Creo Parametric Tips

May 23, 2020

In this series, our expert product managers are going through how-to Creo tips. Each bite-sized tutorial is less than 5 minutes long. It's a perfect opportunity to learn something new or get a refresher on a workflow you haven't used for a while. Below you'll find about 15 minutes of video tips aimed at helping you improve your Creo proficiency. Ready to get started? Geometry Backups on the Fly When you create external references among features in a design, local references to features in a part, or placement references in an assembly, reference creation and backup tools are provided for specifying system behavior. In this tutorial, Arnaud van de Veerdonk, Creo Product Manager, shows you how to use Update Control functionality through, on-the-fly created, Geometry Backups. Watch the tutorial: Flexible Management of Item Visibility in MBD When working in model-based definition (MBD), three schemes are available to manage the visibility of any combination state in a model: MBD state: Used to manage the visibility of both annotations and supplemental geometry by direct assignment to a combination state. Semi-MBD state: Used to manage the visibility of annotations only by direct assignment to a combination state and to manage the visibility of supplemental geometry by using layers. Non-MBD state: Used to manage the visibility of both annotations and supplemental geometry by using layers and layer states. In this tutorial, our Creo Product Manager shows you how the 3 schemes can be used to manage visibility of annotations and supplemental geometry, such as planes, axes, coordinate systems, points, and curves. Watch it in action: Spiral Geometry in a Snap Using section relations in combination with the TRAJPAR parameter, you can create a section whose size and shape vary along a sweep. TRAJPAR, which ranges from 0 to 1 as the section sweeps along the trajectory, is the trajectory parameter used in relation for variable section sweeps. In this tutorial, Paul Sagar, VP of Product Management, shows you how to build specific types of spiral geometry using the TRAJPAR parameter and a variable section sweep. See how to do it: For more tips from our experts, watch the Tips from the Creo Masters main page.

May 20, 2020

Here's your next set of how-to tips in the series of quick Creo tutorials presented by our expert product managers. Each bite-sized tutorial is just a few minutes long. It's a perfect opportunity to learn something new. Take a look below at about 15 minutes of video tips to help you boost your Creo proficiency. Let's get started. Give Your Manikin a Backpack, a Hat, or a Beer A manikin model is considered a standard Creo Parametric assembly. You can add ancillaries (sub-assemblies) to the manikin, like a backpack, tool, hat, etc. These help you test your design for ergonomic compatibility and other human-centric requirements. Further, if the library doesn't contain what you need, you can design a custom item to be used with manikins. In this tutorial, Arnaud van de Veerdonk, Creo Product Manager, shows you how to add ancillary objects to manikin models. See Subtractive Manufacturing Toolpaths in the Model Tree Your workflow for accessing subtractive manufacturing toolpaths and references might be more complicated than it needs to be. How many clicks does it take for you to see them? In this tutorial, Creo Product Manager, Jose Coronado shows you how to enable a mode in Creo NC to display the toolpath and its references just by clicking on the toolpath name on the Model Tree. Find That SolidWorks Command in Creo Parametric For users who are new to PTC Creo Parametric, but have previous experience with SolidWorks, the Creo Parametric Command Search Tool allows you to map SolidWorks commands to Creo commands. In this tutorial, Director of Product Management, Martin Neumueller demonstrates: For more tips from our experts, watch the Tips from the Creo Masters main page.

