Skip to main content
F
fdefilippi1-Visitor
1-Visitor
March 24, 2016
Solved

New Creo User

  • March 24, 2016
  • 10 replies
  • 9269 views

Greetings:

I recently started a new engineering position  (6 weeks), and this is my first time using Creo.  I come from the Inventor/Solidworks/ Solidedge world   I have been using Creo for 5-6 weeks and I am absolutely struggling mastering the basics to the level of frustration that I have leave my office and go for walks to calm down, and considering re-activating my job search.  In the previous CAD packages they were easy to use and never required training.    I've asked for some training (first time ever) but its gotten shot down, and in the meantime there is a concern that I'm not producing designs.   To top that off I'm at a small company with myself being the only ME/Creo user, so I have no one to ask questions on the s/w.  I started some one of the tutorials, but I stopped it after I was not getting the same results after multiple time.  Can some PLEASE recommend a Creo for dummies book, any help would be appreciated

Frank

Best answer by TomD.inPDX

Frank, I feel for you.  Personally, I have a hard time recommending a new ME on Creo parametric specially if they don't have a mentor or proper training.

As a new customer, many VARs also offer a PTC University primer that does better than the free tutorials.  It is actually well organized.  I came back to PTC after a long time on Unigraphics NX.  I updated my maintenance and received Creo 1.0 and 1 year of PTC University basic level.

What I don't see if comprehensive detail drawing training.  This is becoming a lost art.  But I fully understand you anxiety on this one.  I stayed back on Creo 2.0 for this very reason.  They experimented with a new UI on annotation and not only a few of us have openly stated that it missed the mark.  For seasoned users, it is still fully functional if you get past the new UI.

USE YOUR SUPPORT CASES!  When something is not working, submit a support case!  You paid for this in Maintenance.  USE IT!

And as you come up with what is keeping you from getting your job done, post here concisely what the problem is.  If so desired, submit a support case at the same time.  Often the forum will give you guidance before the support case has replied but it will give you two perspectives.  Tech support has a way of finding some really obscure solutions to known Creo issues.

As for your management... yep, updating your resume may be useful, not because of Creo, but because of their attitude.  Seriously, every upgrade from a known package required a 1 day session to understand the differences.  A new package will require a training period.  And Creo's learning curve is already pretty steep.

Find out if you have access to the free PTC University from your VAR.  Tell your management that you require a reasonable training session.  PTC will give you quote.

Otherwise, just stick with it.  Creo really is a lot more powerful than the tools you've used.  I just added SolidWorks to my resume and I can tell you that Creo is leaps and bounds more capable as soon as you veer from basic geometry.

Last but not least, feel free to post files here if you would like a simple review.  Just activate the advanced editor here in the reply UI.

10 replies

T
Tmetcalf5-Regular Member
5-Regular Member
March 24, 2016

Welcome Frank; you have hit the jackpot regarding Creo knowledge.

Don't be afraid to ask questions: both about Creo as well as how to navigate PTC Community.

Best,

Toby

W
Wayne_Beck12-Amethyst
12-Amethyst
March 24, 2016

I like the CAD Quest Books.

A
AmitDeshpande18-Opal
18-Opal
March 24, 2016

Hi Frank,

You can get some help via the tutorials found at the PTC University Learning Exchange.  You can also, search for help in the Creo 2.0 Help Center or Creo 3.0 Help Center.  The other alternative is to contact PTC Universtiy (1-800-477-6435 > 9 Customer Care > 1 PTC University).

Thanks,

Amit

    G
    GaryBunney1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    March 24, 2016

    There are a lot of tutorials on YouTube and I have also used Leo Greene's E-Cognition website as well.

    We have also used cadquest books from Steven Smith.  CADquest Inc. - Pro/ENGINEER, Creo, and Windchill Textbooks

    H
    hhinterberger1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    March 24, 2016

    Hi Frank,

    Can you tell us what kind of designs you want to implement or which part of Creo gives you trouble? (machined parts, welded parts, surface models, cast parts, ... assembly, drawing, configuration, ...)

      F
      fdefilippi1-VisitorAuthor
      1-Visitor
      March 25, 2016

      Hi Hugo-

      I'm going to apologies up front because a lot of my engineering/ CAd experience is with Inventor/ Solid Works and Solid Edge.  SO a lot of the command structures are the same, which I found easy to master 1-2 weeks.

