SpaceClaim FAQs

Yes, this is possible in SpaceClaim. To access the borrowing functionality, navigate into SpaceClaim Options > License. The floating license can be checked out for up to 6 months.

Yes. However, SpaceClaim detects the floating license before detecting a non-floating license (i.e. Serial Number), even if it´s off the network. To use a non-floating license, you must first deactivate the floating license, and then rename SPACECLAIM_LICENSE_FILE to SPACECLAIM_LICENSE_FILE_OFF. To deactivate a floating license on a client computer:

• XP: Go to Control Panel>System> Advanced tab in the System Properties window > Environment Variables
• Vista: Control Panel >System> Advanced system settings > Advanced tab in the System Properties window > Environment Variables
• Windows 7: Control Panel>System and Security>System> Advanced system settings > Advanced tab in the System Properties window> Environment Variables To get back onto a floating license, simply rename the system variable to its original name by removing "_OFF".

To learn about floating license installation, go to //files.spaceclaim.com/InstallingFloatingLicenses.pdf

If you have a floating license, your license serial code starts with "FLT-"

While the installation may run successfully, SpaceClaim recommends that you copy the installation files to your local computer before you run the installer.

SpaceClaim recommends that you download the installer prior to running it.

Yes, first extract the Installer.msi file from the .exe installer by opening the archive and navigating to SpaceClaim > Installer.msi. Then place the Installer.msi file in a local drive and then open a command line window, navigate to the file location, and use the following argument:

setup.exe -silent

Yes, but SpaceClaim will be a 32-bit application. You can even have both 32-bit and 64-bit versions installed on the same computer: the 32-bit application will be installed in Program Files (x86) and the 64-bit will be installed in Program Files.

SpaceClaim does not distribute older installers. You are encouraged to maintain your own backups.

The CATIA installers are included in the setup executable when you run the SpaceClaim installer.

This is an error coming from one (or more) of Microsoft's sub installers that we include. It is a fairly common error that may be due to prior incomplete Windows Updates, running a Beta or RC version of the OS, or running with insufficient privileges. Typically, restarting the computer to make sure all updates are installed, and running the installer as admin will resolve the problem.

This error is usually linked to a corrupted installer or displays if you are trying to install SpaceClaim in an account that does not have Administrator privileges.

If no CATIA license is available, the CATIA v5 translation will be disabled.

installer again. If you continue to experience download problems, please contact the SpaceClaim Support Team for assistance at https://www.spaceclaim.com/Support/supportoverview.aspx

Your Windows account must have Administrator privileges.

First time SpaceClaim users will receive an e-mail with installer download (.exe file). For users who have already installed SpaceClaim and registered their license serial code, the installer link can be found on your MySpaceClaim account. Both 32-bit and 64-bit installers are provided, as long as the maintenance is up to date.

SpaceClaim recommends that you download and save the installer to your desktop or local drive for easy access. After SpaceClaim installation completes, you should also backup the installer in another safe location in case you need to reinstall or your maintenance lapses and you cannot redownload the installer from MySpaceClaim.

SpaceClaim operates normally with a valid Serial Number, even on an offline machine. However, SpaceClaim recommends that you use an Internet connection to register your Serial Number online; your MySpaceClaim account will only be created if you register your license online.

Yes. As an option, you can purchase a one year leased license.

In the License screen in SpaceClaim Options, click New License. A message prompt asks you to confirm that you want to remove your existing license. Once you do so, restart SpaceClaim. The Registration page displays. Enter the appropriate information and click Register. After a few moments, your new license registers, and SpaceClaim launches.

You register your Serial Number the first time you run SpaceClaim. After you finish installing SpaceClaim, double-click the SpaceClaim icon that displays on your desktop. The Registration page displays. Enter the appropriate information and click Register. After a few moments, your license registers, and SpaceClaim launches.

You may have existing license information on the machine. You must replace it with a valid license. Please contact the SpaceClaim Support Team for assistance at www.spaceclaim.com/en/Support/supportoverview.aspx

Go to the Download tab in your MySpaceClaim account to view subscription information.

