Extended modules > 3D Documenation > Create symbols > Create surface symbols
  
Create surface symbols
3D surface symbols help you show directly on the model how your assembly should be manufactured.
To create a surface symbol,
1. Click 3D Documentation and then, in the Annotate group, click Symbol.
2. In the template browser, click Surface. By default, three versions of the surface symbol are available: Surface (ISO 1302–1992), Surface (ISO 1302–2002), and Surface (ASME Y14.36–2018).
3. Double-click any one symbol to set parameters for that surface symbol.
4. Position the symbol on the active docuplane in the viewport. If no docuplane is active, click a reference element and then position the symbol.
5. If you wish to remove the reference line, click Position on reference under Primary References. The symbol positions directly on the reference element.
6. Complete the operation as described below.
To define surface symbol parameters,
1. Click Grab, then click an existing surface symbol from the viewport to copy its parameters, or specify the following parameters:
Form
Select the surface symbol form.
Unit of Proposal
Select the unit of proposal. This determines which sets of predefined parameters appear in some menus below.
Finish Val a1
Enter the upper roughness value.
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The position of Finish Val a1 differs in the Surface (1992) symbol version.
Finish Val a2
Enter the lower roughness value (Surface (1992)) or middle roughness value (Surface (2002) and Surface (2018)).
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The position of Finish Val a2 differs in the Surface (1992) symbol version.
Finish Val a3
Enter the lower roughness value (Surface (2002) and Surface (2018)).
Add Surface Finish Rows
Select to add an additional two values for the surface finish or roughness in the Surface (2018) version: Finish Val a4 and Finish Val a5.
Process b
Enter the manufacturing process code.
Cov Length c
Enter the covered length.
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Specify Cov Length c only in the Surface (1992) version. This parameter is not available in the Surface (2002) and Surface (2018) versions.
Measure f
Enter another roughness measure.
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Specify Measure f only in the Surface (1992) version. This parameter is not available in the Surface (2002) and Surface (2018) versions.
Allowance e
Enter the machining allowance.
Groove Dir d
Specify the groove direction.
Standard
Specify the surface symbol version 1992 or 2002.
Depending on the default setting, you can select any one or all the surface symbol versions. See Set surface symbol visibility. If the default setting is All, you can change any symbol to the other version. However,
If the default setting is ISO 1302 - 1992, show only, you can only change a Surface (2002) symbol or Surface (2018) symbol to Surface (1992).
If the default setting is ISO 1302 - 2002, show only, you can only change a Surface (1992) symbol or Surface (2018) symbol to Surface (2002).
If the default setting is ASME Y14.36 - 2018, show only, you can only change a Surface (1992) symbol or Surface (2002) symbol to Surface (2018).
2. To add primary references, click Add, then click the elements on the model to which you want to add reference lines.
3. To remove a reference already specified, click Remove and click the reference element.
4. To select secondary references, click 2nd Refs.
Click edges, faces, parts or assemblies to select secondary reference elements. Selected elements turn red while the command is active.
Clear 2nd Refs to remove all secondary references.
5. If necessary, specify whether the symbol is free or attached to a docuplane. If necessary, select the docuplane.
6. Specify whether the symbol is oriented horizontally or vertically (if you specified a docuplane), or click User def. and define a direction in the viewport.
7. Optionally specify either a Reference File or a Reference URL for the symbol.
8. You can end the current symbol creation in one of two ways:
Click Next to complete the current label and continue creating new labels with the current menu settings.
Click Reset to cancel the current label but keep the menu open with the same settings.
9. Click to complete the operation.
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Immediately after clicking Symbol, click an existing surface symbol in the viewport to grab its parameters.
Limitations
A Surface (1992) symbol does not automatically change to Surface (2002) while saving or loading a file from CoCreate Modeling 2008 or earlier. Creo Elements/Direct Modeling 17.0 onward, Surface (2002) is available. If you create a model with a Surface (2002) symbol and open the model in CoCreate Modeling 2008 or earlier:
A Surface (2002) symbol does not automatically change to Surface (1992).
A Surface (2002) symbol changes to Surface (1992) if you edit any parameter of the Surface (2002) symbol.
You can change properties like the size and the color of a Surface (2002) symbol without changing the symbol to Surface (1992).