Activate Deactivate Feature in Design Table

[scopemaster]

I am new to Catia by 1 week. Have 9 years Solidworks. Attempting to create a design table for a part. How do you setup to Acitvate & Deactivate a feature such as a pocket or pad inside excel ? I tried the parameter \activity and set to true or false. But when I select the design with a false then a window pops up to deactivate. If I do not accept deactivate it will not suppress the fetaure. If I Do accept then it supresses the feature in all configuration? When I try and reselect where there is \activity is true the feature will not reactivate? What am I missing ? Is there a different approach?

Your only a failure if you quit trying

 

[scopemaster]

Found the answer to the original situation but ran into a differnt situation as a result. First found I was selecting the sketch of the feature. Where if I select the feature \activity its self the true or false works fine.

Now another issue has raised its ugly head. I have 3 parts in the assembly. All from the same model, but I want 3 different configurations. When I try and insert the model it wants to use the active configuration (Part number). When I try and change one of the configuration in the assembly all 3 change? How do you select the different configuration in the assembly? I tried remove and replace but the only selection I can find was the original parts file.

Your only a failure if you quit trying

 

[catiajim]

You will need to resolve the 3 configurations into 3 different parts.

 

[scopemaster]

Wow, Thats a Bummer !!!! So what is the design table good for then? Example In Solid Works a part has multiple configurations through a design table. And if I was to drag and drop (Yes Drag and Drop) 3 of the same models into an assembly, its as simple as a right clcick properties then select the configuration that specific part is to have. So a single Model will work with various configurations. Seems like a waste to create a design table thats unusable, where to resolve the cofiguration you might as well get the part and do a save as and then modify the features from the new model.

So I might ask - What is the Catalog all about? What about features such as bolts? Isn't that table driven ? I am sure that a table driven bolt can have multiple sizes in the assembly right? are the bolts to also have individual models?

Sorry to ask all this, Seems Catia is going to be a real task after knowing Solid Works as I do. I need to unlearn and relearn !!!!!

Your only a failure if you quit trying

 

[catiajim]

It's good for Family Of Parts applications, where you have several different part numbers defined as rows on the table. It also works well for use in Standards - i.e. I want to add a Standard UDF that's tied to a Design Table, I can select the configuration that I want.

Yes, the Catalog is Table Driven, but it will create a new CATPart document for each configuration chosen. Generally, most companies will resolve all of the parts in the Catalog (there is a batch job to do this automatically). But Bolts have different part numbers for different sizes and lengths. V5 is designed around the integrated Parts List concept, where you put in the AN3-4 Bolt, rather than a generic Bolt.

The other way that a Design Table can be used is to drive a fully parametric design. You can export all of your parameters to a Design Table, edit them in Excel (where it may be easier) and update CATIA from that. The Excel Spreadsheet can even use formulas and applications to drive the parameters more easily than you can in CATIA.

 

[solid7]

Sorry to ask all this, Seems Catia is going to be a real task after knowing Solid Works as I do. I need to unlearn and relearn !!!!!

What did you expect? Catia is Catia, and SolidWorks is SolidWorks - they're 2 completely different CAD systems. Do you think that Catia users would be happy moving to SolidWorks, expecting everything to be there, EXACTLY as they used it in Catia???

I can tell you right now, that if this is your first switch from one system to another, you might as well just get over it now, and keep a positive attitude. Guys who bring their "my CAD system is better than yours" approach, are a dime a dozen, and usually are at the VERY back of the pack.

We all learn the same way. You HAVE to put in the time, and staying positive along the way makes it bearable.


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Professional and reliable CAD design engineering services - Specializing in Catia V4, Catia V5, and CAD Translation. Catia V5 resources - CATBlog.

 

[scopemaster]

I am keeping an open mind and I am intent on learning Catia one way or the other. Right now I seem to be confronted with few issues. First I know Solid Works and I am aware Catia is a different animal all together. But unfortunately all I know at this moment is what Solid Works can do. I need to learn Catia no matter what. I can go right to Barns and Noble today and pick up 2 - 3 how to's with Solid Works. However there is nothing on Catia. I just began a new Job where Catia is the system I must learn. But there is no training or reference materials to work with. I am assured Advance training a few months from now. But mean while my primary Job project is to learn Catia.

