Section

HOW TO MODEL ALMOST

ANYTHING

Get started guide

 PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANUAL

How to Model Almost Anything

WR ITTEN BY JOR DAN COX COPYR IGHT 2012, PTC INC.

NOTICE OR R IGHTS

All rights reserved under copyright laws of the United States, United Kingdom and other
countries. You may reproduce and transmit in any form (electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise) all parts of this curriculum/tutorial for
educational or informational purposes only. All credit and trademark notices must
accompany such reproduction made in whole or in part.

This permission does not extend to the reproduction or use of the PTC logo in any form
(electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) except solely as the case
may be during reproduction or use of this curriculum.

TRADEMARKS

PTC, the PTC Logo, Creo, Mathcad, Windchill, and all PTC product names and logos are trademarks
or registered trademarks of PTC and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Scott Morris, Mark Fischer, Adam Haas, Ayora Berry

 Section

Getting Started
Solid Modeling in Industry and the Classroom

A ll the employees at PTC Inc. are proud and happy to introduce

to you the exciting world of product modeling. We at PTC are
committed to providing our 27,000 customers worldwide with
software and services that give them a significant advantage in the
competitive markets of today.

This manual has been created to introduce students to the same world
of product development as our customers. The purpose of this manual
is to provide a guide for workshops and in-class curriculum which
prepares students to plan and create effective 3D solid models. Each
year volunteers from PTC and their customers help provide hands-on
workshops using this manual to students all over the world. We hope
that the instruction given in this manual will help make your experience
in product modeling successful.
 Case Study

Industry

WHirlpool
SOLID M OD E LING TR A NSFOR ME D TH E D ESIG N OF NE W PR OD UC TS

Whirlpool is considered the worlds #1 major appliance company. Its annual revenue is
close to $20 billion, and it employs around 70,000 employees worldwide. Whirlpool
creates its products with global design teams and provides products and services in
over 170 countries. Whirlpool faces stiff competition and holds itself to high standards
in producing and offering products to its customers across the globe.

Whirlpool has been a PTC customer since 1986. It implemented the new solid modeling
technology that PTC had developed and offered in its Pro/Engineer CAD software
(Now PTC Creo). Whirlpools ability to design new products and deliver them to
market was dramatically
improved. Today,
Whirlpool has standardized
on the complete array of
PTC product and service
advantage software to
support their entire range
of products and services.
Through the Whirlpool
Constellation program all
of their product data is
managed throughout the
product lifecycle.

Whirlpool engineers use solid modeling to create concepts, detailed product models,
and production and assembly plans. Solid modeling has led to shorter product
development cycles and therefore better products.
 Case Study

Academe

Hudson High School

TR ANSFOR MING VIDEO GAME SKILLS INTO PR ODUCT DESIGN SKILLS

Students today are immersed in a 3D world of video games and computer animation that
transforms their ability to think and visualize in the real world. Ryan Daley, a teacher at
Hudson High School has embraced this strength by introducing solid modeling into the
classroom. He introduces design challenges and robotics which require that the students
learn and become proficient in PTC Creo.
High School students begin to use their 3D visualization skills to conceptualize
and design new robots that solve specific challenges.
 Section

Solid Modeling
UNDER STANDING HOW TO CR EATE MODELS OF PAR TS AND PR ODUCTS

One of the greatest developments evolving out of the computer age is the development
of 3-dimensional modeling of parts and products. Computer technologies have enabled
the representation of 3D parts and facilitated the viewing and rendering of these models
so that it is easier to create and present product concepts and bring those concepts to
market. In order to fully understand this exciting field it is important to understand
some important fundamentals.
3D solid models are mathematical models of real or virtual parts & products.

3D solid models are mathematical models of real or virtual parts and products. In this
chapter, we will look at the anatomy or elements of solid models, how solid models are
organized, and we will also introduce you to the solid modeling tool PTC Creo.

Effective 3D solid models require careful planning. Good practices translate into
models that can be used again and again to launch successful products.

