Param Win PDF

Parametric Design with Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting
Windows User Interface
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting 20.3.2.0
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Contents
Preface ......................................................................................................................8
Introduction.................................................................................................................9
Roadmap ...........................................................................................................10
What is Parametric Design? ................................................................................10
Starting Parametric Design.................................................................................. 11
Basic Working Methods....................................................................................... 11
Learning to Use Parametric Design ......................................................................13
Generating Variations ................................................................................................14
Roadmap ...........................................................................................................15
Load the Master Part...........................................................................................15
List the Current Constraints .................................................................................16
Change Parameter Values...................................................................................16
Solve for the Variation .........................................................................................17
Saving and Restoring the Parameter Value Table ..................................................18
Working with Parametric Design .................................................................................20
Roadmap ...........................................................................................................21
Part Preparation .................................................................................................21
Assigning Constraints .........................................................................................25
Solve .................................................................................................................32
Application .........................................................................................................36
Constraint Types .......................................................................................................41
Constraint Types ................................................................................................42
Angle .................................................................................................................42
Collinear ............................................................................................................44
Dimension..........................................................................................................44
Distance ............................................................................................................46
Fillet ..................................................................................................................49
Horizontal ..........................................................................................................50
Mirror.................................................................................................................51
Parallel ..............................................................................................................52
Perpendicular .....................................................................................................54
Point on .............................................................................................................55
Reference Element .............................................................................................56
Reference Point..................................................................................................57
Same Distance ...................................................................................................57
Same Size .........................................................................................................58
Size ...................................................................................................................59
Slope .................................................................................................................59
4 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Symmetry Line ...................................................................................................60
Tangent..............................................................................................................61
Vertical ..............................................................................................................62
X-Distance and Y-Distance ..................................................................................63
Parameters...............................................................................................................64
Creating Parameters...........................................................................................65
Assigning Parameters .........................................................................................66
Editing Parameter Definitions ..............................................................................67
Setting Parameter Values ....................................................................................71
Dimension Driven Modification ...................................................................................73
Roadmap ...........................................................................................................74
Overview............................................................................................................74
Viewing Parametric Dimensions...........................................................................74
Display Attributes of Parametric Dimensions.........................................................75
Modifying Parametric Dimension Values...............................................................76
Swapping Parametric Dimensions........................................................................77
Design Intent Capture................................................................................................79
Roadmap ...........................................................................................................80
Overview............................................................................................................80
Flexibility............................................................................................................80
Enabling, Disabling and Inquiring .........................................................................80
Elements Affected ..............................................................................................81
Constraint Creation.............................................................................................81
Operations on Existing Geometry.........................................................................83
Advanced Topics and Tips .........................................................................................86
Roadmap ...........................................................................................................87
Geometry Cleaning.............................................................................................87
A Simple Sketch Input Implementation .................................................................88
Zone Gymnastics................................................................................................91
Parametric Control of Splines ..............................................................................93
Rigid Bodies: Applications and Tips......................................................................94
Implementing Replication in Parametric Design ....................................................96
Allowing Rotation................................................................................................97
Working with Multiple Parts..................................................................................97
Using Modify With Parametric Design...................................................................98
Automatic Constraint Generation .........................................................................99
A Short Description of the Solver........................................................................ 101
How Expressions are Evaluated ........................................................................ 101
Invisible Geometry ............................................................................................ 102
Examples ............................................................................................................... 104
Roadmap ......................................................................................................... 105
Introduction ...................................................................................................... 105
Example 1: Introductory Design Example ........................................................... 106
Example 2: Symmetry Lines .............................................................................. 115
Example 3: Two Views ...................................................................................... 122
Contents 5
Example 4: Macros ........................................................................................... 126
Example 5: Rigid Bodies ................................................................................... 132
Appendix A.Tutorial ................................................................................................. 136
Exercise 1 ........................................................................................................ 137
Exercise 2 ........................................................................................................ 140
Hints and Tips .................................................................................................. 143
Appendix B.Parametric Design Command Syntax...................................................... 145
PD_AUTO_ANGLE_TOLERANCE function ........................................................ 147
PD_AUTO_SAME_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE function ....................................... 147
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_COLOR function......................................................... 147
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINE function ............................................................. 147
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINETYPE function..................................................... 148
PD_AUTO_TANGENT_TOLERANCE function ................................................... 148
PD_AUTO_ZERO_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE function ....................................... 148
PD_CLEAN_DRAWING command .................................................................... 148
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR command ............................................................. 149
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_TEXT_SIZE command ....................................................... 149
PD_FIX command ............................................................................................ 150
PD_FREE command......................................................................................... 156
PD_HIDE_DIMENSIONS command................................................................... 158
PD_INFO_CONSTRAINT function ..................................................................... 158
PD_INFO_ELEMENT function ........................................................................... 158
PD_MAKE_DIMENSIONS command ................................................................. 158
PD_MODIFY_DIMENSION command................................................................ 159
PD_NEW_C_LINE_COLOR function ................................................................. 159
PD_NEW_C_LINE_LINETYPE function ............................................................. 159
PD_NEW_C_LINE_VISIBILITY function............................................................. 160
PD_NEW_POINT_COLOR function ................................................................... 160
PD_NEW_POINT_LINETYPE function............................................................... 160
PD_NEW_POINT_VISIBILITY function .............................................................. 160
PD_PARAM_ADD command ............................................................................. 160
PD_PARAM_FIX command............................................................................... 161
PD_PARAM_INQ function ................................................................................. 161
PD_PARAM_REMOVE command...................................................................... 162
PD_PARAM_SAVE function .............................................................................. 163
PD_PARAM_SHOW function............................................................................. 163
PD_PREVIEW_COLOR function ....................................................................... 163
PD_RESOLVE command .................................................................................. 163
PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_TOLERANCE function................................................. 164
PD_RIGID_ADD command ............................................................................... 164
PD_RIGID_REMOVE command ........................................................................ 165
PD_RIGID_REFRESH_TABLE function ............................................................. 165
PD_RIGID_SHOW function ............................................................................... 165
PD_SHOW function .......................................................................................... 165
PD_SHOW_CLEAR function ............................................................................. 167
PD_SHOW_COLOR function ............................................................................ 168

PD_SHOW_LABEL_SIZE function..................................................................... 169
PD_SHOW_MOVE_TEXT function .................................................................... 169
PD_SHOW_USE_POSTFIX function ................................................................. 169
PD_USE_DIMENSION command ...................................................................... 169
PD_ZONE_ADD command ............................................................................... 170
PD_ZONE_REMOVE command ........................................................................ 170
PD_ZONE_SHOW function ............................................................................... 170
parameter name ............................................................................................... 170
Appendix C.Parametric Design Defaults.................................................................... 172
Setting Icon Defaults From the Screen Menu. ..................................................... 173
The PD_Defaults File ........................................................................................ 174
Index...................................................................................................................... 178
Contents 7
Preface
This manual describes the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Parametric Design &
Drafting System (Parametric Design). Parametric Design adds full constraint-
based and parametric modeling capabilities to Creo Elements/Direct Drafting
without imposing limitations on your current working methods. Any existing Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting drawing can be used with Parametric Design, and
drawings created by the software are fully compatible with Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting.
Parametric Design addresses the needs of the Design Engineer or Industrial
Designer as well as the Draftsperson. For the Designer, the software provides a
complete set of tools for assigning and evaluating sets of parameters and
constraints on an existing part. For the Draftsperson, Parametric Design provides
an efficient interface for generating variation parts from pre-constrained "master"
parts.
Any Parametric Design user should be familiar with Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting itself for the best results. If you are not familiar with Creo Elements/
Direct Drafting, we recommend that you refer to the Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting User's Guide manual before continuing with Parametric Design.

1
Introduction
Roadmap..................................................................................................................10
What is Parametric Design? .......................................................................................10
Starting Parametric Design ........................................................................................ 11
Basic Working Methods ............................................................................................. 11
Learning to Use Parametric Design.............................................................................13
9
Roadmap
Read this chapter first. It overviews the Parametric Design software, introduces
several important terms, and directs you to the sections that tell you how to how to
start Parametric Design and how to use it.
What is Parametric Design?

The Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Parametric Design & Drafting System
software (Parametric Design) adds powerful parametric and constraint-based
modeling capabilities to Creo Elements/Direct Drafting.
Parametric modeling allows you to attach "names" or parameters to drawing
dimensions, such as radii or lengths, and then to change the drawing by changing
the numerical values or expressions associated with these parameters.
Constraint-based modeling allows you to specify geometric properties and
relationships. The software then modifies the part so that these constraints are
satisfied. For example, you can say "these two elements should be tangent," or
"this line should be horizontal," or "this dimension should have such-and-such a
value."
Parametric Design combines both types of modeling into a module that allows you
to quickly and easily perform modifications that are beyond the scope of the basic
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Modify toolset.
With Parametric Design tools you can use any existing part as a template for
generating variations or a family of parts that otherwise would have to be drawn
from scratch. Figure 1. Master Part & Three Variations on page 11 below shows a
"master" part and three variations that were generated with Parametric Design.
Once constraints and parameters were defined for the master part with Parametric
Design, each variation was generated by modifying only one dimension on the
master.

Figure 1. Master Part & Three Variations
Parametric Design provides these capabilities without changing existing Creo

Elements/Direct Drafting functionality or procedures. Loading the Parametric
Design module does not change any existing Creo Elements/Direct Drafting
menus or commands, so your drawing methods need not change to use it. You can
use any existing Creo Elements/Direct Drafting part with Parametric Design, and
parts generated by Parametric Design will be fully compatible with Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting. The constraint and parametric information generated by
the software is added directly to the master part (as info text), and is automatically
stored/recovered along with the part.
Starting Parametric Design

In Creo Elements/Direct Drafting, click on Parametric to display the Parametric
Design menu.
Basic Working Methods

For the Draftsperson
Parametric Design gives the Draftsperson a simple, efficient interface for
generating variations from pre-constrained parts. When a pre-constrained part is
loaded into Creo Elements/Direct Drafting, all parameters that can accept value
Introduction 11
input appear in a table on this menu along with their current values. To generate
variations of the part, the Draftsperson sets the appropriate values for any or all of
these parameters and then issues a Solve command. Parametric Design then
generates the variation, which can be saved, copied, or modified further.
For the Designer

The Designer or Engineer uses Parametric Design to assign, evaluate, and modify
constraints and parameters on that part. Once the constraints and parameters are in
place, Solve can be used to generate variations. The typical steps needed to
constrain a part are as follows:
Preparation
Model inconsistencies can cause unexpected results in Parametric Design and
should usually be resolved before assigning constraints to a part. The Clean
command checks parts for inconsistencies such as extra points and duplicated or
stacked geometry; and optionally adjusts or removes the offending elements.
Parametric Design operates on drawing elements within its zone. The zone may
contain an entire part or selected elements of a part. The Zone commands select
elements for the zone.
Assign Constraints
Before you can use Parametric Design to generate variations from a part,
constraints must be assigned to the part. These constraints must be sufficient to
tell the parametric solver exactly what to do with each element in the zone to
generate the variation. If elements are not constrained or are incorrectly
constrained, the solver will not be able to generate the variation.
Constraints may be assigned manually or automatically. Typically, the designer
uses a combination of methods as follows:
1. Assign a full set of constraints that completely define the part's current
configuration:
a. Manually assign a few reference constraints and perhaps symmetry line
constraints to important elements in the part.
b. If large sections of the part's geometry can move together as a single unit,
collect these sections into rigid bodies using the Generate Rigids
command. This can greatly reduce the number of constraints needed on the
part.
c. Use Complete to automatically assign a reasonable set of constraints to the
remaining elements.

2. If you used Solve to generate variations, check the potential result(s) by means
of Preview. You may need to modify certain constraints to better reflect your
design intentions.
3. Modify constraints as needed to generate the desired variation from the current
configuration. You may add or delete constraints or change the values
associated with existing constraints to come up with the variation you want.
Use the Assign action in the Generate Constraints dialog box to manually assign
or modify constraints. Usually, you click the Assign radio button, select a
constraint type (such as: Angle, Dimension, Size), and then select the drawing
element(s) to receive the constraint. Iconic call-outs are used to label constraints
as they are assigned.
Angle, distance, and dimensional constraints, among others, may be given
parametric as well as numerical values when you assign them. A parametric value
may be a text label, an Creo Elements/Direct Drafting expression, or a macro
name which is resolved at solve time to generate a numeric value for the
constraint. Parameters can perform math functions and can reference other
parameters when they are resolved. You aren't required to use parametric
constraints, but they are an especially powerful feature of the software.
Solve for the Variation

After you have constrained your part, use the Solve command to solve the set of
constraints and generate the variation. Parametric Design will attempt to create
new geometry that fits the constraints by adjusting sizes, locations, and
relationships of elements in the part. If the current set of constraints is inconsistent
or incomplete, the solver can selectively highlight the offending areas. A variation
can be previewed before actually being generated, and it can be generated either
as a copy of or as a replacement for the original geometry.
Learning to Use Parametric Design

The best way to learn Parametric Design is to work with the software, consulting
this manual as needed for clarification. Examples on page 104 provides several
work-along examples that we recommend you try. To encourage you in this, we
have included the parts used in the examples along with the Parametric Design
software. You need only load the parts into Creo Elements/Direct Drafting to
begin working with the examples.
In addition to the examples, the manual contains a command reference in
Parametric Design Command Syntax on page 145. The command reference is also
available online through the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting help facilities.
Introduction 13
2
Generating Variations
Roadmap..................................................................................................................15
Load the Master Part .................................................................................................15
List the Current Constraints........................................................................................16
Change Parameter Values .........................................................................................16
Solve for the Variation................................................................................................17
Saving and Restoring the Parameter Value Table.........................................................18

Roadmap
Read this chapter to learn how to generate variations from parts that have already
been constrained and parameterized with Parametric Design. To learn how to
assign constraints and parameters, go on to Working with Parametric Design on
page 20 after you read this chapter.
Parametric Design provides an efficient interface for generating new parts
(variations) from a master part that has already been processed through Parametric
Design. Once you load a master part into Creo Elements/Direct Drafting, you need
only supply a few parameter values and issue a Solve command to generate a
particular variation. Again, the basic working method for generating a variation of
a pre-processed master part is:
1. Load the master part.
2. Click Current Constraints in Parametric.
3. Change parameter values as needed in the Parameter Value Table.
4. Solve to generate the variation.
The following sections describe each step.
Load the Master Part

A master part can be any Creo Elements/Direct Drafting part that has Parametric
Design constraint and parameter data associated with it. This data is generated by
the Designer using Parametric Design and is automatically stored along with the
part when it is saved to a file. Parametric Design data is loaded back into Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting whenever you load the master part with the standard
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Load functions.
Parametric Design operates only on the current Creo Elements/Direct Drafting
part. If you load a drawing that contains several parts, you must make sure that the
part you wish to use as the master is the current Creo Elements/Direct Drafting
part. Use the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Edit_part command to select a
particular part to be current.
To confirm that the part you've loaded has the necessary Parametric Design data
associated with it to be a master part, check the parameter value table in the
Current Constraints dialog box. If no entries appear in the table after you load a
part or make it the current part, it cannot be used as a Parametric Design master
from this menu.
Generating Variations 15
List the Current Constraints
To create variations from a master part, display the Current Constraints dialog
box. Then click Advanced to display the parameter value table. When you load a
master part into Creo Elements/Direct Drafting, one or more entries appear in this
table. Each entry contains a parameter name and a value. The parameter names
correspond to elements in the master part that you can modify. The value entries
represent the values that will be assigned to the corresponding drawing elements
by the next Solve command.
Change Parameter Values

Use the parameter value table to specify how variations of the master part should
be generated. When you change the value for a parameter listed in the table, you
tell Parametric Design to modify all elements in the master part that are
constrained to depend on this parameter. The constraints on the part determine
exactly what modifications will occur. The changes are not actually made until
you issue a Solve command.
To change the value for a parameter, simply select its entry from the table and
enter the new value from the keyboard. If there are too many entries to view at
once, use the scroll bar beside the table. The type of value you give (linear,
angular, or point) depends on the type of the parameter. Usually, the parameter
name will be descriptive enough to indicate what type of value is expected. It is
easy to tell if a point value is expected, because point parameters take up two slots
in the table. The upper slot contains the x coordinate of the point and the lower
slot contains the y coordinate. Note that you still enter point values using the
standard Creo Elements/Direct Drafting x,y format.
If you need more specific information about the correspondence between
parameter entries in the table and the elements in the master part, click Show in
Current Constraints. When you click Show, elements in the master that have
parameters assigned to them are highlighted or marked with icons as described
below.
If a parameter is associated with a dimension in the part, the parameter name is
appended to the corresponding dimension text and both are highlighted (in CYAN
by default). By examining the dimension, you can tell whether the parameter
requires linear or angular input.
Parameter names may also be associated with several kinds of geometric
constraints that have been assigned to the master part by a designer. If any of the
parameters in the value table are associated with geometric constraints and click
Show, these constraints are marked with icons as well as with the parameter name.
Each type of geometric constraint has a unique icon to identify it. Icons and
parameter labels are drawn in CYAN by default. Your current text font is used to

display the parameter names. Consult Constraint Types on page 41 for complete
information on geometric constraints, their icons, and the types of values to be
supplied to each.
The Show highlighting is removed whenever you use Solve to generate a
variation. Alternately, click the Clear radio button in Generate Constraints and
then select All Types to remove the highlighting.
Note
If the icons produced by Show are too large or too small, you can resize them
using the Icon Setting dialog box.
Solve for the Variation

Once you've filled out the parameter value table, use the Solve command to create
a variation with the desired values. Solve has three options:
• Preview
• Keep
• No Keep
Preview
By default, the solver works in Preview mode. The variation is computed, but is
not actually created. Instead, an outline of the variation is superimposed over the
current part. This gives you a good idea of what the new variation will look like
without creating any new geometry or overwriting any existing geometry. If the
preview indicates that the new variation is acceptable, you can actually create the
new variation by re-solving with the Keep or No Keep options. The preview lines
drawn by Preview are removed when you click End.
Keep
The Keep option generates the variation and inserts it into the current part as a
modified copy of the original part. When you click Keep, the solver computes the
variation and temporarily overlays it onto the current part so that you can see what
it looks like. If the variation is not what you want, click End or Undo immediately
to restore the original part. If the variation is OK, click a reference point for
moving the new part, and then drag it to the desired location. After you've inserted
as many copies as you want, click End. The overlaid variation is removed, and
your original part is now restored.
Depending on how the master part was originally constrained, elements of the
master such as construction geometry and dimensioning may not appear in copies
made with No Keep. Also, the copies will not normally be affected by subsequent
Solve commands. To change any of these behaviors, you will most likely need to
modify the zone memberships and/or constraints in the master part. See Working
with Parametric Design on page 20 for details.
No Keep
Select the No Keep option if you want the solver to replace your current part with
the variation. If the result of the solve is not what you expect, click Undo
immediately to restore your original part. You can continue to modify the part by
entering new values into the parameter table and re-solving.
Saving and Restoring the Parameter

Value Table
The Save and Input buttons in the Current Constraints dialog box allow you to
write out the current parameter value table to a file and later restore it. This feature
lets you build a "library" of value tables that can be used to drive the master part.
The advantage of this is that a series of standard parts based on a single master
part can be stored as a single MI file (the constrained master part) and a collection
of parameter value files. This arrangement takes up much less disk space than if
an individual MI file were stored for each part in the series. To recreate any
member of the series, you need only load the master part, Input the desired
parameter value table, and Solve.
Note
When the parameter value table is written out, all Parametric Design
parameters for the master part are written to the file. A number of these
parameters may be expressions, which are used by the software, but do not
appear in the table. Don't modify or remove these parameters from the output
file!
Save the Parameter Value Table

To Save the current parameter value table to a file:
1. Click Save in Current Constraints.
2. Enter the name of the file to write out at the prompt.
3. Click Save.

Restore a Parameter Value Table
To Input a parameter value table:
1. If necessary, Load the master part that the value table file refers to. Use EDIT_
PART to make sure that the master is the current part.
2. Click Input in Current Constraints.
3. Enter the name of the parameter value file to input.
4. To apply the values from this table to the part, click Solve.
Creating a Parameter Value Table by Hand

The file created when you Save a parameter value table is an ASCII macro file
that contains one PD_PARAM_FIX command for each entry in the table, e.g.,
PD_PARAM_FIX 'Width' 37.5. It is relatively easy, therefore, to build your own
parameter value tables outside of Creo Elements/Direct Drafting using an ordinary
text editor. When writing a value table file by hand, keep the following points in
mind:
• It may be very helpful later on if you include comment lines in your file that
identify the master part this file applies to!
• Make sure that each PD_PARAM_FIX command in your file corresponds to a
value parameter in the master part. If in doubt, Save a parameter value table
with Parametric Design and use this file as a template for your own files.
• When Parametric Design saves a parameter value table, it includes several
macros in the output file which ensure that the values are restored in the
correct units. When you create this file by hand, you are responsible for
ensuring that the units used in the file correspond to the current Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting units when you restore it. One way to do this is to
include the macros used by Parametric Design in your own files (use any
system-created value table file as a template).
3
Working with Parametric Design
Roadmap..................................................................................................................21
Part Preparation ........................................................................................................21
Assigning Constraints ................................................................................................25
Solve........................................................................................................................32
Application................................................................................................................36

Roadmap
Read this chapter to learn how to assign constraints to an Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting part so that you or others can generate variations from it. If you only
need to know how to generate variations from a pre-constrained part, skip this
chapter and read Generating Variations on page 14 instead.
This chapter is for the Designer or Engineer who wants to incorporate Parametric
Design capabilities into his or her Creo Elements/Direct Drafting design
environment. We begin by describing the Parametric Design tools that the
Designer should be familiar with:
• Part preparation tools
• Constraint assignment tools
• Solving tools
The chapter concludes with several sections that cover the major applications for
these tools: developing master parts for repeated use by yourself or others, and
using Parametric Design as an extension of the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting
Modify commands to do one-time adjustments of complex parts.
Part Preparation
Before you assign constraints to a part, two preparation steps should be
considered. The first is to check the part for inconsistencies that can interfere with
constraint generation. The second is to select or restrict the portions of the part to
work with.
Clean, Generate Rigids and Zone handle preparation tasks.
Cleanup
Inconsistencies in a part (lines not quite parallel, small gaps between "tangent"
objects, duplicate elements, etc.) are relatively common, but can cause problems
for any program that must scan the part to extract information. To help eliminate
drawing inconsistencies, Parametric Design provides several tools that can do
limited "cleaning" of parts. The Clean command options are:
• Points
• Duplicate
• Stacked
These commands are functionally independent from the remainder of the
Parametric Design software, and should be thought of as a "preprocess" for parts
that are submitted for parametric design. The Complete and Solve commands have
Working with Parametric Design 21

additional part cleaning capabilities which are described in detail in Advanced
Topics and Tips on page 86. Each of the Clean options described below affects all
geometry in the current part.
Points
Model points within a given distance of each other are merged, and the elements
attached to the merged points are adjusted (moved, stretched, or rotated) as
necessary to reflect the new positions of the points. For each set of points to be
merged, Points chooses a location within the given tolerance and moves the points
there. In general, there is no way to accurately predict or control which elements
will be adjusted as a result of the merge. This should not be a limitation in most
cases, however, because the tolerance used is likely to be small. Points is most
useful for removing small gaps between elements. To use Points:
1. Click Parametric, Clean and Points.
2. Enter a distance tolerance (current length units).
3. Points within the given tolerance are marked with a *, and will be merged.
Elements that will be modified as a result of the merge are highlighted.
4. Click Confirm to merge the marked points and modify the highlighted
elements.
Duplicate
Duplicate scans the part for duplicate elements and deletes them. The command
selects which element of a duplicate pair to delete. Elements are considered to be
duplicates if their model points are identical. An exception is made for concentric
circles (only): if the radii of concentric circles are within a given tolerance, they
are treated as duplicates. Normally, Duplicate should be used after Points to clean
up duplicate elements that may result from merging model points. To use
Duplicate:
1. Click Parametric, Clean and Duplicate.

2. Enter a distance tolerance (current length units) for concentric circles.
3. Elements that will be deleted are highlighted.
4. Click Confirm to remove duplicate elements.
Stacked
Stacked finds stacked lines and arcs in the current part and calls Split to split them.
To use Stacked:
1. Click Parametric, Clean and Duplicate. Elements to be split are highlighted and
the points to be used for the splits are marked with a *.
2. Click Confirm to split elements.

Note
To clean up most common problems in a part, run the Clean commands in the
following sequence:
Points Merge disconnected points.
Duplicate Remove existing duplicates and those caused by
merging points.
Stacked Split overlapping elements.
Duplicate Remove duplicates caused by splitting.
Setting the Zone

The Parametric Design Solve and Auto commands operate only on the current
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting part, and only on the portion of that part which is
included in a zone that you define. The zone mechanism allows you to apply
parametric design to sections of a part, leaving the remainder untouched. By
including only those sections that require parametric design in the zone, you can
often significantly reduce the number of constraints you need to assign as well as
shorten Solve times.
The zone is implemented via Creo Elements/Direct Drafting info text. Zone
commands are used to add or remove the info text PD_ZONE to geometry
elements in a part. Parametric Design will only operate on elements that have the
PD_ZONE info text. Sections of the part that do not have this info fall outside the
zone and are never modified by Solve, remaining fixed in place. The Zone options
are:
• Display
• Add Single
• Add Multiple
• Remove
When you start Creo Elements/Direct Drafting, the zone is empty. By default,
elements you Create during an Creo Elements/Direct Drafting session are
automatically added to the zone, but geometry you Load from unconstrained files
is not included. Zone commands add, remove, and display elements in the zone.
Adding Elements to the Zone

To add elements to the zone:
1. Click Parametric, Zone and Add Single or Add Multiple.

2. Select the geometry to be included in the zone. Add Multiple extends your
selection to include all elements that share model points with the elements you
select. The Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Select mechanism can be used with
either option.
3. Click End to conclude.
Elements are highlighted as you add them to the zone. Note that Add Multiple and
Add Single do not add dimensioning or sub-parts in the master part to the zone.
See Zone Gymnastics on page 91 for additional information on adding to the zone.
Showing Contents of the Zone

Click Display in Zone to show the current contents of the zone. Display redraws all
elements in the zone with the current highlight color and linetype. Click End to
remove the highlighting.
Removing Elements from the Zone

To remove items from the zone, click Remove in Zone and then select the
elements you wish to remove. If these items have constraints attached to them, the
constraints will not be removed, but the elements will not be modified by
subsequent Solve commands. Note that Remove only removes from the zone those
elements that you click directly and not elements that share model points with
those you select. In other words, Remove is analogous to Add Single rather than
Add Multiple.
Defining Rigid Bodies

A final preparation step that can often help simplify the design process is to
identify areas of the part in which the geometry will not change in size or relative
position, but which should be able to move (translate, rotate) as a unit. By
defining these areas as rigid bodies, you can significantly reduce the number of
constraints needed, and make the design process more predictable.
A rigid body is a named collection of geometry that acts as if it is sufficiently
constrained to prohibit any relative change of size or position among the elements
collected into it. The geometry collected into a rigid body can only be translated
and/or rotated as a whole. To link a rigid body with other elements in a part, you
can assign constraints between these elements and any element inside the rigid
body.
Most Creo Elements/Direct Drafting geometry elements as well as hatching and
subparts can be included in a rigid body. Like zones, rigid bodies are implemented
via Creo Elements/Direct Drafting infos; entities with the info text PD_RIGID are
linked into rigid bodies. For more in-depth information on rigid body applications
see Advanced Topics and Tips on page 86.