May 15, 2020

Here's the next set of quick Creo tutorials presented by our expert product managers. Each tutorial in this series is just a few minutes long. These tips are aimed at helping you learn a new skill. Or, for experienced users, helping you learn a new workflow to perform a skill you've been doing for years. Below you’ll find about 15 minutes of video how-tos to help you improve your Creo proficiency. Let's get started. Combining Simplified Reps and Augmented Reality for Lightweight Experiences Simplified Representations allow you to control the amount of data retrieved for a component. These can be helpful for to publishing lightweight AR experience. In this tutorial, Creo Product Manager, Luke Westbrook, shows you how to use simplified reps with your next AR experience. Here's how: Using Sketch Region You can create geometry containing extrude, revolve, fill, and sketch features quickly using sketch regions. Using Sketch Region reduces the need to perform project and trim operations within Sketcher. It also offers a flexible way to use portions of a single sketch as the basis for several sketch-based features. In this short tutorial, Director of Product Management, Martin Neumueller, shows you how to use Sketch Region selection to quickly create geometry with supported sketch-based features. Watch the tutorial: Dimensioning: Custom Fractions You can display dimensions in Creo as either decimals or fractions by setting a configuration option. Then, you can set up custom fraction denominators and use them to define your model's dimensions. In this tutorial, Creo Product Manager, Michael Fridman, shows you how to dimension with fractions instead of decimal representations, and then add a custom fraction denominator, when needed. See how to do it: For more tips from our experts, watch the Tips from the Creo Masters main page.

May 8, 2020

We're offering a series of quick Creo tutorials presented by our expert product managers. Each of these tutorials are just a few minutes long. These bite-sized tips are a perfect opportunity to learn a new skill or ensure you're following best practices. Below you’ll find about 15 minutes of video how-tos to help you boost your CAD know-how. Let's get started. Shrinkwrap All Quilts When you create a Shrinkwrap feature, by default, Creo automatically analyzes all components in the assembly and determines which ones will be included in the shrinkwrap. This could result in subassembly quilts being excluded. However, you can use the Search Tool to help find and select all quilts in the assembly. In this tutorial, Arnaud van de Veerdonk, Creo Product Manager, shows you how to use shrinkwrap to copy all quilts from all models in an assembly. Watch the tutorial now: Work with Custom Manikin Postures You can test designs for ergonomic compatibility and other human-centric requirements using a Creo Manikin. If you can't find a manikin that fits your design scenario, you can create a custom posture for your manikin. Then, you can save the posture, use it for an analysis or apply it to any other manikin later. In this tutorial, Arnaud van de Veerdonk explains how to create, store, and apply custom manikin postures. Here's how to do it: CNC Drilling on Imported Geometry Simplify your work creating hole-making sequences over imported geometry with tips from Creo Product Manager, Jose Coronado. In this tutorial you'll see how to easily create CNC drilling sequences by: Creating drill holes on imported geometry (no axes needed). Using the Auto Depth option so you don't need to manually select the end of each set of holes. Watch the tutorial: For more tips from our experts, watch the Tips from the Creo Masters main page.

Apr 30, 2020

Here's the next set of tutorials in the series of Creo tips from our expert product managers. Below you’ll find about 15 minutes of video how-tos to help you improve your CAD proficiency—whether you just started using Creo or you've been using it for years. Ready to get started? Make External References Independent of Their Source, by Default Feature dependencies can be either local or external references. Local references relate to geometry in the model in which they were created. External references (or external dependencies) occur when you reference geometry (parts, subassemblies) outside the model in which they were created. By default, external references depend on the model containing the geometry being referenced. The external feature depends on to the assembly where it was created, and every time you regenerate the parts or the assembly involved in the external reference, Creo Parametric looks for this feature’s references in the source part of the external reference. In the tutorial below, Arnaud van de Veerdonk, Creo Product Manager, shows you how to configure Creo Parametric so external feature references are created without a dependency on the source model. Watch the tutorial: Create Standard Profile Configurations in Creo AFX Those working with Creo Advanced Framework Extension (AFX) can quickly assemble, modify, and move profiles, creating joints between profiles, as well as creating, modifying, and copying connector or equipment elements. In this tutorial, our Creo Product Manager, shows you how to quickly place standard profile configurations into an assembly using Creo AFX. Here's the tutorial: Handling Annotation Elements in MBD: 2 Tips In model-based definition (MBD), getting annotations traditionally requires careful attention. You'd rather spend that time designing. That's why you need any tricks you can find that'll improve your efficiency when you're working with annotations. In this tutorial, Creo Product Manager, Michael Fridman, shows two tips for working more efficiently with annotation elements in annotation features. Watch the tips: For more tips from our experts, watch the Tips from the Creo Masters main page.

