What is Palette? How to use palette tool in PTC Creo Parametric Sketch | Creo tutorial
In Creo Parametric we have a lot of features that make our job easier. But we have to practice for that. As a beginner, before start sketching you should learn what are the features available in the platform or software you are using. Yes, knowing the existing feature will definitely save your time as well as make your job easier. Here we have a useful tool known as the palette tool placed in the sketch tab. In this Creo tutorial, we will discuss the palette tool in the creo parametric sketch and what are the uses of this palette tool, and how to use this palette tool in the creo parametric sketch. Let's begin.
What is Palette?
Palette is a most useful tool to import predefined shapes in the creo parametric sketch. It is placed in the sketch tab. The palette tool consists of various shapes that can be directly imported to your sketch by just dragging the required shape to your sketch and add the required dimensions. It contains various tools such as polygons, stars, etc.., The palette tool is categorized into four groups. They are polygons, profiles, shapes, and stars. These groups are placed in a separate window called as sketcher palette. It will appear on the lower right end of the creo sketch window, once you click the palette tool in the sketch tab. We will discuss how to use this palette tool in detail in this creo tutorial.
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| Sketcher Palette |
How to use palette tool?
To use the palette tool select the palette option in the sketch tab, this will open a new window called sketch palette in the lower right corner of the sketching window. Now you can drag and place the required shape on your sketch. Then you can edit the dimensions as per the requirement. You can also preview the selected shape before dragging it into the sketch. As said above, there are too many shapes available and are categorized into four different groups. Let us discuss in detail using one example (shape) in each group. Follow the steps explained below parallelly and then practice with the remaining shapes. Each shape requires various dimensions. So, you know the dimensions that are asking you to input. Let's discuss each group one by one.
1. Polygons
Polygon, the first group in the palette tool. As we know there are many polygons based on the number of sides of the polygon. Example: Pentagon, Hexagon, Octagon, etc., The polygon group contains 11 different shapes that is 3 sided polygon, 4 sided polygon, etc., The eleven different polygons in the polygon group are
- 3 sided Triangle
- 4 sided Square
- 5 sided Pentagon
- 6 sided Hexagon
- 7 sided Heptagon
- 8 sided Octagon
- 9 sided Nonagon
- 10 sided Decagon
- 12 sided Dodecagon
- 16 sided Hexdecagon
- 20 sided Icosogan
All the above polygons are shown in the polygon group one by one. You can easily select the required polygon from the group of polygons. We know that everyone would like to preview the shape before using the palette in the sketch. To preview the polygon just left-click the required polygon. Once you are satisfied with the preview select and drag the required polygon from the sketcher palette window to the sketch window and just it on your sketch. Then add the required dimensions. You can move the polygon by dragging the center point of the polygon. You can also rotate the polygon using the rotate icon on the top right corner of the polygon, based on your requirement.
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| Polygon preview |
For example, if you need a pentagon for your sketch just select the palette tool in the sketch tab. A new window named sketcher palette will appear on your screen. Select the 5 sided pentagon from the polygon group. It will show the preview of the 5 side pentagon. Once you are satisfied with it drag and place it in your sketch. Then you have to provide the radius of the circumcircle of the polygon. As said above, you can also move and rotate the pentagon as per your requirement. Once imported the pentagon click ok and then you can also change the size of the face of the pentagon using the dimension command.
Similarly, practice all the polygons for better understanding.
2. Profiles
Followed by polygons, the next group in the palette tool is the profiles. There are four different profiles placed in the profile group. They are,
- C-profile
- I-profile
- L-profile
- T-profile
All the above profiles are shown in the profiles group one by one. You can easily select the required profile from the profiles group. We know that everyone would like to preview the profile before using the palette in the sketch. To preview the profile just left-click the required profile. Once you are satisfied with the preview select and drag the required profile from the sketcher palette window to the sketch window and just it on your sketch. Then add the required dimensions. You can move the profile by dragging the center point of the profile. You can also rotate the profile using the rotate icon on the top right corner of the selected profile, based on your requirement.
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| Profiles in Palette tool |
For example, if you need a C-profile for your sketch just select the palette tool in the sketch tab. A new window named sketcher palette will appear on your screen. Select the C-profile from the profiles group. It will show the preview of the C-profile. Once you are satisfied with it drag and place it in your sketch. As said above, you can also move and rotate the C-profile as per your requirement. Once imported the C-profile click ok and then you can also change the dimensions of the C-profile using the dimension command.
Similarly, practice all the polygons for better understanding.
3. Shapes
Followed by profiles, the next group in the palette tool is named as shapes. There are seven different shapes in this group. They are
- Arc racetrack
- Cross
- Oval
- Racetrack
- Rounded rectangle
- Wave 1
- Wave 2
The procedure for using these shapes is similar to that of the previous one. As said above, select the required shape and follow all the procedures to bring it into the sketch. After importing the shape click the tick icon in the import tab. Then you can add the required dimensions to the selected shape by using the dimension command.
4. Stars
Stars are similar to that polygons. Stars are also categorized based on the number of tips of the stars. There are eleven different stars are placed in the stars group. They are,
- 3 tip star
- 4 tip star
- 5 tip star
- 6 tip star
- 7 tip star
- 8 tip star
- 9 tip star
- 10 tip star
- 12 tip star
- 16 tip star
- 20 tip star
The procedure for using these stars is similar to that of the polygons. As said in the polygon, select the required star and follow all the procedures to bring it into the sketch. After importing the selected star click the tick icon in the import tab. Then you can add the required dimensions to the selected shape by using the dimension command.
This is the end of this Creo tutorial. In this Creo tutorial, we have discussed the palette tool and how to use this palette tool in Creo parametric sketch. And also, we have discussed some examples to use this tool effectively. I suggest you practice this tutorial using the examples given in this tutorial and then use it in your sketch exercises. Practice more and learn daily. HAPPY LEARNING...
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