Selecting Federators and Sub-Federators in CATIA V4 Models

This task explains how you can select either the Federator or the Sub-Federator within a V4 Model.

In a V4 Model containing Federative and Sub-Federative elements like Skins and Faces, a new switch allows you to choose between two modes of selection.

In the Sub-Federative Elements Mode, user highlights and selects the Faces (*FAC) whereas in the Federative Element Mode, user selects the Skin (*SKI) as a whole.

The Hide / Show is made according to the selection.

This task shows you how to:

Basic steps

This task describes basic steps for Selecting Federators and Sub-Federators in CATIA V4 Models.

Open a V4 Model containing a Federator and Sub-Federator such as Skin (*SKI) and Faces (*FAC) in 3DEXPERIENCE:



From the action bar, select General > Mode.

There are two selection modes of Federators. The highlight and selection are made according to the selected Mode options. In the Sub-Federative Element Mode, the sub-federative element is highlighted and selected. The default mode is:

  • the Federative Elements Mode in V4 Integration.

  • the Sub-Federative Elements Mode in a "DMU" context or in a "CGR" (see picture below).



Federative Element Mode

This task describes the Federative Element Mode.

  1. From the action bar, select General > Mode > Federative Elements Mode .

    The federative element is highlighted and selected as a whole.

  2. Select the Skin in the geometry of the model. The whole Skin is highlighted and selected.


  3. Right-click the Skin and select Hide / Show.

    As the selection is global, the whole Skin is hidden.



Sub-Federative Element Mode

This task describes the Sub-Federative Element Mode.

  1. From the action bar, select General > Mode > Sub-Federative Elements Mode .
  2. Select a Face in the geometry of the model. Only the Face is highlighted and selected.


  3. Right-click the Face and select Hide / Show.

    Only the Face is hidden or shown.



    The Federative Element Mode does not allow to select federative elements like volumes (*VOL).