# Pro Engineer/Definitions

A
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Accuracy.
The smallest item that can be recognised by pro/engineer. Usually defined as ratio of the longest diagonal through the model. Typically 0.0012.
Active Model
Title bar has stars on each side of the name. Will accept menu commands from the side menu. Use CTRL+A or the tick icon to make the window active.
Active Window
Window with the blue bar, will accept spinning and rendering commands. Plus some info menu picks. Other commands are restricted for use with the active model.
Alpha
The optional fourth-channel in an RGB image file, typically used for compositing.
Ambient Light
A light that equally affects all portions of all objects in the rendering scene.
Appearance
A set of attributes that determine the appearance of a surface. These attributes include color, reflecting ability, transparency, texture, and so forth.
Area Offset
Offsets a whole or part surface, similar to form. Side walls are added to join the offset area to main surface.
Associative Topology Bus
A method for transferring data between applications whilst retaining associativity.
Axis
See datum axis.
ATB
See Associative Topology Bus
B
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BMP
Bitmap
BMX
Behavioural Modelling Extension
Both Sides
When creating extruded features the feature is created on both sides of the sketch plane.
Boundary Influence
Controls how far the boundary condition propagates across a boundary surface.
Boundary Conditions
Property of surface at edges e.g. tangent/normal to adjacent surfaces or tangent normal to sketch plane
Boundary Surface
A surface defined using two or more curves.
Briefcase
A method in Pro/Intralinkcommonspace to collect objects together.
Brightness
The property of an appearance that determines its intensity after the hue is chosen.
Bump Map
A one-channel texture map that creates the illusion of surface roughness.
Bump Height
The height or depression of the bump map features.
C
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C0 continuity
example
Position continuity only. Curves have a kink at the C0 point and surfaces have a sharp crease along the C0 seam. Abutting curves and surfaces touch one another, but they have no curvature similarities.
C1 continuity
example
Position and tangent continuity. The edges between a ball fillet and its adjacent faces are examples of C1 continuity.
C2 continuity
example
Position, tangent, and curvature continuity. Curves and surfaces are perfectly smooth, and the curvature at the joint between two abutting curves or surfaces is equal. Consequently, the joint is seamless and invisible.
CAD
Computer Aided Design Computer Aided Drafting
CADD
Computer Aided Design And Drafting
CAE
Computer Aided Engineering
CAM
Computer Aided Manufacture
Capped Ends
Creates a surface with ends closed off forming an enclosed volume e.g. a sketch of circle with closed ends will form a cylinder instead of a tube. Requires the sketch to be closed.
CEP
Certified Engineering Provider
CGM
Computer Graphics Metafile
Chamfer
Removes the corner or edge of a solid by a specified amount.
Check In
Process of moving objects from workspace to commonspace.
Check Out
Process of moving objects from commonspace to workspace to view or modify.
Clip
A graphical method for cutting the model through a plane parallel to the view screen at a user definable depth.
Closed Loop
Sketch entities that enclose an area without intersection or overlap
Closed Sketch
The sketched entities form a continuous loop with no gaps or overlapping entities.
Color Blender
A part of the color editor that provides a continuous range of colors. Blend colors between the blender's four color chips.
Color Box
A part of the color editor that allows you to define colors along two axes based on red, green, and blue values of colors.
Color Pallette
A part of the color editor that provides an array of colors.
Color Texture
A three-channel texture map that consists of red, green, and blue values.
Color Wheel
A part of the color editor that allows you to select colors based on hue, saturation, and brightness.
Commonspace
Vault area of Pro/Intralink where pro/engineer models can be stored and shared.
Component
A component is a part or sub-assembly assembled into an assembly
Component Interface
A method by which the preferred assembly references can be denoted at part level.
Control Points
Used in Boundary Surfaces to determine how surfaces are sub-divided.
Coordinate system
See datum coordinate system
Copy Geometry
A feature that can copy geometry references from on model to another. References can be made to all feature types. It should be noted solids cannot be copied but the surface information of a solid can be copied to the target model. See publish geometry.