Before you begin to develop a model plan, it is important to understand what 3D solid
models consist of and how they are constructed.

Characteristics of a SolidModel
3D solid models are constructed by adding and subtracting geometric shapes to create the final
shape of a part or product. This use of sums of geometry has become a language for
representing ideas for new parts and products. So lets begin by exploring the anatomy or
elements of a solid model.
Model Anatomy
A solid model is really a sophisticated mathematical set of equations represented in software;
however, you hardly ever have to work with those equations. You are able to create and modify
solid models simply by working with two representations of the model; a procedural
representation and a graphical representation.

The procedural representation is like a list of instructions which when followed will produce
the solid model. It is called a Model Tree. It doesnt look much like a tree in this view because
it is just a list. However, we can look at it in a different way that makes it look very much like a
tree.
Notice that there are three sections to the
model tree. The tree begins at the top with
coordinate systems that are important to the
model. Next is the list of all the parts in the
model. It is sort of like a big sum of all the
parts. Finally there is the insert location
which is the place where a new part can be
added. It turns out that the order in which
things are added is important.
The graphical representation is what the
solid model looks like. That is easy to
understand. You will use both of these
representations when building or modifying
solid models.

Coordinate System
All geometry is built in reference to a global coordinate system. It is
usually referred as the origin. This is simply a point in space that is
recognized as the starting point or (0,0,0) location. This point is usually
represented by three crossing lines as shown. Product models may have
several origins, one for each part in the assembly.
There are also other types of references that are
used in solid models such as planes, axes, and
points. All of these references are called Datums
and are typical referred to specifically as datum
planes, points, and axes.
A default set of datums includes the origin
coordinate system, and the three coordinate planes
(FRONT: X-Z, RIGHT: Y-Z, TOP: X-Y). Axes can be
defined at the intersection of any of two of these
planes.
Carefully selecting what datums you use as references for creating geometry will make sure
that your model is robust (doesnt break or fail) and helps insure that you will be able to create
all the different aspects of your model as easily as possible. Well show you how to plan these
datums and references later and also show you how to create them in PTC Creo.

Sum of Parts
Most of the model tree consists of a list of parts. These parts can be single parts or sub-
assemblies of parts (sort of a model inside of a model). This means that there are relationships
between the parts in the list. All of the
parts in a model are the children of that
model. The top-level model is the
parent. These relationships are referred
to as Parent-Child relationships and just
represent which models own what
parts.
It is these types of relationships that
turn the model tree from a list into a
tree. Look what happens when we draw
a hierarchical representation of the
parent-child relationships in our model.
These relationships will become
important to you as you build your
model and we will explain how to
create them later on.

Sum of Features
So far we have talked about how assembly models are made up from a collection of parts. What
about the model of a single part? It isnt a collection of parts; instead it is a collection of
geometric features.
Geometric features are chunks of
geometry that make up the model of the
part. If we look at the model tree of a part
model we will see these features.
Part models are different from assemblies
or models of products (collections of
parts). Part models can have positive and
negative features. The features or chunks
of geometry can add solid material or can
subtract solid geometry.
Review
So lets review, there are two types of solid models; an assembly model which is a collection of
part models for modeling products, and part models which are collections of positive and
negative chunks of geometry called features.
There are two types of representations for these models; procedural (model tree) and graphical.
We will use both in creating and modifying these models.
Finally, there are references used in the creation of the models called datums. These consist of
coordinate systems, datum points, datum planes, and datum axes.

Exercise 1:
In this exercise we are going to open PTC Creo and explore the different elements of a solid
model. Lets start by exploring a relatively simple model of a next generation bike.

First of all lets find each of the parts in the Model tree for the assembly and then well
open a part and look at the features in the model tree of the part.

Find in the Appendix Exercise 1: The Model Tree and follow the
instructions to complete the exercise.
The Art of SolidModeling
PTC Creo is a software tool that helps you build part models and assembly models. It is like a
virtual art studio where you can build 3D solid models. There are many different modes where
different functions can be completed. Within each of the modes the tool sets are different.
Moving from one mode to another is important part of PTC Creo.

