Time to market and quality designs can make all the difference in product success, but it isn’t always easy to balance the two factors unless you have the right toolset. Pushing the design team to move quickly may lead to sub-optimum quality while trying to hone in on the ideal level of quality can take a great deal of time. But now, with Creo 8 from PTC, this balance is easily achievable with the help of exciting new features. If you want to design better products faster, you’ll want Creo 8. Here’s a look at the latest features, how it compares to Creo 7, and why you should upgrade.
Time to market and product quality are the keys to your success. Creo 8 enhances both.
What’s New in Creo 8
Model-Based Definition
Model-based definition is a method for creating 3D models. These models are designed to contain all the data needed to define a product, so the model effectively becomes the source repository that drives all engineering decisions and activities. Using model-based definition provides a new way to distribute product data that is easily sharable for use by suppliers or other groups within your organization.
Using model-based definition allows manufacturing, inspection, and supply chain members to use the same data from the same source. Taking this single source of truth approach improves quality and reduces errors while saving time since team members don’t have to seek out additional validation information or specifications. The new Creo 8 model-based definition extensions enable the use of geometric dimensioning and tolerances for assemblies. New sketching tools ensure that sketches convey the right design intentions, which increases accuracy and saves time and money.
The model-based definition features in Creo 8 create a single source of truth that improves quality and reduces errors while also saving time.
Generative Design and Simulation
Creo 8 also includes new generative design tools like automatic envelopes, draft-handling, and radius constraints, eliminating tedious calculations and minimizing the chance of introducing errors. Real-time simulation tools now include steady-state flow analysis and highly advanced mesh and deflection control for accurate design validation.
Using Creo 8 to complete simulation early and often in the design process significantly decreases development time and costs.
Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing Improvements
To keep pace with the additive and subtractive manufacturing industries, Creo 8 has made improvements to tools that support:
- Advanced lattice structures to minimize the weight of products
- The automatic application of lattice structures based on simulation results to minimize errors and reduce time
- Setup tools for trays to increase production speed and build quality
- Streamlined tools for programming traditional CNC machines, including 5axis and high-speed milling machines, resulting in faster setups and reduced machining time
General Productivity Enhancements
As with every Creo release, PTC continues to make general productivity improvements based on customer feedback. The latest updates in Creo 8 include:
- Improved dashboards to make information easier to understand
- Model tree interfaces that streamline information organization and simplify product design processes
- New hole feature to make adding holes fast and almost foolproof
- Routed systems to ensure adherence to internal processes
- Upgrades to Render Studio for a fast and flawless 3D view of models and designs
Creo 7 vs. Creo 8
Both Creo 7 and Creo 8 are excellent, state-of-the-art design tools. Creo 7 included all the capabilities of prior versions and added improvements to material assignment workflows using either the right mouse button or the integrated Model Tree. All that might seem like your team has everything they need, but when the name of the game is speed, you need every advantage. Creo 8 provides the edge you need to lead in the market.
That’s why you need the new capabilities added to Creo 8. The enhancements are too extensive to go into here, but here’s a list of a few of the top items.
- Users can view Design item trees side by side with the corresponding Model Tree to ensure consistency and reduce errors.
- New dashboard layouts simplify onboarding for new users and improve productivity for all users.
- Users can move and reposition multiple dashboard panels to adapt to the way they work to further increase productivity. Users can even remove panels that they don’t need to avoid unnecessary distractions.
- The Model Tree includes a new Quilts mode, which lists individual quilts.
- The design Items Group lists bodies and quilts at the top of the model tree for quick reference, improving user productivity.
- Team members can create custom groups in the design item node, which can contain quilts and bodies, creating a handy repository that improves productivity.
With all those productivity-improving enhancements, it makes sense to upgrade to Creo 8 as soon as possible. And if you’re up to date on maintenance, you should upgrade since the upgrade is free if you’re up to date on maintenance.
If you’re up to date on Creo maintenance, then updating to Creo 8 is absolutely free.
Why Would You Not Upgrade to Creo 8?
Time to market is critical to your success, so the faster you adopt tools that streamline the process, the quicker you can introduce new products. For users who are up to date on maintenance, PTC makes it easy to upgrade, and it’s free so, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get started right away. Even if you’re using a different design tool, it may be time to adopt the industry leader—Creo 8.
Either way, if you’d like to learn more about the advantages and benefits of Creo 8, contact us today. We’ll be happy to provide a free demo or discuss the ways Creo 8 can help your organization meet its product design objectives.
Are you using a different CAD platform?
It’s time to upgrade to the industry leader – Creo 8.
Not convinced? Check out our other Creo comparisons.