CATIA is a CAD/CAM package. It contains modules for mechanical design, analysis, shape design & styling, equipment and systems engineering, product synthesis and infrastructure.

Alias CATIA V4 DirectConnect is a stand-alone utility that allows the exchange of 3D model data between Alias and CATIA V4 using the CATIA V4/Alias neutral format CAI.

CATIA Requirements

• Version 4.2n of CATIA V4
• Alias

What happens on import of a CATIA file into Alias?

The model’s surface geometry is converted in Alias into a skin by joining surfaces and trimmed surfaces or faces. The skin can then be used for a variety of downstream processes in CATIA.

Before you create the model

• Set units to mm

• In the Construction Settings window:

  • Toggle OFF the Rational geometry flags.

• Set tolerances in accordance with the CATIA vV4. The default tolerances are:

  • Curve Fit Distance =.01 mm
  • Curve Fit Checkpoints = 10
  • Max Gap Distance = .01 mm (this value should remain the same as Curve Fit Distance)
  • Trim Curve Fit =.005 mm

(CATIA tolerances are set for large scale objects as well as for normal scale objects.)

While you create the model

• Use degree 5 curves and surfaces to achieve curvature continuity between surfaces.
• Periodically transfer models from Alias to CATIA during construction to manage the quality of the model being created.
• Periodically stitch the geometry once it is in CATIA to ensure that the model meets all tolerance requirements.
• Avoid using Object Edit > Attach > Attach since this function creates multiknots in Alias geometry.
• Avoid using Surfaces > Skin between trimmed surface boundaries, since excessive amounts of data are created in the resulting surface. If Skin is used between trim boundaries, check the resulting surfaces for multiknots before export.
• Use surface building tools such as Surfaces > Boundary Surfaces > Square and Surfaces > Swept Surfaces > Rail Surface to ensure and control curvature continuity between surfaces.

What are the curve to fit distance tolerances in Alias

The Curve Fit Distance is the tolerance to which trim boundaries are rebuilt to (or approximated). The default positional tolerance in CATIA is 0.1 mm, and the AliasCurve Fit Distance setting should be set to 0.01 mm.

This Curve Fit Distance setting should normally be accurate. If you find that it is not resulting in Alias geometry that can be successfully used in CATIA, then experiment with the Curve Fit Distance—it can set to as low as 0.005 mm. This setting enhances the success of post transfer processes, such as skinning, that are to be carried out once the geometry is in CATIA.

Whether you are creating a model, verifying a model, or debugging a translation, there are a number of tools in Alias you can use to check the quality of the geometry you have created. The most useful tool is the Locators > Deviation Min/max measurement tools. Use this tool to check the maximum distance between any two surface boundaries.

General Workflow

Before transferring geometry between Alias and CATIA, consider the purpose of the transfer to plan an appropriate workflow. Two common workflows are:

• Geometry (describing mechanical components) is transferred from CATIA to Alias as reference data for concept design surfacing, then the Alias model is transferred back to CATIA.
• An Alias model is transferred to CATIA, and both Alias and CATIA databases are developed independently. Later, the modified Alias model is transferred again to CATIA, replacing the Alias geometry from the first transfer. In this scenario, all work done in CATIA on the original Alias model (ribs, thickness) will be applied to the new modified Alias model.

There are many variations on these two examples. Whatever the transfer scenario, carefully plan the transfer process, to ensure that the appropriate data is written out and is useful.

Exporting Workflow

1. Stitch the surfaces to perform a visual check to confirm there are no gaps.

2. Undo the stitch operation.

3. Save the Alias wire file.

4. Stitch the surfaces again.

5. Export the stitched object to a CAI file.

   Note:

   Geometry not stitched prior to export from Alias will not automatically create a skin upon import into CATIA.

What happens when you replace Alias geometry

A common workflow using Alias and CATIA together is one where you replace existing Alias geometry in a CATIA model file with updated Alias geometry. This workflow allows you to continue working in Alias, modifying a model that has already been passed over to CATIA.

When you want to update the CATIA database with the completed changes, the surfaces that have been modified are passed to CATIA. You import the new Alias geometry and then redefine the skin that includes the faces in question using the Limit2 > Skin > Create/Modify tool.

If you want to change a face or surface using Alias and then include that modified surface in the CATIA model, you only have to redefine the skin to its members. That is, this time you leave out the original face and include the new Alias-modified face. This way Alias geometry can be used to modify CATIA models at any point throughout the development cycle.

Related Reference

• CAI import options
• CIA export options