QUESTION FOR PDMW GURUS 4

[Olid]

Hello all,
We finally switched from Smarteam to PDMWorks and I have a lot to learn. One of our users is asking me if there is a way to have assemblies check out of the vault with "latest released" components like we did in Smarteam. I know that we can always get the latest, however the latest might not be released.

We have set up our vault to have only two life cycle stages, "in process" and "released" and I don't see how we can get the "latest" released parts. We can only get "as built" or the "latest versions".

How do others handle this?

BTW
We are on SW2006 SP3.4 & PDMW 3.0 build 0051

Regards,
Dan Olid

 

[J-C]

Nope, you'll have to submit an enhancement request.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2005 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2
SolidWorks 2006 SP3.3 on WinXP SP2

 

[EniEddie]

We've struggled with the question of keeping SmarTeam or switching to PDMW or someother less pricey software. In the end, we come to the same conclusion after comparing products and that is, we'd lose so much capability/functionality that we remain with ST.

It's always tough giving up what you've come to know. SmarTeam may be pricey, hard to learn & requires a DBA but it does just about everything we want it to.
Good Luck with PDMWorks.

 

[ctopher]

Checking out the latest version IS the latest, regardless of which lifecycle it's in.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[Olid]

Chris,
That's the problem. We want to be able to get the "latest released" not the "latest checked in".

I am new to PDMWorks so, I may be missing or not properly understanding something.



Regards,
Dan Olid

 

[Standing]

EniEddie,

it does just about everything we want it to.

That is what got us into trouble. Too many options to control, to many changes, to many folders and the guy managing the data base did it all. He was one smart guy.

What I like about PDM\Works is that when an Engineer asks for something special I say sorry cannot be done. PDM\Works gives us everything we need. I agree giving up what one knows very well is a tough thing too do. Also I am sure PDM\Works is not for everyone.

What we do if we want the latest released is to open the highest level released assembly and all drawings “As Built”. One of our rules when releasing an assembly is that all parts in that assembly must be released.


Bradley

 

[ctopher]

OLID, in PDMW, you only have the one part or assy or dwg, right?
So if you want to open" or "check out", you only take the latest file. It does not matter which folder, lifecycle, project or whatever that it's in. The only time you will not get the latest, is if you checked "as built".
For example: You have a dwg and related part that is rev C (current) and revs B & A are there for history. If you want to open the dwg rev C ... it will open the current revs of the dwg & the part. If you open an assy's current rev, it will use the current revs of all parts associated with that assy rev. If you open the current assy rev and select "as built", it will open the current assy's revision and any parts revs saved with the assy rev at that time.
I hope I made sense.
So, PDMW does not care which lifecycle it's in, it will open the latest (current) file unless you tell it to open an older one.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[Olid]

Bradley,
Are you saying that PDMWorks does not force users to "release" component parts prior to or at the same time you relase the top level assembly?

Do you have any other rules you would like to share with a new PDMWorks user?

EniEddie,
Price was only one of the many reasons we decided to leave Smarteam and we had it for about six years. We have been on PDMWorks since Monday and are going through some growing pains, as expected, but I am sure we made the right decision for us. We knew all along that there were going to be some differences but we also felt it was worth the trouble to make the move. Now we just have to find a way around them or live with them.

Regards,
Dan Olid

 

[ctopher]

There is a little learning curve with PDMW, but once you get it, you will like it. IMO it's better than ST.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[Olid]

Chris,
"it will open the latest (current) file unless you tell it to open an older one."

That is on the right path and I think it might work for us.
I know how to switch component revision levels for an assembly while checking out the assembly. Now is there something to indicate to the users, either visually or another way, the life cycle status of the component parts being copied out with the assembly.

Thanks for being patient, I am still learning.

BTW how do you add that cool little quote box

Regards,
Dan Olid

 

[ctopher]

When you are in PDMW, you can see which file are in which lifecycle. If it does not show, go to options and turn them on.
If you mean the stuff below my signature, go to your Eng-Tips personal profile and add it.

http://www.javelin-tech.com/main/products/pdmworks-demos.htm

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

OLID ... click on the Process TGML hyperlink, right above the Submit Post button.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[ctopher]

Oh, that...sorry.
CBL is correct.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[Olid]

click on the Process TGML hyperlink, right above the Submit Post button.

That is so cool. Thank you CBL

and thanks to you Chris for the link to Javelin website.
A star for each one of you.

This is one of the reasons I enjoy this forum so much.
I ask for help learning one thing and end up learning so
much more.

Thanks again to all of you.

Regards,
Dan Olid
SW2006 SP3.4
PDMW 3.0

 

[Standing]

Dan Olid,
You are correct in saying, “PDMWorks does not force users to "release" component parts prior to or at the same time you release the top level assembly” This is an option each user sets.

These are the rules I came up with for our company.
PDM Rules to Live by:

1. Within VaultAdmin tool: The “Bind ownership to SolidWorks read-write-only access” is checked.
2. Within VaultAdmin tool: The “Set file system read-only attribute if not owner” is checked.
3. Get latest parts from PDM.
4. Work only within your working directory.
5. Keep your working directory clean.
6. Take ownership as soon as you know you are going to change, if an ECN is required keep ownership until you give it to Documentation.
7. Do not check out or take ownership unless you are going to change it.
8. Do not take ownership of an assembly and all children.
9. Upon check-in, add short note as to what you did.
10. Release Ownership (if applicable) during check-in not afterwards.
11. Do not add suffices and prefixes to part numbers being checked-in to PDM.
12. Do not check-in junk names; get a part number if it needs to be in PDM.
13. If you are working on projects that are not ready for PDM, create a sub-directory within your working directory for those models. Remember rule number 2.
14. Do not delete relationships and external references.
15. Clean swSolidWorksBackups directory; defrag your C:\ drive as often as needed.
16. Work only on models and drawings that have been taken out of the PDM Vault. Unless you created them.


Bradley

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Bradley ... that would make a good FAQ for future reference.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[ctopher]

Bradley, CBL,
I agree. I have used a very similar one, but I think you should copy-paste yours to FAQ. Very good. I'll give you a star.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[Olid]

Bradley,
Thank you very much. A star for you as well.


Regards,
Dan Olid
SW2006 SP3.4
PDMW 3.0

 

[Standing]

Thanks for the stars.
PDM Rules to Live by: is now a FAQ faq559-1227


Bradley