Can't rename files with "Assembly Save a Copy"

[Ben8]

I am using Creo 9.

I have received a large step file with over 1k components, I have imported it successfully and now I need to rename some of the files.

I tried to use "Use template" option - no matter what I choose to do - the generation of file names would wipe out all of the values in the "New File Name" column (see screenshot attached). I tried  asterisk symbol in front, at the end, or both in front and after the characters i need to replace; i also tried using suffixes and not using suffixes for the new file name.

I also tried File > Save, edit file list in excel, and then import it back, but it doesn't apply the renaming when importing.

I see most of the problems with file names being too long, but I can't remove sections of file names using template. For example, i need to replace "STEEL" in the names of the files with "S" in 200 files, but no matter what I do I can't make it work. If i use "Template" then it wipes out all names, or if I Export the file names into txt and then edit them - then it simply doesn't do anything.

Definitely looks like a bug, but any advice appreciated

[StephenW · Accepted solution]

I don't have one I can readily find with long filenames so it's difficult to test and be sure it's right.

My first thought is to get rid of the .PRT

I did that test with it and it gave me an error.

I restarted the save a copy (not just changed the template name and on Second test), no ".PRT* and if worked perfectly.

[kdirth]

I agree that using the file extension in the renaming template is problematic. I also experienced issues when trying to use the extension.

If you are looking to rename the models, why not use rename.

[Ben8]

Thanks @StephenW  and apologies for late reply.

I managed to sort this out, but not quite. I think what I figured out is that on very large assemblies Creo can't handle the template and the "Use suffix" at the same time properly.

What I ended up doing was using the template on where I can, saving the assy out to a new file, then opening that new assembly (with renamed files according to the template), manually renaming a bunch of files, adding a suffix at places, etc. This required spending quite a few hours, and saving 3 copies of original assembly, but eventually I managed to do it. 

It was very tedious, now that I am aware of it I could do it in 1/3 of the time, but this particular aspect seems very weak with Creo.

Regardless, thanks everyone for the help, much appreciated. 

[StephenW]

Doing save-as in Creo is painful and has always been painful and always will be likely due to the parent child references that are all created.

This is where PDMLink/windchill help out so much. The save as within pdmlink can be used incrementally and then along with "update parents" within that, you can handle it so much better.

Some ideas for you are to do your large assembly save-as starting from the top and then working your down in smaller subsets. It takes more planning upfront but is usually less painful along the way.

[Ben8]

Unfortunatelly, Windchill operations is not an option because I can't check-in the assembly to the vault, because it has duplicate file names. Getting away from duplicate names was the sole purpose of this exercise. 

[Tdaugherty]

You rename template is not right. Try something like this. 

[Catalina]

Hi @Ben8,

I wanted to see if you got the help you needed.

If so, please mark the appropriate reply as the Accepted Solution or please feel free to detail in a reply what has helped you and mark it as the Accepted Solution. It will help other members who may have the same question.

Of course, if you have more to share on your issue, please pursue the conversation.

Thanks,