Pro Engineer/Definitions

A


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Accuracy.


The smallest item that can be recognised by pro/engineer. Usually defined as ratio of the longest diagonal through the model. Typically 0.0012.


Active Model


Title bar has stars on each side of the name. Will accept menu commands from the side menu. Use CTRL+A or the tick icon to make the window active.


Active Window


Window with the blue bar, will accept spinning and rendering commands. Plus some info menu picks. Other commands are restricted for use with the active model.


Alpha


The optional fourth-channel in an RGB image file, typically used for compositing.


Ambient Light


A light that equally affects all portions of all objects in the rendering scene.


Appearance


A set of attributes that determine the appearance of a surface. These attributes include color, reflecting ability, transparency, texture, and so forth.


Area Offset


Offsets a whole or part surface, similar to form. Side walls are added to join the offset area to main surface.


Associative Topology Bus


A method for transferring data between applications whilst retaining associativity.


Axis


See datum axis.


ATB


See Associative Topology Bus


B


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BMP


Bitmap


BMX


Behavioural Modelling Extension


Both Sides


When creating extruded features the feature is created on both sides of the sketch plane.


Boundary Influence


Controls how far the boundary condition propagates across a boundary surface.


Boundary Conditions


Property of surface at edges e.g. tangent/normal to adjacent surfaces or tangent normal to sketch plane


Boundary Surface


A surface defined using two or more curves.


Briefcase

A method in Pro/Intralinkcommonspace to collect objects together.

Brightness


The property of an appearance that determines its intensity after the hue is chosen.


Bump Map


A one-channel texture map that creates the illusion of surface roughness.


Bump Height


The height or depression of the bump map features.


C


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C0 continuity

example


Position continuity only. Curves have a kink at the C0 point and surfaces have a sharp crease along the C0 seam. Abutting curves and surfaces touch one another, but they have no curvature similarities.


C1 continuity

example


Position and tangent continuity. The edges between a ball fillet and its adjacent faces are examples of C1 continuity.


C2 continuity

example


Position, tangent, and curvature continuity. Curves and surfaces are perfectly smooth, and the curvature at the joint between two abutting curves or surfaces is equal. Consequently, the joint is seamless and invisible.


CAD


Computer Aided Design Computer Aided Drafting


CADD


Computer Aided Design And Drafting


CAE


Computer Aided Engineering


CAM


Computer Aided Manufacture


Capped Ends


Creates a surface with ends closed off forming an enclosed volume e.g. a sketch of circle with closed ends will form a cylinder instead of a tube. Requires the sketch to be closed.


CEP


Certified Engineering Provider


CGM


Computer Graphics Metafile


Chamfer


Removes the corner or edge of a solid by a specified amount.


Check In

Process of moving objects from workspace to commonspace.

Check Out

Process of moving objects from commonspace to workspace to view or modify.

Clip


A graphical method for cutting the model through a plane parallel to the view screen at a user definable depth.


Closed Loop


Sketch entities that enclose an area without intersection or overlap


Closed Sketch


The sketched entities form a continuous loop with no gaps or overlapping entities.


Color Blender


A part of the color editor that provides a continuous range of colors. Blend colors between the blender's four color chips.


Color Box


A part of the color editor that allows you to define colors along two axes based on red, green, and blue values of colors.


Color Pallette


A part of the color editor that provides an array of colors.


Color Texture


A three-channel texture map that consists of red, green, and blue values.


Color Wheel


A part of the color editor that allows you to select colors based on hue, saturation, and brightness.


Commonspace

Vault area of Pro/Intralink where pro/engineer models can be stored and shared.

Component


A component is a part or sub-assembly assembled into an assembly


Component Interface


A method by which the preferred assembly references can be denoted at part level.


Control Points


Used in Boundary Surfaces to determine how surfaces are sub-divided.


Coordinate system


See datum coordinate system


Copy Geometry


A feature that can copy geometry references from on model to another. References can be made to all feature types. It should be noted solids cannot be copied but the surface information of a solid can be copied to the target model. See publish geometry.