Apr 23, 2020

Ready for another 15 minutes of Creo tips from our product manager experts? In the videos below, you’ll see how to avoid pitfalls when adding components to a Model Tree, a faster way to reach your AR experiences, and tips for getting embossed text on curved surfaces. Drag-and-Drop Without Restructuring the Model Tree Normally when you drag-and-drop parts and subassemblies in the Model Tree, they're moved to wherever you drop them. However, restructuring components can lead to unwanted changes in the assembly structure. However, you can change this behavior so Model Tree components are not restructured when you drag-and-drop components. In this tutorial, Arnaud van de Veerdonk, Creo Product Manager, shows you how: Bookmark Your AR Experiences Reviewing an augmented reality (AR) experience of a Creo model over and over? Stop opening that experience using the link in your email. Instead, save a few steps by creating a bookmark that automatically launches the AR experience. In this short tutorial, Creo Product Manager, Luke Westbrook shows you how to create a bookmark on your mobile device to quickly open an AR experience. See how to do it: Add Embossed Text to a Cylindrical Surface If you've ever designed a text element to emboss on a curved part, you know that getting it just right can be a mind bender. Demystify the process. Watch the tutorial below to see how to create embossed text on a cylindrical surface in Creo Parametric with as few clicks as possible. In the tutorial, Mark Fischer, Sr. Director of Product Management shows you how to: Wrap text around a curved surface. Turn the text into a designated area (a quilt that can be used to indicate areas for close examination or a special treatment), create an offset of the designated area, and then use the thicken feature to create the embossed text. Edit the appearance of the embossed text (defining the size, font, angle, etc.). Edit the definition for the text (defining the size, font, angle, etc.). Watch how it's done here: For more tips from our experts, watch the Tips from the Creo Masters main page.

Apr 16, 2020

Throughout April and May 2020, we rolled out a series of posts here on the Creo Community to help enhance your CAD skills 15 minutes at a time. Visit this Creo Tips below for posts packed with new video tips and demos from our product experts. You’ll find step-saving guidance on topics such as mastering complicated rounds, embossing text on cylindrical surfaces, using sketch regions, and more. Post 1 Copy geometry from multiple assembly components in a single feature. Quickly defeature a model to prepare for simulation. Creating advanced rounds. Adding rounds Post 2 Prevent drag and drop restructuring from the Model Tree. Bookmark an AR experience on your mobile device. Emboss text on a cylindrical surface. Post 3 Create external feature references without depending on a source model. Place standard profile configurations in an assembly using AFX. More efficiently work with annotation elements in annotation features. Post 4 Use Shrinkwrap to copy all quilts from all models in an assembly. Store and apply Manikin custom postures. Using the Manufacturing module, drill holes in Creo without creating an axis; plus use the Auto Depth option. Post 5 Use simplified reps to publish only what is needed in an AR experience. Use Sketch Region selection to quickly create geometry with supported sketch-based features. Dimension with fractions. Post 6 Add ancillary objects to Manikin models. Display the toolpath and its references by clicking on the toolpath name on the Model Tree. Map SolidWorks commands to Creo commands. Post 7 Use Update Control functionality through, on-the-fly created, geometry backups. Manage visibility of annotations and supplemental geometry such as planes, axes, coordinate systems, points, and curves. Build spiral geometry using a variable section sweep and a parameter called TRAJPAR. Post 8 Report mass properties for each wire in a BOM. Create a helical toolpath using the auto-cutline functionality; plus, define a 5-axis toolpath while controlling the tool axis. Prevent inadvertent modification of driving dimension values when the dimension precision (number of decimal places) is modified.