The Generate Rigids commands allow you to define and manipulate an unlimited
number of rigid bodies inside a given part. The Generate Rigids options are:
• Assign
• Show
• Clear
Creating A Rigid Body

To create a new rigid body:
1. Click Assign in Generate Rigids.
2. Enter a name for the new rigid body. Be sure to select a name that is not
already in the rigid body list in the Generate Rigids dialog box if you want to
create a new rigid body.
3. Select the geometry to be included in the rigid body. When you make the first
selection, the name of the new rigid body will be added to the table.
4. Enter the name of another rigid body or click End to conclude.
Elements are highlighted as you add them to the rigid body.
Showing and Clearing Rigid Bodies

To show or clear an existing rigid body:
1. In Generate Rigids, select the rigid body you want to show or clear. If there are
too many entries in this table to view at once, use the scroll bar beside the
table to bring the correct entry into view.
2. Click Show to highlight the rigid body or Clear to remove the rigid body from
the list.
3. Click End.
Assigning Constraints
Constraints can be assigned manually or automatically to elements in the zone.
The constraint assignment tools include:
• Commands:
Command Function
Assign Manually assign constraints to geometric elements.
Free Remove constraints from geometric elements.
Show Show existing constraints by displaying their icons.
Clear Remove selected constraint icons (but not the

Command Function
constraints themselves) from the display.
Ban Remove selected constraints and prevent them from
being re-assigned by Complete.
Complete Automatically generates a reasonable set of constraints
to all remaining elements in the zone.
• Options: Options limit the actions of Show, Clear, Free and Ban. Available
options are:
Option Limiting Action
New Act only on constraints added by the most recent
Complete command. New must be used immediately after
Complete. Any intervening command converts new
constraints to "system" constraints. New only modifies the
actions of Show and Clear.
User Act only on constraints assigned manually by the user. If
the user modifies a system-generated constraint, it
converts to a "user" constraint.
System Act only on constraints generated by Complete and
unchanged by the user.
Used Act only on constraints actually used by the solver during
the most recent Complete or Solve command.
Unused Act only on constraints that were not used by the solver
during the most recent Solve command.
Banned Act only on constraints that have been banned by the
user; i.e., constraints that cannot be assigned by Complete.
Violated Act only on constraints marked "violated" by the most
recent Solve.
• Types: These blocks specify the available constraint types. You must always
specify a type for Assign, Show and Clear. Types can also be used to limit the
actions of Free and Ban. A generic type, All Types, refers to all the available
constraint types. See Constraint Types on page 41 for a complete description
of each type.
The following sections describe each of the constraint assignment commands.

Note
The default size and positioning of constraint icons may not be ideal. You can
resize or change the color of icons via Icon Setting and reposition them with
Move Icon. To update the icon display after changing their size or position,
you can use the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Redraw function. The text
labels that appear on some icons are drawn in the current Creo Elements/
Direct Drafting text font.
Assign
Use Assign to manually assign constraints to elements. To assign a constraint:
1. In Generate Constraints, click the Assign radio button.
2. Select a constraint type from the Types list, e.g., Angle.
3. Select the appropriate geometry for the constraint type.
4. If applicable, enter a value or parameter name for the constraint.
5. Continue to select geometry, select a new constraint type, or click End.
When you successfully assign a constraint, one or more icons appear on the part to
identify the type and identification number of that constraint. The leader line of
the icon is drawn in the same linestyle as the element it references.
Note that when you use Assign to assign a constraint to a piece of geometry, the
constraint is bound to that element and goes with it whenever it is moved. Thus,
you can move elements in a part after assigning constraints without invalidating
the constraints. On the other hand, if you delete a constrained element, all
constraints on that element are removed along with it.
Some constraint types can be given numeric or parametric values when they are
assigned. If you give a numeric value, the constraint will resolve to that value at
solve time. If you give a parameter name or expression, the constraint resolves to
the output of that parameter or expression at solve time. If you choose not to
supply either a value or parameter, the constraint resolves to the corresponding
value that is currently on the element at solve time. If a value or parameter name
is assigned to a constraint, that data will appear along with the constraint's icon
whenever it is displayed. See Parameters on page 64 for a full discussion of how
numeric values and parameters affect constraints.

Show and Clear
To assign and free constraints efficiently, it is important to know what constraints
are currently assigned. Show and Clear work with the limit-options and constraint-
type settings to selectively display and hide the icons and parameter labels of
constraints currently on the part. Neither function affects the constraints
themselves, just the display of their icons. Icons and parameter labels are
displayed in the current show color (PD_PREVIEW_COLOR) and size.
Parameter labels will use each dimension's text font for dimensional constraints
and the current text font for geometric constraints.
Show and Clear operate identically. To use either:
1. In Generate Constraints, click the Show or Clear radio button.

2. Select an option to limit the function's effect, if desired.
3. Select the Types to show/clear.
Show options are additive; subsequent calls to Show do not erase the icons that are
already on the screen, allowing you to build up the display. From time to time, as
the display gets crowded, you can erase some or all of the icons with Clear.
Some Show examples:
Show all constraints: Show, All Types
Show constraints set by Show, System, All Types
Complete:
Show reference elements Show, User, Refelem
set by the user:
Show angle and distance Show, Angle, Show, Distance
constraints:
Erase all constraint icons: Clear, All Types
Free
Free removes constraints from elements. To remove constraints:
1. In Generate Constraints, click the Free radio button.

2. Use one of these methods to select constraints to free:
• Click the icon of the constraint to be freed.
• Select a constraint type from Types and then click the element itself.
• Select a limiting option from Act On and then a constraint type to remove
the selected constraint from all elements in the zone. For example, Free,
User and Dimension removes all user-assigned dimensional constraints.
3. Click End or continue to select constraints for removal.

Whenever you free a constraint, the corresponding constraint icon is removed
from the display. If you free a constraint by accident, an immediate Undo will
restore it.
Freeing a constraint does not prevent it from being re-assigned to the master by
Complete. If you want to prevent a constraint from being re-assigned by Complete,
use Ban instead.
To remove all constraints generated by Complete, use Free ▶ System ▶ All Types.
To quickly remove all constraint and parametric data from the current part, use
Free, All Types. This command requires a Confirm.
Complete
In order for Solve to be able to generate a variation of a part, every element in the
part must be completely constrained. To manually assign a complete set of
constraints to a part of even moderate complexity would be time consuming and
prone to error. The Complete command provides an efficient alternative. Complete
scans the geometry currently in the zone and generates a reasonable set of
constraints that is sufficient to completely constrain the geometry in its current
configuration. In many situations, only a few constraints need be set manually
before running Complete, and a few more changed after Complete is run to
generate the variation. The Strategy for Assigning Constraints on page 30 section
below explains how to best integrate the automatic and manual options.
Simply select Complete and Parametric Design generates constraints. A series of
messages is displayed to inform you of the command's progress. While generating
constraints, Complete may add a number of point elements to your part. These are
needed to fix point-on or reference-point constraints, and should not be removed
from the part. By default, these points are drawn as green ×s, but you can easily
change this to make them nearly invisible. See Parametric Design Defaults on
page 172 for details.
Complete takes into account any constraints that you may have manually assigned
to the part. If these constraints are inconsistent with one another, Complete may
not be able to successfully generate a complete set of valid constraints. In this
case, error messages and highlighting warn you about the problem and help you
track down the cause. The error-trapping mechanism used by Complete is also
used by Solve. See the Solver Errors on page 33 section later in this Chapter for
more information.
Ban
Ban works exactly like Free except that in addition to removing a constraint, Ban
prevents that constraint from being re-assigned by subsequent Complete
commands. Essentially, Ban forces a constraint to remain unset. To re-assign a
banned constraint, you must assign it manually with Assign.

Strategy for Assigning Constraints
Complete and the manual constraint tools are designed to be used together to
efficiently generate a workable set of constraints that lends itself to modification.
The following strategy will produce the best results in most situations:
1. Before running Complete, manually assign sufficient constraints to:
• "Anchor" the part. Do this by assigning Refelem or Refpoint constraints to
one or more elements that you know should not change position in the
variation. Anchoring helps to give Complete a frame of reference for
generating new constraints.
• Identify symmetry lines. Assign Symmline constraints to any elements that
serve as symmetry lines in the part. Complete uses these lines to generate
mirrored-element constraints. Parametric Design can also be configured to
automatically recognize all lines with a particular color and linetype as
symmetry lines. You enable this capability by modifying the pd_
def.mac file. See Parametric Design Defaults on page 172 for details.
• If the part has several distinct components or views, make sure to anchor
each view sufficiently to prevent them from interfering with each other in
subsequent operations. You can do this either by assigning absolute
constraints (Refelem, Refpoint) to each view, or by constraining the relative
distance and/or orientation among all views with Distance or Angle
constraints.
• Collect suitable elements into rigid bodies whenever possible.
• Manually constrain any elements whose position or orientation is critical
in subsequent variations. For example, you should fix in place any
elements that definitely should not move in the variation. Alternately, you
could remove these elements from the zone before running Complete.
• In general, the more constraints you can assign by hand, the better for
Complete. This is especially true if the part is not fully dimensioned.
Note
Do not manually assign constraints designed to move elements away
from their current location before running Complete. For example,
don't assign a Vertical constraint to horizontal lines in the part before
you use Complete. Such constraints make the extraction process much
more difficult.
2. Run Complete to generate the remaining constraints needed to fully constrain

the master part in its current configuration.

3. When Complete finishes, examine the constraints on the part to make sure that
Complete hasn't made any poor decisions about assigning constraints. In
particular:
• Check dimensions. Make sure that constraints were actually assigned to
any dimensions that you might have to change. If not, add new constraints.
Also, be aware that different types of dimensions can cause Complete to
behave in different ways. For example, a horizontal dimension between
two points is quite different from a parallel dimension between the same
two points, even if both have the same value. The first case implies that the
second point is on a vertical line a given distance away from the first point.
The second case implies that the second point is on a circle of a given
radius centered at the first point. Complete takes these distinctions into
account when generating constraints. When in doubt about the type of
linear dimension, redefine it.
• Check distance and size constraints. Distance constraints are usually
assigned as a last resort to position disconnected geometry that is
insufficiently dimensioned. The elements that receive distance constraints
may not be the ones you would normally choose to receive them.
Similarly, size constraints are normally only assigned to geometry that is
connected to other elements, but is still underdimensioned. Again, a size
constraint may not be an appropriate choice.
• Check angle and slope constraints. Are elements with these constraints
supposed to be fixed at the given angle?
• Check the constraints on rigid bodies. Make sure that Complete hasn't
over-constrained each rigid body with regard to the rest of the part.
The Element and Icon options in Inquire are especially useful for examining
constraints generated by Complete. Inquire Icon identifies the element(s)
associated with a given constraint by highlighting the element(s). You identify
the constraint by clicking on its icon.
Inquire Element shows how the most recent Complete or Solve command
determined the size and position of an element that you select. When you
select Inquire Element and click an element, the icons for all the constraints
that determined the size and position of that element are displayed. In addition,
all geometry on which those constraints rely will have their geometry
highlighted.
4. If you make changes to geometry or constraints at this stage, re-run Complete.
Check the following points any time you re-run:
• If you removed any constraints, did you Free or Ban them? Complete is
likely to re-assign the same constraints unless you used Ban.

• If you added dimensioning to your part to eliminate the need for size or
distance or angle constraints, did you Free the old system constraints?
Complete will not automatically free existing system constraints and use
the dimensioning to generate new constraints. If you Free the system
constraints first, then the new dimensioning will be taken into account.
5. Once you are satisfied that the part is completely and correctly constrained in
its current configuration, then start to modify those constraints that will be
used to generate the variation(s) to ensure that the part responds as you intend.
Solve
All access to the Parametric Design solver is through the Solve options, which are
available on all Parametric Design menus. They are:
• Preview
• Keep
• No Keep
When you select a Solve option, the solver finds all the geometry currently in the
zone, and evaluates all constraints on that geometry. If all the constraints can be
successfully evaluated, the solver generates the variation specified by the
constraints. Depending on the option selected, the solver can either create
geometry for a new variation or simply preview it. The sections below describe
the Solve options.
Preview
By default, Solve works in Preview mode. The variation is computed, but is not
actually created. Instead, an outline of the variation is superimposed over the
current part. This gives you a good idea of what the new variation will look like
without creating any new geometry or overwriting any existing geometry. If the
preview indicates that the new variation is acceptable, you can actually create the
new variation by re-solving with the Keep or No Keep options. The preview lines
are drawn in the current PD_PREVIEW_COLOR color (MAGENTA by default).
Preview lines are removed from the viewport by the next Solve command or when
you click End.
Keep
The Keep option generates the variation and inserts it into the current part as a
modified copy of the original part. When you select Keep, the solver computes the
variation, temporarily overlays it onto the current part, and executes a Move
Multiple command to allow you to copy the variation.

To use this option, select Keep. When the solver generates the variation and
overlays it on the current part, evaluate the results. If the variation is not what you
want, click End or Undo immediately to restore the original part. If the variation is
OK, click or specify a reference point for moving the new part, and then drag it to
the desired location. Repeat this step until you have inserted as many copies as
you want. Finally, click End. The overlaid variation is removed, and your original
part is restored.
Only elements in the zone (i.e., elements with the PD_ZONE info text) at solve
time are copied by Keep. Dimensioning and hatching elements are never put into
the zone by Parametric Design commands. Therefore, these elements are not
normally included in the copies you make with Keep.
Copies made with Keep are not put into the current zone and do not have
constraints assigned to them. The original part from which copies are generated is
unaffected by the Keep option.
No Keep
Select the No Keep option if you want the solver to replace your current part with
the variation. If the result of the solve is not what you expect, click Undo
immediately to restore your original part. You can continue to modify the part
after solving with No Keep by assigning new values to the constraints and re-
solving.
Solver Errors
The solver or automatic constraint generator will fail without generating a
complete solution if incomplete or inconsistent constraints exist on a part. Solver
errors can result from any of the following conditions:
• The solver has successfully evaluated all the constraints it could find, but
some elements cannot be resolved. More constraints are needed in order to
completely constrain the part and generate a variation.
• A constraint has been violated while determining the new geometry. This is
usually due to contradictory constraints on one or more elements in the part.
For example, if two lines are constrained with different Slope constraints and
are also constrained to be parallel, one of these constraints cannot be satisfied.
• An expression has been violated while determining new geometry. As with a
violated constraint, a violated expression occurs when the result of a
parametric expression contradicts an existing constraint.
When the solver or automatic constraint generator fails due to one of the above
problems, a descriptive message is written to the prompt line and the solver goes
into preview mode to show the status of the solution at the time the error was
encountered. Elements that were successfully solved are displayed in their new

positions using the Preview color (MAGENTA by default). Elements that were
still unsolved when the solver exited are displayed in their original position, color
and linetype. This often gives a good indication of the elements that caused the
failure.
The commands in the Display dialog box (accessible via Settings) usually provide
the clearest indication of problem sources. After every solve or constraint-
extraction command, one or more info strings are always written to each drawing
element that was affected by the command. These info strings give the current
solve status of each element. Show All and Hide All allow you to selectively
display or hide elements based on their solve status. These status displays are very
effective for pointing out problem areas, especially in complex drawings, where
highlighting may not clearly identify problem elements.
The Display options are described below.
Display Option Function
Show All Display all elements in the model.
Hide All Hide all elements in the model.
Solved Display/hide elements that were completely
determined by the last solve or constraint extraction
command. These elements have the PD_STATUS
SOLVED info text.
Unsolved Display/hide elements that were completely
undetermined by the last solve or constraint extraction
command. Unsolved elements either had no
constraints on them or the solver exited before
reaching them. These elements have the PD_STATUS
UNSOLVED info text.
Partialy Determined Display/hide elements that were partially determined
by the last solve or constraint extraction command.
Some, but not all degrees of freedom have been
determined for these elements. These elements have
the PD_STATUS PARTIAL info text.
Inconsistent Display/hide elements whose constraints have caused
an inconsistency in the most recent solve or
constraint-extraction process. These elements have the
PD_STATUS INCONSISTENT info text. Inconsistent
elements always fall into one of the three previous
categories as well.

Debugging Solver Errors
When you're confronted with a solver error, first look at the error message posted
to the prompt line. It will usually tell you whether the problem occurred because
of too few constraints or because of conflicting constraints.
If the error message is something like:
Not enough constraints to solve for all elements
your drawing does not have sufficient constraints for the solver to generate a
variation.
To quickly correct this situation, select Complete to extract the missing
constraints. If for some reason Complete is not applicable to your situation, use the
Display functions to highlight the problem areas and manually assign additional
constraints to the offending elements. Start by highlighting all partially solved
elements (click Hide All and then Show All and Partialy Determined in Display), and
then use Inquire Element to see what constraints are there. You may also want to
examine the constraints between the partially solved elements and any completely
solved elements they border.
If the error is due to conflicting constraints, the error message may resemble one
of the following:
Encountered violated constraints
Could not constrain without violating n constraints
These messages indicate a violated user or system constraint.
Use the Display functions along with Inquire Element and Show Violated to help
identify the cause of a constraint violation. Whenever a constraint is violated and
the reason for the violation is not clear, first concentrate on those entities that are
tagged as completely solved. The solver preview mode shows how these entities
are getting modified. Are they being modified as you expected? If so, next look at
the solved and partially solved entities involved in the constraint that is being
violated. Remove or re-assign the problem constraints to eliminate the conflict.
Another possibility is that the error message will resemble:
Inconsistently constrained elements found
Unable to constrain all elements
These messages indicate that an internal constraint has been violated. Examples of
an internal constraint violation include:
• The implicit point that resides at the intersection of two or more elements
constrained so as to move off of one or more of those elements.
• The endpoints of an arc constrained so as not to be equidistant from the arc
center.
In this case, you need to identify and re-constrain the elements that are causing the
conflict. For example, to isolate all elements that caused an inconsistency in the
last solve, use Hide All to hide the entire drawing, then use Show All and
Inconsistent to display only the elements that caused the inconsistency.

If the solver problem is due to a violated expression, the displays described above
will be used, plus the entry for the offending expression in the parameter
definition table is highlighted. To correct this situation, examine the highlighted
expression carefully. You may need to rewrite it to avoid the conflict. It is also
possible that the expression conflicts with geometric constraints on the part that
can be removed or re-assigned.
A final class of error messages indicates problems with rigid bodies. A message of
the form:
Unable to keep rigid body 'name' rigid
Unable to constrain while keeping rigid body 'name' rigid
indicates that competing constraints on the named rigid body are attempting to
change its shape. This generally indicates that there are too many constraints
assigned to the rigid body. Concentrate your debugging efforts on the named rigid
body and eliminate all unneeded constraints.
Application
There are two basic uses that the Designer will have for Parametric Design. The
first is to create master parts that will be used as templates for families of parts.
The second is to perform modifications that are beyond the normal scope of the
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Modify tools. The sections below describe each
application.
Designing Master Parts

A "master part" is any constrained part that is designed to be used as a template
for generating variations. For this application, the constraint information is just as
important as the geometry of the part, and should be considered an integral part of
the part. In order for a master part to be used successfully, the constraints must be
robust enough to correctly generate the full range of required variations, and they
should be set up to be accessible and easy to use, especially if the master is to be
used by several people over an extended period of time.
To achieve these goals, the following procedure should be followed to prepare a
master part:
1. Clean the input part
2. Constrain the part
3. Parameterize constraints
4. Evaluate and debug the part

Clean the Input Part
To consistently generate variations from a part, it is important that the original be
free of geometric inconsistencies that could be carried over into the variations.
You should always look out for inconsistent geometry in any part that you intend
to use as a master part. If you find inconsistencies, either remove them by means
of the Clean tools, or isolate problem areas from consideration by the solver by
collecting these entities into rigid bodies.
Constrain the Part

Constrain your part following the procedures described in the Strategy for
Assigning Constraints on page 30 section above. After you assign the initial set of
constraints, consider running Solve No Keep once. This serves two purposes. First,
it quickly tells you whether your initial constraints are valid. Second, it provides
an extra level of geometry cleaning by adjusting the sizes and positions of
elements that fall within the Complete length and angle tolerances. Advanced
Topics and Tips on page 86 explains the Complete tolerance capabilities.
Parameterize Constraints
Two basic design goals for any master part should be robustness and ease of use.
Parameters (described fully in Parameters on page 64) help you achieve both
goals. By defining parametric values for some or all of the appropriate constraints
on your part, you can reduce the number of constraints that the end user needs to
modify directly in order to produce the variation. Other constraints can be
parameterized to depend on the values supplied by the user. In complex situations,
expressions and macros can be supplied to check or filter the user's input before
acting on it.
If the constraints that must be modified by the user are themselves parameterized,
the user need not reassign these constraints. Instead, they will appear in the
parameter value table, which provides a much simpler interface for the occasional
user.
For example, consider the following master part, which was used to generate the
variations shown in Figure 1. Master Part for Rocker Arm on page 38:

Figure 1. Master Part for Rocker Arm
For this part, we want to generate variations in which only the configuration of the
large arm changes. In all variations, we know that the outer radius of the arm
should depend on the inner radius. Rather than require the end user to calculate
this relationship and manually Assign both radii for each variation, we use
parameters to do most of the work.
After constraining the part normally, we assign a dimensional constraint to the
inner radius and give it the parameter name I_rad The outer radius also gets a
dimensional constraint, named O_rad. Figure 1. Master Part for Rocker Arm on
page 38 shows the constraints we supplied for this master part. The remainder
were generated by Complete.
Using the parameter definition table, we define the constraint represented by the
parameter O_rad to be (1.65 * I_rad). This defines the relationship between the
two dimensions. As a result, the user only needs to give a value for I_rad to
generate the variation. The I_rad parameter is available in the parameter value
table, so the user can easily change it and then Solve for variations.
Another advantage of parameterization is that the parameter values can be stored
and recovered for later use. The Save and Input functions in the Current
Constraints dialog box allow you to write out the current parameter value table to
a file and later restore it. This feature lets you build a "library" of value tables that
can be used to drive the master part. The advantage of this is that a series of
standard parts based on a single master part can be stored as a single MI file (the
constrained master part) and a collection of parameter value files. This
arrangement takes up much less disk space than if an individual MI file were
stored for each part in the series, and is much easier to update if the geometry of
the master part needs to be changed. To recreate any member of the series, the
user need only load the master part, Input the desired parameter value table, and
Solve. Generating Variations on page 14 describes this functionality.

Evaluate/Debug the Part
Once you have finished constraining a master part, you must test it to ensure that
it generates variations as intended. The extent of the testing you do depends on the
complexity of the part and the intended users. Obviously, you should never release
a master part for use by others until you have thoroughly checked it to make sure
that it operates as intended.
The easiest way to test a master part is simply to modify constraints and Solve for
the variations you expect to be needed. Preview mode is especially useful for this
type of checking because it never modifies the original part. If you need to
examine the variation in more detail than Preview allows, you can use Solve No
Keep, but make sure you write your original master part out to a file first so that
you can recover it.
Here are some tips to keep in mind while you test:
• Try small changes to the part first, until you get a feel for how it is behaving.
As you become more familiar with it, increase the size of the modifications
until you reach the maximum expected modification.
• Try modifying a single constraint or parameter at a time. In complex parts, the
interactions among different constraints are not always obvious until you
separate them out this way.
• Try supplying nonsense values or values beyond the expected maximum. Do
these break the part badly? If so, you may want to consider implementing
macros or expressions that limit the values that the part will accept. These
expressions can be incorporated directly into the constraint structure of the
master part.
Advanced Modification
A second application for Parametric Design is to do modifications that cannot be
easily done with the standard Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Modify tools.
The procedure for doing modifications is very similar to that for generating master
parts, but since you are generally working for yourself on a part that you have
designed yourself, the process can be less formal. Here are a few differences:
• Geometry cleaning may not be as important for this application, especially if
you've designed the original part yourself and know that it is correct.
• Constraints can be assigned more quickly. In many cases, it is sufficient to
anchor a few elements with Refelem constraints, run Complete, and
immediately modify for the variation you want.
• When you have the modification you want, make sure to free all constraints
from the variation and remove it from the zone. The zone and constraint data

for a complex part can take up significant amounts of memory while the part is
loaded, and will increase the size of the part's file when you store it.

4
Constraint Types
Constraint Types .......................................................................................................42
Angle........................................................................................................................42
Collinear ...................................................................................................................44
Dimension ................................................................................................................44
Distance ...................................................................................................................46
Fillet .........................................................................................................................49
Horizontal .................................................................................................................50
Mirror .......................................................................................................................51
Parallel .....................................................................................................................52
Perpendicular ...........................................................................................................54
Point on ....................................................................................................................55
Reference Element....................................................................................................56
Reference Point ........................................................................................................57
Same Distance..........................................................................................................57
Same Size ................................................................................................................58
Size..........................................................................................................................59
Slope........................................................................................................................59
Symmetry Line ..........................................................................................................60
Tangent ....................................................................................................................61
Vertical .....................................................................................................................62
X-Distance and Y-Distance.........................................................................................63
This chapter describes the usage and function for each of the available constraint
types.
41
Constraint Types
Each constraint type is identified by a unique icon as you assign it to the master.
Figure 3. Constraint Icons on page 42 shows these icons. You should take a few
minutes to make sure you recognize these icons and the constraint types they
represent.
Figure 3. Constraint Icons
Angle
You assign Angle constraints to pairs of linear elements. At solve time, the relative
angle between the elements in each angle-constrained pair will be adjusted as
needed to match the angle specified by the constraint. If this angle cannot be
achieved due to other constraints, the solve fails.
To assign an angle constraint:

1. In the Generate Constraints dialog box, click the Assign radio button. Then
pull down the Type selection list and select Angle.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click each of the two linear elements to be constrained.
4. Choose the angle for the constraint. You have three options:
• Click End or select another angle pair. The constraint value will be set to
the actual angle between the lines at solve time, thus maintaining this
angle in the variation.
• Enter a specific angle value. The elements will be adjusted to this angle.
• Enter a parameter name or an Creo Elements/Direct Drafting expression
that defines the angle (string input). The value returned in the parameter or
the result of the expression is used to adjust the angle.
Each element in an angle-constrained pair is labeled with an angle icon, Figure 3.
Constraint Icons on page 42, and a reference number that is unique to the pair. If
the constraint is set to a specific value or parameter name, that information is
appended to the icon.
Application Notes
An Angle constraint will replace an existing Parallel or Perpendic constraint on a
given pair of linear elements. This is because Parallel and Perpendic are simply
special cases of the Angle constraint.
The angle between the elements in an Angle pair is given as the difference
between the slopes of the two elements (see Slope on page 59). If the Angle
constraint is parameterized, this angle can be accessed via expression by
referencing the parameter name.
Complete will only extract angle constraints for line elements that share an
endpoint or fillet. If you are assigning angle constraints manually, the members of
the Angle pair need not be connected, Figure 4. Angle-Constrained Lines on page
43.
Figure 4. Angle-Constrained Lines
Constraint Types 43
Collinear
The Collinear constraint forces a pair of linear elements to become or remain
collinear during the solve process. If other constraints on the part prevent the
necessary adjustments to bring the pair together, the solve fails.
To assign Collinear constraints:
pull down the Type selection list and select Collinear.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click each of the two linear elements to be constrained.
4. Click End or go on to the next constraint.
Each linear element in a collinear pair is labeled with the collinear icon, Figure 3.
Constraint Icons on page 42, and a reference number that is unique to the pair.
Application Notes
Lines need not be connected in order to assign or extract a Collinear constraint.
Figure 5. Collinear Lines on page 44 shows a common application for Collinear
constraints: "gluing" a line element to a construction line.
Figure 5. Collinear Lines
When adjusting a pair of lines to make them collinear, Solve tries to use the
smallest adjustment possible to bring the pair into line.
Dimension
Dimension constraints set the dimensions of elements in the master part to specific
values. Solve will attempt to adjust constrained dimensions to the values given by
the constraint. If this proves impossible, the solve fails.
To assign Dimension constraints:
pull down the Type selection list and select Dimension.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click on the text of the dimension to be constrained.

