October 17, 2000

PTC Weekly EmailThis Weeks Topics:A) PTC Product Focus: Import Data Doctor OptionB) Technical Tip: Exporting MECHANICA Results for the webC) Upcoming Events and Training Schedules

A) PTC Product Focus: Import Data DoctorImport Data Doctor Option (DDO) allows users to repair imported geometric data more easily – to provide valid Pro/ENGINEER® geometry for downstream applications. It provides tools for automating the cleanup process as well as a Constraint Manager for constraining or collapsing imported geometry for better surface management. All of these tools dramatically reduce the time required to manually clean up an imported or legacy model and Import Data Doctor does not require users to have any experience to achieve good results.

Key Product Features:

Automated Surface Cleanup By performing some of the more tedious and repetitive tasks associated with redefining imported geometry, Import Data Doctor minimizes users' interaction while still providing them with complete control over the process to maintain design intent and engineering requirements. Based on a user's input, the system will automatically reconstruct the underlying wireframe of the imported geometry, close gaps, align vertices, and rebuild boundaries.

Constraint Manager The Constraint Manager provides users with a set of tools for specifying constraints for the resulting geometry. These tools allow them to select which surfaces and boundaries should change, modify the proposed solution, as well as set or unset tangency constraints. Through selection, they can pick the entities on the screen and specify a constraint to be applied to those entities. The available constraints are:

Freeze/Unfreeze Surface Freeze/Unfreeze Surface and Boundaries Set/Unset Tangency on an Edge Set/Unset Master Side for an Edge Select Intersection Curves (split surface) Set Surface to Suspend

October 17, 2000

Collapse Geometry The Collapse Geometry functionality enables users to automatically delete the history of imported features and repair the imported geometry by making those features part of the imported geometry. While the parent-child relationships among the imported feature and the collapsed geometry are removed, the references to collapsed geometry objects remain valid, which allows dependencies to

FIXED SURFACE

TANGENT EDGES TOADJACENT SURFACES

October 17, 2000

regenerate. This eliminates the need for reference handling for these repair features – as some areas of the imported geometry may change during the design process.

Questions to ask yourselves if you are interested in the previously described functionality.

1. Do you import data from other CAD packages?

2. Where do you import your data from?

3. Who is cleaning up the data you currently import?

4. How long, on average, does it take you to import and cleanup a solid model?

Summary: If you are importing data from UG, SDRC, CATIA, STEP, and IGES and spendingconsiderable amounts of time cleaning the data, Import Data Doctor could considerable advanceyour time to market.

B) This Week’s Technical Tip: Exporting MECHANICA Results for the web

The world wide web is continuing to play a significant part in our personal andbusiness lives, and as we collaborate via the web the applications we use should facilitatethat collaboration. PTC has included functionality into Pro/MECHANICA that willexport HTML and VRML data in order for disparate teams to analyze the results of aPro/MECHANICA analysis.

IMAGES FOR EMAIL, FOR PRINT OR FOR WEB REVIEWIf your analysis run is completed and you are reviewing the results, a new results

window in 2000i2 will permit you to export your results to various image types; BMP,Encapsulated PostScript, JPEG, and TIFF. The user is also provided the functionality tocontrol image size, (height and width), also the resolution (dpi), and the image depth(either 24 bit or 8 bit). The Export Image option also includes the ability to print thatimage out via the Window Print Manager, HPGL2, and PostScript (Vector). Betweenthese two options a variety of image exports can be accomplished.

If you want to show the image in the most vibrant of colours, make sure that theShade option is selected. This can be found under the SHOW CTL menu, underControls and next to a check box titles Shade.

If you do not want the titles or labels to show up in the image, just select theLabels and Titles selections under the SHOW CTL menu and the will be hidden. Selectthem and they will reappear.

If you want the results window to have a different background color, this willneed to be reset in the configuration section. This can be found under theMECHANICA menu, Configuration, and Edit Session. The config option is titled,RESULT_DISP_BACKGROUND_COLOR, and the options are BLENDED, BLUE,BLACK, WHITE. For our example select WHITE.

October 17, 2000

Before exiting the config editor, select File -> Save As -> name the fileconfig.mech. Now File -> Exit.