      I'm using the s/w for machined part, some optical mounts, I'll have to create drawings, 3d assemblies.   Nothing overly fancy run of the mill small parts, simple things.

      Some of the issues are:

      Sketches, I can figure out how to create geometry, on a plane, but dimensioning it is something very different.  Even after the first tutorial in Creo 3.0, I'm confused on how you dimension geometry, if I click on a line it no dim appears, not sure why, or dims I see I can select, delete or do noting.  I just want to create a simple rectangle sketch place two dims and extrude.  but I get these error message on not enough reference.

      Measure. In a 3d object if I want to measure between two features on different Z axis height It doesn't display the x-y coordinate.  I have yet to figure out how this tool works.

      Constraints:  No idea on how to use that tool, after 4 hours I just gave up.

      I could go one and on..

      thanks

      Frank

      D
      dschenken1-Visitor
      1-Visitor
      March 25, 2016

      Select the dimension tool, select the item to be dimensioned, then click (or middle click) to locate the dimension.

      If you want to dimension between two points/vertices/curves select the first, then the second, then click to locate the dimension. Depending on what was picked and where was clicked it will create a dimension that is horizontal, vertical, or slanted.

      You need to dimension to enough existing geometry to locate the part. Those are the references. Creo doesn't let the sketch float. Look for the sketch setup to pick enough references or add dimensions to existing geometry and it will add references for you.

        A
        AmitDeshpande18-Opal
        18-Opal
        March 25, 2016

        Hi Frank,

        Here is a quick reference guide that may help you get associated & familiar with Creo Parametric:

        Quick Reference Guide

        Thanks,

        Amit

          M
          mbonka2-Explorer
          2-Explorer
          March 26, 2016

          Welcome to community,

           

          in order to make my input short as possible, will describe only keynotes. EVERYTHING needs much more investigation from your side.

           

          Forum rules:

          - fill tags in order to help others in searching

          - mark correct and helpfull answer

          - make separate topics for individual task. For example: Don´t ask about "constrains" in the topic called "New creo user" ... pls dont be angry to me

           

          Generrall rules:

          - keep your eyes open and be openminded

          - don´t be scare to do mistake and take lessons from them ofc

          - dummy is who don´t ask ... don´t be shy to ask something. Say THX if someone helped you.

          - make your own knowledge library. Better to search your HDD then remmeber something .

          - if you can´t find some icon ---> use search tool at the upper right corner

          - use right mouse button to click secial items (top of arrow, lines in drawing) ---> many pop-up menus are hidden under RMB

           

          Modeling rules:

          - 3D model is INFORMATION HOLDER ---> drawing is "under" 3D model

          - EVERYTHING IS ABOUT REFERENCES (from long time point of view)

          - keep your references logicaly (use your brain before you click "something")

          - NO EXTERNAL references are allowed

          - SAINT RULE for companies and teams: "It is not import important if we ALL are modeling bad or good. Imprtant is, that WE ARE DOING SAME WAY. Only this way you can quickly take an orientation and understand your colleagues 3D models."

           

          Knowledge sources:

          - find your local PTC provider and pay for hotline support. My own is  Homepage - Aveng.eu ---  their hotline service is the best knowledge source.

          - look into older models in your company and take some inspiration

          - search this forum: CAD - PTC Community

          - search Youtube:

              - basic assemblies:  E5 CREO Parametric 2.0 Assembly Basics 1 - YouTube

              - basic sheetmetal: Mounting Bracket || Creo Parametric Sheet Metal Tutorial - YouTube

          - check as many totorials as you can:

              - E-Cognition Inc - Consumer Product Design/Development - Free Pro/E Wildfire Video Tutorials

              - Vladimir is the best one: Home | 4K Side - Pro/ENGINEER & PTC Creo Parametric Tutorials, Training, Mentoring, Customization and Rendering

              - check Grabcad tutorials: Ptc creo parametric questions - GrabCAD

          - search on Google

           

          Some areas where you should focus on first:

          - how does "Erease all displayed works "

          - what is connection between part and drawing

          - references

          - parameters

          - creo basic customization (config.pro; drw.dtl). See following list: Creo 3.0 M010 --- Configuration options In Creo you have large customization possibilities

           

          Find your mentor:

          - specially here are many persons, who "always have true" or at least very logical opinion. THX all of you...

