Complex Models Making It Hard to Select Features?

Selection Trap allows the user to quickly select features in difficult to see locations. Using this featur ein CATIA V5 can speed up modeling of complicated parts and assemblies, which may be difficult to manipulate.

Dimensional Analysis taking forever because you are struggling to click on points?

Ever feel like your geometry is filled with bottomless holes?

Can’t click the bottom of that hole for a hole and pin?

Complex geometry making it difficult to connect points and set up moves?

There are multiple methods of selecting geometry in CATIA other than a mouse click. If a point is covered or blocked by geometry, the following will show you how to find the point and select it.

In this Tips and Tactics, we will be covering the CATIA Selection Toolbar.

Those familiar with 3DCS Variation Analyst Multi-CAD may get frustrated when switching to 3DCS Variation Analyst CAA V5 Based integrated in CATIA V5 as they attempt to select a point meshed with other points and buried inside a part under other surfaces. This is a quick method of selecting such a point quickly and easily.

Selection Trap Above Geometry

This option on the Selection Toolbar will allow the user to select the point while being zoomed in to the assembly to see the point and without selecting unwanted geometry.

Use Selection Trap to get a hold of those hard to reach points

Using the Selection Trap

The Selection Trap function is located on the Selection Toolbar. The Selection Toolbar is located near the Compass in CATIA.

Use the icon to activate Selection Trap Above Geometry. While a CATIA function, it can also be used while selecting Point(s) in a 3DCS Move, Tolerance or Measure.

Some tips here to make it easier:

1. You can double-click the icon to keep from exiting your Point Selection option.

2. Remember that You can pull the toolbar out to keep it handy so as to quickly select Selection Trap Above Geometry. This is especially useful when applying effects to multiple points.