Before leaving the MEC CONFIG menu select Load File, and config.mechshould be the default option, now select the Accept button at the bottom of the LoadConfig File dialogue. This will load in your changes to the config file, and when youreturn to the results window, the background will be white.

Now File -> Export -> Image and select the image export type, and under theOutput Options area of this dialogue, you can input an image name, or browse for anexiting one and overwrite that file with an updated image. WARNING the file namemust be followed by the appropriate image extension, i.e. for JPEG - *.jpg, for TIFF -*.tif, and for Encapsulated PostScript - *.eps.

These exports should accommodate any quick visualisation requirements fordesigners or managers. Lets look at how we can enhance that with another form of lightweight export of the result data for the internet.

VRML MODEL EXPORT FOR THE WORLD WIDE WEBVRML, Virtual Reality Markup Language, has been used for a number of years

by internet users for displaying of lightweight (small file size) 3D data. With specialplug-ins for most standard browsers, such as Netscape Communicator and InternetExplorer, people can transfer the VRML models, view, and spin the models. PTC hasincluded this direct export option to Pro/MECHANICA, with a special option of not onlyexporting the VRML model, but also with the fringed plot colors (stress distribution bluefor low stress areas and red for high stress areas) on the model which can display stressdistribution throughout the model.

In the Result Window select File -> Export -> Direct VRML. This will export a modelwith exact name as the Pro/ENGINEER part, but with a VRML extension, *.wrl.

Suggested VRML Viewers:The Cortona VRML Viewer from Parallel Graphics can be downloaded fromhttp://www.parallelgraphics.com/products/cortona/

The COSMO VRML Viewer from Computer Associates can be downloaded fromhttp://www.cai.com/cosmo/

If you are having problems exporting the VRML version of you model, pleasereview the following document:

Click here: Technical Help Document to link to this document.

HTML EXPORT FOR MECHANICA RESULT REVIEWIn the Result Window select File -> Export -> HTML Report. This will initiate adialogue window for exporting html.

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The users has the ability to completely customize their HTML output. This includes thename of the file, a textual Introduction, Comment, and Conclusion areas, as well controlover the selected results run. Select Export, and all the associated files will be created inthe directory you direct it to.

Click here: Exported HTML Document to link to this document.

I hope these few helpful tips will aid your web collaboration. Please review your onlinedocumentation for more details on this subject, or call 1-800-4PROHELP for telephonetechnical support.

C) Upcoming Events and Training Schedules

Join a free, live Internet broadcast sponsored by PTC and Design News right from your desktop, at 11 a.m.EST (10 a.m. CST), Thursday, October 26. Find out how flexible engineering will make you moreproductive and innovative in meeting your customers' needs.

http://www.manufacturing.net/magazine/dn/webcasts/ptcwebcast1.htm

Please navigate to the following link if requiring training schedules for events in November.PTC TRAINING SCHEDULE - http://www.ptc.com/services/edserv/schedule.htm

CORE PRO/ENGINEER2000 10/23 Core Pro/ENGINEER Release 2000i2 Update Milford (OH)2000 10/24 Core Pro/ENGINEER Release 2000i2 Update Milford (OH)

2000 10/23 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Bellevue (WA)

October 17, 2000

2000 10/23 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Beltsville (MD)2000 10/23 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Houston (TX)2000 10/23 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Mississauga (Ontario)2000 10/23 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Waukesha (WI)2000 10/23 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Minneapolis (MN)2000 10/23 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Parsippany (NJ)2000 10/23 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Newport Beach (CA)2000 10/23 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Charlotte (NC)2000 10/23 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER San Jose (CA)2000 10/30 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Waltham (MA)2000 10/30 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Lisle (IL)2000 10/30 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Parsippany (NJ)2000 10/30 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Newport Beach (CA)2000 10/30 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Troy (MI)2000 10/30 Introduction to Pro/ENGINEER Nashua (NH)

2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Design San Jose (CA)2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Design Lisle (IL)2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Design Houston (TX)2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Design Monroeville (PA)2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Design Monroeville (PA)2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Design Milford (OH)2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Design Phoenix (AZ)2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Design Waukesha (WI)2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Design San Jose (CA)2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Design Dallas (TX)

