NH 2026-09-08

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Welcome to 3DEXPERIENCE Technical Practices!
In this section, you will explore a use case demonstrating how to structure the modules.

As a modular design grows, the specification tree becomes a flat, unstructured list that is difficult to read, hand off or modify. Without a way to organize modules into a logical hierarchy, managing them becomes just as difficult as working with unorganized features. The Structure Module tools address this by giving designers a way to group, reorder and ungroup modules, keeping the design tree readable and manageable at any scale.

Structuring modules means organizing individual modules into a logical parent-child hierarchy using tools like Group in Parent Module, Ungroup Structure Module and Module Structure Manager. Grouping packages selected sibling modules under a new parent structure, turning a flat list into a manageable system. Ungrouping dissolves a parent and returns child modules to their previous level when the hierarchy needs rebuilding. In all operations, interface delegations are maintained automatically, and module connections survive every structural change without manual intervention.

The Modules & Interfaces feature is available if you have one of the following roles:

Mechanical Designers, Conceptual Designers, Mechanical Surface Designers

Know more about Managing Modules, Grouping Modules and Ungrouping Modules

Managing Modules

From the Modules section of the action bar, click Module Structure Manager .
In the Module Structure Manager dialog box, in the Module identifier, specify a name for the module.
When you rename a module, all the connected interfaces are renamed automatically to preserve the connection. To disconnect the interfaces, clear Keep interfaces connected.
To create a submodule under the selected module, do one of the following:
- Select a module, click , and rename it if required.
- Select a module in the tree, and from the shortcut toolbar, click Create Child Module .
  Click in the structural view to turn on or turn off a module.
To change the contribution state of the module, do the following:
- To turn off the module and set it as not contributing, select the active module in the tree, and from the shortcut toolbar, click Switch off .
- To turn on the module and set it as contributor, select the inactive module in the tree, and from the shortcut toolbar, click Switch on .
- Click to delete the selected module.

Grouping Modules

You can do this when you need to regroup the modules or create a new intermediate module between the selected sibling modules and their parent module.
From the Modules section of the action bar, click Group in Parent Module .
In the tree, select one or more modules that you want to group.
The select modules are listed in the Modules to group.

Ungrouping Modules

You can do this when you need to ungroup the structure module.
In the tree, select a structure module that you want to ungroup, and do one of the following:
From the Modules section of the action bar, click Ungroup Structure Module .
In the shortcut toolbar, click Ungroup Structure Module .

Use Case: Organize the Cluster of Modules

Scenario: As a modular design grows, the specification tree becomes a flat, unstructured list with no logical grouping or hierarchy. Locating a specific module, handing the design to another team, or restructuring the layout when requirements change becomes increasingly difficult, and reorganizing without the right tool risks breaking the interface connections that hold the design together.

Here, with the help of Structure Module tools in CATIA 3DExperience, selected modules can be grouped under a new parent structure module, reordered when the design sequence changes, and ungrouped when the hierarchy needs rebuilding. In all operations, interface delegations are maintained automatically, ensuring all connections between modules remain intact without any manual reconnection.

Play the video to watch how to create the modules using Module Structure Manager.

Play the video to watch how to create alternative modules using Module Structure Manager.

Play the video to watch how to structure modules in the tree.

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