Drawingmanager File Management Solid Edge

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1 Table of Contents Select datafields in Solid Edge... 2 Recommendations... 2 Datafields in File Properties and Property Manager... 3 Custom datafields in File Properties - Custom... 3 Free Parts Libraries... 4 How to find the next number available... 4 Datafields in Title Block and Parts List... 5 Title Block and Parts List of Part... 5 Title Block and Parts List of Assembly Datafields generated by Solid Edge... 7 Serial and Project Manufacturing... 8 Use of Category... 8 Revision Manager... 9 File Properties in Solid Edge File Properties Status Property Manager Filling datafields in Property Manager Sample Diagram File Folders - Serial Manufacturing Sample Diagram File Folders - Project Manufacturing Main Folder Development Folder Released Product Folder General of 15

2 Select datafields in Solid Edge In order to manage Solid Edge files you have to fill in a number of Solid Edge datafields as shown in File Properties tabs Summary and Project. These datafields are also shown in the Property Manager of Solid Edge. Drawingmanager searches are done on the content of Solid Edge datafields. 1. Determine which datafields you want to use in Title Block and Parts List and these datafields become also available for Drawingmanager searches 2. Use Solid Edge Property Manager in the final assembly of a product to fill datafields of all parts at once, as a result they appear in the 2D drawing Title block and the Parts list 3. Synchronize the appearance of Solid Edge Property Manager and Drawingmanager See also Datafields in Title Block and Parts List. The datafields in Drawingmanager correspond with the datafields in Solid Edge. Recommendations 1. To facilitate searching use, as much as possible, standard definitions for all the selectable fields. These are defined in the propseed.txt of Solid Edge. Do not forget the semicolon ; at the end of the line, see also Sample Files\Text files\propseed.txt 2. Keep the File Names short and of equal length. A short File Name promotes clarity and keeps the column width narrow so more columns are visible. 3. Use a number for File Name and use it also as the Drawing number. When making new parts you don t have to worry about names. See also: How to find the next number available. 4. Make a folder for every Category and/or Project, that way the number of files per folder remains somewhat limited. However this is not a must. Drawingmanager can import and trace files from any directory, for that matter all files could be in one folder. It is a way of organizing the files and when replacing parts you do not have to scroll through a large number of files. 5. Agree on how components and assemblies should be isometrically (F8) positioned in Solid Edge. If at all possible parts should be positioned the same way they are placed in an assembly. 2 of 15

3 Datafields in File Properties and Property Manager - Document Name File Name - Title Selectable in Propseed.txt - Document Number Selectable in Propseed.txt - Subject Selectable in Propseed.txt - Category Selectable in Propseed.txt - Keywords Selectable in Propseed.txt - Material - Author Engineer - Manager Engineering Manager - Company Customer Name - Comments - Project Name or Project number Selectable in Propseed.txt - Revision Revision number in combination with Custom datafields - Status Available, In Work, In Review, Released, etc. - Created Date file is made - Modified Date file is modified Custom datafields in File Properties - Custom - Revision Name Description of the revision - Revised by Engineer making the revision - Revision Date Date revision was implemented - Qty Quantity - L Length - W Width - H Height - T Thickness - Dia Diameter Templates are available in Sample Files. 3 of 15

4 Free Parts Libraries Drawingmanager comes with free parts libraries. The Libraries hold metric Fasteners, Steel Sections, Aluminum Sections, Stainless Steel Sections, etc. The library parts are baselined and cannot be replaced. The datafields of the library parts correspond with the datafields in the templates of Sample Files and with the datafields as shown in Datafields in Title block and Parts List. Sample files holds a basic folder layout including Solid Edge templates for use with the Libraries. Basic Custom Properties have been defined. Using library parts works extremely efficient. The datafields are already filled. When 2D drawings are generated, the matching datafields in Title Block and Parts List are filled with the proper data. A new part is quickly made: 1. Use Drawingmanager to search for the desired Steel Section and open it directly from Drawingmanager in Solid Edge 2. The part is Saved As and given a new File Name (Document Name) and saved in the proper folder, for instance 10 - Steel Parts 3. The Length is modified and if necessary features are added 4. Save file and the part is ready for use How to find the next number available To find the next number available in Explorer when saving a file, click on the last File Name and clear the extension. The last used number or numbers will now appear whether they are a par psm or asm. To make file extensions visible go to Windows Explorer - Organize Search and Folder Options - tab View and clear Hide extensions for known file types. When saving a dft always use the Solid Edge default. It has the same File Name as the matching par psm or asm. 4 of 15

5 Datafields in Title Block and Parts List Datafields in Title Block and Parts List are the same as shown in the templates of Sample Files. Title Block and Parts List of Part Datafields in Parts List of Part: - Item Item Number - Keywords - Length in Variable Table - Width in Variable Table - Height in Variable Table - Thickness in Variable Table - Diameter in Variable Table - Material Datafields in Variable Table, see Tools Variables. Fill Exposed Name L = Length, W = Width, H = Height, T = Thickness, Dia = Diameter and check off Expose. They have now become Custom Properties and are selectable in Property Manager and are available for use in the Parts List. They are also imported in Drawingmanager. 5 of 15

