inside Boundary Option .....................................................................................177
Using Copy and Paste Special ...................................................................................178
Using Copy and Paste Special (continued) ................................................................179
Exercise 6 – Copy and Paste........................................................................................180

Trim and Extend ............................................................................................................193

Introduction..................................................................................................................193
The Trim Command ....................................................................................................194
Trim Using a Quilt .......................................................................................................195

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Contents

Trim Using Curves ......................................................................................................195

Trim Using a Plane......................................................................................................196
Trim Using Silhouettes ................................................................................................197
The Extend Command ................................................................................................198
Extend Using Same Surface .......................................................................................199
Extend Tangent ...........................................................................................................200
Extend to a Plane........................................................................................................200
Extend Side Boundaries..............................................................................................201
Exercise 7 – Trim and Extend ......................................................................................202

Special Surface Features..............................................................................................215

Introduction..................................................................................................................215
Conic Surface..............................................................................................................216
N-sided Patch..............................................................................................................217
Surface Free Form ......................................................................................................218
Vertex Round ..............................................................................................................220
Solid Free Form ..........................................................................................................221
Spinal Bend .................................................................................................................222
Flatten Quilt .................................................................................................................226
Bend Solid ...................................................................................................................227
Exercise 8 – Special Surface Features........................................................................228

Geometry Analysis ........................................................................................................238

Introduction..................................................................................................................238
Geometry Analysis Icons ............................................................................................239
The Geometry Analysis Dialog Boxes ........................................................................240
Point Analysis..............................................................................................................241
Radius Analysis...........................................................................................................242
Curvature Analysis ......................................................................................................243
Curvature Analysis (continued) ...................................................................................244
Sections Analysis ........................................................................................................245
Dihedral Angle Analysis ..............................................................................................246
Offset Analysis ............................................................................................................247
Deviation Analysis .......................................................................................................248
Shaded Curvature Analysis.........................................................................................249
Shaded Curvature Analysis (continued) .....................................................................250
Draft Analysis ..............................................................................................................251
Slope Analysis.............................................................................................................252
Reflection Analysis ......................................................................................................253
Shadow Analysis .........................................................................................................254
Saved Analyses ..........................................................................................................255
Exercise 9 – Geometry Analysis ..................................................................................256

Imported Surfaces .........................................................................................................265

Introduction..................................................................................................................265
Import Configuration Options ......................................................................................265
Model Accuracy...........................................................................................................266
Redefining Imported Geometry...................................................................................266
Redefining Imported Geometry (continued)................................................................267
Redefining Imported Geometry (continued)................................................................268
Heal Geometry Automatic ...........................................................................................269

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Contents Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Heal Geometry Manual ...............................................................................................270

Deleting Imported Geometry .......................................................................................272
Collapse Geometry .....................................................................................................273
Exercise 10 – Imported Surfaces .................................................................................274

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Introduction

Introduction

Objective of This Textbook

This textbook is a guide to using the optional Pro/SURFACE module of Pro/ENGINEER
Wildfire 2.0, and illustrates how surface modeling is used for many practical applications. It
includes 10 separate exercises; each dedicated to a particular application of surface modeling,
and is designed for use as an individual tutorial, classroom text, or for reference.

For ISDX surfacing, read the textbook titled “Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to
ISDX” by this author and publisher.

It is assumed that you have experience using and are familiar with the basic functions of
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0. For a complete introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0, read
the textbooks titled “Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Basic Design” and “Pro/ENGINEER
Wildfire 2.0 Intermediate Design” by this author and publisher.

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Introduction Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Textbook Outline
• Introduction and Definitions
• Basic Surfaces ............................................................................ Exercise 1
• Construction Geometry .............................................................. Exercise 2
• Advanced Surfaces ..................................................................... Exercise 3
• Surface Merge ............................................................................ Exercise 4
• Offset, Solidify, and Thicken ....................................................... Exercise 5
• Copy and Paste ............................................................................ Exercise 6
• Trim and Extend ......................................................................... Exercise 7
• Special Surface Features ............................................................ Exercise 8
• Geometry Analysis ..................................................................... Exercise 9
• Imported Surfaces .................................................................... Exercise 10

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Introduction

Textbook Conventions
This textbook uses the following conventions:

File, Open Bold type indicates a pull-down menu option.

Depth Bold italic type indicates a dialog box tab or dashboard panel name.
Apply Bold underlined type indicates a dialog box button or dashboard panel
button.
< 1.25 > < > symbols indicate text to enter using the keyboard. Be sure to press the
‘enter’ key after typing the text. Do not include the < > symbols, only
enter what is between the < > symbols.

Pick the icon shown from the appropriate toolbar.

Exercise Files
To download the files needed to perform the exercises, visit the CADQUEST web site at
www.cadquest.com/download. If you do not have access to the Internet, contact CADQUEST by
telephone toll free at 888.922.5270 and a CD will be mailed to you. Our web site includes free
tips and tricks for Pro/ENGINEER users and is updated regularly.

Create a new folder in your computer dedicated to this textbook as shown:

C:\wildfire2\surface

Place the downloaded file into this directory. This file is a self-extracting zip file, simply double
click the file to extract the objects. Set this folder to be the ‘Start In’ folder for Pro/ENGINEER
using common Windows techniques.

The units of all new parts and assemblies created in the exercises of this textbook are to be
inches. The ‘template part’ and ‘template assembly’ (included in the self-extracting zip file) are
to be used as templates during the creation of all parts and assemblies in the exercises of this
textbook. Set the configuration options as shown on the next page to use these template objects
automatically.

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Introduction Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

System Configuration
Pick Tools, Options to add and apply configuration options. The following configuration options
should be applied before starting the exercises in this textbook:

def_layer layer_axis dtm_axis

def_layer layer_datum dtm_pln
def_layer layer_quilt dtm_quilt
def_layer layer_surface dtm_surface
default_dec_places 3
display_full_object_path yes
file_open_default_folder working_directory
fix_boundaries_on_import yes
hlr_for_quilts yes
orientation isometric
save_drawing_picture_file embed
sketcher_dec_places 3
sketcher_save_preview_image yes
spin_with_part_entities yes
spin_with_silhouettes yes
template_designasm C:\wildfire2\surface\template_in.asm
template_solidpart C:\wildfire2\surface\template_in.prt
tol_display yes
tol_mode nominal
visible_message_lines 6
web_browser_homepage about:blank

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Introduction

Why Surface Modeling?

In Pro/ENGINEER, surfaces are often used to create solid shapes that are difficult or impossible
to create using the solid feature commands. Some examples are the violin (page 1), the golf
driver (page 2), the mouse and other parts as shown below.

Surface features can be used to decrease regeneration time in large or complex models. Surfaces
can also be used to replicate or copy geometry in a part. Repairing imported model data such as
IGES also requires surface manipulation.

This textbook covers all of these topics, including surface creation techniques and common uses
for surfaces in ‘real life’ applications.

Model products using surfaces

Model sheetmetal Calculate the inside

parts using surfaces volume of containers
using surfaces

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Introduction Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Surface Definitions
Curve A curve can be a sketched datum curve, a curve created through a series of
points, or any of a variety of other datum curve types.
Surface A surface is three-dimensional geometry that has no thickness or mass.
Surfaces can be extruded, revolved, swept, and blended similar to creating
solid geometry.
Normal The ‘surface normal’ is a vector that is perpendicular to a surface at a
specified point. For non-planar surfaces, the normal vector varies
depending on the location of the point.
Tangent Two surfaces are tangent if their respective slopes along the edge of
intersection are equal. This is called ‘C1 continuity’.
Loop A chain of curves or edges forming a closed profile used to define the
boundary of a surface. A surface can have multiple loops where the
additional loops define openings in the surface. In addition, a surface can
have more than one exterior loop.
Quilt A quilt is a composite surface feature created by ‘merging’ together
multiple surface features.
Single Sided Edge An edge of a surface or quilt that is present in only one surface. A single
sided edge is displayed in a pink or light purple color.
Double Sided Edge An edge of a quilt that forms the boundary of two surfaces. Double-sided
edges are displayed in a dark purple color.
Closed Quilt A quilt that completely encloses a volume. All the edges of a closed quilt
are displayed in a dark purple color.
Curvature The derivative of the radius of each point on the curve or surface. An arc
with constant radius has constant curvature, a straight line has zero
curvature, and a spline has varying curvature as shown below.

Zero curvature
The curvature of the entities
Constant curvature
is represented by lines drawn
perpendicular to the entity

Varying curvature

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Introduction

Continuity Continuity is a measure of the curvature between two adjacent surfaces or

curves. Pro/ENGINEER supports three types as listed and shown below.
C0 Continuity Two surfaces have C0 continuity if they meet along a common edge.
C1 Continuity Two surfaces have C1 continuity if they are tangent along a common
edge.
C2 Continuity Two surfaces have C2 continuity if their curvature across the common
edge is continuous or ‘smooth’. This makes the transition between
surfaces invisible to the eye. Examples of Continuity are shown below.

C0 Continuous (sharp corner) at left endpoint.

C1 Continuous (tangent) at left endpoint.

C2 Continuous (curvature continuous) at left endpoint.

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Introduction Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Surface Display

Wireframe
In wireframe display mode, Pro/ENGINEER displays surfaces differently from solids. This
allows the surfaces to be easily identified and also differentiates between single and double-sided
edges. Pink or light purple represents single sided edges and dark purple represents double sided
edges.

By default, hidden line removal is not performed on surfaces when viewing them in ‘hidden line’
or ‘no hidden line’ display modes. The config.pro option ‘hlr_for_quilts’ can be set to
‘yes’ so that hidden line removal will include the display of surfaces.

Shaded Display Mode

Surfaces and quilts are shaded when shaded display mode is used. The config.pro option
‘shade_surface_feat’ can be set to ‘no’ to turn off this behavior.

Surface Color
Pick View, Color and Appearance to set the color of individual surfaces. The display of surface
colors in non-shaded display mode will always be yellow and magenta, regardless of any color
that is set.

In the View menu, use

Color and Appearance to
add color to individual
surfaces

Use View, Model Setup,

Mesh Surface as shown on
the next page

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Introduction

Surface Mesh Display

When using wireframe display mode, it is often difficult to see the curvature of a surface.
Consider the object below. The curvature of the surface is difficult to distinguish.

Blended surface

Using View, Model Setup, Mesh Surface the curvature of the surface can be displayed with a
‘meshed’ appearance as shown below. The config.pro option called ‘mesh_spline_surf’
controls this behavior. When this option is set to ‘yes’, surfaces are meshed while spinning the
model.

Meshed Surface

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Basic Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Basic Surfaces

Introduction
The geometry types available for creating surface features are similar to those for solid features
as listed below.

Extrude A surface is created by extruding an existing curve or internal sketch normal

(perpendicular) to a plane.
Revolve A surface is created by revolving an existing curve or internal sketch about a
centerline or existing datum axis.
Sweep A surface is created using an existing curve or internal sketch that follows a
‘path’ or trajectory. The trajectory can be an existing curve or sketched as part
of the feature.
Blend A surface is created by blending from one curve or sketch to another over a
specified distance or angle.
Swept Blend A combination of a sweep and a blend. Multiple sections are defined along a
single trajectory.
Flat A planar surface is created using an existing curve or internal sketch. The
section must be planar and closed.

The feature creation icons located on the right side toolbar are used to create solid and surface
features. However, not all surface features are included in this method of surface creation. For
example, to create an extruded surface, pick Insert, Extrude, and to create a flat surface, pick
Edit, Fill.

The icons for extrude, revolve, and flat are shown below. Sweep, blend, and swept blend do not
have icons.

Extrude
Revolve
Flat

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Basic Surfaces

Extruded Surface
An extruded surface is created by extruding a sketch normal to the sketching plane. If the sketch
is a closed section, the resulting surface can have ‘open’ or ‘capped’ end surfaces as shown
below.

Open Ends Capped Ends

Pick Insert, Extrude or pick the icon shown above to create an extruded surface. In the Extrude
dashboard tool, pick the Surface icon before you define the sketch as shown below. You can
select an existing sketch or create an internal sketch similar to creating an extruded solid.

Use the Options panel to set

the Capped Ends option

Pick here before you define the sketch

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Basic Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Revolved Surface
A revolved surface is created by revolving a sketch about an axis of revolution. The axis of
revolution can be defined by a centerline in the sketch, or an existing edge or axis. The end
surfaces can be ‘open’ or ‘capped’ if the sketch is closed and the angle is less than 360° as shown
below.

Open Ends Capped Ends

Pick Insert, Revolve or pick the icon shown above to create a revolved surface. In the Revolve
dashboard tool, pick the Surface icon before you define the sketch as shown below. You can
select an existing sketch or create an internal sketch similar to creating a revolved solid.

Pick here before you define the sketch

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Basic Surfaces

Swept Surface
A swept surface is created by sweeping an open or closed section along a specified trajectory.
The trajectory can be sketched or selected from existing geometry in the model, similar to
creating a swept solid. Pick Insert, Sweep, Surface, then select the trajectory option in the small
menu as shown below.

Trajectory Options
The trajectory can be defined using one of two methods. The Sketch
Traj option uses the sketcher to define the trajectory. The Select Traj
option allows existing curves or edges to be selected to define the
trajectory.

When using the Select Traj option, the Chain menu is used to pick
the existing entities and set the Start Point of the trajectory.

When the ‘trajectory’ is a closed loop, the Attributes menu is used to

select the Add Inner Faces or No Inner Faces option. When using
Add Inner Faces, the ‘section’ must be an open loop. Examples of
each option are shown below.

No Inner Faces Sweep Add Inner Faces Sweep

Closed Trajectory Closed Trajectory
Closed Section Open Section

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Basic Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Blended Surface
A blended surface is created by joining two or more sections, similar to a solid blend. The
options are Parallel, Rotational, and General. The sections can be sketched or selected from
existing geometry in the model. Pick Insert, Blend, Surface, then pick the options from the
small menu.

The Blend dialog box, shown below, is used to define the elements of the feature. Pick the
element then pick Define. After defining all the elements, pick OK to complete the feature.

Pick the element

then pick Define

Pick OK to
complete the feature

There are two types of parallel blends, Smooth and Straight. The
Smooth option connects the sketches with curved surfaces. The Straight
option connects the sketches using straight surfaces as shown below. Use
the small menu to select Straight or Smooth, then pick Done.

Straight Blend Smooth Blend

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Basic Surfaces

Start Point and Direction Arrow

Each sketch of a blend includes a ‘start point’ and ‘direction arrow’. The system starts at the start
point, and numbers each vertex of the sketch in the direction of the direction arrow. The system
then connects the start point of each sketch and each subsequent vertex (similar to connect the
dots). Vertex 1 goes to vertex 1, vertex 2 goes to vertex 2, etc. etc. In the example below, two
rectangles have the start point and direction arrows in the same corner, going the same direction.
The resulting part is shown.

4 3
4 3

1 2
1
2

It is important that each start point is in the same relative location so the feature does not ‘twist’.
It is also important that each direction arrow is pointing in the same relative direction so the
feature does not ‘twist’. In the example below, two rectangles have the start point and direction
arrows in different corners, going the same direction. The resulting twisted part is shown.

4 3
3 2

4 1
1
2

Set the Start Point by selecting the vertex in the sketch first, then pick Sketch, Feature Tools,
Start Point. To reverse the direction of the arrow, use the command twice on the same vertex.

Set the start point by

picking the vertex in the
sketch then picking
Sketch, Feature Tools,
Start Point

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Basic Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Blend Vertex
Each sketch must have the same number of vertices. For sketches that do not have the required
number of vertices, a Blend Vertex is created to indicate two vertices converging into one. The
blend vertex looks like a small circle and counts as one extra vertex in the sketch. To create a
blend vertex, pick the vertex first then pick Sketch, Feature Tools, Blend Vertex. Multiple
blend vertices may be added to a single sketch. Multiple blend vertices may also be added to a
single vertex. A blend vertex cannot be added at the start point of a sketch.

In the example shown below, the rectangle and triangle have the start point and direction arrows
in the same relative corner, going the same direction, but the number of vertices is not equal. The
rectangle has four vertices and the triangle has three. The system cannot create this feature.

4 3
3 Create a blend
vertex by picking
the vertex in the
1 2 sketch then
picking Sketch,
1 Feature Tools,
2
Blend Vertex
Unequal Number
of Vertices

The triangle must have a blend vertex added to make the number of vertices equal. Pick the
vertex then pick Sketch, Feature Tools, Blend Vertex. In the example shown below, the blend
vertex is added at the top of the triangle. The resulting part is also shown below.

4 3
4 3

1 2

1
2

Equal Number of
Vertices The Result

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Basic Surfaces

Toggle Section
Blend features require multiple sketches. Each is sketched on the same sketching plane. Only one
sketch can be ‘active’ at any given time, and the Sketch, Feature Tools, Toggle Section
command is used to ‘activate’ the desired sketch. The active sketch (section) is shown in the
default color, and the inactive sketches are shown in a dimmed gray color.

Pick Sketch, Feature

Tools, Toggle Section to
page through the sketches
in a blend feature

The steps for using the Toggle Section command are shown below.

Toggle

Step 1: Draw the Step 2: Pick Sketch, Step 3: Draw the

first sketch Feature Tools, second sketch
Toggle Section

Use the right mouse button

popup menu to access the
Toggle Section, Start Point,
and Blend Vertex
commands

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Basic Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Rotational Blend
A Rotational Blend is made up of a series of sections that are rotated about the Y-axis of a
sketch coordinate system. Each section can be rotated up to a maximum of 120º. Each section is
sketched separately and must have a sketch coordinate system, which is used to align the
sections. The ashtray part shown below uses a rotational blend using six sections. Additional
features are then added to complete the part.

Rotational Blend

Completed Part

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Basic Surfaces

General Blend
A General Blend is made up of a series of sections that can be rotated about all three axes of a
sketch coordinate system. Each section is sketched separately and must have a sketch coordinate
system, which is used to align the sections similar to a rotational blend.

The gear part shown below uses a general blend that rotates six sections about the Z-axis.

General Blend Rotating About the Z Axis

A General Blend can be created by sketching each section, or by selecting existing datum curves
or edges that define the shape of the blend. Creating a boat hull uses a technique called ‘lofting’,
and this feature, when selecting the sections, is similar. The entities in each section must be
planar.

The parts shown below each use existing datum curves to define the shape of the general blend.

General Blends Using Existing Curves

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Basic Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Options for Non-Parallel Blends

When creating a blend feature, the ATTRIBUTES menu is used and has the following options:

Straight A straight blend is created by connecting the vertices

of each section with straight lines, and edges are
connected with ruled surfaces.
Smooth A smooth blend is created by connecting the vertices
of each section with a smooth curve, and the edges
are connected with spline surfaces.
Open The feature is less than 360 degrees of rotation (in
rotational blends only).
Closed The first and last sections are blended to close the
feature.

Smooth Straight

Open Closed

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Basic Surfaces

Swept Blend Surface

A Swept Blend is a feature that combines a sweep and a blend together. When creating a swept
blend, the ‘trajectory’ is created first. The trajectory can be sketched or it can be defined using
existing curves or edges. After the trajectory is defined, sections are defined at appropriate
locations along the trajectory. The sections can also be sketched or defined using existing curves.

A sketch coordinate system is automatically created at each point where a cross section is to be
sketched. The Z-axis of the coordinate system always points in the direction of the trajectory.
When defining the sections, rotation about the Z-axis can be specified.

The faucet part shown below uses a swept blend using a trajectory and five sections. Additional
features are then added to complete the part as shown.

Trajectory

Sections

Swept Blend

Facts about Swept Blends

• All sections must intersect the trajectory.
• For a closed trajectory, at least two sections are required. One of these sections must
be at the start point of the trajectory, the other may be sketched at any other location
along the trajectory.
• For open trajectories, there must be a section at both the start and end points.
Additional sections can be created anywhere along the trajectory.
• Composite datum curves cannot be selected for defining sections of a swept blend.
You must use the underlying curve segments or edges the composite curve was made
from.
• You can add or remove sections to/from a swept blend feature using Edit, Definition.

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Basic Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Flat Surface
To create a flat surface, pick Edit, Fill, or pick the icon shown above. Next pick an existing
closed loop sketch or pick Define Internal Sketch in the right mouse button popup menu as
shown below.

An example of a flat surface is shown below.

The Fill dashboard tool is shown below.