Apr 9, 2020

As promised, here is Post 1 in the new series of Creo tips from our expert product managers. Each post includes about 15 minutes of video how-tos aimed at skilling up your CAD proficiency—whether you’ve just started using Creo or consider yourself an old pro. So much for the ado. Let’s jump in! 1. Getting Granular: Copy Geometry from Multiple Components You can pass any type of geometric reference information and user-defined parameters to and from parts, skeleton models, and assemblies using the Copy Geometry feature. Normally, you can only copy geometry (like curves, surfaces, or datum planes) from a single source component. However, in this tutorial, Creo Product Manager, Arnaud van de Veerdonk shows you how to manually copy geometry from multiple assembly components using a single shrink wrap feature. Watch how to do it: 2. Simplify Your Mesh by Removing Small Features … Quickly and Easily Simplifying a model by removing small geometric features, holes, and areas that increase the complexity of the mesh can speed up analysis and simulation processes. But you might find it time-consuming to remove these features manually. In the tutorial below, Martin Neumueller, Director of Product Management, shows how to quickly defeature a model in preparation for simulation with flexible modeling and geometry search capabilities provided in Creo Simulate and Creo Parametric. 3. Manipulate Rounds Like a Boss: 3 Tricks You've maybe noticed that Creo creates default, context-sensitive transitions when you add rounds to a model. These are just the default and, like most other elements, they can be changed to fit your needs. In this short tutorial Paul Sagar, VP of Product Management, shows you 3 tricks for creating advanced round geometry inside Creo. You'll learn how to: Add a round to 3 intersecting edges. Understand the power of round pieces Apply different round values to a tangent chain of edges. Extend a round along a tangent chain of edges, controlling the end transition geometry. Watch this short tutorial to learn how: For more tips from our experts, watch the Tips from the Creo Masters main page.

Apr 9, 2020

PTC's Brian Thompson, DVP and GM CAD segment, just announced some extraordinary measures that the company is taking to help make Creo customers as productive as possible during the COVID-19 crisis. You can now get: Extra help with accessing licenses when working remotely, so everybody can reach their software. Free online demos with our popular product managers. Free courses from PTC University for all users. And more Details here: https://www.ptc.com/en/cad-software-blog/business-continuity-thompson

Mar 23, 2020

Working with model-based definition (MBD)? Here are a few features that simplify the handling of child annotations, based on the status of their parent annotations. You can find them in Creo 6.0 and later. Take a look: To Exclude Annotations Based on Parent Status When a parent feature is no longer available, you can exclude child annotations from your design and graphics based on the parent feature’s status and detail option. Suppression of parent feature using the mini toolbar as a trigger to exclude child annotations. Child annotations may be excluded when: The parent feature is being excluded by simplified representation or family table instance. The parent feature is being suppressed. The parent feature is being deleted. The parent section was deactivated, and its section hatching is also hidden. You can further configure what child annotations you want to exclude from the model. To do this, go to File > Prepare > Model Properties > Detail Options to change child annotations that are excluded using these 4 options: Exclude annotations of deleted: Determines whether to exclude annotations that are children of deleted features. Exclude annotations of excluded: Determines whether to exclude annotations that are children of excluded features. Exclude annotations of section: Determines whether to exclude standalone annotations that are children of section features when the section is not active and not shown Exclude annotations of suppressed: Determines whether to exclude annotations that are children of suppressed features. Image: Situations under which annotations may be excluded For example, to exclude a child annotation in cases where its parent feature is being suppressed, first make sure that the corresponding detail option for this case is set. Then you can highlight the desired feature, right-click, and select the option to suppress the highlighted feature from the mini toolbar. This will exclude the child annotations of the suppressed feature and a special glyph will appear for them in the model/detail trees. To View Annotation Status in the Model Tree You can easily check the status of your annotations in the Model Tree. Image: MBD annotation statuses display in the Model Tree The following statuses are available: Excluded: Missing References: Modernized annotations that are failing with weak references. Failed: Modernized annotations that are failing with strong references. Unconverted: Legacy nonconverted annotations. Not Available: Non-modernized annotations that cannot be converted into modern annotations. Search Tool: Look for Annotations Based on Their Statuses Finally, you can use the Search tool to find annotations based on their statuses (Excluded, Missing References, Failed, Not Available). Here’s how it looks: Image: Search for annotations based on their statuses. Watch the Demo See a demonstration of these tips in the video below. Get More Tips in Your Inbox To receive tips like this one directly in your inbox, subscribe to our e-newsletter.

