' Create Sketch Dim sketch1 As Sketch Set sketch1 = part1.Sketches.Add(xyRef)
This article will dive deep into what NIP-Activity is, how it functions within the CATIA ecosystem (V5, 3DEXPERIENCE), its practical applications, and a step-by-step guide to implementing it successfully. To appreciate NIP-Activity, one must first distinguish it from standard automation. The Interactive Standard When you manually create a pad, a pocket, or a fillet, CATIA operates in an interactive mode. The system waits for user inputs: clicking faces, entering values, validating the dialog box. A recorded macro of this action captures every UI decision. The NIP-Activity Approach NIP-Activity operates headlessly. It bypasses the graphical user interface entirely. It reads a pre-defined instruction set (via a .CATNip file or CAA-based code) and executes the geometric operation using strictly defined parameters. It does not require CATIA to be visible on screen, nor does it require a mouse cursor. NIP-Activity - Catia
' --- Non-Interactive Fillet --- ' Collect edges automatically (Assume all vertical edges) Dim edgesToFillet As Collection ' ... logic to find edges ... Dim fillet1 As EdgeFillet Set fillet1 = part1.ShapeFactory.AddNewEdgeFillet(pad1.Body) Call fillet1.AddRadius(5, edgesToFillet) ' Create Sketch Dim sketch1 As Sketch Set sketch1 = part1
Enter (Non-Interactive Process Activity). This powerful, often underutilized feature allows users to automate sequences of operations without manual GUI intervention. Think of it as a "batch mode" or "macro recorder on steroids." While standard CATIA scripting (using VBA or CAA) records your clicks, NIP-Activity focuses on the logical process of a command, stripping away dependency on screen resolution, viewports, or UI states. The system waits for user inputs: clicking faces,
Imagine a NIP-Activity that doesn't just follow fixed rules but identifies a missing fillet by comparing the current model to a library of best-practice models and applies the fix automatically. This cognitive automation is the logical evolution of the non-interactive process. In a competitive market, time is currency. NIP-Activity in CATIA is the silent engine that transforms a CAD tool from a manual drafting board into an automated manufacturing powerhouse. Whether you are a solo designer tired of clicking "Pad" 500 times, or a PLM manager running a global engineering platform, mastering non-interactive automation will yield an ROI that justifies the initial learning curve.
' --- Non-Interactive Pad --- Dim pad1 As Pad Set pad1 = part1.ShapeFactory.AddNewPadFromRef(sketch1, 20)
' NIP-Activity Example (Conceptual VBA for CATIA) Sub NIP_RectangularPad() ' Set non-interactive mode CATIA.NonInteractive = True ' Access document Dim partDoc As PartDocument Set partDoc = CATIA.Documents.Add("Part")