30 Creo Interview Questions (With Some Sample Answers)

Updated 23 March 2023

Mechanical engineers, drafters, product design engineers and industrial designers use many tools to create complex sketches. Because of its useful features, many design engineers and manufacturers use Creo software. Preparing answers to common interview questions related to Creo in advance can enhance your job search efforts. In this article, we list 30 Creo interview questions and share some sample answers for you to review.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

10 Creo Interview Questions With Sample Answers

Creo interview questions can relate to your experience, knowledge, qualifications and skills. Creo, formerly known as Pro/Engineer, is a suite of computer-aided design (CAD) applications for product designing, modelling, technical illustration, 3D visualisation and other purposes. Interviewers often ask about the following subjects during a product design interview:

1. What is the purpose and significance of congif.pro files?

This is a fundamental question about the basic functioning of Creo applications. In your answer, explain what these files are and their application in Creo. You can also list some of their properties.

Example answer: Config.pro files are text files consisting of different configurations. These settings help control and define the behaviour of Creo applications. These files also have user macros, also known as map keys.

2. Explain parametric feature-based modelling.

This is a type of modelling process to create specific designs. An interviewer may use this question to evaluate your knowledge of working on different Creo products. Explain the significance of parametric feature-based modelling and detail its benefits.

Example answer: Parametric feature-based modelling refers to modelling designs based on parameters and definitive features. You can create designs and models following requirements by creating instructions or features. Parametric modelling is useful when designing a part or assembly of products and machines.

3. What are the uses of datum planes?

Datum planes are foundational references for mechanical designs. This basic question tests your knowledge of common design practices. Explain their utility and discuss how they help create sketches in your response.

Example answer: Datum planes are useful in sketching and referencing planes. They act as the base and are helpful in dimension and alignment referencing other measurements. They also enable geometric tolerancing and creating cross-sections in sketches.

4. List the steps to take to display the default datum planes of one component in an assembly.

An interviewer might ask this question to assess your practical knowledge and experience of Creo. In response, list the sequential actions to view the default datum plane.

Example answer: To display a single component's default datum planes in an assembly, first empty the layer containing the planes. Next, check the plus sign in the dialogue box and select the components required for display. Finally, click on the show icon to display the default datum planes. This prevents undesirable external references to parent–child relationships.

5. How would you create features to include in a user-defined feature (UDF)?

UDFs are objects that help expedite the creation of commonly-used features and give them more parameters. Knowing how to do this can signify practical experience in Creo. To answer this question, list the steps you would take to create such features.

Example answer: To make features for inclusion in a UDF, first check and restrict the number of parents. If there is a requirement to add many features to the UDF, make sure they share the maximum number of parents. This can help limit the prompts to move the UDF to another part, simplifying the creation process.

6. Name the different types of view sets in Creo.

View sets are profiles that provide perspectives from different points. Users typically check complex sketches from different view sets. In your response, you can list the different view sets available and briefly discuss their significance.

Example answer: View sets define the connections between 3D and 2D models to improve design accuracy and product performance. Creo determines the orthographic views, such as front, top, right, back, bottom and left and the isometric views as per the “up” and “front” directions. Different view sets can help display a magnified version of a machine or part–part positioning.

7. What is the purpose of using the display mode on drawing views?

By asking this question, a hiring manager wants to gauge your working knowledge of Creo. Knowing the reason for using the display mode can suggest a practical understanding of using the application. In your answer, explain this mode's utility and describe what makes it essential.

Example answer: Drawing views remove hidden lines from the environment. When selecting multiple views, only the “View Display” mode is available in the dialogue box. As each user's environment can be different, not using the display mode can alter the drawing view for others. This makes the usage of the display mode vital when working on drawing view sets.

8. What do you understand by datum planes created 'on the fly'?

Creating complex sketches may require composing temporary intermediary models. To answer this question, explain the reason for making such datum plans and state how you would create them.

Example answer: Datum planes created “on the fly” suggest that the user created them during the creation of another model or design. Upon reaching the final design, these planes become redundant. You can create them through the “make datum” feature.

9. Define the meaning and usage of a trail file.

Trail files store all actions on Creo. An interviewer uses such a question to assess your knowledge of different features and tools in Creo. In your response, discuss the definition and significance of trail files in simple terms.

Example answer: Trail files create a record of every input, click and selection when designing. If you lose your progress or fail to save it, you can still retrieve these files. It is possible to analyse, correct and present the designing process by editing or replaying these files.

10. Define the Model Tree.

Creo offers many utilities to examine sketches or designs. To answer this question, explain the function of the Model Tree and state how to view it.

Example answer: The Model Tree is a visual representation of a model's features and components. These appear in the same hierarchical order according to their order of generation in an assembly, showing the relations between the items or their generation sequence. The Model Tree is available under the “Navigator” tab.

20 More Creo Interview Questions

Here are some more questions you can read and prepare answers to:

What are the assumptions that a sketcher makes?
How are one-side and both-sides extrusions different?
What is the difference between move and move text functions?
What are the uses of datum axes?
Define a drawing.dtl file and explain its uses.
What feature can help you both add and remove material?
Define a constraint relation.
What are drawing symbols?
Is it possible to add motion to a part?
What are the different tolerance formats?
Is it possible for a drawing to refer to more than a single assembly? Explain.
What is the use of the save status feature?
Explain the difference between dependent and independent copies of features.
What is the first view to add to a sketch?
Explain the meaning of the show dimension.
How is the file and erase tool different to the file and delete feature?
Explain the role of a construction circle and sketch centreline.
How can you open a Creo drawing in AutoCAD?
What is the proper method to add a model parameter to a drawing note?
Name one layer function that beginners avoid using.