1. Presented by Mike Morse Technical Marketing
I-deas Workflows in NX
Presented by Mike Morse
Technical Marketing

2. I-deas Workflows in NX 6 Question:
How many of my familiar I-deas modeling, assembly, and PMI functions and workflows are available in NX?
Answer:
Do I have to abandon my I-deas “Best Practices” and learn a complete new set for NX?

3. I-deas Workflows in NX 6 I-deas ≠ NX NX ≠ I-deas Major Differences:
Interface
Fixed vs. Flexible
Units
SI Units vs. Metric / English
History Representation
“Bushy” vs. “Timestamp”
“Multiple Parts on Workbench”
Yes or No?
Parasolid Kernel
Partition/Boolean yielding multiple solids
Drafting
External vs. Integrated
Data Management
TDM vs. Teamcenter vs. “Native”

4. I-deas Workflows in NX 6 I-deas = NX
Most I-deas Workflows have Logical Equivalents in NX
Major Similarities:
“Sketch – Constrain – Extrude”
Hybrid Open & Closed Part Modeling
Freeform Surfacing
Drafting / Blending / Shelling
Copy / Paste / Replace / Reuse Features
Cross-over Modeling Features:
Sketcher; V-Sweep; Emboss
Cross-over Assembly Features
Assy. Constraints; Arrangements; Sequences
Interpart and Assembly Modeling
ACF vs. WAVE

5. I-deas Workflows in NX 6: Topics
Interface (GUI)
New Parts (Units)
Part Navigator
Datums
2D Sketch*
Selection Intent
3D Curves
3D Shapes
Primitive / Solid / Sheet
Boolean Operations
Copy / Paste / Replace Features (Reuse)*
Detail Features
Draft / Blend* / Shell
Modify Feature Parameters
Measurements & Expressions
Assemblies*
PMI*
2D Drafting *
*Demo

6. Interface Menus and Toolbars Based on Task
Modeling, Drafting, Assembly, PMI, Sheet Metal, etc.
“Resource Tabs” Access Part, Assembly, History, Web, Materials, Wizards, etc…
“Roles” Capture and Restore Interface Content
“I-deas” Role Exists for Transitioning Users
New Dialogs
Pinned to “Rail”
Consistent location
Consistent interaction
UNDO / REDO(!)
RMB “Gesture” Options for Common Functions
Extensive Customization Available
Menu / Toolbar Add or Delete Functions
User Created Toolbars
Keyboard “Hot Keys”
“TAPS”
Toolbar Locations Docked or Free
Optional New “Full Screen” Mode

7. New Part I-deas New Part includes Absolute CSys Units are not an issue
(SI units used internally)
NX New Part based on Template “Seed Part”
Metric vs. English must be specified
Different Seed Parts for Different Applications
Model vs. Assembly vs. Drawing vs. NASTRAN…
Modeling may be done in ANY units
Analysis -> Units
I-deas may have multiple “Parts” on “Workbench”
NX may have multiple “Solids/Sheets” in one part;
Use File -> Import -> Part to add parts together
Use Assembly to display multiple parts at once
Use Window to switch between loaded parts

8. Part Navigator “One Stop” Feature Information / Editing Panel
Columns show Feature Name, Type, Modified Date, Alerts, Reference Sets, etc.
Use to Rename / Group / Suppress / Show – Hide / Reorder / Delete Features
Includes More than Feature Information:
Model Views, Cameras, Expressions, PMI, Drafting Sheets
“Details” Panel for Dimension Values
“Dependencies” Panel for Parent / Child Relations
Two Basic Display Modes:
“Timestamp”
Like I-deas “Linear” History Tree
Most Commonly Used
“Design View”
Similar to I-deas “Bushy” History Tree
Useful for Isolating Tool Features
Do you really need a “bushy” history?
“Rollback” and Insert Features anywhere.
“Drag and Drop” to reorder features.
Filter to Quickly Find Features

9. Typical Modeling Workflow
Design Target Body
Sketch Section
Design Tool Body
Relative Datum or Datum CSYS
Boolean Operation

