CAD Tutorials

CATIA V5 to SolidWorks Fuselage Bending

2009-08-21T09:24:00.001-04:00

This demo shows how to bend a fuselage of an airplane. CATIA and SolidWorks are shown here. Here're the major steps:

- Export from CATIA to STP
- Import into SolidWorks
- Make the assembly into a part
- Join all the bodies together
- Use the Flex tool to bend
- Export back to STP
- Import into CATIA V5

Of course, the drawback is that you will loose intelligence and constraint and will need to recreate them. But this is necessary since CATIA does not really have a flex equivalent tool.

SolidWorks DWG Editor - Quick Overview

2009-12-16T08:21:00.008-05:00

This is a quick demo of how DWG Editor (DE) works. It is an alternative to AutoCAD. The best part is that it ships for free with SolidWorks. So, if you're the occasional user, this would be a great solution for opening and reviewing legacy data from AutoCAD. DXF is also supported here. I noticed that it's less blotted with unnecessary functions than the recent AutoCAD releases have been plagued with. Although I run both on my machine and I find myself leaning more toward using DWG Editor. Now, don't get me wrong here, I still like AutoCAD and would use it for doing serious 2D design. But, for a quick and easy tasks, I find DE much more practical.

Sheetmetal Jeep design progress

2009-11-19T13:39:00.006-05:00

This is a teaser video of a sheetmetal Jeep made completely out of a single piece. I actually have the real model on my desk from a Japanese company called Amada. Also, I've uploaded a copy of the file if you want to visualize it in 3D. for a link click here.

If you don't have the free eDrawings viewer installed, you can download it from the SolidWorks website here.

CATIA V5 - How to use the Free Help System

2009-11-09T21:21:00.001-05:00

Many underestimate the amount of tutorials available in the CATIA V5 help. In this demo, the user learns how to maximize the use of the help documentation built right into the software. This way you don't need to buy a book every time you need assistance with a certain topic.

CATIA V5 Start to Finish in less than 15 min

2008-09-24T13:28:00.000-04:00

This is a tutorial of how to create a complete design from scratch in CATIA V5. It covers basic sketching, Part modeling, Assembly and 2D drafting. The video was a student request that had trouble piecing the whole "puzzle" together. The purpose of this video is to help such ones grasp the fundamental steps required in creating a proper product.

For a High Quality version download of the video, Please click on the link below:
Click here for HQ version

Mastercam - How to assign objects to Levels

2009-10-27T13:54:00.000-04:00

Sending objects and demensions to different levels in Mastercam can be tricky. This demo shows how to transfer existing elements after their creation. It also shows how to quickly change the attributes of an object such as a line to become a centerline.

CATIA V5 - How to use Ferderation in Generative Shape Design

2009-10-14T11:08:00.000-04:00

Sometimes when making design changes in V5, the user experiences errors. The reason is because the Federation option is not checked. Federation allows for drastic modifications while keeping the part intact.

SolidWorks - How to Use Pattern Based mate

2009-10-02T10:02:00.000-04:00

This demo shows how to use Pattern Based mates in SolidWorks. The trick is to have the windows tiled and drag the part into the assembly. The Part is to contain previously defined reference mates. Note the ability to change the mates after it was created to reverse the orientation.

CATIA V5 - Fluent CFD add-on

2009-10-02T09:52:00.000-04:00

Rapid Flow Modeling Demo from Fluent.

FLUENT for CATIA V5 software brings fluid flow and heat transfer analysis into the CATIA V5 product lifecycle management (PLM) environment. It fully integrates FLUENT rapid flow modeling technology into the CATIA PLM process. Operating within the native CATIA data structures, it provides a full generative relationship between your manufacturing-ready geometry models and the flow analysis model. Design, analysis, and optimization happen all within the single workflow of the CATIA V5 environment.

AutoCAD - How to quickly establish a relative origin

2009-09-18T13:27:00.000-04:00

This is a tip of how to create relative origin to place an element. This is a faster way than building construction geometry and having to hide or delete them. it also help those who don't have the exact coordinates. It is one of those hidden features in AutoCAD that's been there for a while and that not too many people know about. Enjoy!

Mastercam - Using different WCS for Multiple Setups

2009-09-08T19:36:00.000-04:00

This is a demo of how to create a Working Coordinate Systems for Multiple setup parts. The Part is machined from both sides (Top and Bottom)

How to extract "i get it" Flash Video to be viewed offline

2009-09-05T09:10:00.000-04:00

This demo shows how to save the videos from iget it ( an online video training service) to your local hard drive. The official website is found at myigetit.com. If you would like to view them offline without having an internet connection on or if you can't gain access to those videos because your subscription expired.