4. Choose a value for the constraint. You have three options:
• Click End or select another dimension. The actual value of the constrained
dimension at solve time will be assigned to the constraint. This dimension
will not change in the variation.
• Enter a specific value for the dimension. The dimension is adjusted to this
value at solve time.
• Enter a parameter name or Creo Elements/Direct Drafting expression that
resolves to the dimension value (string input). The dimension is adjusted to
the result of the expression.
Dimension constraints are not identified by icons, but rather by a change to the
dimension text and color. Depending on how you define the dimensional
constraint, one of three displays will result at definition time and when you select
Show and Dimension or Show and All Types in Generate Constraints:
• Dimensions that are constrained to keep their current value during the solve
are redrawn in the current icon color (CYAN by default).
• Dimensions that are constrained to a given value are redrawn in the current
icon color (CYAN) and the main dimension text is replaced by the value given
to the constraint.
• Dimensions that are given a parametric value are redrawn in the current icon
color (CYAN) and the main dimension text is replaced by the parameter name,
which is drawn using the dimension's font.
Constraint Types 45
Note
An alternate display style for dimensional constraints can be specified by
calling PD_SHOW_USE_POSTFIX YES, either from the Creo Elements/
Direct Drafting command line or via the pd_def.mac file. This option
causes the parameter value to be written as a postfix to the main dimension
text, which remains unchanged, Figure 6. Dimension Constraints, Alternate
Style on page 46. Both the dimension text and postfix are redrawn in the
current icon color (CYAN), to indicate that a dimensional constraint has been
applied. The Parametric Design postfixes do not interfere with Creo Elements/
Direct Drafting dimension postfixes, if present.
Figure 6. Dimension Constraints, Alternate Style
You cannot assign a dimension constraint to symmetric Single or symmetric

Datum Long dimensions.
Distance
You can assign a Distance constraint to any pair of geometric elements except for
spline-based entities (rational splines, bsplines, and ellipses). One or both
elements in a distance-constrained pair may also be dimension text, as described
below. At solve time, the relative distance between the extensions of the elements
in the pair is adjusted to the distance specified by the constraint. If this adjustment
cannot be made, the solve fails.
The extension of an element is its construction-geometry equivalent. For example,
the extension of a line segment encompasses any point that would fall on a
collinear construction line. The extension of an arc element encompasses any
point that would fall on a construction circle that shares the arc's center and radius.
Elements in a distance-constrained pair need not be of the same type; e.g., the
distance between a circle and a linear element can be constrained, as can the
distance between a point element and an arc. Figure 7. Distance Determination on
page 47 illustrates how distance is defined for different combinations of elements.

Figure 7. Distance Determination
To assign a distance constraint:

pull down the Type selection list and select Distance.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click each of the two elements to be constrained.
4. Choose the distance for the constraint. You have three options:
• Click End or select another distance pair. The constraint distance will be
set to the actual distance between the elements at solve time.
• Enter a specific distance value. The distance will be adjusted to this value
at solve time.
defines the distance (string input). The distance will be adjusted to the
result of this expression or parametric value at solve time.
Each element in a distance-constrained pair is labeled with the distance icon,
Figure 3. Constraint Icons on page 42, and a reference number that is unique to
the pair. If the constraint is set to a specific value or parameter name, that
information is appended to the icons.
Distance Constraints and Dimension Text

By default, when a dimensioned element moves or resizes as a result of a
Parametric Design Solve, a new position for its dimension text is automatically
determined. You can override this automatic placement by assigning Distance
constraints directly to the text of the dimension(s) you want to control. This
mechanism allows you to control the position of the center of the dimension text
Constraint Types 47
relative to the dimensioned element and relative to other elements in your
drawing. Note that only Distance constraints may be assigned to dimension text;
no other constraint types are allowed.
Application of distance constraints to dimension text must be done manually. The
automatic constraint generator will never attempt to add distance constraints to
dimensions. Because of this, the preferred method for applying distance
constraints to dimensions is to first completely constrain the part without any
constraints on the dimension position and then constrain only those dimension
positions which need to be controlled. To assign the constraint to dimension text,
click on the centerpoint of the main text element. Two constraints are generally
needed to fully constrain the dimension position; one for each degree of freedom.
In most cases, if you add only a single distance constraint, subsequent solves will
fail. Construction geometry can often be helpful for providing additional "distance
markers" in this application.
Application Notes
Several powerful parametric applications are made possible by distance-
constraining strategically located point elements with regard to other elements in a
drawing. In both of the following examples, point elements are created
specifically for use by Parametric Design. The point elements are necessary
because distance constraints can only be assigned to geometric elements, not
model points.
Figure 8. Distance Constraints to Control Line Length on page 48 shows how
distance constraints can be used to force a centerline to grow along with the rest of
a part as it is resized. A point element is first assigned to each end of the
centerline. Each point element is then distance-constrained to the nearest end of
the part, (a). This distance will be maintained as the part is resized, (b).
Figure 8. Distance Constraints to Control Line Length
Figure 9. Distance Constraints to Control Text Position on page 49 shows how

distance constraints can be used to fix text labels to a given distance from a spline.
The distance is maintained as the spline is reshaped. Point elements are assigned
to the interpolation points of the spline and then distance-constrained to the
reference points of the text elements, (a). This distance will now be maintained as
the spline is changed, (b).

Figure 9. Distance Constraints to Control Text Position
Fillet
The Fillet constraint can be assigned to any arc that qualifies as a fillet in the
model. To qualify as a fillet, an arc must have at least one line segment or arc
element at each of its ends. When an arc is constrained to be a fillet, Solve will
ensure that it remains tangent to both the elements at its endpoints. The fillet may
change radius, length or orientation as a result of the solve.
To assign Fillet constraints:
pull down the Type selection list and select Fillet.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the arc to be constrained.
4. Click an element at each end of the arc to complete the fillet.
Fillet-constrained arcs are represented by the fillet icon, Figure 3. Constraint Icons
on page 42.
Application Notes
If you assign a Fillet constraint to an arc that has a line segment at each end,
Parametric Design ensures that the angle subtended by the arc will never become
greater than 180° by "flipping" the arc whenever this angle exceeds 180° in a
variation, Figure 10. Adjustment Made for Fillet Constraints on page 50. This
adjustment is only made in the case of an arc with a line segment at each end.
Constraint Types 49
Figure 10. Adjustment Made for Fillet Constraints
If you intend for the angle subtended by the arc to be greater than 180° in the
generated part, do not use a fillet constraint; instead, use two Tangent constraints
to glue the ends of the arc to the appropriate elements.
Parametric Design fillet constraints give you better control than the Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting Fillet Change command for changing fillet radii. By
applying other constraints along with the fillet constraints, you can control exactly
how elements tangent to a fillet adjust to accommodate the new radius.
Horizontal
Line elements that are assigned a Horizontal constraint will be adjusted as
necessary at solve time to become horizontal. If Solve cannot make this
adjustment due to other constraints on the part, the solve fails. A horizontal
constraint will not prevent a linear element from moving or changing length in the
variation; it only adjusts the slope of that element to be zero.
To assign Horizontal constraints:
pull down the Type selection list and select Horizontal.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the linear element to be constrained.
4. Click End or assign the next constraint.
The horizontal icon, Figure 3. Constraint Icons on page 42, identifies horizontally
constrained lines.
A given element may have only one of the Horizontal, Vertical, or Slope
constraints assigned to it. If you attempt to assign a Horizontal constraint to an
element that is already assigned a Vertical constraint, the Horizontal constraint will
replace it.
The action taken when you assign a Horizontal constraint to an element that is
already assigned a Slope constraint depends on whether or not the Slope constraint
is parameterized. If it is not, then the Horizontal constraint simply replaces it. If
the Slope constraint is parameterized, however, the Horizontal constraint is not

assigned. Instead, the value of the parameter is adjusted to 0° or 180° (effectively
horizontal). This is done so as not to invalidate any expressions that may reference
the existing slope parameter.
Mirror
When a pair of elements are constrained to be a Mirror pair, Solve will attempt to
move and/or resize both elements as needed so that their extensions mirror each
other across a specified line of symmetry. The extension of an element is defined
as the element's construction-geometry equivalent. For example, the extension of
an arc is the construction circle that shares the centerpoint and radius of the arc.
The extension of a line element is a collinear construction line.
Both elements in the mirrored pair must be of the same type (e.g., both circles,
both lines, or both points), but need not be the same size. Mirrored lines may be of
different lengths, and an arc and a circle can mirror each other. Spline and
ellipsoid elements are not eligible for mirror constraints, though some measure of
control over these entities can be had by assigning point elements to their control/
interpolation points and then fixing those point elements. Figure 11. Mirrored
Element Pairs on page 51 shows several examples of mirrored element-pairs.
Figure 11. Mirrored Element Pairs
To assign a mirror constraint:

pull down the Type selection list and select Mirror.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click a linear element to be the symmetry line for the mirrored pair. If this
element does not already have a symmetry-line constraint assigned to it, one
will be added.
4. Select a pair of elements to be mirrored across this line.
5. Click End or select another pair of elements to be mirrored about the original
symmetry line.
Constraint Types 51
When you successfully assign a mirror constraint, both elements in the mirrored
pair will be labeled with the mirror icon, and the line of symmetry will be labeled
with a symmetry line icon, Figure 3. Constraint Icons on page 42. The icon for
each symmetry line in the model is given a unique number, and the icon for each
member in the mirrored pair contains a number in the form s-p, where s is the
number of the symmetry line that this pair is bound to and p is the unique number
for this mirrored pair.
Application Notes
The symmetry line for a mirror constraint may be any linear element.
Complete only extracts mirrored pairs from areas that are orthogonal to defined
symmetry lines. If your symmetry lines have infinite length (e.g., construction
lines) this is no limitation, but if you choose a finite-length element as a symmetry
line, items must lie completely within the orthogonal boundary in order to be
selected for mirroring. The two line segments on the right of Figure 12. Auto-
selection of Mirrored Pairs on page 52, for example, would not be extracted
because neither falls inside the boundary. If you are assigning mirrored pairs
manually, this limitation does not apply.
Figure 12. Auto-selection of Mirrored Pairs
Parallel
The Parallel constraint is assigned to pairs of linear elements. A pair of parallel-
constrained elements will be adjusted to be parallel at solve time. If other
constraints on the part prevent the pair from being made parallel, the solve fails.
The positions, lengths, and absolute slopes of parallel elements are not affected by
this constraint and may or may not change during the solve, but the slopes of the
lines will be the same.
To assign Parallel constraints:

pull down the Type selection list and select Parallel.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click each of the linear elements to be constrained.
Each linear element in a parallel pair is labeled with the parallel icon, Figure 3.
Application Notes
A given pair of linear elements may have only one of the Angle, Parallel, or
Perpendic constraints assigned to it. This is because Parallel and Perpendic are
simply special cases of the Angle constraint. If you attempt to assign a Parallel
constraint to a pair of elements that is already assigned a Perpendic constraint, the
Parallel constraint will replace it.
The action taken when you assign a Parallel constraint to a pair of elements that is
already assigned an Angle constraint depends on whether or not the Angle
constraint is parameterized. If it is not, then the Parallel constraint simply replaces
it. If the Angle constraint is parameterized, however, the Parallel constraint is not
assigned. Instead, the value of the parameter is adjusted to 0° or 180° (effectively
parallel). This is done so as not to invalidate any expressions that may reference
the existing angle parameter.
Parallel lines need not describe an orthogonal area in the part; Figure 13. Parallel
Lines on page 53 shows two sets of parallel lines.
Figure 13. Parallel Lines
Constraint Types 53
Perpendicular
The Perpendic constraint is assigned to pairs of linear elements. A pair of
perpendicular-constrained elements will be adjusted to be perpendicular at solve
time. If other constraints on the part prevent this adjustment, Solve fails. The
positions, lengths, and absolute slopes of perpendicular elements are not affected
by this constraint and may change during the solve, but the slopes of the lines will
be at right angles to one another.
To assign Perpendic constraints:
pull down the Type selection list and select Perpendic.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click each of the linear elements to be constrained.
Each linear element in a perpendicular pair is labeled with the perpendicular icon,
Figure 3. Constraint Icons on page 42, and a reference number that is unique to
the pair.
Application Notes
A given pair of linear elements may have only one of the Angle, Parallel, or
Perpendic constraints assigned to it. This is because Parallel and Perpendic are
simply special cases of the Angle constraint. If you attempt to assign a Perpendic
constraint to a pair of elements that is already assigned a Parallel constraint, the
Perpendic constraint will replace it.
The action taken when you assign a Perpendic constraint to an element pair that is
already assigned an Angle constraint depends on whether or not the Angle
constraint is parameterized. If it is not, then the Perpendic constraint simply
replaces it. If the Angle constraint is parameterized, however, the Perpendic
constraint is not assigned. Instead, the value of the parameter is adjusted to 90° or
270° (effectively perpendicular). This is done so as not to invalidate any
expressions that may reference the existing angle parameter.
Lines need not be in contact with one another to be constrained perpendicular.
Figure 14. Perpendicular Lines on page 55 shows three different pairs of
perpendicular lines.

Figure 14. Perpendicular Lines
Point on
Point on constrains a model point to remain on a given geometric element or its
extension.
The point part of this constraint may be any visible model point. Line endpoints,
circle centers, spline control points, and text reference points may all be used if
visible. If necessary, tick the Vertex check box in the Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting Show dialog box to make these elements visible.
The extension of an element is its construction-geometry equivalent. For example,
the extension of a line segment encompasses any point that would fall on a
collinear construction line. The extension of an arc element encompasses any
point that would fall on a construction circle that shares the arc's center and radius.
All Creo Elements/Direct Drafting geometric elements, including splines, B-
splines, and ellipses, are eligible to receive Point on constraints.
The constrained point may slide anywhere along the extension of the element it is
attached to, but will always remain in contact with the extension. If other
constraints prevent this contact, Solve fails.
To assign Point on constraints:
pull down the Type selection list and select Point on.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the point to be constrained. You can select any visible model point (Use
the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Show dialog box to display model points if
needed). If no point element exists at that location, one will be created.
4. Click the geometry to be attached to the point.
The Point on icon, Figure 3. Constraint Icons on page 42, identifies this constraint.
Constraint Types 55
Application Notes
Two common applications for Point on constraints are shown in Figure 15. Point-
On Applications on page 56. Circles can be constrained to stay on a linear element
by fixing the centerpoint on the line. Conversely, elements can be constrained to
remain attached to the perimeter of a circle, ellipse or spline.
Note that to assign a Point on constraint to the centerpoint of a circle or arc, you
must first display centerpoints (with Vertex switched on in the Creo Elements/
Direct Drafting Show dialog box) and then click the centerpoint directly.
Figure 15. Point-On Applications
Reference Element
Any element in a part (except ellipses) can be fixed in place with a Refelem
constraint. Reference elements are not changed in any way by Solve, so they will
appear in the same position in the variation as they do in the master part.
To assign Refelem constraints:
pull down the Type selection list and select Refelem.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the element to be constrained.
Reference elements are labeled with the anchor icon, Figure 3. Constraint Icons on
page 42.
Application Notes
You should almost always constrain one or two elements in the master part as
reference elements (construction geometry is good for this) so that Solve has a
frame of reference for generating the variation. Otherwise, the variation may not
be placed where you expect.

Reference Point
Any visible model point can be constrained to be a reference point. Solve places
reference points in the variation at the position specified by the constraint.
To assign a reference point:
pull down the Type selection list and select Refpoint.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the point to be constrained. You may select any visible model point (Use
the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Show dialog box to display model points if
needed) If a point element does not exist at the location you click, one will be
created.
4. Input a position for the reference point. You have two options:
• Click End or select another point. The reference point will be placed into
the variation at its current position at solve time.
resolves to the point position (string input).
The reference point will be labeled with the position symbol, Figure 3. Constraint
Icons on page 42. If the reference point is set to a parameter name, that
information is appended to its icon.
Application Notes
Reference points, like reference elements, can be used to "anchor" portions of the
master part in place, so that they maintain their positions in the variation.
To assign a reference point constraint to a model point that is not usually visible,
e.g., circle centers, spline control points, or text centers, you must first display
them (with Vertex switched on in the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Show dialog
box) and then click them directly.
A reference point can also be used to supply data to macros or expressions when
given a parametric value. If you supply a parameter label when assigning a
reference point, the coordinate value of the point can be accessed in an expression
by referencing the parameter name.
Same Distance
Samedist is assigned to two pairs of elements. All geometric elements except for
spline-based entities (rational splines, bsplines, and ellipses) are eligible. You can
assign constraints to the interpolation or control points of these entities, just not
the spline itself. Samedist forces the distance between the members of the first
Constraint Types 57
pair of elements to be the same as the distance between the members of the second
pair. If other constraints prevent the two distances from being made equal, Solve
fails.
To assign Samedist constraints:
pull down the Type selection list and select Samedist.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the two elements for the first pair.
4. Click the two elements for the second pair.
Each element in a same-distance set is labeled with the same-distance icon, Figure
3. Constraint Icons on page 42, and a reference number that is unique to the set.
Application Notes
Samedist constraints are often useful for forcing two contours to become/remain
equidistant, Figure 16. Same Distance Application on page 58.
Figure 16. Same Distance Application
Same Size
The Samesize constraint is applied to pairs of geometric elements, which must be
of the same geometric type. All elements except for spline-based entities (rational
splines, bsplines, and ellipses) and construction lines are eligible for this
constraint. The members of a same-size pair will be adjusted as needed by Solve
to become the same size. Specifically, the radii of circular elements and the length
of linear elements is adjusted. If the members of a same-size pair are not in fact
the same size at solve time, Solve will look at other constraints on the members of
the pair to determine which member should be changed to match the size of the
other.

To assign Samesize constraints:
pull down the Type selection list and select Samesize.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the two elements to be constrained.
Each element in a same-size pair is labeled with the same-size icon, Figure 3.
Size
You can assign Size constraints to lines and all circular elements. At solve time,
these elements will be adjusted to the size specified by the constraint. For circular
elements, the adjustment is made to the radius; for lines, the length is adjusted. If
the adjustment cannot be achieved, Solve fails.
To assign a size constraint:
pull down the Type selection list and select Size.
2. Click the element to be constrained.
3. Choose the size for the constraint. You have three options:
• Click End or select another element. The element will be held at its current
size at solve time. This is the default.
• Enter a specific size (radius for circular elements, length for lines).
defines the size (string input).
Each size-constrained element pair is labeled with the size icon, Figure 3.
Constraint Icons on page 42. If the constraint is set to a specific value or
parameter name, that information is appended to the icon.
Slope
Slope constraints are assigned to linear elements. At solve time, the slope of these
elements will be adjusted to match the angle specified by the constraint. If the
adjustment cannot be made, Solve fails. Note that slope constraints do not fix the
position or length of a line, which may change unless otherwise constrained.
To assign a slope constraint:
pull down the Type selection list and select Slope.
Constraint Types 59
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the linear element to be constrained. The current slope of this element is
displayed on the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting prompt line.
4. Choose the angle for the constraint. You have three options:
• Click End or select another element. The slope will be set to the actual
slope of the line at solve time.
• Enter a specific angle value for the slope.
defines the slope angle (string input).
Each slope-constrained element is labeled with the slope icon, Figure 3.
Constraint Icons on page 42. If the constraint is set to a specific value or
parameter name, that information is appended to the icon.
Application Notes
A given element may have only one of the Horizontal, Vertical or Slope constraints
assigned to it. If you attempt to assign a Slope constraint to an element that is
already constrained Horizontal or Vertical, the Slope constraint will replace the
existing constraint.
Parametric Design defines the slope of a linear element as the angle which is
swept by rotating the vector (1,0) to the intrinsic vector of the element. This
intrinsic vector is the line that runs from the first to the second endpoint of the
element. The intrinsic vector of a construction line depends on how it was created.
This method is used so that rotations greater than 90° can be specified.
As a result of the method used to measure slope, it is not possible to visually
determine the slope of a linear element from the graphics display. For example, a
vertical line may have a slope of 90° or 270°, depending on whether it was
constructed from "top to bottom" or "bottom to top." You can, however, read the
current slope from the prompt line in step 3 of the assignment procedure above.
Symmetry Line
The Symmline constraint identifies a line of symmetry that can be used by
Complete to assign mirror constraints. If you want to assign mirror constraints by
hand, you should use Assign Mirror instead. You assign Symmline constraints to
linear elements, which are then labeled with the symmetry line icon, Figure 3.
Constraint Icons on page 42.
To assign Symmline constraints:
pull down the Type selection list and select Symmline.

2. Click Apply.
Application Notes
Parametric Design can automatically assign symmetry-line constraints to lines
having a particular color and linestyle. You enable this behavior by calling the
function PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY YES from the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting
command line, or by including it in your pd_def.mac file. The functions PD_
AUTO_SYMMETRY_COLOR and PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINETYPE
specify the color and linetype. See Parametric Design Defaults on page 172 for
more information.
Complete only extracts mirrored pairs from areas that are orthogonal to defined
symmetry lines. If your symmetry lines have infinite length (e.g., construction
lines) this is no limitation, but if you choose a finite-length element as a symmetry
line, items must lie completely within the orthogonal boundary in order to be
selected for mirroring. The two line segments on the right of Figure 17. Auto-
selection of Mirrored Pairs on page 61, for example, would not be extracted
because neither falls inside the boundary. If you are assigning mirrored pairs
manually, this limitation does not apply.
Figure 17. Auto-selection of Mirrored Pairs
Tangent
Tangent constraints are applied to pairs of geometric elements, at least one of
which must be circular (circle, construction circle, arc, or fillet). At solve time, the
elements are adjusted to ensure that their extensions are tangent. See Point on on
page 41 for an explanation of extensions. If this adjustment cannot be achieved,
Solve fails. Two elements are considered tangent if their extensions touch at one
point only, Figure 18. Tangent Pairs on page 62.
Constraint Types 61
Figure 18. Tangent Pairs
To assign Tangent constraints:

pull down the Type selection list and select Tangent.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click each of the two elements to be constrained. One must be circular.
Each element in a tangent pair is labeled with the tangent icon, Figure 3.
Application Notes
Complete will not extract a tangent constraint for a pair of elements unless the
elements themselves (not their extensions) are tangent. Solve, however, recognizes
linear and circular extensions when adjusting for tangency.
Solve attempts to maintain as much of the current configuration as possible when
adjusting to satisfy tangency constraints. When adjusting a circular and a linear
element to be tangent, Solve attempts to keep the circle on the same side of the
line as it was originally. When adjusting two circles to be tangent, effort is taken
to ensure that if one circle is inside the other, it remains inside, and that circles
which are outside of each other stay that way.
Vertical
Linear elements that are assigned a Vertical constraint will be adjusted as
necessary at solve time to become vertical. If Solve cannot make this adjustment
due to other constraints on the element, Solve fails. A vertical constraint will not
prevent a linear element from moving or changing length in the variation; it only
adjusts the slope of that line to 90° or 270°.
To assign Vertical constraints:

pull down the Type selection list and select Vertical.
2. Click Apply.
The vertical icon, Figure 3. Constraint Icons on page 42, identifies vertically
constrained lines.
Application Notes
A given element may have only one of the Horizontal, Vertical or Slope constraints
assigned to it. If you attempt to assign a Vertical constraint to an element that is
already assigned a Horizontal constraint, the Vertical constraint will replace it.
The action taken when you assign a Vertical constraint to an element that is
already assigned a Slope constraint depends on whether or not the Slope constraint
is parameterized. If it is not, then the Vertical constraint simply replaces it. If the
Slope constraint is parameterized, however, the Vertical constraint is not assigned.
Instead, the value of the parameter is adjusted to 90° or 270° (effectively vertical).
This is done so as not to invalidate any expressions that may reference the existing
slope parameter.
X-Distance and Y-Distance

The X-Distance and Y-Distance constraints are special point-to-point distance
constraints. At Solve time, the x-coordinates (and y-coordinates) are adjusted to
match the distance specified by the constraint. In Figure 19. X-Distance and Y-
Distance Constraints on page 63, the two points will be constrained x- and y-
distances.
Figure 19. X-Distance and Y-Distance Constraints
The X-Distance and Y-Distance constraints cannot be assigned manually. They are
generated automatically during the Design Intent Capture process with LINE
TWO_PTS and LINE POLYGON (see Figure 24 on page 79 in Design Intent
Capture on page 79).
Constraint Types 63
5
Parameters
Creating Parameters .................................................................................................65
Assigning Parameters................................................................................................66
Editing Parameter Definitions .....................................................................................67
Setting Parameter Values...........................................................................................71
A parameter is a named variable that you create with Parametric Design. You can
create a parameter implicitly by giving a parameter name when you assign one of
the several constraint types that support parameters; or you can create a parameter
explicitly by adding a new entry to the parameter definition table, which you
access by clicking Advanced in the Current Constraints dialog box. Regardless of
how you create a parameter, it is given an entry in this table. By editing the entry,
you can assign a value to the corresponding parameter.
The value you assign to a parameter may be either a discrete numeric value or an
expression. An expression is any valid Creo Elements/Direct Drafting expression.
This line can reference other Parametric Design parameters, Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting macros, and any of the arithmetic and logical constructs supported by the
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting macro language.
The most important feature of parameters is that they can be assigned to
constraints. After you assign a parameter to a constraint, you can modify the
constraint by changing the parameter's value. Conversely, you can access the
current value of the constraint by inquiring the parameter. This capability makes
parameters an especially powerful tool for defining relationships among elements
in a part.

Creating Parameters
Creating Parameters Implicitly
Parametric Design implicitly creates a new parameter whenever you Assign one
of the following constraint-types and supply an unused parameter name (string)
when prompted to do so by the software:
• Angle
• Dimension
• Distance
• Refpoint
• Size
• Slope
The name you give must conform to the naming rules given in the Assigning
Parameters on page 66, section and must not be the same as an existing parameter
name. If you give an existing parameter name, that parameter will simply be
assigned to the constraint and no new parameter will be created.
When you create a new parameter with this procedure, Parametric Design
implicitly creates a default definition for the parameter and then binds it to the
constraint you're assigning.
By default, the new parameter is given the current value of the constraint. For
example, if you assign a size constraint to a 10 cm line and give the label 'Len_3'
at the prompt, Parametric Design will create a new parameter, Len_3, and give it a
value of 100, assuming your current length units are mm. Note that parameters
always use the units they were created with. Len_3, for example, will always be in
mm even if you change your length units to inches.
Creating Parameters Explicitly

You can also create new parameters directly by adding entries to the parameter
definition table. Parameters that you create this way are not automatically
assigned to constraints on your part. For this reason, explicit creation is often used
to create parameters that will be used only to supply constants, sub-expressions, or
other values that have no relationship to the part.
To explicitly create a parameter, bring up the parameter definition table by
clicking Advanced in the Current Constraints dialog box. The parameter definition
table provides the following buttons for the creation of new parameters:
Command Action
Length Create a new length parameter
Angle Create a new angle parameter
Parameters 65
Command Action
Point Create a new point parameter
User Create a new user (unitless) parameter
Each of these commands adds a new parameter to the table. These parameters are
not associated with constraints, but you can name and define them like any other
parameter. The new parameters can be referenced in other expressions and can
reference other parameters in their own expressions. Once defined, you may use
them for reference or assign them to constraints in your part. To create a new
parameter:
1. Click the applicable button, for example: Angle.
2. Enter a name for the new parameter, e.g.: 'Angle_4'.
The name you give must be a suitable parameter label as described in Assigning
Parameters on page 66. An explicitly created parameter is given an initial value of
0 and a value type of "unknown." Its value remains unknown until you assign it a
value or until you assign it to a drawing element.
Assigning Parameters
Only the following constraint-types may be parameterized:
• Angle
• Dimension
• Distance
• Ref Point
• Size
• Slope
To assign a parameter to any of these constraint-types, you simply Assign the
constraint to the desired element(s), and enter the parameter name (enclosed in
quotes) when prompted to do so.
Only those constraint types that support parameters will prompt you for them. If
the named parameter does not exist, then Parametric Design creates a new
parameter with this name, as explained above. If a parameter with this name does
exist and matches the unit requirements of the constraint, it becomes associated
with the constraint.
Parameter names are text strings. They must adhere to the naming rules for Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting macros. Parameters cannot have the same name as an
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting keyword, (e.g. rad or CONFIRM). To avoid such
conflicts, parameter names should begin with an uppercase letter, and contain only
lowercase letters, integers, and/or the underscore (_) character in the remaining
positions. The names Distance, Rad, Dim_3, and My_line are examples of

valid parameter names. The software always displays parameter names with the
first letter uppercase and remaining characters lowercase, regardless of how you
enter them.
It is always a good idea to choose parameter names that are as descriptive as
possible - especially if you are parameterizing a part that other people will use as a
master part. A draftsperson is much more likely to understand the purpose of the
parameter Circle3_radius than the parameter Wwxyzz.
Once you assign a parameter name to a constraint, the parameter remains assigned
until you assign a different parameter name to this constraint, or until you Free the
constraint.
Editing Parameter Definitions

The parameter definition table can be used to display and edit the definitions of all
existing parameters on the current part. To bring up the table, click Advanced in
the Current Constraints dialog box. The parameter definition table contains one
entry for each parameter. Each entry has five fields, which define the parameter:
• Name
• Kind
• Value
• New Value Type
• New Value or Expression
Only the New Value or Expression field is directly modifiable. The first four fields
just supply information. The following sections describe each field.
Name
The Name field gives the parameter name as you assigned it. This is simply the
label that identifies the parameter.
Kind
The Kind field declares the units for this parameter. Units are determined by the
type of constraint this parameter is assigned to. The following "kinds" of units are
recognized:
Kind Units
Angle An angle in the angular units in force when the parameter
was created (degrees, radians, etc.).
Length A linear distance in the linear units in force when the
parameter was created (mm, inches, miles, etc.).
Parameters 67
Kind Units
Point An XY coordinate pair in the linear units in force when the
parameter was created; e.g., 20,30.5.
user Unitless. A user parameter is never associated with a
geometric constraint, so the solver never has to convert this
parameter into system units. Only parameters created with
the User option can be user parameters.
Value
The Value field shows the value that is currently associated with this parameter.
This value may change when you next Solve for a variation. The value for a
parameter is always given in the same units that were in force when the parameter
was first created.
Parameters that resolve to point values use two lines in the parameter table. The
value on the first line is the X coordinate of the point, while the second line
contains the Y coordinate.
New Value Type

The New Value Type field specifies the method that Solve will use to evaluate this
parameter. New Value Type must be one of:
Value Type Meaning
Value Set the value for this parameter to the specific value in the
New Value or Expression field. Assume that the given value
is in the correct units. Other parameters can depend on this
parameter via expressions. This value is available to any
geometric constraints that reference this parameter to solve
for the geometry.
Expression Generate a value for this parameter by resolving the
expression given in the New Value or Expression field.
Assumes that the expression is a valid Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting expression which resolves to a value of the correct
type. If the expression contains references to other
parameters then the expression is only evaluated after all
referenced parameters have a value. Conversely, other
parameters can depend on this parameter via expressions.
The value produced by this expression is available to all
geometric constraints that reference this parameter.