6 Title Block and Parts List of Assembly. Datafields in Parts List Assembly: - Item Item Number of Part in Assembly - Qty Number of Items of Part in Assembly - Doc. Name Document Name of Part = File Name = Drawing nr. - Doc. Number Document Number of Part = Part nr. - Title of Part - Subject of Part - Keywords of Part - Length L of Part Tools - Variables (Custom Property) - Material of Part Datafields in Title Block: - Drawn by Author Date drawn - Checked Manager Date checked - Part nr. Document Number of Assembly - Project Name of Assembly - Title of Assembly - Subject of Assembly - Drawing nr. Document Name of Assembly = File Name ( ) - Doc. Number Document Number of Assembly = Part nr. - Weight Inspect - Physical Properties of Assembly Title Blocks and Parts List can be further customized. 6 of 15

7 Datafields generated by Solid Edge - Origination Date = Date file was made Generated by Solid Edge when saving the file. - Access Date = Date Released Generated by Solid Edge when Drawing is Released see File Properties Status. Drawingmanager uses both dates as search criteria 7 of 15

8 Serial and Project Manufacturing In a Serial Manufacturing environment a File Name (=Document Name) could e.g. consist of 2 numbers before the dash and 4 or 5 sequential numbers behind the dash. In most cases 4 is sufficient. The first 2 numbers of the file name could correspond with the first 2 numbers of Category, for example in Category 10 - Steel Parts. In a part Serial, part Project environment you can mix the File Name system by having a Project Number precede the dash instead of a Category Number. In this case you could have 4 numbers preceding the dash and 2 or 3 sequential numbers following the dash. If you want to keep track of Revisions you could for example add _1, -1 or _A, -A, etc. to the File Name. Search on File Name and all the Revisions will show. Use of Category Category in Drawingmanager corresponds with Category in Solid Edge. Categories are defined in the propseed.txt of Solid Edge. When a file is imported in Drawingmanager and the name of a Category is new, it is automatically added to the list of Categories. Unused Categories are removed when the database is updated. The Drawingmanager database updates automatically every 15 minutes. New Search has Category as a single selection criteria. The fly-out shows the existing Categories. Categories can be used for drawing groups, these could be product groups, but also manufactured parts, purchased parts, fasteners, steel sections, etc. Category can be used independent from the File Name (Document Name) and from the way you file your documents. File folder examples: 10 - Steel parts 20 - Stainless Steel Parts, See below. Drawingmanager Solid Edge Explorer Categories Propseed.txt Folders 8 of 15

9 Revision Manager On the menu bar - in the Revision Manager heading - Open is used to open the currently selected file in Revision Manager. Revision Manager is used to copy, move or rename a Solid Edge part or assembly. If possible start with the 2D draft, select the 2D and 3D file that belong together. If a file needs to be copied and/or moved, first select copy or rename, second select the destination folder (Set Path), third copy or rename the file. If a certain part, e.g. the first 2 numbers, of all the copied file names need to be modified the same way, it is very handy to use Replace. Revision Manager is also used to replace parts in an assembly. Use Perform Actions (green arrow) to complete the action. Parts in the copied and renamed assembly are now replaced. Use Clear Action (blue arrow) to undo or clear the action. Warning! If you want to rename a part be sure to check first if it is used in other assemblies. If a part is renamed the other assemblies will no longer recognize the part. You can check what parts are used in which assemblies with Where Used. The results appear in the bottom screen. 9 of 15

10 File Properties in Solid Edge The datafields in Drawingmanager match the data field in Solid File Properties, see below. File Properties Status Available - anybody can open and modify the part or assembly. In Work - only the engineer who designed the part or assembly can open and modify it. In Review - the part or assembly is being reviewed and not available for production. Released - the part or assembly has been released for production and cannot be modified anymore. First the parts are released, then the assembly may be released for production. Baselined - the part or assembly cannot be modified. The part serves as a base for other parts. The file can be opened as a Read only The parts in the libraries are Baselined. 10 of 15

11 Property Manager The order and appearance of datafields in Property Manager can be customized. The Document Name (= File Name) however is always active. Right click in the Property Manager window and select the Columns you want to be active. The column order can be arranged by selecting the column, left click and hold down mouse button and drag the column to the desired position. It is recommended to order the active Columns as they appear in File Properties, Drawingmanager and on the Parts List, as it suits your application, e.g.; Document Number, Title, Subject, Keywords, the Custom Properties L, W, H, T and Dia, and Material, Category and Author. Filling datafields in Property Manager It is convenient to use Property Manager to fill datafields. If possible use the draft (2D dft) of the final assembly. The datafields of the assembly draft and asm can be filled as well as the datafields of all the parts in the assembly (3D par and 3D psm). Use the fly-out s as defined in Propseed.txt. If necessary use keyboard F2 (edit) to modify field names or data, use Enter to accept. After completion use OK (bottom right) to save the input. 11 of 15