When creating part and assembly models,

we will use the 3D Part Modeling mode
and the 3D Assembly mode. But we will
also use a 2D Sketch mode in order to
create the sketches needed in building the
conceptual model. It can be helpful to
think of PTC Creo as a virtual studio made
up of different rooms as shown.

For creating parts and assemblies we will stay primarily in the 3D Part Modeling room and in
the 2D Sketch room. Later on we will explore some of the other rooms.
The other unique aspect of PTC Creo is the amount of user interaction that is required in
creating geometry. When you think
about how you would use your
hands, fingers, and all types of tools
if you were creating or sculpting in
an art studio, you can understand
why it requires so much user
interaction in creating geometry.
Because PTC Creo is software, the only means of user interaction is through the buttons and
motion of the mouse and keyboard. You will find that you will use more buttons and button
combinations in interacting with PTC Creo than any other program you have used.

Tour of the Creo Parametric Screen

Before we start working in PTC Creo we should take some time to understand the user
interface and methods to navigate and view models.

The Creo Parametric user interface is the now familiar Windows Ribbon environment.
The Windows Ribbon makes it easy to navigate functions arranged in toolbars and
menus. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the various menus as these will be
used throughout this modeling activity.

Orientating the View in Creo Parametric

Creo Parametric offers easy-to-manipulate model views so that engineers can view their
designs from different perspectives.

Hold down the middle mouse

Rotate Middle-Hold + Drag
button and move the mouse.
 Use the middle mouse button to
scroll forward or backward.
Middle-Scroll:
Zoom To zoom into a specific location of
Forward = Out
in/out your model, move your mouse to
Backward = In
that location before scrolling the
mouse wheel.

Hold Shift, then press and hold

the middle mouse button. Moving Shift + Middle-Hold
Pan
the mouse from left to right will + Drag
then pan the view.

Display Options in Creo Parametric

Creo Parametric also has a number of predefined display settings and views to help you
visualize your design.

Refit Click to refit your model in the main

Window graphics area.

Creo Parametric has a number of

predefined saved views which enable
Named
you to view your model in different
Views
orientations such as BACK, BOTTOM,
FRONT, and so on.

The display of datum features can be Planes

toggled on and off from the datum
display toolbar. Axes
Datum
Display
Points
Coordinate
Systems
 Wireframe
The display of your model can be
quickly set from the model display Hidden Line
Model toolbar.
No Hidden
Display
Shade
Real Time
Render

This was a brief introduction to the PTC Creo user Interface. As you progress through this
activity you will explore and use many more functions within PTC Creo.

SolidModeling Operations
As discussed previously, part models are collections of positive and negative features. Lets talk
about features and how they are constructed. Features are chunks of geometry that can be
positive or negative. They are often referred to as volumes. When constructing the model of a
part, volumes are added or subtracted to create the final shape. This is much like using Venn
diagrams to create set theoretic sums.

The sets in our solid modeling context are collections of points within a volume. Each volume
represents a different set of points and these volumes can be unioned, differenced, or
intersected. But first we must construct the volumes and then we can apply the set theoretic
operations of union and difference.

Constructing Volumes or Features

You are probably familiar with primitive geometric shapes, such as spheres, cubes, and
pyramids. Since these are 3D shapes they have a defined volume. Analyzing these 3D shapes
you will notice they are constructed from extending 2D sketches into 3D. This is the process we
will use when creating features in PTC Creo, which will result in forming our models. There
are four basic operations for doing this. Lets look at each one.
So remember first of all we have to do is draw a defined 2D sketch. However, there are special
requirements for creating a robust 2D sketch which we need to follow.

2D sketches must be on the same plane

2D sketches must be closed, meaning that there are no openings in the sketch

2D sketches should not have any dangling edges or free floating geometry.
Lets look at each of these cases.

Once we have a good 2D cross section, we can do four different operations to extend them into
3D.

Four Operations
There are four basic operations that are used to create volumes or features.
1. Extrude is taking a cross-section and extending it in a straight line into 3D as shown.
 2. Revolve is taking the cross-section and revolving it about an axis as shown.