10. Datums “WCS” – Unique, Dynamic “Work Coordinate System”
Optional Method for Positioning
Datum Axes / Planes / Coordinate Systems
Very Similar to I-deas
Many options for Datum Planes
Similar options for Datum Coordinate System
Representation equal to I-deas (planes, vectors, point)
Offset CSYS may be translated/rotated or vice versa
Use Datum CSYS as first feature for modeling
No Need for Reference Curves
Sketches persist as required
Optional Sketch Reference Curves do not participate in feature creation (Extrude, Revolve)
Sketch on Path orientation options similar to I-deas

11. 2D Sketch Unique Sketcher Task Enhanced with I-deas input
Sketch on Plane or Path
Path must be used for V-Sweep
Horizontal / Vertical Reference
Curves change color when partly/fully/over constrained
May snap to grid
May create Reference sketch curves
“Construction” curves, not for feature creation
Degree of Freedom arrows vs. Show Free
Drag curves or Animate Dimensions to show free motion
Can’t Drag Dimensions
Automatic and Inferred Constraints

12. 2D Sketch cont. Curve creation very like I-deas:
Profiles, lines, arcs, circles, conic, splines, rectangles…
Intersect, mirror, offset, trim, extend, make corner, fillet…
No Need to “Focus”
Select edges directly
Projection to sketch plane is possible
Dimension values from Global Expressions
Curves may be grouped for easy reuse
“Fixed” text height; automatic orientation to view
Automatic reorientation of sketch plane to view
Local or Absolute origin
Sketches may or may not be absorbed – your choice
Sketch Plane / Path may be respecified

13. Selection Intent Concept Adopted from I-deas
Selection Intent “Toolbar”
“Snap Points” during sketching / positioning
Selection “Filter” (Solid; Face; Edge; Curve; etc.)
Selection Continuity (Single; Connected; Tangent; All)
Stop at Intersection; Follow Fillet
Select All / Deselect All
Selection by Group Name
“Quick Pick…” vs. “Reconsider”
Prioritizes selection options
Bodies vs. Features e.g.

14. 3D Curves Many options similar to I-deas:
Lines, Arcs, Splines, Conics, Polygons, Text
Optional Associativity
Intersect, Draw on Surface, Offset On Surface, Bridge, Circular Blend, Project, Cross- Section, Wrap, Unwrap, Helix, Law Curve, etc.
Extract, Mirror, Project, Combine Projection
Dynamic Spline Editing
Thru Points / Control Points / Degree
Enhanced spline curvature continuity (G0, G1, G2)

15. 3D Shapes – Solids & Primitives
Solid = Closed Part
Based on Parasolids Kernel
Created from Closed Section(s)
Extrude / Revolve / Sweep / V-Sweep / Tube
Offset during creation of Extrude/Revolve simplifies sketch requirements
Created from “Primitives” (Design Features)
Block, Cylinder, Cone, Sphere
Quick Parametric Creation of Common Shapes
Hole, Boss, Pocket, Pad, Slot, Groove
Some Features Recognized by CAM
Created by “Sewing” Sheets Together
“Unsew” to Convert Solid to Sheets

16. 3D Shapes – Sheets & Surfaces
“Sheet” = Open Part
Created from Open or Closed Section
Extrude / Revolve / Sweep / V-Sweep / Tube
Toggles allow sheets to be created from closed sections
Created from Multiple Open Sections
Mesh Surface
Many Options: Ruled, Through Curves, Studio Surface, N-Sided..
Curvature Continuity Control Available
Created from Other Input
“Swoop”, Four Points, From/Through Poles, From Point Cloud, Bounded Plane, Law Extension, Silhouette Flange…

