Generating CGR Views

This task will show you how to generate a view using the CGR format (CATIA Graphical Representation).

CGR corresponds to a data format containing a graphical representation of the geometry only, which is available with the Visualization mode (as opposed to the exact geometry, which is available with the Design mode). With CGR, only the external appearance of the component is used and displayed; the geometry is not available. The corresponding .cgr file, if it exists, is inserted from the cache system. CGR-generated views are not as high in quality as non-CGR views, but they consume much less memory during the generation. This may be useful when you deal with sophisticated products or assemblies involving large amounts of data.

Using CGR to generate views offers the following advantages:

	Optimize memory consumption when generating and handling views for large products or assemblies,
	Generate views from third-party data (such as MultiCAD).

Activate the Work with the cache system setting. Open the Gun_Body.CATProduct document. The document is automatically open in Visualization mode. For more information, see Using the Cache Memory in the Infrastructure User's Guide and Visualization mode in the Product Structure User's Guide.

Define a new drawing sheet.

1. Select the Tools -> Options command. The Options dialog box appears.

2. Click Mechanical Design -> Drafting in the list of objects to the left of the Options dialog box.

3. Select the Generation tab.

4. In the Geometry generation / Dress up area, check the Generate View from CGR box.

As you can notice, all other options on the Generation tab have become unavailable, except for Hidden lines.

The Only generate parts larger than option has become available. This lets you specify that you only want to generate parts which are larger than a certain size. Leave the option unselected.

5. From the open CATProduct document, you can create either one of the following view types:

	Front view,
	Advanced front view,
	Projection view,
	Auxiliary view,
	Isometric view.

Create a front view, for instance. The view is generated, based on the CGR format.

6. With the Generate View from CGR box checked in the Options dialog box, you can also create either one of the following view types:

	Quick detail views
	Quick detail view profiles
	Clipping views
	Clipping view profiles
	Broken views

For the purpose of this exercise, you will create one of the above-listed view types from a CGR-generated view. However, with the Generate View from CGR box checked, you can also create any of these view types from non-CGR views.

Create a quick detail view, for instance. The view is generated, based on the CGR format.

When the Generate View from CGR box is checked in the Options dialog box, you cannot create the following view types:

	Section views
	Section cuts
	Detail views
	Detail view profiles
	Breakout views

7. If you need, you can always turn a CGR view into an exact view and vice-versa. To do so, right-click the front view and select Properties from the contextual menu. The Properties dialog box is displayed.

8. Click the View tab and select Exact from the Generation Mode area. The view is turned into an exact view and the geometry becomes available.

	Auxiliary view profiles, dimensions, annotations, etc. will not be associative on CGR views.
	You cannot project 3D elements such as wireframes, points, etc. on CGR views.
	CGR views cannot contain dressup elements (axis, center lines, threads).