The Creo Parametric User Interface: A Quick Introduction

When you sign up for Creo training, one of the first areas of the Creo Parametric Interface that you’ll learn about is the Graphics Window.

Simply put, the Graphics Window is the main working area of Creo Parametric in which you create and modify models such as parts, assemblies, and drawings. Images of your models will be displayed in the Graphics Window and from there you can view and edit them from all angles. The Engine assembly shown above appears prominently in the Graphics Window.

The in-graphics toolbar is embedded at the top of the Graphics Window. The buttons on the toolbar control the display of graphics. A status bar located at the bottom of the Creo Parametric window provides options to control the display of the Navigator and Browser.

Features themselves will display in the Model Tree to the left of the Graphics Window, which can be easily located in the Navigator. The Model Tree is part of the Navigator Window and by default appears along the left side of the interface. The navigator includes the Model Tree, Layer Tree, Design Tree, Folder browser, and Favorites.

When you open a part model or assembly the Navigator automatically changes its display to the Model Tree. When you open a drawing, the Navigator automatically changes to display the Drawing Tree. You can use the toolbar to show or hide the Model Tree or Drawing Tree, or access Settings to customize the appearance. In addition, you can save all the information in the Model Tree as a text.

The next main interface component is the Ribbon. The Ribbon is a context-sensitive menu along the top of the interface, which contains most of the commands you’ll use in Creo. The ribbon arranges the commands logically by command groups. You can hide or show a Tab on the ribbon and continue to customize your view by using the Customize Ribbon command.

The Quick Access toolbar displays above the Ribbon and is another handy feature. It is located at the top of the Creo Parametric window. It provides quick access to frequently used buttons for opening and saving files, or for clicking undo, redo, regenerate, close windows, switch windows, and so on. The Quick Access toolbar is also customizable to ensure the actions you use the most are the easiest to access.

The Status Bar which is located along the bottom of the interface and contains icons for toggling the navigator and the PTC Creo browser panes on and off. It also contains the message log, regeneration manager, search tool, 3D box selector, and the selection filter.

Review the image below to make sure you understand the different areas of Creo’s user interface so you can get the most out of Creo and accelerate your product development.

1. Tab
2. Group
3. In-graphics toolbar
4. Graphics window
5. Selection filter
6. Status bar
7. Model Tree
8. Ribbon
9. . Quick Access Toolbar