Mastercam - 2D Hi speed machining 2D Core Milling

2009-09-03T15:29:00.000-04:00

This is a demo of how to use the 2D high speed machinining function toolpath

Mastercam - How to machine an Open Pocket

2009-09-03T15:25:00.000-04:00

This is a short demo of how to create an open pocket machining operation.

Autodesk Inventor - Inserting Images and Creating a Decal

2009-08-18T11:15:00.000-04:00

This is a demo that shows how to insert an image in sketch mode. Then clean it up by using the decal tool. This method is very useful in cases where you need to make your design presentable.

CATIA V5 - How to make a Breakout view

2009-07-29T11:10:00.000-04:00

This is a demo of how to create a breakout view in the 2D drafting workbench.

CATIA V5 - Creating Views using different axis system

2009-07-07T16:27:00.000-04:00

This demo is for those who want to use a different Axis System than the absolute one provided by default in CATIA V5.

SolidWorks - Create and use Custom Title blocks

2009-04-01T08:07:00.000-04:00

Some users don't have the ability to change existing templates in SolidWorks. In this demo, you see how to create a 2D drawing template and then add as part of a custom template path without being a Windows admin. It is important to remember to switch from Novice mode to Advanced in order to see the tab page that contains your custom templates.

Remember to click the HD button at the bottom of the video. The quality keeps getting better!

Autodesk Inventor - How to create Projects

2009-05-12T11:34:00.000-04:00

In this demo we show how to create a project in Inventor. This is very useful when you have to handle more than one design project at a time. The user can easily switch between projects without having to worry about where files are being stored. Also, it minimizes the need to search for "misplaced" files on your network. It is simple,easy and does not require a guru to use it.

CATIA V5 - How to Open EXP Files

2009-06-12T14:27:00.000-04:00

There are cases when you'll received an EXP file. How would you open this file format? Thankfully, CATIA V5 has the tool that can do just that.

EXP files come from V4 and unlike *.model files, EXP files need to be extracted for V5 to see them. The process may seem hard, but it's actually isn't. Just follow the simple steps in the video and you should be OK. Please post your comments if you need more calcification.

SolidWorks Lip & Groove Feature

2009-06-18T08:16:00.000-04:00

This demo shows how to use the new Lip & Groove feature in SolidWorks. It is part of the fastening features and was added mainly for matching plastic parts in a quick and efficient way.

Autodesk Inventor - How to create a Variable Pitch Coil

2009-05-20T11:26:00.000-04:00

This demo shows how to build a Variable pitch coil or Helix cut on a cylindrical shaft. One good application for that is a Feed screw. Note that the original sketch has to always be shown so that it can be selected for axial reference. the final cut was done to clean up the design and make sure of a proper entry cut.

3D Printing - Objet Alaris 30

2009-01-14T23:34:00.000-05:00

I recently had a chance to receive training on a 3D printer from a company called Objet. For the longest time I was fascinated by this technology. I understood the general concept. But, after learning more about what makes these machines tick, it made me even more curious to explore it to the full. Needless to say I can't stop printing! I was there for a whole week learning how to print and do basic service of the machine. It basically will accept any STL formated file from virtually any CAD system. What I'm envisioning is a 3D scanner setup. Along with that is a CAD program such as SolidWorks. You can scan your model. Clean it up in the CAD system. Then export it as an STL file to be printed on the machine.

It is a bit tricky to get it going. But, it gets easier as you go.

Below is a promo video that shows how it does the magic.

Autodesk Inventor receives a CATIA V5 Translator

2009-01-07T18:35:00.000-05:00

Recently Autodesk introduced a CATIA V5 translator for the Inventor 2009 software. It supports CATIA files up to R18 (which is what most of us are running). This is a very significant feature. CATIA happens to be an expensive software to own and run. So, If you happen to be a design firm that occasionally gets some V5 files, this is a great solution. It works on both native V5 parts and assemblies. The best thing here is that it's a free download. You want to make sure that you're running service pack 1 in Inventor 2009. I had a chance to play with it and it looks very promising. The question that begs an answer is: Why doesn't SolidWorks have the same capability? It's owned by the same company that makes CATIA: Dassault Systemes! It's probably conflict of interest. Dassault probably doesn't want to see a mass exodus from it's CATIA ranks over to the cheaper midrange CAD software. Only the future will tell how Dassault will handle this delicate situation.

I've created video that shows how to use this feature.

CATIA V5 - Pocket Machining

2009-02-24T14:31:00.000-05:00

This is a simple demo that shows how to machine a pocket using Prismatic machining in CATIA V5 NC.