Creo Parametric Shrinkwrap

[Rode Neagle]

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As a mechanical designer, I look at 3D CAD models across different formats (.stp/.igs/.stl). Especially while working with files across formats it is possible to run into challenges while running it with your home software, which in my case is Creo 4.0 from PTC. I have now used this tool for 4 years and would like to share few tricks that can be of use while working on Creo.

I will cover 5 topics and they are random commands that I had to use and which I thought I would like to share with other PTC users. Some maybe familiar, but am sure at-least one will help the end user.

The shrinkwrap command is used to make bigger assembly file into a single surface file. its sometimes difficult to send large CAD files across e mails and certain companies do not like showing the intricate details of their CAD models. This is where shrinkwrap comes in handy. However, more often it is easier to run into regeneration errors (see the image below)

2. While selecting individual surface make sure to choose "seed and boundary" and check the "include boundary surface box". Collect these surfaces individually. It might take a while selecting surfaces according to the construction (but it works).

Additional tip: Remove all the hardware, this makes the assembly very much lighter and easy to process. I can explain in another blog how to remove hardware easily without manually having to "exclude" them in simplified representations.

Neutral files is a great option to have in creo. This file is used generally while sending part or assembly files with annotations. Another user could just open it in his computer and see the existing annotations in the 3D model. Recently I came across a situation where I had many foreign file (like .igs) and had to convert them into .prt files and also have the existing parameters. These parameters were essential to drive the parameters in the drawing file. If this issue comes while working with the CAD models be ready to say thanks and welcome the neutral file in Creo.

Creo follows the parent child relationship in sketch, part and assembly. As designers it s very common to have multiple iterations from the hand sketch phase to the final drawing for prototype. So following a design methodology and rules is very important. The initial sketch for a simple extrude can cause major problems when assemblies are getting bigger and heavier.

If this is not strictly remembered or followed, half the time might be spent in fixing regenerative errors and this can become a repetitive work hereby causing a lack of efficiency. Below I will give you a technique for replacing sketching references. This is now added in creo 4.0 and comes in handy

For example if you have to change a circular sketch or curve to a square entity or line, there could be an error if there is a round feature attached to it. Or in the assembly structure that could be a reference to that edge. This is a common design change scenario. Here is where this comes helpful (see below

In the sketcher mode there is an option called replace a sketch entity ( this could have been somewhere else in creo 3 or lower versions). So first draw the intended square or line and then replace the references. In this way the regenerative errors can be avoided and saves time.

PTC for some reason removed the existing inbuilt rendering tool and replaced it with scene editor. This exist under the view tab, scenes options. The rendering is not as photo realistic as it used to be and there are few options. But the good thing with this is it comes with the basic version.

The appearance editor gives a few options to edit scene, environment, lights and background. I would say these options are enough if high quality images are not required. To get high quality images PTC has integrated Keyshot plugin. Keyshot is originally from Luxion and it is easy to use software.

The interesting feature of this plugin is that it allows you to have real time rendering options. For example Keyshot accepts parent creo files and this is a huge advantage as this gives more flexibility to get intricate details. if not Keyshot itself has inbuilt editing tools. That said lets see what live linking is

All you need to do is add a chamfer on the CAD model on your creo window and hen hit update in the Keyshot tab. This is possible only when Keyshot is open and running in another window. This automatically updates the feature. Earlier you might have to close the file and save it again and then import it to keyshot. Now the live linking tool increases the efficiency and smooth transitioning of the product.

Hope this article and tips were helpful. Please share your comments and thoughts if you have any. I will be most likely to get the feedback. This is my first article and improvements are always welcome. Please write to me; sebastianm...@gmail.com

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