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CAD Primary Tutorial - Product Design

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
19 views109 pages

CAD Primary Tutorial - Product Design

Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 109

Primary Tutorial

Product Design
Copyright and Trademarks
ZWSOFT CO., LTD.(GUANGZHOU). All rights reserved.

ZW3D™ V2024 CAD Product Design

This tutorial may be reproduced provided it complies with the terms presented on the LICENSE AGREEMENT
supplied.

ZWSOFT CO., LTD.(GUANGZHOU) and the program authors have no liability to the purchaser or any other
entity, with respect to any liability, loss, or damage caused, directly or indirectly by this software and training
materials, including but not limited to, any interruptions of service, loss of business, anticipatory profits, or
consequential damages resulting from the use of or operation of this software.

Updates may be made to this tutorial and incorporated into later editions.

ZW3D™ is a registering trademark of ZWSOFT CO., LTD.(GUANGZHOU)

The ZW3D™ logo is a registering trademark of ZWSOFT CO., LTD.(GUANGZHOU)

ZWCAD™, ZWSOFT™, the ZWCAD™ logo, and the ZWSOFT™ logo are all trademarks of ZWSOFT CO.,
LTD.(GUANGZHOU)

Printed in the P. R. China.

ZWSOFT CO., LTD.(GUANGZHOU)


Room 01-08, 32/F, No.15, Zhujiang West Road,
Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510623, China
(8620)38289780

I
Foreword
In this tutorial, we provide various case studies, which are from easy to difficult and combine theory with
practice. We hope to improve users’ 3D CAD/CAM skills and techniques with ZW3D.

The tutorial bases on our technical engineers’ years of experience in the industry and ZW3D, which is the
fruit of a lot of efforts and wisdom. We sincerely hope that the tutorial will do help to you, and your precious
advice on it is highly welcomed.

There are three series for this tutorial: Primary Tutorial, From Entry to Master Tutorial, and Advanced
Tutorial. From easy to difficult, they offer a step-by-step learning process that can meet different user needs.

Primary Tutorial series is for users who have little or no prior 3D CAD/CAM experience. If you are green hands
of 3D CAD/CAM software, or if you are a new user of ZW3D, we recommend that you get started with this
tutorial. Here you can learn the basic knowledge and concepts of ZW3D, rapidly master the simple operations
and workflows of ZW3D, and practice simple cases.

From Entry to Master Tutorial series is for users with basic know-how of 3D CAD/CAM software. If you have
experience in 3D CAD/CAM software and want to master common functions of ZW3D, we suggest that you
start with this series. Here you can dig deeper into the functions and master more operations of ZW3D.

Advanced Tutorial series is for users with practical experience in 3D CAD/CAM software. If you hope to have
a comprehensive command of ZW3D and get the complicated operations done independently, you can
choose to learn this series. Here you can learn to use the software more flexibly and get rich experience to
increase your efficiency.

What you are learning is ZW3D CAD Product Design, a primary tutorial.

Thanks for being our user!


The ZW3D Team

II
Contents
1 Installation and Activation ....................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Installation .................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Activation...................................................................................................................................... 1
2 Basics of ZW3D ........................................................................................................................................ 3
2.1 User Role Settings ......................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 An Introduction to the Interface ................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Customizing the Interface ............................................................................................................. 4
2.4 Working Folder ............................................................................................................................. 5
2.5 File Management .......................................................................................................................... 5
2.6 File Backup .................................................................................................................................... 6
2.6.1 Auto Backup .......................................................................................................................... 6
2.6.2 Manual Backup ...................................................................................................................... 6
2.7 Object Picking ............................................................................................................................... 7
2.7.1 Single and Multi-Object Picking ............................................................................................. 7
2.7.2 Picking with Filter .................................................................................................................. 7
2.7.3 Picking Covered Objects ........................................................................................................ 7
3 2D Sketch ................................................................................................................................................. 8
3.1 Creating Sketches ......................................................................................................................... 8
3.1.1 Sketches as Part of Part Files ................................................................................................. 8
3.1.2 Standalone Sketches .............................................................................................................. 8
3.2 Sketch Settings & Operations ....................................................................................................... 9
3.2.1 Basic Settings and Operations ............................................................................................... 9
3.2.2 Advanced Settings ................................................................................................................. 9
3.3 Sketch Flow & Elements.............................................................................................................. 10
3.3.1 Sketch Flow.......................................................................................................................... 10
3.3.2 Sketch Elements .................................................................................................................. 10
3.4 Sketch Constraints & Dimensions ............................................................................................... 11
3.4.1 Geometric Constraints ......................................................................................................... 11
3.4.2 Dimensional Constraints ...................................................................................................... 12
3.5 Points of Attention...................................................................................................................... 13
3.5.1 Sketch Grid Setting .............................................................................................................. 13
3.5.2 Construction Geometries..................................................................................................... 13

III
3.5.3 Trimming Tools .................................................................................................................... 14
3.5.4 Checking the Sketch............................................................................................................. 14
3.5.5 Modifying Dimensions and Delay Update ............................................................................ 15
3.5.6 Dimension Display ............................................................................................................... 16
3.5.7 Relocating the Sketch Plane................................................................................................. 16
3.6 Sketch Cases ............................................................................................................................... 17
3.6.1 Case 1 – Creating the Profile of the Feature of a Valve Body ............................................... 17
3.6.2 Case 2 – Creating the Profile of the Feature of a Wrench .................................................... 20
4 Modeling ................................................................................................................................................ 23
4.1 Basic Modeling Concepts ............................................................................................................ 23
4.1.1 Feature-Based Modeling ..................................................................................................... 23
4.1.2 Solid Shape and Surface Shape ............................................................................................ 23
4.2 Parametric Modeling .................................................................................................................. 24
4.2.1 Feature-Based Parametric Modeling ................................................................................... 24
4.2.2 Parametric Modeling Process .............................................................................................. 24
4.3 Modeling Settings ....................................................................................................................... 25
4.4 Modeling Guidelines ................................................................................................................... 26
4.4.1 History Manager .................................................................................................................. 26
4.4.2 Datum .................................................................................................................................. 26
4.4.3 Layer Manager ..................................................................................................................... 28
4.4.4 Feature Operations .............................................................................................................. 29
4.4.5 Display Modes and View Types............................................................................................ 30
4.4.6 Part Appearance .................................................................................................................. 31
4.4.7 Material Attributes .............................................................................................................. 32
4.4.8 Part Attributes ..................................................................................................................... 32
4.5 Modeling Cases ........................................................................................................................... 33
4.5.1 Case 1 – Valve Body ............................................................................................................. 33
4.5.2 Case 2 – Wrench .................................................................................................................. 40
4.5.3 Case 3 – Valve Core ............................................................................................................. 45
4.5.4 Case 4 – Valve Rod ............................................................................................................... 46
4.5.5 Case 5 – Shim Compressor................................................................................................... 48
4.5.6 Other Parts .......................................................................................................................... 50
5 Assembly ................................................................................................................................................ 52
5.1 Introduction to assembly ............................................................................................................ 52
IV
5.2 Introduction to assembly approaches......................................................................................... 54
5.3 Attentions in assembly ............................................................................................................... 55
5.3.1 Introduction to assembly manager ...................................................................................... 55
5.3.2 Insert Component ................................................................................................................ 57
5.3.3 Constraints Definition .......................................................................................................... 59
5.3.4 Edit Constraints ................................................................................................................... 61
5.3.5 Check Constraint Status ....................................................................................................... 61
5.3.6 Check Assembly Motion ...................................................................................................... 62
5.3.7 Interference Check .............................................................................................................. 63
5.3.8 Exploded View ..................................................................................................................... 64
5.3.9 Associative Reference .......................................................................................................... 65
5.3.10 Standard parts in ZW3D ................................................................................................... 66
5.3.11 Rename Assembly ............................................................................................................ 67
5.4 Assembly designing case ............................................................................................................. 68
5.4.1 Create a new assembly file .................................................................................................. 69
5.4.2 Create the final assembly .................................................................................................... 71
5.4.3 In-Context Reference Design ............................................................................................... 78
5.4.4 Insert Standard Parts ........................................................................................................... 81
5.4.5 Verify the Correction of the Whole Assembly ..................................................................... 81
6 2D Drawing ............................................................................................................................................ 83
6.1 Main Elements of 2D Drawing .................................................................................................... 83
6.2 Create a New 2D Drawing in ZW3D ............................................................................................ 83
6.3 General Settings for 2D drawing ................................................................................................. 84
6.4 Engineering Drawing ................................................................................................................... 86
6.4.1 Create Standard View and Projection View ......................................................................... 86
6.4.2 Modify the view attributes .................................................................................................. 87
6.4.3 Create Section View............................................................................................................. 88
6.4.4 Edit the section view attribute ............................................................................................ 88
6.4.5 Create the dimension .......................................................................................................... 89
6.4.6 Add the Tolerance ............................................................................................................... 90
6.4.7 Annotation and symbol ....................................................................................................... 91
6.4.8 Create a BOM table ............................................................................................................. 93
6.5 2D Drawing Case of a Part .......................................................................................................... 94
6.5.1 Create the View ................................................................................................................... 94
V
6.5.2 Add Annotation and Symbol ................................................................................................ 95
6.5.3 Create the Part Attribute on Title Block ............................................................................... 97
6.6 2D Drawing Case of Assembly ..................................................................................................... 98
6.6.1 Create the View ................................................................................................................... 98
6.6.2 Add Annotation and Symbol ................................................................................................ 99
6.6.3 Add Balloon ....................................................................................................................... 101
6.6.4 Create a BOM Table ........................................................................................................... 101

VI
Product Design
Introduction
ZW3D is an All-in-one, affordable CAD/CAM solution. It lets engineers design from concept to product in an
easy-to-use, single collaborative environment. There are many highlight features in it including Hybrid
Modeling, Direct Edit technology, Productive mold design, and High-efficiency manufacturing.
However, all the good application of these highlighted features is based on a good understanding of ZW3D
basic and core functions. So, in this tutorial, the most important functions and concepts of ZW3D basic
modules will be introduced to you with the briefest way.
The basic modules are Sketch, Part Design, Assembly and 2D Drawing. Also, to make sure you can start
ZW3D smoothly, the installation and activation will be talked first, then some basic settings/operations will
be talked in chapter two. Now, let us start.

1 Installation and Activation


1.1 Installation
Before downloading ZW3D (https://www.zwsoft.com/zw3d/download-center), please go through your
computer configuration. The system requirements are listed below.
Requirements Recommended

Operating System Microsoft® Windows 10


Processor Intel® Core™ 5 or above

RAM 8G or above

OpenGL® 3.3 or above


Graphic
NVIDIA® Quadro FX 580 @ 512MB or above
After downloading ZW3D, please follow the steps below to install it.
STEP 01 Right-click on the ZW3D executable file, select Run as administrator in the pop-up menu.

Run as Administrator
STEP 02 Select Language -> Install -> Select the version and modules -> Read and accept the terms -> Specify
the installation path -> Installing.