In the References panel, pick

here to sketch the surface

Use the right mouse

button popup menu to
define the sketch

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Basic Surfaces

EXERCISE 1 – BASIC SURFACES

Task 1: Create a new part and an extruded surface.

• Pick File, New, enter < contact > for the name, then pick OK
• Pick FRONT then pick the Extrude icon
• Pick the Surface icon in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 0.187 > for the depth in the dashboard tool
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Define Internal Sketch in the popup
menu
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default orientation
• Sketch, dimension and constrain the symmetrical geometry shown below
0.190

0.170

TOP

0.075
RIGHT

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

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Task 2: Create another extruded surface.

• Pick the Extrude icon

• Pick the Surface icon in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 0.187 > for the depth in the dashboard tool
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Define Internal Sketch in the popup
menu
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Plane
• Pick the FRONT datum plane
• Enter < -0.300 > for the offset value then pick OK in the Datum Plane dialog box
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default orientation
• Sketch, dimension and constrain the symmetrical geometry shown below

0.210

0.200
TOP

0.070
0.044

RIGHT

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The result is shown below
• Save the part

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Task 3: Create another extruded surface.

• Pick the Extrude icon

• Pick the Surface icon in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 0.250 > for the depth in the dashboard tool
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Define Internal Sketch
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Plane
• Pick the FRONT datum plane
• Enter < -0.300 > for the offset value then pick OK in the Datum Plane dialog box
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default orientation
• Sketch, dimension and constrain the symmetrical geometry shown below

0.100

TOP

0.025

0.250

RIGHT

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Basic Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Task 4: Create a new part and an extruded surface.

• Pick File, New, enter < container > for the name, then pick OK
• Pick TOP then pick the Extrude icon
• Pick the Surface icon in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 12 > for the depth in the dashboard tool
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Define Internal Sketch
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default orientation
• Sketch, dimension and constrain the symmetrical geometry shown below

24.000
R 2.000

R 140.000
16.000
FRONT

R 36.000

RIGHT

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Pick View, Orientation, Standard Orientation
• The result is shown below

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Task 5: Create a flat surface.

• Pick Edit, Fill

• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Define Internal Sketch
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Plane
• Pick the TOP datum plane
• Enter < 4 > for the offset value then pick OK in the Datum Plane dialog box
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default orientation
• Sketch, dimension and constrain the symmetrical geometry shown below

18.000
FRONT

RIGHT
26.000

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Basic Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Task 6: Create a new part and an extruded surface.

• Pick File, New, enter < speaker_housing > for the name, then pick OK
• Pick FRONT then pick the Extrude icon
• Pick the Surface icon in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 5 > for the depth in the dashboard tool
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Define Internal Sketch
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default orientation
• Sketch, dimension and constrain the symmetrical geometry shown below

4.125

0.135
R 1.000

TOP

R 7.500

RIGHT

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the Flip Direction icon in the dashboard tool
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Basic Surfaces

Task 7: Create a new part and a flat surface.

• Pick File, New, enter < mouse > for the name, then pick OK
• Pick Edit, Fill
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Define Internal Sketch
• Pick the TOP datum plane
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default orientation
• Sketch, dimension and constrain the symmetrical geometry shown below
2.250
R 3.000

1.600

FRONT

4.750
R 17.536 REF

R 1.750
RIGHT
2.625

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Pick View, Orientation, Standard Orientation

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Basic Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Task 8: Create a swept blend.

• Pick Insert, Swept Blend, Surface

• Pick Done in the small menu to accept the default options
• Pick Sketch Traj in the small menu
• Pick RIGHT then pick Okay, Default in the small menu
• Sketch and dimension a spline as shown below

FRONT
1.215 1.346

1.586
1.331
1.240
0.797 0.827

TOP

0.383

2.596 0.751

3.019

• Be sure the start point is located as shown above

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch
• Pick Done in the small menu to accept the default option
• Pick Next, Next, Next, Next in the small menu
• Enter < 0 > for the rotation angle for section 1
• Pick the Offset Edge icon

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• Pick this edge

• Enter < 0.170 > for the offset value

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch
• Enter < 0 > for the rotation angle for section 2
• Pick the Offset Edge icon
• Pick this edge

• Enter < 0.170 > for the offset value

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Basic Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Task 9: Create a revolved surface.

• Open the part called ‘core.prt’

• Pick TOP then pick Insert, Revolve
• Pick the Surface icon in the dashboard tool
• Pick Define Internal Sketch in the right mouse button popup menu
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default orientation
• Pick DTM2 for an additional reference for the section then Close the References
dialog box
• Sketch, dimension and constrain the geometry as shown below

0.046

DTM2

0.041

45°

0.008
0.082

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The result is shown below

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Task 10: Create a general blend.

• Pick Insert, Blend, Surface

• Pick General, Regular Sec, Select Sec, Done in the small menus
• Pick Straight, Capped Ends, Done in the small menus
• Pick Sel Loop in the small menu
• Pick the datum curve that is on FRONT
• Pick Start Point then pick this vertex

• Pick Done in the small menu

• Pick Sel Loop in the small menu
• Pick the datum curve that is on DTM1
• Pick Start Point then pick this vertex
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Enter < Yes > to add another section

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• Pick Sel Loop in the small menu

• Pick the datum curve that is on DTM2
• Pick Start Point then pick this vertex

• Pick Blend Vertex then pick these two vertices

• Pick Done in the small menu
• Enter < No >
• Pick OK in the dialog box
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Construction Geometry

Construction Geometry

Introduction
Several features are commonly used as construction geometry when creating surface models.
These include datum planes, datum points, and datum curves and are used to construct the
surface definition and boundary.

This section covers the following construction features:

• Datum planes and axes.
• Sketched datum curves.
• Offset datum curves.
• Datum curves created ‘through’ multiple datum points.
• Datum curves defined by mathematical equations.
• Projected, wrapped, and intersection datum curves.
• Datum points placed ‘on’ a datum curve.
• Datum points created at the intersection of two or three entities.
• Sketched datum points.
• Datum points defined by XYZ values offset from a coordinate system.
• Datum Graphs.

Some of these features are created using pre-Wildfire dialog boxes and right side menus. If
Wildfire is your first release using Pro/ENGINEER, these menus may seem unfamiliar.

An example of using construction geometry to create a blended surface is shown below.

1. Create Datum Points 2. Create Datum Curves 3. Create a Blended Surface

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Creating Datum Features

Many datum features are created using the Insert menu or the icons shown below. Some
commands for creating datum curves are found in the Edit menu and toolbar, also shown below.

Sketch
Plane
Axis
Curve
Points Point | Sketch Points | Offset Csys | Field Points
Coordinate System
Graph
Evaluate
Analysis
Offset Planes
Reference

The Datum Toolbar

Projected Curve
Wrapped Curve
Curve by Intersect

Some Datum Curves are in

the Edit Menu and Toolbar

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Creating Datum Planes

The Datum Plane dialog box is used to create datum planes. Select the references for the datum
plane before selecting the Datum Plane icon, shown above. For example, to create an offset
datum plane, select the plane to offset from first, then pick the icon.

Pick in the Display tab

to flip the
positive/negative side
of the datum plane

When creating an offset Enter the name

Fit the datum
datum plane, enter the for the plane here
plane here
offset value here

The right mouse

button shortcut menu
is shown here

When using an edge and a plane for

the references, use this pull down
menu to select the type of plane

Enter angular rotation here

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Creating Datum Axes

The Datum Axis dialog box is used to create datum axes. Select the references for the axis
before selecting the Datum Axis icon, shown above. For example, to create an axis at the
intersection of two planes, select the two planes first, then pick the icon. To create an axis normal
to a plane, select the normal plane first, then pick the Datum Axis icon, then use the right mouse
button popup menu to select the offset references.

When creating an
axis normal to a
plane, the normal
plane is listed here

Enter the offset

values here

Use the Display tab

to set the size of the
axis display

Enter a name for the axis

in the Properties tab

The right mouse

button shortcut menu

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Sketched Curves
The most common type of datum curve is sketched and is simply called a Sketch. Pick Insert,
Model Datum, Sketch or pick the icon shown above. These planar curves can be used to ‘lay
out’ the design intent of a part before solid features are created. Datum curves can be used as
external sections for many features. They can be used as trajectories for sweep features and can
be selected as edges when using the ‘Use Edge’ command in the sketcher. Datum curves are
often created on a solid surface to define where labels or other markings are to be applied.

The Sketch dialog box is shown below.

Pick here to select

the sketching plane

Pick here to use

the previous sketching plane

Flip the direction of viewing the

sketch plane here

Pick here to select the reference plane

Set the orientation of

the reference plane here

Pick here to sketch the geometry

Sketched Curves

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Offset Curves
The Offset dashboard tool, shown below, is used to create offset datum curves. Pick the datum
curve you want to offset, then pick the icon shown above, or pick Edit, Offset.

Three options are available for curves lying on existing surfaces as listed below.

Flip the direction of the offset here

Enter the value of the offset here

Offset along the reference surface

Offset normal to the reference surface
Offset a number of curves along the reference surface

Offset Curves

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Curve Thru Points

The Thru Points option allows datum curves to be constructed through a set of points. The
resulting curve can be a segmented chain of straight entities connected with radii at the interior
points, or may be a spline curve that does not require radii at the interior points. In addition, the
tangency and continuity of the curve at the two ends can be controlled.

Consider the two datum curves shown below.

Creating a Thru Points datum curve through the two end points results in a new datum curve
with C0 continuity (sharp corners) to the two original curves.

C0 Continuity

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Curve Thru Points (continued)

If the tangency condition at each end is set as Tangent to adjacent curves, the datum curve has
C1 continuity at both ends.

The curvature of the curve at either end can be adjusted to have C2 continuity. The figure below
on the left shows a datum curve with C1 continuity. Because the straight segments have zero
curvature, the break is clearly seen at the endpoints of the middle section. The figure below on
the right shows the middle segment redefined with C2 continuity. Notice how the curvature plot
on the right is continuous throughout the entire curve.

Discontinuous Continuous
Curvature Curvature

C1 Continuity C2 Continuity

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The Datum Curve Through Points dialog box has the following elements and is shown.

Attributes Free places the curve through points

without consideration of any surfaces.
On Surface creates a curve thru points
on a selected surface.
Curve Points Select the vertices or datum points that
the curve is to pass through.
Tangency Specify continuity at the ends of the
generated curve. Endpoint must be
specified using Spline type.
Tweak Adjust the control polygon of the curve.

The CONNECT TYPE menu has the following options and is shown.

Spline Connect the selected points with a spline.

Single Rad Connect the selected points with straight segments
and a single radius at each interior point.
Multiple Rad Same as Single Rad, but with radii specified at
each interior point.
Single Point Select a single point from a datum point feature.
Whole Array Select the entire set of points in a datum point
feature. The order of the points is determined from
creation of the datum point feature.
Add Point Add points to the curve definition.
Delete Point Delete points from curve definition.
Insert Point Insert new points before the selected point.

R .225

Single Radius Curve Spline Curve

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The TANGENCY menu includes these options and is shown.

Start Set the tangency at the start of the curve.

End Set the tangency at the end of the curve.
Crv/Edge/Axis Make the indicated end tangent to a datum curve,
geometry edge or datum axis.
Create Axis Create an axis on the fly to specify the tangency.
Surface Use a surface reference to control the tangency.
Srf Nrm Edge Curve will be tangent to a surface and normal to an
edge.
Clear Remove the boundary condition from the indicated
end.
Tangent Set the boundary condition at the indicated end to be
tangent.
Normal Set the boundary condition at the indicated end to be
normal (perpendicular) to the reference.
Curvature Make the curvature of the created datum curve curvature (C2) continuous
across the indicated end. The end must be specified as Tangent before the
Curvature option becomes available.

Start point

End point

Both start and end points

are ‘free’ (C0)
The start point is ‘tangent’ (C1)
and the end point is ‘normal’ (C0)
to the top surface of the block
The start point is ‘tangent’
and has curvature defined (C2)

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Curves From Equations

Datum curves can be defined using mathematical equations. To create
datum curves defined by equations, select Insert, Model Datum, Curve,
From Equation, Done. Then select (or create) a coordinate system;
Cartesian (XYZ), Cylindrical, or Spherical coordinate systems may be
used. The equations are entered using the system editor as shown below.

Datum Curves

Involute Gear and Spiral Spring created using Datum Curve from Equations

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Projected and Wrapped Curves

Datum curves can be projected and wrapped onto surfaces and datum planes. Projected curves
are applied to the surface in a direction normal to the sketch plane. In wrapped curves, the length
of the curve is the same before and after application to the surface. Each of these is sketched on a
plane outside of the part.

Pick Edit, Project or Edit, Wrap or use the icons shown above to create these features.
Examples of projected and wrapped curves are shown below.

Projected Datum Curves Wrapped Datum Curves

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Projected Datum Curves

To create Projected datum curves, pick the curve to be projected first, then pick Edit, Project or
pick the icon shown above. Existing datum curves can be projected onto surfaces and solids, or
you can sketch the shape to be projected using the References panel of the Project dashboard
tool as shown below. When using a coordinate system to define the direction of the projection,
select the appropriate axis of the coordinate system in the graphics window (you can’t select the
coordinate system in the model tree).

In the References panel, use this pull-

down menu and pick Project a sketch

Pick here to sketch the shape

The surfaces being projected onto

are listed here

The direction of the projection is

defined here

When using a CSYS for the direction,

flip the selected axis here

Enter a name for the curve here

Flip the
direction here
Choose Along Direction or
Normal to Surface here

Use the right mouse button

popup menu for shortcuts
to these options

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Wrapped Datum Curves

To create Wrapped datum curves, select the curve or sketch to be wrapped first, then pick Edit,
Wrap or pick the icon shown above. Existing datum curves can be wrapped onto surfaces and
solids, or you can sketch the shape to be wrapped using the References panel of the Wrap
dashboard tool as shown below.

The References panel lists

the sketch and the destination
of the wrapped curve

The Options panel includes

two options for wrapped
datum curves

Flip the direction here

Set the wrap origin here,

choose from Center or
Sketcher CSYS

Use the popup

menu for shortcuts

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Curves by Intersection
Datum curves can be defined using two intersecting sections. Create two datum curves for the
sections, then pick the Intersect icon shown above or pick Edit, Intersect. Each curve is
projected normal to its sketch plane, and the system creates a new curve at the intersection of the
two projections.

Use this technique to create three-dimensional curves that will be used to define the boundary for
a surface. An example of creating an intersected curve is shown below.

1. Create a curve representing the ‘top’

view of the desired geometry

2. Create another curve rep-

resenting the ‘side’ view

3. Pick the icon

and the system creates
the intersected curve

Curves by Intersection

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Curves by Intersection (continued)

The Intersect dashboard tool is used to create datum curves at intersection of two or more
surfaces. This tool is also used to create datum curves using two existing sketches. Select at least
two references for the intersection first, then pick Edit, Intersect or pick the icon shown above.

The Intersect dashboard tool is shown below.

The References panel lists

the surfaces being intersected

Enter a name for the

curve being created in
the Properties panel

Done
Quit

Selected surfaces
Resulting curve

Curves by Intersection

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Creating Datum Points

The Datum Point dialog box is used to create many types of datum points. The best method is to
select the references for the point being created before picking the icon. In the dialog box, select
On or Offset as shown below.

Use this pull-down menu

to create datum points
offset from the reference

When creating points on an existing datum curve, use the pull-down menu to select Ratio or
Real as shown below.

Use this pull-down menu

to select Real value
when creating points
along a curve

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Datum Point On Curve

Datum points can be created ‘on’ an existing curve or edge. Select the curve or edge first, then
pick the Insert Point icon shown above. When creating a datum point ‘on’ a curve, there are two
placement options; Real and Ratio as shown on the previous page. When using Real, you
specify the location of the point along the curve in real units. When using Ratio, you specify a
value from 0 to 1. A ratio of 0.5 creates a point at the midpoint of the curve as shown below.

0.5 of Curve Length

PNT0

In the figure shown below, a datum point (PNT0) is created on the curve using the Ratio option.
The ratio is set to 0, which creates the point at the ‘start point’ of the curve segment. The point is
then patterned with an increment of 0.25 to create five (5) equally spaced points along the curve.
This technique is useful when constructing blended surfaces.

PNT0

PNT1

PNT2

PNT3

PNT4

Points On Curve

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Datum Points at Intersections

The Datum Point dialog box is used to create datum points at the intersection of two datum
curves, or at the intersection of a curve and a plane or surface, or at the intersection of three
planes or surfaces. Pick the reference entities first, then pick the Datum Point icon shown above.

If the selected reference entities have multiple intersections, the system adds the Next
Intersection command to the Datum Point dialog box as shown below. Use this button to toggle
between the possible intersections before you pick OK to complete the feature.

Pick here to toggle

between the possible
intersections

Pick OK to complete
the feature

PNT0

Points At Intersections

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Sketched Datum Points

Creating sketched datum points is similar to sketched datum curves. Pick Insert, Model Datum,
Point, Sketched or pick the icon shown above. Select a sketching plane and a reference plane
then pick Sketch in the dialog box. The Sketched Datum Point dialog box is shown below.

The Sketched Datum Point

dialog box controls the elements
of sketched points

Pick here to select the sketching

plane

Pick here to use the previous

sketching plane

Flip the direction of viewing the

sketch plane here

Pick here to select the reference plane

Set the orientation of the

reference plane here

Pick here to sketch the points

Sketched Datum Points

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Datum Point Offset from Csys

Datum points can be created by entering X, Y, and Z values relative to an existing coordinate
system. Pick Insert, Model Datum, Point, Offset Coordinate System or pick the icon shown
above. Select the appropriate coordinate system, then enter the X, Y, and Z values in the dialog
box as shown below.

You can save the XYZ values to a file that can be imported into other parts. Pick Save to create a
.pts file containing the current values. Pick Import to import .pts files into the current model.
Pick Update Values to edit the location values using your system editor.

Select the type of

coordinate system here

Enter the XYZ values

here (for Cartesian
coordinate systems)

Save the points to a .pts

file for use in other parts

Pick here to edit the

values using Notepad

Import .pts files here

Pick OK to create
the points

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Datum Graph
The Datum Graph feature is a graphical representation of an XY function. These are used in
relations to control the dimensions of other features. The graph feature is created using the
Insert, Model Datum menu, and requires a sketcher coordinate system. When graphs are
evaluated, the system finds the corresponding Y value for a given X value. For each X value,
there can be only one Y value in the graph.

Note

The graph must include a sketcher coordinate system.

A graph feature is not displayed anywhere in the part geometry, but it is displayed in the model
tree. Use the model tree to pick the name of the graph feature. You can view or modify existing
graph features using the Edit and Edit Definition commands. An example graph is shown
below.

Datum Graph feature

10.00

8.00

4.00

4.00

2.00

Datum Graph

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Using Datum Graphs

To use the graph to control a dimension of a variable section sweep, use the following format:

sd = evalgraph (“radius”, trajpar)

sketch dimension trajectory parameter

‘evalgraph’ is a name of the graph feature

system command

For more information about “trajpar” and the variable section sweep feature, see pages 96-100 of
this textbook.

Graphs can be shown on drawings using Insert, Graph. An example graph for a typical cam part
is shown below.

Datum Graph

Tip

The Y dimensions are scaled by a

factor (in this case 100) to make
the graph readable. The X
dimensions go to 360 because
The Cam is Driven the graph is used in a rotational
by the Graph feature.

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Datum Tag Display

Datum features such as planes and axes have ‘name tags’ associated with them. These tags are
useful to determine which datum is being selected. However, the display of many datum’s and
their associated nametags often clutter the screen making geometry selection difficult.

The display of these name tags can be toggled on/off using the Datum Display dialog box or by
selecting the icons shown below. These icons are available using Tools, Customize Screen. To
access the Datum Display dialog box, pick View, Display Settings, Datum Display.

The Datum Display dialog box and a custom toolbar containing all the datum display icons are
shown below.

Planes
Axes
Points
Coordinate Systems
Plane Tags
Axis Tags
Point Tags
Coordinate System Tags

Datum Display Icons

Select the symbol used

for datum points here

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EXERCISE 2 – CONSTRUCTION GEOMETRY

Task 1: Create a new part and a sketch.

• Pick File, New, enter < phone_cord > for the name, then pick OK
• Select the TOP datum plane for the sketch plane
• Pick the Sketch icon then click the middle mouse button
• Close the References dialog box
• Sketch, constrain, and dimension the geometry shown below

RIGHT

10.000

5.000

FRONT

R 1.000

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

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Task 2: Create an offset datum curve.

