Course Overview
The CAD Customization program is a specialized developer-track course focused on extending the native capabilities of industry-leading design software. This course teaches engineers how to reduce design cycle times by automating repetitive tasks, creating custom user interfaces, and building intelligent features. You will learn to navigate the NX Open and CATIA CAA/V5 Automation frameworks to develop high-performance engineering applications. By the end of this course, you will be capable of building custom toolbars and automation scripts that integrate directly into the designer's workflow.
Technical Curriculum
- NX Open API Foundations: Mastering the NX Open architecture to automate modeling, drafting, and assemblies using C++ or .NET.
- CATIA Automation: Utilizing VBA and CAA (Component Application Architecture) to manipulate CATIA geometry and product structures.
- Custom UI Development: Designing professional dialog boxes and menus using Block UI Styler and UserForms for improved interaction.
- Geometry Automation: Writing scripts to programmatically create complex surfaces and solids based on mathematical parameters.
- Metadata Management: Automating the synchronization of CAD properties and BOM data between design tools and PLM systems.
- Feature Logic: Developing custom features and automated constraints to ensure consistent design intent across modifications.
- Batch Utilities: Building standalone tools for bulk file conversion, automated drawing generation, and mass data exports.
- Optimization: Best practices for debugging plugins and ensuring high performance when handling large assembly data.