1.2 Activation
If you install a new ZW3D version for the first time, you can have a free 30-day trial of all ZW3D modules you
installed, as shown in the picture below. Please note that add-ons like 5X Milling are not available for the
trial version and that some functions, such as Save, Print, Import, and Export will be restricted after the trial
expires.

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Product Design

Evaluation

If you already have a standalone license, please activate it following these steps: Go to License Manager ->
Click Activate -> Tick Soft-key Online Activation -> Paste your Activation ID -> Verify -> Fill the User
Information.

Activate ZW3D

To ensure a smooth activation, please avoid activating the standalone license remotely, turn off the firewall,
and remove the port from the white list when the activation fails.
Notes: Floating licenses are more popular in big companies where users need to borrow one from the server
when running ZW3D because they are activated on a specific server.

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Product Design
2 Basics of ZW3D
2.1 User Role Settings
When you start ZW3D for the first time, you will need to select a user role according to your proficiency level.
As Figure 4 shows, the default user role is Expert, which means all the ZW3D commands and modules
available will appear on the interface. Of course, you can switch roles with the Role manager at any time, as
shown in Figure 5.

User Role Settings Role Manager

2.2 An Introduction to the Interface


The picture below shows the default ZW3D interface after you create a new part file. You can hide or show
the menu bar at the top with small blue triangle on the left.

To control the display of the Manager on the left, please click the icon on the bottom right corner, as
speech balloon #1 points.

To adjust the global configurations of ZW3D, such as UI language and background color, please click the
icon on the upper right corner, as speech balloon #2 points.

Default ZW3D Interface

If you need to change the UI language or background color, go to ZW3D Configuration form -> General or
Background tab to do the set.

3
Product Design

Changing UI Language Changing Background Color

2.3 Customizing the Interface


To customize the interface, you can first right-click on any blank Ribbon area and select Customize... in the
context menu, as shown in Figure 9. Then, click the Transfer tab in the Customize dialogue box and rearrange
commands as you like.

Invoking the Customize Dialogue Box Rearranging Commands in the Transfer Tab

Here’s an example of customizing the Start panel (Figure 11): You can remove the Mold Project command,
add Application Plugin Manger and Library Publisher.
STEP 01 Uncheck Mold Project or right-click on it and select Delete in the context menu in the Customize
dialogue box.
STEP 02 Select Application Plugin Manger in the Command List, then drag and drop it to the Start panel.
STEP 03 Select Library Publisher in the Library panel, then drag and drop it to the Start panel.
STEP 04 Click Apply, then OK to finish customizing.

The Default Start Panel


The Customized Start Panel

Besides, you can define your own hotkeys (keyboard shortcuts) and mouse actions of the scroll wheel and
the right button.

4
Product Design

Customizing Hotkeys and Mouse Actions

2.4 Working Folder


It is a good habit for you to create a working folder because it makes accessing existing files easier, especially
when your project involves many files of different formats.
STEP 01 Click the Working folder command in the Utilities panel to invoke the Select a Directory dialogue
box.

Set Working Folder

STEP 02 Select an existing folder or create a new working folder, then click OK.

And your files will be saved to this folder by default.

2.5 File Management


In ZW3D, there can be two types of files: multi-object and single-object ones.
Multi-object files are in the format of .Z3 and unique to ZW3D. All ZW3D part, assembly, drawing, and CAM
plan files can be managed in a single multi-object file, as shown in the figure below.

Multi-object File

As for single-object files, they are commonly used in 3D modeling software. It means that a single
part/drawing/assembly object is saved as an independent file. Since it is not the default type, you need to
tick the corresponding option in the General tab of the Configuration dialogue box, as shown in the figure
below.

Making Single-Object Files the Default Type of Files

5
Product Design
Note: If you need to work with a PDM (Product Data Management) or PLM (Product Lifecycle Management)
system, single-object files are strongly recommended for file management.

2.6 File Backup


File backup is vital to keep your data safe from sudden incidents like a power cut. In ZW3D, there are two
ways to back up your files: auto and manual.

2.6.1 Auto Backup


When you create a new .Z3 file, the default backup file (*.Z3.z3bak) will be automatically generated and
saved to the folder where your newly created file is.

Auto File Backup

Notes:
➢ System backup works only when you do the first-time saving operation within a day, which means
the rest of saving will not be backed up.
➢ The file will still be valid when its extension is changed from Z3.z3bak to Z3.

2.6.2 Manual Backup


You can manually back up files in the Configuration dialogue box, as shown in the figure below.

Manual File Backup

STEP 01 Enter a suitable number in the Max file revisions to backup box in the General tab, which determines
how many backup files could be saved.
STEP 02 Determine the path of the backup folder in the Files tab. Also, it is suggested that you check the Save
backup files in the same location as the original option for easier management and reuse.
STEP 03 Click Apply, then OK to finish configuring. A new backup file will be automatically created when you
save the file.

New Backup Files Will Be Automatically Created with Manual Backup

As you can see from Figure 19, Part001.1.z3bak, the first backup file of Part001.Z3 is absent. It’s because the
value of Max file revisions to backup was 5, while the original file has been saved for the sixth time.
Therefore, please increase the value of Max file revisions to backup or delete the backup files you don’t
want to keep.

6
Product Design
2.7 Object Picking

2.7.1 Single and Multi-Object Picking


You can click to pick a single object in the modeling area. If you want to unpick objects, simply keep pressing
the Ctrl key while clicking. To select connected lines, just keep pressing the Shift key while clicking. Some
commands, for example, Chamfer, allow you to pick connected lines before or after invoking them.

Selecting Connected Lines with Shift

2.7.2 Picking with Filter


Filters can help you pick objects faster. For example, as Figure 21 shows, after setting Feature as the filter,
only the features of the part will be pre-highlighted when your mouse hovers over one.

Picking with Filter

2.7.3 Picking Covered Objects


There are two methods to pick your target object that is inside or covered by another object.
One is to place your mouse over your target object and keep holding the Alt key. Then, it will be pre-
highlighted in yellow, as shown in Figure 22.
The other is to right-click on the target area, select Pick from List in the context menu, and pick the target
object. As Figure 23 shows, the covered face, F1 is easily picked.

Picking with Alt Picking from List

7
Product Design
3 2D Sketch
2D sketches are fundamental to solid modeling because you can create features and define cross-sectional
shapes with them on any planar face. Although most of the time, they will not be outputted as the final
designs, they often represent the most important ideas of a feature or even the whole part.

3.1 Creating Sketches


In ZW3D, you can create two basic types of sketches. One is sketches that are part of part files, including
external and internal ones. The other is standalone sketches, which can be saved as independent files.

3.1.1 Sketches as Part of Part Files


In most cases, a sketch is created as a feature in the part modeling environment. After creating a new part,
you can invoke Sketch by right-clicking on the blank area and selecting it in the context menu, or clicking the
corresponding icon in the Shape tab of the Ribbon interface, as shown in Figure 24. Sketches created these
ways are called external sketches, which can be reused for many different modeling features.

Ways to Create External Sketches An External Sketch

As for internal sketches, they are created during the execution of a modeling command, such as Extrude,
Revolve, Sweep, etc. An internal sketch can only be used for its corresponding modeling feature.

Creating Internal Sketches

You can convert internal sketches into external ones by right-clicking on the internal sketch and selecting
Make External in the context menu, as shown in Figure 28.

An Internal Sketch Is under Its


Corresponding Modeling Feature Converting to External Sketches

3.1.2 Standalone Sketches


As shown in the figure below, you can choose to create a new Standalone Sketch file. With this independent
file, you can discuss your ideas with team members conveniently.

8
Product Design

Standalone Sketch

3.2 Sketch Settings & Operations

3.2.1 Basic Settings and Operations


In the sketch environment of ZW3D, most of the basic sketch settings and operations can be found in the
Document Aware Toolbars.

Document Aware Toolbars

The six frequently used functions are explained in the table below.

Exit Exit the sketch environment.


Pick Filter
Define the filter for object picking
Snap Filter
Plane View Return to the plane view.
Toggle Grid Show or hide the grid.
Zoom Control Zoom your sketch view.
3.2.2 Advanced Settings
In the sketch environment, click Preferences in the Settings panel to invoke the Sketch Settings dialogue
box. Then, input a number in the Grid Spacing box according to your need and click OK.
If you want to modify more sketch settings, you can invoke the Configuration dialogue box, click the 2D tab,
and check or uncheck the Sketch options, as Figure 32 shows.

Setting Grid Spacing More Sketch Settings

9
Product Design
3.3 Sketch Flow & Elements
3.3.1 Sketch Flow
Below is the sketch flow of ZW3D.

Sketch Flow of ZW3D

To create a new sketch, the first step is to select a Sketch Plane. As Figure 34 shows, the plane you are
selecting, in this case, XY will be highlighted. Then, middle-click or click the OK button to enter the sketch
environment.

Selecting a Sketch Plane


3.3.2 Sketch Elements
After entering the sketch environment, you need to draw some objects and add constraints and dimensions
to them. Sketch plane, sketch geometries, sketch constraints are the three basic types of sketch elements.
Fully constrained sketches would be regarded well-defined.

Elements of a Well-Defined Sketch

10
Product Design
3.4 Sketch Constraints & Dimensions
Theoretically, any sketch can be confirmed with its shape and position properly constrained. In ZW3D, both
shape and position can be constrained with dimensions and geometric relationships.

3.4.1 Geometric Constraints


In the sketch environment, you can find all the geometric constraints in the Constraint panel under the
Constraint tab.

Geometric Constraints

There are two ways to add constraints. One is to pick the objects first, then click the Add Constraints
command and select a proper type of constraint. In this way, a type of constraint is automatically selected
by the system. The other is to select a type of constraint first and then pick the target objects.

Selecting Objects First Selecting a Type of Constraint First

If your sketch is complicated, adding constraints could be challenging. To make it easier, please turn on the
button so that it can tell you the status of the constraints in real time. Well-defined sketches will be in
blue.

Different Statuses of Constraints Are in Different Colors


When the constraints are conflicted, you can use the Conflicting Constraints command to invoke the
Conflicting Constraints Manager dialogue box and solve the conflicts.

11
Product Design

Check and Solve Conflicts of Constraints

3.4.2 Dimensional Constraints


With the Quick Dimension command, you can easily add dimensional constraints.

Quick Dimension

As Figure 42 shows, the dimensions you add manually are strong dimensions that determine the change of
the whole sketch.
It’s recommended that you activate the Add Weak Dimensions Automatically mode because dimensions
created by the system are regarded as weak dimensions so that you can easily constrain the whole sketch.
As you can see from Figure 43, weak dimensions are in gray.

Strong Dimensions Weak Dimensions

In some cases, reference dimensions will be added to the well-defined sketch to make it easier to understand.
As Figure 44 shows, they will be in brackets. For example, the length (16.77) is a reference dimension.