• Select the datum curve you just created

• Pick Edit, Offset
• Pick the TOP datum plane
• Enter < -0.500 > for the offset value
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the offset
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 3: Create a projected curve.

• Open the part called ‘container.prt’

• Orient the part to the default view
• Pick Edit, Project

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• In the References panel of the dashboard tool, pick Project a Sketch as shown below

Pick Project a Sketch

in this pull-down list

Pick Define here

• Pick Define as shown above

• Pick the FRONT datum plane then click the middle mouse button
• Sketch, constrain, and dimension a single arc as shown below

Be sure the
center of the arc
is aligned with
the RIGHT
datum plane

R 75.000
RIGHT

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• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the five (5) surfaces as shown below

• Pick here in the dashboard tool

• Pick the FRONT datum plane

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The result is shown below

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Task 4: Create a sketch.

• Orient the part to the default view, then pick the FRONT datum plane
• Pick the Sketch icon then click the middle mouse button
• Pick the flat surface and the right end of the projected curve for additional references
• Sketch, constrain, and dimension the two arcs as shown below

1.500
R 1.750

R 14.000

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

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Task 5: Create another sketch.

• Orient the part to the default view, then pick the RIGHT datum plane
• Pick the Sketch icon then click the middle mouse button
• Pick the flat surface and the left end of the projected curve for additional references
• Sketch, constrain, and dimension the two arcs as shown below

R 1.750
T

1.500
R 14.000

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

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Task 6: Mirror the sketch.

• Orient the model to the ‘Default’ view

• Pick the sketch created in the previous task
• Pick the Mirror icon
• Pick the FRONT datum plane
• Pick the checkmark to complete the mirror command
• The result is shown below

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Task 7: Create another sketch.

• Orient the part to the default view

• Pick the Sketch icon then pick the flat surface for the sketch plane
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default orientation
• Pick the bottom vertices of the three sketches for additional references
• Sketch, constrain, and dimension the geometry as shown below

R 136.000

R 2.000

R 75.000

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 8: Create curves through points.

• Open the part called ‘mouse.prt’

• Orient the part to the default view
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon
• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
• Pick these two vertices in the order shown
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick Tangency, Define in the dialog box
1
• Pick Surface then pick this surface
2

• Pick Flip, Okay in the small menu

• Pick Done/Return in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon
• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
• Pick these two vertices in the order shown
1
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick Tangency, Define in the dialog box 2

• Pick Surface then pick this surface

• Pick Flip, Okay in the small menu
• Pick Done/Return in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon
• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
• Pick these two vertices in the order shown
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick Tangency, Define in the dialog box
• Pick Surface then pick this surface 1

• Pick Okay in the small menu

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• Pick Done/Return in the small menu

• Pick OK in the dialog box
• Orient the model as shown below
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon
• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
• Pick these two vertices in the order shown
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick Tangency, Define in the dialog box 1

• Pick Surface then pick this surface 2

• Pick Okay in the small menu

• Pick Done/Return in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 9: Create a new part and datum points.

• Pick File, New, enter < violin > for the name, then pick OK
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Point, Offset Coordinate System or pick the icon
• Pick the default coordinate system in the model tree

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• Enter the data for 17 points as shown below

• Pick OK here
• The result is shown here

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Task 10: Create curves through points.

• Orient the model to the ‘Front’ view 1

2

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon 3

• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu

4
• Pick Single Point in the small menu
5

• Pick these six points in the order shown 6

• Pick Done in the small menu

• Pick OK in the dialog box

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon

• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
2
1
• Pick Single Point in the small menu
3

• Pick these five points in the order shown

5

• Pick Done in the small menu 4

• Pick OK in the dialog box

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• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon

• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
• Pick Single Point in the small menu
• Pick these six points in the order shown
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box
1
2

5
6

Task 11: Mirror the curves.

• Select all three curves

• Pick the Mirror icon
• Pick the RIGHT datum plane to mirror the curves about
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the mirror command
• The result is shown below
• Save the part

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Task 12: Create a solid protrusion.

• Orient the model to the default view

• Pick the FRONT datum plane
• Pick the Extrude icon
• Enter < 2 > for the depth in the dashboard tool
• Pick the Define Internal Sketch in the right mouse button popup menu
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default
• Select the Use Edge icon
• Select the six (6) datum curves
• Fill in the four (4) small gaps with lines
• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch
• Pick the Flip Direction icon in the dashboard tool
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The result is shown below
• Save the part

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Task 13: Create more construction geometry.

• Pick the FRONT datum plane

• Pick the Sketch icon
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the defaults
• Pick the Offset Edge icon
• Pick each of the six (6) original datum curves and enter < 0.150 > or < -0.150 > as
necessary to offset the curves toward the inside of the violin
• Trim the sketch in six (6) places using the Trim Corner icon
• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch
• The result is shown below

• Pick the TOP datum plane then pick the Insert Datum Plane icon
• Press and hold the CTRL key and pick this datum point

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• Pick OK to complete the feature

• The result (DTM1) is shown here

• Set the selection filter to Datums

• Pick the offset datum curve, press and hold the CTRL key and pick RIGHT
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Point, Point, then pick OK in the dialog box
• Repeat for the other end of the part
• Pick the offset datum curve, press and hold the CTRL key and pick DTM1 (the datum
plane you just created)
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Point, Point, then pick OK in the dialog box
• Repeat for the other side of the part
• The resulting four points are shown below

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• Set the selection filter to Geometry

• Pick the top surface of the violin as shown

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Point, Point

• Drag the location handles to RIGHT and DTM1
• Enter < 0 > for the placement dimension from RIGHT
• Enter < 0 > for the placement dimension from DTM1
• In the dialog box, set the reference to Offset and enter < 0.75 > for the offset distance
• Pick OK to complete the feature

Task 14: Create datum curves thru points.

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon

• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
• Pick these three points in the order shown
• Pick Done in the small menu

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• Pick Tangency, Define in the dialog box

• For the Start point, pick Surface then pick the FRONT datum plane
• For the End point, pick Surface then pick the FRONT datum plane
• Pick Done Return in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the curve
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon
• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
• Pick these three points in the order shown

1
2

• Pick Done in the small menu

• Pick Tangency, Define in the dialog box
• For the Start point, pick Surface then pick the FRONT datum plane
• For the End point, pick Surface then pick the FRONT datum plane
• Pick Done Return in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the curve
• The result is shown below

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Task 15: Create two additional sketches.

• Pick the Sketch icon

• Pick FRONT for the sketch plane then click the middle mouse button
• Pick the Use Edge icon then pick the two curves shown below in bold

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the Sketch icon
• Pick FRONT for the sketch plane then click the middle mouse button
• Pick the Use Edge icon then pick the two curves shown below in bold

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 16: Create datum points and curves.

• Open the part called ‘speaker_housing.prt’

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Point, Offset Coordinate System or pick the icon
• Pick the default coordinate system in the model tree
• Enter the data for 8 points as shown below

• Pick OK here
• Orient the model to the ‘Front’ view
• Hide the extruded surface
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon

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• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu 1

• Pick Single Point in the small menu

• Pick these three points in the order shown
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon

• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu 1

• Pick Single Point in the small menu

• Pick these three points in the order shown
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box

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• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon

• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu 2
1 3

• Pick Single Point in the small menu

• Pick these three points in the order shown
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon

• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
• Pick Single Point in the small menu
• Pick these three points in the order shown
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box
• Save the part
1 2 3

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Task 17: Import datum point data.

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Point, Offset Coordinate System or pick the icon
• Pick the default coordinate system in the model tree
• Pick Import in the dialog box as shown below

Pick Import here

• Pick ‘speaker_points.pts’ then pick Open

• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature

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Task 18: Create datum curves through points.

• Orient the model to the ‘Default’ view

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon
• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
• Pick Single Point in the small menu
• Pick three points as shown below then pick Done in the small menu

Pick these
three points

• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature

• Repeat this task to complete the curves as shown above
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 19: Create construction geometry.

• Pick File, New, enter < golf_driver > for the name, then pick OK
• Select the FRONT datum plane for the sketch plane
• Pick the Sketch icon then click the middle mouse button
• Sketch and dimension the two splines as shown below

4.029

2.811

1.274

1.174

2.075 1.992
1.677

0.840 0.971

TOP

RIGHT
0.461

2.000

3.525

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• The result is shown below
• Pick the Point icon then pick this vertex
• Press and hold the CTRL key and
pick the FRONT datum plane
• Enter < 0.250 > for the offset
value in the dialog box
• Pick New Point in the dialog box
• Pick this vertex

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• Press and hold the CTRL key and pick the FRONT datum plane
• Enter < 0.250 > for the offset value in the dialog box
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Set the selection filter to Datums
• Pick the two points you just created
• Pick the Datum Axis icon
• Notice the system creates the axis through the selected points
• Select the axis then pick the Datum Plane icon
• Press and hold the CTRL key and pick the FRONT datum plane
• Enter < -7.500 > for the rotation angle in the dialog box
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Pick the sketched curve
• Pick Edit, Project then pick the
datum plane you just created
• Pick the checkmark to complete
the feature
• Pick the TOP datum plane
then pick the Datum Plane icon
• Press and hold the CTRL key and
pick this datum point
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Pick the original sketch then pick Hide in the popup menu
• Pick View, Visibility, Save Status
• Save the part
• The result is shown here

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Task 20: Create more construction geometry.

• Pick the RIGHT datum plane then pick the Datum Plane icon
• Enter < -1.625 > for the offset value in the dialog box
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Pick the datum plane you just created
• Pick the Point icon then pick the curve here (with CTRL)
• Pick New Point in the dialog box
• Pick the same datum plane and the curve here
• Pick New Point in the dialog box
• Pick this plane and this curve
• Pick New Point in the dialog box
• Pick this plane and this curve
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Pick the angled datum plane then pick the Point icon
• Change the reference type to Offset in the dialog box
• Select the TOP and RIGHT datum planes for dimensioning references
• Enter < 0.050 > for the offset value in the dialog box
• Enter < 0 > for the dimension to the RIGHT datum plane
• Enter < 1.100 > for the dimension to the TOP datum plane
• Pick New Point in the dialog box
• Pick the angled datum plane then change the reference type to Offset
• Select the TOP and DTM3 datum planes for dimensioning references
• Enter < 0.050 > for the offset value in the dialog box
• Enter < 0 > for the dimension to the DTM3 datum plane
• Enter < 1.100 > for the dimension to the TOP datum plane
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon
• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu

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• Pick these three points in the order shown

• Pick Done in the small menu
1
• Pick OK in the dialog box to
complete the feature

• Pick Datum Curve icon

• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
• Pick these three points in the order shown
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box to
complete the feature
1
• Save the part
• Pick the DTM2 datum plane
• Pick the Sketch icon then click the 2

middle mouse button

• Sketch and dimension the spline as shown below 3

2.813
1.398 0.826

3.229

2.651 2.759

FRONT
1.226

RIGHT

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• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• The result is shown below

• Pick the sketch you just created then pick the Point icon
• Enter < 0.125 > for the Ratio in the dialog box
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Pick the Pattern icon
• Pick the 0.125 dimension, then enter < 0.125 > for the increment
• Enter < 7 > for the number of instances in the dashboard tool
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the pattern
• The result is shown below

• Save the part

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Task 21: Create more construction geometry.

• Pick this point

• Pick the Point icon
• Press and hold the CTRL key and
pick the DTM2 datum plane
• Enter < -0.131 > for the offset
value in the dialog box
• Pick New Point in the dialog box
• Repeat this task to create a total
of seven (7) offset points as
shown below

0.340 0.509

0.600

0.131

0.685

0.681

0.458

• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon
• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu

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• Pick the nine (9) points in the order shown below

3
4
2

1 5

8
9

• Pick Done in the small menu

• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Pick this curve then pick Hide in the popup menu
• Pick View, Visibility, Save Status
• Save the part

• Pick the Datum Plane icon

• Pick these two points and the TOP datum plane

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• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature

• Pick the Sketch icon then click the middle mouse button
• Sketch and dimension the spline as shown below

1.413

0.171

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the Datum Plane icon
• Pick these two points and the TOP datum plane

• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature

• Pick the Sketch icon then click the middle mouse button

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• Sketch and dimension the spline as shown below

1.484

0.182

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 22: Create an intersected curve.

• Open the part called ‘server.prt’

• Select the FRONT datum plane for the sketch plane
• Pick the Sketch icon then click the middle mouse button
• Sketch and dimension the spline as shown below

6.500

5.000

3.500

2.180

90

6.400 5.750
5.186
5.000
5.715

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Orient the part to the ‘Default’ view
• The result is shown below

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• Select the DTM1 datum plane for the sketch plane

• Pick the Sketch icon then click the middle mouse button
• Sketch and dimension the arcs as shown below

6.500

R 3.500

R 0.750

2.737

R 3.000

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the two sketches then pick Edit, Intersect
• Orient the part to the ‘Default’ view
• The result is shown below

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• Set the selection filter to Datums

• Pick the intersected curve and the FRONT datum plane
• Pick the Point icon
• Pick New Point in the dialog box
• Pick this vertex

• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the points

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Curve or pick the icon
• Pick Thru Points, Done in the small menu
• Pick the two points you just created in this order 1
2
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick Tangency and Define in the dialog box
• Pick End, Surface in the small menu
• Pick the revolved surface near the lower point
• Pick Done/Return in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the curve
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Advanced Surfaces

Introduction
Several advanced surface types are available as listed below.

Variable Section Sweep A surface is created by sweeping a single section along one or
more trajectories. The section can vary along the trajectory.
Boundary Blend A surface is created by selecting existing curves to define the
boundaries of the geometry.
Section to Surfaces Blend A surface is created by blending from an existing set of tangent
surfaces to a sketched section.
Surface to Surface Blend A surface is created by blending between two existing surfaces.

The icons for the variable section sweep and the boundary blend are shown below. The other two
surface types listed on this page do not have icons associated with them and must be created
using the Insert, Advanced menu.

Variable Section Sweep

Boundary Blend

Variable Section Sweep Boundary Blends

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Variable Section Sweep

The Variable Section Sweep feature sweeps a single section along one or more trajectories. The
section’s dimensions can vary as the section travels along the trajectories. The trajectories must
be selected from existing datum curves. There are three types of variable section sweeps:

• Normal to Trajectory (see page 98).

• Normal to Projection (see page 99).
• Constant Normal Direction (see page 99).

Regardless of the type, every variable section sweep requires at least one ‘origin’ trajectory. In
addition, each type has a special system parameter assigned to the trajectory, called trajpar (see
page 100). When using this feature type, you have the choice of creating ‘surface’ or ‘solid’
geometry.

Several examples of variable section sweeps are shown below.

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The Variable Section Sweep Tool

The Variable Section Sweep dashboard tool is used to create all types of variable section sweep
features including solids, thins, surfaces, protrusions, and cuts. Pick Insert, Variable Section
Sweep or pick the icon shown above. The Variable Section Sweep dashboard tool is shown
below.

The References
panel contains all
the references for
the feature
Set the section
behavior here

Make the section

variable or constant
in the Options panel

Done
Thickness of
thin features Quit
Create Thin
Flip thicken
Protrusion or cut
direction
Define the Sketch
Solid or Surface

Use the right mouse button

popup menu for shortcuts

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Normal to Trajectory
When using the Normal To Trajectory option, the ‘origin trajectory’ and at least one additional
trajectory is required. The section remains normal (perpendicular) to the selected trajectory as it
sweeps.

Any number of additional trajectories can be selected, which are used to control the section’s
vertices. As the section plane is swept along the trajectories, its intersection with the longitudinal
trajectories represents ‘known points’ for section dimensioning and alignment. When a section
vertex is dimensioned or aligned to an additional trajectory, the curve represents the trajectory of
the section vertex.

origin trajectory

section

When using the “Normal to (Origin) Trajectory” option,

the section stays perpendicular to the origin trajectory
as it passes along the origin trajectory.

origin trajectory
section

trajectory selected
for section normal

When using the “Normal to (Other) Trajectory”

option, the section stays perpendicular to the selected
trajectory as it passes along the origin trajectory.

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Normal to Projection
Variable section sweeps can be defined by using the Normal to Projection option. This option
creates a sweep where the section’s Y-axis remains normal (perpendicular) to a selected plane
while the X-axis and Z-axis follow the spine’s trajectory. For example, rather than sketching a
spine and X-vector trajectory to create the feature, a single trajectory and plane can be used.

origin trajectory
section

selected plane

When using the “Normal to Projection” option, the

section stays perpendicular to the selected plane as it
passes along the origin trajectory.

Constant Normal Direction

When using the Constant Normal Direction option, the section is swept parallel to the selected
plane as shown below.

selected plane

origin trajectory

section

When using the “Constant Normal Direction”

option, the section stays parallel to the selected plane
as it passes along the origin trajectory.

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Trajpar

Variable section sweep features have a system parameter called ‘trajpar’ (trajectory parameter).
Trajpar has a value that varies from 0 to 1 over the length of the origin trajectory. At the start
point of the origin trajectory, trajpar is equal to zero (0). At the other end of the origin trajectory,
trajpar is equal to one (1). At the halfway point along the trajectory, trajpar is equal to 0.5. This
parameter can be used in sketcher relations to control sketch dimensions that vary along the
trajectory.

In the example shown below, the width of the section is controlled by the X-vector trajectory.
The height of the section is controlled by a relation using trajpar. At the start point, the sd7
dimension is 1.000, and varies to 4.000 at the end of the sweep, because of the relation and
trajpar. The relation for this example is: sd7 = 1 + ( trajpar * 3 )

Additional trajectory

width Origin trajectory

4.000
Start point

height
1.000

sd7 dimension

trajpar is 1 here and trajpar is 0 here Varying section

Facts about Variable Section Sweeps

• The origin trajectory must consist of tangent entities only.

• The X-vector trajectory cannot cross the origin trajectory. However, either endpoint of
the X-vector trajectory may touch the origin trajectory.
• All additional trajectories (which are optional) must start at the plane of the section
being swept.
• The plane of the section being swept may intersect any trajectory only once at any
given location along the sweep.
• If the plane of the section being swept cannot intersect all trajectories at the sweeps
start point, a datum point on the origin trajectory may be used to define the sweep
features start point.

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Boundary Blend
A Boundary Blend is created by specifying curves that represent the outer boundary of the
surface. Additional curves can be used to further define the shape of the surface. ‘Control points’
can be used to define the blending from one curve to the next, and the tangency of the surface at
each boundary can be defined.

Pick Insert, Boundary Blend or pick the icon shown above. The Boundary Blend dashboard
tool is shown below and the options are described on the next page.
The Constraints
panel lists the
boundary conditions
The Curves for the surface
panel lists the Map the control
first and second points here
direction curves

Use the right mouse button

popup menu for shortcuts

The top of the violin is an

example of a blended surface

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Boundary Blend (continued)

The Boundary Blend feature has many options as listed below.

First Direction Curves The curves or edges that define the boundary of the surface in the
first direction.
Second Direction Curves Additional curves or edges that define the boundary of the surface in
the second direction. Second direction curves are optional for some
blended surfaces.
Side Curve Influence For surfaces with ‘first direction curves’ only, the system changes
the resulting surface by examining the curves that are adjacent to the
selected boundary curves.
Influencing Curves Additional curves that define an approximate boundary for the
surface. This is not related to ‘side curve influence’.
Control Points Used to control the internal tangent edges of the blended surface.
Boundary Conditions One of the following four choices defines the surface’s topology at
each of the selected boundary curve.
Free No tangency condition is set.
Tangent The surface is tangent to a selected reference entity.
Normal The surface is perpendicular to a selected reference entity.
Curvature The surface has continuous curvature (C2) to a selected reference
entity.

Use the right mouse button

popup menu for shortcuts to
many of these commands

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Boundary Blend – Example 1

Consider the two extruded surfaces shown below. A blended surface will be created to connect
the two surfaces along the edges shown in bold.

The blended surface is created using each tangent chain of the existing edge curves as a
boundary. Without specifying any additional conditions, the blended surface is created as shown
below. Notice how the center section of the surface has two sets of paired edges.

Unmatched Edge Pair

By defining the control points, the four (4) vertices on each chain of edges are matched to one
another as shown below. The interior tangent lines of the surface are now correct, however the
blended surface is not tangent to the original surfaces.