Feb 19, 2020

Jan 30, 2020

A not-quite-right user interface can be a real nuisance day after day. But, an interface that’s just right for Sally might be all wrong for Tomas. Achieving true “one-size-fits-all” status is probably impossible. That’s why the Creo Parametric model tree is customizable. After all, your software is kind of like that Journey song … you know … “Any way you want it, that’s the way you need it. Any way you want it.” Here are some tips for getting the model tree just how you want it. Pick Your Columns and Column Widths. Do you need to see more parameters in the model tree? Or, do you need to minimize columns and expand the graphics area, so you have more room to work? No problem. Here’s how to do it. At the top of the model tree, click Settings and select Tree Columns. Add/remove displayed columns. Customize the width of the model tree, as well as the width of the other columns, using the dialog window (shown below) or by dragging the column separators in the model tree after you click Apply to add any new columns. You’ll notice the model tree itself is defined as a column that can’t be removed from the list of displayed columns (see below). And you can set its width in the same way you set the width of individual columns. Additionally, you can quickly switch between showing and hiding the additional columns. Hiding columns can be useful when you want to shrink the size of left pane and maximize the graphics area. Set Display Filters Of course, some standard features, suppressed objects, and annotations appear in the model tree by default. However, did you know you can customize these model tree display filters for part and assembly modes? Here’s how: At the top of the model tree, click Settings and select Tree Filters. Use the dialog window to select features to display in the model tree. Saving Your Model Tree Customizations Model tree column settings, including column width, and model tree display filters are automatically stored, by mode, in the creo_parametric_customization.ui file. These settings load automatically when you open a new Creo Parametric session. Model tree settings can be imported and exported in user customization file types (*.ui). Want to see more? Watch the video below You don’t need to worry about messing up your current settings when you make changes to the model tree. You’ll notice several places where you can reset default settings when needed. You can even apply the reset to the current mode or all modes.

Jan 27, 2020

Creo Parametric Tips

Creo 7 tutorial: How to setup custom template

Creo 7 tutorial: Ready to 3D print - Lattice improvements

Creo 7 tutorial: Topology Optimization

Creo 7 tutorial: Unconventional modeling

Creo 7 tutorial: Multibody Design

Creo tutorial: Soccer Ball Modeling

Creo tutorial: How to create Table Pattern and Sphere Table Pattern

Creo tutorial: Flexible modeling - Practical example

Creo tutorial: Surface modeling in Full screen mode

Geometry Backups, MBD Item Visibility, Spiral Geometry: Tips from the Creo Masters

Manikin Ancillary Objects, Toolpaths, Command Search: Tips from the Creo Masters

Lightweight AR, Sketch Regions, Custom Fractions: Tips from the Creo Masters

Shrinkwrap All Quilts, Custom Manikin Postures, CNC Drilling: Tips from the Masters

External References, Standard Profile Configurations, Annotation Elements: Tips from the Creo Master

Model Trees, AR Experiences, and Curved Surfaces: Tips from the Creo Masters

Tips from the Creo Masters: Build Your CAD Expertise in Just 15 Minutes

Copy Geometry, Simplify Meshes, Manipulate Rounds: Tips from the Creo Masters

IMPORTANT MESSAGE for Creo Users from Brian Thompson

Did You Know? Managing Parent/Child Annotations in Model-Based Definition

How to remove the outer and inner cut line paths on a cut line milling sequence using a helical sc

Did You Know? Customize the Model Tree for Maximum Usability

Creo Tips and Techniques Webcast Series (West)

Creo Tips & Techniques Webcast Series (East)