Reference Dimensions

12
Product Design
Note: You can hide dimensions and constraints to get a clearer view of the target sketch.

Showing or Hiding Dimensions and Constraints

3.5 Points of Attention


3.5.1 Sketch Grid Setting
As mentioned in Chapter 3.2.1, you can control the display of sketch grid and choose a type of grid in the
Document Aware Toolbar.

Grid Display

If you need to customize the grid spacing, simply go to Preferences -> Grid Spacing.

Grid Space Setting

3.5.2 Construction Geometries


Construction geometries are references that can help you achieve a final sketch and will not appear in the
modeling environment. For example, to quickly draw a hexagon, you can draw a circle first. Then, convert it
to a construction geometry by right-clicking on the circle and clicking the Toggle Type icon in the context
menu, as shown in Figure 48.

Toggling Types of Geometries

As Figure 49 shows, the construction geometry will not appear in the modeling environment.
13
Product Design

Construction Geometries Will Not Appear in the Modeling Environment

3.5.3 Trimming Tools


When drawing a sketch, trimming is an inevitable operation. Among the many trimming tools, Power Trim
and One Touch Trim allow you to trim the sketch quickly, and Trim/Extend to Corner to make corners.

Trimming Tools Before Trimming

For example, to trim the sketch in Figure 51, you can use Power Trim by pressing and holding down the left
mouse button while moving the cursor above the parts you want to trim.

Using Power Trim After Trimming

3.5.4 Checking the Sketch


After finishing the whole sketch, you might get confused when some 3D modeling commands can’t be used
on it. Oftentimes, it is because there are overlapping or unconnected lines in the sketch.
To check whether the sketch is closed or not, you can use two tools in the Document Aware Toolbars. One
is Display open ends on/off, which will emphasize the unconnected endpoints of lines. The other is Closed
Rings On/Off, which will color the closed area.

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Product Design

Checking Unconnected Lines

To check overlapping lines, you can either use the Overlap command (Inquire tab -> Sketch Doctor panel ->
Overlap) or the Display open ends on/off command.

Checking Overlapping Lines

3.5.5 Modifying Dimensions and Delay Update


Modifying dimensions sometimes results in strange shapes because the whole sketch will change after one
of the dimensions is modified. As shown in Figure 56, the whole sketch became deformed when the radius
was changed from 2.00 to 8.00.

Deformed Sketch Due to Modification of Dimensions


Besides, you can activate Delay Update when modifying a set of dimensions.
STEP 01 Double-click on an existing dimension or create a new one to invoke the Input Dimension Value
dialog box, tick the Solve manually option, input a value, and click OK.

Input Dimension Value Modifying Other Dimensions

15
Product Design
STEP 02 Modify other dimensions, and their values will be in brackets, meaning that they are not updated
yet.
STEP 03 Click Solve Current Sketch Manually to update the whole sketch.

Update All the Dimensions

3.5.6 Dimension Display


Some dimensions of a parametric sketch are linked with variables or expressions. In this case, you can change
the type of dimension display (Tools tab -> View panel -> the accordion -> Dimension Display ->
Expressions), as shown in Figure 60. After that, both dimension values and expressions will appear, as shown
in Figure 61.

Switch the Type of Dimension Display Displaying Dimensions and Expressions

3.5.7 Relocating the Sketch Plane


The Relocate command in the Settings panel under the Sketch tab can help you specify a sketch plane or
switch to another.
When modeling, you can directly right-click on the target sketch in the history manager and select Relocate.

Relocating in the Sketch Environment

16
Product Design
Relocating in the Modeling Environment

For example, if you want to change the sketch plane from XY to XZ, you can pick the target XZ plane in the
Relocate dialogue box.

The Sketch in the XY Plane Picking the Target Sketch Plane

Click OK, then the sketch plane will be changed to XZ, as shown in the figure below.

Relocating the Sketch Plane to XZ

3.6 Sketch Cases


Please follow the steps of the cases and practice in ZW3D so that you will have a better understanding of the
sketch module and making a well-defined sketch.

3.6.1 Case 1 – Creating the Profile of the Feature of a Valve Body


The main feature of the valve body below is Revolve. The revolved part is highlighted in yellow in Figure 67.
The profile of this feature is highlighted in yellow in Figure 68. Follow the steps and you shall recreate one.

The Revolved Feature of the Valve Body The Profile of the Revolved Feature

17
Product Design
STEP 01 Go to the Shape tab and click Sketch, then select the XZ plane as the sketch plane, as shown in Figure
69.

Select the XZ Plane as the Sketch Plane Enabling Smart Pick

STEP 02 Use the Draw command to draw a continuous line vertically from the origin and then horizontally.
Make sure Smart Pick is enabled in the Snap Filter dialogue box for a quicker sketch process.

Drawing a Continuous Line Switching to the Arc Mode

STEP 03 Click inside the yellow circle at the endpoint of the line and switch from the line mode to the arc
mode of the Draw command.

STEP 04 Draw two arcs, as shown in Figure 73.

STEP 05 Switch back to the line mode and draw the rest of the lines.

Drawing Two Arcs Drawing the Rest of the Lines

Notes: Buttons related to the status of the sketch in the Document Aware Toolbar, especially the color codes
of definition, should be turned on. Such a real-time view of the sketch will help you in adding constraints and
dimensions.

STEP 06 Use the Add Constraints command to add proper constraints one by one. As shown in Figure 75, you
can easily add tangent constraints to the arcs and lines.

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Product Design

Adding Proper Constraints

STEP 07 Add dimensions with the Quick Dimension command until the whole sketch is well-defined.

Adding Dimensions

STEP 07 Click the graphic area, input the value of the length of the line, and click OK. The result is shown in
Figure 77. Or you can specify the dimension with two points, as Figure 78 shows.

Defining the Value of the Dimension

Specifying the Dimension with Points

19
Product Design

All the Dimensions Are Added

STEP 08 Check the profile with the Overlap or Display open ends on/off command and exit the Sketch module.

Checking the Profile

3.6.2 Case 2 – Creating the Profile of the Feature of a Wrench


The main feature of the wrench below is Extrude, which means you’ll need to draw the profile first.

Profile for Extrude Feature of Wrench

STEP 01 Go to the Shape tab and click Sketch, then select the XZ plane as the sketch plane.
STEP 02 Use the Draw command to draw a continuous line as shown in Figure 82. Make sure Smart Pick is
enabled.

Drawing a Continuous Line

STEP 03 Add the Equal constraint to the highlighted lines, as shown in the left side of Figure 83 to get the
result on the right side.

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Adding the Equal Constraint to the Lines

STEP 04 Draw a slanting line parallel to the slanting line below and keep their endpoints vertically aligned, as
shown in the left side of Figure 84 to get the result on the right side.

Drawing the Parallel Slanting Line

STEP 05 Draw the rest of the lines to get a rough profile is finished, as shown in the right side of Figure 85.

Finishing the Rough Profile

STEP 06 Add dimensions until the profile is blue (well-defined). For example, use the Angular command to
specify the angle between two lines.

Specifying the Angular Dimension

Defining Linear Dimensions with the Quick Dimension or Linear command

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The Final Well-Defined Sketch

STEP 07 Check the profile and exit the Sketch module.

Summary
The points below can help you draw a well-defined sketch efficiently.
➢ Choose the right sketch plane.
➢ Better start from the default origin.
➢ Pay attention to the Smart Snap prompt. Accept the confirmed constraints and avoid adding
constraints you are uncertain of to avoid making an over-defined sketch.

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4 Modeling
Creating a 3D geometric model is fundamental to the whole product design and future applications of its
data like engineering drawing, CAM(Computer-Aided Manufacturing), and CAE(Computer-Aided
Engineering ), etc.

4.1 Basic Modeling Concepts


4.1.1 Feature-Based Modeling
Feature-based modeling means that a feature is regarded as the basic modeling unit and that a 3D model
consists of various features. Generally, modeling features can be divided into three types.
➢ Datum feature
Datum features include datum planes, axes, and point.
➢ Basic feature
Basic features include extrude, revolve, and sweep features.

Extrude Feature Revolve Feature Sweep Feature


Basic Features

➢ Engineering feature
Engineering features are mostly applied to the actual field of engineering, including chamfer, fillet, draft,
etc.

Fillet Feature Chamfer Feature


Engineering Features

4.1.2 Solid Shape and Surface Shape


There are two types of shapes: solids and surfaces. In ZW3D, a closed geometry is considered a solid,
otherwise, it is a surface, as shown in Figure 91. The unique modeling method of ZW3D, hybrid modeling,
allows you to switch between solids and surfaces freely. It means that if a shape is geometrically closed, it
will be automatically filled and regarded a solid.

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Solid Shape and Surface Shape

4.2 Parametric Modeling


4.2.1 Feature-Based Parametric Modeling
Feature-based parametric modeling means that the 3D model is created with various features and that the
features are controlled by parameters. When you modify the feature parameters, the model will be modified
or updated. As shown in Figure 92, the valve body model can be created with different features.

Extrude Base Add a Revolve Add Another Revolve Cut Features Engineering Features
Modeling with Features

4.2.2 Parametric Modeling Process


Generally, parametric modeling includes the following three steps.
➢ Define the parameters (variables and expressions)
In ZW3D, all the parameters can be defined in the Equation Manager, which can be accessed in both the
modeling (Tools tab -> Insert Panel -> Equation Manager) and sketch (Tools tab -> Utilities Panel -> Equation
Manager) environments.

Equation Manager
➢ Feature modeling and apply the parameters
In the course of the feature modeling, you can apply parameters while adding dimensions to your sketch or
creating features.
As Figure 94 shows, you can select the target parameters directly in the Variable Browser while adding
dimensions to the sketch.

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Applying Parameters While Adding Dimensions to the Sketch

When creating features, for example, the revolve one below, you can set an existing parameter as its end
angle by following the 4 steps in the figure below.

Setting the Parameter While Creating the Revolve Feature


➢ Modify the parameters to update the model
To apply a new value to some parameters and update the model, you can double-click on the target
parameter in the History Manager and change the value. After that, the file name in the History Manager
will be in red and marked as outdated. To update it, simply click the Regen command.

Modifying the Parameters and Updating the Model


Now, you shall find it easy to change and manage the key dimensions by means of parametric modeling.

4.3 Modeling Settings


It is suggested that you modify some basic settings (working folder, file type, linear units, mass units, and
object tolerance) before modeling. You can refer to Chapter 2.4 for the setting of working folders, and
Chapter 2.5 for the management of different types of files.

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Basic Settings before Modeling

4.4 Modeling Guidelines


4.4.1 History Manager
The default History Manager helps you manage the modeling history. Besides History, folders reflecting the
status of the model (Solid/Surface/Wireframe/Expression/Explicit Objects/Part Config) will also appear in it.
You can change how their display (except the History folder) in the Configuration dialogue box.

Folders in the History Manager Folder Display Settings

To replay the modeling history, you can either drag the History Indicator or click the Replay buttons.