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When the boundary conditions are set to ‘tangent’, the shape of the blended surface changes as
shown below.

Curves can also be used to define the surface in the second direction as shown below.

Second direction curves

Two tangent chains are used to define the boundary in the first direction. In addition, the three
datum curves shown in bold above are used for the boundary in the second direction. The
blended surface is shown below.

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Boundary Blend – Example 2

Consider the datum curves shown below. These curves are used to create the blended surface
also shown below. Each boundary condition is indicated by a circular icon. Move the cursor over
the circular icon, then press and hold the right mouse button to access the popup menu. You can
easily change the boundary conditions using this popup menu as shown below.

Curves for the

first direction

Curves for the

second direction

At each circular icon, use

the popup menu to change
the boundary condition
…

Boundaries – Blended Surface

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Section to Surfaces Blend

This type of feature creates a blended surface from a set of existing tangent surfaces to a sketched
section. Consider the egg shaped surface and sketch shown below on the left. The tangent
surfaces are shown meshed. Pick Insert, Advanced, Blend Section to Surfaces, Surface, then
pick the surfaces, then sketch the section. The resulting blended surface is shown below on the
right.

The Section to Surface Blend dialog box is shown.

Surfaces The existing tangent surfaces that the new
surface will blend from.
Section The sketched section that the new surface
will blend to.
Direction The direction of the blend defined by a datum
plane.

Section to Surfaces Blend

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Surface to Surface Blend

This type of surface feature creates a tangent surface between two existing surfaces. Consider the
two hemispherical surfaces shown below.

Pick Insert, Advanced, Blend Between Surfaces, Surface, pick the two surfaces then pick OK
in the dialog box. The resulting blended surface is shown.

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EXERCISE 3 – ADVANCED SURFACES

Task 1: Create a variable section sweep.

• Open the part called ‘phone_cord.prt’

• Pick this sketch
• Press and hold the CTRL key and pick this sketch
• Pick the Variable Section Sweep icon
• Pick the Sketch icon in the dashboard tool
• Sketch a single line as shown below

0.500

30°

• Pick Tools, Relations

• Enter the following relation (use your sd# for the angle dimension)

sd# = trajpar * 360 * 100

• Pick OK in the Relations dialog box

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Hide the Sketch and the Offset in the model tree
• Orient the model to the ‘Default’ view

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• Pick Insert, Sweep, Protrusion

• Pick Select Traj, One By One in the small menu
• Pick the five edges as shown below

Pick

Pick Pick

Pick

Pick

• Pick Done in the small menu

• Pick Okay in the small menu
• Sketch a circle at the intersection of the centerlines, use < 0.125 > for the diameter
• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch
• Pick OK to complete the feature
• Hide the Var Sect Sweep in the model tree
• Pick View, Visibility, Save Status
• The part is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 2: Create a boundary blend surface.

• Open the part called ‘contact.prt’ (this part was created in Exercise 1 on page 23)
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Pick the first boundary as shown below (pick the tangent chain)
• Press and hold the CTRL key and pick the second boundary as shown below (also use
a tangent chain)

Pick this tangent chain

for the first boundary

Pick this tangent chain

for the second boundary

• Pick Insert, Boundary Blend or pick the icon

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The result is shown below, notice the unmatched edges as shown below

Look here

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Task 3: Redefine the feature to ‘map’ the control points.

• Set the selection filter to Features

• Pick the boundary blend feature then pick Edit, Definition
• Pick Control Points in the right mouse button popup menu
• Select one of the red points on the first boundary, then select the corresponding point
on the second boundary
• Continue until all four pairs of points have been selected as shown below

In the Control Points

panel, there should be
four (4) Sets as shown

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

• The result is shown, notice the edge pairs are properly matched in the blend area

Look here

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Task 4: Redefine the feature to set the boundary conditions.

• Pick the boundary blend feature then pick Edit, Definition

• Move the cursor over the small circular icon on the geometry as shown below
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Tangent in the popup menu
• Repeat for the second boundary
T=0.000

T=0.000

…
…

Set the boundary

condition to Tangent

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

• The result is shown below

Look here

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Task 5: Create two datum points.

• Set the selection filter to Geometry

• Pick this edge approximately at the point shown

• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Point, Point

• Enter an offset value of < 0.333 > then pick OK to complete the feature
• Repeat this task, use < 0.667 > for the offset value

Task 6: Create another boundary blend.

• Set the selection filter to Geometry

• Pick the first boundary as shown below (pick the tangent chain)
• Press and hold the CTRL key and pick the second boundary as shown below (also use
a tangent chain)

Pick this tangent chain

for the first boundary

Pick this tangent chain

for the second boundary

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• Pick Insert, Boundary Blend or pick the icon

• Move the cursor over the small circular icon on the geometry as shown below
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Tangent in the popup menu
• Repeat for the second boundary

T=0.000

T=0.000

1
…
…
Set the boundary
condition to Tangent

• Pick Control Points in the right mouse button popup menu

• Select one of the red points on the first boundary, then select the corresponding point
on the second boundary
• Continue until all six pairs of points have been selected (two of the vertices on the
second boundary map to the two datum points on the first boundary)
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The result is shown below
• Save the part

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Task 7: Set the side curve influence.

• Orient the model to the ‘Right’ view

• Notice that the top edges do not meet tangent to the boundary in this direction

Look here

• Pick the boundary blend feature then pick Edit, Definition

• In the Constraints panel of the dashboard tool, pick Direction 1-First chain then add
the checkmark next to Add side curve influence as shown below
• Pick Direction 1-Last chain, then add the checkmark next to Add side curve
influence

Pick the First chain here

Add the checkmark here

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• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

• Repeat this task for the other blended surface
• The final result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 8: Create a boundary blend in the violin part.

• Open the part called ‘violin.prt’ (this part was created in Exercise 1)
• Set the selection filter to Datums
• Pick the three curves in the order shown below for the First Direction

• Pick the Boundary Blend icon

• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Second Direction Curves in the
popup menu
• Pick the three curves in the order shown below for the Second Direction (use Query
Select to select the individual curves shown in bold)

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• Set each of the four boundary conditions to Tangent using the right mouse button
popup menu as shown below

1
T=0.000
…

2
…
T=0.000
3
…

Set the boundary

… condition to Tangent

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

• The result is shown below

• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 9: Create a new part and a variable section sweep.

• Pick File, New, enter < candle_glass > for the name, then pick OK
• Pick the TOP datum plane
• Pick the Sketch icon
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default
• Sketch a circle aligned to the two references
• Use <1.000 > for the diameter of the circle
• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch
• Orient the part to the ‘Default’ view
• Pick the sketch you just created
• Pick the Variable Section Sweep icon
• Pick the Sketch icon in the dashboard tool
• Sketch a single line as shown below

0.200

0.100

• Pick Tools, Relations

• Enter the following relation (use your sd# for the 0.100 dimension)

sd# = sin ( trajpar * 360 * 6 ) / 20

• Pick OK in the Relations dialog box

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

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• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

• Hide the Sketch in the model tree

Task 10: Create construction curves and surfaces.

• Orient the part to the ‘Default’ view

• Pick the TOP datum plane
• Pick the Insert Datum Plane icon
• Enter <-1.250 > for the offset value
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Pick the Sketch icon
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default
• Sketch a circle aligned to the two references
• Use <0.750 > for the diameter of the circle
• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch
• Orient the part to the ‘Default’ view
• Pick the sketch you just created
• Pick the Variable Section Sweep icon
• Pick the Sketch icon in the dashboard tool
• Sketch a single line as shown below

0.100

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• Pick Tools, Relations

• Enter the following relation (use your sd# for the 0.100 dimension)

sd# = 0.030 + ( sin ( trajpar * 360 * 6 ) / 50 )

• Pick OK in the Relations dialog box

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Orient the part to the ‘Default’ view
• Hide the Sketch in the model tree
• Save the part

Task 11: Create a boundary blend surface.

• Set the selection filter to Geometry

• Pick two tangent chains as shown in bold below

Pick this tangent chain

Pick this tangent chain

• Pick the Boundary Blend icon

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• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature

• Hide both Var Sect Sweep features in the model tree
• Pick View, Visibility, Save Status
• Orient the model to the ‘Default’ view
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 12: Create a boundary blend surface.

• Open the part called ‘container.prt’

• Hide the extruded surface in the model tree
• Hide the flat surface in the model tree
• Pick the two curves as shown below for the First Direction

• Pick the Boundary Blend icon

• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Second Direction Curves in the
popup menu
• Pick the three curves as shown below for the Second Direction

• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Control Points in the popup menu
• Select one of the red points on the first boundary, then select the corresponding point
on the second boundary

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• Continue until all six pairs of points have been selected as shown below

Pick all six

pairs of points

• Pick the checkmark to complete the surface

• Pick the surface then pick the Mirror icon
• Pick the RIGHT datum plane to mirror about
• Pick the checkmark to complete the mirror command
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 13: Create four boundary blend surfaces.

• Open the part called ‘mouse.prt’

• Pick the two edges and two curves as shown below

Pick these two edges

and two curves

• Pick the Boundary Blend icon

• Set the top boundary condition to Tangent using the right mouse button popup menu
as shown below

… …

…
Set this boundary
condition to Tangent

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the surface

• Pick the two curves as shown below for the First Direction

Pick these
two curves

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• Pick the Boundary Blend icon

• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Second Direction Curves in the
popup menu
• Pick the two edges as shown below for the Second Direction (one is a tangent chain)

Pick these
two edges

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the surface

• Create a similar blended surface on the opposite side of the part
• Orient the part as shown below
• Pick the two edges and two curves as shown below

Pick these two edges

and two curves

• Pick the Boundary Blend icon

• Set the top boundary condition to Tangent using the right mouse button popup menu
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the surface
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 14: Create four boundary blend surfaces.

• Open the part called ‘speaker_housing.prt’

• Hide the extruded surface
• Pick the four curves as shown below

Pick these
four curves

• Pick the Boundary Blend icon

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the surface
• Pick the four curves as shown below

Pick these
four curves

• Pick the Boundary Blend icon

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the surface

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• Repeat this task to create a total of five (5) boundary blends

• The bottom surface (hidden) will be merged in a later exercise
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 15: Create a section to surface blend.

• Open the part called ‘egg_package.prt’

• Pick Insert, Advanced, Blend Section to Surfaces, Surface
• Pick the three meshed surfaces shown below

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• Pick OK in the Select dialog box

• Pick the TOP datum plane for the sketch plane
• Pick Okay, Default in the small menu
• Sketch and dimension the four arcs as shown below

1.800

R 0.875

FRONT

2.250

R 0.664
RIGHT

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the surface
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 16: Create boundary blend surfaces.

• Open the part called ‘golf_driver.prt’

• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Use Query Select to pick this curve segment

• Press and hold the CTRL key and use

Query Select to pick this curve segment
• Pick the Boundary Blend icon
• Press and hold the right mouse button
and select Second Direction Curves in
the popup menu

• Pick the two curves as shown here for

the Second Direction
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard
tool to complete the surface
• The blended surface is shown below

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• Be sure the selection filter is set to Geometry

• Use Query Select to pick this curve segment

• Press and hold CTRL and pick this curve
• Pick the Boundary Blend icon
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select
Second Direction Curves in the popup menu
• Pick the two curves as shown here for
the Second Direction
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard
tool to complete the surface
• The blended surface is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Merge Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Merge Surfaces

Introduction
Two surfaces can be ‘merged’ together to create a new surface called a ‘quilt’. The resulting quilt
assumes the same surface ID as the first surface selected for the merge. To create a surface
merge, pick two existing surfaces first, then pick Edit, Merge, or pick the icon shown above.

The merge feature has two options, Join and Intersect. Surfaces can be merged using the Join
option if they meet along pink edges. If either surface intersects the other the Intersect option
will be used. In most cases, the system determines which option will be used.

After the two surfaces have been selected, the system displays a meshed preview of the merged
geometry based on the system default. The ‘first quilt’ is meshed in one color, the ‘second quilt’
is meshed in another color. Use the Flip First Quilt and Flip Second Quilt icons in the
dashboard tool to select the appropriate result.

The Merge dashboard tool is shown below.

The References panel lists the

surfaces selected for the merge

Use the Options panel

to select Join or Intersect

Flip the side of

each quilt here

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Example
In the example shown below, a conical surface intersects a planar surface. When the two surfaces
are merged, the rectangle is selected for the first quilt, and the cone is selected for the second
quilt. In the dashboard tool, you specify which portion of each surface to keep. There are four
possible results as shown below.

First quilt

Second quilt

Quilt 1 Side 1 Quilt 1 Side 2

Quilt 2 Side 1 Quilt 2 Side 1

Quilt 1 Side 2 Quilt 1 Side 1

Quilt 2 Side 2 Quilt 2 Side 2

Merged Surfaces

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Facts about the Merge Feature

• The original surfaces must be adjacent (touching) or intersecting.
• The order that you select the surfaces to be merged is important.
• The resulting merged quilt uses the surface ID of the first surface you select.
• Use the dashboard tool to choose the appropriate side of each surface to keep.
• The system automatically provides a shaded and meshed preview of the results in the
graphics window.
• After surfaces are merged, rounds can be created along the edge of intersection as
shown below.

After surfaces are merged,

rounds can be created along
the edge of intersection

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EXERCISE 4 – MERGE SURFACES

Task 1: Merge surfaces together.

• Open the part called ‘contact.prt’

• Set the selection filter to Features
• Pick this extruded surface

• Press and hold the CTRL key and select this surface
• Pick the Merge icon
• Click the middle mouse button to complete the merge command
• Pick the Merge feature in the model tree
• Press and hold the CTRL key and select this surface

• Pick the Merge icon

• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the merge command
• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree
• Press and hold the CTRL key and select this blended surface

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• Pick the Merge icon

• Click the middle mouse button to complete the merge command
• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree
• Press and hold the CTRL key and
select this extruded surface
• Pick the Merge icon
• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the merge command
• All four of the original surfaces have been merged together. This will allow the entire
part to be converted to a solid (or sheetmetal) part in a later exercise.
• Notice the color of the edges between the original surfaces has changed to purple
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 2: Merge surfaces together.

• Open the part called ‘container.prt’

• Hide the Layer called DTM_CURVE
• Pick View, Visibility, Save Status
• Set the selection filter to Features
• Pick this blended surface
• Press and hold the CTRL key and pick this surface
• Pick the Merge icon
• Click the middle mouse button to complete the merge command
• Pick the Merge feature in the model tree
• Press and hold the CTRL key and select this flat surface
• Pick the Merge icon
• Pick the Flip icon in the dashboard tool
• Click the middle mouse button to complete the merge command

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• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree

• Press and hold the CTRL key and pick the extruded surface

• Pick the Merge icon

• Pick the Flip icon in the dashboard tool
• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the merge command
• All four of the original surfaces have
been merged together. This will allow
the entire part to be converted to a solid
part in a later exercise.
• The merge feature also allows rounds to
be created at the intersection of the
original surfaces.
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Pick these two tangent chains
• Press and hold the right mouse button
and select Round Edges in the popup
menu
• Enter < 1.500 > for the size of the round
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool
• The part is shown here
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 3: Merge surfaces together.

• Open the part called ‘core.prt’

• Hide the Layer called DTM_CURVE
• Pick View, Visibility, Save Status
• Set the selection filter to Features
• Pick this revolved surface
• Press and hold the CTRL key and pick this blended surface
• Pick the Merge icon
• Pick both Flip icons in the dashboard tool as shown below

Pick both Flip

icons here

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the merge command
• The two original surfaces have been merged together. This new quilt will be used to
‘cut’ a solid part in a later exercise.
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 4: Merge surfaces together.

• Open the part called ‘mouse.prt’

• Hide the Layer called DTM_CURVE
• Pick View, Visibility, Save Status
• Set the selection filter to Features
• Pick this blended surface
• Press and hold the CTRL key and pick this swept surface
• Pick the Merge icon

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• Click the middle mouse button to complete the merge command

• Create four additional merge features for a total of five

Task 5: Create three rounds.

• Set the selection filter to Geometry

• Pick the four edges as shown in bold below

• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Round Edges in the popup menu
• Enter < 0.275 > for the size of the round
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool
• Repeat this task for the other side of the part
• Orient the part as shown below
• Pick the tangent chain around the bottom of the mouse

• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Round Edges in the popup menu
• Enter < 0.100 > for the size of the round
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 6: Create a flat surface.

• Open the part called ‘candle_glass.prt’

• Pick Edit, Fill
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Define Internal Sketch in the popup
menu
• Pick DTM1 for the sketching plane
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default orientation
• Pick the Use Edge icon
• Pick these two edges

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

Task 7: Merge the surfaces and create a round.

• Pick the boundary blend and the flat surface

• Pick the Merge icon
• Click the middle mouse button to complete the merge command
• The two original surfaces have been merged together. This new quilt will be used to
create a solid part in a later exercise.
• Select the tangent chain around the bottom of the glass, then pick Round Edges in
the right mouse button popup menu
• Enter < 0.100 > for the size of the round

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• Pick the checkmark to complete the round

• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 8: Merge surfaces.

• Open the part called ‘speaker_housing.prt’

• Orient the part to the ‘Default’ view
• Hide the Extruded surface
• Set the selection filter to Quilts
• Pick these two blended surfaces

• Pick the Merge icon

• Click the middle mouse button to complete the merge command

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• Pick the merged quilt and this blended surface

• Pick the Merge icon

• Click the middle mouse button to complete the merge command
• Repeat this task to merge the remaining two blended surfaces to the main quilt
• There should be a total of four (4) Merge features listed in the model tree
• The extruded surface on the bottom of the part (hidden) will be merged in a later
exercise
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 9: Merge surfaces and create rounds.

• Open the part called ‘milk_jug.prt’

• Set the selection filter to Quilts
• Pick these two surfaces in the order shown
1

• Pick the Merge icon

• Pick the Flip icon in the dashboard tool as shown on the next page

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• Pick the Flip icon for quilt 2 as shown below

Pick this Flip icon

• Click the middle mouse button to complete the merge command

• Press CTRL and pick this extruded surface

• Pick the Merge icon
• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the merge command

• Orient the part as shown here

• Pick these two quilts
• Pick the Merge icon
• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the merge command
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Pick this loop of edges
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Round Edges in the popup menu
• Enter < 0.875 > for the radius value
• Click the middle mouse button to complete the round

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• Unhide the feature called HANDLE in the model tree

• Set the selection filter to Quilts
• Pick these two quilts in the order shown 1

• Pick the Merge icon

• Pick the Flip icon for quilt 1 as shown below

Pick this Flip icon

• Click the middle mouse button to

complete the merge command
• Set the selection filter to Geometry then pick this edge
• Press and hold the right mouse button
and select Round Edges in the popup
menu
• Enter < 0.250 > for the radius value
• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the round
• Pick these two edges
• Press and hold the right mouse button
and select Round Edges in the popup
menu
• Enter < 0.375 > for the radius value

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Merge Surfaces

• Click the middle mouse button to complete the round

• Pick these two edges

• Press and hold the right mouse button

and select Round Edges in the popup
menu
• Enter < 0.375 > for the radius value
• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the round
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Merge Surfaces Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Task 10: Create a flat surface.

• Open the part called ‘egg_package.prt’

• Pick Edit, Fill
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Define Internal Sketch in the popup
menu
• Pick TOP for the sketching plane
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default orientation
• Sketch and dimension the symmetrical rectangle as shown below

3.000

1.750

4.000

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Merge Surfaces

Task 11: Merge the surfaces and create a round.

• Set the selection filter to Quilts

• Pick these two surfaces in the order shown 1

• Pick the Merge icon

• Pick the Flip icon for quilt 1 as shown below

Pick this Flip icon

• Click the middle mouse button to complete the merge command

• Select the merged quilt and flat surface (use CTRL)
• Pick the Merge icon
• Pick the Flip icon for quilt 2 as shown below

Pick this Flip icon

• Click the middle mouse button to complete the merge command

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• Set the selection filter to Geometry

• Select this edge

• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Round Edges in the popup menu
• Enter < 0.125 > for the size of the round
• Pick the checkmark to complete the round
• Pick Insert, Advanced, Vertex Round
• Pick the merged quilt
• Pick the four (4) vertices at the square corners of the flat surface
• Pick OK in the Select dialog box
• Enter < 0.250 > for the size of the round
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the round
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Offset, Solidify, and Thicken

Offset, Solidify, and Thicken

Introduction
The Offset, Solidify, and Thicken commands are found in the Edit menu. Each command has
an icon as shown below.