My only reference is what I know about SolidWorks and try and locate fuctions in Catia.

Example, Solid Works Extrusion = Pad in Catia, Cut in Solid Works is Pocket in catia. A Solid Works Sweep is Rib in Catia.

So until I can locate a decent reference material to go by its a hunt and peck situation.

I am not making the My CAD system is better than your insuation at all. All I am trying to do is find the method to obtain the same result using Catia I had with Solid Works.

I have been told Catia has all the same and more features than Solid Works. I am trying to find it, thats all.

It seems that Catia is a total differnt language than Solidworks. My comment earlier was to be more specific in exacting wording: Maybe it would have been best to never had SolidWorks and begin as a newby in Catia.

But so far with what features I have been able to identify I can translate OK. Its the features I have yet idetify that are issues. And I am just confused over the use of a model with a design table within an assembly that seems ODD.

I was always under the impression a design table was to reduce file size and accurate revision control can be used within a design table. One Model x multiple configuration. What I am getting from this forum is One Model is a template to create more models with modified configurations. Is this a correct statement? If so OK, but it does affect the way I design and where I need to store individual parts.

Your only a failure if you quit trying

 

[solid7]

I was trying to just give you some good practical advice, not pick on you. The only thing that I meant specifically to nail you on, was that it IS a different system. (you seemed to have extra emphasis on the "learn and unlearn" issue) You weren't necessarily the guy with the attitude - it was just something to take note of, in case you are.

We've all been in the same place as you, for the most part. Imagine how hard it was for many of us, making the move from Catia V4 in UNIX, to Catia V5 on windows. Many of us had 10 or more years in that environment. When V5 was new, it was a real piece of trash for quite some time.


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Professional and reliable CAD design engineering services - Specializing in Catia V4, Catia V5, and CAD Translation. Catia V5 resources - CATBlog.

 

[catiajim]

You need to convice your managment that Basic Training is essential. They will waste more money on your flailing around and making mistakes then the training will ever cost. Even if they promise you advanced training later, you will still have some bad habits to unlearn.

If they are still unwilling, there are a couple of books out there. Check Amazon.com The books may be a couple of releases old (don't buy anything earlier than R10), but the fundamentals are still the same.

 

[Archangelz]

Does anyone believe that [red]Managed Representations[/red] may work for our friend here? It's a little over the top for a newbie but what the heck.

 

[scopemaster]

Just located an older R11 basic manual. Also located and on its way in Video Tutorials. Hopefully this will kick start it off.

The Basic manual is limited thought to simple parts and a simple assembly. In a fast review I saw nothing pertaining to the use of design tables and other advanced features.

I had also located another Catia Driver W-V5 experence. He has been at it for 8 years. But It appears all hes been working with were basic parts as well. Limited assemblies. So he was not as much help. His offer to the original issue was a design table and when a part is needed lauch the part configuration then RENDER it out as its own part than place in the assembly. Wasn' t much help.

You were right about one thing, Our company has 2-V4 drivers and they know very little about V5. All drivers are contracted personnel from all over the US.

My new Job is working in Aerospace. We retrofit Being 737 and 757 acft for Executives. We also mfg and install extended fuel tanks. We are required to use V5. Seems contracted personnel come and go. I am a local person with at least Solid Works back ground.Its a well established company that relocated to this area a year ago. Most all engineers and designers are brought in due to there is not enough local talent in this area to support the engineering needs at this time. Training is around the corner but not until I get over the 90 day probation period.

So for the next 9 weeks I am left to figure out as much as I can. Shame out of 70 engineers only 3 3D drivers and the one V6 has limited knowledge. All others or on the 2D AutoCad.


Your only a failure if you quit trying

 

[jackk]

what city do you live/work in, Scopemaster?

 

[scopemaster]

Georgetown, Delaware Primary complaint from contractor's is there is nothing to Do but work and fly home

Your only a failure if you quit trying