Tips & Tricks: Working with Joints in Creo 4.0 Advanced Framework

When you’re creating complex frameworks, like complex public building or a rocket launch tower, Creo’s Advanced Framework Extension (AFX) can simplify your work.

The software includes an extensive library of joints, trusses, ladders, and more. Combined with copy and mirror features, you can model massive structures in a very short time.

Repetitive designs are easier to model in Creo AFX.

With the introduction of Creo 4.0, we’ve introduced Advanced Joints and Basic Joints commands. Both commands step you through the process and give you a preview of the completed joint before you commit to the action. Here’s how it works.

Create a Basic Joint

To create a basic joint, follow these steps:

1. Click Framework > Basic Joints. The Basic Joints dialog opens.
2. Select the type of joint you want to create.
3. To create the joint with an offset,
   1. Select With offset.
   2. Enter the offset values.
   3. In the graphics area, select the first profile near its end, coordinate system, or datum point.
   4. In the graphics area, select the second profile, surface, coordinate system, or datum point.
   5. Click OK.

Creating a joint with Basic Joint.

Copy a Joint

With Basic Joints you can copy an existing joint. The joint type and offset will be copied to the selected profile. Follow these steps:

1. If the Basic Joints dialog is open, click Repeat, otherwise click Framework > Basic Joints.
2. In the Basic Joints dialog, click Copy.
3. In the graphics area, select a joint to copy.
4. In the graphics area, select the first profile near its end, coordinate system, or datum point.
5. In the graphics area, select the second profile, surface, coordinate system, or datum point.
6. Click OK.

Copying a joint from one profile to another.

Create an Advanced Joint

The Advanced Joints dialog is simpler than Basic Joints, but it allows you to create joints with more complex geometry. To create an advanced joint, follow these steps:

1. Click Framework > Advanced Joints. The Advanced Joints dialog opens.
2. Select the type of joint you want to create.
3. To create the joint with an offset,
   1. Select With offset.
   2. Enter the offset values.
   3. In the graphics area, select the material to cut. It appears highlighted in green.
   4. In the graphics area, select the reference model. It appears outlined in orange.

A preview of the joint appears in orange. Now just click OK to accept the changes.

Creating a joint with Advanced Joint.

Watch the Demo

You can see a brief demo of these tips in the video below.

To learn more, read the PTC Creo Help Center page, Working with Joints is Easier. 

Start using Creo 4.0 today

This post just barely scratches the surfaces. We’ll have much more in coming weeks. If you haven’t downloaded Creo 4.0 yet, visit the Creo 4.0 page to find out more about this exciting new release and start using it today.