Offset The Offset command has four very different uses as described in detail on
the next several pages.

Solidify The Solidify command is used to create a solid part (or cut a solid part)
using an existing closed surface or quilt. This command can both add and
remove material from a solid part at the same time.

Thicken The Thicken command is used to create a constant thickness solid (or
sheetmetal) part from an existing surface or quilt.

Standard Offset Solid Part Created Using Solidify

Constant Thickness Part Created Using Thicken

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The Offset Command

The Offset command is used to create four very different feature types: Standard, With Draft,
Expand, and Replace. Select the surface(s) that you want to work with first, then pick Edit,
Offset or pick the icon shown above.

The Offset dashboard tool is shown below. This complex tool changes based on the type of
offset being created. See the next several pages for details about the four different types of offset
commands.

The Options panel

lists several options
for the offset feature

These options change

based on the type of
offset being created

Flip the offset direction here

Standard Offset
Enter the offset distance here
Offset With Draft
Select the type of offset here
Expand Surface
Replace Surface

Use the right mouse button

popup menu for shortcuts

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The Offset Command (continued)

There are four different types of Offset commands. Each type has a unique icon in the dashboard
tool as shown below.

Standard Offset Offset the selected surface by a specified value. Only a single
surface or quilt can be offset with this option.

Offset With Draft For use on solid parts or surfaces. Offsets a sketched region of
the model, and the side surfaces are automatically drafted by the
system. A positive offset value adds material, a negative offset
value removes material.

Expand Surface For use on solid parts or surfaces. The entire surface or a
sketched region can be offset. A positive offset value adds
material, a negative offset value removes material.

Replace Surface Replace the selected surface with an existing quilt or datum
plane.

Standard Offset Offset With Draft

Expand Surface Replace Surface

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Standard Offset
The Offset Standard command is used to offset a single surface or quilt by a specified distance.
There are four different options in the Options panel for this feature type as listed below.

Normal to Surface The surface is offset in a direction that remains normal (perpendicular)
to the original surface.
Automatic Fit The surface is offset in a direction determined by the three axes of the
default coordinate system.
Controlled Fit The surface is offset in a direction determined by a user-defined set of
vectors based on a selected coordinate system.
Create Side Surface When using this option, the system created ‘side’ surfaces between the
original surface and the offset surface as shown below.

In the Options panel, use

this pull-down menu to
select the fit option

Add this checkmark to

create the offset with ‘side’
surfaces (see below)

Flip the direction of the offset here

Enter the offset value here

Original Surface Offset Surface Offset with Side Surface

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Offset With Draft

The Offset With Draft command is used to offset a sketched region of a solid or surface, and the
side surfaces are automatically drafted by the system. A positive offset value adds material, a
negative offset value removes material. There are six different options in the Options panel of the
dashboard tool for this feature type as listed below.

Normal to Surface The selected surfaces are offset normal to themselves.

Translate The selected surfaces are translated (moved) a specified distance,
normal to the sketch plane or in a selected direction.
Side Normal to Surface The side surfaces of the offset are normal to the original surface.
See the next page.
Side Normal to Sketch The side surfaces of the offset are normal to the sketch plane.
Straight Side Profile The side surfaces of the offset are not tangent to the original
surfaces. See the next page.
Tangent Side Profile The side surfaces of the offset are tangent to the original surfaces.

The surface being offset

and the sketch are listed
in the References panel

In the Options panel,

set the appropriate options
for the side surfaces
(see the next page)

Enter the draft angle here

Set the Offset type to
With Draft here Flip the offset direction here

Enter the offset distance here

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Offset With Draft (continued)

The Offset With Draft command has four important options in the Options panel of the
dashboard tool as shown below.

In the Options panel of the

dashboard tool, select the
appropriate options for the
side surfaces

Normal to Surface Normal to Sketch

Straight Side Surfaces Tangent Side Surfaces

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Offset, Solidify, and Thicken

Offset Expand
The Offset Expand command is used to offset a solid or surface, and side surfaces are
automatically created by the system. This is similar to the Offset With Draft command, but
without the draft angle. A positive offset value adds material, a negative offset value removes
material. The Options panel is similar to the Offset With Draft command as shown below.

Normal to Surface The selected surfaces are offset normal to themselves.

Translate Translate the selected surfaces a specified distance normal to the sketch
plane (or in a selected direction).
Whole Surface The entire surface is offset.
Sketched Region The offset region is defined by a sketch.

The surface being offset

and the sketch are listed
in the References panel

In the Options panel,

set the appropriate options
for the side surfaces

Flip the material Flip the offset

side for the direction here
sketch here
Enter the offset
distance here
Set the Offset type to
Expand here

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Offset, Solidify, and Thicken Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Offset Replace
The Offset Replace command is used to replace a solid surface with an existing quilt or datum
plane. This is a very powerful command that creates topology changes not possible with other
commands.

To use this command, set the selection filter to Geometry, then pick the surface you want to
replace. Next pick Edit, Offset or pick the icon shown above. In the Offset dashboard tool, set
the type of offset to Replace, then pick the replacement surface.

The Offset dashboard tool using the Replace command is shown below

The surface being offset

and the replacement quilt
are listed in the References panel

Add this checkmark in

the Options panel to
keep the original quilt
visible in the model

Set the Offset type

to Replace here

Solid Surface Altered Using Replace

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Offset, Solidify, and Thicken

The Solidify Command

The Solidify command has three uses as listed and shown below.
1. Create a solid protrusion from a closed quilt.
2. Create a solid cut using a quilt to define the material to be removed.
3. Add and remove material at the same time using a quilt to define the geometry.

To create a solidify feature, pick Edit, Solidify or use the icon shown above. Select the surface
or quilt to be used for the feature before selecting the command or icon. The Solidify dashboard
tool is shown below.

The quilt used for the

feature is listed here

Flip direction
Patch
Cut
Protrusion

Solid Part Created Using Solidify

Solid Cut Created Using Solidify Material Added and Removed

Using Solidify

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The Thicken Command

The Thicken command is used to create solid geometry from surface quilts. Both protrusions and
cuts can be created using this tool. Pick Edit, Thicken or use the icon shown above. The
Thicken dashboard tool is shown below.

The Options panel is used

The References
to define the side surfaces
panel lists the quilt
and the excluded surfaces
being thickened
of the thicken feature

Flip the direction here Done

Enter the thickness here Quit
Cut
Protrusion

Use the right mouse button

popup menu for shortcuts

Solid Part Created Using Thicken

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Offset, Solidify, and Thicken

Summary
• The Offset command has four sub-commands:
• Standard
• With Draft
• Expand
• Replace

• The Replace command is part of the Offset command. Any surface can be replaced
with one of the two choices:
• Another surface quilt
• An existing datum plane

• The Solidify command has three distinct uses:

• Create a solid protrusion from a closed quilt.
• Create a solid cut using a quilt to define the material to be removed.
• Add and remove material at the same time using a quilt to define the
geometry.

• Use the Thicken command to create constant thickness parts suitable for conversion
to sheetmetal parts.

• The Thicken command has three direction options:

• Inside
• Outside
• Both Sides

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Offset, Solidify, and Thicken Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

EXERCISE 5 – OFFSET, SOLIDIFY, AND THICKEN

Task 1: Use the Standard Offset command.

• Open the part called ‘offset_std.prt’

• Pick the extruded surface then pick Edit, Offset
• Enter < 0.025 > for the offset value
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the offset feature
• The result is shown below

• Save the part and Close the window

Task 2: Use the Solidify command.

• Open the part called ‘core.prt’

• Pick the Merge feature in the model tree then pick Edit, Solidify
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The surface model was converted to a solid model. Verify this by creating a planar
cross-section using the RIGHT datum plane.
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 3: Use the Solidify command.

• Open the part called ‘mouse.prt’

• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree then pick Edit, Solidify
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The surface model was converted to a solid model. Verify this by creating a planar
cross-section using the RIGHT datum plane.
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 4: Use the Thicken command.

• Open the part called ‘contact.prt’

• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree then pick Edit, Thicken
• Enter < 0.012 > for the thickness value
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The surface model was converted to a constant thickness solid model
• Convert the part to a sheetmetal part by picking Applications, Sheetmetal
• Pick Driving Srf in the small menu then pick the outside surface of the part
• Press ‘enter’ to accept the default thickness value
• The part is now a sheetmetal part
• The result is shown here
• Save the part and Close the window

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Offset, Solidify, and Thicken Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Task 5: Use the Thicken command.

• Open the part called ‘container.prt’

• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree then pick Edit, Thicken
• Pick the Flip Direction icon in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 0.750 > for the thickness value
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The surface model was converted to a constant thickness solid model
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 6: Use the Thicken command.

• Open the part called ‘candle_glass.prt’

• Pick the Merge feature in the model tree then pick Edit, Thicken
• Enter < 0.075 > for the thickness value, then pick the checkmark
• The surface model was converted to a constant thickness solid model
• The result is shown below, Save the part and Close the window

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Offset, Solidify, and Thicken

Task 7: Use the Offset Replace command.

• Open the part called ‘offset_replace.prt’

• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Pick this surface of the solid part
• Pick Edit, Offset
• Set the offset type to Replace
in the dashboard tool
• Pick the extruded surface
• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature
• The result is shown below

• Pick this surface of the solid part

• Pick Edit, Offset
• Set the offset type to Replace in the dashboard tool
• Pick DTM1 for the replacement surface
• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Offset, Solidify, and Thicken Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Task 8: Create an extruded solid then use the Offset With Draft command.

• Open the part called ‘offset_draft.prt’

• Pick this sketch
• Pick the Extrude icon
• Pick the Flip Direction icon in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 2.250 > for the depth
• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature
• Pick this surface of the part
• Pick Edit, Offset
• Set the offset type to With Draft
in the dashboard tool
• Pick this sketch
• Pick the Flip Direction icon in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 2 > for the offset value in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 10 > for the draft angle in the dashboard tool
• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Offset, Solidify, and Thicken

Task 9: Use the Offset Expand command and complete the mouse.

• Open the part called ‘mouse.prt’

• Delete the Solidify feature
• Orient the model to the ‘Default’ view
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Pick this surface
• Pick Edit, Offset
• Set the offset type to Expand
in the dashboard tool
• Pick the Flip Direction icon in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 0.125 > for the offset distance
• In the Options panel of the dashboard tool, select Sketched Region then pick Define
• Pick the TOP datum plane for the sketching plane then click the middle mouse button
• Sketch an ellipse as shown below

1.125
0.375

RIGHT

0.750

FRONT

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• In the Options panel of the dashboard tool, select (Side surface normal to) Surface
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

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• Orient the model as shown below

• Zoom in on this area

• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Pick these two edges
• Press and hold the right mouse button and select
Round Edges in the popup menu
• Enter < 0.025 > for the value
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the round
• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree then pick Edit, Thicken
• Pick the Flip Direction icon in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 0.050 > for the thickness
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The result is shown below
• Activate the cross-section created earlier to examine the inside of the part
• Save the part and Close the window

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Offset, Solidify, and Thicken

Task 10: Use the Thicken command.

• Open the part called ‘milk_jug.prt’

• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree then pick Edit, Thicken
• Enter < 0.017 > for the thickness value
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Examine the cross-sections in the part
• The result is shown below (the thickness is exaggerated in this view)
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 11: Use the Thicken command.

• Open the part called ‘egg_package.prt’

• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree then pick Edit, Thicken
• Enter < 0.025 > for the thickness value
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The surface model was converted to a constant thickness solid model
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 12: Use the Solidify command.

• Open the part called ‘solidify_cut.prt’

• Examine the part, notice the surface feature and the solid block
• Pick DTM4 in the model tree, then pick Edit in the right mouse button popup menu,
double pick the 2.000 dimension, enter < 0 > for the value
• Pick Edit, Regenerate
• Pick the surface feature in the model tree then pick Edit, Solidify
• Pick the Remove Material icon in the dashboard tool
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Notice the opening in the part as shown here
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 13: Use the Solidify command.

• Open the part called ‘solidify_patch.prt’

• Examine the part, notice the surface feature and the solid block
• Pick DTM4 in the model tree, then pick Edit in the right mouse button popup menu,
double pick the 3.000 dimension, enter < 0 > for the value
• Pick Edit, Regenerate
• Pick the surface feature in the model tree then pick Edit, Solidify
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Pick the surface feature in the model tree then pick Hide in the right mouse button
popup menu
• Shade the model and spin the model, notice that material was added to and removed
from the part
• Save the part and Close the window

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Offset, Solidify, and Thicken

Task 14: Finish the violin part.

• Open the part called ‘violin.prt’

• Hide the Boundary Blend feature (the last feature in the model tree)
• Pick Edit, Setup, Accuracy, then enter < 0.0001 > then enter < Yes >
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Pick the top surface of the solid protrusion
• Pick the Copy icon then pick the Paste icon
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the surface copy feature
• See pages 170-179 for details about using the Copy and Paste commands
• Unhide the Boundary Blend feature in the model tree
• Pick the Boundary Blend feature and the Copy feature (the last two features in the
model tree)
• Pick the Merge icon
• Pick the Flip icon in the dashboard tool as shown below

Pick this icon

• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature

• Pick the top surface of the solid protrusion using Query Select
• Pick Edit, Offset
• Set the offset type to Replace in the dashboard tool
• Pick the merged quilt in the graphics window
• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature
• Create a cross section in the part
• The result is shown here
• Save the part and Close the window

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Copy and Paste

Introduction
The Copy, Paste and Paste Special commands are used to duplicate solids, curves, and surfaces
within a single model. With these commands you can perform the following tasks:
• Create a copy of a surface directly on top of the existing surface using Copy and
Paste. The copied surface is a dependent copy of the original surface and cannot be
made independent.
• Create a copy of a surface by translating and or rotating the copied surface in the
model using Copy and Paste Special. The copied surface is a dependent copy of the
original surface and cannot be made independent.

Select the surface(s) to be copied, translated or rotated first, then pick Edit, Copy or use the icon
shown above, then use Edit, Paste or Edit, Paste Special as appropriate. Be sure to set the
selection filter to Geometry or Quilts before selecting the surfaces to be copied.

The Edit menu includes the Copy,

Paste, and Paste Special commands

These are powerful commands used for creating geometry and maintaining a parametric link
between the shapes. The copied surface is always dependent on the original surface, and
cannot be made independent.

The selection techniques for a copied surface are critical to its performance and number of
references. These techniques, listed on the next few pages, are designed to select a group of
surfaces with a logical, minimal, and stable set of references.

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Individual Surface Selection Technique

The individual surface selection technique is a primitive method for copying surfaces. If a few
surfaces are to be copied, this is a good method to use. Be aware that each selection creates a
reference. To create a surface copy feature, set the selection filter to Geometry or Quilts, pick the
surfaces in the model to be copied, using the CTRL key to pick more than one surface, then pick
Edit, Copy and Edit, Paste or use the icons.

When copying a small

number of surfaces, use
this method

Individual Surface Selection Technique

Seed and Boundary Selection Technique

The ‘seed and boundary’ selection technique allows large sets of surfaces to be selected by
specifying a relatively small number of references. Using this option, a ‘seed’ surface is selected
first. After the seed surface has been selected, one or more bounding surfaces are selected. The
bounding surfaces do not become part of the selection set.

The system starts at the ‘seed’ surface, adds it to the list of selected surfaces, and then examines
all surfaces adjacent to it. If an adjacent surface is a bounding surface, it is excluded from the set,
otherwise the system adds it to the selection set. The system will continue to examine adjacent
surfaces until reaching all the bounding surfaces.

The advantage of this selection technique is that the feature can have a relatively small number of
references compared to the number of surfaces ultimately selected. If ‘safe’ or ‘stable’ surfaces
are selected for the seed and boundary surfaces, the geometry can change dramatically and the
copied surface will update correctly. This is what makes this technique so powerful.

Set the selection filter to Geometry, then pick the seed surface. Press and hold the SHIFT key and
pick the first boundary surface. If additional boundary surfaces are required, press and hold both
the SHIFT and CTRL keys before picking them.

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Seed and Boundary Selection Technique (continued)

In the example shown below, the cavity on the left will be reproduced on the right side of the
part. This is accomplished by copying all the surfaces that make up the cavity. The copied
surfaces are then moved to the right side of the part. Finally the moved surface is used to create
another cavity.

Without the ‘seed and boundary’ selection technique, each surface inside the cavity would have
to be selected individually. In addition, any change to the geometry inside the cavity would cause
the surface copy feature to fail regeneration and need to be redefined.

With the ‘seed and boundary’ selection technique, only two references are needed to gather the
entire set of surfaces inside the cavity. The first reference is the seed surface and the second
reference is the bounding surface, as shown below.

Seed surface – pick this first

Bounding surface – pick with the SHIFT key

‘Seed and Boundary’ Selection Technique

Note

If the same surface is selected for the seed surface and the bounding
surface, the system will copy all the surfaces of the part.

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Loop Surface Selection Technique

The ‘loop surface’ selection technique is another method for selecting sets of surfaces. Every
surface has a boundary loop, and can also have inner loops as shown below.

This surface has three loops

2
3

When using the loop surface selection technique, pick a surface to define a loop, then press and
hold the SHIFT key and pick the appropriate edge. All surfaces that are adjacent to the selected
loop will be collected into the set. The surface you pick to define the loop is not included in the
set. Several examples are shown below.

Pick this surface

and this edge, the meshed surfaces
are added to the set

Pick this surface

and this edge
the meshed surfaces are
added to the set

Pick this surface

and this edge, the meshed surfaces
are added to the set

‘Loop Surface’ Selection Technique

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Using Copy and Paste

Use Copy and Paste when you have an existing surface that you want to make a copy of, and you
want to place the new surface directly on top of the existing surface. The steps for using Copy
and Paste are:
• Set the selection filter to Geometry or Quilts.
• Select the surface you want to copy.
• Pick the Copy icon or pick Edit, Copy.
• Pick the Paste icon or pick Edit, Paste.
• Select the appropriate options in the dashboard tool.
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool.

The Copy dashboard tool is used with the Copy and Paste command and is shown below.

The References panel

lists the existing
surface(s) being copied

The Options panel

is used to exclude
surfaces and fill
holes in the copied
surface(s)

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Exclude Surfaces Option

The Options panel of the Copy dashboard tool allows ‘outside loops’ to be excluded from the
selection set. Use the Exclude surfaces and Fill holes option when the surface you want to copy
has multiple outside loops as shown below.

This surface has two ‘outside loops’

When using this option, the system prompts the user to select an edge belonging to the outside
loop to be excluded from the selection set. When the surface copy is made, that exterior loop will
be excluded from the copy as shown below.

Pick this surface then pick Copy and Paste

Pick Exclude surfaces and Fill holes in the

Options panel of the dashboard tool

Select this loop

The meshed surface

is included in the set

Using the ‘Exclude Surfaces’ Option

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Fill Holes Option

The Options panel of the Copy dashboard tool allows openings in surfaces to be filled. Use the
Exclude surfaces and Fill holes option when the surface you want to copy has holes or other
openings as shown below.

When using this option, the system prompts the user to select an edge belonging to an inside loop
or surface to define the holes to be filled. If you pick a surface, all the inner holes in that surface
are filled during the copy as shown below.

Pick the surface to be copied then pick Copy and Paste

Pick Exclude surfaces

and Fill Holes

Pick in this box

Original Part
Pick the surface again

Pick the checkmark to

complete the feature

The resulting surface

Surface Copy Feature Using

the ‘Fill Holes’ Option

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Copy Inside Boundary Option

The Options panel of the Copy dashboard tool allows portions of surfaces to be copied. Use the
Copy Inside Boundary option when you want to copy only a portion of a surface or set of
surfaces.

When using this option, the system prompts the user to select a closed loop of edges or curves to
define the portions of the surfaces to be copied. The Options panel of the Copy dashboard tool is
shown below.

Original Quilts Curves Projected

onto the Quilts

Pick here then

select the curves

Surface Copy Feature Using the

‘Copy Inside Boundary’ Option

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Using Copy and Paste Special

The Paste Special command is used to translate and/or rotate the copied surface. Set the
selection filter to Geometry or Quilts, pick the surface(s) to be copied, then pick Copy and Paste
Special.