Replaying the Modeling History


4.4.2 Datum
In ZW3D, the default datum is a Default CSYS (Coordinate System), which is coincident to the WCS (World
Coordinate System). As shown in Figure 101, the CSYS in brown is the Default CSYS, which includes the XY,
XZ, and YZ datum planes and the X, Y, and Z datum axes.

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Default CSYS Hiding the Frame Triad

The red, green, and blue axes form the Frame Triad. You can turn off/on the display of it by double-clicking
on the Frame Triad Display option in the Visual Manager, as shown in Figure 102.
➢ Datum Creation
Apart from the datum CSYS, you also can create datum planes whenever and wherever you need during the
modeling. As shown in the figure below, there are multiple ways for you to create a datum plane.

Creating Datum Planes

➢ Auto Size of Datum


If you prefer the datum plane to be in a bigger size, you can turn on Auto Size in the Visual Manager.

Making the Datum Planes Appear Bigger

➢ Show or Hide
You can show or hide datum planes.

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Turning off the Display of Datum Planes

4.4.3 Layer Manager


A 3D model is usually composed of different types of geometric entities, including points, lines, curves,
sketches, datums, surfaces, solid shapes, etc. A complicated model may contain thousands of entities.
Therefore, managing these entities properly is vital to a clear view of the model.
In ZW3D, you can easily access layer-related tools in the Document Aware Toolbar.

Layer-Related Tools in ZW3D

A default layer Layer0000 would be created in the Layer Manager. It can be renamed, but not deleted. If
you did not create new layers, all the entities will be automatically assigned to this default layer. Also, when
you turn off the bulb icon, all the entities of this layer will be blanked.

Layer Manager

The good habit of creating proper layers at the beginning of the modeling stage and assigning each entity to
the corresponding layer will pay off when you are trying to view certain types of entities. As shown in the
figure below, you can view all the sketches by checking the corresponding layer in the Layer Manager.

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Display All Sketches

4.4.4 Feature Operations


As mentioned in Chapter 4.1.1, the modeling method of ZW3D is feature-based modeling, which allows you
do a lot of operations based on the features.
➢ Edit/Redefine Features
As shown in Figure 109, after right-clicking on any feature, you can perform operations, such as Redefine,
Suppress, and Delete on it.

Feature Operations

➢ Rearrange Features
To adjust the sequence of features, you can drag them around in the History Manager.
For example, in the model below, Fillet 1 is done prior to Shell 1.

Make the Shell After Fillet

If you drag Shell 1 above Fillet 1, the result will be different.

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Fillet After Making the Shell

➢ Insert Features
If you need to add features before the last operation, you can drag the History Indicator to the right position
and add them.

Insert Features

4.4.5 Display Modes and View Types


You can switch both the display mode and view type in the Document Aware Toolbar.

Display Modes and View Types


Also, you can switch between two frequently used display modes, Shade and Wireframe, using the keyboard
shortcut, CTRL+F.

Shade Wireframe

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➢ Customize Views
To save a specific view, you can go to the View Manager, right-click on Custom Views, and select New to
create a new view. After that, you can switch to this custom view whenever you need.

Creating a Custom View


A default isometric view is shown on the left side of the figure below. Double-click on the newly created
view, and the model will be displayed from your customized view, as shown on the right side of the figure
below.

Change to the Custom View

4.4.6 Part Appearance


You can make the part look more vivid using the Face Attributes command in the Texture panel of the
Visualize tab.
In the Face Attributes dialogue box, use Face as the filter. Then, pick the target faces and the defined
attributes will be applied to them. If you want to apply the attributes to the whole shape, you can use Shape
as the filter.

Setting Face Appearance

If you already know what the part will be made of, you can texturize it. For example, if the material used to
manufacture the Valve Body is metal, you can apply Metal(cast) to it, as shown in Figure 120.

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Texture List Texturizing the Part

Notes: Since the texture is of higher priority than the face appearance, you need to remove the texture with
the Erase Texture command if you only want to display the face attributes.

4.4.7 Material Attributes


To set the material attributes of the part, you can go to Tools tab -> Attributes panel -> Material Attributes.
First, select the target shape or part. Then, you can either define your own material or choose from the
existing material list.

Setting the Material

4.4.8 Part Attributes


If you want to set or check part attributes, you can go to Tools tab -> Attributes panel -> Part Attributes. In
ZW3D, part attributes include Standard, User and Physical.

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Part Attributes
For example, you can calculate the physical attributes of the current part, including mass, volume, etc. in
two steps.
STEP 01 In the Physical tab of the Part Attributes dialogue box, click Material folder to invoke the Material
Attributes dialogue box. You can either define a new material or select one from the existing
File/Bundle box, then click OK.

Checking Material Attributes

STEP 02 Click the Update button to calculate the part attributes. As shown in the figure below, physical
attributes like Mass are updated.

Updating Part Attributes

4.5 Modeling Cases

4.5.1 Case 1 – Valve Body


The general process of modeling the valve body below has been introduced in Chapter 4.2.1. Now, the
process will be broken down into small steps for you to practice.

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Valve Body

STEP 01 Create a new .Z3 file named Valve.Z3 and click OK to enter the part modeling environment.

Creating a New .Z3 File

Note: By default, the first part will be named after the new .Z3 file. If you need to rename it, exit the modeling
environment first and then, right-click on the part and select Rename to rename it in the Manager. As shown
in the figure below, the name of the part is changed from Valve to Valve Body.
To return to the modeling environment, simply double-click on the part.

Renaming the First Part

STEP 02 Define the length variable Base Length in the Equation Manager. In this case, it is set to be 75 mm.

Defining the Base Length in the Equation Manager

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STEP 03 Click the Extrude command, select Sketch in the Profile P box, and select Datum YZ as the sketch
plane.

Creating a Sketch Datum YZ as the Sketch Plane

STEP 04 Draw a rough rectangular profile, as shown in Figure 131.


STEP 05 Delete a dimension and apply the Equal constraint to the selected lines, as shown in Figure 132.

Drawing a Rectangular Profile Adding the Equal Constraint

STEP 06 Double-click on the only dimension and assign the Base Length to it.

Inputting the Dimension with the Base Length Variable

STEP 07 Exit the sketch environment and invoke the Extrude dialogue box. Extrude the sketch from 0 mm to
-13 mm by setting Extrude type, Start S and End E according to Figure 134 and click . You will find
the History Manager updated.

Extruding the Profile

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STEP 08 Use the Sketch command to create an external sketch or Revolve to create an internal sketch. Refer
to Chapter 3.6.1 for details.

The Sketch of the Revolve Feature

STEP 09 Click the Revolve command and select the sketch you just created. Specify the End angle E as 360
degrees, choose the Add Boolean type, and click .

Revolving the Sketch


STEP 10 Sketch a rectangle whose baseline is on the X axis and base point is 3 mm from the origin on the XZ
datum plane, as shown in the figure below.

Sketching a rectangle on the XZ Datum Plane

STEP 11 Pick the sketch created in step 10 as the Profile P in the Revolve dialogue box, choose the Add
Boolean type, and click to revolve the sketch around the default revolve axis.

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Making Another Revolve Feature


STEP 12 Sketch a revolve-cut profile whose baseline is on the X axis at the origin on the XZ datum plane, as
shown in the figure below.

The Revolve-Cut Profile

STEP 13 Pick the sketch created in step 12 as the Profile P in the Revolve dialogue box, choose the Remove
Boolean type, and click to create the revolve-cut feature.

Selecting the Profile and Using the Remove Boolean Type The Revolve-Cut Feature

STEP 14 Sketch a circle (radius=13.00 mm) on the top of this feature, click the Extrude command, pick the
circle, select the Remove Boolean type, input the depth (4.0 mm), and click to create the first
extrude-cut feature.

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Creating the First Extrude-Cut Feature

STEP 15 Sketch a major sector on the top of this feature, click the Extrude command, pick the sector, select
the Remove Boolean type, input the depth (2.0 mm), and click to create the second extrude-cut
feature.

Creating the Second Extrude-Cut Feature

STEP 16 Click the Hole command, select the Thread hole type, choose Sketch in the Location drop-down list,
create four points, and set the parameters according to the figure below, and click to create
screw hole features.

Creating Screw Hole Features

STEP 17 Click the Hole command, select the Thread hole type, pick the center point of the surface (created
in step 14) in the Location drop-down list, set the parameters according to the figure below, and
click to create another screw hole feature.

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Creating Another Screw Hole Feature

STEP 18 Go to the Engineering Feature panel of the Shape tab, click the Flag Ext Thread command, pick the
external revolve surface, set the thread parameters according to Figure 146, and click to create
an external thread feature.

Setting Thread Parameters The Thread Feature

STEP 19 Add fillets (R=10.0 mm on the green faces, R=2.0 mm on the yellow faces, R=1.5 mm on the red
faces), as shown in the figure below.

Adding Fillets

STEP 20 Check and optimize the modeling process in the History Manager, and then click the Regen button
to regenerate the whole model.

Regenerating the Whole Model

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STEP 21 Go to the Attributes panel of the Tools tab and set part attributes according to the figures below.

Setting Part Attributes Selecting the Material

STEP 22 Go to the Texture panel of the Visualize tab, click the Face Attributes command, select Shape in the
Filter List, pick the face of the Valve Body, and set parameters according to the figure below so that
the appearance of the model is modified.

Setting Face Attributes The Final Appearance

STEP 23 Save the file.

4.5.2 Case 2 – Wrench


You will learn how to add draft features and other modeling tricks from practicing this case.

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Wrench The Wrench in the Valve Assembly

STEP 01 Create a new part file named Wrench in the current Valve.Z3 file, which can be done by directly
clicking the plus button on the left side of the file in the modeling environment.

Creating a New Part File Named Wrench

After creating the new part file, the file name will be updated, which can be seen in the modeling
environment and the Z3 Manager if you clicked the Exit button.

New Part in the Modeling Environment New Part in the Z3 Manager

STEP 02 Draw the main profile on the XZ plane and extrude it symmetrically, as shown in the figures below.
For details, you can refer to 3.6.2.

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Drawing the Main Profile

Extruding the Profile

STEP 03 Draw a sketch whose radius and height are equal to the existed edges on XZ datum plane. Click the
Reference command in the Reference panel, select the target edges and all the dash lines, right-click
and select Toggle type, and finally, draw another line to close the whole sketch.

Sketching the Revolve Profile


STEP 04 Click the Revolve command, select the sketch created in step 3, choose the Base Boolean type, and
click to create the revolve feature.

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Creating the Revolve Feature

STEP 05 Click the Datum Plane command, pick the corner point, and click to create the draft datum on
the revolve feature.

Creating the Draft Datum Plane

STEP 06 Go to the Engineering Feature panel, click the Draft command, pick the draft datum created in step
5 in the About D box, input the draft angle (5 degrees) in the About A box, select the draft face.

Making the Draft

STEP 07 Sketch a profile on the XY datum plane. As shown in the figure below, its radius is 8.50 and it is
tangent to the three connected lines.