To uninstall SpaceClaim CATIA Translators, for:

• XP: Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs
• Vista: Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features
• Windows 7: Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features

Select the SpaceClaim CATIA V5 Exchange program from the list and click Uninstall. Follow the dialog box prompts to complete the uninstall procedure.

To uninstall all versions of SpaceClaim, for:

• XP: Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs
• Vista: Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features
• Windows 7: Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features

Select the SpaceClaim program from the list and click Uninstall. Follow the dialog box prompts to complete the uninstall procedure.

When finished uninstalling, verify that the SpaceClaim folder is no longer available under C:Program Files or the installation location. If you do see the folder, simply delete it. You may also wish to remove log files or journal files found in "%APPDATA%\SpaceClaim\Log Files" and "%APPDATA%\SpaceClaim\Journal Files".

Yes. In the Startup options group of the Popular screen in SpaceClaim Options, clear the Check for software updates checkbox.

Yes. In the Get updates section of the Resources screen in SpaceClaim Options, click the Check for Updates button.

The installers provided in your MySpaceClaim account are always the latest version of SpaceClaim.

You can download an installer from any computer with an Internet connection. After you log in to your MySpaceClaim account, you can transfer an update to your offline computer manually.

If you have an active Internet connection and if your subscription service is active, SpaceClaim automatically notifies you of new updates as they become available: a status notification message will appear in the bottom right hand corner of the SpaceClaim design window.

Yes. Click the Application Menu, then select New > Drawing Sheet. The Detail tab selects by default and provides the tools you use to add annotations and dimensions as needed.

In the Grid group in the Units screen in SpaceClaim Options, enter your grid spacing preference.

After selecting the solid, try the following:

• Select Color from the Design group, and then click the Opacity bar to change the opacity of the model.
• Use the Color or Style Override tools, located in the Style group on the Design tab to set opacity for selected objects. Style Override makes the object opaque or transparent, regardless of face or layer settings. These overrides are automatically deselected when you change the transparency of an object using the Color tool or Style Painter.

By default, surfaces are transparent and solids are opaque.

To add a custom material to the material library:

1. Select on the geometry or the component you wish to add a custom material to.
2. Go to the Properties panel and look for the Material section
3. Click on the Material Name and expand the drop down menu.
4. Select the Local Materials tab
5. Click on the "New" icon
6. Enter in a name for the new material
7. In the Properties panel, add the values that you wish for Density, etc.
8. Open the Local Materials tab again and click the "Add to Library" icon too add to the Library.

In the Graphics performance options group in the Popular screen in SpaceClaim Options, select a higher number Rendering quality. You can choose any number between 1 and 7, where 1 is the lowest rendering quality and 7 is the highest, but be aware that a higher setting may impact performance. Click the Recalculate Rendering button to force recalculation of all surface and line rendering.

In the Graphics performance options group in the Popular screen in SpaceClaim Options, select a lower number Rendering quality. You can choose any number between 1 and 7, where 1 is the lowest rendering quality and 7 is the highest, but be aware that a lower setting may impact graphics quality. Click the Recalculate Rendering button to force recalculation of all surface and line rendering.

Click Save to save the active design as a SpaceClaim document. A top level assembly file will be created, along with a separate file for each external component.

Try the following:

• After making any changes, click the Application Menu, then select Save As > Save As New Version. Different users can now track progress on the model based on the versions you apply.
• Agree that only one person work actively on the model at a time, which allows you and others to see each iteration model as it develops.

Yes, there is a check box in the Options menu under the File options section for STL files: Import as body. Check this option on to import STL files as solids. This imports a solid with the same faces as the STL mesh and you can modify the geometry the same way you would edit solids created in SpaceClaim. Check ON the Merge Faces option to merge the mesh faces during import.

Yes. In the Solids group in the Snap screen in SpaceClaim Options, you can change snap options for both incremental or objects settings.

