With Creo 4.0, we’ve dramatically improved the usability of Freestyle. Now you can create and modify complex geometry, all within a single feature with just a few simple clicks. Here is how it works.

Creating Objects with Freestyle

To create objects with Freestyle, follow these steps:

1. Click Freestyle in the Surfaces section of the Model tab. The Freestyle tab opens.
2. Click Shapes and select a primitive shape. The primitive appears in the graphics area, and the system adds an object to the Freestyle tree.

You'll notice a new Freestyle tree that includes Shape 1. As you create new shapes they are added to the Freestyle tree.

Shape 1 has been added to the Freestyle tree.

Change Freestyle Objects

You can change freestyle objects in either the graphics area or the Freestyle tree as follows.

• To change an object in the graphics area, select a face and use the 3D Dragger to modify the face. For example, you can use the 3D Dragger to stretch the face and control mesh.  Alternatively, you can perform a mesh operation like extrude to add additional faces.
• To change an object in the Freestyle tree, click an object in the tree and a menu opens with available options.

Extruding operation to add additional mesh faces.

Duplicating a Shape

To duplicate a shape, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the shape in the Freestyle tree.
2. Select Duplicate.
3. Drag the shape in the graphics area to create the duplicate.

As you add additional shapes, they appear in the Freestyle tree, where you can select and manipulate them independently.

Connecting and Splitting Shapes

When you select two faces, you can choose to either connect or join them. Connect creates additional face patches in the control mesh between the two faces and Join merges the faces together.

Using Connect to change the faces of two shapes.

You can also split shapes into multiple shapes. Select a face or 4 corresponding mesh edges, then select Mesh Slice and the system will split the shape into two shapes at that location.

Drag the faces apart to work on them independent of one another, then use the Connect tools to rejoin them later.

Power users of Freestyle can take it a step further and create complex geometry in a single Freestyle feature without resorting to multiple Freestyle features as you would have in previous releases.

Watch the Demo

You can see a brief demo of these tips in the video below.

You'll find Creo 4.0 packed with breakthrough capabilities—on top of hundreds of core enhancements. Download The Best of Creo 4 today to make sure you discover “best of the best,” then link to some quick “how-to” articles and videos, so you can make the most of Creo 4.0 and start designing smarter.