3. Sweep is taking the cross-section and sweeping it along a curve as shown.

4. Blend is taking two or more cross-sections and blending between them along a
curve.

Using these four operations it is possible to construct a significant number of 3D models. There
are other additional operations, but since these four can represent almost all types of 3D parts,
we will work with these.
Boolean Addition and Subtraction
Once you have created a volume, you can then create a second volume and add or subtract it
from the first one to create a new shape. This can continue volume after volume until you have
created the final shape of the part you desire. For example, here is a sphere and a rectangular
cube. In the first situation they are added together. In the second the rectangular cube is
subtracted from the sphere.

Therefore, using the four operations for creating volumes and then adding or
subtracting them allows for a great deal of diversity in the 3D models.
Now lets explore a new assembly model and discover how each of the parts in the
model were made using the different solid modeling operations we have learned about.

This assembly model is of a robot and is made of three parts (the arms are one model
used twice).

Find in the Appendix Exercise 2: Solid Modeling and follow the

instructions to complete the exercise.
CreatingProduct Models
Now that we know about part models, lets learn about assembly models. Assembly models as
we discussed before are collections of part models and are used to represent products.

Assembly Operations
When constructing a 3D assembly of parts, we use a different set of operations to construct the
product model. For example, we dont use Boolean adds or subtracts since we dont want to
subtract parts in the assembly. Instead we use assembly constraints that determine how parts
relate one to another. There are many different types of constraints, we will present a few.
When creating an assembly the first part must be grounded or placed in reference to the default
coordinate system. This is usually done with a default constraint.

When the next part is brought into the assembly, it must be placed in reference to the first part.
In this example the neck is placed within the neck hole in the body part using a coincident
constraint to align the axes and then another coincident constraint to identify where along the
axis the neck must rest.
Each additional part must be assembled using constraints that locate it with respect to the
existing parts until the entire assembly is finished.

There are other types of constraints that allow parts to move with respect to each other. We call
these types of constraints Kinematic constraints. In order for the arms and legs of this
wooden man to move with respect to each other, we must use kinematic constraints.
Once we have our product model assembled, we can analyze the characteristics of the model.
For example, we can calculate its total weight, volume, size, etc. We can also cause the parts to
move and expose them to virtual forces.

To finish this chapter, lets explore an assembly model and find all the different elements that
we have talked about. This model is of Davincis Ornithopter design.

Find in the Appendix Exercise 3: Model Analysis and follow the

instructions to complete the Exercise.
 Section

HOW TO MODEL ALMOST

ANYTHING

APPENDIX
Exercise 1: The Model Tree
Open Creo Parametric 2.0 and
click the icon called Select
Working Directory to set the
folder in which you will be
working.

Navigate to the folder called

Cool_Bike and click OK.

Now click on the Open icon to

open the file:
cool_bike_top_assembly.asm
. Double click on the file or
select it and click Open.
When the file opens you will see
the cool bike model and its
associated datum planes.

Notice the reference planes

displayed on the model. These
planes are called reference
datums and are used during
part and assembly modeling.

Find all 9 of the datum planes

and turn the display off.
Clicking on the Datum Display
Filters icon, uncheck the box
beside Select All.

We can easily toggle the display

of the datum during modeling.

Now lets examine the model

tree.

Look at the left side of the

screen and locate the Model
Tree.
How many total parts are there?

How many parts are repeated?

Now lets try zooming, rotating

and panning the model.

Start by scrolling the middle

wheel of the
mouse. It will
cause your bike
model to zoom
in and out.

Next try rotating or spinning

your model by pushing and
holding the middle mouse
button down
while moving
your mouse.

Panning is done by holding

down both the Shift key and the
middle mouse button while
moving your
mouse.
There are some pre-defined
views that you can use during
modeling.

To access them simply click the

Named Views icon.

You can select any of these

predefined views and Creo will
orient the model accordingly.

Now lets explore one of the

parts in this assembly model.

