CATIA HINTS & TIPS for DRAFTING
GENERAL DRAFTING
1) Always
use the correct start-up model.
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Start-up models enable your company to pre-define drafting standards for
items such as Layers, Dimensions, Text Patterns, Formats etc. Your company
should have a start-up models for each environment that they use.
2) Minimize
the use of fake dimensions.
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There are rare occasions when you have to use Fake Dimensions. Every drawing
should be checked for Fake Dimensions using DIMENS2+MANAGE+VERIFY+FAKE
DIMENSION. The Checker should validate the use of any fake dimensions.
3) Associate
text with dimensions where applicable.
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Text (such as GD&T) can be associated to a dimension so that both entities
will travel together when you need to modify the location of your dimension.
TEXTD2+MANAGE+ASSOCIAT
4) Whenever
possible do not dimension to points or non-AUXVIEW2 generated elements.
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Selecting these elements will create non-associated dimensions. This means
when you modify your solid your dimensions will not reflect the change.
5) When positioning
the leader of a note, INDICATE where the leader will end.
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SELECTING AUXVIEW2 GENERATED ELEMENTS MAY PREVENT THE VIEW FROM PROPERLY
UPDATING.
6) When labeling
views use TEXTD2 to add text before & after the AUXVIEW2 text.
7) If you
want to add section locator text to the AUXVIEW2 section callout text,
Use
EXTD2+MANAGE+ASSOCIAT.
AUXVIEW2
8) Solids must
ALWAYS be updated before views can be successfully created.
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By far the most common reason for unsuccessful extractions in AUXVIEW2
is either poorly constructed solids or solids that haven’t been updated.
9) Make the
solid an UNSMART solid to enhance AUXVIEW2 performance.
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Unsmarting your solid can reduce update time from 25 to 50%. Design and
model with SMART solids, Draft with UNSMART solids.
10) Use AUXVIEW2
to monitor the quality of the solid as the solid design progresses.
11) Use AUXVIEW2
generated text for view name & scale.
12) Modify
AUXVIEW2 section lines after views have been detailed.
13) Max number
of background planes (views) allowed in a CATIA model; approx. 256.
14) Use /LINKS
to manage the models in your session that created your drawing
SAVING FILES
15) Unsmart
all solids
-
This greatly reduces the file space required and makes it easier for other
designers who are using your model in an assembly.
16) Update all
solids
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Ensuring that your solids are all updated, including DETAIL workspaces,
will help to minimize crashing and improve Auxview2 performance.
17) Update all
views