The Move dashboard tool is used to define the translation and or rotation for the copied surface
as shown below. You must select a plane, edge, axis, or coordinate system axis to define the
direction of translation or rotation for the copied surface. Multiple transformations are allowed,
and each can be set to Move or Rotate as needed.
In the Options panel of the Move dashboard tool, you can control the visibility of the original
surface.

Multiple transformations are

allowed, and each can be set to
Move or Rotate as needed

Each transformation uses an

existing entity to define the
transformation direction

Remove the checkmark here to

keep the original surface(s)

Rotate Enter the translation

distance or angle here
Translate

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Using Copy and Paste Special (continued)

The steps for using Copy and Paste Special are:
• Set the selection filter to Geometry or Quilts.
• Pick the surface(s) to be translated or rotated.
• Pick the Copy icon or pick Edit, Copy
• Pick the Paste Special icon or pick Edit, Paste Special.
• Set the move type to Move or Rotate in the dashboard tool.
• Pick an entity to define the direction of the move. If you want to use a coordinate
system, you must select the appropriate axis of the coordinate system, not the
nametag of the coordinate system.
• Enter the translation distance or rotation angle.
• In the Transformations panel of the dashboard tool, define additional moves for the
surface if necessary.
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the command.

Notes

Be sure to select geometry or quilts, not features, when using Copy and
Paste to duplicate surfaces.

The copied surface is always dependent on the original surface, and

cannot be made independent.

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EXERCISE 6 – COPY AND PASTE

Task 1: Copy and paste surfaces.

• Open the part called ‘speaker_housing.prt’

• Hide the extruded surface (feature number 5)
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Pick this surface (use Query Select)

• Pick the Copy icon then pick the Paste icon

• Click the middle mouse button to complete the copy
• Select the copied surface then pick the Copy icon again
• Pick the Paste Special icon
• Pick the FRONT datum plane then enter < -0.875 > for the translation distance
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the copy
• The result is shown below
• This surface will be used to ‘split’ the housing into two parts in a later exercise
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 2: Copy and paste surfaces, then solidify a surface.

• Open the part called ‘copy_solids.prt’

• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Select this surface

• Press and hold the SHIFT key then pick this surface (this is known as the ‘seed
and boundary’ selection technique)
• Pick the Copy icon then pick the Paste icon
• Click the middle mouse button to complete the copy
• Set the selection filter to Quilts
• Select the copied surface then pick the Copy icon again
• Pick the Paste Special icon
• Pick the RIGHT datum plane then enter < 3.125 > for the translation distance
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the copy
• The result is shown below

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• Be sure the selection filter is set to Quilts

• Pick this surface

• Pick Edit, Solidify

• Pick the Remove Material icon then pick the Flip Direction icon in the dashboard
tool as shown below

Pick here to flip the direction

Pick here to
remove material

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 3: Pattern a solid cut.

• Open the part called ‘pattern_solids.prt’

• Pick the group called ‘cutout’ in the model tree
• Pick Edit, Pattern
• Pick the .188 locating dimension, enter < 0.125 > for the increment
• Enter < 5 > for the number of instances in the first direction (in the dashboard tool)
• Press and hold the right mouse button and pick Direction 2 Dimensions in the popup
menu
• Pick the .125 locating dimension, enter < 0.125 > for the increment
• Enter < 10 > for the number of instances in the second direction (in the dashboard
tool)
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the pattern
• Notice how long it takes to regenerate the part
• Notice the part has over 500 features
• The part is shown below

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Task 4: Delete the pattern and create a surface copy feature.

• In the model tree, pick the Pattern then press and hold the right mouse button and
pick Delete Pattern in the popup menu
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Zoom in and pick this surface

• Press and hold the SHIFT key and pick this surface

• Press and hold the SHIFT and CTRL keys and pick the bottom surface hidden in
this view (notice the ‘seed and boundary’ selection technique)
• Pick the Copy icon then pick the Paste icon
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the copy

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Task 5: Translate the copied surface two times.

• Set the selection filter to Quilts

• Select the copied surface then pick the Copy icon
• Pick the Paste Special icon
• Pick the RIGHT datum plane then enter < 0.125 > for the translation distance
• In the Options panel of the dashboard tool, remove the checkmark next to
Hide original geometry
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the copy
• Be sure the selection filter is set to Quilts
• Pick the original copied surface (in the corner of the block)
• Pick the Copy icon
• Pick the Paste Special icon
• Pick the FRONT datum plane then enter < -0.125 > for the translation distance
• In the Options panel of the dashboard tool, remove the checkmark next to
Hide original geometry
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the copy
• The result is shown below

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Task 6: Pattern the surfaces.

• Set the selection filter to Features

• Pick this copied surface

• Pick Edit, Pattern or pick the icon

• Pick the .125 locating dimension
• Enter < 0.125 > for the increment
• Enter < 4 > for the number of instances in the first direction
• Pick the checkmark to complete the pattern

• Pick this copied surface

• Pick Edit, Pattern or pick the icon

• Set the pattern type to Direction in the dashboard tool
• Pick the RIGHT datum plane to set the first direction

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• Enter < 0.125 > for the increment in the first direction
• Enter < 5 > for the number of instances in the first direction
• Press and hold the right mouse button and pick Direction 2 Reference in the popup
menu
• Pick the FRONT datum plane to set the second direction
• Enter < -0.125 > for the increment in the second direction
• Enter < 9 > for the number of instances in the second direction
• Pick the checkmark to complete the pattern
• The result is shown below

Task 7: Use the surfaces to create the cuts.

• Expand the first pattern in the model tree

• Pick the first surface in the first pattern as shown below

Expand the first pattern

Pick this feature

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• Pick Edit, Solidify

• Pick the Remove Material icon then pick the Flip Direction icon in the dashboard
tool as shown below

Pick here to flip the direction

Pick here to
remove material

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

• Collapse the first pattern and expand the second pattern in the model tree
• Pick the first surface in the second pattern (in the model tree)
• Pick Edit, Solidify, then pick the Remove Material and Flip Direction icons in the
dashboard tool as shown above
• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature
• Collapse the second pattern in the model tree
• Pick the first Solidify feature, then pick Edit, Pattern
• Pick the other Solidify feature, then pick Edit, Pattern
• Notice how much less time it takes to regenerate the part
• Notice the part has just over 115 features, with the same geometry as when it had over
500 features
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 8: Create a surface copy feature using the Fill Holes option.

• Open the part called ‘speaker_grill.prt’

• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Pick this surface

• Pick the Copy icon then pick the Paste icon

• In the Options panel of the dashboard tool, pick the options as shown below

Pick here

Pick in this box

• Pick this surface again

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• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

• The result is shown below (shade the model to see the result)
• Save the part and Close the window

Task 9: Calculate the inside volume of a bottle.

• Open the part called ‘milk_jug.prt’

• Zoom in on the top of the bottle as shown below
• Set the selection filter to Geometry then select this cylindrical surface

• Press and hold the SHIFT key and select this flat surface
• Notice the ‘seed and boundary’ selection technique, and notice the entire inside of the
bottle has been selected
• Pick the Copy icon then pick the Paste icon
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Save the part and Close the window
• Pick File, New, enter < volume > for the name then pick OK
• Pick Insert, Shared Data, Copy Geometry from Other Model

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• Pick Open in the small menu

• Pick ‘milk_jug.prt’ then pick Open
• Pick Default in the small menu
• In the dialog box, pick Surface Refs then pick Define
• Use Query Select to pick the quilt you just created
• Pick OK in the Select dialog box
• Pick OK in the Copy Geom dialog box to complete the feature
• Create a flat surface to fill in the top of the bottle as shown below

Create a datum plane

through this edge

Pick Edit, Fill and use the

new datum plane to create
a flat surface

Use the edges around the

top of the bottle for
references, sketch a single
circle for the sketch

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• Set the selection filter to Quilts

• Pick the flat surface you just created and the main quilt
• Pick Edit, Merge or pick the icon
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the merge
• Pick the merged quilt, then pick Edit, Solidify
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the solidify
• You now have a solid copy of the inside of the milk bottle part
• Pick Analysis, Model Analysis
• Pick Compute in the Model Analysis dialog box
• Enter < 1 > for the density
• The volume of the bottle is listed in the Model Analysis dialog box as shown below
• Does the bottle hold one gallon? (One gallon (US) equals 231 cubic inches)
• Save the part and Close the window

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Trim and Extend

Trim and Extend

Introduction
The Edit, Trim command removes (cuts) a portion of an existing surface using another existing
surface, curve, or datum plane as the trimming object. The Trim command can also be used to
‘split’ a surface into two portions by keeping both sides of the surface being trimmed.

Datum curves and sketches can also be ‘cut’ and ‘split’ using the Trim command. Pick the
surface or curve to be trimmed first, then pick Edit, Trim or pick the appropriate icon.

The Edit, Extend command allows edges of existing surfaces to be extended by a defined
distance. The extension can be a continuation of the original surface, a new surface constructed
tangent to the original, or a new surface projected onto a plane. Pick the edge to be extended first,
then pick Edit, Extend or pick the appropriate icon.

The Trim and Extend

commands are found in
the Edit menu

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The Trim Command

The Edit, Trim command is used to create surface trim (cut) features, where one surface is cut
using another surface, curve, or plane. Datum curves can also be trimmed using this command.

The best method is to select the surface(s) to be trimmed first, then pick Edit, Trim or pick the
icon shown above. Be aware that the material side arrow points towards the material to be kept,
not towards the material to be removed. Also, the material side arrow can be set to both sides,
meaning you can keep both sides of the surface being trimmed.

The Trim dashboard tool is shown below.

The Options panel lists

The references for the several options for the
feature are listed here Trim feature

Use this pull-down menu

to select the offset type
for ‘thin trims’

Trim using a silhouette

Flip the material side

Use the right mouse button

popup menu for shortcuts

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Trim Using a Quilt

When using an existing quilt to trim the surface, an option exists to keep the trimming quilt if
necessary. In the Options panel of the Trim dashboard tool, add the checkmark next to Keep
Trimming Surface.

In the example shown below, one quilt is used to trim (cut) the other quilt.

Two intersecting surfaces

The result

Trim Using Curves

An existing datum curve can also be used as to trim a surface. The existing datum curve must lie
on the surface being trimmed. When working with curved surfaces, datum curves can be created
on the surface using the Project, Wrap, or Intersect commands.

In the example shown below, the circular datum curve is projected onto the surface and is then
used to trim (cut) the surface.

Projected datum curve

The result

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Trim Using a Plane

An existing datum plane can also be used as the cutter object. The existing datum plane must
intersect the surface being trimmed.

In the example shown below, the angled datum plane is used to trim (cut) the surface.

Notes

When creating a surface trim feature, the material side arrow points
toward the area to be kept, not towards the area to be removed.

The material side arrow can be set to Both Sides to ‘split’ the surface into
two portions.

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Trim Using Silhouettes

Curved surfaces can be trimmed using the Silhouette method, where a datum plane is specified
as the reference object. The system views the surface perpendicular to the selected plane, finds
the silhouette edges, and trims the surface using the silhouettes as shown below. The material
side arrow points towards the material to be kept, not towards the material to be removed. Also,
you can choose to keep one side or both sides of the surface being trimmed.

Curved surface being

trimmed using
silhouette method

Datum plane selected as

the trimming object

Material side arrow

The result

To trim a surface using the Silhouette method, pick the surface to be trimmed first. Next pick
Edit, Trim then select the appropriate datum plane, then pick the Silhouette icon in the
dashboard tool as shown below.

Pick here to trim using silhouettes

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The Extend Command

The Edit, Extend command allows edges of existing surfaces to be extended by a defined
distance. The extension can be a continuation of the original surface, a new surface constructed
tangent to the original, or a new surface projected onto a plane.

The Extend dashboard tool is used to create the extend feature. This complex tool has many
options as shown below. Select the edges to be extended first, then pick Edit, Extend or use the
icon shown above.

Dist Along Surf

Dist in Plane

Use this pull-down

menu for the extend
method

Flip the extend direction here

Enter the extend distance here

Extend to a Plane

Extend Same Surface

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Extend Using Same Surface

The Same extend type allows the extension to maintain the curvature of the original surface. In
the example shown below, the edge of the original surface (shown in bold) is extended
maintaining the same curvature of the original surface.

Extend
Direction

This edge is selected

to be extended

The result

Notes

1. Depending upon the geometry of the original surface, there will be

limits on how far the surface can be extended.

2. The extension distance can be positive or negative. A negative

extension distance will trim the surface.

3. Positive and negative extension distances cannot be mixed within the

same extension feature.

4. When extending a surface chain, interior vertices can have two

extension distances specified if only two edges meet at the vertex.

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Extend Tangent
The Tangent extend type creates the extension tangent to the original surface at the selected
edge. The entire surface is tangent to the original surface. The resulting geometry is different
from the previous example as shown below.

Extend
Direction

This edge is selected

to be extended

The result

Extend to a Plane
The To Plane extend type creates the extension normal to the selected plane. The extension
distance and direction is determined by the selected plane. The result is shown below.

Extend
Direction

This edge is selected

to be extended
‘Up to’ this plane

The result

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Extend Side Boundaries

When creating an extended surface, the ‘side boundaries’ can be controlled with several options.
In the geometry shown below, the surface is extended and the edge shown in bold is selected.

When using the Same option, the surface is extended and the side edges are parallel to the
original edges as shown. The extend distance can be measured along the side edges using the
Along Edge measurement type, or normal to the edge being extended using the Normal To
Edge measurement type.

Extend the side edges using

the ‘Same’ option

When using the Normal To option, the surface is extended and the side edges are normal
(perpendicular) to the original edge as shown below. The extend distance can be measured along
the side edges using the Along Edge measurement type, or normal to the edge being extended
using the Normal To Edge measurement type.

Extend the side edges using

the ‘Normal To’ option

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EXERCISE 7 – TRIM AND EXTEND

Task 1: Extend surfaces using the default options.

• Open the part called ‘speaker_housing.prt’

• Set the selection filter to Geometry

• Select this tangent chain

• Pick Edit, Extend or pick the icon
• Enter < 0.750 > for the extend distance
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Be sure the selection filter is set to Geometry
• Select this edge
• Pick Edit, Extend or pick the icon
• Enter < 0.500 > for the extend distance
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard
tool to complete the feature
• Select this edge
• Pick Edit, Extend or pick the icon
• Enter < 0.500 > for the extend distance
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard
tool to complete the feature

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• Select this edge

• Pick Edit, Extend or pick the icon

• Enter < 0.500 > for the extend distance
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

Task 2: Merge two surfaces then create rounds.

• Set the selection filter to Quilts

• Select these two surfaces

• Pick the Merge icon

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard
tool to complete the feature
• Save the part

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• Set the selection filter to Geometry

• Pick these two edges
• Press and hold the right mouse button
and select Round Edges in the popup
menu
• Enter < 0.250 > for the radius size
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard
tool to complete the feature
• Orient the part as shown below

• Pick these two edges

• Press and hold the right mouse button
and select Round Edges in the popup
menu
• Enter < 0.125 > for the radius size
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool
to complete the feature
• Orient the to the ‘Default’ view
• Pick this tangent chain
• Press and hold the right mouse button
and select Round Edges in the popup
menu
• Enter < 0.125 > for the radius size
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard
tool to complete the feature
• Save the part

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Task 3: Split the main quilt into pieces two using the Trim command.

• Set the selection filter to Quilts

• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree

• Pick Edit, Trim or pick the icon
• Pick this surface for the trimming object
• Pick the Flip Direction icon two times
to keep both sides of the trimming
surface
• In the Options panel of the dashboard
tool, remove the checkmark next to
Keep trimming surface
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard
tool to complete the command
• The part is split into two quilts as shown
below. This part can be used as a
skeleton model for the speaker housing
assembly.
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 4: Extend a surface tangent to the original surface.

• Open the part called ‘extend_surfs.prt’

• Notice that this part has imported surfaces
• Orient the model to the ‘Default’ view as shown below
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Select this edge

• Pick Edit, Extend or pick the icon

• Move the cursor over this small circular icon then press and hold the right mouse
button and select Add in the popup menu
• Slide the new dimension 0.100
to the bottom of the edge
as shown here
• Edit the dimension values
as shown here

0.400

• In the Options panel of the dashboard tool, set the Method to Tangent
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

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Task 5: Merge two surfaces then extend the edge.

• Set the selection filter to Quilts

• Pick these two surfaces

• Pick the Merge icon

• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Select this tangent chain

• Pick Edit, Extend or pick the icon

• Enter < 0.500 > for the extend distance
• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature
• Save the part

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Task 6: Copy a surface.

• Set the selection filter to Quilts

• Pick this surface

• Pick the Copy icon

• Pick the Paste Special icon
• Pick the TOP datum plane to set the direction of translation
• Enter < 0.118 > for the translation value
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the copy
• Notice the original surface is no longer visible

Task 7: Extend the surfaces to a datum plane.

• Set the selection filter to Geometry

• Pick this edge

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• Pick Edit, Extend or pick the icon

• Pick the Extend To Plane icon in the dashboard tool as shown below

Pick this icon

• Pick the TOP datum plane

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Repeat this task for this edge

• The result is shown below

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Task 8: Merge two surfaces.

• Set the selection filter to Quilts

• Pick these two surfaces
• Pick the Merge icon
• Pick the checkmark in the
dashboard tool to complete the
feature
• The result is shown below

Task 9: Trim the surface using the silhouette method then extend to a plane.

• Orient the model to the ‘Right’ view

FRONT

This portion of the original surface

must be made perpendicular to the
FRONT datum plane so the part can
be manufactured …

First use Trim, then use Extend

(see the next page)

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• Orient the model to the ‘Default’ view

• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree
• Pick Edit, Trim or pick the icon
• Pick the FRONT datum plane
• Pick the Silhouette icon in the dashboard tool as shown below

Pick the Silhouette icon here

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature

• Save the part
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Select this tangent chain

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• Pick Edit, Extend or pick the icon

• Pick the Extend To Plane icon in the dashboard tool as shown below

Pick the Extend To Plane icon here

• Pick the FRONT datum plane

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• The result is shown below

Task 10: Mirror then merge the surfaces.

• Set the selection filter to Quilts

• Pick the surface
• Pick the Mirror icon
• Pick the TOP datum plane to mirror about
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the mirror command

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• Be sure the selection filter is set to Quilts

• Pick these two surfaces
• Pick the Merge icon
• Pick the checkmark in the
dashboard tool to complete the
feature

Task 11: Create a flat surface then merge.

• Pick Edit, Fill

• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Define Internal Sketch
• Pick the FRONT datum plane for the sketch plane
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the defaults
• Pick the Use Edge icon
• Pick the edges around the outside of the geometry as shown in bold below

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree
• Press and hold the CTRL key and pick the flat surface you just created
• Pick the Merge icon
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Save the part

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Task 12: Create a round then solidify the surfaces.

• Orient the model as shown below

• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Select this tangent chain

• Press and hold the right mouse button and select Round Edges in the popup menu
• Enter < 0.265 > for the radius value
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree
• Pick Edit, Solidify
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Create a cross-section using the RIGHT datum plane
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Special Surface Features

Special Surface Features

Introduction
The optional Pro/SURFACE module of Pro/ENGINEER includes special surface features that
are used to modify existing surfaces and/or solids. These special features are created using
Insert, Advanced and are listed below.

Conic Surface Create a special type of boundary

blend.
N-sided Patch Create a boundary blend with
more than four (4) boundaries.
Surface Free Form Allows portions of surfaces to be
manipulated using a series of
control points.
Vertex Round Create a round on a single vertex
of a surface.
Solid Free Form Similar to Surface Free Form,
this feature allows portions of
solids to be manipulated using a
series of control points.
Spinal Bend Bend an existing solid part using a
datum curve as a path.
Flatten Quilt Create a ‘flat pattern’ of an
existing surface quilt.
Bend Solid Bend a solid part using a Flatten
Quilt as a guide for bending.

The Insert, Advanced Menu

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Conic Surface
A Conic Surface is a special type of boundary blend, and has two options:

Shouldr Crv The surface will pass through the selected datum curve.
Tangent Crv The surface will pull toward the selected datum curve.

The Conic Surface dialog box is shown below and has these two
elements:

Curves The existing datum curves defining

both the outer boundary, and the
‘shoulder’ or ‘tangent’ curve. The
CRV OPTS menu is used for this
step and is shown below.
Conic Param This parameter controls the shape of
the resulting surface: 0.05 creates an
ellipse and 0.95 creates a parabola.