Find the COOL_BIKE_PEDAL

in the Model Tree. Right-click
on it and select Open.

Notice that you are now looking

at the pedal model.
Lets explore the actual features
used to build this model one by
one.

Left-click and hold the red

arrow next to Insert Here in
the Model Tree and drag it up
under SHAFT.

The first feature in this model is

the shaft.

Next, move the red arrow below

the next feature PEDAL.

You can see that the next feature

is a positive volume made from
an extrude feature.

Finally move the red arrow

below PEDAL_ROUNDS
which is a special operation
used to round the edges of
parts.

Notice how the model plan is

captured by the model tree.
Close this model by clicking on
the File tab in the top left of the
screen and selecting Close.
Were back to the assembly
model of the bike.

Depending on how the parts

were assembled, if kinematic
constraints had been used, parts
can move with respect to each
other.

To make them move, we use a

special combination of keys.
Hold down the CTRL-ALT
button on the keyboard and
then left-click and hold the
pedal in the graphics screen.
Dragging your mouse, you will
notice that the wheels turn.
Now to finish this exercise, close
the model and erase it from the
memory of your computer.

Click on the File tab in the top-

left of the screen and select
Close.

Now click on the Erase Not

Displayed tab and then click
OK to erase the files from
memory.

(Dont worry the files are still on

your disk)

Congratulations You have finished this exercise

Exercise 2: Solid Modeling
Open Creo Parametric 2.0 and
click the icon called Select
Working Directory to set the
folder in which you will be
working.

Navigate to the folder called

Eva_Model and click OK.

Now click on the Open icon to

open the file: eva_robot.asm.

Double click on the file or select

it and click Open.
Notice the reference planes
displayed on the model. These
planes are called reference
datums and are used during part
and assembly modeling.

Turn the datums off by clicking

on the Datum Display Filters
icon and uncheck the box beside
Select All.

We can easily toggle the display

of the datum during modeling.

Now lets examine the model

tree.

Look at the left side of the screen

and locate the Model Tree.

How many total parts are there?

How many parts are repeated?

Now lets review zooming,
rotating and panning the model.

Start by scrolling the middle

wheel. It will
cause your
model to zoom in
and out.

Next try rotating or spinning

your model by pushing and
holding the middle mouse button
down while
moving your
mouse.

In the center of the graphics

screen is a small coordinate
system called the Spin Center.
It defines the center of rotation.

You can toggle it off by clicking

the Spin Center icon in the view
menu and then the model rotates
about your cursor.
Panning is done by holding
down both the Shift key and the
middle mouse button while
moving your mouse.

Now lets explore each of the

parts of this model.

Start by locating the head in the

Model Tree. Right-click on
EVA_HEAD.PRT and select
Open.

Eva is staring right at you!

Lets explore how the part was

made.

In the Model Tree, drag the red

arrow next to Insert Here
below HEAD_SKETCH.
Since HEAD_SKETCH is hidden,
the graphics screen appears
blank. Clicking on it in the
model tree will display the cross-
section sketch of the head.

Move the red arrow below the

HEAD revolve feature and you
will see the result of the revolve
operation.

This is a positive solid or volume

created by rotating or revolving
the cross section around the axis
A_1.

Now move the red arrow below

FACE_SKETCH. Then click on
FACE_SKETCH to see the cross
section sketch.

In the model tree, you will notice

several hidden datums. These
features are hidden to keep the
model display clean. They can be
unhidden at any time.

This is typical once a model is

completed.
Next, move the red arrow below
FACE.

You can see that the next feature

is a negative volume made from
an extrude feature.

You may need to rotate your

model a little to see the cut out.

Now move the red arrow below

VISOR_SKETCH and then
click on VISOR_SKETCH. Once
again notice that it is a cross
section with a defined axis.

A revolve is coming

Move the red arrow below

VISOR.

This revolve created Evas visor.

Now move the red arrow below

EYE_SKETCH and then click on
EYE_SKETCH.
In this case, you can see the cross
sections for Evas eyes. While
there is an axis created within the
sketch, we will use an extrude
feature to create the eyes.