CPC


Collaborative Product Commerce


Cross-section


See X-section


Create


Accesses the feature creation menu


Curvature

example


Curvature is defined as 1/r. A curvature plot measures the curvature at points on a curve. A line is plotted at that point normal to the curve. The length is proportional to 1/r. The line is scaled up to make it easier to see.


Cut


A feature to remove material from a model.


Curve


See datum curve


D


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Datum Axis


Datum axes are infinitely thin lines that extend indefinitely in both directions. There are usually shown truncated around the parent feature. Axes can be created manually. They are also created automatically when adding hole features, revolved features.

They can be defined in intent manger when defining closed sketches.


Datum Plane


Datum Planes represent infinitely thin flat planes that extend infinitely in two perpendicular directions.

For display purpose a rectangular outline is shown. By default datum planes resize to the size of the model. They can be redefined to a specific size or linked to the size of a feature.

Datum planes can be used in as surfaces in some surface operations.

One side of the datum is coloured yellow and the other side is red.


Datum Curve


Datum curves represent curves (inc. straight) that exist in space as 2D or 3D entities. They can curve in more than one direction at a time.

Datum curves are orange (they appear brown to a lot of users)


Datum Coordinate Systems


Coordinate systems represent an origin in space with an X, Y and Z defined.

The main uses are for offsetting points, creating datum curves from equations and assembling sub assemblies.


Datum Point


A datum point represents a point in space usually defined relative to a coordinate system


Decal


A four-channel texture map that consists of a standard color texture map and a transparency (or alpha) channel. See Alpha.


Declare


Use to link models and layouts.


Delete


Permanently remove a feature or entity from Pro/Engineer. When used on patterns the original feature is deleted.


Del Pattern


Deletes a pattern but leaves the original feature.


Density


Sets the model density. The density is used by mass property calculations.


Depth Cue


Visual setting to dim lines that are furthest away from the view plane.


Designate


Parameters can be designated so the can be 'seen' by PDM systems.


Dihedral Angle


The angle between two adjacent surfaces. Usually the maximum and minimum are returned.


Dim Bound


The ability to regenerate dimensions to upper, lower, mid or nominal tolerance value.


Direction Light


A type of light that creates parallel light rays, which simulates the sun.


Draft


Used to add angled sides to solids and surfaces. Typically used in parts that are cast, molded or forged.


Draft Offset


Similar to area offset but the angle of area's offset can be specified.


E


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EAI


Enterprise Application Integration


Edge


Where two faces meet or the perimeter of a face.


EPS


Encapsulated PostScript


Erase


In the context of Pro/Engineer Erase means suppressed or blanked. Erased features can be resumed or shown to restore them.


ERP


Enterprise Resource Planning


ERM


Enterprise Resource Management


Extend


Grows additional surfaces from existing surface edges


F


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Family Table


A method for creating a 'family' of related parts. This is achieved by varying dimensions, including and excluding features.


Face




Feature


Most operations in Pro/Engineer create features

-Solids

-Surfaces

-Datums

-Cosmetic

-CopyGeom

-UDF's

This includes

Protrusions, tweaks, cuts, holes, trims, axes, surface merges, bends, unbends.

The following are not features

-Parameters

-Colours

-Tolerances

-Layers

All features appear in the model tree if they don't then they are not features


Feature Name


Assigned automatically when the feature is created using the feature type and feature id. The feature name can be modified by the user.


Feature Number


Sequential number assigned to each feature based on the features place in the model's history. A feature's feature number will change when the model's history is modified.


Feature ID


A unique number assigned when a feature is created. This number doesn't change. This number is not reused within a model if a feature is deleted.


Family Table


Use to create families of parts. A part created by family table is called an instance. The table can be used to vary dimensions, suppress/ resume features and substitute components. A containing a family table is called a 'generic' part.


FEA


Finite Element Analysis


Frames

Method by which actions in a Pro/Intralink workspace can be undone.

Free Form


A feature that stretches and pulls existing surfaces.


G


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Gamma


An inherently non-linear reproduction of intensities by a display device (monitor).


Gamma Correction


Correcting image data such that linear changes in image data will produce linear changes in the displayed image.


Generic


A model that contains a family table.


