Design Concepts You can design many different types of models in Creo Parametric.

However, before you begin your design project, you need to understand a few basic design concepts: Design IntentBefore you design your model, you need to identify the design intent. Design intent defines the purpose and function of the finished product based on product specifications or requirements. Capturing design intent builds value and longevity into your products. This key concept is at the core of the Creo Parametric feature-based modeling process. Feature-Based ModelingCreo Parametric part modeling begins with creating individual geometric features one after another. These features become interrelated to other features as you reference them during the design process. Parametric DesignThe interrelationships between features allow the model to become parametric. So, if you alter one feature and that change directly affects other related (dependent) features, then Creo Parametric dynamically changes those related features. This parametric ability maintains the integrity of the part and preserves your design intent. AssociativityCreo Parametric maintains design intent outside Part mode through associativity. As you continue to design the model, you can add parts, assemblies, drawings, and other associated objects, such as piping, sheet metal, or electrical wiring. All of these functions are fully associative within Creo Parametric. So, if you change your design at any level, your project will dynamically reflect the changes at all levels, preserving design intent. Related Links

Planning Your Design You can immediately begin designing models in Creo Parametric, and with product deadlines, it is tempting to jump in and start creating models. However, to build value in your designs, you need to create products that can keep up with the constant design changes driven by market demands. You need to build flexibility in your designs. Flexibility is the key to a friendly robust product design while maintaining design intent, and you can accomplish it through planning. To plan your design, you need to have a basic understanding of your model from a broad perspective. In other words, understand the overall function, form, and fit of the product. This understanding includes the following points: Overall size

 Basic model characteristics The way in which the model can be assembled Approximate amount of components the assembly would contain The way in which the model can be manufactured Design Approaches Even the best plans are imperfect. However, you can eliminate many future modeling issues if you think out your model before starting your design. The following two design approaches can help you in determining your planning strategy: Top Down DesignYou analyze your product from the finished product and work down. So, you begin with the master assembly and break it down into assemblies and subassemblies. Then, identify the main assembly components and their key features. Finally, understand the relationships within and between assemblies, and assess how the product will be assembled. With this information, you can plan a design and leverage overall design intent into your models. Top down design is the industry paradigm for companies that design products that undergo frequent design modifications or for those companies that design diverse products. Bottom Up DesignYou analyze your product from the component level and work up to the master assembly. Note that successful bottom up design demands a basic understanding of the master assembly. Designs based on the bottom up approach do not fully leverage design intent. Even though the end result can be the same as using top down design, you increase your risk for design conflicts and errors that result in a less flexible design. Bottom up design remains the most used paradigm in the design industry today. Companies that design similar products or products that do not demand frequent modifications during their life cycle use bottom up design approach. About View Operations Using the View menu, you can adjust the model view, orient the view, hide and show entities, create and use advanced views, and set various model display options. The following list includes some of the View operations you can perform. Orient the model view in the following ways, using the Orientation (View Reorient) dialog box: Set the Orientation Center Spin, pan, zoom, and turn models and drawings Spin and pan about edges Display the default orientation

Revert to the previously displayed orientation Change the position or size of the model view

 Change the orientation (including changing the view angle in a drawing) Create new orientations Temporarily shade a model by using cosmetic shading Show, dim, or remove hidden lines Explode or Unexplode an assembly view Repaint the Creo Parametric graphics window Refit the model to the Creo Parametric window after zooming in or out on the model Update drawings of model geometry Hide and show entities, and hide or show items during spin or animation Use advanced views Add perspective to the model view