The CRV OPTS menu includes these options:

Boundaries The existing datum curves that define the boundary. Only
single entity datum curves can be used.
Shouldr Crv The surface will pass through this control curve.
Tangent Crv The surface will pull toward this control curve. (Used
with the Tangent Crv option at the top of the page)

Boundary
curve
Boundary curve
Shoulder
curve

Conic Surface

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N-sided Patch
The N-sided Patch option allows surfaces to be created with more than four external boundaries.
In the part shown below, the top of the protrusion is created by blending five (5) edges using the
N-sided Patch option.

To create a N-sided patch, pick Insert, Advanced, Conic Surface and N-sided Patch, then
pick N-Sided Surf, Done.

The N-Sided Surface dialog box is shown below and has two elements.

Curves At least five (5) curves or edges must

be selected to define the outer
boundary of the surface.
Bndry Conds Each boundary can have one of three
conditions applied. The BNDRY
COND menu is used for this step and
is shown below.

The BNDRY COND menu includes these options:

Free The selected boundary condition is determined by the

geometry of the selected curves.
Tangent The selected boundary will be tangent to the reference
entity.
Normal The selected boundary will be normal (perpendicular) to
the reference entity.

An example of a N-sided Patch is shown below.

N-Sided Patch

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Surface Free Form

The Surface Free Form feature allows a surface to be created from an existing surface by
modifying the location of the surface’s control points. The original surface remains as a feature
in the model as well as the new surface.

To create a free form surface pick Insert, Advanced, Surface Free Form.

The Free Form Surface dialog box is shown here.

Base Surface An existing surface to be
manipulated
Grid The number of control points in
each direction.
Manipulate Use the Modify Surface dialog
box to manipulate the surface. See
the next page.

The surface shown below was created by selecting an existing flat surface and changing the
location of two of the surface’s control points.

Surface Free Form

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The Modify Surface dialog box is used to manipulate ‘free form’ surfaces.

Set the direction of

movement here

Expand the Region section

by picking here

Set the portion of the

existing surface to be
affected here

Expand the Sliders section

after picking a control point
on the existing surface

Use the sliders to

dynamically manipulate the
surface

Set the sensitivity of the

sliders here

Turn on surface analysis

diagnostics tools here

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Special Surface Features Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Vertex Round
The Insert, Advanced, Vertex Round command is used to ‘round’ vertices of a surface or quilt.
Pick the command, then pick the surface or quilt you want to round. Next, pick the vertices, then
enter the radius value. The feature is listed as a ‘Surface Trim’ in the model tree.

The Vertex Round dialog box is shown below.

Trim Quilt The surface being rounded.

Vertex The vertex or vertices of the surface
being rounded.
Radius The size of the round.

An example of a Vertex Round is shown below.

Selected vertices

Vertex rounds

Vertex Round

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Solid Free Form

The Solid Free Form feature allows portions of solids to be manipulated similar to the Surface
Free Form feature (see page 218).

The Solid Free Form feature has two options as listed below.

Sket On Pln Sketch a region of the part to be deformed by

the feature.
Pick Surf Select a single surface to be deformed by the
feature.

When using the Sket On Pln option, the FREE FROM dialog box is used as shown below.

Section The sketch plane and a sketch to

indicate the region of the part to
be deformed.
Direction The viewing direction of the
sketch.
Base Surface The existing surface to be
manipulated
Grid The number of control points in
each direction.
Manipulate Use the Modify Surface dialog
box to manipulate the surface. See
page 219.

An example of the Solid Free Form feature is shown below.

Before After

Solid Free Form

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Special Surface Features Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Spinal Bend
The Spinal Bend feature allows solid parts or surfaces to be ‘bent’ along a ‘spine’. This is a
powerful feature used to deform existing parts. The system creates ‘cross-sections’ along the
spine, and uses several options to control the properties of these cross-sections.

To create this feature, pick Insert, Advanced, Spinal Bend. When creating a Spinal Bend
feature, the OPTIONS menu is used.

Select Spine Create the feature by selecting existing datum curves or

edges to be used as the ‘spine’.
Sketch Spine Sketch the ‘spine’ to control the bend.
No Prop Ctrl No adjustment will be made to the cross-sections of the
solid as they are located along the spine.
SecProp Ctrl Create the feature by adjusting the cross section
properties along the spine.
Linear Section properties will vary linearly between the start
and end point of the spine. This option is only valid
with the SecProp Ctrl option.
Graph The section properties between the start and end point
of the spine will be controlled by a ‘Datum Graph’
feature. This option is only valid with the SecProp Ctrl
option.

In the example shown below, the Spinal Bend feature is used to bend a spring along an existing
datum curve.

Before After

Spinal Bend

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Section Properties
When using the SecProp Ctrl option, relations can be written to control the properties of the
cross sections. After adding a sketch coordinate system, relations are written using the system
editor as shown below.

AREA Control the transformed cross-sections by area relative to the original

geometry.
CENTROID_X Control the cross-section by specifying coordinates with respect to a
sketched coordinate system. The center of area of the cross section
will be located at these coordinates.
IXX, IXY, IYY Control the cross section by the planar moments of inertia relative to
a sketched coordinate system.
IXX_AT_CENTROID Control the cross section by the planar moments of inertia relative to
a sketch coordinate system with axis parallel to it.
PRINCIPAL1 Control the cross sections using the greater planar principal moment
of inertia.
PRINCIPAL2 Control the cross sections using the lesser planar principal moment
of inertia.

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Volume Plane
During the creation of a Spinal Bend feature, the system automatically constructs a datum plane
normal to the spine at the start point. The user is prompted to select a datum plane that defines
the region or ‘volume’ of the original part to be bent. The datum plane selected by the user must
be parallel to the plane created by the system. This can be accomplished using the Make Datum,
Offset command. The offset distance determines the portion of the solid that is bent along the
spine. Any portion of the original solid that is not between these two planes will be removed
from the resulting part.

In the example shown below, the original spring is 10 units long, and a datum curve is used for
the spine. The datum curve is also 10 units from point to point as shown.

When the ‘volume plane’ is offset 10 units from the start point, the entire spring is deformed to
follow the curve. The resulting part has the same number of turns as the original spring and is
also shown below.

Volume plane

Spine

10.000

Original part
The result

Start point

Spinal Bend – ‘Volume Plane’ Offset equal to the Length of the Original Feature

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Volume Plane (continued)

When the ‘volume plane’ is offset 5 units from the start point, only half of the original spring is
deformed to follow the curve. The resulting part has half as many turns as the original spring and
is also shown below. The cross section of the spring wire is severely deformed in this case.

Spine

10.000
Volume plane

Original part The result

Start Point

Spinal Bend – ‘Volume Plane’ Offset set to half the Length of the Original Feature

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Special Surface Features Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Flatten Quilt
The Flatten Quilt Feature is used to create ‘flat patterns’ of surface quilts. This is useful to
create patterns for air bags and other fabric products. This feature can be used to create flat
patterns for sheetmetal parts that Pro/SHEETMETAL will not flatten.

To create this feature, pick Insert, Advanced, Flatten

Quilt, then pick the surface to be flattened. The system
requires a datum point ‘on’ the surface being flattened.
The user has control over the plane onto which the surface
is flattened. The Flatten Quilt dialog box is shown here.
Source Quilt The surface to be flattened.
Origin Point A point on the surface where the
flattened quilt will be tangent.
Automatic The system automatically creates
the flattened quilt.
Aided Select four points to define a
reference surface to flatten the quilt
onto.
Manual Select an existing surface to flatten
the quilt onto.
Specify Placement Select a coordinate system and a
point to define the plane.
Number of Steps Specify the number of control points
for each direction from 10 to 100.

An example is shown below.

Before After

Flatten Quilt

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Bend Solid
The Bend Solid feature is used in conjunction with the Flatten Quilt feature. Use this feature to
‘bend’ existing solid parts.

The procedure for using this feature is:

• Create a surface in the shape you want the solid part to be bent.
• Create a Flatten Quilt feature on the surface.
• Create the Bend Solid feature, pick the Flatten Quilt feature.
• The system bends the solid part to the shape of the original surface.

The Bend Solid dialog box and an example of this feature are shown below.

1. Start with a solid part

2. Create a surface quilt

3. Flatten the quilt

4. Create a solid bend

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Special Surface Features Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

EXERCISE 8 – SPECIAL SURFACE FEATURES

Task 1: Create a conic surface.

• Open the part called ‘conic_surf.prt’

• Pick Insert, Advanced, Conic Surface and N-sided Patch
• Pick Conic Surf, Shouldr Crv, Done in the small menu

• Pick these two curves

• Pick Shouldr Crv in the small menu

• Pick this curve

• Pick Done Curves in the small menu

• Enter < 0.050 > for the value
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Shade the display and spin the model to examine the result
• Pick the surface then pick Edit in the right mouse button popup menu
• Change the value to < 0.950 > then pick Edit, Regenerate
• Examine the new result (use Undo and Redo a few times to see the difference)
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 2: Create a N-sided patch.

• Open the part called ‘n-sided-surf.prt’

• Orient the model to the saved view called ‘Exercise8’
• Set the display to Wireframe
• Pick Insert, Advanced, Conic Surface and N-sided Patch
• Pick N-Sided Surf, Done in the small menu
• Pick the five (5) edges as shown below in bold

• Pick Done in the small menu

• In the dialog box, pick Bndry Conds then pick Define
• Pick Boundary 1, Tangent, Done, OK
• Pick Boundary 2, Tangent, Done, OK
• Pick Boundary 3, Tangent, Done, OK
• Pick Boundary 4, Tangent, Done, OK
• Pick Boundary 5, Tangent, Done, OK,
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Orient the model to the ‘Top’ view
• Set the selection filter to Quilts
• Pick these two surfaces

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• Pick the Merge icon

• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the merge
• Press CTRL and pick this surface
• Pick the Merge icon
• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the merge
• Press CTRL and pick this surface
• Pick the Merge icon
• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the merge
• Press CTRL and pick this surface
• Pick the Merge icon
• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the merge
• Press CTRL and pick this surface
• Pick the Merge icon
• Click the middle mouse button to
complete the merge
• Pick the last Merge feature in the model tree then pick Edit, Solidify
• Pick the Remove Material icon then pick the Flip Direction icon in the dashboard
tool
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Shade the display and spin the model to examine the result as shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 3: Create a flat surface and a ‘free form’ feature.

• Pick File, New, enter < flat_surface > for the name, then pick OK
• Pick the TOP datum plane then pick the Sketch icon
• Click the middle mouse button to accept the default
• Sketch a 2.000 x 1.000 rectangle symmetrical about both FRONT and RIGHT
• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch
• Orient the part to the ‘Default’ view
• Pick the sketch you just created then pick Edit, Fill
• Shade the model to see the flat surface
• Pick Insert, Advanced, Surface Free Form
• Pick the flat surface
• Enter < 15 > for the number of control curves in the first direction
• Enter < 10 > for the number of control curves in the second direction
• In the Modify Surface dialog box pick as shown

Expand the Region

section by picking here

Pick Local for the

First Direction

Pick Local for the

Second Direction

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Special Surface Features Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

• Pick any control point on the surface of the part and drag it to a new location as
shown below
• Pick another control point and drag it to a new location as shown below

• Pick the checkmark in the Modify Surface dialog box

• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• Hide the original flat surface (called Fill in the model tree)
• Shade and spin the model to see the result as shown below

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Task 4: Create vertex rounds.

• Pick Insert, Advanced, Vertex Round

• Pick the surface

• Pick these two vertices

• Pick OK in the Select dialog box
• Enter < 0.250 > for the radius
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Special Surface Features Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Task 5: Create a Solid Free Form feature.

• Open the part called ‘solid_free_form.prt’

• Pick Insert, Advanced, Solid Free Form
• Pick Sket On Pln, Done in the small menu
• Pick the top of the part for the sketching plane as shown
• Pick Okay, Default in the small menu
• Sketch, dimension, and constrain the rectangle shown below
0.200

0.200

0.200

0.200

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the seven (7) surfaces shown meshed
• Pick OK in the Select dialog box
• Enter < 10 > for both directions
• Pick several control points and move them to new locations
• Pick the checkmark in the Modify Surface dialog box
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the feature
• The result is shown here
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 6: Create a spinal bend feature.

• Open the part called ‘spinal_bend.prt’

• Pick Insert, Advanced, Spinal Bend
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick the spring
• Pick Curve Chain and then select the datum curve
• Pick Select All
• If necessary, pick Start Point, Next, Accept, to have the start point at the bottom of
the spring
• Pick Done, Make Datum, Offset
• Pick DTM2 then pick Enter Value
• Enter < 10 > for the offset distance then pick Done
• The result is shown below on the left
• Pick the spinal bend feature in the model tree then pick Edit in the right mouse button
popup menu
• Double pick the 10 dimension and enter < 5 > then pick Edit, Regenerate
• The result is shown below in the center
• Pick the spinal bend feature in the model tree then pick Edit in the right mouse button
popup menu
• Double pick the 5 dimension and enter < 20 > then pick Edit, Regenerate
• The result is shown below on the right
• Save the part and Close the window

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Special Surface Features Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Task 7: Create a flatten quilt feature.

• Open the part called ‘contact.prt’

• In the model tree, move the Insert Here
marker to just above the Thicken
command
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Select this edge
• Press and hold the CTRL key then pick
the RIGHT datum plane
• Pick the Insert Point icon
• Pick OK in the dialog box to complete the point
• Pick Insert, Advanced, Flatten Quilt
• Pick the quilt
• Pick the point you just created (pick in the graphics window, not in the model tree)
• Pick the checkmark in the dialog box to complete the feature
• In the model tree, move the Insert Here marker to the bottom of the feature list
• The flattened surface is shown below. This might represent the ‘flat state’ of the
sheetmetal part.
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 8: Create an extruded surface, a flatten quilt, and a bend solid feature.

• Open the part called ‘bend_solid.prt’

• Pick the datum curve feature
• Pick the Extrude icon
• Set the depth to Symmetric in the dashboard tool
• Enter < 4.000 > for the distance
• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Pick Insert, Advanced, Flatten Quilt
• Pick the extruded surface and PNT0 (not in the model tree)
• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature
• Pick Insert, Advanced, Bend Solid
• Pick Bend Solid in the dialog box
• Pick the Flatten Quilt feature in the model tree
• Pick the checkmark to complete the feature
• Hide the Flatten Quilt feature in the model tree
• Pick View, Visibility, Save Status
• The result is shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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Geometry Analysis Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Geometry Analysis

Introduction
Geometry analysis is used to compute curve and surface properties such as radius, curvature, and
reflection. These are powerful geometric analyses that are useful when designing products that
require high-quality surfaces.

When possible, select the geometric entities that you want to analyze first, then pick the
appropriate menu options or icons to perform the analysis. Depending on the type of analysis you
select, the system may prompt for additional references and other information required for the
analysis.

The Analysis, Geometry menu is shown below.

Pick Analysis, Geometry, then

pick the type of geometric
analysis you wish to perform

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Geometry Analysis Icons

Many icons are available for geometry analyses as shown below. Use Tools, Customize Screen
to add these icons to the user interface.

Point Analysis
Radius Analysis
Curvature
Sections Analysis
Dihedral Angle
Offset Analysis
Deviation
Shaded Curvature
Draft Analysis
Slope Analysis
Reflection Analysis
Shadow Analysis
Delete All Displayed Analyses
Access the Saved Analysis dialog box
Hide all Saved Analyses

1. Select the geometry 2. Pick the icon 3. The results are displayed

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The Geometry Analysis Dialog Boxes

Each type of geometry analysis uses a unique dialog box. These dialog boxes are similar in
layout, some are more complex than others, and a few are shown below.

The Analysis tab lists the results of the analysis

The Definition tab lists the references for the

analysis and controls the display of the results

The Feature tab allows the creation

of result parameters and datums as
features

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Point Analysis
The Point analysis displays numerical data about the edge, curve, or surface at the selected point.
Select a point or vertex, then pick Analysis, Geometry, Point or pick the icon shown above.

The information about the selected point is displayed graphically and listed in the Point Analysis
dialog box as shown below.

Pick here to change the

point reference

Pick here to change the

coordinate system used
for the analysis

Change the scale of the

graphical results here

The results
are listed here

Point Analysis

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Radius Analysis
The Radius analysis computes the min and max radius of the selected curve or surface. Select a
datum curve, edge, surface, or quilt, then pick Analysis, Geometry, Radius or pick the icon
shown above.

The results are displayed graphically and in the Radius Analysis dialog box as shown below.

The reference
geometry is listed
here

Select the type

and scale of the
visual results here

The results are listed here

Radius Analysis

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Curvature Analysis
The Curvature analysis computes the curvature of the selected curve or surface. Curvature is
defined as the rate of change of the radius. In mathematics, this is called the derivative of the
radius. Select a datum curve, edge, or surface, then pick Analysis, Geometry, Curvature or
pick the icon shown above. The results can be displayed with varying degrees of quality using
the Curvature Analysis dialog box as shown below.

The reference geometry

is listed here

Select the type of

graphical results
in this pull-down list

Set the quality of the

graphical results here

Change the style

of the results here

The results are listed here

Curvature Analysis

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Curvature Analysis (continued)

In addition to numerical and visual results, the system creates a results graph as shown below.

Pick here to create

the results graph

Curvature Analysis Results Graph

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Sections Analysis
The Sections analysis calculates the curvature, radius, or tangency of the selected surface based
on cross-sections cut though the surface parallel to a reference plane. Select a surface or quilt,
then pick Analysis, Geometry, Sections or pick the icon shown above. You must also select a
datum plane to set the direction of the cross-sections used for the analysis. The Definition tab of
the Sections Analysis dialog box is shown below.

Pick here to select the

direction plane

Control the section

properties here

Select the type of

results here

Control the quality of

the results here

Sections Analysis

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Dihedral Angle Analysis

The Dihedral Angle analysis is used to compute the tangency between two surfaces. The system
displays the minimum and maximum angle between the two surfaces along its length. A dihedral
angle of zero indicates tangency.

Select an edge, then pick Analysis, Geometry, Dihedral Angle or pick the icon shown above.
The results are displayed graphically and in the Dihedral Angle dialog box as shown below.

The reference
geometry is listed
here

Define the quality,

scale, and style of
the visual results
here

The results are listed here

Dihedral Angle Analysis

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Offset Analysis
The Offset analysis creates a meshed offset from a selected curve or surface, and exaggerates
variations in the surface. Visible cusps in the offset mesh show a radius of curvature smaller than
the offset distance. This analysis is useful when troubleshooting offset surfaces that have failed.
Select the curve(s) or surface(s) or curves first, then pick Analysis, Geometry, Offset, or pick
the icon shown above. The Definition tab of the Offset Analysis dialog box is shown below.

The reference curve or

surface is listed here

Set the offset distance here

Define the type and quality

of the results here

Offset Analysis

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Geometry Analysis Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Deviation Analysis
The Deviation analysis calculates the deviation of the curve or surface normal to a specified
datum point, datum curve, datum point array, or scanned geometry. Pick a curve, edge, surface,
or quilt, then pick Analysis, Geometry, Deviation or pick the icon shown above. You must also
select a reference entity to determine the direction of the analysis.

The results are shown graphically and are listed in the Deviation Analysis dialog box as shown
below. The graphical results are displayed with green and red ‘sticks’, where green denotes
deviation within tolerance, and red denotes deviation outside the tolerance.

The reference
geometry is listed here

Pick here to define the

direction entity

Define the quality of

the visual results here

The results are listed here

Deviation Analysis

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Shaded Curvature Analysis

The Shaded Curvature analysis is used to compute surface curvature. The Guassian analysis is
the default type, and is the product of the smallest and largest normal curvature for every point
on the surface. This analysis will produce positive, zero, and negative results. Positive values
represent ‘ridges’ on the part, while negative values represent ‘valleys’. Zero values indicate
cylinders and planes.

Select a surface or quilt, then pick Analysis, Geometry, Shaded Curvature or pick the icon
shown above. The shaded results are displayed with varying degrees of quality using the
Curvature Analysis dialog box as shown below.

The reference surfaces

are listed here

Define the type and

quality of the visual
results here

The results are listed here

Shaded Curvature Analysis

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Geometry Analysis Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling

Shaded Curvature Analysis (continued)

The shaded curvature analysis assigns color values in ranges to display the results. Values
toward the red end of the spectrum indicate maximum curvature or slope. Minimum curvature
values are shown toward the blue end of the spectrum.

