Selecting Geometric Elements on V4 Models

This task shows you how to display a CATIA V4 model workspace and select its geometric elements in 3DEXPERIENCE along with how to select a V4 subset in 3DEXPERIENCE for Hide / Show.

The Hide / Show functionality can be activated in the contextual menu of the subset.

Selecting Geometric Elements

This task describes how to select geometric elements on V4 Models.

  1. Open a model in 3DEXPERIENCE.
  2. Above the geometry area where the V4 model is displayed, click the workspace tab you wish to display (the FUSELAGE workspace in the model shown below, for example), the tab selected then "rises" relative to the other tabs.


  3. If you then wish to select a geometric element, expand the specification tree by clicking on the FUSELAGE item and then on one of the items with a plus sign, *SET5, for example. The specification tree will then look like this:


    A set is made up of subsets each containing lines, curves, surfaces, solids, dittos, etc. In the specification tree shown above these are easily identifiable (LN, CRV, SUR, etc.). A subset can be selected just like any other item for copy/paste, show/no-show operations, etc. However, you can of course select one or more of the lines, curves, solids, etc. contained in the subsets.

  4. Click the plus sign of the DIT subset and select the contents, *DIT13. Notice that the corresponding part of the model in the geometry area is highlighted as shown below:


    You can select an element by clicking it in:

    • the Specification Tree

    • the geometry area

    • by traps, for more information see, 3D Modeling Apps | 3DEXPERIENCE Platform | Working on Objects | Selecting | Selecting Using the Selection Traps.

    Note that if you select a Ditto (DIT) in the Specification Tree, you select all the components within the Ditto. For instance, if you hide a Ditto by transferring it to the No Show space, all the objects under Ditto will no longer be displayed in the Geometry area.

  5. Click the central part of the fuselage (not the blue component shown above). The corresponding solid is highlighted in the specification tree:


    As you can see above, in the specification tree, double-clicking boxes with a plus sign shows the component elements of that particular workspace or set. Clicking the minus sign hides the elements contained in the workspace or set.

Multi-Selecting V4 Components within the Specification Tree

This task describes how to multi-select V4 components within the Specification Tree.

  1. Open a model in 3DEXPERIENCE.


  2. In the Specification Tree, select the elements *FAC3, *FAC4, *FAC5 and *FAC6 in the Subset FAC by keeping the Ctrl key pressed.
  3. Select the Hide/ Show contextual command.


  4. As a consequence, these Faces disappear and they are now visible only in the Hide area.


    For more information about the Hide/ Show functionality, see 3D Modeling Apps | 3DEXPERIENCE Platform | Viewing | Hiding and Showing Objects.

  5. If you want to display the Faces in the Geometry area, select them again in the Specification Tree and select the Hide/ Show contextual command.
  6. Open a model and zoom in on this geometrical figure.
  7. If you select the Subset FAC in the Specification Tree, all the sub-elements will be selected as well:


  8. You can apply the Hide function on this group of elements:


  9. If you want to display the Faces in the Geometry area, right-click the subset FAC again in the Specification Tree and select Hide/ Show.
    Important: In a model (or cgr), the Hide / Show characteristics are not persistent in the 3DEXPERIENCE, even after a Save in database or Propagate operation.