In Generative Shape Design Plus, designs are organized into Geometric Sets each containing surfaces and construction features. Without modules, Geometric Sets lack formal boundaries, defined connections to other Geometric Sets, and a controlled method for creating and comparing alternative surface solutions. Any reference between Geometric Sets relies on direct selection, which fails silently when the geometry changes.

In Generative Shape Design Plus, Modules and Interfaces allow each Geometrical Set to be encapsulated in a watertight module with formally defined input and output interfaces that connect it to other Geometrical Sets.

Multiple alternatives can be generated, each containing a different version of surfaces and design features, while the interface connections to surrounding modules remain unchanged. Switching between alternatives requires just one action, and the connections never break, accelerating design exploration and enhancing the overall robustness of the model.

Mechanical Designers, Conceptual Designers, Mechanical Surface Designers

Generative Shape Design Plus: Modules and Interfaces in Generative Shape Design Plus unlocks the ability to create and manage multiple surface geometry alternatives within a single managed structure eliminating the need for separate Geometrical Sets or files per design variant. A sharp leading edge and a blended leading edge, a standard end cap and an aerodynamic end cap, each becomes a formal alternative module under the same parent Geometrical Set, sharing the same interface contract and switchable in one action without affecting any surrounding surface geometry. Unlike Part Design Plus, GSD+ supports cross-module surface references freely meaning alternatives can consume surfaces, curves, and wireframe geometry directly from upstream modules without restriction, making the switching experience seamless and the interface contract more powerful.

Beyond alternatives, Modules and Interfaces brings formal boundaries and connection control to a design environment where Geometrical Sets can otherwise grow into unstructured, interdependent surface networks that are difficult to manage and impossible to reuse. Packaging Geometrical Sets into named watertight modules with defined input and output interfaces means upstream surface changes propagate automatically through the interface contract to all dependent downstream modules. Input interfaces accept external surfaces, guide curves, boundary edges, and driving parameters from the host context. Output interfaces publish resulting surface geometry as named connections for downstream modules to consume keeping the entire surface network stable, traceable, and reusable across any project that instantiates the module.

Use Case: Best Practices for Working with Modules in Generative Design Plus

Scenario: In a Generative Shape Design Plus design process, managing complex surface geometry conventionally means that Geometrical Sets have no formal boundaries, no defined connections to one another, and no controlled method for exploring alternative surface solutions. Any change to an upstream surface manually cascades through every dependent Geometrical Set, making the design increasingly fragile as complexity grows.

Here, with the help of Modules and Interfaces in CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE, each Geometrical Set is packaged into a watertight module with formally defined input and output interfaces that connect it to surrounding modules. Unlike Part Design Plus, Generative Shape Design Plus supports cross-module surface references freely, a surface, curve, or wireframe element from one module can be directly used as an input interface in another without restrictions. Alternative modules allow different surface solutions to coexist under the same parent, and switching between them requires just one action, with all interface connections remaining intact.

Play the video to watch how Modules and Interfaces improve model robustness in Generative Shape Design Plus.

To learn more about Modules and Interfaces, you can refer Explore the Mechanical and Shape Engineer Role Learning Module.