Use groups to define a set of selected objects or to setup driving dimensions.

• Select a set of objects and click Create Group in the Groups panel to save the selection for future use.
• Create a ruler dimension in the Pull or Move tool and click Create Group to save that dimension as a driving dimension.

Use the Patch blend option within the Fill tool in the Edit group on the Design tab. You can select faces and the Fill tool will automatically create a patch if you also select at least one edge. For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

First, determine if you are dimensioning the model to indicate size and proportion or, if you want to drive changes to the model with dimensions. Both scenarios are described below. Changes to a model are done with tools that use dimensions to define the size of a change. Usually dimensions appear on screen when using a tool to make an edit. For example, when using the Pull tool to change the height of a cylinder, a dimension appears that shows the size of the change:

To create a dimension that measures the height of the cylinder, click the Ruler icon in the Options panel or on the mini-toolbar. Click the bottom of the cylinder to create a temporary dimension that measures the height.Creating dimensions for reference is done with SpaceClaim Annotation tools. Use the Dimension tool on the Detail tab to create dimensions that measure length, angle, and other characteristics. Annotation dimensions can also be used to drive model changes. For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

Rendering is not currently part of the SpaceClaim product at this time. We can provide Keyshot, which offers diverse rendering capabilities, as an add-in for our product. For more information, please contact the SpaceClaim Sales Team at sales@spaceclaim.com to arrange for a free trial.

Patch Blend in the Fill tool uses faces, curves, and points as input when creating a surface patch. The created patch attempts to fit through selected faces, curves, or points. For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

Sketches are not constrained in SpaceClaim because they are not intended to persist. Create a sketch to the correct dimensions, turn it into a surface, and then use the Pull tool to pull it into a solid. For best results, make edits to the resulting solid rather than editing the sketch. For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

A fillet is a round in SpaceClaim. To create a round:

• Click the Pull tool in the Edit group on the Design tab.
• Select the edge or edges you want to round.
• Select the Round option in the Options panel or from the mini-toolbar.
• Click and drag the edge in the direction of the Pull arrow.

For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

To create a helical revolve:

• Select the Pull tool.
• Select the face or edge you want to revolve.
• Alt+select a line or an axis to revolve about.
• Click the Revolve helix option in the Options panel and enter dimensions for the helix.

For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help. To view a video tutorial on helical revolve go to www.spaceclaim.com/Support/Tutorials/SpaceClaim_TipsTricks.aspx?t=19

To create a pattern:

• Click Move in the Edit group of the Design tab.
• Select the Create patterns checkbox in the Options -Move panel.
• Select a protrusion, depression, sketch, points, axes, planes, origins, or 3D curves to be the first member of the pattern.
• Drag a move handle to copy the first pattern member to the location of the last member of the linear pattern.
• Type a new value for the pattern count.
• Press Tab to change the distance or spacing.

For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

To create a rotational pattern:

• Select the geometry you want to pattern.
• Click the Move tool.
• Select the Create Pattern checkbox in the Options panel.
• Anchor your move tool to the center point you want to pattern around.
• Rotate the Move tool to create your pattern.

For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

To create dimensions for annotating a part, use the Dimension tool in the Annotation group on the Detailing tab.

• All dimensions are placed on an annotation plane in design mode, which you can toggle on or off for display purposes.
• Dimensions display on the drawing sheet (if you are dimensioning a model in a drawing sheet).
• You can use the Ruler option in the Pull or Move tool to create temporary dimensions while editing a part. You can save these dimensions by creating a group in the Groups panel. These dimensions can then be used to drive changes with the Pull or Move tool.

For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

SpaceClaim does not save sketches for future edit. Once you create a solid from a sketch, SpaceClaim recommends that you use the Pull and Move tools to edit the solid instead of editing the sketch.

SpaceClaim uses the term blend instead of loft. To blend surfaces:

• Click the Pull tool in the Edit group on the Design tab.
• Click the Blend option in the Options window.