Move the red arrow below EYES.

We now have Evas eyes.

The last operation must trim the

eyes flush with the visor.

Move the red arrow below

EYE_CUT_SKETCH and click on
EYE_CUT_SKETCH.

Notice that there is a cross

section and an axis. The cross
section will be revolved just
enough to trim the eyes.

Move the red arrow below

EYE_CUT.
Evas head is now complete.

Lets close this model and go

back to the assembly model.

Click on the File tab and choose

Close.

Now lets explore how the body

was made, but this time we will
do it without leaving the
assembly model.

Right click on
EVE_BODY.PRT and click
Activate.

Notice that all the other parts are

grayed out. The body is now the
active part.

Lets explore how it was created.

Start by expanding the model

tree under EVA_BODY.PRT by
clicking on the triangle just left of
it.

Notice that all of the features are

displayed in the model tree.
Note: The red arrow will not
move in this mode. It is only
accessible in part mode.

However, you can still click on

the sketches to see each one.

Step down through the model by

clicking on the sketches in
sequence to see how the body
was made.

Double click the

EVA_BODY.PRT in the model
tree to collapse the part feature
tree.

Right-click on the top level

assembly, EVA_ROBOT.ASM
and select Activate to reactivate
the entire assembly again.

Now explore the arms by either

opening up the part model or
activating the part model.

Review the features.

How was the part created?

Now to finish this exercise, close
the model and erase it from the
memory of your computer.

Click on the File tab in the top-

left of the screen and select
Close.

Now click on the Erase Not

Displayed tab and then click OK
to erase the files from memory.

(Dont worry the files are still on

your disk)
Congratulations You have finished this exercise
Exercise 3: Model Analysis
Open Creo Parametric 2.0 and
click the icon called Select
Working Directory to set the
folder in which you will be
working.

Navigate to the folder called

Ornithopter and click OK.

Now click on the Open icon to

open the file:
top_level_assembly.asm.
Double click on the file or select it
and click Open.
Now that the assembly is open,
you will notice that all of the
datums in this model are hidden.

Explore the ornithopter by

zooming, rotating and panning.

Zoom

Rotate

Pan

Once a model has been completed,

we can analyze it in many ways.

Lets start by clicking on the

Analysis tab in the top menu.
Next, lets do some measuring.
Click on the Measure icon in the
Analysis ribbon.

A dialog box will appear that we

can use to measure different
aspects of your model.

Notice that we can measure

length, distance, angle, diameter,
surface area, and volume.

Lets try measuring some of these

quantities.
Click on the length measure tool
and then click on the edge of
one of the posts to find out its
length.

Note: Draging your mouse over

your model will pre-highlight
different elements to allow you to
select the entity you want.

Now click on the distance tool

and select two points by clicking
the first point and then holding the
CTRL button down on the
keyboard and selecting the second
point. This will show the distance
between the two points.

Try the angle tool next and

then select two edges once again
by using the CTRL key on the
keyboard.

Next lets measure the diameter of

one of the gears. Click on the
diameter tool and then click on
the edge of one of the gears.
Now measure the surface area of
the top platform by selecting the
surface area tool and selecting
the face of the top platform.

Lets finish by measuring the

volume of one of the wing fins.
Select the volume tool and then
select one of the wing fins.

The measurement tools are

powerful and can be used for a
variety of purposes.

Lets try measuring the Mass

Properties of this model which
are properties of the entire model.

Close the measure dialog box and

click the Mass Properties icon in
the Analysis ribbon.
Once again a dialog box will open.
Find and select the eye glasses at
the bottom of the dialog box to
compute the mass properties for
this model.

Notice that the mass of the entire

assembly is just less than a pound.
You can scroll through the rest of
the information using the scroll
bar on the right.
Another important calculation that
is made when you click on the eye
glasses is the center of gravity for
the entire product.

Rotate and zoom the ornithopter

to find the coordinate frame
labeled with 1, 2, & 3. This is the
center of gravity. The coordinate
values are displayed in the
dialogue box.