Sketching the Profile


STEP 08 Click the Extrude command, pick the profile created in step 7, select the Intersect Boolean type, pick
the first extrude feature as the intersect object in the Boolean shapes box, and click .

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Intersecting the First Extrude Feature


STEP 09 Combine the shapes into one with the Add Shape command in the Edit Shape panel of the Shape
tab.

Combining Separated Shapes


STEP 10 Draw a sketch on the XY datum plane, click the Extrude command, cut the step (Depth=2.5 mm).

Cutting the Step Feature


STEP 11 Draw a square profile on the XY datum plane, click the Extrude command to cut the square hole.

Cutting the Square Hole

STEP 12 Add chamfers and fillets (Chamfer=2.5 mm on the green faces, R=9.0 mm on the yellow faces, R=2.5
mm on the red faces), as shown in the figure below.

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Adding Chamfers and Fillets


STEP 13 Add part attributes and modify the appearance by selecting an appearance in the Texture panel and
applying it on the current model.

Modifying the Appearance of the Wrench

STEP 14 Check, regenerate, and save the whole model.

4.5.3 Case 3 – Valve Core


The Valve Core is located inside the Valve Body and driven by the Valve Rod.

The Valve Core The Valve Core in the Valve Assembly

STEP 01 Create a new part file named Valve Core in the current Valve.Z3 file.
STEP 02 Draw a revolve profile on the YZ datum plane by creating and constraining a vertical line, mirroring
it, connecting the two vertical lines, drawing a circle (Radius=21.00 mm), and trimming the sketch.
Exit the Sketch environment and return to the modeling environment.

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Drawing the Revolve Profile


STEP 03 Click the Revolve command, pick the profile created in step 2, revolve around the X axis, and click
to create the revolve feature.

Creating the Revolve Feature

STEP 04 Draw a profile on the XZ plane, as shown in Figure 176. Click the Extrude command, pick the sketch,
cut through the revolve feature, and click to create the slot feature.

Drawing a Profile Making the Slot Feature

Note: Make sure that the Start S and End E are linked to the sides surfaces of this model so that the slot cuts
through.
STEP 05 Add part attributes, modify the appearance, and save the file.

4.5.4 Case 4 – Valve Rod


The Valve Rod is part of the Rod Sub-assembly.

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The Valve Rod The Rod Sub-Assembly

STEP 01 Create new part file named Valve Rod in the current Valve.Z3 file.
STEP 02 Draw the revolve profile at the origin on the XZ datum plane, constrain it, exit the Sketch
environment, and return to the modeling level.

Drawing the Revolve Profile Creating the Revolve Feature

STEP 03 Click the Revolve command, pick the profile created in step 2, revolve around the Z axis, and click
to create the revolve feature.
STEP 04 Sketch a rectangular profile on the XZ datum plane, mirror it along the Z axis, exit the Sketch
environment, and return to the modeling environment.

Drawing the Sketch Making the Step Feature

STEP 05 Click the Extrude command, pick the sketch created in step 4, cut through the revolve feature, and
click to create the step feature.

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STEP 06 Sketch the square profile on the top of the part, select the outer circle as the reference, right-click,
and toggle it into a solid line, exit the Sketch environment, and return to the modeling environment.

Drawing the Square Profile Creating the Square Feature

STEP 07 Click the Extrude command, pick the square profile, cut the shape (Depth=14.5 mm), and click to
create the square feature.
STEP 08 Add chamfers (2.0 mm) to the model, modify its appearance, and save the file.

Adding Chamfers Modifying the Appearance

4.5.5 Case 5 – Shim Compressor


The Shim Compressor is part of the Rod Sub-assembly.

The Shim Compressor The Rod Sub-Assembly

STEP 01 Create new part file named Shim Compressor in the current Valve.Z3 file.
STEP 02 Sketch a revolve profile whose baseline is on the X axis on the XZ datum plane, exit the Sketch
environment, and return to the modeling environment.

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Sketching the Revolve Profile Creating the Revolve Feature

STEP 03 Click the Revolve command, pick the profile created in step 2, revolve around the Z axis, and click
.
STEP 04 Click the Flag Ext Thread command in the Engineering Feature panel, pick the outer surface of the
cylinder, specify the Thread Specifications options, and click to add decorative threads to it.

Adding Decorative Threads

STEP 05 Sketch a rectangle whose center is that of the circle on the top of the part.

The Rectangular Profile Creating the Slot

STEP 06 Click the Extrude command, pick the rectangular profile created in step 5, cut the shape (Depth=1.5
mm), and click to create the slot feature.
STEP 07 Modify its appearance and save the file.

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The Shim Compressor


4.5.6 Other Parts
To compete the assembly, there should be more parts, which can be created with either the Revolve or
Extrude command.
➢ Bottom Shim
The Bottom Shim is part of the Rod Sub-assembly.
To create it, you need to draw two concentric circles (Radii are 7.00 mm and 11.00 mm, respectively) on the
XY datum plane, exit the Sketch environment, click the Extrude command, specify the End E option to be
3.38 mm, and click . Modify its appearance and save the file.

Creating the Bottom Shim

➢ Top Shim
The steps of making the Top Shim are similar to those of making the Bottom Shim, only the thickness (3.37
mm) is different. The parameters are as the figure below shows.

Creating the Top Shim


➢ Adjusting Shim
The Adjusting Shim will be used in the final Valve assembly.
The steps of making it are similar to those of making the Bottom Shim, only that it is drawn in the YZ plane
and its thickness is 2.0 mm.

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Creating the Adjusting Shim


➢ Seal Ring
Likewise, the Seal Ring will be used in the final Valve assembly.
Sketch its profile on the XY datum plane, exit the Sketch environment, click the Revolve command, pick the
profile, and click . Modify its appearance and save the file.

Creating the Seal Ring

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5 Assembly

An example of assembly structure


Assembly Modeling is a computer-aided design technology and method which can helps engineer to handle
with multifile into an assembly. Then assembly structure, movement, and design relationship can be
analyzed by the virtual models, the picture shown below is an example of assembly in ZW3D.

An example of assembly in ZW3D

5.1 Introduction to assembly


Any completed product of CAD design is composed of multiple parts, however, in the assembly level, the
parts are normally called as the components which means the components assembled into an assembly
modeling in CAD software.
Following are the definition of some nomenclatures in CAD technology.
Part: The single unit model which is independent. The part is consisting of design variables, geometry,
material attribute and part attributes.
Component: The most basic unit which consist into sub-assembly or assembly. Besides, the component is a
part when it is not in the sub-assembly or assembly.

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Part (with history manager) Component (with assembly manager)

Assembly: The final objective of assembly modeling which also can be called product and it is composed of
different sub-assembly or component with constraints.
Sub-assembly: Literally it is the secondary assembly which compose into assembly and composed of
different secondary sub-assembly or component with constraints.

Assembly Sub-assembly

Constraint: In assembly modeling, the spatial position and relative motion of the components can be defined
by constraint, then you can analyze whether there is interference between components and whether they
are moving normally.

Constraints in assembly manager of ZW3D


To better understand the hierarchical relationship between various components of an assembly, an
assembly tree is demonstrated below.
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Product Design

Total
Assembly

Sub-Assembly Component Component

Component: Posistion,
Component Component Component constraint, name, layer,
color, view information

Assembly tree

As shown in the assembly tree above, an assembly can be divided into several sub-assemblies and
components in different levels, and each of the sub-assemblies is also composed of different components.
In the assembly tree, each of the leaves represent individual components or sub-assemblies. On the top of
the tree with the highest hierarchy is total assembly.

5.2 Introduction to assembly approaches

Top-down design and bottom-up design

Basically, there are two fundamental methods in assembly design, they are Bottom-Up design and Top-Down
design respectively, each of them can meet different design requirements. If the design order is: Finish the
independent part design first and then apply those parts into assembly, we call it bottom-up design, if the
assembly or product shape is first completed and then design the associative parts in assembly, this is called
as top-down design. Both 2 methods can meet various needs at design, the detailed introduction is as follows.
➢ Bottom-Up design
The bottom-up design is the most common used method, which is the traditional way to make the assembly.
The individual parts are created separately and then assemble them to form the assembly of a product.
Since the geometry of the components is independent, changes to any component do not affect other
components. Moreover, it is easier to maintain the relationships and regeneration behaviour of components
in bottom-up design. If all the components have already been created and are ready to use, bottom-up
design is more appropriate.
➢ Top-Down design
Top-down design is an associative design approach. In the top-level assembly, driving parameters, control
sketch and product shape both can be defined. Then design process progresses are from the top assembly
to the individual parts. If driven geometry or parameters are changed, the related components are affected.
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Product Design
In the software, the associated updates can be done automatically. In some assemblies that consists some
associative components or during the R&D process of the products, the top-down design will be more ideal
to manage the design.
ZW3D provides both bottom-up design and top-down design and these two methods can be combined in
designing according to design purpose.

5.3 Attentions in assembly


5.3.1 Introduction to assembly manager
The assembly manager is a tab which can be accessed from the ZW3D data manager. It displays all the
components inserted into the active assembly, the parent/child relationships of components and the
constraints of the components. It is used to manage the whole process of assembly work. To show the
assembly manager, you can select the manager button from tools menu in the bottom right of ZW3D and
then select the assembly manager tab. Besides, you can also right-click the blank area of graphics windows
to open the ZW3D manager.

Turn on/ off Manager

The picture above is an example of the assembly manager, it normally includes, components, and constraints.
In assembly manager, there are some commonly used options which are introduced below.
➢ Filter
The filter can select whether show only components or constraints, or both as shown below.

Filter

Below is the definition of each of the options in assembly manager filter.


Show All: The manager shows all information, including the inserted components and alignments.
Show Components: The manager only shows the components.
Show Alignments: The manager only shows the alignments.
➢ Select/Preview the Component
The assembly manager displays information about the active assembly, when you move the cursor on the
specific component, it will be highlighted in the graphics window which can help you to locate the
component in the complex assembly.

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Select/Preview the component

➢ Blank/Unblank the Component


From right menu of the component in assembly manager or document aware toolbars, you can choose to
blank or unblank the component, shown as the picture below. Besides, you can quickly blank the component
by checkbox in the assembly tree.

Blank the Component

➢ Suppress/Unsuppress the Component


From right menu of the component in assembly manager, you can choose to suppress of unsuppress the
component, if the component is suppressed, the constraints which are related to the suppressed component
will be unavailable.

Suppress the Component

➢ Disable/Enable the Constraints


When right click on the certain constraint, in the right menu, user can disable\Enable the specific constraint.
After disable or tick off the constraint, the constraint will not take effect until user enables it.

Disable the Constraints

➢ Display Mode of the Components and Constraints

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There are two types of display mode in ZW3D assembly manager, separated mode and combined mode,
with this two modes, users can display the constraint with different locations, with separated mode, all the
components and the constraints are displayed separately, with combined mode, each components and
related constraints are displayed together, the picture below the separated mode(Left) and combined
mode(Right), you can switch between this two modes by right menu of assembly manager.

