Alias Foundation Tutorials

Video and hands-on training for new Alias users.

1. Download the data files for the tutorials.

2. Install the data files.

3. Watch the Essential Skills Videos.

4. Watch the videos listed on this page. Follow along in Alias with the downloaded data files.

   Practice by doing the Skill Builder exercises and project.

• If you're a beginner, start with F1 and work through the Fundamentals videos in order.

  Then proceed to the Workflow videos.

• If you have some experience, you may want to pick and choose the videos that interest you.
• Read the pages on the right and watch the resource videos to review what you're learning.

Watch & Practice

Review

Fundamentals F1 Interface Fundamentals Introduction to F1 Tutorials F1.1 Using the Alias File System F1.2 Zooming, Panning, and Tumbling the Scene F1.3 Organizing Parts onto Layers F1.4 Selecting and Grouping - Importing Wheels F1.5 Moving, Scaling, and Rotating the Wheels Interface and Problem Solving Tips Download the data files for F1 F2 Geometry Fundamentals Introduction to F2 Tutorials F2.1 XYZ Dimensions and Accuracy F2.2 Circles and the Information Window F2.3 Importing a Polygon Mesh and Local Axes F2.4 Pivot Points and Grouping F2.5 Snapping with Mouse Constraints F2.6 CV Sculpting a Cylinder F2.7 Construction Planes – Working on an Angle F2.8 CV Sculpting Cubes and Groups Using the Marking Menus and Shelves Download the data files for F2 F3 NURBS Fundamentals Introduction to F3 Tutorials F3.1 NURBS Surfaces 1 – Degree and CVs F3.2 NURBS Surfaces 2 – Symmetry F3.3 NURBS Curves – Spans and Edit Points F3.4 Edit Point Curves – Car Outline Curves F3.5 Curve Tools – Offset and Trim F3.6 Wheel Arch Curves Skill Builder 3.7 – Multi-Span Curves Skill Builder 3.8 – Multi-Span Surfaces Interface Shortcuts – Customizing Shelves Download the data files for F3 F4 Projecting, Intersecting, and Trimming Introduction to F4 Tutorials F4.1 Projecting and Trimming Surfaces F4.2 Intersecting and Trimming Surfaces F4.3 Trimming the Wheel Arches F4.4 Trimming the Side of the Car Skill Builder 4.5 – Intersecting the Roof Line Skill Builder 4.6 – Trim Divide Skill Builder 4.7 – Fitting the Side Surface Interface & Trimming Tips Download the data files for F4 F5 Building with Curves & Surface Tools Introduction to F5 Tutorials F5.1 Skin Surface and Construction History F5.2 Skin, Planar, and Draft Surfaces F5.3 Skin and Draft for Sketch Surfaces F5.4 Swept Surface: Mono-Rail F5.5 Boundary Surfaces: Bi-Rail and Square F5.6 Revolve Surface – Wheels F5.7 Revolve Surface – Side Glass Skill Builder 5.8 – Parallel Roof Line Interface and Surfacing Tips Download the data files for W5 F6 Aligning & Matching Surfaces & Curves Introduction to F6 Tutorials and the Align Tool F6.1 Curve Fillet and Continuity F6.2 Bi-Rail Surface and Continuity F6.3 Surface Fillet and Round F6.4 Introduction to Freeform Blend F6.5 Freeform Blend – Wheel Arch Layout F6.6 Construction Tolerances, Square, and Align F6.7 Introduction to Blend Curves Skill Builder 6.8 – Detailing the Roof Window Skill Builder 6.9 – Rail: Patch Layout and Problem Skill Builder 6.10 – Rail: Curve Segments Skill Builder 6.11 – Completing the Front Wheelarch Interface and problem solving tips Download the data files for F6 Fundamentals Skill Builder Project Introduction to the Skill Builder Project Download the Fundamentals Skill Builder Project data files Workflow W1 Concept Modeling Introduction to Concept Modeling W1.1 Importing Sketches as Canvas Images W1.2 Lattice Rig for Rapid Evolution of Shape W1.3 Overlay Canvases for Design and Presentation W1.4 Designing a Wheel Using Instances W1.5 Groove, Round, and Draft Details for the Wheel Download the data files for W1 W2 Modeling for Production Introduction to Modeling for Production W2.1 Charger: Construction Tolerances for Production W2.2 Charger: Dimensions and Draft Angles W2.3 Charger: Stitching and Exporting IGES and Step W2.4 Charger: Exporting STL for Rapid Prototyping W2.5 Wheel: Revolving Wheel Geometry W2.6 Wheel: Construction Planes W2.7 Wheel: Surface Fillet for G2 and G3 Radius Blends W2.8 Wheel: Solving Stitching Problems Download the data files for W2 W3 Technical Surfacing (Class A) Introduction to Technical Surfacing W3.1 Surface Evaluation – Reflection Lines W3.2 Surface Evaluation – Cross Sections and Comb Plots W3.3 Construction Tolerances between Surface Patches W3.4 Transform CV – Fine Tuning Control Points W3.5 Working with Trimmed Edges – Fit Curve and Align Project Download the data files for W3 W4 Reverse Engineering Introduction to Reverse Engineering W4.1 Working with Mesh Data W4.2 Working with Sections W4.3 Creating a Surface onto a Mesh W4.4 Analyzing and Displaying Deviation W4.5 Barrel Surface for Sideglass W4.6 Reference Manager for Handling Large Data Sets Download the data files for W4

Alias Golden Rules 1 Create a good 'flow' of CVs 2 Use minimum number of CVs 3 Use single-span for smooth curves 4 Ensure tangency across the center line 5 Aim to use four-sided surfaces 6 Trim to achieve n-sided surfaces 7 Build to theoretical edges 8 Set construction tolerances at the start 9 Avoid building from trimmed edges 10 Match curves on opposite sides Theory Builders NURBS 1: Introduction NURBS 2: Terminology Continuity 1: G0, G1, G2, G3 Continuity 2: Construction Tolerances Evaluation 1: Curve Curvature Evaluation 2: Reflection Lines and Iso Angle Evaluation 3: Surface Curvature Trimming and Curves-on-Surface Circles and Revolves Understanding Class A Modeling Quick Tips Mouse and Keyboard Reminders - PC Mouse and Keyboard Reminders - Mac OS Customizing Shelves Customizing Marking Menus Customizing Hotkeys Customizing CV Display ICEM to Alias Transition Guide Tips for Using Blend Curves Resources What's New in Alias 2011 Videos What's New in Alias 2012 Videos What's New in Alias 2013 Videos What's New in Alias 2014 Videos Align Masterclass Videos