Value Type Meaning
Geometry The value for this parameter is taken from geometry that is
solved for using constraints that are not associated with this
parameter. Other parameters can depend on this parameter
via expressions.
For example, take a part in which there are two circles
whose radii are parameterized as Radius_1 and Radius_2. If
the first circle is tangent to three fixed lines then the value of
Radius_1 is completely determined by the "geometry" of the
three lines. An expression for Radius_2 such as ( 2 *
Radius_1 ) is then possible. This works because Solve
recognizes that the expression for Radius_2 should not be
evaluated until Radius_1 is known. Radius_1 can only be
known after the three tangent line constraints are evaluated.
Unknown This parameter has been named, but has no association to an
existing constraint and has no value or expression assigned.
This parameter type is not evaluated by the solver.
New Value or Expression

Use this field to assign new values for parameters. The value or expression
contained in this field at Solve time will be interpreted and assigned to the
corresponding parameter. If you leave this field blank, then the parameter value is
extracted from the geometry of the part.
To Assign A Specific Value To A Parameter:

1. Click the parameter's New Value or Expression field.
2. Type in a numeric value (in appropriate units) at the keyboard.
The number you give appears in the New Value or Expression field and the New
Value Type field is set to "Value". This value will be assigned to this parameter by
the next Solve command.
To Assign An Expression To A Parameter:

2. Type in a valid Creo Elements/Direct Drafting expression. All expression
input must be enclosed in quotes. For example:
(57 + Dist) Assign the sum of 57 and 'Dist' to the
parameter.
(IF (A < 8) 57 ELSE 45 END_ Assign 57 if the value of 'A' is less
IF)
Parameters 69
than 8; otherwise assign 45.
(PNT_XY (X_OF 'PtA') 10) Assign to a point parameter the x-
value of 'PtA' and a y-value of 10.
My_macro Evaluate 'My_macro' and assign the
result.
My_macro2 Rad Evaluate 'My_macro2', which needs a
parameter that passes in the value of
'Rad'.
The expression you give appears in the New Value or Expression field and the New
Value Type becomes "Expression." The next Solve command will cause this
expression to be evaluated by Parametric Design and the result assigned to this
parameter.
To Extract A Value From The Geometry:

2. Type in an empty string ('') to clear the contents of the field.
The New Value or Expression field is now blank and the New Value Type becomes
"Geometry." Subsequent Solve commands will cause Parametric Design to extract
a value for this parameter from the constrained geometry.
Geometry-type constraints are often useful for determining the locations of
elements in the part. Suppose for example that you have defined several
expressions that need to know the location of a particular point in the part. An
easy way to pass this data is with a parameterized Refpoint constraint:
• Assign the Refpoint constraint to the model point you're interested in. Give the
parameter name Pt1 to this constraint as you assign it.
• Use the parameter definition table to convert Pt1 to a "Geometry" type
parameter.
• Now, whenever you Solve, the new location of the model point will be
extracted and assigned to Pt1. Your expressions can access the location by
referencing Pt1.
Removing Parameters
Use the Remove command located in the upper right of the parameter definition
table to remove parameters from the part. To Remove a parameter, click Remove,
then click the Name field for the parameter you want to remove. Parametric
Design will not allow you to remove parameters that are currently assigned to a
constraint or that are referenced by another parameter via expression. To remove
parameters that are assigned to constraints, first either Free the constraint that
corresponds to the parameter or assign a new value to it, then Remove the

parameter entry. To remove a parameter that is referenced by other parameters,
you must first remove the offending references by editing the expressions that
contain them.
Showing Parameters
The Show button in the parameter definition table highlights all elements in the
part that currently have parameters assigned to them. Highlighting is done by
displaying the constraint icons of these elements along with the corresponding
parameter names. Parameter labels will be displayed using the current text font.
Highlighting is in CYAN by default.
The Show highlighting is removed whenever Solve is invoked. Alternatively, you
can select Clear and All Types in Generate Constraints to remove the highlighting.
Setting Parameter Values

A common strategy in Parametric Design is to define your parameters so that the
entire constraint structure of a part depends on several "Value"-type parameters.
This strategy has several advantages:
• It is often possible to generate new variations by simply changing a few key
value-type parameters.
• In situations where a Designer or Engineer is responsible for designing
constraints for a master part and a Draftsperson is responsible for generating
variations, this strategy "isolates" most of the constraint structure from the
Draftsperson, who only has to modify the values of a few parameters to
generate variations.
Parametric Design facilitates this strategy by giving easy access to all the
currently set "Value" parameters in the parameter value table in Current
Constraints. Rather than display the entire parameter definition table whenever
you want to change a "Value" parameter, you can display the Current Constraints
dialog box, which contains only "Value" parameters.
Each entry in the parameter value table contains the name of a currently defined
"Value" parameter along with the value that will be assigned to that parameter by
the next Solve command. This value corresponds to the New Value or Expression
field of the parameter definition table. Only those parameters with a type of
"Value" appear on this menu. If there are too many entries to view at once, use the
scroll bar beside the table. To change the value of a parameter, simply select its
entry and enter the new value. A full description of the parameter value table can
be found in Generating Variations on page 14.
Parameters 71
Note
While you can enter an expression rather than a value into the parameter value
table, it is not recommended that you do so, because this changes the type of
the parameter from "Value" to "Expression," and thus removes its entry from
the parameter value table (but not from the parameter definition table).

6
Dimension Driven Modification
Roadmap..................................................................................................................74
Overview ..................................................................................................................74
Viewing Parametric Dimensions .................................................................................74
Display Attributes of Parametric Dimensions ...............................................................75
Modifying Parametric Dimension Values .....................................................................76
Swapping Parametric Dimensions ..............................................................................77
73
Roadmap
Read this chapter to learn how to modify geometry by modifying parametric
dimensions. To learn how to assign constraints explicitly read Working with
Parametric Design on page 20 instead. To learn how to create, assign, and modify
parameters read Parameters on page 64.
Overview
Dimension Driven Modification simplifies access to some of the power of
parametric modification. Geometry can be modified by simply selecting
dimensions and entering new values.
Constraints associated with a number or a parameter (angle, dimension, distance,
size, slope) can be considered parametric dimensions. Regardless of how they
were created, all parametric dimensions can be modified via Parametric, Modify,
Dimension.
Viewing Parametric Dimensions

Display
To display parametric dimensions associated with selected geometry, click
Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Dimension ▶ Show.
Displaying parametric dimensions may require the automatic creation of
temporary geometry (which is not visible). For example, dimensioning the radius
of a construction circle is not allowed, so a real circle will be created temporarily
for the display of parametric dimensions. Any temporary geometry is deleted by
the Parametric Design module as soon as parametric dimensions are removed
from the display.
Parametric dimensions can be displayed only when a part is fully and properly
constrained. If the part is underconstrained when you click Show and then
Dimensions, you will be asked to confirm the running of Complete. Complete can
be executed reliably when the part is mostly constrained — if the geometry was
created with Design Intent Capture enabled, for example. But if the part does not
contain any constraints Complete should not be run until some initial constraints
have been assigned. Refer to Working with Parametric Design on page 20 for
information on constraint assignment.

Note
Keep in mind parametric dimensions are only associated with constraints that
contain a number or a parameter. Constraints such as parallel, horizontal, same
size, reference element, etc. will not have parametric dimensions associated
with them. A combination of constraint editing and dimension creation can be
used to construct any desired parametric dimensions.
Hide
To hide parametric dimensions associated with selected geometry, click
Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Dimension ▶ Hide.
Especially with large parts, the ability to selectively display and hide parametric
dimensions can reduce screen clutter. A designer can quickly focus on the
parametric dimension of interest.
Display Attributes of Parametric

Dimensions
Color
All parametric dimensions are displayed with the same color. To set the color
value use PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR. For example, to specify green as the
color for parametric dimensions use:
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR 0,1,0 [Enter]
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR 0,1,0 [Enter]
All other attributes are controlled by the current settings of the dimension module.
Location
Parametric dimensions — unlike other dimensions — are displayed in default
locations. They can be moved for easier viewing with Parametric ▶ Modify ▶
Dimension ▶ Move.
Dimension Driven Modification 75

Note
If you have the Dimension Advisor Module enabled, the parametric
dimensions are placed according to the Strategy option (Automatic in the
Options tab in Dimension Settings).
Modifying Parametric Dimension Values

Once parametric dimensions are displayed, their values can be modified.
Changing the value of a parametric dimension will result in a corresponding
change to the geometry of a drawing. The drawing can be updated after every
modification, or the drawing update can be deferred until many parametric
dimensions have been modified.
Immediate Modification
Immediate specifies that all geometry should be updated as soon as the value of a
parametric dimension is modified. This method can be useful with small drawings
— where the speed of updating the geometry and redrawing the screen is not a
concern. It can also be useful for experimenting with several different values for
one parametric dimension.
Deferred Modification
Deferred specifies that geometry should not be modified until the user makes an
explicit request. This method will improve performance, because the drawing will
be updated only once — even if the values of several parametric dimensions have
been modified.
Deferred is actually necessary when a set of parametric dimension modifications
do not have valid intermediate geometry. For example, consider a triangle with
sides of lengths 3, 4, and 5:
Figure 20. Triangle Requiring Deferred Modification

It would not be possible to change the side lengths to 30, 40, and 50 using
Immediate, because no valid triangle can be created with a combination of old and
new lengths.
Note
Often a combination of Immediate and Deferred is useful when several
parametric dimensions need modification.
Swapping Parametric Dimensions

The parametric dimensions generated by Complete many not be appropriate in all
cases. In these cases it is possible to create a traditional dimension and then
indicate that it should become a parametric dimension. For example, consider this
drawing and the parametric dimensions that were generated with Complete:
Figure 21. Parametric Dimensions Generated by "Complete"
If the center of the arc should be located from the right side, tools in the
Dimension menu can be used to create an appropriate dimension. Then you click
Swap, and the newly-created dimension is selected to replace the parametric
dimension generated by Complete. The resulting parametric dimensions are:
Dimension Driven Modification 77

Figure 22. Parametric Dimensions After Swapping
Restrictions
In order for an exchange to occur both dimensions must control the same
geometry. For instance, in the example above the height of the rectangle could not
be exchanged for the distance from the center of the arc to the right edge.

7
Design Intent Capture
Roadmap..................................................................................................................80
Overview ..................................................................................................................80
Flexibility ..................................................................................................................80
Enabling, Disabling and Inquiring................................................................................80
Elements Affected .....................................................................................................81
Constraint Creation ...................................................................................................81
Operations on Existing Geometry ...............................................................................83
79
Roadmap
Read this chapter to learn how to create constraints as geometry is created. To
learn how to assign constraints and parameters explicitly, read Working with
Parametric Design on page 20 instead.
Overview
Design Intent Capture generates and assigns parametric constraints as geometry is
constructed. Constraint types depend on the method used to construct geometry.
For example, when creating one line perpendicular to another line a perpendicular
constraint will be created and associated with the two lines.
Design Intent Capture improves the speed, accuracy, and quality of parametric
constraint definition by combining the separate steps of geometry creation and
constraint assignment into one action.
Without Design Intent Capture constraints must be assigned after geometry has
been created. This forces the designer to remember the relationships between
geometric elements and record them by assigning constraints. Even worse, if the
geometry was created by someone else the designer must try to reason backward
and guess at the appropriate constraints. These problems are avoided by using
Design Intent Capture.
The quality of constraints in the final parametric drawing is usually much better
when Design Intent Capture is used compared with relying on Complete to
generate all constraints. Quite possibly a drawing will be fully constrained when
Design Intent Capture is used. But even if some additional constraints are
required, Complete will have a much better starting point.
Flexibility
Although Design Intent Capture generates constraints, the designer is free to
modify or remove any of them. The constraints are not history-based, so they may
be modified regardless of the order in which they were created. Any constraint can
be altered or removed without negating all of the work that occurred after the
constraint was generated.
In other words, Design Intent Capture is a method of generating constraints — as
are Complete and direct assignment. All of the Parametric Design module's
constraint editing capabilities can be used on them. Refer to Working with
Parametric Design on page 20 for more information on editing constraints.
Enabling, Disabling and Inquiring

To enable Design Intent Capture type:

UA_DESIGN_INTENT ON [Enter]
UA_DESIGN_INTENT ON [Enter]
To disable Design Intent Capture type:
UA_DESIGN_INTENT OFF [Enter]
UA_DESIGN_INTENT OFF [Enter]
To inquire the on/off status of Design Intent Capture use the arithmetic function
UA_GET_DESIGN_INTENT. A value of 0 is returned if Design Intent Capture is
disabled, and a value of 1 is returned if Design Intent Capture is enabled. For
example, to display the current on/off status of Design Intent Capture type:
DISPLAY (UA_GET_DESIGN_INTENT) [Enter]
DISPLAY (UA_GET_DESIGN_INTENT) [Enter]
Elements Affected
The following methods of geometry creation generate parametric constraints when
Design Intent Capture is enabled:
• point
• line
• circle
• arc
• fillet
• chamfer
• construction line
• construction circle
• text
• equidistance
• overdraw
Constraint Creation
The Parametric Design module considers two guidelines when determining the
appropriate constraints to generate with Design Intent Capture:
• construction technique
• CATCH information
Design Intent Capture 81

Construction Technique
Different constraints will be generated depending on the method of geometry
creation. LINE PARALLEL, LINE PERPENDICULAR, LINE HORIZONTAL,
and LINE TAN2 all convey different intentions, and all will result in different
constraints.
Even if two drawings look identical, they probably will have different constraints
if different construction techniques were used to create them. For example,
consider these two lines. Each is connected to a fixed point at one end. But one
was created with LINE TWO_PTS and the other was created with LINE PT_
ANG_DIST. Both drawings look the same:
Figure 23. Lines Displayed Without Constraints
But the constraints are different:
Figure 24. Lines Displayed With Constraints
CATCH Information
Design Intent Capture also considers CATCH information when determining
which constraints to generate. With CoPilot enabled the ability to catch to
tangencies, etc. is much easier.
For example, assume CoPilot is enabled and LINE TWO_PTS is invoked. If the
endpoints of the line are picked so that they are approximately tangent to two arcs,
then two tangent constraints will be created.

Note
Because different constraints are generated based on construction technique
and CATCH information only advanced users should enable Design Intent
Capture when macro files are being created or input.
Operations on Existing Geometry

In addition to operations which create geometry, Design Intent Capture applies to
operations that modify geometry. Constraints will be created, deleted, modified, or
transferred appropriately for different modification operations.
Delete
When geometry is deleted all relational parametric constraints will be transferred
to other geometry whenever possible. For example, consider three perpendicular
lines:
Figure 25. Perpendicular Lines with Constraints
If the middle line is deleted the perpendicular constraints associated with it will
also be deleted. But a new constraint will be generated so that the parallelism
between the remaining lines is kept:

Figure 26. One Perpendicular Line Deleted
Split
When elements are split constraints will be assigned to maintain consistency
between the pieces. Each portion of a split line will be given a collinear constraint.
Split circles and arcs will be assigned same size constraints.
In addition to the basic constraints for split lines and arcs, other constraints may
need to be modified or assigned. For example, if a line with a size constraint is
split, a distance constraint will be created and associated with the endpoints of the
original line.
Merge
When elements are merged constraints will be combined whenever possible. For
example, when line segments are merged the collinear constraint associated with
them will be removed (if it exists). Relational constraints between the segments
and other elements will be associated with the new, merged line.
Modify Keep, Stretch Keep, Mirror Keep

Geometry copied with MODIFY KEEP or STRETCH KEEP will also have all
associated constraints copied. Note that no constraints will exist between the
original and the new copies of the geometry.
Mirrored elements will be assigned constraints so that both portions of the
geometry continue to have the mirror property. In other words, once geometry is
mirrored with Design Intent Capture both portions will remain mirror images of
each other — even as other modifications are made.

Modify NoKeep, Stretch NoKeep, Change_fillet
Design Intent Capture will attempt to modify constraint values without changing
any constraint types. For example, the radius of a fillet or the distance between
two elements may be changed, but a perpendicular constraint will not be changed
to a collinear constraint. If Design Intent Capture is not able to calculate a new
value for a constraint, the constraint will be eliminated.

8
Advanced Topics and Tips
Roadmap..................................................................................................................87
Geometry Cleaning ...................................................................................................87
A Simple Sketch Input Implementation ........................................................................88
Zone Gymnastics ......................................................................................................91
Parametric Control of Splines .....................................................................................93
Rigid Bodies: Applications and Tips ............................................................................94
Implementing Replication in Parametric Design ...........................................................96
Allowing Rotation ......................................................................................................97
Working with Multiple Parts ........................................................................................97
Using Modify With Parametric Design .........................................................................98
Automatic Constraint Generation ................................................................................99
A Short Description of the Solver .............................................................................. 101
How Expressions are Evaluated ............................................................................... 101
Invisible Geometry................................................................................................... 102

Roadmap
The information in this section is mostly of interest to advanced Parametric
Design users. If you are new to Parametric Design, skip this section for now and
come back to it later.
Parametric Design has a number of useful features and applications that may not
be immediately obvious to the casual user. This chapter describes several of these
and provides some in-depth information on the workings of Complete and Solve.
Geometry Cleaning
Complete and Solve both have the ability to recognize and compensate for minor
geometric inconsistencies in a part. Common problems such as lines which are
slightly out of parallel, elements with zero length or radius, and small gaps
between "tangent" elements can be recognized and corrected.
Note
The "cleanup" capabilities used by Complete and Solve are separate from the
Clean command. See Working with Parametric Design on page 20 for more
information on the Clean options.
Parametric Design handles most geometric inconsistencies by incorporating

tolerances into several of the rules used by Complete to extract constraints from a
part. If an element does not precisely fit the requirements for a given constraint,
but is within the tolerance, the constraint is assigned anyway. Once Complete is
done, you need only Solve with the No Keep option to adjust these elements into
the precise configuration given by the constraint.
For example, Complete can extract a Horizontal constraint for any line element
with a slope that is 0 ± the current angular tolerance (given by PD_AUTO_
ANGLE_TOLERANCE). If the tolerance is 0.5, then lines with slopes of 0 ± 0.5
can be assigned Horizontal constraints. When Solve is run, these lines will be
adjusted as needed to become truly horizontal.
The following tolerances are used by Complete:
PD_AUTO_ZERO_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE Specifies the absolute tolerance
used by Complete to compare a distance to zero. This tolerance is used to detect
coincident points, collinear lines and Point on constraints. Must be greater than or
equal to 0. The initial setting is 0.000001 mm.
PD_AUTO_SAME_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE Specifies the absolute tolerance
used by Complete to compare two non-zero distances. Used in several areas; to
check whether two circular elements have the same radius, for example. Must be
greater than or equal to zero. The initial value is 0.000001 mm.
Advanced Topics and Tips 87

PD_AUTO_ANGLE_TOLERANCE Specifies the absolute tolerance used to
compare angles. This tolerance is applied, for example, when checking whether
two lines are parallel or a single line is horizontal. Must be greater than or equal to
zero. The initial value is 0.000001 radians.
PD_AUTO_TANGENT_TOLERANCE Specifies the absolute distance tolerance
used by Complete to check whether two elements are tangent. Applied only if one
of the extracted elements is circular. The tolerance is used to compare the radius
of the circular element to the distance from the circular element center point to the
other element. The number supplied must be greater than or equal to zero. The
initial setting is 0.000001 mm.
By default, these tolerances are set very small to ensure that Parametric Design
only compensates for true anomalies in the part and does not remove or "adjust
away" small details that are important to you. Setting a tolerance to 0 effectively
eliminates its effect on Complete. Depending on the type of parts you normally
work with, you may want to experiment with different values for each of these
tolerances until you arrive at a set of tolerances that provides maximum cleaning
without removing important details. Tolerances may be redefined on the Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting command line, and the default values can be changed by
editing the pd_def.mac file.
An additional tolerance, PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_TOLERANCE, is used directly
by Solve to merge coincident points and remove very small ("zero length")
elements from variations. Points that are within this tolerance are merged, thus
removing duplicate points and eliminating elements that are smaller than the
tolerance. The default, which is defined in pd_def.mac, is 0.000001 mm.
Caution
It is usually a good idea to disable tolerance-based merging in motion-study or
kinematics applications where several entities will be moved around in close
proximity to one another. In these applications, it is often the case that two
entities which are intended to remain separate will come into close enough
contact that a point on each will fall within the merge tolerance. If merging is
on, the two entities will be effectively fused together, preventing further
independent motion. To disable merging, set the tolerance to -1.
A Simple Sketch Input Implementation

The preceding discussion of geometry cleaning has assumed that the tolerance
capabilities of the solver will be used to correct for small deficiencies in the input
geometry. Suppose however, that you expect substantial inconsistencies in a part
and that you don't care if you have to adjust it substantially to clean it up. A

"sketch input" application is a common situation where these assumptions would
be true. In these situations, you can use Parametric Design with relatively large
tolerances to "square up" a quickly-drawn part.
The following macro implements a simple "sketch input" application using
Parametric Design:
DEFINE SquareUp {A simple drawing
straightener}
{Accept linear and angular tolerances as arguments}
PARAMETER LinearTolerance
PARAMETER AngularTolerance
{Set adjustment tolerances to the supplied values }

PD_AUTO_ZERO_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE LinearTolerance
PD_AUTO_SAME_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE LinearTolerance
PD_AUTO_ANGLE_TOLERANCE AngularTolerance
PD_AUTO_TANGENT_TOLERANCE LinearTolerance
PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_TOLERANCE LinearTolerance
{If AUTO must create new points, make sure we can delete them
later}
ADD_CURRENT_INFO "DELETE" END
{Load the entire current part into the zone}

PD_ZONE_ADD ALL {ZONE Add Mult ALL}
{Generate constraints; tolerances are applied}

PD_RESOLVE GENERATE {AUTO}
{Resolve conditionally. If the preview is OK, accept the

change}
PD_RESOLVE PREVIEW {SOLVE Preview}
WINDOW FIT
READ 'Please enter CONFIRM (c) or UNDO (u)' DEFAULT 'c'
Accept_flag
IF ((Accept_flag = 'c') OR (Accept_flag = 'C'))
PD_RESOLVE REPLACE {SOLVE NoKeep}
ELSE
END
END_IF
{If AUTO had to generate ref. points to constrain, remove them

now}
DELETE SELECT INFOS "DELETE" ALL END
{Cleanup: remove constraints, zone data, DELETE info. reset

tolerances}
PD_FREE NOBAN ALLTYPES CONFIRM
PD_ZONE_REMOVE ALL

CHANGE_CURRENT_INFO "DELETE" "" END
PD_AUTO_ZERO_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE 1E-06
PD_AUTO_SAME_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE 1E-06
PD_AUTO_ANGLE_TOLERANCE 1E-06
PD_AUTO_TANGENT_TOLERANCE 1E-06
PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_TOLERANCE 1E-06
{Display what I've made!}

REDRAW
END_DEFINE {of SquareUp}
To get a feel for how this macro works, copy the text above into a file and then
Input the file to Creo Elements/Direct Drafting. Note that this chapter is supplied
in HTML format on the Creo Elements/Direct Electronic Manuals CD-ROM.
Now quickly create the part below. Use Polygon in Geometry with the Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting catch-mode set to OFF. Try to reproduce the figure as
shown, but don't worry about inconsistencies in your part.
Figure 27. Sample Polygon
Now type in: SquareUp 2 5 [Enter]

If all went well, Parametric Design has cleaned your "sketch." Specifically, gaps
of 2mm or less should now be closed. Lines that were within +/- 5 degrees of
horizontal or vertical should now be "squared up." Also, lines that were not quite
collinear (+/- 2mm) should now be snapped into place, Figure 28. A Cleaned
Sketch on page 91.

Figure 28. A Cleaned Sketch
If the first pass at this didn't work for you (remember, SquareUp is a very simple
macro that will handle many, but certainly not all cases!), reject the results and
experiment with different values for the length and angle tolerances.
As you experiment with SquareUp, it may be helpful to try it with severely flawed
sketches and to give "unreasonable" values for the linear and angular tolerances to
learn the strengths and weaknesses of this technique.
Zone Gymnastics
Parametric Design's zone mechanism is implemented using Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting infos. The info text PD_ZONE is used to specify which drawing
elements are in the Parametric Design zone. Any drawing element in the current
part that has the info text PD_ZONE attached to it is included in the zone. By
treating the zone as simply a collection of element infos, several powerful options
for working with the zone become available. The following sections contain a few
ideas.
Automatic Inclusion
As shipped, the pd_def.mac file contains the string:
ADD_CURRENT_INFO "PD_ZONE" END
This causes all new geometry created during your Creo Elements/Direct Drafting
session to be automatically included in the zone (i.e., the PD_ZONE info is added
to all new geometry). You can turn off the auto-inclusion feature at startup by
removing this line from pd_def.mac. To turn off auto-inclusion from within
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting, you could type in:
CHANGE_CURRENT_INFO "PD_ZONE" ""

Note that these functions will not affect geometry input from an MI file. If the
contents of an MI file were in the zone when they were saved to the file, they will
be put into the zone when the file is restored. If the contents were not in the zone
when the file was created, they are not placed into the zone when the file is
restored.
Alternate Add/Remove Schemes

You can use Info commands instead of the screen menu to add or remove elements
from the zone. This can be useful when using Parametric Design from within a
macro. Typical commands might be:
ADD_ELEM_INFO "PD_ZONE" Add selected elements to the zone

CHANGE_ELEM_INFO "PD_ZONE" "" Remove selected elements from the
zone
Pre-Define Multiple Zones

In an evolving, complex part, you may find that several different areas are
frequently being modified with Parametric Design. Each time you want to work
on a different area of the part, you need to redefine the contents of the zone. If
your part is truly complex, this may be a time-consuming task. If you want to
make sure that the same elements are always included in the zone each time you
work in a particular area, you'll have to be very careful when you assign elements
to the zone. This task may become even more difficult and error prone if several
people are working on the same part.
One solution to this problem is to use infos to pre-define several "quasi-zones" in
a part and then to activate each one as needed. Suppose, for example, you have a
part with three different areas that must regularly be modified with Parametric
Design. Try the following strategy:
• First, clear all zone infos from the part:
CHANGE_GLOBAL_INFO "PD_ZONE" ""
• Next, assign to all the elements in the first area an arbitrary info. Let's call it
"AREA_1": ADD_ELEM_INFO "AREA_1" (select elements)
• Repeat this step for the second and third area, giving each its own info: ADD_
ELEM_INFO "AREA_2" (select elements) ADD_ELEM_INFO "AREA_3"
(select elements)
Now that each group of elements has a unique info associated with it, you can
easily "activate" each group for Parametric Design by swapping its info text for
the PD_ZONE info text and "deactivate" it by restoring the old info:
• To load the elements in "AREA_1" into the zone: CHANGE_GLOBAL_INFO
"AREA_1" "PD_ZONE"

• To remove "AREA_1" elements from the zone and load "AREA_3" elements
into the zone: CHANGE_GLOBAL_INFO "PD_ZONE" "AREA_1"
CHANGE_GLOBAL_INFO "AREA_3" "PD_ZONE"
• To remove "AREA_3" elements from the zone: CHANGE_GLOBAL_INFO
"PD_ZONE" "AREA_3"
Parametric Control of Splines

Creo Elements/Direct Drafting currently supports two types of spline entities:
rational cubic splines (C-splines), which are created with the SPLINE function,
and B-splines, which are created with the BSPLINE function. Earlier versions of
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting only supported C-splines. Parametric Design can
be used to parametrically control the shape of any spline, but the procedure for
constraining C-splines and the newer B-splines differs somewhat. The following
two sections give some tips and techniques for controlling each type of spline.
C-Splines
To parametrically control the shape of a C-spline, you first place point elements
on the data points used to create the spline and then assign the appropriate
constraints to these points to actually control the shape of the spline. Any
constraint that can be assigned to a point can be used.
To find the location of the C-spline's data points, turn on vertices with SHOW
VERTEX ON. Before assigning point elements to the spline data points, you
should also make sure that splitting is turned off.
Note
By default, Creo Elements/Direct Drafting converts all rational splines in a
drawing into B-splines when you load it. The conversion will invalidate any
constraints that you have assigned to the data points of these rational splines.
Refelem constraints which are assigned directly to spline elements are not
invalidated, and will be carried over from the rational spline to the new B-
spline.
To prevent spline conversion and the subsequent invalidation of constraints on
rational splines, you must enter SPLINE_CONVERSION OFF prior to loading
any master part that contains constrained rational splines. Alternatively, you
could include this line in the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting pd_def file to
permanently disable spline conversion.