Separated Mode (Left) and Combined Mode (Right)

➢ Inquire Parent Assembly


In assembly manager, you can also view the parent/child relationships of components and the constraints
relationships between components in the active assembly or right-click the component to select the
command Display Parent from the menu.

Display Parent

The detailed introduction of right menu can refer to the Assembly Manager Description in ZW3D help
documents.

5.3.2 Insert Component


In ZW3D, before you start a new assembly design, you could create a new assembly file or add a new
assembly object in the existing file (such as*.z3), then assemble parts into the assembly.

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Create a new assembly

In assembly module, there are various tools in the ribbon bar. in first step, you need to insert the first
component by Insert command. From the ribbon tab or the right menu when clicking the space of graphics
area, you both can access to Insert command, as shown in the image below.

Insert command

To easily find the component in the File/Part, you can select the Graphics type from preview, afterwards,
input the insert location, you can either click the point in the graphics window. moreover, tick Fix component
option is highly recommended for the first component thus following components can refer to this fixed one.

Insert the component


➢ Multi Insert
Apart from insert the component one by one, ZW3D have a more convenient and efficient way to insert
batch components by using Multi insert.

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With Multi Insert you can insert all the needed components by just one-time operation, similar as single
insert, you can use the Preview to help you find out the needed components and then input the insert
location. The picture below shows the dialog box of Multi Insert.

Multi insert

5.3.3 Constraints Definition


After inserted the components, how to fix the relative location or set the motion range between different
components? Except for adding the component, proper constraints are necessarily to be added for the
completed assembly. Next part, we will introduce the constraints in ZW3D and how we can easily add
reasonable constraints for each of the components.
In ZW3D assembly ribbon tab, you can find several commands about constraints, as shown in the picture
below. They are common constraint, mechanical constraint, fix and edit constraints respectively, In this
section, we will focus on Common Constraint.

Constraint ribbon panel

During adding the constraints, compared with the part geometry, the datum of each component is highly
recommended to use as prior reference, because it will not be affected if the component is changed.
Now, let take an example to show you how to add the constraint for the valve core with datum faces.
First, enable Unblank External Datum by right click the component as shown below. Then the external
datum will be displayed.

Unblank External Datum

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For some components, if you think the datum size is too small to add the constraints, please go to Visual
Manager -> Datum, then turn on Auto Size.

Turn on Auto Size


ZW3D provides various kinds of constraints by Common Constraints, let us take the seal ring as an example.
STEP 01 Insert the Seal Ring, and select Common Constraint from Assembly ribbon tab, then select the
coincident constraint.
STEP 02 Select the bottom face of Seal Ring as the 1st entity and the face inside Valve Body as 2nd entity as
shown in the picture below.
STEP 03 Set the offset or range value according to the needs. In this case, set the offset to 0 mm.
STEP 04 If the direction of the constraints is not the needed one, you can click Flip Direction button.

Add coincident constraint

In this case, parallel constraint is applied between valve core XY datum and valve body XZ datum as shown
in the image below. If the direction of the constraints is not the needed one, you can click the flip direction
button.

Add parallel constraint

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Until now, we have learned how to add the basic constraints for components, afterwards, you could try to
learn more.
5.3.4 Edit Constraints
If you not only want to check the constraint status but also you want to redefine the constraint, under this
circumstance, you can right click the component from assembly manager or graphic windows and then click
Edit Constraint to open the edit window, you can either find the Edit Constraint from Assembly ribbon tab
and then pick the component.

Edit Constraints

With edit constraint window, you can find all the relevant constraints of the picked components and then
edit them if needed.

Edit constraint dialog box

5.3.5 Check Constraint Status


After the constraints has been added for all the components, you may wonder whether there are any missing
constraints, in other words, whether assembly is well-constrained. Now, the way to check the status of
constraints will be introduced in the following.
In ZW3D, it is very easy to check the constraint status between different components, the most convenient
way to check the constraints status is view assembly manager. As can be seen from the picture below, there
is a symbol (F)/ (-)/ (+) on the left of component.
(F) means this component is fixed.
(-) means this component is under-constrained. The appropriate constraints can be added for it.
(+) means this component is over-constrained. There are redundant constraints that create conflicts.
No symbol means this component is well-constrained.

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Constraint status

Apart from view the symbols in the assembly manager, you can use Constraint Status command to check
the current constraint status for components.
The picture below is the constraint status checking windows in graphic interface. As can be seen in the
graphic interface, the constraints status was expressed with different color. It is intuitive for user to check
the status.

Check constraint status

5.3.6 Check Assembly Motion


After finishing all the assembly work, if you want to check the motion status of components, with the Drag
or Rotate function, you can move or rotate the component. or check the motion status. The picture below
shows the drag and rotate command.

Drag command

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Rotate command

Also, if you just want to simply check the component motion, you can directly select the component from
the graphic window and drag or rotate it by left mouse button.
5.3.7 Interference Check
In the complex assembly, it is hard to visually inspect whether there is interference inside the assembly,
however, in ZW3D you can use the Interference Check function to inquire interference, which you can find
from the Assembly ribbon tab -> Inquire panel.
Interference Check function provides two different methods to define checking scope. They are Only among
the picked and With other components respectively, below is the definition for these two methods.
➢ Only among the picked:
Only check the interference between the picked components.
➢ With other components:
Check the interference between the picked components and other unpicked components.
The picture below is an example of Only among the picked. First select the components which needs to
check the interference, and then you will get the result after click Check button. As can be seen in the picture
below, the interference results are shown in the result window and in the graphics window.

Interference Check

Dynamic Section View


If you want to get more clear view of the interference area, go to Inquire ribbon tab->Section tool is
recommended, which delivers dynamic and visual interference check. The picture below shows the section
view of the interference part.

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Dynamic section view

5.3.8 Exploded View


To make sure other person could easily understand the internal details and assemble process of the assembly,
Exploded View command from Assembly ribbon tab can help us go into a separate working area to create
the exploded view in ZW3D, as shown in the image below.

Exploded view working area

There are two ways to create the exploded view, the first one is adding every explosion step manually by
Add a step and another one is to click Add by Auto Explode button to generate self-explosion steps
automatically. We recommend adding the step manually to create expected result more precisely.
When you Add a step manually, the Move command is activated to move the component. There are 6
different ways to create the exploded step. The picture below shows an example of Move entities along a
direction, you can define the moving direction and the distance.

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Move entities along a direction


After creating all the needed steps, you can save the exploded view as an AVI video by Exploded View Video.
When you back to assembly level, you can check the Exploded view from configuration of assembly manager.

Exploded view

5.3.9 Associative Reference


Associative Reference is mostly used in top-down design. With Assembly ribbon tab-> Reference function,
you can create a reference geometry that linked with the external geometry from other components.
Now, let us look at the reference function.
There are five different types of reference in assembly, they are Curve, Plane, Point, Face, and Shape
respectively. Before adding the associative reference, you need to active the related part in assembly and
then select the Reference command. The picture below shows the Face reference setting, and the
highlighted face on the ball valve is the selected reference face.

Example of associative reference

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After finished creating the reference, you can use the reference geometry to create another geometry, the
picture below is using the reference surface to extrude a solid.

Extrude a solid from the reference surface

As can be seen in the figure above, the associative copy is checked in association setting, this option is used
to create reference geometry which associates with the referenced external geometry. The reference
geometry will be re-evaluated each time when referenced geometry is regenerated. If not checked,
reference geometry created by this option is a one-time static copy. The picture below shows the comparison
of the associative reference with/without associative copy.

Reference-Associative copy (checked) Reference-Associative copy (un-checked)

Associative reference with (Left)/without (Right) associative copy after changing the valve body size

5.3.10 Standard parts in ZW3D


➢ Build-in Library
In ZW3D, there are various kinds of standard parts which you can find in Reuse Library tab, as shown below.

Reuse library

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With these large amounts of different kinds of standard parts database, you can directly use it in your
assembly, the picture below shows an example of using the ISO standard hexagon head bolts in ball valve
assembly.

Insert ISO standard hexagon head bolts in ball valve assembly

➢ PARTsolutions Library
Apart from ZW3D standard parts, ZW3D also has free third-party standard part library PARTsolutions, you
can access to it from APP ribbon tab, however, you need to download and install it before using it.
The picture below shows the catalogs of PARTsolutions and the interface of model parameters. Various kinds
of mainstream standard parts are provided, you can use them to meet your design requirements.

PARTsolutions
5.3.11 Rename Assembly
Change the object name or file name are very common after finishing the assembly design, with Rename
Assembly command in ZW3D, you can rename any assembly or component and keep the associative
relationship between them. Rename assembly command can be accessed from the right menu from the
assembly manager.

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Rename assembly command

ZW3D can automatically generate a new name according to the naming rules. By setting a prefix or suffix
and changing the file name in batches. Press Ctrl/Shift to multiple objects.
You can change old object name and old file name by just double-click and directly enter a new name in the
marked area.

Change the object name in rename assembly

Note: For the single object file (*.z3prt),the object name is the same with the file name. Whether the object
name or the file name is changed, they will be updated synchronously.

5.4 Assembly designing case


Now we have finished the basic study of assembly module, in this section, we will take a ball valve as an
example to teach you how to finish a whole assembly.
The picture below shows the completed assembly of a ball valve.
As you can see in the assembly manager, the ball valve consists of kinds of components and a subassembly.
Based on the previous modeling design, let us finish the assembly design.

Completed assembly of a ball valve

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5.4.1 Create a new assembly file
STEP 01 Create a new assembly object in the existing Z3 file.
Open the existing Valve.z3 file which was created in the previous chapter and create a new
Part/Assembly object from ribbon panel. In this step, we will create an assembly (Rod). Then we
will enter the part/assembly level of Rod.

Create a Rod assembly

STEP 02 Insert the first component Valve Rod.


Select Insert command from Assembly ribbon tab.

Insert command
Select Valve Rod to insert, then select the origin of coordinates as the insert location and XY datum
as the insert face. After that, select Fix component option because this is the first component of the
assembly, it would be better to fix it after inserting it.
Finally, click Ok(√)to fix the first component.

Insert first component

STEP 03 Insert the second component Bottom Shim.

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Select Insert command and select Bottom Shim, then choose any of the location to insert and untick
Fix component. Click Ok (√) button to insert the component, then common constraint dialogue
box will pop-up.

Insert bottom shim

STEP 04 Add the coincident constraint.


Select Coincident constraint and then select the bottom face of Bottom Shim as the 1st entity and
the face on the Rod as 2nd entity, as shown in the picture below, after that, set 0mm in offset and
click Apply.

Add the coincident constraint


STEP 05 Add the concentric constraint.
Select Concentric constraint and then select the inner ring of Bottom Shim as the 1st entity and
cylinder profile of rod as 2nd entity, after that, tick Lock rotation and click Apply, after that, we can
find the Bottom Shim is well constrained in assembly manager.

