Balloon generation, Dimensioning, Dress-up & Annotation

After creating all required views on the drawing sheet, applying dimensions, creating parts and assembly numbers along with relevant annotation, tolerance, machining symbols, welding symbols etc. is the next logical step in creating drawings. We will see how we can apply these. 

Creating balloons

Having an exploded view in drawing along with part numbers in balloons can help parts assembly process. Creating it is also easy, however, you should have the parts positioned in the location in the assembly environment and create that view in drawing. After creating the view, you may want to isolate that view since updating the part / view would disturb the drawing. Before we generate balloons, you may want to modify a few settings using the path Tools > Options > Mechanical design > Drafting > Generation tab and Annotation and Dress-up tabs. 

Title block, Sheets, Bill of materials & Properties

Before we discuss dimensioning and other important aspects of the drawing creation, it makes sense that we talk about other complimentary aspects of the drawing creation. These topics relate to creating title block, adding sheets and modifying properties etc.

Inserting sheet and detail sheet

Sheet

The sheet you are working on, may get full. So, you can either increase the sheet size that you are working in, or you can add additional sheet. We saw how to set drawing sheet, and change projection method and sheet size, if you don't remember, you can see it here. To add a new sheet. you can use the drawing toolbar, or use the path Insert > Drawing > Sheets > New sheet. The new sheet you add will be shown in the specification tree as well as a tab on the top.

Creating drawings in Catia - View toolbar - 2

Remaining tools in the view toolbar can be accessed using the same path i.e. Insert > Views or by using the views toolbar itself.

Creating drawings in Catia - View toolbar - 1

Instead of using wizard to create views, you can also use the Views toolbar. Tools in the view toolbar can also be accessed using the path Insert > Views. Keep in mind, that this toolbar is different from the View toolbar that we have already studied. 

Setting drawing sheet and using wizard

These are two ways to create views, if you chose to create an empty sheet while opening the drafting workbench instead of preset views. 

• Using a wizard
• Custom

You may even use a combination of the two, where some of the view may be created using wizard while other using views from the views toolbar. Regardless of the method you choose, as a first step, you should always setup the drawing sheet. In this, you may setup the projection method, sheet size and scale to be used for views. In case you are satisfied with the standard you selected while defining the sheet, you may not do this.

Drafting - Introduction

Engineering drawings are important for many reasons. Before you start to create a drawing, make sure a part or an assembly document is open for which you wish to create a drawing. To create these drawings, there's a specific workbench in Catia that you can use. The workbench is different and is nothing like AutoCAD. You can navigate and open the drafting workbench by using the path Start > Mechanical Design > Drafting.

Opening drafting workbench