CPC
Collaborative Product Commerce
Cross-section
See X-section
Create
Accesses the feature creation menu
Curvature
example
Curvature is defined as 1/r. A curvature plot measures the curvature at points on a curve. A line is plotted at that point normal to the curve. The length is proportional to 1/r. The line is scaled up to make it easier to see.
Cut
A feature to remove material from a model.
Curve
See datum curve
D
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Datum Axis
Datum axes are infinitely thin lines that extend indefinitely in both directions. There are usually shown truncated around the parent feature. Axes can be created manually. They are also created automatically when adding hole features, revolved features.
They can be defined in intent manger when defining closed sketches.
Datum Plane
Datum Planes represent infinitely thin flat planes that extend infinitely in two perpendicular directions.
For display purpose a rectangular outline is shown. By default datum planes resize to the size of the model. They can be redefined to a specific size or linked to the size of a feature.
Datum planes can be used in as surfaces in some surface operations.
One side of the datum is coloured yellow and the other side is red.
Datum Curve
Datum curves represent curves (inc. straight) that exist in space as 2D or 3D entities. They can curve in more than one direction at a time.
Datum curves are orange (they appear brown to a lot of users)
Datum Coordinate Systems
Coordinate systems represent an origin in space with an X, Y and Z defined.
The main uses are for offsetting points, creating datum curves from equations and assembling sub assemblies.
Datum Point
A datum point represents a point in space usually defined relative to a coordinate system
Decal
A four-channel texture map that consists of a standard color texture map and a transparency (or alpha) channel. See Alpha.
Declare
Use to link models and layouts.
Delete
Permanently remove a feature or entity from Pro/Engineer. When used on patterns the original feature is deleted.
Del Pattern
Deletes a pattern but leaves the original feature.
Density
Sets the model density. The density is used by mass property calculations.
Depth Cue
Visual setting to dim lines that are furthest away from the view plane.
Designate
Parameters can be designated so the can be 'seen' by PDM systems.
Dihedral Angle
The angle between two adjacent surfaces. Usually the maximum and minimum are returned.
Dim Bound
The ability to regenerate dimensions to upper, lower, mid or nominal tolerance value.
Direction Light
A type of light that creates parallel light rays, which simulates the sun.
Draft
Used to add angled sides to solids and surfaces. Typically used in parts that are cast, molded or forged.
Draft Offset
Similar to area offset but the angle of area's offset can be specified.
E
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EAI
Enterprise Application Integration
Edge
Where two faces meet or the perimeter of a face.
EPS
Encapsulated PostScript
Erase
In the context of Pro/Engineer Erase means suppressed or blanked. Erased features can be resumed or shown to restore them.
ERP
Enterprise Resource Planning
ERM
Enterprise Resource Management
Extend
Grows additional surfaces from existing surface edges
F
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Family Table
A method for creating a 'family' of related parts. This is achieved by varying dimensions, including and excluding features.
Face
Feature
Most operations in Pro/Engineer create features
-Solids
-Surfaces
-Datums
-Cosmetic
-CopyGeom
-UDF's
This includes
Protrusions, tweaks, cuts, holes, trims, axes, surface merges, bends, unbends.
The following are not features
-Parameters
-Colours
-Tolerances
-Layers
All features appear in the model tree if they don't then they are not features
Feature Name
Assigned automatically when the feature is created using the feature type and feature id. The feature name can be modified by the user.
Feature Number
Sequential number assigned to each feature based on the features place in the model's history. A feature's feature number will change when the model's history is modified.
Feature ID
A unique number assigned when a feature is created. This number doesn't change. This number is not reused within a model if a feature is deleted.
Family Table
Use to create families of parts. A part created by family table is called an instance. The table can be used to vary dimensions, suppress/ resume features and substitute components. A containing a family table is called a 'generic' part.
FEA
Finite Element Analysis
Frames
Method by which actions in a Pro/Intralink workspace can be undone.
Free Form
A feature that stretches and pulls existing surfaces.
G
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Gamma
An inherently non-linear reproduction of intensities by a display device (monitor).
Gamma Correction
Correcting image data such that linear changes in image data will produce linear changes in the displayed image.
Generic
A model that contains a family table.