B-Splines
Unlike C-splines, which are controlled via their data points, the shape of a B-
spline can only be controlled by constraining its control points. To parametrically
set the shape of a B-spline, you must first display its control polygon, either with
the CNTRL POLY command on the screen menu, or by entering SHOW_CPOLY
ON and selecting the B-spline. With the control points displayed, use same
method as for C-splines to constrain them: place point elements on each control
point and then constrain those point elements. At solve time, as the control points
move, the shape of the spline will also change.
If you assign constraints only to the data points of a B-spline and it appears that
they are causing the spline to change shape, it's likely that splitting was on when
you placed the point elements on the data points and you are now manipulating
multiple B-splines!
Rigid Bodies: Applications and Tips

Rigid bodies are useful for a wide range of applications. The list below presents a
few ideas.
• Motion studies of linkage assemblies becomes much simpler. Make each link a
rigid body. Then use constraints to describe the motion between the links.
Your model will not be cluttered with constraints for the links, so you can
concentrate more on the interactions between links.
A feature of rigid bodies that is especially useful for motion studies is the fact
that a single element can legally belong to more than one rigid body. A single
point element included in two rigid bodies acts much like a hinge between
them, while a single construction line works much like a slider. An arc or line
segment shared by two rigid bodies serves to "weld" them together.
• Parametrics can now control (to some degree) subparts and/or shared subparts.
Collect each subpart into a rigid body along with some geometry from the
current part. Construction geometry is often a good choice for this. You can
control the position and orientation of each subpart through constraints on the
construction geometry.
• Complicated parts often have large amounts of geometry which you want to
move as a group. Because the automatic constraint generator has a poor notion
of locality, it is usually simpler and more predictable to identify these groups
of entities manually.
• Control hatch angle. Suppose you want a hatching to remain at a given angle
to some line. Create a construction line collinear to this line (and constrain it
to be collinear), then make a rigid body out of the construction line and the
hatching. Use the construction line instead of the original line in the rigid body

so that you don't prevent the original line from changing size by including it in
the rigid body.
• Control the location and orientation of symbol subparts.
• Provide a form of model cleaning without modifying geometry. Stacked
elements, unclosed polygons, etc. can wreak havoc on parametric applications.
The usual approach to solving these problems is to use the Clean commands to
merge points and remove stacked elements. In cases where it is not possible or
desirable to clean the original geometry, you may be able to use rigid bodies to
isolate problem geometry from the solver. Simply collect problem areas into
rigid bodies so that the solver does not need to examine individual elements
too closely. Of course, this approach may limit what you can accomplish with
parametrics, as the contents of the rigid bodies can only be moved and rotated,
not resized.
Here are a few potential trouble spots that you should keep in mind while working
with rigid bodies:
• Be careful when creating a rigid body that contains only subparts. While these
are perfectly valid rigid bodies, remember that you cannot assign constraints to
subparts. As a result you would not be able to control the position or rotation
of the rigid body via constraints. It will remain in its original position in all
subsequent variations.
• Similarly, be careful when creating rigid bodies that contain just a subpart and
a single point element from the current part. Such a rigid body can be
translated via constraints, but its rotation cannot be changed.
• A subpart may be assigned to more than one rigid body. At solve time,
however, it will always remain associated with one of the rigid bodies to
which it was assigned. All other rigid body associations will be ignored.
• Finally, consider the case of a rigid body that contains only a subpart and a
construction line. In this case it is possible to control the rotation of the rigid
body and translations that are perpendicular to the axis of the construction
line, but not translations along the axis of the construction line. The subpart
will retain it's original position along the axis of the construction line
regardless of subsequent rotation and off-axis translation.

Implementing Replication in Parametric
Design
A common requirement when creating a family of parts is to have a particular
geometric feature replicated a variable number of times, depending on the overall
size or configuration of the surrounding geometry in each variation. A circular
plate, for example, might be expected to have 8 holes if its radius is 4 inches, and
12 holes if the radius is 6 inches.
While Parametric Design provides no functionality to perform such modifications
directly, the following procedure often does the trick:
1. Define the zone to be all of the geometry in the part except for the portion that
is to be replicated. Constrain the geometry in the zone as if you were setting
up a master part.
2. Create some additional parameterized constraints that can be used to query the
result of a variation. These can be Refpoint, Dimension, Distance, Angle, Size,
or Slope constraints. Assign these constraints so that they return the values
needed to determine the number of replications needed.
3. Write a macro to query the necessary parameters, compute the number of
replications from this data, and create those replications in the correct location.
4. Finally, write a macro which first invokes PD_RESOLVE to solve for the
geometry in the zone, and then calls the macro defined in the previous step to
take care of the replications.
A number of alternative strategies can be derived from this procedure. For
example, if both the number of replications and the size of the replicated geometry
needs to vary, consider using two different zones, one for the surrounding
geometry and one for a single instance of the replications. In this case, the final
macro might have the following logic:
1. Run PD_RESOLVE for the surrounding geometry.
2. Use PD_PARAM_INQ to read out the results.
3. Compute values for the input parameters for the instance of the replication
geometry from the result you've just obtained.
4. Change the current zone to the replication geometry.
5. Use PD_PARAM_FIX calls to load the input parameters needed for the
replication geometry.
6. Run PD_RESOLVE for the replication geometry.
7. Use Modify commands to move, rotate and copy the replication geometry as
needed.

Allowing Rotation
It is often desirable for variations of a part to be able to rotate about a given point
as a condition for their creation. The simplest way to allow a part to rotate is to
define the reference constraints on the master part to be a reference point and a
line slope. Usually it is best if the reference point is on the line whose slope is
being constrained. After applying the reference constraints, constrain the rest of
the part without using slope constraints (i.e., no Slope, Horizontal, or Vertical
constraints. If you use Complete to generate constraints, make sure to check for
any system-generated slope constraints, and change these to angle-type
constraints.
Now by simply changing the value of the constrained slope the entire part will
rotate about the reference point.
Working with Multiple Parts

Parametric Design constraints and parameters are all local to a given Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting part. Thus, subparts can be stored independently from
the rest of a drawing with their complete parametric definition, and parameterized
subparts can be loaded into a drawing without corrupting the constraint and
parameter data for other parts already in the drawing.
There are two situations, however, in which the parametric data from more than
one part can come into contact. The interactions that occur are worth noting:
You can explicitly set up interrelationships between parts by writing macros like
the one given in the "Macros" example in Examples on page 104. This example
shows how a parameter in one part can have its value depend on the resulting
geometry in another part. Since a parameter can refer to an angle, slope, distance,
size, or dimension, and since any number of points can be parameterized for
output query, this method provides a very general solution to the problem.
A second (often less desirable) form of interaction can occur as a result of the
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Smash and Gather commands. Smash and Gather
have the following behavior:
• If you Gather without copying a subset of the constrained elements in a
parameterized part, all of the constraint and parameter data for that part is lost.
• If you Gather all of the constrained elements in a part or Smash one or more
subparts, then the constraint and parameter data will be kept. Note, however,
that if the same parameter name exists in two or more of the parts being
merged, the results can be unpredictable. Generally, if there is a conflict
between parameter names, the parameter assigned to the part that is highest in
the parts tree is maintained. If both parts are at the same level, one or the other
will be selected, but it is impossible to predict which.

Using Modify With Parametric Design
The Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Modify command can generally be used along
with Parametric Design to modify geometry. Modify can be used successfully
between the time that a part is constrained and the time that Solve is issued, but
modifications during this time will also affect the results of Solve. These effects
may be surprising if you are not expecting them, but can be very useful once
understood.
• If a parameterizable constraint (i.e., Angle, Size, Distance, Slope, or Dimension
constraint) is assigned without giving an expression or parameter name, then
the value of the constraint is determined at solve time. Thus, any modifications
you make to such elements will be recognized by Solve. For example, if you
assign a valueless Size constraint to a 7 inch line, and then Stretch that line to
12 inches prior to solving, Solve will keep the line at 12 inches.
• Collinear, Parallel, Perpendic, and Tangent constraints all have orientation
characteristics which can be affected by Modify.
○ The angle between two Parallel or Collinear lines can be 0 or 180 (see the
explanation of Slope constraints in Constraint Types on page 41). Solve
will use whatever angle is closest to the actual positions of the lines at
solve time.
○ Similarly, the angle between two Perpendic lines can be 90 or 270 degrees.
The preferred angle is the angle that it is closest to at solve time.
○ If a line and circle are constrained Tangent, Solve attempts to find a
location for the circle center point on the same side of the line that it
started out on at solve time.
○ If two non-concentric circles are constrained Tangent, there are three
possible solutions. Either the first circle will be inside the second, the
second circle will be inside the first or both circles will be tangent
externally. Solve attempts to maintain the particular relationship that is in
place at solve time.
In all of the above cases, Modify can be used to change the location of the
constrained elements and thus change Solve's preferred solution, even
though the constraints haven't changed.
• Geometry constrained as reference elements can be modified at any time
before solving. Solve will always leave such elements in their current position
at solve time.

Modifying Constraint Icons
Parametric Design constraint icons are simply text elements whose contents and
location are managed by the software. While there is nothing to prevent you from
modifying the location, text attributes, or contents of the icons with Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting, doing so has several implications that you should be
aware of:
• Each constraint icon string is derived from the constraint and from the
applicable icon viewing commands (e.g., Show and Clear). Modifying the
contents of the string, or deleting the string altogether, doesn't alter the
underlying constraint in any way.
• Copying an icon string or placing the leader line on a different element doesn't
copy the constraints to that element. In fact, a copy of an icon string is not
recognized by Parametric Design and becomes just another text element that
can be added to the zone and constrained!
• Any change in the attributes of an icon string, such as slant, will be forgotten
when the entire icon string is cleared from the screen. The next time the icon
string is constructed it will use the default settings for new text elements.
• The constraint icon characters are part of the hp_symbols font. These
characters are inserted into locations 65-96 of hp_symbols when Parametric
Design is enabled. You should not attempt to use these locations either before
or after Parametric Design is enabled. Unpredictable results can occur.
Automatic Constraint Generation

To extract constraints from an existing part, Complete uses the Parametric Design
solver to apply a set of extraction rules to the geometry in the zone. Understanding
how these rules work will help you to anticipate what kinds of constraints are
generated by Complete.
When you select Complete, the solver first scans the geometry for existing
constraints. If these fully constrain the part, Complete is done. If the existing set of
constraints does not fully constrain the part, the solver then starts to evaluate the
under-constrained members of the part and assign new constraints to them
according to the rules listed below. Each time a new constraint is extracted, it is
added to the list of known constraints and the part is checked again to see whether
or not it is now fully constrained. As soon as it is, the process stops. Otherwise,
the solver continues to go down the list of rules, adding constraints and checking
until the part is fully constrained. The solver will not go on to a new rule until all
possible constraints have been extracted according to the current rule. A rule will
not be applied to elements that have the Ban flag set for the constraint type
assigned by the rule. The rules and their basic functions are (in order of
application):

Rule Action
Special Symmetry lines If PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY is on, find all lines that
have the auto-symmetry linetype and color and
assign them Symmline constraints.
Collinear Lines Find collinear lines and assign them Collinear
constraints.
Coincident Points Find coincident points and constrain them together.
Points On Geometry Find suitable elements and assign them Point on
constraints.
Mirrored Elements If symmetry lines are defined, find mirrored
elements and assign them Mirror constraints.
Dimensions Constrain any free dimensions to their current value.
Fillets Find arcs that qualify as fillets and assign them Fillet
constraints.
Parallel Lines Find parallel line elements and assign them Parallel
constraints.
Perpendicular Lines Find perpendicular elements and assign them
Perpendicular constraints.
Tangent Elements Find tangent linear or circular elements and assign
them Tangent constraints.
Horizontal Lines Assign Horizontal constraints to horizontal elements.
Vertical Lines Assign Vertical constraints to vertical elements.
Mirrored Points If symmetry lines are defined, find mirrored points
and assign them Mirror constraints.
Same Radius Find circles with the same radius and assign
Samesize constraints.
Free Angle Find elements with free slopes and assign Angle
constraints.
Free Slope Find elements with free slopes and assign Slope
constraints.
Free Radii Find circles with free radii and assign Size
constraints.
Free Length Find lines with free lengths and assign Size
constraints.
Free Elements Find any remaining free elements and constrain them
with Distance and/or Refelem constraints.
Free Parameter Look through the parameter table. For all parameters
that do not have a set value, assign the current value.
When extracting constraints from the part, the solver must determine the location
and connectivity of each element in order to decide if that element is a suitable
candidate for the constraint type currently being assigned. The user can specify
several tolerances for the solver to use when determining an element's location
and connectivity. These tolerances, described in detail in Geometry Cleaning on
page 87 above, allow the solver to handle minor inconsistencies that may occur in
the part.
Finally, after all the geometry has been examined and all new constraints have
been extracted, Complete goes back through the part looking for redundant or
unused constraints. These are removed. For example, if a line element is found
that is constrained horizontal and is also constrained collinear with another line
that is constrained horizontal, the horizontal constraint can be freed from the first
line.
A Short Description of the Solver

The Parametric Design solver is a constraint solution kernel. The input to this
kernel is a list of the geometric elements in the zone and the set of topological and
metric constraints assigned to the geometry. Using the geometry list and
constraints, the kernel can solve for the (new) location of the geometry.
The kernel is really just a smart sequencer of solution steps. Each step determines,
or partly determines, some geometric entity (point, line, etc.) This is done by
applying one (or more if necessary) constraints and some adjacent fixed entities to
make a change in some other entity. When a change is made to an entity,
constraints associated with that entity are scanned to see if one or more might be
applicable.
Once the solution sequence has been determined, an expanded set of algebraic
closed-form algorithms is invoked, rather than an iterative numerical technique.
These algorithms employ simple geometrical constructions, such as curve/curve
intersectors. The kernel is designed for speed and robustness, and to minimize
calculation error.
One of the limitations in the kernel is that coupled or circular constraints are not
resolved, since they usually imply a simultaneous system of equations, which the
kernel does not attempt to solve. In these situations, the kernel calls the automatic
constraint generator, which proposes an alternative set of constraints.
How Expressions are Evaluated

User expressions for parameters are evaluated when all of the independent
parameters are known. When it is time to evaluate an expression, Solve constructs
the following macro:
DEFINE Pdeval

PARAMETER <independent parameter name 1>
:
PARAMETER <independent parameter name N>
<user expression>
END_DEFINE
The dependent parameter is then assigned to the value of
Pdeval <value of independent parameter 1> ...

For example, if the expression for parameter A is (B+10) and at some point in the
solution process B becomes 6, then Pdeval will be:
DEFINE Pdeval
PARAMETER B
(B+10)
END_DEFINE
And A is assigned to be the result of
Pdeval 6
A syntax error can occur during the evaluation. When this happens, a message is
displayed indicating which dependent parameter has the faulty expression and
Solve is terminated. Since the offending expression is the last expression to be
evaluated, you can view it by running EDIT_MACRO Pdeval immediately after
the failure occurs. This procedure may point out problems that might otherwise
escape attention, since there is very little syntax checking done when the
expression is defined.
For example, if the above sample expression were (rad+10) then the above macro
would be:
DEFINE Pdeval
(rad+10)
END_DEFINE
which fails because rad is a keyword and keywords are not recognized as
parameters, even if there was a parameter called Rad.
Invisible Geometry
As constraints are created the Parametric Design module may need to create
points and construction lines to serve as reference geometry. For example, when
Design Intent Capture is enabled and LINE PARALLEL is invoked construction
lines are created between the original and new lines, so that the two lines will
remain both parallel and the same length.
Invisible Geometry is managed completely by the Parametric Design module.
Whenever operations such as DELETE, MODIFY, or STRETCH are performed
on real geometry any necessary changes are made to invisible geometry.
Viewing
Invisible geometry is displayed whenever an associated constraint is displayed.
Typically constraints are displayed via the Display dialog box.
Viewing invisible geometry can be helpful in understanding the relationship
between constraints and geometry.
Attributes
The only two types of invisible geometry that are created are points and
construction lines.
PD_NEW_POINT_VISIBILITY and PD_NEW_C_LINE_VISIBILITY determine
whether or not invisible geometry created by the Parametric Design module
should be displayed at all times or only when constraints are displayed. Allowable
qualifiers are VISIBLE and INVISIBLE.
Other functions that set display attributes of invisible geometry are:
• PD_NEW_POINT_COLOR
• PD_NEW_C_LINE_COLOR
• PD_NEW_POINT_LINETYPE
• PD_NEW_C_LINE_LINETYPE

9
Examples
Roadmap................................................................................................................ 105
Introduction............................................................................................................. 105
Example 1: Introductory Design Example .................................................................. 106
Example 2: Symmetry Lines ..................................................................................... 115
Example 3: Two Views............................................................................................. 122
Example 4: Macros.................................................................................................. 126
Example 5: Rigid Bodies .......................................................................................... 132
Roadmap
Work through the examples in this chapter to familiarize yourself with the
Parametric Design software. If you have not yet done so, you should read
Introduction on page 9 before continuing. If you are not familiar with Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting, we also recommend that you read through Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting User's Guide before continuing.
Introduction
This chapter contains several examples that will help you become familiar with
Parametric Design tools and techniques.
All the examples assume that you are at a workstation, have Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting up and running, and that Parametric Design is installed.
The first example introduces all the Parametric Design tools, proceeding step-by-
step through an extended session with a simple drawing. We strongly recommend
that you spend a little time going through this example before going on to the
others. Subsequent examples present particular techniques or applications that you
are likely to encounter as you use the software. These examples assume that you
are comfortable with the Parametric Design interface.
The Creo Elements/Direct Drafting parts used in the examples are included online
with the software. They are installed as uncompressed MI-format files in the pd_
demos\ directory. Several of the examples depend on information in these files,
so we encourage you to load each file as you work through the corresponding
example.
The examples were chosen to be simple, and yet introduce you to the breadth and
depth of this product. After going through these examples and carefully
considering the questions at the end of each one, you should have developed a feel
for nature of parametric design.
It would be a mistake to hope that you will be an expert Parametric Design user
after just using these examples. In the real world, geometry is often more
complicated. Models are underdimensioned, have unwanted symmetries, suffer
from geometric inaccuracies, or have other "features" that are difficult for the
automatic constraint generator to interpret correctly.
There are two rules of thumb that apply when using Parametric Design:
• If it isn't clear to you, at least in general, how a part should change in response
to a modified dimension, then AUTO will likely have trouble as well.
• The better you understand the interplay between the various constraint types,
and the rules governing each constraint type, the more effectively you'll be
able to use Parametric Design.
Examples 105
One very good way to become expert in the science of constraining a part, is to
practice using manual constraints on parts of increasing complexity. Use the
automatic constraint generator to see how it would solve a particular problem, but
make sure you understand the constraints that are generated. Once you fully
understand how the various constraint types can be used and you get used to using
the debugging tools, then begin to rely more on the automatic constraint generator.
Example 1: Introductory Design Example

This example introduces the tools and working methods that the Designer or
Engineer must use to constrain parts and generate variations with the Parametric
Design module. During this first example, you will:
• Place the part in the zone.
• Fully constrain the part with manual and automatic methods.
• Examine the constraints.
• Modify the constraints needed for a variation.
• Solve for variations.
• Parametrize constraints to generate more useful variations.
• Add new geometry to a constrained part.
You should come away from this demo with a clear understanding of the tools and
basic working techniques for constraining parts — information that you can apply
in subsequent examples, which focus in more depth on particular applications of
Parametric Design.
As with all of the examples in this section, the part for this example is supplied on
line so that you can focus on parametric design instead of on drawing — after all,
the main goal of Parametric Design is to reduce the time you spend drawing!
Load the Part

The part shown in this example is supplied with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting.
To load this part:
1. Pull down the File menu and click Open to display the Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting File Browser.
2. In the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting File Browser, switch to the pd_demos
directory.
3. Select the demopart01.mi file and click Open.
Figure 29. Demopart01
The important features of this part for parametric design are as follows:
• It is an ordinary Creo Elements/Direct Drafting part.
• It is fully dimensioned. The length and height are specified, as is the radius of
one corner. The location and radius of the holes is also given. Generally, a part
with full dimensioning works best for Parametric Design.
• It is "clean." There are no duplicate or stacked elements. Such inconsistencies
can lead to unexpected results. Parametric Design has several commands that
find and fix inconsistencies in a part, but you won't have to use them right
away!
• Construction lines have been used to mark the "origin" of the part as well as
the centerlines of the holes. Construction geometry, if available, is often very
useful to the Parametric Design solver. When possible, you should include
construction geometry to mark important features of a part: major axes, lines
of symmetry, centerlines of circles, etc.
Include the Part in the Zone

Parametric Design only modifies elements included in the zone. To include the
entire part in the zone:
1. In the Parametric menu, click Zone.
2. Click Add Multiple in Zone.
3. Enter all and press [Enter]. All elements are highlighted as they are added to
the zone.
4. Click End.
The entire part is now included in the zone.
Examples 107
Fully Constrain the Part
Before you can use the Parametric Design solver to generate variations from an
existing part, each element in the zone must have one or more constraints assigned
to it. Enough constraints must be assigned to tell the solver exactly what to do
with each element in the part. If elements in the zone are not fully constrained or
are incorrectly constrained, the solver will not be able to generate the variation.
The best way to assign a full set of constraints is to first constrain all the elements
in the part in their current configuration. After the part is fully constrained in its
current configuration, you can modify constraints as needed to generate a
variation.
Both manual and automatic options are available for assigning constraints.
Typically, the manual options are used to assign a few important constraints like
reference elements, and then Solve will generate the remaining constraints needed
to fully constrain the part.
Manually Fix Reference Elements

It is always a good idea to "anchor" a part by manually constraining one or more
elements from moving. This helps to give the software a frame of reference for
automatically assigning constraints later on. For this example, fix the lowest
horizontal and leftmost vertical construction lines in place with Refelem
constraints to anchor the part.
1. In the Parametric menu, click Generate Constraints.
3. Click Apply.
4. Click on the lowest horizontal construction line (collinear with the bottom
edge of the plate).
5. Click on the leftmost vertical construction line (collinear with the left edge of
the plate).
6. Click End.
Notice the reference-element icons. The leader lines of these icons are dotted so
that you know they are assigned to construction geometry and not to the edges of
the triangular plate. Each constraint type has its own unique icon. See Figure 3.
Constraint Icons on page 42 for a complete list of the constraint-type icons.
Modify Constraints
To generate a variation that is different from the original, you must change one or
more constraints from their current values to the values you want to see in the
variation.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the dimension text that gives the height of the triangle (40.5).
Type in: 55 [Enter]
4. Click the dimension text that gives the length of the triangle (65.25).
Type in: 55 [Enter]
5. Click End.
Notice how the dimension text is updated.
Automatically Generate the Remaining Constraints

Rather than assign the remaining constraints by hand, which would take
considerable time, use the Complete option provided in the Generate Constraints
dialog box. This option evaluates the part and assigns sufficient constraints to
fully constrain it in its current configuration.
1. In the Generate Constraints dialog box, click the Complete radio button.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click End.
Solve
Now use Solve to generate the variation.
1. Click Preview in Solve. The magenta outline shows how the variation will be
created without disrupting the current part, Figure 30. Preview Mode on page
110.
2. Click End.
3. Click No Keep in Solve. Your original part is now replaced with the variation.
Notice that the dimensions you assigned to be 55 earlier are now indeed 55.
The hole geometry has not moved.
4. Click Undo to restore your original part.
Examples 109
Figure 30. Preview Mode
The third Solve option, Keep, allows you to keep both the original and the
variation Figure 31. Part and Kept Variation on page 110. If you try Keep now,
make sure you delete all the variations (but not the master part) when you have
finished.
Figure 31. Part and Kept Variation
Parameters
At this point, you've created a variation of your original part, but it's probably not
exactly what you want. One obvious flaw is that the holes in the plate are not
constrained to adjust along with the perimeter. Although you could move them by
giving new values to their dimensional constraints (just like you did for the length
and height of the plate), this is not efficient, because you would have to calculate
and re-enter these values each time you generated a variation with different
dimensions. Parameters provide a much better method for accomplishing this.
Parameters allow you to use expressions to define relationships among
constraints.
Assign Parameter Names
First, assign parameter names to the appropriate dimensional constraints.
1. Unless you have already done so, click No Keep in Solve and then End to
replace the original part with the variation you created in the last step.
3. Click on the dimension text that gives the length of the triangle (55).
Type in: 'Base' [Enter]
4. Click on the dimension text that gives the height of the triangle (55).
Type in: 'Height' [Enter]
5. Click on the "12.37" dimension on the top hole.
Type in: 'Dim1' [Enter]
6. Click on the "29.69" dimension on the top hole.
7. Click on the "10.01" dimension on the leftmost hole.
8. Click on the "49.21" dimension on the rightmost hole.
9. Click End.
The dimension text should now look like Figure 32. Parameter Names Assigned
on page 111.
Figure 32. Parameter Names Assigned
Examples 111
With the names assigned, you now define the relationships among the parameters
in the parameter definition table. For this example, we'll set up the parameters so
that all parameterized dimensions are functions of the Base parameter. The
parameter definition table should resemble Figure 33. Parameter Values Defined
on page 112 when you are finished.
Define Parameter Values

1. Click Current Constraints in Parametric.
2. In Current Constraints, select the list entry for Height.
3. Click on the parameter value entry field to the left of the Apply button.
Type in: (.75 * Base) and click Apply. Note that the value for the Height
constraint is now defined to be .75 of the value of Base.
4. Click the Dim1 entry.
Type in:Dim3 and click Apply.
Type in: (Height - Dim3) and click Apply.
Type in: (.2 * Height) and click Apply.
Type in: (Base - Dim1) and click Apply.
8. Click Advanced to view the result of these changes in the parameter table.
Figure 33. Parameter Values Defined
Solve for Variations