GIF


Graphics Interchange Format


Grid


Grids can be displayed in models, sketcher and details


Graph


A 2D curve or graph that can be used to control features such as variable section sweeps or used to extract a 'y' value based on an x value.


Groups


A collection of features


H


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History


Sequence of features in a model. The sequence of features affects the model geometry. The history is displayed graphically in the model tree. The feature number defines the sequence of the feature.


HPGL


Hewlett Packard graphics Language


Hue


The basic shade, or tint, which defines a color.


I


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IGES


International Graphics Exchange Specification


Insert Mode


Used to add features at an earlier point in the model's history


Instance


A part created by a generic model's family table.


Integrate


Use to merge two different versions of the same model.


Intent Manager


Replaced Sketcher at version 20. Used in the creation of most features. Used to create sketch geometry and add design intent


Interchange


A method swapping models in assembly. Useful when the alternate model is unrelated to the original model.


ISDX


Interactive Surface Design Extension


J


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JPG, JPEG


Joint Photographic Experts Group


K


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L


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Layers


Used to blank/display components, datums, and surfaces. Features cannot be blanked using layers. Layers can also be used as a selection criteria.


Light


Necessary for all renderings, lights have position, color and brightness. Some lights also have direction, spread or concentration. There are four types of lights: ambient, direction, point, and spotlight.


Light Room


A rendering option that determines whether the room is lit by user-defined lights or by a standard ambient lighting.


LM


Licence Management


M


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Mapkey


A method of recording and replaying a series of actions (macro). Excellent way for speeding up common tasks.


Material Side


Sets on which side of open sketch entity material is added.


MDX


Mechanism Design Extension


Mechanica


PTC's FEA and simulation tool


Merge


A feature that joins two surfaces together.


MDO


Mechanism Dynamics Option


Mirror Geom


Mirror whole model


Model Tree


Graphical display of the model's history and structure


MPEG, MPG


Moving Picture Experts Group


N


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Nastran


NASA Structural Analysis System


Note


Notes are added to drawings and models to aid documentation. 3D notes can be linked to features with the option of having a web page link.


O


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Object


An object can be a Feature, Component, Note or an other item that appear in the model tree


Offset Edge


Used in Intent Manager to construct sketch entities from existing geometry.


One Side


When creating extruded features the feature is created on one side of the sketch plane. The direction can be changed with redefine and selecting Direction.


Open Ends


Creates a surface feature without ends, e.g. a tube


Open Sketch


A sketch where the two ends do not meet, or there is a gap in the sketch. Open sketches also occur when the sketch entities form a closed loop, but there are additional sketch entities coincident with the closed loop.


Open Loop




P


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Palette


A collection of rendering objects that are displayed together in an editor. There are palettes for appearances and lights.


Part

Solid model representing a component

PDM


Product Data Management Parametric Data Manager (PTC)


Photorender


A rendering utility that creates photorealistic images of a scene.


PIV

Product Item Version - this represents the combination of the object name version and revision.

Pixel


A single dot of an image, displayed by the combination of three primary colors: red, green, and blue.


Plane


See datum plane


PLM


Product Lifecycle Management


PLM


Product Line Manager (PTC)


Point


See Datum point


Point Light


A type of light where the illumination radiates from the center of the bulb.


Program


Program is used to create intelligent parts that change based on user input.


Protrusion


Generic terms for any solid feature.


Pro/Intralink

Data manager for Pro/Engineer

PS


Postscript


Publish Geometry


Group geometry you want other users to reference


Program


Facility to modify the model design with the option to add conditional statements to control the model design.


Q


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Quilt


A group of surfaces joined together.


R


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Reference Control


Limits what references can be made.


Reference Dimension


Reference Dimensions can be added in models and drawings. They are driven dimensions and cannot be used to modify the model.


Reference Entity


Reference entities in Intent Manager are created by :-

Specify Refs, Entities picked to create dimensions Entities pick during Use Edge and Offset Edge.


Redefine


Used to change a features definition. Sketch planes, the section sketch, depth etc.


Reflection


The degree to which a model reflects its surroundings.


Regenerate


Incorporates changes made to the model since the last regeneration


Relations


Facility to drive dimension values by equation. Dimensions values can be related to other dimensions, parameters or graph features.