17. Boolean Operations Solids: Sheets:
Unite / Subtract / Intersect / Split / Assembly Cut
Sheets:
Sew / Emboss Sheet / Trim Sheet or Body / Trim-Extend / Patch
Boolean may be specified during Feature Creation
If so, Boolean type may be changed later
Solids – Same as I-deas; except:
Original “Target” and/or “Tool(s)” may be Retained
Not Automatically Absorbed like I-deas
Sheets
May be Cut or Intersected by solids
May be “Embossed” by Solids (like Join w/Material Side)
Solids may be Trimmed or “Patched” by Sheets
Direction Toggles - Results like Material Side
Sheets may be Trimmed by Other Sheets
“Make Corner” Option Available w/Direction Toggles
May be “Sewn” Together into Larger Sheet or Solid
May be “Unsewn” to Give Sheets From a Solid

18. Typical Copy/Paste Workflow
Set Feature
Timestamp
Paste Body
Copy Body
Select Body
Edit Datum CSYS

19. Copy / Paste Features
Use “Instance Geometry” or WAVE to get Topology Only
Single Feature Associative back to Original Geometry
Use “Copy/Paste” to Duplicate History Steps
Body’s Features may be Selected from Design View
Allows Pasted History Features to be modified Independent of Original
May be Used Between Different Parts!
During “Paste” All Parent Dependencies Should be Indicated
“Copied” Features should be based on an Offset CSYS ONLY
Only one dependency needs to be satisfied
During “Paste” Expressions may be New, Linked, or Instance
“New” allows complete modification control
“Linked” is associative to original, but may be unlinked / changed
“Instance” is identical to original and may not be unlinked

20. Instance Features & Geometry
Instance Features (Pattern)
Like I-deas Pattern
Feature Based (Hole, Slot, Boss, etc.)
Rectangular, Circular, Mirror
Individual Patterned Instances may be Suppressed
Instance Geometry
Like I-deas Feature Copy
Geometry Based (Sheet, Solid, Sketch, etc.)
Translate, Rotate, Along Path, From – To, Mirror
Use Within a Single Part

21. Replace Features Copy/Paste Adds New Features
Parent Dependencies need to be Indicated
Csys to Csys Positioning Like I-deas “With Relations”
Replace Substitutes One Set for Another
“Group” Features Together for easy Selection
Child Dependencies need to be Indicated
“Replacement” (New) Feature must exist before any Children of “Replaced” (Old) Feature in Timestamp Mode
Old Feature may be Retained or Deleted
All Child Dependencies Transferred to New Replacement Feature
Automatic, Tolerance Based Dependency Mapping.
Workflow Option:
Copy Feature(s) from Source Part
Paste into Target Part just before Features to be Replaced
Control Position with Csys to Csys
Replace Old Features with Newly Pasted Features

22. Detail Features - Blends
Edge Blend
Variable Values (Sets); Variable Radii; Variable Convexity; Handles Rollover and Self- Intersection; Corner Controls: Set Back; Arbitrary End Cap Surface
Face Blend
Conic Shape Control; Tangent Contact Curve Option; Handles Non-Tangent Input; Variable Radii
Soft Blend
Face Blend w/Tangent Contact Curves on Both Sets
Tangent and Curvature Continuity
Styled Blend / Styled Corner
Face Blend w/Tangent, Curvature, Radius Function, Interactive Controls
Class “A” Results
(No Three-Surface Fillet Option)

23. Detail Features - continued
“Bridge” Surface
Tangent / Curvature Continuous Connection Surface
Spherical Corner
Three Surface Corner
Chamfer
Symmetric, Asymmetric, Offset & Angle
Draft / Draft Body
Draft based on Draw Direction, Surfaces, Edges
Match Draft to Parting Surfaces
Offset Face / Surface
Offset Faces or Create New Offset Surfaces
Thicken Sheet
To Create a Solid
Shell Solid
Remove Selected Faces, or Shell Entire Solid body
Emboss
Apply to Sheet or Solid based on Curve(s)

24. Modify (Edit) Features
Double Click Feature to “Rollback” and Edit
To See Feature at Creation Time
To Reselect Geometry
To Change Values
To Toggle Results
“Handles” for Dynamic Editing
On Screen Value Dialogs Minimize Mouse Travel
Select Feature and RMB “Edit Parameters”
To Edit Feature in “Final” Part Context
Select Feature from Part Navigator
Use “Details” Panel to Change Values
Works with Sketches, too
“Drag and Drop” to New History Location
Cannot Place “Child” before “Parent”
Highlighting Shows Parent/Child Dependencies
“Dependencies” Tab Gives Expanded Information
Toggle Suppress/Unsuppress
RMB Toggle Show/Hide