With the parameters defined, you can now Solve for variations:
• Click No Keep in Solve. All the parameterized dimensions are now adjusted
according to the expressions you entered in the parameter definition table,
Figure 34. Variation of Demopart01 on page 113. The height is now .75 of the
base, the "Dim1" and "Dim3" dimensions are equal, and both are .2 of the base
dimension.
Figure 34. Variation of Demopart01
• Since all the linear dimensions are related to the base dimension, you only
need to modify this dimension to make the entire part adjust. Try assigning
several different values to the base dimension, solving after each change. You
can change this dimension one of three ways:
1. In Generate Constraints, click the Assign radio button, select Dimension
from the Type list, click Apply, click the dimension label, and enter the
new value.
2. Display the Current Constraints dialog box, select the dimension to be
changed, enter a new value and click Apply.
3. In the Current Constraints dialog box, click Advanced to display the
parameter table. Then click on the value to be changed in the New Value or
Expression column and enter the new value.
Adding New Geometry

It is often useful as you work with a constrained part to be able to add or delete
geometry. Many parametric design systems do not allow this, but Parametric
Design handles this situation easily. In the final section of this example, we'll add
a new feature to our triangular plate to illustrate how new geometry is integrated
into a constrained part.
First, let's modify the triangular plate by adding a small "lip" to the outside edge.
Use the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Equidist command to create a contour that
is 2.5 mm inside the edge of the plate. Dimension the width of this new lip as
shown in Figure 35. New Geometry on Demopart01 on page 114.
Examples 113
Figure 35. New Geometry on Demopart01
To incorporate this new feature into the Parametric Design constraint system, you
only need to click the Complete radio button in Current Constraints again.
Clicking this button generates the additional constraints needed for the new
geometry. Subsequent Solve commands will recognize the new feature:
1. After adding the new geometry, click the Complete radio button in Current
Constraints.
2. In Current Constraints, click the Show radio button, then select New from the
Act On list and All Types from the Type list. Then click Apply to see how the
new geometry was constrained.
3. In some cases, the addition of new geometry adds information to the part that
causes existing constraints to become unnecessary. Complete will tell you if it
finds unused constraints. If applicable, display these constraints with Show,
Unused, All Types and Free them if you wish.
4. Change the value of the base dimension to 48.
5. Use No Keep in Solve to generate the variation. Note that the new lip adjusts
along with the rest of the part.
To Consider
Here are a couple of additional tasks that you can try with this drawing. Both will
give you some practice with manual constraint assignment.
• Through the center of each hole, add a vertical and horizontal line that extends
a short distance beyond the circle (like a cross hair). Use manual constraints to
force each line to move with the hole and to continue to extend the correct
distance beyond the circle when the hole changes size. Hint: Apply Point on
and point-to-circle Distance constraints.
• Go back to the original geometry, but first remove the both fillets on the left
vertical line of the model. Go through exercise again, including the creation of
the equidistant inner contour. This time, Complete will not cause the inner
contour to remain equidistant. Why? Can you add manual constraints to fix the
problem? Hint: Use Samedist constraints.
Example 2: Symmetry Lines

In this example, you're given a drawing of a plate with a large slotted hole and
several smaller boltholes. Your goal is to generate variations of this plate in which
the slotted hole has different sizes and configurations. Each variation should be
generated by simply changing the dimensions for the radius of the hole and the
width and depth of the slots.
To accomplish this task, you'll assign several Symm Line constraints, which help
to maintain the configuration of hole as it changes size. You'll also use parameters
to control how the variation is generated.
As you work through this example, pay particular attention to the way in which
symmetry lines are used by Parametric Design, and how mirror constraints are
generated. You should come away from this example with a clear idea of how
mirroring works.
Load the Drawing

directory.
5. Enter all and press [Enter].
6. Click End.
Examples 115
Assign Reference Elements

To ensure that variations don't move around the page, anchor the part with
Refelem constraints on the four construction lines. These lines make ideal
reference elements because they run through the major axes of the part as well as
the centerpoint of the hole we want to modify, and because they would not move
in any of the variations we want to create.
To assign the reference elements:
2. Click Apply.
3. Click on each of the four construction lines that run through the part.
4. Click End.
The default size for constraint icons is much too small for this part. And it is also
possible that several of the icons are overlapping. If you can't clearly see the
constraint icons now on the part, change their size and location:
1. In Parametric, click Settings and Icons.
2. In the Icon Setting dialog box, set the icon size to 30.
3. Click OK in Icon Setting.
4. In Generate Constraints, press the Clear radio button and select All Types to
clear the small icons.
5. In Generate Constraints, press the Show radio button and select All Types from
the Type list to display the icons in the new size.
The icons are now visible, but may still be overlapping. If all four icons are not
visible, move them to uncover the obscured icons:
1. In Parametric, click Modify and Move Icon.
2. Click on the constraint icon you want to move. The icon is replaced with a
"rubberband" line.
3. Drag the rubberband line to where you want the icon and click at that location.
4. Move the rest of the icons until you can see all four.
Assign Symmetry Lines

The most notable feature of this part is that although only one of the slots around
the edge of the hole has known dimensions, the positions of the remaining slots
can be determined by mirroring this slot over one or more lines of symmetry. The
construction lines in the part serve as these symmetry lines. Figure 37. Symmetry
Lines in Demopart02 on page 117 shows the general method by which the width
of all the slots in this part can be determined by reflecting a known width over
lines of symmetry. Solve may not use this exact scheme, but the process it uses is
similar.
Figure 37. Symmetry Lines in Demopart02
By assigning Symmline constraints to the construction geometry, you ask the

software to look for mirror relationships across these lines. To assign the
Symmline constraints:
Examples 117
2. Click Apply.
3. Click on each of the four construction lines that run through the center of the
part.
4. Click End.

Having manually assigned the initial constraints, use Complete to generate the
remaining constraints needed to fully constrain the part.
1. In the Generate Constraints dialog box, click the Complete radio button.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click End.
Examine Constraints
Following a Complete command, you should always check the part to make sure
that a reasonable set of constraints has been assigned. Check the following:
1. Are all important dimensions constrained?
Click the Show radio button in Generate Constraints, select Used from the Act
On list and Dimensions from the Type list, then click Apply.Notice that the
dimension for the top of the plate has not been constrained. This is not needed
in this case because other constraints fix this line.
2. Are there any Distance or Size constraints? Complete usually only assigns
these constraints as a "last resort" if it can find no other way to constrain an
element. A distance-constrained element may move along with other elements
when it not intended to. Click the Show radio button and select Size and
Distance to display any instances of these constraints.
An alternate way to check the constraints on your part is with Element and Icon in
Inquire. For this example, you can use Element to see how Complete used the
symmetry lines you defined to constrain components of the center circle:
1. In Parametric, click Inquire and then Element.
2. Click on each line in the dimensioned slot of the part. Notice how mirror
constraints were extracted for each element in the slot. Try clicking on other
components around the center circle.
3. In Generate Constraints, press Clear and select All Types. Then click End when
you have finished with Inquire Element.
Generate a Variation
The part is now fully constrained. To generate the first variation:
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the dimension for the radius of the large hole (currently 373.32).
Type in: 250 [Enter]
4. Click the dimension for the width of the slot (currently 28.48).
Type in: 20.75 [Enter]
5. Click the dimension for length of the slot (currently 31.41).
Type in: 58 [Enter]
6. Click End.
7. Click Preview in Solve. The magenta outline shows how the variation will be
drawn without changing the part. Alternatively, you can replace the master
part with the new geometry by selecting No Keep.
8. Click End to remove the preview, or Undo if you solved with No Keep.
Repeat this procedure several times, substituting new values of your choosing.
Figure 38. Demopart02 Variation
Examples 119
Parameterize
Suppose you are asked to generate several variations of this part in which the slots
change size proportionally to the radius of the large hole. You could accomplish
this using the methods shown above, but you would have to recalculate the
dimensions of the slots each time you re-sized the hole. Your task is much easier if
you parameterize the three dimensions in question. For example:
Assign Parameter Names

2. Click the dimension for the radius of the large hole.
Type in: 'HoleRad' [Enter]
3. Click the dimension for length of the slot.
Type in: 'SlotLen' [Enter]
4. Click the dimension for the width of the slot.
Type in: 'SlotWid' [Enter]
5. Click End.
Define Parameter Values

1. Click Current Constraints in Parametric. In Current Constraints, there should
be three table entries; one for each parameter name you assigned.
2. Select the list entry for HoleRad.
3. Click on the parameter value entry field to the left of the Apply button.
Type in: 375 [Enter]
4. Click the SlotLen entry.
Type in: (0.084 * HoleRad) and click Apply.
5. Click on the SlotWid entry.
Type in: (0.076 * HoleRad) and click Apply.
Notice the "New Value Type" field for each of the three parameter definitions.
While HoleRad is defined directly by a value (375), SlotWid and SlotLen are
defined by evaluating expressions.
The parameters now define a variation very similar to the original part. If you
wish, you can Solve now (use No Keep) to restore this configuration.
Generate Variations
Because HoleRad is defined as a "value" parameter, and both SlotWid and
SlotLen can be resolved from it, you need only change the value of HoleRad to
generate variations. Use the parameter value table to do this:
1. Click Current Constraints to bring up the parameter value table. Only
parameters defined as "Value" parameters appear in this table.
2. Click on the entry for HoleRad in this table and type in:
425 and click Apply.
3. Click No Keep in Solve to create the variation.
4. Click End to accept the variation.
As you can see, the dimensions of the slots now change with the hole radius. Input
several different values for HoleRad now.
Other Things to Try

• You may wish to try some other parameter definitions for this part. How
would you define parameters so that the width of the slots controls the radius
of the hole?
• Another interesting feature of this example is the way in which the small
boltholes are constrained. If you assign a new diameter to one hole, the rest
will resize when you solve. Why? Examine the constraints on these holes to
find out.
• Start again at the beginning of this example. After using Complete, try
modifying the position of the uppermost pair of boltholes (the pair whose y-
position is specified by the dimension 175.86). Modify this to be 240. The x-
position dimension (110) moves to be above the dimension 60. Use Distance
constraints on the dimension texts to keep them in the same relative positions.
• Normally either the top horizontal dimension of 1000 or the bottom horizontal
dimension of 500 will be extracted by the automatic constraint generator.
What if you wanted to be able to control both dimensions independently? This
would imply that the two vertical sides of the part need not remain vertical.
How would you constrain the part to allow this to happen?
This is a very simple example of a very common situation. The default part
contains obvious constraints that are unintended in general. Even in this
simple example, the number of unintended constraints that the automatic
constraint generator could extract is large (side lines are parallel, each side line
is perpendicular to the top and bottom lines, each side line is parallel and
perpendicular to some of the lines in the internal cutout and to some of the
construction lines, etc).
Examples 121
There are three general strategies for this situation. Try each one.
○ Use Complete and then Ban those unintended constraints. Continue this
process until the goal has been reached.
○ Manually constrain the side elements so that Complete doesn't need to add
any constraints.
○ Use Modify Stretch to change the default part into one that is more general.
Which is easiest?
Example 3: Two Views

In this example, you're given a drawing that contains a front and side view of the
same part. You need to change the size of several features in the part, but don't
want to have to redraw both views to reflect the changes. The goal, then, is to use
Parametric Design to carry the changes you make to one view over to the second
view.
The key to accomplishing this task is to use construction lines to transfer
constraints placed on one section of a part to another section.
Load the Drawing

directory.
6. Click End.
For this example, you will resize the hole and the ring indicated by the arrows in
Figure 39. Demopart03 on page 123. Modifications to the large hole in the front
face should carry over to the side view. Changing the width of the ring in the side
view should change the radii of the hidden-line circles in the front view.
The main mechanism used to carry dimension information from one section of the
part to the other is the construction line. When building this part, we included
many construction lines whose only purpose was to link elements for Parametric
Design. Look, for example, at the small hole in the side view. In most situations, it
would be considered excessive to place horizontal and vertical construction lines
on the perimeter as well as the center of this hole. For Parametric Design,
however, these lines are critical: The vertical lines "link" the diameter of this hole
with the two vertical holes in the side view, while the horizontal construction lines
give us a link to the front view.
Assign Reference Elements

With a two-view part like this, it is important to anchor both views so that they
don't move to overlap each other during the solve. For this part, assign Ref Elem
constraints to the two centerlines on the front face and to the vertical construction
line on the side view that's closest to the front view, Figure 40. Manually Assigned
Constraints on page 124:
2. Click Apply.
3. Click on the two centerlines and one construction line as shown in the figure
below.
Examples 123
4. Click End.
Figure 40. Manually Assigned Constraints
Assign Symmetry Lines

In addition to the reference elements, the configuration of this part suggests that it
would be useful to assign symmetry line constraints to the centerlines of the
elements that we're going to be resizing.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click on each of the four centerlines that run through the holes in the two
views. Figure 40. Manually Assigned Constraints on page 124 shows the
placement of these constraints.
4. Click End.

Having manually assigned the important constraints for this example, use
Complete to generate the remaining constraints needed to fully constrain the part.
Examine Constraints
When Complete finishes, examine the part carefully with both Show and Inquire
Element to see how Complete used the construction geometry to link up the
elements we want to resize. Inquire Element is especially useful for showing how
individual construction lines are associated with other geometric elements.
Generate The Variation
When you feel you understand the connections between the two views of the part,
modify the constraints on the hole and the ring and SOLVE to see how Parametric
Design makes use of these connections.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the dimension for the diameter of the large hole in the front view (This
dimension is currently 6.5).
4. Click the dimension for the inner diameter of the ring in the side view. (This
dimension is currently 31.8.)
5. Click End.
6. Click NoKeep in Solve.
Figure 41. Demopart03 Variation
To Consider
• What other dimensions can be carried over from view to view in this part with
the existing construction lines? Try resizing some other dimensions and see
how the solver handles them.
• Could you delete some of the construction geometry in this part and still
accomplish the example? How?
Examples 125
• Suppose that you want to increase the distance between the two views of this
part. This is trivial to do with Parametric Design, but there is one hitch: How
do you get the centerline that runs through both views to "stretch" as the views
move apart? Hint: try adding a point element to each end of the center line and
then, for each point, fix the distance between it and an element in the nearest
view.
Example 4: Macros
Your task is to design a series of fan housings. The housings are identical except
that the air intakes and exhaust ports of each housing must vary to accommodate
fans of different power. It is important that the area of the air intakes equal the
area of the exhaust ports to maintain proper air flow through the housing.
Unfortunately, the intakes are wedge-shaped while the exhaust ports are slots. This
makes the area calculations more complicated.
To accomplish this task, you'll use an Creo Elements/Direct Drafting macro that:
1. Calls Parametric Design to design the air intakes.
2. Calculates the area of the intakes.
3. Transforms the area value into the exhaust port size.
4. Calls Parametric Design to design the exhaust ports.
Most of the setup for this example has been done for you. The part,
demopart04.mi, has already been constrained and parameterized, and the
macros you need are already defined in the file demopart04.mac. As you work
through this example, focus on the contents of the macro and how they relate to
what you see on your screen.
Load the Drawing

directory.
Examine the Drawing

Take a few minutes now to look at the features of this drawing.
• Notice the part structure. The front face is the top part, while the back face is a
sub-part named "slot-grid." Parametric Design only works on the current part,
so our macro must be able to switch from part to part.
• Both parts of the drawing are already in the zone.
• Examine the initial constraints on the top part, Figure 43. Intake Constraints
on page 128:
1. Make the top part current. Type: EDIT_PART TOP [Enter]
2. Click the Show radio button in Generate Constraints, select User from the
Act On list and All Types from the Type list, then click Apply.
The Dimension, Distance, and Symmline constraints ensure that all four intake
ports retain their configuration in variations. The Refpoint constraints Pt1 and
Pt2 were created only to provide information to our macro. This is explained
later.
Examples 127
Figure 43. Intake Constraints
• Examine the constraints on the "slot_grid" part now. (Hint: make "slot_grid"
the current part in order to examine it). Notice that the slot radius has been
parameterized as "Newrad." How did we ensure that all three exhaust ports
will remain the same size?
When you have finished looking at the constraints, make sure that top part is
current and that your main window shows both parts.
Examine the Parameters.

Bring up the parameter definition table to examine the parameters on the part:
1. Click Advanced in Current Constraints.
Assuming that the top part is active, there should be five parameters defined:
Bwid Gives the width of the bars between the air intakes. Set to
20.
Inrad Gives the inner radius of each air intake. Set to 25.
Outrad Gives the outer radius of each air intake. Set to 100.
Pt1 A reference point. Pt1 is a geometry parameter, so its
value will always correspond to the top corner of an air
intake, no matter how this part is resized.
Pt2 A reference point. The value of Pt2 will always
correspond to the bottom corner of Pt1's air intake.
To prove that the parameters work as we say they do, try them:
a. Change the value for "Out_rad" to 120. Click on the "Outrad" entry in the
table and enter 120 from the keyboard.
b. Click Preview in Solve.
c. Notice how the hole configuration changes.
d. Restore the parameters to their original values when you've finished
experimenting.
Take a look at the parameters on the exhaust ports now.
e. Make "slot_grid" the current part.
f. Preview a few variations of this part by inserting new values for the
"Newrad" parameter and solving in Preview mode.
g. Set "Newrad" to 5 and solve in No Keep mode.
h. Make the top part current.
The configuration of the parameters should give you an idea of the strategy we'll
use to accomplish our task. We can easily vary the size and configuration of the
four air intakes in the top part by changing the parameter values for "Bwid,"
"Inrad," and "Outrad." On the "slot_grid" part, we can vary the width of all three
exhaust ports by entering a new value for the "Newrad" parameter. All that needs
to be done now is to translate the area defined by "Bwid," "Inrad," and "Outrad"
into a radius that can be fed to "Newrad." This is exactly what our macro, Do_it,
does.
Try the Do_it Macro

Before looking closely at Do_it, let's try it. Do_it is defined in the file
demopart04.mac in the pd_demos\ directory. To load Do_it into your
system, type:
input `<Creo Elements/Direct Drafting installation directory>\pd_

demos\demopart04.mac'
where
<Creo Elements/Direct Drafting installation directory>

is the directory where you installed Creo Elements/Direct Drafting.
Now, just type in: Do_it [Enter]
What happened? If all went well, the exhaust ports returned to their original size.
Now try this:
1. Display the parameter value table via Current Constraints. Change "Bwid" to
10, "Inrad" to 35, and "Outrad" to 75.
2. Type in:Do_it [Enter]
It looks like your task is now very easy! All you need to do in order to generate
your fan housings is to enter the parameters for the intake ports in the parameter
table and type in Do_it to compute the necessary width for the exhaust slots.
Let's look at Do_it now to see how it's done.
Examples 129
Examining Do_it
The definition for Do_it is listed below:
DEFINE Do_it {Generate holes in demopart04.mi}

EDIT_PART TOP {Setup: make sure we are at top
part}
SPOTLIGHT OFF
PD_RESOLVE REPLACE {Solve for front holes}
AREA_PROPERTY 1 Find_midp DEL_OLD '\temp\area'
END {Get the area properties of 1
front hole}
{and write to a temporary file.
}
EDIT_PART 'slot_grid' {Goto the second part, slot_grid}
PD_PARAM_FIX 'Newrad' New_radius {Find radius needed to give
equivalent}
{area. Fix part radius to this
value.}
PD_RESOLVE REPLACE {Solve for back slots}
EDIT_PART TOP {Clean up: go back to top part}
DISPLAY ('Variations Generated. Done.')
END_DEFINE {of Do_it}
Do_it calls the macros Find_midp and New_radius, both of which are
listed here:
DEFINE Find_midp {find a point inside a front-face hole}

LOCAL A {Declare local variable A}
LOCAL B {Declare local variable B}
PD_PARAM_INQ 'Pt1' {Find Pt1 location from parameter
table}
LET A (PNT_XY (INQ 3) (INQ 4)) {assign Pt1 location to A}
PD_PARAM_INQ 'Pt2' {Find Pt2 location from parameter
table}
LET B (PNT_XY (INQ 3) (INQ 4)) {assign Pt2 location to B}
((A+B)/2) {Return midpoint of A and B}
END_DEFINE {of Find_midp}
DEFINE New_radius {Get area of front hole,}

{return radius of back slot.}
LOCAL L {Declare local variable L}
LOCAL A {Declare local variable A}
LET A 'junk' {Set A to some junk value!}
LET L 200 {Set L to length of a back slot}
OPEN_INFILE 1 '\temp\area' {open file of area properties written
above}
WHILE ((SUBSTR A 1 3)<>'A =') {scan area_spec for the area (A=)
field}
READ_FILE 1 A {and load the area field into A}
LET A (TRIM A)
END_WHILE
LET A (SUBSTR A 4 (LEN A)) {set A to be just area value
(area of 1 hole}
LET A ((VAL A)*4) {total area of front holes is 4A}
(((SQRT(L*L + (PI*A)/3))-L)/PI){Given area of holes A and length
of slots L}
{return hole radius for
equivalent area. }
END_DEFINE {of New_radius}
The algorithm used by Do_it is as follows:
1. Solve the variation for the intake ports.
2. Use AREA_PROPERTIES to find the area properties of an intake port and
write this data to a file. Call the macro Find_midp to generate the point
which identifies this port.
3. Change the current part to the exhaust ports.
4. Call the macro New_radius to calculate the needed radius from the data in
the file written above. Assign this radius to "Newrad."
5. Solve the variation for the exhaust slots.
This procedure is straightforward, but does use some interesting features of both
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting and Parametric Design commands:
• Although Parametric Design only operates on the current part, a macro like
Do_it can easily manage interchanges among multiple parts.
• The macro Find_midp uses the reference-point constraints Pt1 and Pt2 to
determine a point that is guaranteed to be inside an intake port. Since Pt1 and
Pt2 are constrained to always be on the corners of this port, the point between
them will always be inside the port. Passing this point to AREA_
PROPERTIES makes sure that we always get the properties for an intake port.
Note how PD_PARAM_INQ is used to grab the locations of these points from
the parameter table.
• New-radius simply reads the area data from a file and uses it along with hard-
coded data about the slot length to generate the appropriate radius. The output
is input to Parametric Design via PD_FIX_PARAM. Of course a much more
complex macro could be used to supply this input!
To Consider
• Currently, Do_it counts on the slot length being 200. How would you re-
write Do_it to inquire the slot length directly from the part? (Hint: You
probably need to add a new parameter to the part.)
Examples 131
• Do_it is not foolproof. You can cause problems by setting "B_wid" to 0.
How would you fix this flaw? How would you implement general error or
range checking in Do_it?
• Could you implement Do_it so that slot size drives intake size? So that either
dimension could drive the other?
• Do_it is linked very tightly to this particular drawing. How would you
generalize Do_it?
Example 5: Rigid Bodies

This example illustrates how rigid bodies can be used to reduce the number of
constraints in a drawing while allowing a complex range of motion. You're given a
drawing of a cam and follower. By collecting each into a rigid body, you can set
up a simple motion study using just six constraints.
Load the Drawing

directory.
6. Click End.
The goal of this example is to force the follower to stay in contact with the cam
profile as the cam rotates. By setting up both the cam and the follower as rigid
bodies, we dramatically reduce the number of constraints needed to implement
this action, and can concentrate more on interaction between the two pieces.
The demopart05.mi model is fairly simple. The only elements in the drawing
that are needed specifically for parametrics are the construction line and the three
point elements, which are used to facilitate placement of several Point on
constraints.
Create Rigid Bodies

The cam and the follower each need to be collected into a rigid body. The
construction line is the only part of the model that is not in a rigid body. Each rigid
body must be named before elements can be collected into it:
1. Click Generate Rigids in Parametric.
2. In Generate Rigids, type in `cam' and click Apply.
3. Gather all of the cam geometry into the cam rigid body by boxing it.
4. Click End.
5. Repeat the procedure to create a rigid body called follower that contains all of
the follower geometry.
6. Click Show in Generate Rigids and select each of the table entries you just
created to confirm the contents of each rigid body. The construction line
should not be included in either. Close Generate Rigids when finished.
Assign Constraints
Only six constraints are needed to completely constrain this drawing. Assign each
one manually:
2. Click Apply.
3. Click the construction line to fix it in place.
4. Use the same general method to assign a Refpoint constraint to the point
element at the centerpoint of the cam. This fixes the cam in place on the
construction line while allowing it to rotate.
5. Use the same general method to assign a Slope constraint to one of the small
line elements that cross at the centerpoint of the cam. Name this constraint
Rotation, but don't assign it a specific value yet.
Examples 133
Note that this constraint and the previous one are all that's needed to
completely constrain the "cam" rigid body: The reference point fixes
translation while the slope constraint fixes rotation.
6. Constrain the follower: Assign a Point on constraint between the leftmost
point element on the follower and the construction line. Fix the rightmost
point element to the construction line with a second Point on constraint. These
two constraints fix the rotational degree of freedom for the follower, but its
motion along the axis of the construction line still needs to be fixed.
7. Assign a final Point on constraint between the leftmost point element on the
follower and B-spline profile of the cam. This fixes the translation of the cam.
8. In Parametric, click Inquire and Icon to confirm that you've assigned each of
the constraints as described above. The constraints should resemble Figure 45.
Demopart05 Constraints on page 134. As you examine the constraints, make
sure you understand how each one constrains the motion of the rigid body to
which it's applied.
Figure 45. Demopart05 Constraints
Solve
Before running the solver on this drawing, it is important to turn off the point-
merging functionality of the Solve command. Remember that by default the solver
will merge any two points that fall within the PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_
TOLERANCE distance of one another. Normally this is desirable, as it helps to
keep the drawing clean. In this case however, it is possible for the endpoint of the
follower profile to come into contact with the endpoint of the cam profile as the
cam rotates. Were this to occur, these two points would be merged, and further
parametric manipulation of this drawing would be impossible. To keep this from
happening, type in: pd_resolve_merge_tolerance -1 at the command
line.
Now, click Solve and No Keep to generate the initial variation.
To confirm that the follower will indeed maintain contact with the cam as it
rotates, display the Current Constraints dialog box and enter several different
values for the Rotation parameter, solving after each one.
To Consider
• Rotating the cam by "hand" (entering a new slope and re-solving) is fairly
tedious. It should be simple to write a macro to do this.
• Try this example with pd_resolve_merge_tolerance set to the default
value (1E-6). Rotate the cam until the follower comes to rest at the very top of
the cam profile. What happens with the very next rotation?
• Try to replicate this example without using rigid bodies. How many
constraints are needed? How would you force the hatching on the cam to
rotate along with the elements?
Examples 135
A
Tutorial
Exercise 1............................................................................................................... 137

Create the basic design ........................................................................................... 137
Assign Constraints .................................................................................................. 137
Modify the design .................................................................................................... 138
Swap the dimensions ... ........................................................................................... 138
Now copy the design ............................................................................................... 139
Exercise 2............................................................................................................... 140
Create the basic design ........................................................................................... 140
Identify the dimensions to change ... ......................................................................... 141
Change the tooth dimensions ... ............................................................................... 141
Modify the design .................................................................................................... 142
Hints and Tips ......................................................................................................... 143
The exercises presented in this tutorial familiarize you with:

• Dimension-Driven Modification
• Design-Intent Capture
The drawings and macros that are needed for this tutorial can be found in the
following subdirectory (or in the subdirectory where you installed Creo Elements/
Direct Drafting):
$MEDIR\pd_demos
This tutorial is intended for students who are already familiar with the Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting user interface for doing such things as creating
geometry, windowing, and dimensioning. Instructions for the mouse input device
are given first.
Exercise 1
In this exercise, you draw a plate and then modify its shape by changing the
driving dimensions.
Make sure the Copilot and Parametric Design functionalities are enabled in the
System tabs (accessible via Setup).
Create the basic design ...

1. Click Geometry ▶ Line ▶ Polygon and draw the shape shown in Figure 46 on
page , starting at point S in the direction shown.
2. Click Geometry ▶ Circle ▶ Center & Point or Radius and draw the hole (the
offset is from points X at values 10 0).
3. Click End to complete the command.
4. Dimension the drawing as indicated in Figure 46 on page .
Assign Constraints ...

pull down the Type selection list and select Refpoint.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click point S (see Figure 46 on page ) to mark it as the reference point.
4. Assign the Dimension constraint to the dimensions shown in Figure 46 on
page .
Tutorial 137
Modify the design ...
To modify the design, click Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Dimension ▶ Show and enclose
the design in a box. Creo Elements/Direct Drafting displays the design's
dimension in green to indicate that these are the driving dimensions. It is the
driving dimensions that are used to modify the design according to the design-
capture rules. These dimensions reflect the way in which you created the design.
Note
Remember to use the windowing functions for fitting, panning, and zooming!
To modify the design:

1. Click Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Dimension ▶ Deferred .
2. Click the dimension 40 (it changes to yellow).
3. Enter 30 on the command line.
4. Click End.
The design changes according to the modified dimension.
Swap the dimensions ...