2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Drawing Newport Beach (CA)2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Drawing Piqua (OH)2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Drawing Pleasanton (CA)2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Drawing Minneapolis (MN)

2000 10/30 Drawing for Designers El Segundo (CA)

2000 10/23 Designing With Surfaces Minneapolis (MN)2000 10/25 Designing With Surfaces Longwood (FL)2000 10/25 Designing With Surfaces Independence (OH)2000 10/30 Designing With Surfaces Lisle (IL)

2000 10/19 Fundamentals of Sheetmetal Design Parsippany (NJ)2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Sheetmetal Design Dallas (TX)2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Sheetmetal Design Waltham (MA)2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Sheetmetal Design Dallas (TX)2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Sheetmetal Design Waltham (MA)2000 10/25 Fundamentals of Sheetmetal Design Taylor (Austin) (TX)2000 10/26 Fundamentals of Sheetmetal Design Parsippany (NJ)2000 10/26 Fundamentals of Sheetmetal Design Minneapolis (MN)2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Sheetmetal Design Alpharetta (GA)

2000 10/31 Pro/ENGINEER Assembly Workshop Nashua (NH)

2000 10/23 Large Assembly Management Taylor (Austin) (TX)

ROUTED SYSTEMS2000 10/23 Pro/ENGINEER Cable Harness Design Training Parsippany (NJ)2000 10/23 Pro/ENGINEER Cable Harness Design Training Phoenix (AZ)

2000 10/26 Pro/PIPING Training Phoenix (AZ)

DATA MANAGEMENT2000 10/23 Pro/INTRALINK Administrator Training Nashua (NH)2000 10/23 Pro/INTRALINK Administrator Training Parsippany (NJ)2000 10/30 Pro/INTRALINK Administrator Training Houston (TX)

SIMULATION2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Pro/MECHANICA Structure/Thermal Training Alpharetta (GA)2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Pro/MECHANICA Structure/Thermal Training Troy (MI)2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Pro/MECHANICA Structure/Thermal Training San Jose (CA)2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Pro/MECHANICA Structure/Thermal Training San Jose (CA)

October 17, 2000

2000 10/30 Fundamentals of Pro/MECHANICA Structure/Thermal Training Newport Beach (CA)

NC2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Milling Troy (MI)2000 10/23 Fundamentals of Milling Dallas (TX)2000 10/30 Complex Milling Tulsa (OK)

Note: This Weekly PTC Email will continue to be used for the following:

1) Inform you on events related to PTC products. (user groups, conferences, training, etc.)2) Educate you on products that are available at PTC3) Provide Tips and Techniques using PTC products

Note: These messages will be distributed via email. If you wish to subscribe, send an email tomyee@ptc.com and type SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. If you wish to be removed from futuremailings type REMOVE in the subject line.

October 17, 2000

TPI ID = 35031 Description ----------- This document provides suggestions when the message "selected result window can't be exported as VRML file" is encountered in either structure or thermal module of Pro/Mechanica.

Alternate Technique ------------------- See resolution.

Resolution ---------- The suggestions are as follows: - review the selected results window - change the display to fringe

- for structure module: - uncheck continous tone - uncheck animate - uncheck deformed

- for thermal module: - uncheck continous tone - uncheck animate

- click on #accept and then #show - now click on #Export VRML button in the menu - select the edited results window to be exported - the Export VRML dialog box should be available to allow the file to be saved in a *.wrl format in a specified directory

- for more details please look up the Pro/Mechanica user manuals

Introduction

Please review the following results.

Pro/MECHANICA STRUCTURE Version 18.0(51)Summary for Design Study "rod_std_mp"Thu Jan 15, 1998 13:25:38

Post-ProcessingFile:rod_std_mp.rpt

Connecting Rod Initial Results

file:///C|/TEMP/Customer Email/results.htm (1 of 2) [19/10/2000 16:59:47]

Comments

This is the results of the Connecting Rod in its initial environment.

Conclusion

Avg. Max. = 2.057e+1 which is acceptable if using Titanium, however with regular carbon steel this is far too high. We should change the design in order to distribute evenly.

Connecting Rod Initial Results

file:///C|/TEMP/Customer Email/results.htm (2 of 2) [19/10/2000 16:59:47]