You can change the type of color scale and specify the number of colors at the bottom of the
Color Scale dialog box as shown below.

Red

Move these
arrows to change
the color scales

Blue

Linear

Logarithmic Set the number

of colors here
Two-color

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Draft Analysis
The Draft analysis is used to check a model to indicate if a draft will be necessary for the part to
be manufactured in a mold. Pick a surface, quilt, or solid geometry, then pick Analysis,
Geometry, Draft, or pick the icon shown above. In the Definition tab of the Draft Analysis
dialog box, you must define the direction vector for the analysis. The results are displayed
graphically as shown below.

The reference
geometry is listed here

Pick here to select the

direction vector

Choose One Side or

Both Sides here

Enter the draft angle

here

Define the quality of

the visual results here

Draft Analysis

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Slope Analysis
The Slope analysis produces a graphical display that shows the slope of the selected surfaces
relative to a reference plane. Select a surface or quilt, then pick Analysis, Geometry, Slope or
pick the icon shown above. You must also select a datum plane to set the direction for the
analysis. The Slope Analysis dialog box is shown below.

The reference
surfaces are
listed here

Pick here to
select the
direction plane

Set the quality

of the visual
results here

The results are listed here

Slope Analysis

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Reflection Analysis
The Reflection analysis produces zebra striping which represents the reflection from linear
sources of light. Pick a surface or quilt, then pick Analysis, Geometry, Reflection, or pick the
icon shown above. In the Definition tab of the Reflection Analysis dialog box, you can define
the direction and other properties for the light sources. The results are displayed graphically as
shown below.

Pick here to select the

reflection surface(s)

Set the light source

properties here

Reflection Analysis

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Shadow Analysis
The Shadow analysis type calculates the shadow that one surface or part casts on a surface when
viewed from a particular direction. Pick Analysis, Geometry, Shadow, then pick the surface
that you want to cast the shadow onto. In the Definition tab of the Shadow Analysis dialog box,
pick as shown below to add the model and the direction vector to the references. The results are
displayed graphically and in the dialog box as shown below.

Pick here to select

the shadow surface

Pick here to select

the model

Pick here to define

the direction vector

Set the quality of the

graphical results
here

The results
are listed here

Shadow Analysis

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Saved Analyses
Geometry analyses and other analyses can be ‘saved’ and redisplayed during other modeling
tasks. In the analysis dialog box, pick Saved as shown below to save the analysis being
performed.

Pick Saved here to

save the analysis Enter a name for the
saved analysis here

To manage saved analyses, pick Analysis, Saved Analysis or pick the Saved Analysis icon. The
Saved Analysis dialog box is shown below. Other icons can be added to the user interface to
hide and delete saved analyses as shown below.

Saved Analysis
Pick the small Hide All
Hide/Unhide
icon here to hide Delete All
and unhide the
selected analysis

Pick here to delete the

selected analysis
Pick here to
redefine the Use this pull-down menu
selected analysis to hide/unhide/delete all
the analyses at one time

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EXERCISE 9 – GEOMETRY ANALYSIS

Task 1: Analyze the curvature and radius of a curve.

• Open the part called ‘curve_analysis.prt’

• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Select this curve
• Pick Analysis, Geometry, Curvature
• Pick the Definition tab of the dialog box
• Set the Quality of the results to < 20 >
as shown below
• Set the Scale of the results to < 2 > as shown below

Set the Quality and

Scale as shown here

• Pick the checkmark in the dialog box

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• Be sure the selection filter is set to Geometry

• Select the same curve
• Pick Analysis, Geometry, Radius
• Notice the results are shown in the graphics
window and in the Analysis tab of the dialog
box as shown below

The minimum radius

for the selected curve
is listed here

• Pick the checkmark in the dialog box

• Be sure the selection filter is set to Geometry
• Select the same curve
• Pick Analysis, Geometry, Curvature
• Turn the page

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• Pick the Definition tab of the dialog box

• Set the Type of results plot to Tangents as shown below
• Set the Quality of the results to < 1 > as shown below
• Set the Scale of the results to < 1 > as shown below

Set the Type to Tangents

in this pull-down list

Set the Quality and Scale

as shown here

• Pick the checkmark in the dialog box

• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 2: Analyze the dihedral angle of an edge.

• Open the part called ‘surface_analysis.prt’

• Orient the part as shown below
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Select this edge

• Pick Analysis, Geometry, Dihedral Angle

• Pick the Definition tab of the dialog box
• Set the Quality of the results to < 2 >
• Set the Scale of the results to < 2 >
• The results are shown below

• Pick the checkmark in the Dihedral Angle Analysis dialog box

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Task 3: Analyze the Guassian curvature of surfaces.

• Orient the part as shown below

• Be sure the selection filter is set to Geometry
• Pick these two surfaces

• Pick Analysis, Geometry, Shaded Curvature

• The results are shown below

Visual and numeric results

• Pick the checkmark in the dialog box

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Task 4: Analyze two surfaces.

• Be sure the selection filter is set to Geometry

• Pick these two surfaces

• Pick Analysis, Geometry, Sections

• Pick in this box
• Pick the TOP datum plane for the direction reference
• Set the type of sections to Highlight
• Set the spacing to < 1 > as shown here
• The results are shown below
• Pick the checkmark in the dialog box
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 5: Perform an offset analysis of a surface.

• Open the part called ‘offset_analysis.prt’

• Set the selection filter to Quilts then pick this quilt

• Pick Analysis, Geometry, Offset

• Enter the following values for the offset
distance in the Definition tab of the
dialog box and examine the visual
results for each value
• < 0.010 >
• < 0.020 >
• < 0.030 >
• < 0.040 >
• < -0.010 >
• < -0.020 >
• < -0.030 >
• < -0.040 >
• Pick the checkmark in the dialog box
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 6: Create a shadow analysis.

• Open the assembly called ‘shadow_analysis.asm’

• Pick View, View Manager
• Pick the Style tab in the View Manager dialog box
• Double pick ‘Shadow’ then pick Close in the View Manager dialog box
• Set the selection filter to Geometry
• Pick this surface

• Pick Analysis, Geometry, Shadow

• Pick the Definition tab of the Shadow
Analysis dialog box
• Pick in this box
• Set the selection filter to Component
then pick the beverage container part
• Pick in this box
• Pick the axis that goes from the light
bulb to the beverage container to set the
direction for the shadow analysis

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• Pick the Analysis tab of the Shadow

Analysis dialog box

• Pick Saved here

• Enter < shadow > then press ‘enter’

• Pick the checkmark here

• Pick the Regenerate icon then repaint the window

• Did the shadow move? (the movement is driven by relations)
• Regenerate the assembly and repaint again and again
• Pick Analysis, Saved Analysis
• Pick the small Hide/Unhide icon next to SHADOW to hide the shadow analysis
• Dismiss the Saved Analysis dialog box (pick the X in the top right corner)
• Save the assembly and Close the window

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Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Surface Modeling Imported Surfaces

Imported Surfaces

Introduction
Pro/ENGINEER objects can be transferred to and from other CAD systems using neutral file
formats such as IGES and STEP. When importing geometry into Pro/ENGINEER, the system
will try to convert closed surfaces into solid models. In models where the surfaces are not exactly
closed, Pro/ENGINEER will leave the imported geometry as surface geometry. It is usually the
goal to repair the imported surfaces and convert them to solid geometry.

The following is a general outline for working with imported surfaces.

• Set the appropriate configuration options.

• Choose an appropriate accuracy setting.
• Import the geometry using File, Open or Insert, Shared Data, From File.
• Repair the imported surfaces using the Heal Geometry Automatic command
if necessary.
• Repair the imported surfaces using the Heal Geometry Manual command if
necessary.
• Delete un-repairable surfaces using the Edit, Delete command.
• Create new surface features and use the Collapse Geometry command if
necessary.
• Convert the surfaces to solid geometry using the Edit, Feature Properties
command.

Import Configuration Options

The system can attempt to repair problem boundary conditions in the imported surfaces during
the import process by using the following config.pro options:

fix_boundaries_on_import yes
intf3d_in_close_open_boundaries yes

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Model Accuracy
The accuracy of the model can affect the ability of the system to convert the imported surfaces to
solid geometry. In some cases, using a higher accuracy value will allow the system to convert the
surfaces to solids. This happens because the higher accuracy value allows bigger inconsistencies
and discontinuities in the topology of the surfaces.

To change the accuracy of the current model, pick Edit, Setup, Accuracy. The default accuracy
is 0.0012. To allow bigger gaps in the geometry, enter a larger value such as 0.002 or 0.005.

Redefining Imported Geometry

In many cases imported geometry can be repaired and converted to solid geometry by redefining
the import feature. In the model tree, pick the import feature, then press and hold the right mouse
button and select Edit Definition in the popup menu as shown below.

In the model tree, pick the

import feature, then press and
hold the right mouse button
and select Edit Definition in
the popup menu

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Redefining Imported Geometry (continued)

After picking Edit, Definition, the system adds the Feature Properties command to the Edit
menu as shown below. The Feature Properties dialog box is also shown below.

The Feature Properties

command is added to the Edit
menu after you redefine the
import feature

Remove this checkmark

when you want to modify or
delete the imported surfaces;
add this checkmark when
the geometry has been
repaired and you want to
create a solid

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Redefining Imported Geometry (continued)

After picking Edit, Definition, the system adds the Geometry menu to the user interface as
shown below. Use the Geometry, Heal Geometry, Automatic and the Geometry, Heal
Geometry, Manual commands to manipulate imported surfaces. See the next few pages for
details.

The Geometry menu is

added to the user interface
during the redefine of the
import feature

The Heal Geometry

commands allow the
imported geometry to be
repaired

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Heal Geometry Automatic

When redefining imported surfaces, the Geometry, Heal Geometry, Automatic command
allows some gaps to be closed automatically. If the gaps are too large, the boundary of one or
both surfaces may need to be manually closed.
The Automatic Surface Cleanup dialog box is used to automatically repair imported surfaces as
shown below.

Pick here to exclude

surfaces from the
cleanup process

Pick Compute to start

the cleanup process

Pick Accept to complete

the cleanup process

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Heal Geometry Manual

When redefining the imported geometry, the Geometry, Heal Geometry, Manual command
allows you to manually repair imported surfaces. This command has many options as listed
below and on the next page.

The FIX OPTIONS menu is the main menu in Heal Geometry Manual
and is shown below.

Zip Gaps Correct the gaps between surfaces.

Fix Tangency Adjust the tangency between surfaces.
FixQuiltBndry Fix the outer boundary of a quilt by combining
nearly tangential edge segments.
Edit Bndry Edit the boundary of a surface.
FixVertices Fix poorly matched vertices.

Zip Gaps

The Zip Gaps option attempts to repair gaps that exist between adjacent
surfaces in the imported geometry. The ZIP GAPS menu is shown below.

Auto Select Pro/ENGINEER will automatically select the chains

of boundary edges to be zipped.
Sel Chain Manually select the chains of edges to be zipped.
Unsel Chain Un-select a previously selected chain of edges.
MaxGapDist Set the maximum gap distance to be zipped. Gaps
larger than this distance will not be zipped. The
options are Default, which is based upon the part
accuracy, and Enter, which allows the user to
specify a value.
Geom Check Used to examine geometry checks that may occur as
a result of the zip gaps command.
Zip Gaps Perform the zip gaps operation.
Accept Accept the results and complete the zipping
operation.
Reject Reject the results of the zip operation.

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Edit Boundary

The Edit Bndry option allows the boundaries of imported surfaces to be modified. Many options
are available including:
• Delete all or portions of a surface.
• Replace surfaces with new geometry.
• Move vertices of the surfaces.
• Add or delete vertices of the surfaces.

The SELECT CONT menu is shown.

Sel Contour Edit the contour of the selected surface using the
EDIT BNDRY menu as shown below.
New Contour Add a new contour to the selected surface.

The EDIT BNDRY menu is shown.

Create Create new edges on the selected surface.
Modify Modify the boundary of the selected surface using
the MODIFY EDGS menu as shown below.
Delete Delete edges from the boundary of the selected
surface.
Combine Merge two existing edges into one.
Set Domain Alter the meshed display of the selected surface.

The MODIFY EDGS menu is shown.

Straighten Replace multiple portions of a boundary with a
single straight line.
Merge Edges Merge adjacent edges together.
Move Vertex Move the selected vertex to close the gap.
Set Tan Cond Change the tangency conditions of the selected
boundary.
Divide Divide an edge at the selected point.

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Deleting Imported Geometry

After picking Edit, Definition, you can delete geometric entities in the import feature using the
Edit, Delete command as shown below. Use this command for surfaces or other geometry that
cannot be repaired or is otherwise unwanted. The DELETE ENT menu is used to filter the entity
selection and is also shown below.

Pick Edit, Delete to delete un-repairable

geometric entities in the import feature

Choose the type of

entity you want to
select in this menu

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Collapse Geometry
When redefining imported geometry, the Geometry, Collapse Geometry command is used to
‘merge’ newly created surfaces and other geometry into the original imported geometry. Solid
geometry, feature groups, and patterned features cannot be collapsed into the original geometry.
After the new geometry is collapsed, it is removed from the model tree and becomes a permanent
part of the import feature.

The general procedure for replacing un-repairable surfaces is listed below.

• Redefine the import feature using Edit, Definition.

• Use Edit, Delete to delete existing surfaces from the imported geometry.
• Complete the redefine of the import feature.
• Create new surfaces using standard surface modeling techniques.
• Redefine the import feature again.
• Use the Geometry, Collapse Geometry command to ‘merge’ the new
surfaces to the imported surfaces. See the figure shown below.
• Redefine the import feature again if necessary.
• Convert the surfaces to a solid using the Edit, Feature Properties
command if necessary.
• Complete the redefine of the import feature.

Pick Geometry, Collapse

Geometry then pick the
new surfaces to be added
to the import feature

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EXERCISE 10 – IMPORTED SURFACES

Task 1: Import an IGES file.

• Pick File, Open

• Pick the Type pull-down in the Open dialog box
• Pick IGES
• Pick import_surfaces_1.igs then pick Open
• Pick OK in the Import New Model dialog box
• Pick Close in the Information window
• Save the part using File, Save
• Set the display to wireframe
• Notice the part is not a solid part

Task 2: Redefine the import feature to repair the surface geometry.

• Pick the Import feature in the model tree then pick Edit Definition in the right
mouse button popup menu
• Pick Geometry, Heal Geometry, Automatic
• Pick anywhere on the imported geometry
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Pick Compute in the Automatic Surface Cleanup dialog box
• Pick Accept in the Automatic Surface Cleanup dialog box
• Notice the part is still not a solid part
• Turn the page

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• Orient the model as shown below

• Zoom in on the wide end of the large triangular opening

• Pick Geometry, Heal Geometry, Manual

• Pick Edit Bndry and select this surface
• Pick Sel Contour, Select All, Modify, Move Vertex
• Pick the two vertices as shown below

Pick this vertex first

then pick this vertex

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• Pick Done, Done-Return in the small menu

• Orient the model as shown below
• Zoom in on the wide end of the triangular opening

• Pick Geometry, Heal Geometry, Manual

• Pick Edit Bndry and pick this surface
• Pick Sel Contour, Select All, Modify, Move Vertex
• Pick the vertex to be moved and pick the appropriate vertex to move it to
• Pick Done, Done-Return
• Pick Geometry, Heal Geometry, Manual
• Pick Zip Gaps, Auto Select, Zip Gaps, Accept, Return
• Pick Edit, Feature Properties
• Add the checkmark next to Make Solid then pick OK
• Pick the green checkmark to complete the redefine
• Notice the part now has solid geometry
• Save the part and Close the window

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Task 3: Import an IGES file.

• Pick File, New, enter < import_surfaces_2 > then pick OK

• Pick Insert, Shared Data, From File
• Pick import_surfaces_2.igs then pick Open
• Pick Close in the Information window
• Pick OK in the small dialog box
• Save the part using File, Save
• Set the display to wireframe
• Notice the part is not a solid part
• Zoom in on the three extruded letters, notice the side surfaces are missing

Task 4: Redefine the import feature to repair the surface geometry.

• Pick the Import feature in the model tree then pick Edit Definition in the right
mouse button popup menu
• Pick Edit, Delete
• Pick these three surfaces

• Pick Done in the small menu

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• Pick Edit, Delete

• Pick these two surfaces

• Pick Done in the small menu

• Pick Geometry, Heal Geometry, Manual
• Pick Edit Bndry in the small menu
• Pick this surface

• Pick Delete Contour in the small menu

• Pick Next, Next until the contour around the letter ‘T’ is highlighted, then pick
Accept
• Pick Sel Surface in the small menu then pick the same surface
• Pick Delete Contour in the small menu
• Pick Next, Next until the contour around the letter ‘R’ is highlighted, then pick
Accept
• Pick Sel Surface in the small menu then pick the same surface
• Pick Delete Contour in the small menu
• Pick Next, Next until the contour around the letter ‘P’ is highlighted, then pick
Accept

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• Pick Done-Return in the small menu

• Pick the green checkmark to complete the redefine of the import feature

Task 5: Create a flat surface.

• Orient the model as shown here

• Shade the display
• Notice the missing surfaces here
• Pick Edit, Fill
• Press and hold the right mouse
button and select Define
Internal Sketch in the popup
menu
• Pick Insert, Model Datum, Plane
• Pick this edge

• Pick OK in the Datum Plane dialog box

• Pick the RIGHT datum plane for the reference plane
• Pick Sketch in the dialog box

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• Pick these four circular surfaces for references

• Sketch four circles on top of the references as shown below

• Pick the checkmark to complete the sketch

• Pick the checkmark in the dashboard tool to complete the feature
• Notice the feature is part of a Group in the model tree
• Pick ‘Group FILL’ in the model tree, then press and hold the right mouse button and
select Ungroup in the popup menu as shown below

Pick the group, then

select Ungroup in the
popup menu

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Task 6: Redefine the import feature to collapse the new surface.

• Pick the Import feature in the model tree then pick Edit Definition in the right
mouse button popup menu
• Pick Geometry, Collapse Geometry
• Pick the flat surface you just created
• Pick Done in the small menu
• Notice the system has deleted the flat surface from the model tree
• Pick the DTM1 datum plane, then pick Delete in the popup menu and pick OK to
confirm that you want to delete the feature

Task 7: Redefine the import feature again to zip the gaps and make solid geometry.

• Pick the Import feature in the model tree then pick Edit Definition in the right
mouse button popup menu
• Pick Geometry, Heal Geometry, Manual
• Pick Zip Gaps, Auto Select, Zip Gaps, Accept, Return
• Pick Edit, Feature Properties
• Add the checkmark next to Make Solid then pick OK
• Pick the green checkmark to complete the redefine
• Notice the part now has solid geometry
• Create a cross-section as shown below
• Save the part and Close the window

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About the Author

Steven G. Smith is the president of CADQUEST INC., an independent training provider and
publisher of Pro/ENGINEER textbooks. Mr. Smith is a mechanical engineer with over 20 years
design experience. He has been using Computer Aided Design systems since 1982, and began
teaching IBM’s CADAM software at the Harrisburg Area Community College (Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania) in 1987. Over the years, Mr. Smith has also used Applicon Bravo, Prime Medusa,
AutoCAD, and Unigraphics II.

Mr. Smith holds four United States Patents for various product and equipment designs at both
RCA Corporation and AMP Incorporated. Other previous employers include TRW (Turbine
Airfoils Division) and Mack Trucks.

Mr. Smith started using Pro/ENGINEER in 1994 while supporting a rapidly growing
implementation at AMP Incorporated. He began teaching Pro/ENGINEER in 1995, and in 1997
founded CADQUEST.

Other Pro/ENGINEER and Pro/INTRALINK textbooks published by CADQUEST include:

Pro/INTRALINK 3.3 User’s Guide

Pro/INTRALINK 3.3 Administration Guide

Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Basic Design

Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Intermediate Design
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Advanced Design
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Detail Drawings and Pro/REPORT
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Sheetmetal Design
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Mechanism Design
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Pro/PIPING
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Behavioral Modeling
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to Photorender
Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 Introduction to ISDX

These and other books are published by CADQUEST and can be reviewed or purchased online:

www.cadquest.com

Page 282 COPYRIGHT  2005 CADQUEST INC.