               - Antonius DirriwachterTomD.inPDX

               - Tom Uminn

               - Vladimir Palffy

               - MartinHanak

               - David Schenken

               - sry if l forgot someone

           

          Hope it can helps

          Regards

          Milan

            T
            TomD.inPDX17-Peridot
            17-Peridot
            March 26, 2016

            We have rules!

            T
            TomD.inPDX17-PeridotAnswer
            17-Peridot
            March 26, 2016

            Frank, I feel for you.  Personally, I have a hard time recommending a new ME on Creo parametric specially if they don't have a mentor or proper training.

            As a new customer, many VARs also offer a PTC University primer that does better than the free tutorials.  It is actually well organized.  I came back to PTC after a long time on Unigraphics NX.  I updated my maintenance and received Creo 1.0 and 1 year of PTC University basic level.

            What I don't see if comprehensive detail drawing training.  This is becoming a lost art.  But I fully understand you anxiety on this one.  I stayed back on Creo 2.0 for this very reason.  They experimented with a new UI on annotation and not only a few of us have openly stated that it missed the mark.  For seasoned users, it is still fully functional if you get past the new UI.

            USE YOUR SUPPORT CASES!  When something is not working, submit a support case!  You paid for this in Maintenance.  USE IT!

            And as you come up with what is keeping you from getting your job done, post here concisely what the problem is.  If so desired, submit a support case at the same time.  Often the forum will give you guidance before the support case has replied but it will give you two perspectives.  Tech support has a way of finding some really obscure solutions to known Creo issues.

            As for your management... yep, updating your resume may be useful, not because of Creo, but because of their attitude.  Seriously, every upgrade from a known package required a 1 day session to understand the differences.  A new package will require a training period.  And Creo's learning curve is already pretty steep.

            Find out if you have access to the free PTC University from your VAR.  Tell your management that you require a reasonable training session.  PTC will give you quote.

            Otherwise, just stick with it.  Creo really is a lot more powerful than the tools you've used.  I just added SolidWorks to my resume and I can tell you that Creo is leaps and bounds more capable as soon as you veer from basic geometry.

            Last but not least, feel free to post files here if you would like a simple review.  Just activate the advanced editor here in the reply UI.

            D
            dgschaefer21-Topaz II
            21-Topaz II
            March 29, 2016

            Coming from SW (I can't comment no the others), you'll find that Creo is less forgiving.  In the end, you may find that this is a strength rather than a limitation, but at first it'll drive you batty.  With nearly 20 years no Croe & Proe, when I have to use SW it takes me some time to flip my mindset and SW drives me nuts until I can.

            SW anticipates your next move, makes a lot of assumptions about what you are trying to do and will generally take the input you give it and make something.  It takes the role of a helpful partner, anticipating and staying ahead of you.  Once you get used to it, you rely on it and its assistance.

            Creo takes a wait for instructions approach. It is ready to do exactly what you tell it, but only what you tell it.  It doesn't assume much and generally doesn't try to do more than it's told.  If you don't know what to tell it, or you expect it to know what you're thinking (like SW tends to do), you will be frustrated.  Once you learn it's language and you learn how to describe explicitly what you want to happen, it becomes a very loyal partner, clinging to the instructions you've given and carrying them out explicitly.

            There's nothing inherently wrong with either approach, but they have their strengths and weaknesses.  I find that features fail more often in SW, regardless of the care I put into building them, but they are usually easy and quick to fix so it doesn't matter much.  Feature failures in Creo can take more time to repair, because I have to be more explicit about fixing them, but if I build carefully they happen far less often.  Creo also gives me much more info on what failed and more options to fix them so that I have fewer failures down the tree.

            If you keep this difference in philosophy in mind I think it'll help you. Personally, I find the level of control that Creo gives over SW empowering.  I may have to start slower, and build more deliberately, but I'm convinced that I finish faster and with a better design in the end.

              T
              Tmetcalf5-Regular Member
              5-Regular Member
              March 29, 2016

              Thanks again for your replies everyone and welcome once again Frank - ask and you shall receive.

              Best,

              Toby

              Terms & ConditionsCookie settingsAccessibility statement