Left-click on the crank handle

while pressing CTRL-ALT on the
keyboard and drag your mouse
around to turn the crank until the
wings are at their highest point
and then click on the eye glasses
again.

Does the center of gravity change?

If so, why did it move?

Close the dialogue box.

Now find the Applications tab in

the upper menu and click on it.
Then click on Mechanism icon.

This will open a new area of Creo

that is used for mechanism
simulation.
Notice that there are a number of
orange symbols shown in the
model. These are mechanism
connections created during the
assembly process to define a
components motion.

Notice that there are also green

symbols that define gear pair
connections between the crank and
gears. This defines that those
components are connected.
You will notice that there is a new
section in the model tree called the
mechanism tree.

This tree has information about all

of the kinematic connections, gear
pairs and so forth.

Expand the tab called ANALYSES

by clicking on the triangle next to
it. Then right-click on the analysis
called Wing_Flapping
(KINEMATICS) and click Run.

This turns on a virtual motor and

runs the entire ornithopter.
The ornithopter ran through one
complete revolution. This was the
definition of the analysis that you
just ran.

Now replay the results by

expanding the PLAYBACKS tab
and then right clicking on
Wing_Flapping and select Play.

A dialog box appears and allows

you to play back the entire
analysis over and over again. It
allows you to change the speed
and capture it as a video. Lets try
each of these activities.

Start by clicking the Play button.

You can change the speed of the

playback by sliding the speed
slider back and forth while it is
running.

Note: You can rotate and zoom the

model while it is playing back.
Now click on the Capture button.

The default output is an MPEG

type video file. You can specify a
different file name, output format,
output screen size and frame rate.
This output file will allow you to
play the video outside of Creo.

Close this dialog box by clicking

on the Cancel button.

Close the playback dialog box as

well.
After the analysis has been run,
you can also perform analysis
measures to interrogate the
simulation.

Find and click the Measures tab in

the upper menu.

A new dialog box appears.

Click on the Create New Measure

icon .
Change the name of the measure
to Position.

On the model, left-click on the tip

of the wing to select a point shown
by a small green crosshairs.

Click OK.

Now create another measure by

clicking on the Create New
Measure icon again.

Change the name of the measure

to Velocity.

Change the type to Velocity and

then click the same point you
selected in the previous step.

Now click OK
Now select both of the measures
you created using the CTRL key
and left clicking. Then click on the
Result Set: Wing_Flapping.

Once selected, click the Graph

Tool icon in the upper left corner
of the dialog box to generate a
graph of the measures.

The two measures are graphed for

the duration of the analysis.

Now move the graph to the right

of the screen by clicking on the top
bar of the graph dialog and
dragging it to the right.

Next, close the Measure Results

dialog box by clicking on the Close
button at the bottom of the dialog
box.

Right-click on the playback in the

mechanism tree again and select
Play.

Click the play button to start the

play back sequence.

You will notice that a red bar

appears on the graph to show
where in the analysis you are.
This allows you to review the
graph while the analysis is playing
so that you can rotate and zoom to
observe how your mechanism is
operating.

Once you have finished observing

the analysis playback, close the
playback dialog box by clicking
Close. Also, close the graph by
clicking on the x in the upper right
hand corner.

We are done with this exercise so

you can select the File tab in the
upper left of the screen and select
Close.

Creo will ask you if you want to

save the playbacks but just Exit
without saving.
Congratulations, you have finished this exercise!

This exercise is based on a model of Leonardo da Vinci's Ornithopter by Pathfinders Design from his
Codex Atlanticus notebook in about 1488. Leonardo drew many designs of flying machines and this
model is based on both those drawings, and his drawing of a bevel gear in one of his other notebooks
around the same time. Many of Leonardo's machine drawings were designed to convert rotational
movement into reciprocating motion, and in modern industry and manufacturing we continue to do
the same!

Used by permission from Da Vinci Ornithopter model Pathfinders Design and Technology, 2011. Visit
www.pathfindersdesign.net for more about Leonardo's designs.