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mikehoopes8-Gravel
8-Gravel
June 30, 2020
Solved

IDF import: .asm in zip or subfolder?

  • June 30, 2020
  • 1 reply
  • 3974 views

I have generally tried to convert assemblies to parts via Shrinkwrap for the purpose of IDF import. However, in some cases, I cannot get a shrinkwrapped assembly to include all of the necessary features, and quite often the shrinkwrapped file size is many times greater than the sum of the original parts, regardless of the number of repetitions in the assembly.

 

I also don't want to dump all of the files in those assemblies into the flat structure that contains all of the ECAD parts. I want to keep the assemblies in subfolders or zip archives.

 

However, Creo Parametric cannot locate my .asm files in zip archives or subfolders. Is there an option that will enable this?

Best answer by tbraxton

I doubt you will find PTC Creo references on managing libraries, that is why they sell Windchill. It sounds like you need some sort of data management tool deployed.

 

Libraries outside of Windchill for Creo are just directories in the absence of any other tools to manage the data.

1 reply

tbraxton
22-Sapphire II
tbraxton22-Sapphire II
22-Sapphire II
June 30, 2020

Ecad hint map files support the use of libraries for component models (ECAD symbols and ME 3D models). You have to plan the library and populate it but if you use ECAD/MCAD exchange with IDF it is well worth it. All organizations I have seen using this are large and have librarians dedicated but there are low cost library services available now if you can not support this internally. Library maintenance is a must but the ROI is quickly realized if you use ECAD/MCAD exchange often.

 

One nice thing about the library is that you can store all 3D models set to read only with all datums hidden which will prevent annoying regen of 1000 component ECAD assemblies when working with them in Creo. Should you need to manipulate the features you can always clear the read only status.

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mikehoopes8-GravelAuthor
8-Gravel
June 30, 2020

Thanks for the quick post. I have used hint maps in the past, and am willing to do so again if it enables my intent. However, I have 1:1 correspondence with footprint/model names, so the hint map hasn't been necessary. This includes my .asm files; if import the IDF with my assemblies in session, they pull in, no problem.

 

Creo just cannot find them if they are in not the exact folder specified in my search_path configs. Is there a way to get search_path to support subfolders of those paths, or zip files contained in the paths? Or is there a way to *easily* reconfigure those assemblies so that the .asm goes in the search_path folder, and references the rest of its parts in the subfolders?

 

[edit]: By libraries, are you talking about Windchill libraries? Is that supported in PDM Essentials?

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mikehoopes8-GravelAuthor
8-Gravel
June 30, 2020

Addendum: I moved my .asm files out of the subfolders, then reopened the assemblies, executed "Retrieve Missing Component", then saved. However, when I re-open the assembly file in a new Creo session, including IDF import, it has lost track of the child parts, and I have to retrieve them again, every time.

 

Is there a way to configure an assembly so that it looks in a given subfolder for its children? Can this be done retroactively, or did I have to make the assembly that way in the first place? The latter will not work, in most cases, where I am converting a STEP into a Creo assembly.

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