GIF
Graphics Interchange Format
Grid
Grids can be displayed in models, sketcher and details
Graph
A 2D curve or graph that can be used to control features such as variable section sweeps or used to extract a 'y' value based on an x value.
Groups
A collection of features
H
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History
Sequence of features in a model. The sequence of features affects the model geometry. The history is displayed graphically in the model tree. The feature number defines the sequence of the feature.
HPGL
Hewlett Packard graphics Language
Hue
The basic shade, or tint, which defines a color.
I
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IGES
International Graphics Exchange Specification
Insert Mode
Used to add features at an earlier point in the model's history
Instance
A part created by a generic model's family table.
Integrate
Use to merge two different versions of the same model.
Intent Manager
Replaced Sketcher at version 20. Used in the creation of most features. Used to create sketch geometry and add design intent
Interchange
A method swapping models in assembly. Useful when the alternate model is unrelated to the original model.
ISDX
Interactive Surface Design Extension
J
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JPG, JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group
K
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L
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Layers
Used to blank/display components, datums, and surfaces. Features cannot be blanked using layers. Layers can also be used as a selection criteria.
Light
Necessary for all renderings, lights have position, color and brightness. Some lights also have direction, spread or concentration. There are four types of lights: ambient, direction, point, and spotlight.
Light Room
A rendering option that determines whether the room is lit by user-defined lights or by a standard ambient lighting.
LM
Licence Management
M
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Mapkey
A method of recording and replaying a series of actions (macro). Excellent way for speeding up common tasks.
Material Side
Sets on which side of open sketch entity material is added.
MDX
Mechanism Design Extension
Mechanica
PTC's FEA and simulation tool
Merge
A feature that joins two surfaces together.
MDO
Mechanism Dynamics Option
Mirror Geom
Mirror whole model
Model Tree
Graphical display of the model's history and structure
MPEG, MPG
Moving Picture Experts Group
N
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Nastran
NASA Structural Analysis System
Note
Notes are added to drawings and models to aid documentation. 3D notes can be linked to features with the option of having a web page link.
O
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Object
An object can be a Feature, Component, Note or an other item that appear in the model tree
Offset Edge
Used in Intent Manager to construct sketch entities from existing geometry.
One Side
When creating extruded features the feature is created on one side of the sketch plane. The direction can be changed with redefine and selecting Direction.
Open Ends
Creates a surface feature without ends, e.g. a tube
Open Sketch
A sketch where the two ends do not meet, or there is a gap in the sketch. Open sketches also occur when the sketch entities form a closed loop, but there are additional sketch entities coincident with the closed loop.
Open Loop
P
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Palette
A collection of rendering objects that are displayed together in an editor. There are palettes for appearances and lights.
Part
Solid model representing a component
PDM
Product Data Management Parametric Data Manager (PTC)
Photorender
A rendering utility that creates photorealistic images of a scene.
PIV
Product Item Version - this represents the combination of the object name version and revision.
Pixel
A single dot of an image, displayed by the combination of three primary colors: red, green, and blue.
Plane
See datum plane
PLM
Product Lifecycle Management
PLM
Product Line Manager (PTC)
Point
See Datum point
Point Light
A type of light where the illumination radiates from the center of the bulb.
Program
Program is used to create intelligent parts that change based on user input.
Protrusion
Generic terms for any solid feature.
Pro/Intralink
Data manager for Pro/Engineer
PS
Postscript
Publish Geometry
Group geometry you want other users to reference
Program
Facility to modify the model design with the option to add conditional statements to control the model design.
Q
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Quilt
A group of surfaces joined together.
R
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Reference Control
Limits what references can be made.
Reference Dimension
Reference Dimensions can be added in models and drawings. They are driven dimensions and cannot be used to modify the model.
Reference Entity
Reference entities in Intent Manager are created by :-
Specify Refs, Entities picked to create dimensions Entities pick during Use Edge and Offset Edge.
Redefine
Used to change a features definition. Sketch planes, the section sketch, depth etc.
Reflection
The degree to which a model reflects its surroundings.
Regenerate
Incorporates changes made to the model since the last regeneration
Relations
Facility to drive dimension values by equation. Dimensions values can be related to other dimensions, parameters or graph features.
