Updating Parameters of xCAD Models

The Parametric Bridge command lets users update parameters in xCAD models.

Important: xCAD data created or saved in the following and later versions can deploy the Parametric Bridge update:
  • SOLIDWORKS 2021 SP1.
  • CATIA V5-6R2019 SP6.
  • CATIA V5-6R2020 SP4.
  • CATIA V5-6R2021 SP2.

This page discusses:

See Also
About Parameters

Background

The Parametric Bridge command lets CATIA V5 and SOLIDWORKS users modify the content of xCAD models after importing their models in POWER'BY.

Overview

xCAD Parametric Bridge technology exposes the parameters of an xCAD model by linking them with Knowledgeware models. When you modify these parameters, the xCAD model is updated to ensure design integration. You can deactivate this command.

Notes:
  • xCAD software (CATIA V5 or SOLIDWORKS) configured for POWER'BY integration needs to be installed to use this feature.
  • The parameters in SOLIDWORKS must be exposed by enabling the Add/Edit Parameters command under the Equations tree node.

To run the update faster, modify all parameters in a row, then click Update. A timeout management feature is available in cases where the update duration is long. This ensures that the 3DEXPERIENCE remains fully operational.

The update process modifies the data in the database. When the whole process (xCAD update, save, export) is completed, the model is refreshed and the output parameters, if any, are modified accordingly.

If the wrong parameter values cause the update process to fail, an error message is displayed in the PLM update error management window. The Parametric Bridge feature has a specific mask and tooltip that display the error content.

Warning: You should avoid creating several parametric bridges for a given structure. The best practice is to gather and expose all of the parameters at the root level, thereby creating only one parametric bridge for a given structure.

Table 1. Important Terminology
xCAD Model Product structure entity created withPOWER'BY integration from a CAD software outside the realm of the 3DEXPERIENCE (for example, CATIA V5 or SOLIDWORKS).
Parametric Bridge Feature that creates the link between modifiable parameters and an xCAD model to expose those parameters.