25. Measurements & Expressions
All Logical Measurements are Available:
Distance; Projected Distance; Radius; Angle; Tangency…
Geometric and Mass Properties
Measurements may be:
Associative; Recorded as Expressions; Checked against Requirements; Reused
Minimum Radius; Curvature and Draft Analysis; Wall Thickness; Dynamic Reflection Patterns
“Examine Geometry” like I-deas Part Diagnostics
Expressions Dialog Manages All Expressions:
Automatically Created by Features and Measurements
Manually Created by Users
Look up Values from Spreadsheet
Calculate with Common or Defined Functions
Link to Other Parts
Handles All Types of Units and Conversions

26. Assemblies Every “Part” can be an “Assembly” (.prt)
Add Components / Create New Parent / Create New Component …
Hierarchy Structure Like I-deas
Managed in Assembly Navigator
Suppress / Unsuppress
Component Display Managed by “Component Groups”
“Proximity” Component Groups
Component Positioning Adopted from I-deas Assembly Constraints
Replaces Older NX “Mating Conditions”
Exploded Views Available
Assembly Arrangements Adopted from I-deas Configurations
Constraints may be Arrangement Specific
Assembly Sequence Adopted from I-deas
Create Motion Envelope
Calculate Extraction Path
Comprehensive Interference Checking
Wrap Assembly gives Exterior Bounding Volume
Interpart Linked Geometry via WAVE (like I-deas ACF)
Position Dependent or Independent
Inter/Intra-Part Linked Expressions (like I-deas Part/Assembly Equations)
Partial Loading makes handling Large Assemblies Possible
Loading Controlled by “Reference Sets” (Solid, JT, Entire Part, etc.)

27. 3D PMI & Model Views 3D Product and Manufacturing Information (PMI)
Functionality Borrowed from I-deas
Datums, Dimensions, Notes and Symbols, GD&T, URL
Model View Based Documentation
Use Existing, Create, Modify, or Delete Model Views
PMI Orientation Based on Model View Plane or WCS
Section Cuts Through Solids
Crosshatching in Wireframe / Unique Color in Shade
Search & Report Options
Inherit PMI Types into Drawing
PMI & Model Views Managed in Part Navigator
Associated Objects Mode

28. 2D Drafting Integrated with 3D Design Environment Common UI
Fully Associative
Template Based Layouts Speed Drawing Creation
Drag and Drop Sheet Size; Views; Border; etc.
Dimensions; Datums; GD&T; Sections; Annotations; Balloons; Automatic Parts List;
Shaded Views on Drawing
Assembly / Component Display Control
Hole Tables
Inherit PMI from 3D Model

29. NX 6: Unique Workflows WCS Similar to I-deas “Workplane”
Persistent, Dynamic, Optional
Layers
(Do you think I-deas has layers?)
Helps Control Display and Manage Complex Models
Expressions
Similar to Part/Assembly Equations
May be used Within and/or Between Parts
Sketch and Boolean “Tool” Reuse
More Design Intent w/fewer Sketches in fewer Planes
Direct Modeling (Synchronous Modeling)
Parametrically Modify B-Rep Solids
No I-deas Equivalent
Assembly Reference Sets
Quick loading of Large Assemblies
Visualization
“Environments”
Enhanced Rendering w/Shadows, Textures, Reflections
Image Based Lighting
“Full Screen” and “True Shade” Mode

30. I-deas Workflows in NX 6 Question:
How many of my familiar I-deas modeling, assembly, and PMI functions and workflows are available in NX?
Answer:
Lots. (More than you might think.)
Do I have to abandon my I-deas “Best Practices” and learn a complete new set for NX?
NO! Best Practices can migrate as well as geometry.

31. Morse.michael@siemens.com www.siemens.com/ugs
Thank You!