Render
To create a shaded image in order to give the model a more realistic appearance
Reorder
Moves a feature before or after other features in the model's history.
Reroute
Changes the references used to construct a feature. Or used to swap and old feature for a new feature.
Resume
Restores / unsuppresses suppressed features
RGB
The red, green, and blue values of a color.
RHO
See tutorial
Round
A feature that creates a fillet along an edge or between two surfaces.
RUG
Regional User Group
S
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Saturation
The purity of the hue in a color. An "unsaturated" color is gray.
Self Shadows
A rendering option that causes shadows from a model to be cast onto itself.
Skeleton
Model used to define geometry that is shared between parts in an assembly. Often used to to create mechanism frameworks, define global datums.
Shell
A feature that removes a specified surface and hollows the solid to a specified wall thickness.
Simplified Rep
A subset of the main model with components blanked or substituted with simple alternatives. Part simplified reps can be used to cut models into sub sections.
The principal use is to speed up rendering, and to make easier to work on complex models.
Solid
A volume fully enclosed by surfaces where the any point in space can be analysed to know whether it is inside or outside the enclosed area.
Spline
A curve that passes through a number of points. Can be defined in sketcher on a 2D plane or in 3D through a series of points or vertices.
Spot Angle
The diameter of a spotlight's circle of light.
Spot Light
A type of light whose light rays are confined within a cone.
Spot Focus
The sharpness of a spotlight's beam.
STEP
Standard For The Exchange Of Product Model Data
Specify Refs
Used to specify which entities you want intent manager to use for dimensions and constraints.
STL
Stereo Lithography
Style
Feature created by ISDX
Surface
A face bounded by at least three edges
Suppress
Same as Delete except feature can be restored (resume (d)) at a later date
Sweep
Geometry formed by a profile dragged (swept) along a trajectory
Swept Blend
Geometry formed by different profiles positioned on a trajectory
T
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TAN
Technical Application Note
Texture
An image that is used to determine the color or appearance of a surface. See Appearance.
TIFF
Tagged Image File Format
TPI
Technical Point of Interest
Trail
The trail or trail file records all actions made during a session. It is possible to replay trail files to rebuild models lost due to crashes or as a presentation method.
Trajectories
Used to create sweeps, variable section sweeps, and swept blends. Trajectories can be defined by sketching or selecting existing geometry.
Transform
Translate or move a surface with the option to create a copy. (can be used on datum curves)
Transparency
The degree to which you can see through a surface.
Trim
Type of cut specifically for surfaces.
Tweak
A feature that transforms an existing feature.
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Units
Units of measure for length mass and force. Custom units can be defined. Models can be converted from one type of unit to another.
UPR
Universal Product Representation
Use Edge
Used in Intent Manager to construct sketch entities from existing geometry.
User Defined Feature UDF
UDF's allow collections or features to be used. UDF's are a special type of group.
V
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Var Sec Swp
See Variable Section Sweep
Vertex (vertices)
Ends of edges, curves typically found where a number of edges join. Also found where sub-entities of a ketch join.
Variable Section Sweep
A sweep where the section changes in size. Requires at least two trajectories.
W
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WMF
Windows Metafile
Workspace
Models are checked out from commonspace to workspace for modification. The workspace is a database and folder area located in the users network directory.
X
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X-section
(Cross-Section) A slice through either a solid or quilt.
Y
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Yellow Side
One side of datum, system will assume the yellow side to be positive first. The positive side
Z
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Product Acronyms
AAX
Advanced Assembly Extension
APX
Assembly Performance Extension
ARX
Advanced Rendering Extension
ASX
Advanced Surfacing Extension
BMX
Behavioural Modelling Extension
CDRS
Conceptual Design & Rendering Software
DAO
Design Animation Option
DDO
(Import) Data Doctor Option
EMO
Expert Machinist Option
IDX
Industrial Design Extension
ISDX
Interactive Surface Design Extension
MDO
Mechanical Dynamics Option
MDX
Mechanical Design Extension
MSO
Machine Simulation Option
NOO
NC Optimisation Option
RSD
Routed System Designer