Generic Actions on Multi-CAD Data in CATIA V5
The Derived Format Converter tool is a pre-requisite for managing multi-CAD data in CATIA V5.
Multi-CAD data is managed in CATIA V5 using the ExactGeometry derived format.
A VPMReference is projected as a CATProduct in CATIA V5. A 3DPart is projected as a CATPart. A 3DShape is projected as a CATPart attached as a managed representation. For more information, see Social and Collaborative: 3DEXPERIENCE Open: Collaborative Design: Derived Format Converter.
You cannot generate the ExactGeometry derived output for a representation having no geometry. However, you can still open the assembly even if you are not able to generate ExactGeometry on such data. As a CATIA V5 designer, you can view your data in context of the changes done in 3DEXPERIENCE native client.
The table below lists the generic actions on SOLIDWORKS, NX, and CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE data:
| Actions on Multi-CAD Data | Description |
|---|---|
| Performing a full open on multi-CAD data | When you open an assembly that contains multi-CAD data in CATIA V5, a temporary document is created for each product.
This action also opens a CATPart in the read-only mode for each multi-CAD 3DPart.
An error message appears if a linkable CATPart is missing. A warning message
appears if a linkable CATPart is obsolete. Click Yes in the
warning message to open the obsolete CATPart. You can open and visualize multiple 3DShapes, Products, and 3DParts attached to a 3DEXPERIENCE or SOLIDWORKS assembly as a representation. The CATParts emulating 3DShapes or 3DParts are attached to their parent products as representations in the specification tree. In the Manage Representations dialog box, the 3DShapes or 3DParts appear in the same order as they appear in the specification tree. The first 3DShape or 3DPart appears as the default. When you open a standalone 3DShape or 3DPart, the associated CATPart appears in CATIA V5. You can open the CATPart in the visualization mode. The SOLIDWORKS data model does not create any standalone 3DShape or 3DPart. |
| Identifying multi-CAD data | Specific icons appear for multi-CAD data in the CATIA V5 specification tree. The  icon
appears for outdated data. It means the representation loaded in session may not
correspond to the original native data. You must relaunch Derived Format Converter
for regenerating the ExactGeometry derived format. |
| Performing a partial and cumulative open on multi-CAD data | You can partially open a multi-CAD assembly in CATIA V5. In this case, branches are created on the
temporary CATProducts. You can perform a cumulative open to add additional
branches. You can partially open the selected Products, 3DShapes, or CATParts. The objects are attached to their respective products. You can perform cumulative open on these objects. The representations appear in the Manage Representations dialog box in the order in which you perform the successive open operations. In this dialog box, you cannot activate or deactivate representations. |
| Using the doc chooser | You can use the doc chooser for multi-CAD data. |
| Saving multi-CAD data | When you save multi-CAD data in 3DEXPERIENCE, the modified status
appears in the Save dialog box for attribute changes. When
you save data, Design with CATIA
V5 checks for the following structure modifications:
You cannot perform the following actions on 3DShapes in CATIA V5:
|
| Managing local files | A CATPart that emulates a multi-CAD 3DPart appears in the Manage Local Files dialog box. You can delete it using the same rules as that for V5 parts. |
| Working with 3DShapes under a V5 product |
You can insert 3DShapes that are shared representations in a V5 product in Product Structure Editor. The V5 product does not support multi-representation. When you open the V5 Product, only the default representation of the product is activated. If the V5 product already had some attached representations before insertion, the default representation will be retained. If the V5 product did not have any attached representation before insertion, the first representation in the tree order will be the default one. You can activate or change the default representation in the Manage Representations dialog box. You cannot to remove or replace such representations in this dialog box. You must complete this action in Product Structure Editor. When you perform a partial open on the V5 product, the selected default representation is activated. |
| Refreshing the file status | You can use Refresh file status on multi-CAD data. |
| Performing operations on a 3DPart |
You can create a 3DPart in CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE, NX, or SOLIDWORKS. You can insert this part under a CATIA V5 CATProduct, or embedded component. You can perform the following operations on the part:
The objects that you have not modified will not be included in the save scope. You cannot use the context menu commands on these objects. You can save the 3DEXPERIENCE instance reordering in the CATIA V5 tree. You can automatically reconnect the revised, new, and duplicated CATIA V5 children with their 3DEXPERIENCE parent.
Note:
If there are instance errors for a multi-level structure, the higher level
instance error appears first. Once it gets resolved, the next level instance
error is displayed.
|
| Loading objects from 3DEXPERIENCE | You can use Load from 3DEXPERIENCE on a 3DPart located under a V5 product. |
| Locking and unlocking multi-CAD data | You can lock and unlock multi-CAD data. |