1. Click Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Dimension ▶ Immediate.
2. Click the dimension 20 on the left of the drawing.
3. Enter 25 on the command line.
The shape changes. But because this is not the design you want, you need to
redimension it.
4. Click Undo.
5. Click Redraw in View.
6. Click Dimension, Angular, Direct.
7. Click the intersecting lines at S.
9. Click Parametric, Modify, Dimension, Show, and enclose the entire design in a
box.
10. Click Parametric, Modify, Dimension, Swap, and click the yellow angle.
11. Click the dimension 15 (this dimension disappears because the angle becomes
the driving dimension).
Now copy the design ...

The next step is to repeat the above but this time copy the design to show that the
copy does not contain driving dimensions. The design changes and the position of
the hole remains relative to the defining offset.
1. Click Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Dimension ▶ Deferred.
2. Click the dimension 20 on the left of the drawing and enter 25.
3. Click End.
4. In the Modify menu, tick the Keep checkbox.
5. In Modify, click Move.
6. Enclose the design in a box and position the copied drawing.
7. Click Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Dimension ▶ Show and enclose both drawings in a
box.
9. Click the dimension 25 and enter 20 on the command line.
10. Click End.
Both the original and the copy change shape — Creo Elements/Direct Drafting
remembers that you want both designs to have the same shape.
Tutorial 139
To clear the display, click Delete ▶ All ▶ Confirm.
Now go on to Exercise 2.
Exercise 2
In this exercise, you copy and modify a cogwheel to demonstrate how to create
families of parts.
Create the basic design ...

1. Use the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting File Browser to load the file
cogwheel from the pd_demos directory.
Creo Elements/Direct Drafting displays a single tooth together with some
construction geometry.
2. In the Modify menu, tick the Keep and the Repeat checkboxes.
3. In Modify, click Rotate, Center.
4. Enter the repeat factor 29.
5. Click point A to mark the center of rotation.
6. Enter 12 to define the rotation angle.
7. Enclose the single tooth in a box.
8. Click Fit.
Identify the dimensions to change ...
1. Click Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Dimension ▶ Show.
2. Click point B on arc of tooth.
3. Repeat for points C, D, and E.
4. Click Fit.
6. Click the dimensions in turn and move them to unclutter the drawing.
Change the tooth dimensions ...

1. Click Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Dimension ▶ Deferred and modify the radii:
a. Click R40 and enter 55
b. Click R39 and enter 54
Tutorial 141
c. Click R31 and enter 35
d. Click R30 and enter 34
2. Click End. Creo Elements/Direct Drafting updates the cogwheel accordingly.
3. Click Fit.
4. Click Geometry ▶ Circle ▶ Center & Point or Radius.
5. Draw a circle with radius 4 mm at point G.
6. In the Modify menu, tick the Keep and the Repeat checkboxes.
7. In Modify, click Rotate ▶ Center.
8. Enter the repeat factor 5.
9. Click point A to mark the center of rotation.
10. Enter 60 to define the rotation angle.
11. Enclose the 4 mm circle in a box.
12. Click Dimension ▶ Circular ▶ Radius ▶ Centerline and dimension the radii of
the six circles.
13. Click Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Dimension ▶ Show and click the original circle
(not one of the copies).
Modify the design ...

The final step is to modify the design by changing parametric values.
1. Click Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Dimension ▶ Immediate.
2. Click R4 (green dimension) and enter 3. Creo Elements/Direct Drafting
changes the radii of all six circles — the yellow (annotation) dimensions are
also updated.
3. Click Delete and delete the six yellow dimensions.
4. In Generate Constraints, click the Show radio button, select Size from the Type
list, and click Apply.
The parametrics module has used the actions performed during the creation of
the design to generate constraints for dynamic modification of the design.
5. In Generate Constraints, click the Assign radio button, select Size from the
Type list, and click Apply.
6. Click the original circle at G.
7. Enter 'Borehole_radius'on the command line.
8. Click End.
9. Click Advanced in Current Constraints.
10. Click the value 3 in the column New Value or Expression.
11. Enter 4 and click Preview in Solve.
12. Click Keep in Solve and click the design.
13. Move the copy of the design to another location (you may need to Pan).
14. Click the destination point for the copy.
15. Click End.
16. Click Fit.
Note the smooth transition from simple design creation using the green driving
dimensions to parametric design.
Hints and Tips

You have had a look now at the latest technology available in the Mechanical
Engineering CAD environment today.
Here are some hints and tips when creating parametric drawings:
Tutorial 143
• To make sure your design intent drawing is always stored right away, switch
Parametric Design and Copilot on every time you create geometry. This avoids
having to give any constraints afterwards.
• Note, that when you modify geometry using Solve in Parametrics, you can
decide whether you want to keep the original geometry and let the modified be
a copy or if you want to modify the original geometry without a copy. This is
done by selecting either the Keep or the No Keep option.
• When you specify a parameter, you can either specify a figure or enter an
expression that is evaluated when the design is solved. This is useful, for
example, when maintaining relations between width and height of designs.
• In case you want to do specific modification to more complex designs,
consider forming rigid bodies of geometry you want to move and translate as a
whole. This can facilitate the modification of large designs.
• How you create the design is important. For example, try creating Figure 46
on page using horizontal and vertical geometry instead of using the Polygon
command. You would get very different results.
B
Parametric Design Command
Syntax
PD_AUTO_ANGLE_TOLERANCE function............................................................... 147

PD_AUTO_SAME_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE function .............................................. 147
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_COLOR function ............................................................... 147
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINE function .................................................................... 147
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINETYPE function ........................................................... 148
PD_AUTO_TANGENT_TOLERANCE function .......................................................... 148
PD_AUTO_ZERO_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE function .............................................. 148
PD_CLEAN_DRAWING command ........................................................................... 148
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR command.................................................................... 149
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_TEXT_SIZE command.............................................................. 149
PD_FIX command ................................................................................................... 150
PD_FREE command ............................................................................................... 156
PD_HIDE_DIMENSIONS command ......................................................................... 158
PD_INFO_CONSTRAINT function............................................................................ 158
PD_INFO_ELEMENT function.................................................................................. 158
PD_MAKE_DIMENSIONS command........................................................................ 158
PD_MODIFY_DIMENSION command ...................................................................... 159
PD_NEW_C_LINE_COLOR function ........................................................................ 159
PD_NEW_C_LINE_LINETYPE function.................................................................... 159
PD_NEW_C_LINE_VISIBILITY function ................................................................... 160
PD_NEW_POINT_COLOR function.......................................................................... 160
PD_NEW_POINT_LINETYPE function ..................................................................... 160
PD_NEW_POINT_VISIBILITY function ..................................................................... 160
PD_PARAM_ADD command.................................................................................... 160
PD_PARAM_FIX command ..................................................................................... 161
PD_PARAM_INQ function........................................................................................ 161
PD_PARAM_REMOVE command ............................................................................ 162
PD_PARAM_SAVE function ..................................................................................... 163
PD_PARAM_SHOW function ................................................................................... 163
PD_PREVIEW_COLOR function .............................................................................. 163
PD_RESOLVE command......................................................................................... 163
145
PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_TOLERANCE function ....................................................... 164
PD_RIGID_ADD command ...................................................................................... 164
PD_RIGID_REMOVE command............................................................................... 165
PD_RIGID_REFRESH_TABLE function .................................................................... 165
PD_RIGID_SHOW function...................................................................................... 165
PD_SHOW function................................................................................................. 165
PD_SHOW_CLEAR function.................................................................................... 167
PD_SHOW_COLOR function ................................................................................... 168
PD_SHOW_LABEL_SIZE function ........................................................................... 169
PD_SHOW_MOVE_TEXT function........................................................................... 169
PD_SHOW_USE_POSTFIX function ........................................................................ 169
PD_USE_DIMENSION command............................................................................. 169
PD_ZONE_ADD command ...................................................................................... 170
PD_ZONE_REMOVE command............................................................................... 170
PD_ZONE_SHOW function...................................................................................... 170
parameter name...................................................................................................... 170
This appendix contains the command syntax for the Parametric Design module.
Parametric Design is implemented in the Creo Elements/Direct Drafting macro
programming language, and the descriptions here follow Creo Elements/Direct
Drafting conventions. Macros are listed in alphabetical order.
PD_AUTO_ANGLE_TOLERANCE function
-->(PD_AUTO_ANGLE_TOLERANCE)----|number|--->
This function specifies the absolute tolerance used during PD_RESOLVE
AUTOMATIC constraint extraction to compare angles, such as checking whether
two lines are parallel, or a single line is horizontal. The number supplied must be
greater than or equal to zero. The initial value is 0.000001 radians.
PD_AUTO_SAME_DISTANCE_
TOLERANCE function
-->(PD_AUTO_SAME_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE)----|number|--->

AUTOMATIC constraint extraction to compare two non-zero distances, such as
checking whether two circular elements have the same radius. The number
supplied must be greater than or equal to zero. The initial value is 0.000001 mm.
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_COLOR function
-->(PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_COLOR)--+--|color|--+---->
| |
+---(ANY)---+
This function specifies the color of lines which will be treated as symmetry lines
during automatic constraint generation. If ANY is specified then color will not be
used to exclude lines from being automatically constrained as symmetry lines.
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_COLOR is used in combination with PD_AUTO_
SYMMETRY_LINE and PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINETYPE. The initial
setting is ANY.
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINE function
-->(PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINE)--+---(NO)--+--->
| |
+--(YES)--+
This function specifies whether the automatic constraint generator should scan the
drawing for symmetry lines. If so, then all lines which have the color specified by
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_COLOR and linetype specified by PD_AUTO_
SYMMETRY_LINETYPE will qualify. The initial setting is NO.
Parametric Design Command Syntax 147

PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINETYPE
function
-->(PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINETYPE)--+--|linetype|-----+--->
| |
+-----(ANY)-------+
This function specifies the linetype of lines which will be treated as symmetry
lines during automatic constraint generation. If ANY is specified then linetype
will not be used to exclude lines from being automatically constrained as
symmetry lines.
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINETYPE is used in combination with PD_AUTO_
SYMMETRY_LINE and PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_COLOR. The initial setting
is ANY.
PD_AUTO_TANGENT_TOLERANCE
function
-->(PD_AUTO_TANGENT_TOLERANCE)----|number|--->
This function specifies the absolute distance tolerance used during PD_RESOLVE
AUTOMATIC constraint extraction to check whether two elements are tangent.
One of the elements extracted must be circular. The tolerance is used to compare
the radius of the circular element to the distance from the circular element center
point to the other element. The number supplied must be greater than or equal to
zero. The initial setting is 0.000001 mm.
PD_AUTO_ZERO_DISTANCE_
TOLERANCE function
-->(PD_AUTO_ZERO_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE)----|number|--->

AUTOMATIC constraint extraction to compare a distance to zero, such as
detecting coincident points, collinear lines and point on element constraints. The
number supplied must be greater than or equal to zero. The initial setting is
0.000001 mm.
PD_CLEAN_DRAWING command
+-------------------------------------------------+
|
|
-->(PD_CLEAN_DRAWING)-v-+-(CLEAN_CLOSE_POINTS)-------+-|tol|-
+-(CONFIRM)-v->
| |
|
+-(CLEAN_DUPLICATE_GEOMETRY)-+
|
|
|
+-(CLEAN_STACKED_GEOMETRY)-----------
+
This command is used to modify three geometrical situations which can cause
inefficiency and confusion for parametric design.
CLEAN_CLOSE_POINTS is used to merge points that are within the user
specified distance of each other. For each set of two or more points which are to
be merged, a new location is chosen to move the entire set of points to. The new
location will be within the tolerance zone specified. In general, there is no way to
predict or control which elements will be adjusted. This should not be a limitation,
since the tolerance used is usually very small.
CLEAN_DUPLICATE_GEOMETRY is used to delete elements that are
duplicates of other elements. Most geometry types are duplicates if their model
points match. Circles and construction circles are determined to be duplicates if
the center points match and the radii are within the specified tolerance. In general,
there is no way to control or specify which element will be deleted.
CLEAN_STACKED_GEOMETRY is used to split overlapping lines, arcs and
circles. There is no user specified tolerance for this operation. The geometry must
overlap with intersection tolerance.
Each option first scans the part for the desired modification. If there are instances
of the defect then the offending geometry is highlighted and the user is prompted
for a CONFIRM before actually performing the modification. If no cleanup is
necessary then the prompt notes this fact while asking for a new option. As an aid
to the macro writer, a CONFIRM at this point will be ignored.
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR command
-->(PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR)--|color|-->
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR sets the display color of parametric dimensions

drawn with PD_MAKE_DIMENSIONS.
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_TEXT_SIZE command
-->(PD_DEFAULT_DIM_TEXT_SIZE)--|text size|-->

This command is obsolete and has no effect on text size. Size and other attributes
(except color) are controlled by the current dimension settings.
PD_FIX command
+------------------------------------------------------------+
|
|
|
+----------------------------------+ |
| |
| |
-->(PD_FIX)-v-+-(PD_ANGLE_LINES)-v-|line 1|-|line 2|-
+-----------+--^--+-v-->
| |
| |
| +--|
value|--+ |
| |
| |
| +--|
name|---+ |
|
|
|
|
| +-------------------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_COLLINEAR)-v-|line 1|-|line 2|-
^-------------------+
|
|
|
|
|
+-----------------------------+ |
| |
| |
+-(PD_DIMENSION)-v-|dimension|-
+-----------+---^---------+
| | |
|
| +--|value|--+
|
| | |
|
| +--|name|---+
|
|
|
|
|
|
+---------------------------------+ |
| |
| |
+-(PD_DISTANCE)-v-|elm 1|-|elm 2|-
+-----------+---^------+
| | |
|
| +--|value|--+
|
| | |
|
| +--|name|---+
|
|
|
|
|
| +-------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_ELEM)-v-|elm|-
^------------------------------------+
|
|
|
|
|
+----------------------------------+ |
| |
| |
+-(PD_FILLET)-v-|fillet|-|end elm 1|-|end elm
2|-^-------+
|
|
|
|
| +--------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_HORIZONTAL)-v-|line|-
^-----------------------------+

|
|
|
|
| +------------------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_MIRROR)--|line|--v--|elm 1|-|elm 2|-
^--------------+
|
|
|
|
| +--------------------------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_POINT)-v-|point|--
+-------------+-^----------------+
| | |
|
| +---|name|----+
|
|
|
|
|
| +-----------------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_POINT_ON)--v--|point|-|elm|--
^---------------------+
|
|
|
|
| +-------------------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_PARALLEL)-v-|line 1|-|line 2|-
^--------------------+
|
|
|
|
| +-------------------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_PERPENDICULAR)-v-|line 1|-|line 2|-
^---------------+
|
|
|
|
|
+---------------------------------+ |
| |
| |
+-(PD_SAME_DISTANCE)-v-|elm 1|-|elm 2|-|elm 3|-
|elm 4|-^-+
|
|
|
|
| +-----------------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_SAME_SIZE)-v-|elm 1|-|elm 2|-
^---------------------+
|
|
|
|
| +--------------------------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_SIZE)-v-|elm|----
+-----------+---^-----------------+
| | |
|
| +--|value|--+
|
| | |
|
| +--|name|---+
|
|
|
|
|
| +---------------------------+
|
| | |
|

+-(PD_SLOPE)-v-|line|---
+-----------+----^---------------+
| | |
|
| +--|value|--+
|
| | |
|
| +--|name|---+
|
|
|
|
|
| +----------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_SYM_LINE)-v--|line|--
^-----------------------------+
|
|
|
|
| +-----------------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_TANGENT)-v-|elm 1|-|elm 2|-
^-----------------------+
|
|
|
|
| +--------+
|
| | |
|
+-(PD_VERTICAL)-v-|line|-
^-------------------------------+
PD_FIX is used to define new constraints. These constraints will be used in future
calls to PD_RESOLVE if the modify zone contains any of the elements involved.
The meaning of each constraint type is described below in terms of how it effects
PD_RESOLVE.
PD_ANGLE_LINES specifies the relative angle between two linear elements. If a
value or name is not specified then the current angle is preserved.
PD_COLLINEAR will force two linear elements to be collinear.
PD_DIMENSION will cause the geometry associated with the dimension to take
on the given value. If a value or name is not given, then the current value of the
dimension will be preserved. If a parameter name is defined then either the value
of the parameter will be used to define the geometry or the geometry will be used
to define the value of the parameter.
PD_DISTANCE specifies the distance between any two point, linear or circular
elements. If a value or name is not specified then the current distance is preserved.
PD_ELEM will maintain the position and size of the element.
PD_FILLET will force two real geometry elements to be filleted by a given
circular arc. Each end of the arc must share an end point with one of the elements.
PD_HORIZONTAL will force a linear element to be horizontal.
PD_MIRROR will force the extension of two elements to be mirror images of
each other about a given line.
PD_POINT will force the point to remain in its current position, or in the position
indicated by the parameter. Alternatively, other constraints can position the point
which will be used to define the value of the parameter. See NOTE below for
additional information about this constraint type.
PD_POINT_ON will force a point to slide along the indicated element or its
extension. See NOTE below for additional information about this constraint type.
PD_PARALLEL will force two linear elements to be parallel.
PD_PERPENDICULAR will force two linear elements to be perpendicular.
PD_SAME_DISTANCE will force the distances between two pairs of elements to
be identical.
PD_SAME_SIZE will force two lines to have the same length or two circular
elements to have the same radius.
PD_SIZE specifies the length of a line or the radius of a circular element. If a
value or name is not specified then the current size is preserved.
PD_SLOPE specifies the slope of a linear element. The slope is measured
counterclockwise relative to the positive x axis. If a value or name is not specified
then the current slope will be preserved.
PD_SYM_LINE identifies a line as a symmetry line. Lines identified in this
manner will be used by PD_RESOLVE GENERATE to search for pairs of
mirrored elements.
PD_TANGENT will force two elements be tangent. One of the elements must be
circular. Two elements can be tangent even if they do not touch. All that is
required is that the extension of the elements are tangent.
PD_VERTICAL will force a linear element to be vertical.

Note
All constraints are saved in the database by referencing elements. Two
constraint types, PD_POINT and PD_POINT_ON, involve the user identifying
model points. The system will look for a POINT or TEXT element attached to
that model point and if one cannot be found then a POINT element will be
created. The color, linetype, and visibility of the new point is controlled by the
user with PD_NEW_POINT_COLOR, PD_NEW_POINT_LINETYPE, and
PD_NEW_POINT_VISIBILITY.
PD_FREE command
+---------------------------------------------+
|
|
-->(PD_FREE)-+-(NOBAN)-+-v-+-------------|id pnt|---------
+-+--------+-^--+-->
| | | | |
| |
+--(BAN)--+ | |
+-(UNDO)-+ |
| |
|
+--|kind|--+-+--(ALLTYPES)--+--+
|
| | |
|
| +----|type|----+
|
|
|
|
|
|
+----------+------------------------+ |
| | |
| |
+--v--|type|--v--|select|--
+--------+--^-------+
| |
| |
|
+-(UNDO)-+ |
|
|
|
|
+-------(ALLTYPES)---
(CONFIRM)-----------------+
PD_FREE is used to delete one or more constraints.

Either BAN or NOBAN must be entered. If BAN is chosen then the constraints
selected are marked deleted and prevented from being extracted by subsequent
calls to PD_RESOLVE GENERATE. NOBAN removes the constraint from the
database completely, meaning that it can be extracted by subsequent calls to PD_
RESOLVE GENERATE.
The simplest method to remove a single constraint is to click on the icon for the
constraint. If a constraint is identifiable by two or more icons, then clicking on any
one of those icons is sufficient.
The second form of this command is used to free a subset of constraints. This
subset is indicated by first selecting a constraint kind modifier and then selecting a
constraint type or ALLTYPES. The kind modifier is BANNED, SYSTEM,
UNUSED, USED, USER, VIOLATED. BANNED constraints are those which the
user has explicitly banned with the PD_FREE BAN command. SYSTEM
constraints are those constraints added by previous calls to PD_RESOLVE
GENERATE and unmodified by the user. UNUSED are those constraints that
were not used by the last call to PD_RESOLVE to determine the new geometry
but were satisfied. USED are those constraints that were used in the last call to
PD_RESOLVE to determine the new geometry. USER are those constraints added
by the user or system constraints that were modified by the user. VIOLATED are
those constraints that were violated by the last call to PD_RESOLVE.
The third form of this command parallels the PD_FIX command. Here the user
identifies the constraint type to be freed and then selects the explicit geometry
involved. All of the rules that apply to the selection of the geometry in PD_FIX
also apply, with two notable exceptions. Since an arc can be a fillet in at most
once way, it is sufficient to simply identify the fillet arc. And since an element can
be mirrored to at most one other element about a given symmetry line, it is
sufficient to identify the symmetry line and one member of the mirrored pair.
The final form of this command is used to remove all parametric information from
the current part. This can significantly reduce the database and file size for storing
the part.
Example:
PD_FREE NOBAN SYSTEM ALLTYPES
This is the simplest way to retain user defined constraints while removing all
constraints generated by the system.
Example:

PD_FREE NOBAN ALLTYPES CONFIRM
This is the simplest way to free all parametric information from the part.
PD_HIDE_DIMENSIONS command
+-----------<-----------+
v ^
-->(PD_HIDE_DIMENSIONS)--+--|select dimensions|--+-->
PD_HIDE_DIMENSIONS removes selected parametric dimensions from the

display. Parametric dimensions are displayed with PD_MAKE_DIMENSIONS.
PD_INFO_CONSTRAINT function
+------------+
| |
-->(PD_INFO_CONSTRAINT)--v--|id_pnt|--^----->
PD_INFO_CONSTRAINT is used to highlight the geometry associated with a

constraint. The constraint is identified by clicking its icon.
PD_INFO_CONSTRAINT is particularly useful for identifying quickly
constrained pairs of elements (e.g. parallel lines, mirrored elements).
PD_INFO_ELEMENT function
+------------+
| |
-->(PD_INFO_ELEMENT)--v--|id_pnt|--^----->
PD_INFO_ELEMENT is used to query how PD_RESOLVE determined the

position and size of the element identified by id_pnt during the last call to PD_
RESOLVE in the current session. All constraints that were used in the
determination will have their icons displayed and all geometry on which those
constraints rely will have their geometry highlighted as well.
Using this command on an element which was not solved for in the last call will
produce no icons or highlights.
If the constraints have been edited since the last call to PD_RESOLVE then the
information returned could be misleading.
PD_MAKE_DIMENSIONS command
+--------<---------+
v ^
-->(PD_MAKE_DIMENSIONS)--+--|sel elements|--+-->
PD_MAKE_DIMENSIONS displays parametric dimensions associated with
selected elements. Parametric dimensions are created when COPILOT is turned
on. Parametric dimensions are removed from the display with PD_HIDE_
DIMENSIONS.
PD_MODIFY_DIMENSION command
+-------------<------------+
v
^
-->(PD_MODIFY_DIMENSION)--+--(IMMEDIATE)--+--+--|sel dim|--|
new value|--+
| |
+--(DEFER)------+
PD_MODIFY_DIMENSION sets a new value for a parametric dimension.

Parametric dimensions are created when COPILOT is on, and they are displayed
with PD_MAKE_DIMENSIONS.
IMMEDIATE indicates that all geometry should be updated as soon as the new
value is entered.
DEFER indicates that the value of the parametric dimension should be changed,
but the geometry should not be updated until later. In other words, DEFER allows
several parametric dimensions to be modified at one time. Performance is
improved, because the model is not updated several times. In some cases DEFER
is necessary because some groups of modifications do not have valid intermediate
geometry.
PD_NEW_C_LINE_COLOR function
-->(PD_NEW_C_LINE_COLOR)--|color|-->
PD_NEW_C_LINE_COLOR sets the color of construction lines created by the

Parametrics module. This creation can occur when geometry is created with
COPILOT turned on, when automatic constraint generation takes place, or when
constraints are assigned.
PD_NEW_C_LINE_LINETYPE function
-->(PD_NEW_C_LINE_LINETYPE)--|linetype|-->
PD_NEW_C_LINE_LINETYPE sets the linetype of construction lines created by

the Parametrics module. This creation can occur when geometry is created with

PD_NEW_C_LINE_VISIBILITY function
-->(PD_NEW_C_LINE_VISIBILITY)--+--(VISIBLE)----+-->
| |
+--(INVISIBLE)--+
PD_NEW_C_LINE_VISIBILITY sets the visibility of construction lines created

by the Parametrics module. This creation can occur when geometry is created with
PD_NEW_POINT_COLOR function
-->(PD_NEW_POINT_COLOR)--|color|-->
This function specifies the color to be used for new points that are created by the
system. This creation can occur in either the automatic constraint generator or
when the user defines new PD_POINT and PD_POINT_ON constraints.
PD_NEW_POINT_LINETYPE function
-->(PD_NEW_POINT_LINETYPE)--|linetype|-->
This function specifies the linetype to be used for new points that are created by
the system. This creation can occur in either the automatic constraint generator or
when the user defines new PD_POINT and PD_POINT_ON constraints.
PD_NEW_POINT_VISIBILITY function
-->(PD_NEW_POINT_VISIBILITY)--+--(VISIBLE)----+-->
| |
+--(INVISIBLE)--+
PD_NEW_POINT_VISIBILITY sets the visibility of points created by the

Parametrics module. This creation can occur when geometry is created with
PD_PARAM_ADD command
-->(PD_PARAM_ADD)--+---(ANGLE_PAR)----+---|parameter name|---
>
| |
+---(LENGTH_PAR)---+
| |
+---(POINT_PAR)----+
| |
+---(USER_PAR)-----+
PD_PARAM_ADD adds a new parameter to the current part. The parameter must
be one of four types: angle, length, point or user.
PD_PARAM_FIX command
-->(PD_PARAM_FIX)--|parameter name|--+--------|
number|----------+--->
|
|
+--(')--|expression|--
(')--+
|
|
+----------()------------+
PD_PARAM_FIX defines what the value of the named parameter will be during
the next call to PD_RESOLVE.
Inputting a |value| causes the new value of that parameter to be the given value.
The value must be either a number or a point, depending on the parameter type.
Inputting a quoted expression will cause the expression to be evaluated during
subsequent calls to PD_RESOLVE. The expression can include references to other
parameters. Any valid Creo Elements/Direct Drafting expression is allowed.
Inputting a null string, , removes any previously defined value or expression for
the parameter.
PD_PARAM_INQ function
-->(PD_PARAM_INQ)----|parameter name|--->
PD_PARAM_INQ writes information about the parameter into the system inquiry
array. It can then be retrieved with INQ (see INQ).
PD_PARAM_INQ set the following values:
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| function/command | <inq_index> | result
|
+------------------+--------------
+-------------------------------------+

| PD_PARAM_INQ | 1 | 130 (inq code)
|
| | 2 | 0 : Named parameter does
not exist |
| | | 1 : Named parameter does
exist |
| | 5 | Conversion factor from
parameter |
| | | units to system units
|
| | 6 | 0 : Length parameter
|
| | | 1 : Angle parameter
|
| | | 2 : User parameter
|
| | | 3 : Point parameter
|
|................................................................-
......|
| if parameter type is not PD_POINT
|
|................................................................-
......|
| | 3 | Current parameter value.
|
|................................................................-
......|
| if parameter type is PD_POINT
|
|................................................................-
......|
| | 3 | X coordinate of point
parameter. |
| | 4 | Y coordinate of point
parameter. |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
PD_PARAM_REMOVE command
-->(PD_PARAM_REMOVE)----|parameter name|--->
PD_PARAM_REMOVE removes a parameter from the current part. The
command will fail if the named parameter is used within an expression for another
parameter or as the value for a constraint.
PD_PARAM_SAVE function
-->(PD_PARAM_SAVE)--->|output_spec|---->
PD_PARAM_SAVE saves the parameter settings to "output spec" ( see help for
OUTPUT_SPEC for details). Output consists of a PD_PARAM_FIX command
for each parameter. The file can be read with INPUT to restore the parameter
settings.
PD_PARAM_SHOW function
-->(PD_PARAM_SHOW)---+--(ALL)---+-------------->
| |
+--(USER)--+
PD_PARAM_SHOW displays constraints which reference parameters. If USER is

specified then only those constraints which reference parameters set by value will
be displayed.
PD_PREVIEW_COLOR function
-->(PD_PREVIEW_COLOR)----|color|---->
PD_PREVIEW_COLOR is used to set the color of geometry displayed by

subsequent calls to PD_RESOLVE PREVIEW.
PD_RESOLVE command
-->(PD_RESOLVE)--+--(GENERATE)--
+----------+-------------------+--->
| | |
|
| +--(UNDO)--+
|
|
|
+--(PREVIEW)----------------------------------+
|
|
+--(REPLACE)---
+----------+-------------------+
| | |
|
| +--(UNDO)--+
|
|
|

| +----(UNDO)------+
|
| | |
|
+--(COPY)---|ref_pnt|---v---|move_pnt|---
^----+
PD_RESOLVE is used both to automatically generate new constraints and to

modify geometry based on the application of parameters and constraints.
The GENERATE option will generate new constraints until the geometry in the
modify zone is completely constrained. UNDO can be used to remove these
constraints. A side effect of generating new constraints is that new POINT
elements might be created. The color and linetype of these points is defined with
PD_NEW_POINT_COLOR and PD_NEW_POINT_LINETYPE.
The PREVIEW option will show the original geometry as it was before the
command is invoked, while showing any geometry that would be modified by a
call to PD_RESOLVE REPLACE in the color specified by PD_PREVIEW_
COLOR. This option is a useful method of comparing original and modified
geometry without actually modifying the geometry in the database.
The REPLACE option will replace all geometry in the modify zone as necessary
to satisfy the parameters and constraints on the geometry. UNDO can be used to
restore the geometry back to the state it had before the command was invoked.
The COPY option will first show the geometry after application of parameters and
constraints and then allow the translation of the geometry to one or more new
locations. The original geometry will be restored when the command is finished.
PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_TOLERANCE
function
-->(PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_TOLERANCE)----|number|--->
This function specifies the absolute tolerance used during PD_RESOLVE to

decide whether the modification should result in the merging of two or more
points, or in the deletion of small elements. The merge process can be eliminated
by setting this tolerance to a negative number. The initial setting is 0.000001 mm.
PD_RIGID_ADD command
+----------------+------------+
| | |
-->(PD_RIGID_ADD)--v--|rigid name|--v--|select|--^-->
This command is used to define rigid bodies, which is a collection of geometric
entities which PD_SOLVE will translate and rotate as a group. No change of size
or relative position will occur on members of a rigid body.
You can have as many rigid bodies as you desire. The rigid name can be any user
string.
Members of a rigid body can be any geometric entity, including subparts and
hatchings. Subparts will translate and rotate with the rigid body. Hatchings will
rotate with the rigid body.
Rigid body membership is recorded as an info string on the member entity. The
form of the info string is always "PD_RIGID " + |rigid name|.
PD_RIGID_REMOVE command
+----------------+------------+
| | |
-->(PD_RIGID_REMOVE)--v--|rigid name|--v--|select|--^-->
This command is used to remove members from rigid bodies.

