First time Solid Edge user, need help loading parts 3

[mustangman2001]

I appologize for what may seem like such a basic question. I'm a UniGraphics guy and this is my first real attempt at using SolidEdge. I looked thru the help documents before posting here but didnt find quite what I was looking for.

I need to open a large top level assembly and export all the sub assemblies and parts into solidworks. My problem is that when I go to open the top level assembly, it doesnt find and/or load a bunch of parts in the tree(s) (I should note that these parts do indeed exist). With UniGraphics, I could just set an option to search "x" folders and when it loaded a part, it would search the folders for the parts instead of loading them from the last place it was saved.

Is there a way to do this in SE? I tried just going thru and using the "replace" function, but it kept telling me that I had to rename the part to use it. I'd even settle for learning how to load an unloaded component in the assembly structure.

I appreciate any help you can give me... This is starting to become very fustrating

regards
-S

 

[EricatNordic]

I'm only a few months into modeling with SE, but here is what I know so far.

You want to right click on the assembly file in a windows folder and choose "open in revision manager". Rev Man will open with an indented assembly structure and probably a lot of parts in red, indicating that the actual file can't be found. pick the red ones one at a time, right click and choose "replace" a windows folder tool will open, navigate thruough it to the location of the files and select the actual location where they exist. Rev Man will remap itself to look in the correct location next time. No search option that I could find though.

If you open the part in SE, right click the red (unfound) parts in the assembly structure in the edgebar and choose replace. the windows folder will have the windows folder search tool available, much like UG.

I fooled around with trying to confuse revision manager by moving stuff and it seems to automatically search subfolders in the same directory as the parent assembly. I'm not sure if thats a configuration property that the previous end user set up at this company or if its a default. But it seemed to do a better job of keeping track of parts if Rev Man was open while I moved files around in normal windows directories.

Good luck

 

[mustangman2001]

Thanks for the quick reply... it sounds exactly what I'm looking for. I appreciate it

regards
-s

 

[mustangman2001]

ok, I was able to sucessfully enter the rev manager, but when I try to replace the file it gives me this error "a parent of this document is being changed, this document cannot be changed"

It appaears that they have released the part?

any ideas to make them free to modify/work in?

 

[fredericmenage]

Hi,

I think it's because you are trying to do operations that can not be performed at the same time. Try to do less in several batches.

Also, in linkmgmt.txt (in Solid Edge Vxx/Program), you can enter search paths (like what you described in UG NX). Save it. Open something in 3D in SE, go to Tools/Options and indicate you are using linkmgmt.txt (2nd line I believe). Then close that file. Open your asm, if the parts are in the searched paths; your missing parts should be there. Save the asm.

HTH,

Fred

 

[kjoiner]

You can also try pulling down the edit menu once you have the assembly open and pick links. You can select a new path for the parts that are causing trouble.

I would try using Revision Manager first per Erica's recommendation since it lets you see your part structure more clearly and it is tailored to such a task but edit links gives you another option.

Kyle

 

[mustangman2001]

Thanks for all the help, I'll let you know how it turns out. One question though, how can I turn a part back to modifyable if it says that it's been released already (besides doing a save as)? Seems to be an error that I'm getting alot although not sure if it even really matters for what I'm attempting

seems alot like the Iman system

 

[beachcomber]

Hi mustangman,

"a parent of this document is being changed, this document cannot be changed"

Had exactly the same error myself today, and it occurred under the following condition :

At top asssembly level I was trying to replace 4 sub assemblies and 1 part, BUT one of the sub-assemblies also contained that part.
What SE was telling me was, "sorry, you can't replace the part in the sub-assembly because you're also trying to replace the sub-assembly itself".
"
I would suggest using a "LinkManagement" file as Fred suggests to re-direct the search paths for the missing parts.
Then open the assembly in Rev Manager and the missing parts should be there.
In my experience Rev Manager will not save the new paths unless you copy the assembly structure to a new location, which should also get rid of the 'released' problem.
Alternatively, in Rev Manager you can use the "Search for Broken Links" and "Redefine Links" commands.

Rev Manager is extremely powerfull, but you can do an awfull lot of damage very quickly if you ake a mistake !! (believe me, I've seen it)

 

[mustangman2001]

thanks for the helpful information... your responses have been invaluable. Have a beer on me and have a good holiday season

regards
-S

 

[kjoiner]

Mustangman2001,

Once you have released a part, you cannot change it. Open the part using Revision Manager and use "set action to copy" to copy the file and give it a new name or revision. If you already have the part in an assembly, I think you can do it two ways:

1. Perform the step above and then open the assembly in Revision Manager, find the part in the assembly and use "replace" to replace the released part with the new copy.

2. Open the assembly in revision manager and perform the copy step right there. It should save you a step.

I typically don't use Save As because Revision Manager is more rhobust at these tasks and while in Revision Manager, you can search for places where the file is used to make sure you don't have future confilcts.


Kyle

 

[mustangman2001]

I was able to get the project done on time because of your help, I sincerely appreciate it. Thanks again

regards,
-S