For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

You make assembly models by placing each solid in a component. Simply right click on a solid in the Structure tree and select Move to New Component, and then name the component. Components can take on assembly conditions, whereas solids by themselves cannot have assembly conditions. With click and drag, components can be rearranged to reflect any desired assembly structure.

In order to send a client an assembly model properly, you need to make sure that all your components have been internalized. Click on a component in the Structure tree with the right mouse button and select Use Internal Copy to make it internal. Finally, save your assembly and send the resulting SpaceClaim document to the client.

The Wrap around target tool allows you to take planar curves or text and wrap them onto planes, cylinders, and cones. You may choose a surface target or establish a direction for the wrap. Curves can be wrapped onto geometry with per-existing imprinted wrapped curves. Surfaces may be used for wrapping, however only the surface edges are used to wrap around the target.

To wrap a curve, text, or a surface around a target object:

• Click the Project tool
• Check ON the Wrap around target option
• Click the curve, text or surface you want to wrap
• Click the Select Direction tool guide and choose a direction, you will see purple lines on the target as a preview
• Click the Complete tool guide or press the Enter key

Style Painter paints display properties from one object to another. The tool applies color and transparency intelligently from one object type to a different object type, for example, you can copy body colors and textures between geometry or font styles between notes and annotations.

Use the Rounds tool on the Prepare tab to remove rounds from a model. For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

You can use the Mirror tool to mirror bodies, faces, and sketch curves. The Mirror tool can be used in Sketch mode or in 3D mode. In Sketch mode, you can also create a mirror line: draw a line and select Set as Mirror Line from the right mouse button context menu. If there is a mirror line in your current sketch plane, all new sketches will mirror across the line. In addition, if you make a change to a mirrored curve in the sketch plane it will modify the curve and its mirror.

In the simplest sense, Pull creates or extrudes, and Move translates or rotates. For example, if you pull a hole, the size of the hole changes:

But if you move the hole, the location of the hole changes:

Only in the case of Pulling or Moving a planar face is the behavior similar.

This may occur if you continue to hold the Ctrl key. Try the following:

• Hold the Ctrl key to make a copy of a face as you drag.
• Hold the Ctrl key to select multiple faces, and then release the Ctrl key before using the Pull or Move tools.

Use the Combine tool in the Intersect group on the Design tab to perform Boolean operations. For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

The solids may not be included in an active component. To activate the document level component, click the right mouse button on the top level component and choose Activate Component.

The surface must extend through the solid. Use the Pull tool to extend the surface until it fully intersects the solid.

Most likely you are pulling on a face without also selecting its neighboring edges. Try selecting the edges along with a face and then pull. The face stays the same size and extrudes that geometry. By default SpaceClaim uses the adjacent faces to influence how to pull a face.

The Delete key removes geometry from a model. If you delete a face, the solid turns into a surface with a hole where the face used to be. In this scenario, SpaceClaim recommends that you use the Undo tool to return your design to the solid state. If this is not possible, the Missing face tool in the Fix group on the Repair tab can help you search for holes in the model and will attempt to patch over them.

If you have multiple placements of the same part (component containing a solid) in an assembly, also referred to as an instance, they will all share the same geometry. If you select a solid in one instance and move it, it is considered changing the geometry and the solid will move in each instance. You should select a single component in the structure tree and move it only if you want to change the location of that instance.

The operation may fail because of errors in the body geometry. You must remove the bad geometry before attempting to combine solids. Select the solids, and then select Check Geometry in the Inspect group of the Measure tab to identify any bad geometry.

Yes. Click the white cursor arrow in the bottom right corner of the design window on the status bar to display the selection filter, which is a drop down menu that shows all selectable entity types. Turn off Smart selection, then toggle which entity types you would like to remain in your selection. Changing tools turns the filter back to Smart. SpaceClaim retains these settings the next time you enable the selection filter.