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Add the concentric constraint

STEP 06 Use the same method as the previous step to insert another Bottom Shim and Top Shim and Shim
Compressor, the result will be same as the picture below.

Insert the remaining components


Now, we have finished the assembly work of sub-assembly (Rob). In the next part, we will assemble the
completed product valve.
5.4.2 Create the final assembly
➢ Part 1: Create the top assembly
STEP 01 Exit the Rod (Sub-Assembly) and move back to root manager.

Back to root manager


STEP 02 Create a new Part/Assembly object from ribbon panel, in this step, we will create the Valve
(Assembly). Then, we will enter the part/assembly level of Valve (Assembly). In the next part, we
will insert the components into this assembly.

Create the final assembly

➢ Part 2: Insert the first component (Valve Body) and fix it


STEP 03 Insert Valve Body as the first component, select the origin of coordinates as the insert location, then
Rotate the orientation to make the Valve Body same as the picture below. Besides, because this is
the first component of the assembly, it would be better to fix it after inserting it.

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Insert valve body

➢ Part 3: Insert the component (Seal Ring) and add the constraints.
STEP 04 Insert Seal Ring and choose any of the location point and untick Fix component option to insert.

Insert seal ring

STEP 05 After Insert Seal Ring, select Coincident constraint and then select the bottom face of Seal Ring as
the 1st entity and the face inside valve body as 2nd entity as shown in the picture below, after that,
set 0mm in offset and click Apply.

Add the coincident constraint

STEP 06 Select Concentric constraint and then select the cylinder profile of Seal Ring as the 1st entity and
cylinder profile of inner Valve Body as 2nd entity, after that, tick Lock rotation and click Apply.

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Add the concentric constraint Well-defined seal ring

➢ Part 4: Insert the component (Valve Core) and add the constraints.
STEP 07 Insert Valve Core, then right-click the component, click Unblank External Datum from right menu
to show the datum of the component. Afterwards, repeat the same step for Valve Body.

Unblank external datum

STEP 08 Select Coincident constraint and then select the XY datum of Valve Core as the 1st entity and XY
datum of Valve Body as 2nd entity as shown in the picture below, after that, set 0mm in offset and
click Apply.

Add the coincident constraint


STEP 09 Select Concentric constraint and then select the sphere of Valve Core as the 1st entity and curved
surface of Seal Ring as 2nd entity and click Apply as shown in the picture below.

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Add the concentric constraint

STEP 10 Select at Angle constraint, and then select the YZ datum of Valve Core as the 1st entity and XZ datum
of Valve Body as 2nd entity, then set the angle range from 0 to 90 degree and click Apply as shown
in the picture below.

Add the angle constraint

The picture below shows the Valve Core rotate according to angle constraints.

Rotate the Valve Core

➢ Part 5: Insert the component (Seal ring) and add the constraints.
STEP 11 Insert another Seal Ring, for more clear assembly work, you can blank the Valve Body from right
menu.
Then select Concentric constraint and then select the sphere of Seal Ring as the 1st entity and curved
surface of Valve Core as 2nd entity and click OK, as shown in the picture below.

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Add the first concentric constraint for seal ring

STEP 12 Unblank the Valve Body and select Concentric constraint and then select cylinder profile of Seal Ring
as the 1st entity and cylinder profile of inner Valve Body as 2nd entity, after that, tick Lock rotation
and click Apply as shown in the picture below.

Add the second concentric constraint for seal ring

➢ Part 6: Insert the Rod (Sub-Assembly) and add the constraints.


STEP 13 Insert Rod (Sub-Assembly), then select Concentric constraint and select the cylinder profile of Rod
as the 1st entity and cylinder profile of inner Valve Body as 2nd entity and click ok as shown in the
picture below.
STEP 14 Select Coincident constraint and select the bottom face of Rod as the 1st entity and top face of Valve
Core as 2nd entity as shown in the picture below, after that, set 0mm in offset and click Apply.
STEP 15 Choose Parallel constraint and select the highlighted face of Rod and Valve Core as shown in the
picture below and click OK.

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Concentric constraint Coincident constraint Parallel constraint

Now, the Rod (Sub-Assembly) is well constrained as shown in the assembly manager below.

Constraint status in assembly manager

➢ Part 7: Insert the component (Wrench and Adjusting Shim) and add the constraints.
STEP 16 Insert Wrench, then choose Coincident constraint and select highlighted face of Wrench and Valve
Body as shown in the picture below, after that, set 0mm in offset and click Apply.
STEP 17 Choose Concentric constraint and select the cylinder profile of Wrench as the 1st entity and cylinder
profile of Valve Body as 2nd entity and click ok as shown in the picture below.
STEP 18 Choose Parallel constraint and select the highlighted face of Wrench and Valve Body as shown in
the picture below and click OK.

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Coincident constraint Concentric constraint Parallel constraint

STEP 19 Insert Adjusting Shim, then choose Coincident constraint and select highlighted face of Adjusting
Shim and Valve Body as shown in the picture below, after that, set 0mm in offset and click Apply.
STEP 20 Choose Concentric constraint and select the cylinder profile of Adjusting Shim as the 1st entity and
cylinder profile of inner Valve Body as 2nd entity as shown in the picture below. after that, tick Lock
rotation and click Apply.

Step 19 Step 20

Until now, we have completed most of the valve assembly, as can be seen in the picture below, all
the components are well constrained.

Valve assembly

In the next part, we will continue the reference design for valve cover.
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5.4.3 In-Context Reference Design
For a whole valve assembly, there is a valve cover part not finished. Next, we will refer to the Valve Body
part to design the cover part. Generally, this design is called in-context assembly design. And this cover part
refers to the valve body. The reference design has been introduced in Chapter 5.3.9.
Now, let us follow these steps to do this cover part modeling in the assembly level.

➢ Part1: Directly create a new component in an assembly


STEP 01 Open Valve (Assembly), click Insert command, directly input create a new component Valve Cover
as a new component name, then click OK. Then the new component Valve Cover is created and
activated.

Create the Valve Cover in Insert panel

➢ Part 2: Create the reference geometry


STEP 02 Select Reference command from Assembly ribbon tab and select the Face reference, then pick the
face from Valve Body as shown below and click Associative copy and Apply.

Create face reference


➢ Part3: Solid Modeling
STEP 03 Select Extrude command from Shape ribbon tab and select the reference face as Profile P, then
extrude it from 0.5mm to 14.5mm, as shown below.

Extrude the reference face

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After creating the reference solid, let us create the sketch of the Valve Cover revolve part. If you
want working area to be clear, you can blank other components by Show target command from
Document Aware Toolbars.
STEP 04 Select Sketch command from Shape ribbon tab, then select YZ datum of Valve Cover as the sketch
plane and Z axis as up orientation as shown below.

Create a sketch in Valve Cover


STEP 05 Draw the sketch with the shape and dimension as shown in the picture below and then back to
modeling level.

Create a sketch on Valve Cover

STEP 06 Select Revolve command from Shape ribbon tab and set the parameter as shown below, then select
Add in Boolean and select the extruded solid which was created in step 3 as the Boolean shapes.

Revolve the sketch

If you want to view the whole assembly, click Show All from Document Aware Toolbars.

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Show all

STEP 07 Select Fillet command from Shape ribbon tab and add the fillet for the edge as shown in the picture
below with 2mm radius.

Add the fillet

STEP 08 Select Chamfer command from Shape ribbon tab and add the chamfer for the edge as shown in the
picture below with 1mm setback.

Add the chamfer


Now, we have finished the valve cover modeling. Double click the top assembly to view the whole product
assembly. Next, we will insert the standard bolts and nuts for the valve assembly.

Top assembly

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5.4.4 Insert Standard Parts
In this part, we will insert the ISO standard Bolts and Nuts from ZW3D Reuse Library into the valve assembly.
STEP 01 In Valve (Assembly), Open Reuse Library from ZW3D, then select Hexagon Head Bolts from ZW3D
Standards Parts -> select Hex bolts with flange ISO15071.Z3 from file list -> select 10mm in diameter
-> select Auto hole match in placement of insert -> Tick Constrain component, as shown in the
picture below.

Insert hexagon head bolts from reuse library


STEP 02 Use the same way to insert the Iso standard Hexagon Nuts(10mm) as shown in the picture below.

Insert hexagon nuts bolts from reuse library

Now, we have finished the standard parts inserting.


5.4.5 Verify the Correction of the Whole Assembly
When checking the whole assembly, we can find there is some interference between the standard parts and
valve body as shown in the picture below.

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Interference between standard parts and valve body

Both the overall dimension of valve body and valve cover need to be modified. Since the associative
reference design is made between these two components. Therefore, we just need to change the dimension
of valve body, the valve cover component will be updated
STEP 01 Double click the Valve Body to activate it. Go to history manager, then double click the expression
Base Length and change the value of Base Length from 75mm to 85mm.
STEP 02 After parameter modification, the model part is marked as Outdated. Then right-click the blank area
of history manager, select Regen History to regen the model. Or directly select Regen command
from Title bar.

Change the base length of valve body

STEP 03 Back to top assembly Valve (Assembly) and then regen all components in right menu of assembly
manager, then the Valve Cover model and the position of standard parts will be updated
automatically.

Regen all components

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6 2D Drawing
The 2D drawing is used to show the engineering information of the object, including part/assembly view,
dimensions, symbols and annotations, text, table and so on. In the process of product design and
manufacturing, 2D Drawing is an important and widely-used documents even the 3D model in ZW3D are
sufficiently intuitive and visual. The picture shown below is an example of 2D drawing in ZW3D.

2D drawing in ZW3D

After the 3D model is produced in ZW3D, the associative 2D drawing can be created conveniently, and it
can be changed automatically and simultaneously according to the modifications of the 3D model.

6.1 Main Elements of 2D Drawing


Generally, the 2D sheet of a part consists of three main parts. Below are the explanations of them.
View: Include Standard view (Top, Front, Right, Left, Bottom, Back and Isometric view),
Projection view, Section view, Detail view and so on.
Dimension: Include dimension (Shape dimension & Position dimension), Tolerance (Dimension tolerances,
Form tolerances & Position tolerances), Datum symbol, Surface finish symbol and Text.
Sheet format: Include sheet border, title block and so on.
As for assembly, 2D sheet includes various views, assembly dimension, fit dimension, BOM table and so on.

6.2 Create a New 2D Drawing in ZW3D


There are 2 commonly used methods to create a new 2D sheet in ZW3D.
Method 1: In the modeling environment, insert a new 2D sheet by clicking 2D Sheet from Document Aware
Toolbars or right click the working area and then select a template to create a new 2D drawing. Meanwhile,
the Standard view command will be activated automatically.

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Create a new 2D sheet

Method 2: Click + button (Add new file command) from file title tab, then select the Drawing Sheet in file
type and select Template, input the name of drawing, and click OK button. After that, the new 2D drawing
is created.