Render


To create a shaded image in order to give the model a more realistic appearance


Reorder


Moves a feature before or after other features in the model's history.


Reroute


Changes the references used to construct a feature. Or used to swap and old feature for a new feature.


Resume


Restores / unsuppresses suppressed features


RGB


The red, green, and blue values of a color.


RHO


See tutorial


Round


A feature that creates a fillet along an edge or between two surfaces.


RUG


Regional User Group


S


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Saturation


The purity of the hue in a color. An "unsaturated" color is gray.


Self Shadows


A rendering option that causes shadows from a model to be cast onto itself.


Skeleton


Model used to define geometry that is shared between parts in an assembly. Often used to to create mechanism frameworks, define global datums.


Shell


A feature that removes a specified surface and hollows the solid to a specified wall thickness.


Simplified Rep


A subset of the main model with components blanked or substituted with simple alternatives. Part simplified reps can be used to cut models into sub sections.

The principal use is to speed up rendering, and to make easier to work on complex models.


Solid


A volume fully enclosed by surfaces where the any point in space can be analysed to know whether it is inside or outside the enclosed area.


Spline


A curve that passes through a number of points. Can be defined in sketcher on a 2D plane or in 3D through a series of points or vertices.


Spot Angle


The diameter of a spotlight's circle of light.


Spot Light


A type of light whose light rays are confined within a cone.


Spot Focus


The sharpness of a spotlight's beam.


STEP


Standard For The Exchange Of Product Model Data


Specify Refs


Used to specify which entities you want intent manager to use for dimensions and constraints.


STL


Stereo Lithography


Style


Feature created by ISDX


Surface


A face bounded by at least three edges


Suppress


Same as Delete except feature can be restored (resume (d)) at a later date


Sweep


Geometry formed by a profile dragged (swept) along a trajectory


Swept Blend


Geometry formed by different profiles positioned on a trajectory


T


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TAN


Technical Application Note


Texture


An image that is used to determine the color or appearance of a surface. See Appearance.


TIFF


Tagged Image File Format


TPI


Technical Point of Interest


Trail


The trail or trail file records all actions made during a session. It is possible to replay trail files to rebuild models lost due to crashes or as a presentation method.


Trajectories


Used to create sweeps, variable section sweeps, and swept blends. Trajectories can be defined by sketching or selecting existing geometry.


Transform


Translate or move a surface with the option to create a copy. (can be used on datum curves)


Transparency


The degree to which you can see through a surface.


Trim


Type of cut specifically for surfaces.


Tweak


A feature that transforms an existing feature.


U


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Units


Units of measure for length mass and force. Custom units can be defined. Models can be converted from one type of unit to another.


UPR


Universal Product Representation


Use Edge


Used in Intent Manager to construct sketch entities from existing geometry.


User Defined Feature UDF


UDF's allow collections or features to be used. UDF's are a special type of group.


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Var Sec Swp


See Variable Section Sweep


Vertex (vertices)


Ends of edges, curves typically found where a number of edges join. Also found where sub-entities of a ketch join.


Variable Section Sweep


A sweep where the section changes in size. Requires at least two trajectories.


W


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WMF


Windows Metafile


Workspace

Models are checked out from commonspace to workspace for modification. The workspace is a database and folder area located in the users network directory.

X


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X-section


(Cross-Section) A slice through either a solid or quilt.


Y


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Yellow Side


One side of datum, system will assume the yellow side to be positive first. The positive side


Z


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Product Acronyms

AAX


Advanced Assembly Extension


APX


Assembly Performance Extension


ARX


Advanced Rendering Extension


ASX


Advanced Surfacing Extension


BMX


Behavioural Modelling Extension


CDRS


Conceptual Design & Rendering Software


DAO


Design Animation Option


DDO


(Import) Data Doctor Option


EMO


Expert Machinist Option


IDX


Industrial Design Extension


ISDX


Interactive Surface Design Extension


MDO


Mechanical Dynamics Option


MDX


Mechanical Design Extension


MSO


Machine Simulation Option


NOO


NC Optimisation Option


RSD


Routed System Designer