CAD parameters are a subset of the application parameters. As the name implies, CAD parameters come from a CAD system and are used to define the geometry in the CAD system. Although each CAD system assigns its parameters differently, the Mechanical application identifies them via a key (ans; ds or ANS: DS). This identifier can appear either at the beginning or the end of the parameter name and does not need to be separated from the name with an underscore or any other character. By identifying the parameters of interest you can effectively filter CAD parameter exposure. Any of the following examples are valid CAD parameter names using ANS; DS or ans: ds as the key:

ANS; DS is the default key for importing CAD parameters into the application. You can change this default via the Personal Parameter Key option on the Geometry Preferences.

CAD parameters must be assigned correctly in the CAD system in order to be imported. Refer to your CAD system instructions for detailed information on assigning these parameters. Some system specific notes are included here for your convenience. Remember that these are all actions that must be performed in the CAD system before importing the model. CAD systems include:

Autodesk Inventor

After a part is open in Inventor, click Tools> Parameters. In the Parameters dialog box, click a parameter name under the Parameter Name column, modify the parameter name to include ans; ds at either the beginning or end of the name and click Enter. Click Done to close the Parameters dialog box.

For detailed information, see CAD Integration.

CATIA V5

After a part is open in CATIA V5, click Tools> Formula. In the Formulas dialog box, select the desired parameter in the scrolling list. In the "Edit name or value of the current parameter" field, modify the parameter name to include ans; ds at either the beginning or end of the name, then click OK or Apply.

For detailed information, see CATIA V5 Associative Geometry Interface (*.CATPart, *.CATProduct) in the CAD Integration section of the product help.

Creo Parametric (formerly Pro/ENGINEER)

In Creo Parametric, modify the parameter name by selecting the feature it belongs to, right-click Edit. Creo Parametric will then display all dimensions (parameters) for the selected feature. If the model shows numeric values, then select Info> SwitchDims so that the names are text based instead of numeric. Next, select the dimension/parameter you wish to rename, it will turn red when selected. Then hold down right-click until a menu appears and there select Properties. The Dimension Properties dialog box will appear, select the Dimension Text tab. Here you can give the dimension a new name, also be sure to change the @D to @S (case sensitive) before completing the modification by clicking OK.

For detailed information, see Creo Parametric Associative Geometry Interface (*.prt, *.asm) in the CAD Integration section of the product help.

NX

After a model is opened in NX, click Application > Modeling and Tools > Expression. In the Edit Expressions dialog box, select the expression with the variable name that you want to rename and click Rename. Change the expression name in the Rename Variable dialog box to include ans; ds (or whatever matches your parameter key preference) at either the beginning or end of the name and click OK. Click OK/Apply to close the Edit Expressions dialog box.

For detailed information, see NX in the CAD Integration section of the product help.

Solid Edge

After a model is opened in Solid Edge, click Tools> Variables... If the dimensions (type Dim) are not shown in the Variable Table dialog box, click the Filter button for the Filter dialog box. Highlight both Dimensions and User Variables under the Type column; select Both under the Named By column and select File under the Graphics in column. Then click OK. Click the name of a dimension (under the Name column), modify the dimension name to include ans; ds at either the beginning or end of the name and click Enter. Close the Variable Table dialog box.

For detailed information, see Solid Edge in the CAD Integration section of the product help.

SOLIDWORKS

In SOLIDWORKS, open the part and then click the part or on the feature in the tree. Then right-click the dimension on the model, open the Properties dialog box, and edit the name of the dimension.

For detailed information, see SOLIDWORKS in the CAD Integration section of the product help.