PD_RIGID_REFRESH_TABLE function
-->(PD_RIGID_REFRESH_TABLE)--->
This command is used to synchronize the contents of the logical table, rigids.ltab,
with the names of all rigid bodies in the current part. This synchronization is done
automatically whenever PD_RIGID_ADD, PD_RIGID_REMOVE, or PD_
RIGID_SHOW is invoked, or when the current part is changed. However, since a
rigid body is simply an info string, which can be edited by other means, this
command is occasionally useful in its own right.
PD_RIGID_SHOW function
+----------------+
| |
-->(PD_RIGID_SHOW)--v--|rigid name|--^-->
This command is used to highlight the members of a rigid body.

PD_SHOW function
-->(PD_SHOW)--+--------------+--+--(ALLTYPES)----------
+----->
| | | |
+--(BANNED)----+ +--(PD_ANGLE_LINES)----+
| | | |

+--(NEW)-------+ +--(PD_COLLINEAR)------+
| | | |
+--(SYSTEM)----+ +--(PD_DIMENSION)------+
| | | |
+--(UNUSED)----+ +--(PD_DISTANCE)-------+
| | | |
+--(USED)------+ +--(PD_ELEM)-----------+
| | | |
+--(USER)------+ +--(PD_FILLET)---------+
| | | |
+--(VIOLATED)--+ +--(PD_HORIZONTAL)-----+
| |
+--(PD_MIRROR)---------+
| |
+--(PD_PARALLEL)-------+
| |
+--(PD_PERPENDICULAR)--+
| |
+--(PD_POINT)----------+
| |
+--(PD_POINT_ON)-------+
| |
+--(PD_SAME_DISTANCE)--+
| |
+--(PD_SAME_SIZE)------+
| |
+--(PD_SIZE)-----------+
| |
+--(PD_SLOPE)----------+
| |
+--(PD_SYM_LINE)-------+
| |
+--(PD_TANGENT)--------+
| |
+--(PD_VERTICAL)-------+
PD_SHOW is used to add a subset of the constraint icons to the display.

The set of constraints to be added can be restricted in two ways. First, an optional
constraint kind modifier can be given. Second, a constraint type or ALLTYPES
must be given.
The kind modifier is BANNED, NEW, SYSTEM, UNUSED, USED, USER,
VIOLATED. BANNED constraints are those which the user has explicitly banned
with the PD_FREE BAN command. NEW constraints are those constraints that
are being added by a call to PD_RESOLVE GENERATE, which means that NEW
is only useful while the PD_RESOLVE GENERATE command is displaying a
message indicating the number of constraints added. SYSTEM constraints are
those constraints added by previous calls to PD_RESOLVE GENERATE and
unmodified by the user. UNUSED are those constraints that were not used by the
last call to PD_RESOLVE to determine the new geometry but were satisfied.
USED are those constraints that were used in the last call to PD_RESOLVE to
determine the new geometry. USER are those constraints added by the user or
system constraints that were modified by the user. VIOLATED are those
constraints that were violated by the last call to PD_RESOLVE.
PD_SHOW_CLEAR function
-->(PD_SHOW_CLEAR)--+--------------+--+--(ALLTYPES)----------
+-----+--->
| | |
|
+--(BANNED)----+ +--(PD_ANGLE_LINES)----
+
| | |
|
+--(NEW)-------+ +--(PD_COLLINEAR)------
+
| | |
|
+--(SYSTEM)----+ +--(PD_DIMENSION)------
+
| | |
|
+--(UNUSED)----+ +--(PD_DISTANCE)-------
+
| | |
|
+--(USED)------+ +--(PD_ELEM)-----------
+
| | |
|
+--(USER)------+ +--(PD_FILLET)---------
+
| | |
|
+--(VIOLATED)--+ +--(PD_HORIZONTAL)-----
+
|
|
+--(PD_MIRROR)---------
+
|
|
+--(PD_PARALLEL)-------
+
|
|
+--(PD_PERPENDICULAR)--
+

|
|
+--(PD_POINT)----------
+
|
|
+--(PD_POINT_ON)-------
+
|
|
+--(PD_SAME_DISTANCE)--
+
|
|
+--(PD_SAME_SIZE)------
+
|
|
+--(PD_SIZE)-----------
+
|
|
+--(PD_SLOPE)----------
+
|
|
+--(PD_SYM_LINE)-------
+
|
|
+--(PD_TANGENT)--------
+
|
|
+--(PD_VERTICAL)-------
+
PD_SHOW_CLEAR is used to remove a subset of the constraint icons which are

currently being displayed.
The set of constraints to be removed follows the same syntax is PD_SHOW.
Example:
PD_SHOW_CLEAR ALLTYPES
This is the simplest way to remove all constraint icons from the display.
PD_SHOW_COLOR function
-->(PD_SHOW_COLOR)----|color|---->
PD_SHOW_COLOR is used to set the color of constraint icons displayed by
subsequent calls to PD_SHOW.
PD_SHOW_LABEL_SIZE function
-->(PD_SHOW_LABEL_SIZE)---|size|--->
PD_SHOW_LABEL_SIZE is used to set the size of constraint icons displayed by

subsequent calls to PD_SHOW.
PD_SHOW_MOVE_TEXT function
+-------------------------+
| |
-->(PD_SHOW_MOVE_TEXT)--v--|id_pnt|---|move_pnt|--^-->
PD_SHOW_MOVE_TEXT is used to move the set of constraint icons from their

current position to a new position. A set of constraint icons is all of the constraint
icons attached to a particular geometry element. The new position will be used by
all subsequent calls to PD_SHOW that cause constraint icons to be displayed for
the element, as long as the current session is active.
PD_SHOW_USE_POSTFIX function
-->(PD_SHOW_USE_POSTFIX)--+---(NO)--+--->
| |
+--(YES)--+
PD_SHOW_USE_POSTFIX is used to set the show mode for dimension

constraints. If YES, the constraint value is displayed in the postfix field of the
dimension. If NO, the constraint value is displayed in the main value field of the
dimension.
PD_USE_DIMENSION command
+-------------------<-----------------------+
v
|
-->(PD_USE_DIMENSION)--+--|parametric dimension|--|new
dimension|--+---->

PD_USE_DIMENSION exchanges a parametric dimension with a non-parametric
dimension. The parametric dimensions which are created when COPILOT is on
may not be the preferred ones in all cases. A dimension may be created with the
normal dimension commands and then swapped via PD_USE_DIMENSION so
that it becomes a parametric dimension.
In order for an exchange to occur, both dimensions must control the same
geometry.
PD_ZONE_ADD command
+------------+
| |
-->(PD_ZONE_ADD)--+---------------+--v--|select|--^-->
| |
+--(NEIGHBORS)--+
PD_ZONE_ADD adds elements to the modify zone. If the NEIGHBORS qualifier

is not given, then the elements added are the elements selected. If the
NEIGHBORS qualifier is given then the elements added to the zone are the
elements selected and any elements that share a model point with one of the
elements selected.
The modify zone is the set of elements which might be modified by the PD_
RESOLVE command.
PD_ZONE_REMOVE command
+------------+
| |
-->(PD_ZONE_REMOVE)--v--|select|--^-->
PD_ZONE_REMOVE removes elements from the modify zone.

PD_ZONE_SHOW function
-->(PD_ZONE_SHOW)---->
PD_ZONE_SHOW highlights all elements in the current modify zone. The

highlight is removed on the next screen redraw.
parameter name
-->|letter|---+--------------+--->
| |
+---|letter|---+
| |
+---|digit|----+
| |
+----(_)-------+
This describes the syntax of a parameter name. A parameter name follows the
same restrictions and guidelines as macro names. Parameter names must not
conflict with existing command names, qualifiers, macros, etc.

C
Parametric Design Defaults
Setting Icon Defaults From the Screen Menu. ............................................................ 173

Move Icon............................................................................................................... 173
Icon Size ................................................................................................................ 173
Set Color ................................................................................................................ 173
The PD_Defaults File............................................................................................... 174
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_* ...................................................................................... 175
PD_AUTO_*_TOLERANCE ..................................................................................... 175
PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_TOLERANCE.................................................................... 176
PD_SHOW_* .......................................................................................................... 176
ADD_CURRENT_INFO ........................................................................................... 176
PD_NEW_C_LINE_* ............................................................................................... 176
PD_NEW_POINT_*................................................................................................. 176
PD_PREVIEW_COLOR........................................................................................... 177
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR ................................................................................... 177
User-changeable defaults exist for several entities used by Parametric Design.

All of these defaults may be set at Creo Elements/Direct Drafting startup time by
including the appropriate Parametric Design functions in the file pd_def.mac.
The default constraint icon size and color may also be set through Parametric
Design screen menu commands.
Setting Icon Defaults From the Screen
Menu.
Use Move Icon and Icon Setting to set the location, size and colors of Parametric
Design information labels and highlighting.
Move Icon
Move Icon allows you to change the location of constraint icons on the part. To
move icons:
1. Click Parametric ▶ Modify ▶ Move Icon or type:
PD_SHOW_MOVE TEXT [Enter]
2. Click the icon to be moved.
3. Drag the cursor to the new location and click again.
Note that you can only change the position of the constraint icon itself; you can't
change the position of the callout line on the referenced geometry.
Icon Size
To change the icon size:
1. Click Parametric ▶ Settings ▶ Icon to bring up the Icon Setting dialog box, or
type:
PD_SHOW_LABEL_SIZE [Enter]
2. Type in the new size.
Subsequent Show or Inquire Icon functions will draw constraint icons in the new
size. Existing icons can be cleared and re-displayed to get the new size. The Creo
Elements/Direct Drafting NEW_SCREEN function will also re-display icons in
the new size and location. The default icon size is the same as the Creo Elements/
Direct Drafting default text size, 3.5 mm.
Set Color
To set the icon color:
1. Click Parametric ▶ Settings ▶ Icon to bring up the Icon Setting dialog box, or
type:
PD_SHOW_COLOR [Enter]
2. Enter the new color.
Parametric Design Defaults 173

Subsequent Show or Inquire Icon functions will draw constraint icons in the new
color. Existing icons must be cleared and re-displayed to get the new color. The
initial show color is CYAN.
The PD_Defaults File
Parametric Design reads the file pd_def.mac at startup to determine defaults.
You can change these defaults by editing this file. As supplied, the pd_def.mac
file contains the following lines:
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINE YES Auto symmetry lines are

enabled and
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_COLOR YELLOW defined to be
yellow,
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINETYPE DOT_CENTER dot-centerlines.
Zero-distance tolerance
used by AUTO
PD_AUTO_ZERO_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE 1E-6 Distance tolerance used by
AUTO
PD_AUTO_SAME_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE 1E-6 Same-angle tolerance used
by AUTO
PD_AUTO_ANGLE_TOLERANCE 1E-6 Tolerance for determining
tangency in AUTO
PD_AUTO_TANGENT_TOLERANCE 1E-6 Tolerance for merging
elements in AUTO
Default SHOW color for
icons is CYAN
PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_TOLERANCE 1E-6 Default Icon size is 3.5
Dimensional constraints
replace dimension text
PD_SHOW_COLOR CYAN ZONE Auto On feature is
enabled
PD_SHOW_LABEL_SIZE 3.5 Default color for
generated points
PD_SHOW_USE_POSTFIX NO Linetype for generated
points
Visibility of generated
points
ADD_CURRENT_INFO "PD_ZONE" END Default color for
generated construction lines
Linetype for generated
construction lines
PD_NEW_POINT_COLOR GREEN Visibility of generated
construction lines
PD_NEW_POINT_LINETYPE DOT_CENTER Default SOLVE Preview
color is MAGENTA
PD_NEW_POINT_VISIBILITY INVISIBLE Default color of
parametric dimensions is GREEN
Design Intent Capture
enabled by default
PD_NEW_C_LINE_COLOR GREEN
PD_NEW_C_LINE_LINETYPE DOT_CENTER
PD_NEW_C_LINE_VISIBILITY INVISIBLE
PD_PREVIEW_COLOR MAGENTA
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR GREEN
Design_intent_on
PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_*
The PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_* options enable and disable automatic symmetry
line constraining. When PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINE is set to YES, the
constraint generator and solver will automatically assign symmetry-line
constraints to all lines that have the PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_COLOR and PD_
AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINETYPE.
PD_AUTO_*_TOLERANCE
The PD_AUTO_*_TOLERANCE options set various tolerances used by
Complete to determine the relationships among elements in a part. These
tolerances are used to compensate for minor inconsistencies in a part (e.g., fillets
that are not quite tangent, slightly disconnected elements, lines slightly out of
parallel, etc.).
PD_AUTO_ZERO_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE
This function specifies the absolute tolerance used by Complete to compare a
distance to zero. This tolerance is used to detect coincident points, collinear lines
and point-on-element constraints. The number supplied must be greater than or
equal to zero. The initial setting is 0.000001 mm.
PD_AUTO_SAME_DISTANCE_TOLERANCE
This function specifies the absolute tolerance used by Complete to compare two
non-zero distances. This tolerance may be used, for example, to check whether
two circular elements have the same radius. The number supplied must be greater
than or equal to zero. The initial value is 0.000001 mm.
PD_AUTO_ANGLE_TOLERANCE
This function specifies the absolute tolerance used by Complete to compare
angles. This tolerance is applied, for example, when checking whether two lines
are parallel or a single line is horizontal. The number supplied must be greater
than or equal to zero. The initial value is 0.000001 radians.

PD_AUTO_TANGENT_TOLERANCE
This function specifies the absolute distance tolerance used by Complete to check
whether two elements are tangent. This tolerance is applied only if one of the
extracted elements is circular. The tolerance is used to compare the radius of the
circular element to the distance from the circular element center point to the other
element. The number supplied must be greater than or equal to zero. The initial
setting is 0.000001 mm.
PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_TOLERANCE
PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_TOLERANCE specifies the absolute tolerance used by
the Parametric Design solver to decide whether the modification should result in
the merging of two or more points, or in the deletion of small elements. The merge
process can be eliminated by setting this tolerance to a negative number. The
initial setting is 0.000001 mm.
PD_SHOW_*
The PD_SHOW_COLOR and PD_SHOW_LABEL_SIZE options correspond to
the color and size settings in the Icon Setting dialog box.
PD_SHOW_USE_POSTFIX controls the display of dimensional constraints.
When set to the default value of NO, the constraint value replaces the normal
dimension text. If set to YES, the constraint value is displayed as a postfix to the
main dimension text. Earlier versions of the software always displayed
dimensional constraints as postfixes.
ADD_CURRENT_INFO
ADD_CURRENT_INFO "PD_ZONE" END causes the "PD_ZONE" info to be
included in all new geometry. As a result, all new geometry is added to the zone.
PD_NEW_C_LINE_*
The PD_NEW_C_LINE_* options determine the default color, linetype, and
visibility for any new construction lines that are created when constraints are
created. The default color and linetype causes these construction lines to be
displayed as green lines. Visibility of these construction lines can be set so they
are either always visible or visible only when constraints are displayed.
PD_NEW_POINT_*
The PD_NEW_POINT_* options determine the default color, linetype, and
visibility for any new points that are created. Typically, these points are created
only when needed to fix point-on or reference-point constraints. The default color
and linetype causes these points to be displayed as green ×'s. Visibility of these
points can be set so they are either always visible or visible only when constraints
are displayed.
PD_PREVIEW_COLOR
PD_PREVIEW_COLOR sets the default color used by the Preview mode of
Solve. This color cannot be set from the screen menu.
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR sets the default color used when parametric
dimensions are displayed for Dimension Driven Modification. This color cannot
be set from the screen menu.

Index
A Fillet, 49
freeing, 28
ADD CURRENT INFO function, 176
generating with Design Intent
Add Multiple command, 23
Capture, 80
Add Single command, 23
Horizontal, 50
All option, 33
icons, 42
Angle command, 65
Mirror, 51
Angle constraint, 42
Parallel, 52
Assign command, 27, 66
parametizable, 66
assigning
Perpendic, 54
constraints, 25
Point on, 55
parameters, 66
Refelem, 56
to the zone, 23
Refpoint, 57
automatic constraint generation, 87, 99
Samedist, 57
Samesize, 58
B showing, 28
Ban command, 29 Size, 59
banning constraints, 29 Slope, 59
Symmline, 60
Tangent, 61
C tools, 25
Clean commands, 21 Vertical, 62
cleaning geometry, 20-21, 87 X-Distance, 63
Clear command, 28 Y-Distance, 63
clearing constraints, 28 creating
Collinear constraint, 44 parameter value tables, 19
Complete command, 29-30, 87, 99 parameters, 65
constraints rigid body, 25
Angle, 42
assigning, 25 D
automatic generation, 87, 99
D_CLEAN_DRAWING command,
banning, 29
148
clearing, 28
defaults, 172
Collinear, 44
defining
Dimension, 44
parameters, 67
Distance, 46
zones, 20 geometry
deleting cleaning, 87
parameters, 70 geometry cleaning, 20
zone elements, 24
design intent capture
H
benefits, 80
constraint creation, 81 Horizontal constraints, 50
disabling, 80
elements affected, 81
I
enabling, 80
inquiring on/off status, 80 Icon Color command, 173
overview, 80 Icon command, 173
Dimension constraint, 44 Icon commands, 20
dimension driven modification Icon Size command, 173
benefits, 74 icons
defer, 76 coloring, 173
displaying parametric dimensions, constraint, 42
74 manipulating, 20
immediate, 76 modifying, 99
overview, 74 moving, 173
dimensions purpose, 27
controlling position, 47 removing, 28
Display command, 24, 33 resizing, 173
displaying Inconsistent option, 33
icons, 20 infos
zones, 24 PD RIGID, 24
Distance constraint, 46 PD STATUS, 34
Duplicate command, 22 PD ZONE, 23
Infos
PD ZONE, 91
E Input command, 18, 37
editing parameter dimensions, 67 input parameter value tables, 18
expression, defined, 64 Inquire command, 31
Inquire Element command, 31
Inquire Icon, 31
F invisible geometry, 102
Fillet constraint, 49 display attributes, 103, 176
Free command, 28, 66
freeing constraints, 28
K
Keep command, 17, 32
G
Generate Rigids commands, 24
Index 179
L changing values, 16
Length command, 65 creation, explicit, 65
loading master parts, 15 creation, implicit, 65
defining, 67
definition table, 64
M editing, 64, 67, 69-70
master part expressions, 64
creating, 36 naming rules, 66
defined, 15 removing, 70
evaluating, 39 showing, 16, 71
loading, 15 units, 67
preparation, 21 value table, 16
master parts value type, 68
and parameters, 37 Parametric Design
Mirror constraint, 51 starting, 11
Modify command, 98 Parametric Design software
modifying defaults, 172
parameter values, 16 overviewed, 10
modifying parameter value tables, 16 parametric dimensions
Move Icon command, 173 display attributes, 75
multiple parts, 97 modifying, 76
swapping, 77
viewing, 74
N Partially Determined option, 34
naming rules for parameters, 66 PD RIGID info text, 24
No Keep command, 18, 33 PD STATUS info text, 34
pd_auto_angle_tolerance, 87
PD_AUTO_ANGLE_TOLERANCE
P function, 147, 175
Parallel constraint, 52 pd_auto_same_distance_tolerance, 87
parameter definition table PD_AUTO_SAME_DISTANCE_
fields, 67 TOLERANCE function, 147, 175
parameter name, 170 PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_COLOR
parameter value table function, 147, 175
application, 18, 71 PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_LINE
creating, 19 function, 147, 175
illustrated, 16 PD_AUTO_SYMMETRY_
modifying, 16 LINETYPE function, 148, 175
restoring, 18 pd_auto_tangent_tolerance, 87
saving, 18 PD_AUTO_TANGENT_
parameters TOLERANCE function, 148, 176
assigning, 66 pd_auto_zero_distance_tolerance, 87
PD_AUTO_ZERO_DISTANCE_ PD_RIGID_ADD command, 164
TOLERANCE function, 148, 175 PD_RIGID_REFRESH_TABLE
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_COLOR function, 165
command, 75, 149, 177 PD_RIGID_REMOVE command, 165
PD_DEFAULT_DIM_TEXT_SIZE PD_RIGID_SHOW function, 165
command, 149 PD_SHOW function, 165
PD_FIX command, 150 PD_SHOW_CLEAR function, 167
PD_FREE command, 156 PD_SHOW_COLOR function, 168,
PD_HIDE_DIMENSIONS command, 176
158 PD_SHOW_LABEL_SIZE function,
PD_INFO_CONSTRAINT function, 169, 176
158 PD_SHOW_MOVE_TEXT function,
PD_INFO_ELEMENT function, 158 169
PD_MAKE_DIMENSIONS command, PD_SHOW_USE_POSTFIX function,
158 169, 176
PD_MODIFY_DIMENSION PD_USE_DIMENSION command,
command, 159 169
PD_NEW_C_LINE_COLOR function, PD_ZONE info text, 23, 91
159, 176 PD_ZONE_ADD command, 170
PD_NEW_C_LINE_LINETYPE PD_ZONE_REMOVE command, 170
function, 159, 176 PD_ZONE_SHOW function, 170
PD_NEW_C_LINE_VISIBILITY Perpendic constraints, 54
function, 103, 160, 176 Point command, 66
PD_NEW_POINT_COLOR function, Point on constraint, 55
160, 176 Points command, 22
PD_NEW_POINT_LINETYPE Preview command, 17, 32
function, 160, 176
PD_NEW_POINT_VISIBILITY
R
function, 103, 160, 176
PD_PARAM_ADD command, 160 Refelem constraint, 56
PD_PARAM_FIX command, 161 Refpoint constraint, 57
PD_PARAM_INQ function, 161 Remove command, 24, 70
PD_PARAM_REMOVE command, removing
162 parameters, 70
PD_PARAM_SAVE function, 163 zone elements, 24
PD_PARAM_SHOW function, 163 replication, 96
PD_PREVIEW_COLOR function, 28, rigid bodies, 94, 96
32, 163, 177 rigid body
PD_RESOLVE command, 163 clearing, 25
pd_resolve_merge_tolerance, 87 creating, 25
PD_RESOLVE_MERGE_ defined, 24
TOLERANCE function, 164, 176 showing, 25
Index 181
S pd_auto_zero_distance_tolerance,
87
Samedist constraint, 57
pd_resolve_merge_tolerance, 87
Samesize constraint, 58
Save command, 18, 37
saving parameter value tables, 18 U
Show command, 16, 28, 71
UA_DESIGN_INTENT command, 80
showing
UA_GET_DESIGN_INTENT
constraints, 28
arithmetic function, 80
parameters, 16, 71
Unsolved option, 34
Size constraint, 59
User command, 66
sketch input, 88
Slope constraint, 59
Solve command, 17, 32 V
Solved option, 34 variation, generating, 15
solving Vertical constraint, 62
errors, 33
Keep mode, 17, 32
modes, 17, 32 W
No Keep mode, 18, 33 working methods
Preview mode, 17, 32 advanced, 87
solver described, 101 for designer, 12
tolerances, 87 for draftsperson, 11
SPLINE CONVERSION function, 93 summarized, 11
splines
parametric control, 93-94
Stacked command, 22 X
strategy X-Distance constraint, 63
for constraining, 30, 32
for master parts, 36, 39
Symmline constraint, 60 Y
system defaults, 172 Y-Distance constraint, 63
T Z
Tangent constraint, 61 zone
tolerances implementation, 91
defined, 87 manipulation of, 91, 93
pd_auto_angle_tolerance, 87 multiple, 92
pd_auto_same_distance_tolerance, Zone commands, 21
87 zones
pd_auto_tangent_tolerance, 87 adding elements to, 23
defined, 21
removing elements, 24
showing contents, 24
Index 183

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Parametric Design with Creo

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UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

4 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

6 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

8 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

What is Parametric Design?

10 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Parametric Design provides these capabilities without changing existing Creo

Starting Parametric Design

Basic Working Methods

For the Designer

12 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Solve for the Variation

Learning to Use Parametric Design

14 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Load the Master Part

Change Parameter Values

16 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Solve for the Variation

Saving and Restoring the Parameter

Save the Parameter Value Table

18 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Creating a Parameter Value Table by Hand

20 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Working with Parametric Design 21

1. Click Parametric, Clean and Duplicate.

22 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Setting the Zone

Adding Elements to the Zone

Working with Parametric Design 23

Showing Contents of the Zone

Removing Elements from the Zone

Defining Rigid Bodies

24 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Creating A Rigid Body

Showing and Clearing Rigid Bodies

Working with Parametric Design 25

26 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Working with Parametric Design 27

1. In Generate Constraints, click the Show or Clear radio button.

1. In Generate Constraints, click the Free radio button.

28 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Working with Parametric Design 29

2. Run Complete to generate the remaining constraints needed to fully constrain

30 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Working with Parametric Design 31

32 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Working with Parametric Design 33

34 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Working with Parametric Design 35

Designing Master Parts

36 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Constrain the Part

Working with Parametric Design 37

38 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Working with Parametric Design 39

40 Parametric Design with Creo Elements/Direct Drafting Windows User Interface

Figure 3. Constraint Icons