A section is a parametric two-dimensional model used to define the shape of three-dimensional features in parts and assemblies. When using Creo+ interactively, you create a section using Sketcher mode. In a Creo TOOLKIT application, you can create sections completely programmatically using the functions described in this section.

Sections fall into two types: 2D and 3D. Both types are represented by the object ProSection (an opaque handle) and manipulated by the same functions.

The difference between the types arises out of the context in which the section is being used, and affects the requirements for the contents of the section and also of the feature element tree in which it is placed when creating a sketched feature.

Put simply, a 2D section is self-contained, whereas a 3D section contains references to 3D geometry in a parent part or assembly.

You can use Intent Datums such Intent Axis, Intent Point, Intent Plane, and Intent Coordinate System as references for sketcher dimensions. You can use Intent Point and Intent Axis to create sections using projections.

In a Creo TOOLKIT application, you can work with a section either in an Intent Manager or a non-Intent Manager mode. In the non-Intent Manager mode, if you make any changes to the section, you must solve and regenerate the section to apply the changes. On the other hand, in the Intent Manager mode, all the changes are applied immediately.

You can create section constraints programmatically using the Intent Manager property. This corresponds to creating sections within the Intent Manager mode in Creo+.

This section is concerned with 2D sections, which are the simplest. The extra steps required to construct a 3D section are described in the section Element Trees: Sketched Features, which follows this one.