With PTC Creo 3.0, multi-CAD design is easier than ever. Multiple enhancements to PTC Creo have made multi-CAD design a seamless, user-friendly process. For example, with PTC Creo 3.0 it is no longer necessary to install any additional 3rd party software to open foreign data sets. In this post, CAD Product Manager, Marc Schuetz explains how the recent enhancements, known as Unite Technology, help you to improve collaboration between multiple formats or consolidate to a single CAD tool.
CATIA, SolidWorks and NX parts can be opened and referenced in PTC Creo. And format specific profiles and templates can load foreign data as easy as PTC Creo data. Once defined, profiles automatically control which information gets into sessions without any additional dialogues or user interaction. The benefit is that users can start to position foreign assemblies right away. Users can distinguish the different formats in the model tree by the individual file icons and file extensions. Once a user begins work, PTC Creo automatically tracks changes made to the foreign data in their native systems to keep the designs up to date. To begin the process, open the Model tab, click Assemble, select your item and click Open.
In this example, an NX file is opened in the same manner as a PTC Creo file.
Another new capability introduced with Unite Technology is the ability to update and export SolidWorks data. Designers can quickly and easily integrate their updates without the presence of an additional license.
PTC Creo 3.0 also enables users to import SolidEdge parts and assemblies. During the import process of SolidEdge data, the user has the ability to decide which information to import or to simply use the standard template for foreign data. This follows the same process as before with one exception. Once you select your item, click Import. The Import New Model dialogue box will appear for you to edit. Click OK to save your changes. The imported geometry can easily be referenced using all available assembly constraints. Ultimately, PTC Creo 3.0 provides a single platform where all major CAD formats can be integrated, developed into multi-CAD product designs and validated.
The name of the new model was changed to match the original file name.
To learn more about working in a multi-CAD environment with PTC Creo Parametric, check out our video tutorial on the PTC Creo University Learning Exchange (“PTC Creo Unite Technology - Working in a Multi-CAD Environment”).
Stay tuned to our “Did You Know” blog series as we cover all of the exciting, new enhancements in PTC Creo 3.0.
Have some ideas about what PTC Creo product features you’d like to learn more about? Send me a message or leave a comment below and we’ll write up the best ideas from the community. Thanks for reading, looking forward to all of your feedback!
In case you missed it, see what’s new and check out our recent Did You Know posts covering PTC Creo 3.0 enhancements:
