PTC Creo 3.0 Unites Multiple CAD Systems

At last month’s PTC Live Global conference, PTC Inc. announced the newest release of its PTC Creo design software suite, version 3.0. With PTC Creo 3.0, the company introduced its new Unite technology, which, it says, “significantly enhances the ability to use CAD files from a variety of systems directly in PTC Creo.” Version 3.0 also sees new concept design features and overall enhancements that ensure efficiency, productivity, innovation and a more flexible design process, according to the company.

PTC Creo version 3.0 image courtesy of PTC Inc.

The new Unite technology in version 3.0 enables data from major CAD systems to be directly used in the PTC Creo Parametric, Creo Direct, Creo Simulate and Creo Options Modeler apps. This technology, explains PTC, allows for consolidation of multiple CAD systems and improved efficiency when working with different CAD tools. These efficiencies, adds PTC, enable improvements in on-time delivery, product quality and desirability by allowing design teams to spend more time innovating and less time on non-value add tasks such as recreating design intent and redundant file management.

With Unite technology, users can open and/or import files created with NX from Siemens PLM Software as well as files from Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA and SolidWorks without additional migration software. Further, Unite technology allows users to import Autodesk Inventor files and files created with Solid Edge from Siemens PLM Software, also without additional software. The technology provides functionality that lets users convert only the data that requires modification. That is, users do not have to convert an entire assembly when only a single part needs modification.

PTC Creo version 3.0 image courtesy of PTC Inc.

PTC says that the new and enhanced concept design tools in PTC Creo 3.0 are intended to provide product developers and teams increased flexibility and control. Key enhancements include the Align Freestyle design functionality, an updated 3D direct modeling application and a design exploration extension. Also, PTC Creo Layout to support 2D concept engineering activities now provides greater scalability and richer tools with seamless re-use in the 3D parametric environment, according to the company.

The Align Freestyle design capability in PTC Creo Parametric enables designers to create and drive freeform designs parametrically by combining organic geometry creation and modification with associative parametric design intent. The PTC Creo Direct 3D direct modeling app in version 3.0 is said to be more powerful and easier to use, enabling the quick creation of concept designs that are fully reusable in PTC Creo Parametric.

The PTC Creo Design Exploration Extension provides users of PTC Creo Parametric with a dedicated environment for safely developing design alternatives, investigating modeling approaches and understanding the consequences of design changes. The PTC Creo Design Exploration Extension, says the company, “significantly reduces the current level of manual effort and overhead required to undertake these activities.”

PTC Creo version 3.0 image courtesy of PTC Inc.

PTC says that Creo version 3.0 introduces new and enhanced capabilities and workflows to make everyday design tasks easier. Among the productivity enhancements are graphical realism support, extensive hardware libraries, updated analysis tools, automated fastener assembly workflows, core and sheet metal modeling enhancements and an improved help system with dedicated tools for new users.

“With PTC Creo 3.0, we continue to deliver on the PTC strategy,” said Michael Campbell, PTC’s executive vice president, CAD segment, in a press statement. “Our ground breaking Unite technology addresses the data and process-related challenges of CAD consolidation. By enabling designers to convert data ‘as needed, when needed,’ and only converting the data that requires modification, organizations can save a tremendous amount of effort and cost.”

Go here to learn more about PTC Creo.

Watch a video about what’s new with PTC Creo 3.0.

Download the top enhancements in PTC Creo 3.0 datasheet.

Download the PTC Creo Parametric datasheet.

Download a capabilities comparison of PTC Creo 3.0, PTC Creo 2.0 and Pro/Engineer Wildfire 5.0.

Get a free 30-day trial of PTC Creo Parametric.

Register to watch all the PTC Creo Parametric 3.0 tutorials.

Read DE’s “What’s New in PTC Creo 3.0” Check it Out.

See why DE’s Editors selected PTC Creo 3.0 as their Pick of the Week.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.