Create a new 2D sheet

6.3 General Settings for 2D drawing


This section will introduce some commonly used settings for 2D drawing.
Top right -> Configuration
In the Configuration dialogue box, some default parameters of 2D drawing can be modified. See the image
below.

Configuration

Tools ribbon tab -> Settings Panel -> Preferences -> Drawing Settings
With this command, you can change the drawing settings including Units, Mass units, Grid spacing, Type of
projection and Projection tolerance.

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Preferences

Tools ribbon tab -> Attributes Panel -> Style Manager


With Style Manager, you can customize the drawing as the picture below shows.

Style manager
Sheet Manager -> Sheet1 -> Right-click menu -> Attributes
Sheet Attributes is used for setting sheet name, scale, paper color and other basic attributes for the selected
sheet.

Sheet attributes
Sheet Manager -> Sheet Format -> Right-click menu -> Sheet Format attributes
With Sheet Format Attributes, you can redefine or customize the sheet format according to different
requirements.

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Sheet format attributes

6.4 Engineering Drawing


6.4.1 Create Standard View and Projection View
As mentioned in Chapter 6.1, the view includes standard view, projection view, section view, detail view and
so on. This section will introduce how to create the standard view.
After finish creating the new 2D drawing in ZW3D, the standard view command will be activated
automatically, you can either select the Standard command from Layout ribbon tab to create a standard
view from a 3D part.
Before creating the standard view, select the part from the file/part, then select the view from the drop-
down list and set other parameter such as scale.

Create the standard view

After creating the standard view, we can select the Projection command to create a view projected from the
existing standard view.
Before creating the projection view, select the base view and define the location of the projection view and
set other attributes.

Create the projection view

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Besides, you can also use Layout command which can be accessed from Layout ribbon tab to create to view
by define the layout view and other parameter, such as view label, line attribute.

Create the view from layout

6.4.2 Modify the view attributes


After creating the view, you can redefine the view attribute by 2 different methods.
Method 1: Right menu
Directly right-click the view or right-click the view name from sheet manager, then select the attribute
command to modify the view attributes.

View attributes

Method 2: View Attributes from Layout ribbon tab.


Select view attributes command and choose the view, then middle click to confirm.
In view attributes, you can change the view parameter as below.
1. Show hidden lines/center lines/threads.
2. Show dimensions/text/3D curves/3D zero point from part.
3. Show available PMI on related views.
4. Show scale and label.
5. Set line attributes
6. Set component visibility

View attributes

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6.4.3 Create Section View
In ZW3D, several different section view can be created, such as full section view, aligned section view, and
isometric section view.
Full section view:
With full section command, you can create variety of section view of a 3D layout view by define the section
position. If two points are picked and full section line through the model, the full section view is created. If
more points are picked, the stepped section view could be created. The picture below shows the two
different full section view.

Full section view

Aligned section view:


With this command, you can create the section view in two directions, the picture below is an example of
aligned section view.

Aligned section view

Isometric section view:


In this command, the section line should be defined in the part by Named Section command in Wireframe
ribbon tab, and the sketch line should be open. The picture below is an example of isometric section view.

Isometric section view


For more other commands in view, please refer to From entry to master tutorial.
6.4.4 Edit the section view attribute
After creating the view, you can redefine the section view by right menu of section view or select the
Redefine Section command from layout ribbon tab.
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Redefine section

If you want to edit the section line which is created by Full Section command, the section line can be edited
after creating the view.
You can select the Insert Step option from right menu of section line and then point to insert the step by
dragging and dropping the insert point to the suitable position to get a new section line.
Or if you want to reverse the section line direction, you could also select the Reverse Direction option from
right menu of section line.

Insert step Reverse direction

6.4.5 Create the dimension


After finish creating the view, the next step is adding the dimensions.
In ZW3D, you can use quick dimension tool or other dimension tools to create the required dimensions.

Dimension ribbon tab

The pictures below show the example of the adding the common dimension.

Quick dimension

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Linear dimension

Radial/Diametric dimension
Moreover, for the hole dimension, you can use the Hole Callout command to create one or more hole callout
dimensions, first select the layout view and then select the holes to add callouts.
The picture below shows an example of hole callout dimension.

Hole Callout dimension

6.4.6 Add the Tolerance


There are several methods to add the tolerance, you can either use the Modify Tolerance command from
Dimension ribbon tab or right click the dimension and then select Modify Tolerance command to edit the
tolerance.

Modify tolerance

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Besides, you can also us the right click the blank area in the ribbon toolbar to open quick dim tool the modify
the tolerance, the picture below shows the operation steps of this method.

Modify tolerance by DimTool

With quick dimension tools, we could quickly and easily add some dimension symbols such as Ø /R and directly
set dimension tolerance or precision.
If you want to add tolerance zone, you can select Tolerance zone type and open tolerance inquiry to select
suitable tolerance zone as shown in the picture below.

Tolerance inquiry

6.4.7 Annotation and symbol


The picture below shows annotation and symbol tools in ZW3D.

Annotation and symbol tools in ZW3D

In this section, we will introduce the most common used tools of annotation and symbol.
Center Mark/Line:
With Center Mark command, you can create a center mark at an arc or circle.

Center mark

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With Center Line command, you can create a center line mark between lines, arcs or circles.

Center line

With Center Mark Circle command, you can place a center line through a circular pattern.

Center mark circle

Datum Feature:
With Datum Feature command, you can create a datum feature.

Datum feature

Feature Control Symbol:


With this command, you can create a feature control symbol.

Feature control

Surface Finish Symbol:


Surface Finish represents the quality of part surface machining therefore in 2d view, it I s required to select
the edge to define the surface finish symbol.

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Product Design

Surface finish

Label/Text:
With this command, you can create a label manually.

Label
6.4.8 Create a BOM table
Select the BOM command from Layout ribbon tab and select the view to create a BOM table, then add the
name for BOM.

Create a BOM table

Below is the definition of commonly used option in level setting of BOM table.
Top-level only: Only list out parts and sub-assemblies excluding sub-assembly components
Parts only: Only list out all parts including the one from all sub-assemblies, but not list sub-assembly.
Each subassembly component is an individual item.
In table format, you could use the left/right arrow to add or delete the attribute and use up/down arow to
rearrange the sequence of the attribute.

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Product Design

Table format

6.5 2D Drawing Case of a Part


Now we have finished the basic study of 2D drawing. In this section, we will take a Valve Cover as an example
to teach you how to create a 2D drawing for a part.
The picture below shows the completed 2D drawing of a valve cover.

2D drawing of a valve cover

6.5.1 Create the View


STEP 01 Open Valve Cover part, right click the blank area of the graphic area and select 2D Sheet from right-
click menu, then select A4_H(ANSI) as the template.

Create the 2D sheet for valve cover


STEP 02 Select Standard view command from Layout ribbon tab and select Front view of Valve Cover, then
set the scale to 1:1.5.

Create the front view of valve cover

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Product Design
STEP 03 Select Projection view command to create other two views of Valve Cover as shown below.

Projection view of valve cover

6.5.2 Add Annotation and Symbol


STEP 01 Select Quick Dimension tool from Dimension ribbon tab and add the dimension between two bolt
holes of Valve Cover in the front view,
Then set the precision to 0.1 from DimTool and the tolerance from Modify Tolerance as shown
below.

Add the dimension and annotation


STEP 02 Select Quick Dimension tool from Dimension ribbon tab and add the dimension of Valve Cover port
in the front view, add the diameter symbol and tolerance from quick dim tool as shown below.

Add the dimension and annotation


STEP 03 Select Feature Control Symbol Editor tool from Dimension ribbon tab and set the parameters as
shown below.

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Product Design

Add feature control symbol

STEP 04 Finish all the remaining dimension and symbol with same method, and the results are shown as the
picture below.

Remaining dimension and symbol

STEP 05 Open Style Manager from Tool ribbon tab, select Dimensions and set the parameters in General
and Text tabs as shown below.

Set the parameter in the General and Text tabs in Style Manager

STEP 06 Adjust the position of annotation and symbols, and you will get the results as below.

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Product Design

The 2D drawing of valve cover


6.5.3 Create the Part Attribute on Title Block
STEP 01 Select Text command from Sketch ribbon tab and add it on the Title cell, then open the Text Editor
and add the link with Variable Part_Name, see the image below.

Add text variable on title block

STEP 02 After finishing the definition of the variable link and the back to the 2D sheet level you will get the
result as shown below.

The result of the title block


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Product Design
6.6 2D Drawing Case of Assembly
Now we have finished the 2D drawing of a valve cover, in this section, we will take a ball valve as an example
to teach you how to create a 2D drawing for an assembly.
The picture below shows the completed 2D drawing of the ball valve assembly.

The 2D drawing of the ball valve assembly

6.6.1 Create the View


STEP 01 Open Valve (Assembly) and select 2D Sheet from right-click menu. Then select A3_H(ANSI) as the
template.

Create the 2D sheet of Valve (Assembly)

STEP 02 Select Standard view command from Layout ribbon tab and select the front view of Valve
(Assembly). Then set the scale to 1:1.5.

Created the front view of Valve (Assembly)

STEP 03 Select Broken Section command from Layout ribbon tab to create the broken section for the front
view of Valve (Assembly) according to the setting below.

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Product Design

Create the broken section

STEP 04 Select Full Section command from Layout ribbon tab and create the section view from front view
(Tick the Flip arrow in Section Line).

Create the full section

STEP 05 Select Projection view command from Layout ribbon tab to create the projection view of the section
view which was created in the last step (Select 1st angle for Projection in Settings).

Create the projection view


6.6.2 Add Annotation and Symbol
STEP 01 Select Quick dimension tool from Dimension ribbon tab and add the dimension for Valve Rod in the
section view, and the diameter symbol, and set the precision to 0 and the tolerance as shown below.

Add the dimension and tolerance

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Product Design
STEP 02 Finish all the remaining dimensions with same method, as shown by the picture below.

Add remaining dimensions

STEP 03 Open Style Manager from Tools ribbon tab, select Dimensions and set the parameters in General
and Text tabs as shown below.

Set the parameters in General and Text tabs in Style Manager


STEP 04 Adjust the position of annotations and symbols, then you will get the results as below.

The 2D drawing of ball valve

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Product Design
6.6.3 Add Balloon
STEP 01 Select Auto Balloon tool from Dimension ribbon tab and add the balloon for section view of the
valve assembly, Then select square as the pattern type and skip left side in Layout setting as shown
below.

Auto balloon
6.6.4 Create a BOM Table
STEP 01 Select BOM command from Layout ribbon tab and select the section view of the valve assembly,
then add the name and define the table format as shown below.

Create the BOM table

STEP 02 Select all the text in the BOM table and the Cell setting dialog will pop-up, then click More cell
attributes and set the Text Shape as shown below.

Set the text shape


STEP 03 Adjust the BOM table to the appropriate size and drag it to the bottom right corner to match the
template.

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Product Design

Adjust the position of BOM table

Now we have finished all the steps of creating the 2D drawing of the ball valve assembly.

The 2D drawing of the ball valve assembly

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