Aplly and maintain colors to Features, intent selection, quilts

[T_F]

Today, we are able to insert colors to parts, using intent selection, paint individual faces, complete part, quilts... But if the number of surfaces in the model changes, the color applied to the new surfaces, is the color of the part. It should be possible to maintain the parametrization of selection intent to maintain the color of the selected intend faces, features, quilts... Today many CAM softwares needs the information of colors in parts, to automate the milling process.

[S_Edgenear]

The paint process could/should be a feature in the model-tree, to parametrically associate surfaces and colors, as an easier method than having a color parameter on each feature (which would not allow to paint with different colors different surfaces of the same feature).

[T_F]

In my oppinion this should be enhanced! Today many CAM software red the features and colors, and apply the machining sequences. In CREO we are not able to apply colors to features, so every time we add some new surfaces to the feature, we need to paint those faces again! Every time we need to add a hole, we need to paint them. If user forgets to paint those new faces or holes, there is a mistake on coloring to CAM softwares. So as all others CAD softwares on the market, please add the association of colors to features.

[S_Edgenear]

I was thinking again about what I wrote above, and now that I tought deeply about the subject, I became more convinced that it's a lot better to make the paiting process parametric as a model tree feature instead of having a "color" UI field added to each feature (as the body option that was added in Creo 7). The paiting process, even with the surface intent selection, is not parametric, it only selects the model existing surfaces, as T_F said, if the model geometry changes, or a hole is added to a pattern, we have to always re-select the new geometry to paint according to our client standards, which makes us waste a lot of time. In the mold industry, we don't use MBD, we use color coded surfaces to specify the quality finishing of the surfaces per requirment of all our clients. Even if the color code is different, for instance, to specify a threaded hole, since there is no standard, all of them require us to color code each hole according to their standard.

If we add the "Paint" as a part or assembly feature, then we can shift select previous model tree features, and all their geometry will become parametrically associated with a color, or, in the case of non-uniform feature colors as in the case of holes, associate the generated surfaces with a color palette (where the user makes a map of the thread surface portion with a specific color, the drill hole with another color, etc). Selecting features on the model tree can be an option to quickly multiselect features and patterned features to apply the same generic color, but it should also let the user in another UI input field, to select specific surfaces to apply a specific color (with the usual selection intent selection methods, such as seed and boundary, etc). the selection process should be recorded in the "paint" feature, so that if the geometry changes, the new geometry could be automatically selected.