In the Selection group of the Advanced screen in SpaceClaim Options, enter a number in the Hit Radius text box to change the number of pixels in the hit radius. SpaceClaim recommends 11 as the preferred pixels hit radius.

Yes. You can select one or more objects quickly and easily by using the Select tool. Click the first face of your design, hold down the Ctrl key, and then click each individual selection you want to add to or remove from your original selection. For more information, refer to the SpaceClaim Online Help.

Yes, you can assign different Gage Thicknesses of the same material or different material at the component level.

To assign Gage Thickness to the Sheet Metal design, you need an xml file which has the required information such as material properties, and gage numbers with their corresponding thickness values. The xml file needs to be placed in the Materials folder of the installation directory.

A sample xml file called 'SheetMetal from MatWeb.xml' is located at: C:\Program Files\SpaceClaim\Library\Materials (default location)

The properly placed xml file enables the user to select that particular material by clicking the ‘Design’ in the Structure Tree and selecting it from the Library of materials in the Properties Panel. Assigning customized material and having the '‘'Sheet Metal'’' property set to ‘True’ from the properties panel enables the user to select the Gage Thickness.

The Sheet Metal Gage (sometimes spelled gauge) indicates the standard Thickness of Sheet Metal for a specific material. For most materials, as the gage number increases, the material thickness decreases.

Yes. In the Zoom group in the Navigation screen in SpaceClaim Options, select the Always radio button. This changes the way query select is controlled. To enable query select, hold the Ctrl key as you roll the scroll wheel.

No. Keyboard shortcuts cannot be customized.

In the Navigation screen in SpaceClaim Options, you can set your keyboard and mouse controls. Select a control, choose an option from the control setting´s dropdown, and click OK.

While in 3D mode, you can use the Snap View tool, located in the Orient group on the Design tab. You can click a face to view it head-on, then click, drag, and release the mouse towards the top, bottom, or sides of the design window to ‘throw´ the face to that side. To display a straight-on view of a planar face, select the face and click Plan view in the Orient group on the Design tab.

The Properties panel shows information about a selected object. Use this panel to view and edit characteristics of an object. In addition to components, surfaces, and solids, you can use the Properties panel to modify property values for sketched objects, inserted images, patterns, and sheet metal.

Try the following:

• If you have multiple displays, check to see if the menu displays on another monitor.
• Try using a shortcut to move windows on to another display: Hold down the ALT and spacebar keys. Select Move, then press the arrow keys on the keyboard or move the mouse to bring the panel back into your preferred display.
• Clear your user configuration files. Please contact the SpaceClaim Support Team for assistance at www.spaceclaim.com/Support/supportoverview.aspx.

In the Appearance screen in SpaceClaim Options, click the Reset Docking Layout button to reset the layout. To customize the layout of your panels, click and drag a panel to a new location. You can also click and drag, and then pin, a panel to a SpaceClaim window edge.

Yes. You can work with these functions from the Clipboard group on the ribbon tab, or, use shortcut keys such as Ctrl+C to copy, Ctrl+V to paste or Ctrl+X to cut.

The major difference is that you cannot make assembly conditions between solids at the top level of the design. You can only do this with solids within components. Having components within your design:

• Confirms that you are making an assembly. You can move components around in the design window and also use components to make sub-assemblies of a larger model.
• Allows you to create assembly conditions. You cannot use assembly conditions between solids which are not in components.
• Prevents solids from merging unintentionally in the Pull tool.

SpaceClaim is a direct modeling software package, and as such, uses a Structure tree to list all of the objects in the design window. The Structure panel contains the Structure tree, which shows you each of the objects in your design. Objects are displayed in the order in which they were created, or, in the order in which they were imported.

World Origin shows the X, Y, and Z zero location in designs and drawing sheets. By enabling this feature, you can display the axes that set the default orientation of the design in the Design window. In SpaceClaim, you can turn on the world origin by selecting the World Origin checkbox in the Show group on the Display tab. The position of the world origin cannot be changed, but geometry can be moved up to, or dimensioned from the origin.