About Catia course and workbook

Solid models

The course is aimed at college students, aspiring designers, mechanics, wood workers, machine operators and other such people. It is meant for all such people who wish to acquire modeling skills, and want to learn Catia on their own. In my opinion beginning anything is the hardest. However, when things get rolling everything begins to fall in place. With Catia, it's the same case. Once you are past the sketcher workbench, the rest should be a piece of cake.

The course has been designed such that an absolute beginner can learn. So, there is information about how to install the software and how to really begin things. There's information about navigating through the various spaces (workbenches) that Catia has. This is essential since it's important to know where you are at and in which environment you are working.

The course will let you know about things that you should do, and things you should not do, and how you are supposed to do them., The course is such, that it will bring an absolute beginner to a level, that they would be able to learn advanced modules on their own from Catia help file. Below I have provided information about the modules that I will cover in this course.

Topic we will cover

1. Getting started - The section will deal with very basic topics like, information about Catia, installation of Catia on different platforms such as windows, Linux. How to open the Catia? File types, How to use mouse? etc. 
2. Sketcher - The workbench forms basis of almost every other workbench. So, it is something that you cannot do without. Within sketcher, we would learn about drawing tools, modifying tools, we would learn about constraints and how to apply them.
3. Part design - The solid parts are made using part design workbench. For making a part, we require sketch. So, the sketch you made in sketcher workbench of Catia, will be used in this workbench.
4. Surface design - Complex parts require surfacing. So, we model surfaces with the help of this workbench which are subsequently converted into solid parts. 
5. Assembly design - Only very simple products are single parts such as bucket, cup etc. However, most products are made of at least two or more separate parts which together form the product. In this workbench, we assemble parts using constraints and do relevant study. 
6. Drafting - On shop floor, drawing forms the basis of communication and has information about dimensions. fit, tolerance etc. In this workbench, we create drawing of the parts and products created.

Course objectives

While you will learn many things. broadly however, upon completion of the course, you will be able to:

1. Create solid 3D parts as shown, using combination of part design, surface design and sketcher workbenches in Catia
2. Assemble parts in the assembly design workbench of Catia, to form complete products 
3. Create drawings using the parts and products using the drafting workbench of Catia

How to study?

I have written this blog such that text is accompanied with a video wherever I considered it necessary. So, if for any topic you find text and video, you can simply watch the video for better understanding and practice along. Also, in places I have only used text, and I expect you to read it for your understanding and build a better foundation. In case you face any issue, I would suggest you to post comment on the topic where you faced issue. I do not intend to reply on Youtube, so please use Disqus. In case you are not able to use Disqus, note that you would need to allow cookies in your browser from "https://disqus.com".

Download workbook

The workbook contains practice exercises for the Sketcher workbench, Part design workbench, Surfacing workbench, Assembly and Drafting workbench. It's recommended that you do not proceed to the next workbench unless you have completed 50-60% of the exercise from the previous workbench.

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