Learn How to Create a PowerPoint Report Out of 3DCS

3DCS Version 7.5 comes with new options for making reports, including automated PowerPoint reports. 

With the latest release of 3DCS 7.5.0.0, users are now able to create 3DCS reports in PowerPoint and Word. The PowerPoint report requires a template, which can be modified to your standards or needs. 

To see this feature and more from 3DCS Version 7.5 in action, join DCS as it hosts the 3DCS Version 7.5 Webinar Series -- 

To learn more about generating a Report using other methods or about the dialog, please review the Help Manual for more details (available to all DCS Community members. Register for Free at https://community.3dcs.com/ ).

Checklist: Steps to Create and Validate a 3DCS Tolerance Analysis Model

Creating accurate models can be difficult. There are a variety of steps and tools that need to be used in order to get results that can be applied to manufacturing with confidence. 

Modeling and simulation are important to reducing costs, but can be intimidating prospects for new users.

3DCS, by its very nature of being an advanced tolerance analysis tool, can be complicated for new users. Many of these users are at a loss when it comes to starting a new model on their own. Here is a checklist to help you with your modeling process. 

For more details on individual steps and processes, visit and register at the DCS Community: https://community.3dcs.com

Color Contour (Color Mapping)

                    in 3DCS Variation Analyst

Color Contour (also known as Color Mapping) is a visualization tool which shows the level of variation on parts during Deviation and Simulation. It allows a user to pinpoint part and assembly tolerances, and measurements that are most critical to the assembly process.

How do I start using the tool?

        No crayons or color pencils are required but a 3DCS Variation Analysis license is needed to run 3DCS. To apply Color Contour, the user will need to locate the 3DCS Display Toolbar and activate Color Contour. Once the user activates Color Contour, Multi-CAD, CATIA V5 and 3DEXPERIENCE require a specific visualization type. This is automatically changed in the software and will produce a warning to show the user it changed. Open the Color Contour options to activate the legend.

• To view Color Contour while in Deviation, a model requires at least one Move and one Tolerance or GD&T callout.
• To view Color Contour in a Simulation, a model will require at least one Move, one Tolerance or GD&T and one Measure.

Note: A user can have both a Simulation window open and show Deviation by either clicking in the Graph window or the Simulation window.

Alias Display for 3DCS CATIA, NX and Multi-CAD Tolerance Analysis

Stop spending time naming points and measures, and instead change all your points, measurements, tolerances and moves with one interface. Need to change them back? Make it temporary and switch back when you're done! Read on to find out more

Datum Shift Simulators in Variation Analysis

Datum Shift refers to the available assembly clearance of a part when located in a fixture for gauging.

Edited 6-10-2015

When a datum in a datum reference frame (DRF) is specified at MMC/MMB, the datum feature simulators (e.g. gage pins) will be made as though the datum features are at their MMB (e.g. holes at their smallest size.)  Therefore, when a part with datum features not at MMB is placed on the gage, it can be adjusted so that the features being measured are closer to nominal.  Since the measured variation is less, the features can have more variation relative to each datum axis or center-plane.

3DCS and QDM Wizards - Tools and DLL's to Make CAD Modeling Easier

Introduction: Model or Template Wizards 

We’re not talking about Gandolf or Merlin for 3DCS, but helpful tools that will help users with their overall modeling experience. These tools are often overlooked by both 3DCS and QDM users. If you are looking for specific information about these tools, visit the DCS Community and view the Help Manual. More information about these tools is available in the Community or the Help Manual         

 This month’s Tips and Tactics will go through a list of available Wizards and helpful tools for 3DCS and QDM; where they are at and how they can help users with their 3DCS model or with QDM template creation.

How to Bring Real Manufacturing Data into Your 3D CAD Simulation

3DCS Variation Analyst and QDM - Quality Data Management Systems can be used together to create a Closed Loop approach to quality. This creates feedback loops in process, bringing inspection data from manufacturing into the 3D CAD model for root cause analysis, design optimization and continuous quality improvement. 

So how does this solution work?

Enhanced Scenes

     Customizing Your Assembly in CATIA V5 and 3DCS

Enhanced Scenes allow you to customize the configuration of your model at nominal and exploded view. This can be helpful when modeling assembly processes or checking your work.

CATIA Symmetry and 3DCS Mirror 

Useful tips on quickly creating symmetrical models and duplicating data.

This Tips and Tactics will display how both Mirror and Symmetry work together to reduce modeling time and create symmetrical models.   

The Symmetry function in CATIA V5 is used to create a symmetrical mate to a part or assembly. This allows users to quickly craft only half of an assembly, and then mirror the other half to create a perfectly symmetrical product.

Sub-Assembly Modeling in CATIA V6 for the 3DExperience

The shift in the 3DExperience to using Manufacturing Simulation for Dimensional Analysis changes the way 3DCS stores data and creates simulations.

In this Tips and Tactics, we explore the methods of sub-assembly tolerance analysis modeling when using 3DCS for V6 in the 3DExperience, starting with the process of bringing 3DCS models from CATIA V5 into CATIA V6.