12 Sample Diagram File Folders - Serial Manufacturing Diagram file folder structure Drawingmanager 50 - Purchased Parts 52 - Fasteners 54 - Steel Sections 56 - Stainless Steel Sections 58 - Aluminum Sections 60 - Plastics 10 - Cylindrical Tanks 20 - Rectangular Tanks 30 - Waste Holding Bins 40 - Miscellaneous Word documents Excel documents Other documents 10 - Cylindrical Tanks 20 - Rectangular Tanks 30 - Waste Holding Bins 40 - Miscellaneous Word documents Excel documents Other documents Main Folder Development Folder Released - Product Folder Managed by Drawingmanager Standard Parts and Components Engineering Department Production Managed by Drawingmanager Not Released Parts Managed by Drawingmanager Released to Production Not managed by Drawingmanager Non Solid Edge File Formats File management for Serial Manufacturing can be done using the above shown folder structure. The number of Categories are limited and can be product defined. In this example you have three folders: Main Folder Standard parts and components SE status = released Development Folder Parts and assemblies for product development SE status = available Product Folder Parts and assemblies for production SE status = released The released parts are in a separate Drawingmanager database file to be used only in combination with the free Solid Edge Viewer and by departments such as: - Purchasing - Inventory control - Manufacturing - Sales 12 of 15

13 Sample Diagram File Folders - Project Manufacturing Diagram file folder structure Drawingmanager In house designed subassemblies and components Original sourced components in SE format Original sourced common hardware in SE format SE format Main assembly All subassemblies and components Word documents Excel documents PDF documents Images Non SE CAD files Main assembly All subassemblies and components Word documents Excel documents PDF documents Images Non SE CAD files Main Folder Development Folder Released - Product Folder Managed by Drawingmanager Standard Parts and Components Engineering Department Production Managed by Drawingmanager Not Released Parts Managed by Drawingmanager Released to Production Not Managed by Drawingmanager Non Solid Edge File Formats Main Folder The main folder is in fact the working folder. It contains all Solid Edge files These include sourced component CAD files converted to Solid Edge format. One can look at this folder as a catch all depository. Some may want to introduce a folder structure in it. Development Folder While designing parts or assemblies there is frequent need for supporting documentation. This could be pretty well anything. Usually some third party documentation, notes, calculations, and even CAD files from vendors. It is very useful to have all this information in the same folder in which the new design lives, including the tooling files. All these documents can be maintained in their native applications. 13 of 15

14 With Drawing Manager life gets easier. Since everything is in one place, such as the Main Folder, and files that are not to be modified are read only one doesn t have to worry much about design integrity. This is true if the design process is local, on a workstation. If more people have access to these files, say on a server, then all the files must be set to read only. This would protect assemblies designed by other engineers, who may be using the same part in their assembly. If a part must be modified, then a revision would have to be created. Once the revision is completed, the modified part would be released to the pool for use by others as a new protected part. Released Product Folder The above two folders could be assumed to be the responsibility of engineering department. Once the development of the part or the assembly is completed and released to production, it becomes the responsibility of the production department. Released products must NEVER be allowed to be changed, no matter how small this change may seem. Any revision of a released product must trigger a revision indicator of sort. Perhaps a new version number. For this reason always make a full copy of the released design and archive it. General All parts and subassemblies could live in a common folder on the company server, and would be read only, thus protected from any accidental changes. This would afford for all designers to have an access to these files as needed. They would simply bring them to their local workstation, and work with them at the workstation s speed not relying on a network bandwidth hence not wasting engineers time. If a change to a part is needed a revision would be created for the affected part and the assembly it lives in. This is the most important commitment the company would have to make, otherwise existing assemblies would be compromised. I would also suggest that a document file folder is located in the master folder on the server, where all ECOs would be stored. The name of the document should be descriptive of the changes being made. Furthermore, an circulated to all engineers could be a part of this process. Having the changes documented would help newcomers to the company to find variants of parts and assemblies they may be incorporating in their own designs. Once again, and because a company is using Drawingmanager, I would create a common file folder on the server. This folder would be different from the engineering folder. Let s call it released product folder. All files in this folder would be released products. They would be frozen meaning, not allowed to be changed, period! This folder should also contain folders belonging to all customers. I use this with my Solid Edge customers. Everything related to a particular customer lives in this folder. All written communications, notes on phone discussions, quotes, copies of s, copies of invoices, licenses, well everything. Finding things would be really easy, because they all are in one place. If the company has many customers, regional folders can be created, housing all companies from that region. This folder could be used by all company departments. If there is a need to protect information, then some of the folders could be password protected. All this functionality already 14 of 15

15 exists in the native application or the OS. To make the life even easier, the main assembly file sold to the customer may also live in that customer s folder. This would make it easy to open this assembly in the viewer, with all its components and drawings listed for easy access. Edward Dolejsi of C3D Solutions Inc. Delta BC Canada 15 of 15