CATIA Tip: Cross Sections in Drawings

Today’s CATIA tip takes us to the drafting workbench to look at the offset cross section view command.  The cross-section command can be a powerful tool to show feature details within the model. The location of the cross section cutting line can be created with 3 different methods.

Method 1: Plane selection         

If you want a planar cut through the model, you can use a reference plane to accomplish this (try using one of the default reference planes or create your own within the model).

Method 2: Sketch selection       

Depending on the complexity of the model you are trying to showcase, sometimes a simple planar section is not sufficient. In that case, you can have the cross section to pivot to a new location in the model.  This can be easily done by creating a sketch within the 3D model. You can constrain the sketch in such a way that you guarantee that it crosses through the features you would like to have within the view.

Method 3: Creating within the drawing view

The last method is to simply create it within the drawing view itself. Make sure you are active on the view where you are to draw the cutting line. The cutting line could be a straight continuous line, or you could left click and make the cutting line have pivot points (assumes 90 degree turns). Once you have completed the cutting line, you should double left click to complete the feature then simply move your mouse (up/down or left/right) from your parent view to create the cross-section view.

What if you do not want to have a cutting line that pivots always at 90 degrees (common for circular shaped objects). Then you can create a cutting that pivots at whatever angle you want using the “Aligned Section View” command. Left click once to define any pivot points and double click to complete the line.

Lastly, if the cross-section direction is opposite of what you want, that can be easily fixed. Double click on the thick arrow within the cross section call out line. This will take you to a secondary workbench. Click on the “Invert Profile Direction” icon and exit. The direction (and the cross-section view) should now have updated.

The content for this tip is from the Rand 3D class, CATIA V5: Generative Drafting. 

About the Author

Technical Training Engineer<br><br>Trisha has been providing professional training services for Rand 3D clients since 2012. Her extensive experience makes her an ideal instructor for both on-site and online classes for people at all levels, from introductory to advanced. She currently focuses on teaching end users how to effectively use CATIA V5, VPM Navi, and Creo Parametric. She also helps develop and review training material. Trisha has a B.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering from Ohio State University, and she is a Dassault Systèmes Certified instructor for CATIA V5 Part, Assembly and Surfacing modeling.

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