Simplify and make UI more precise for mass property update (PRO_MP_MASS) if "mass_property_calculate" is set to "by_request" (manual update)

[_Marc_]

Current issues (up to Creo 3.0)

• The reported mass properties (e.g. PRO_MP_MASS) can be changed only using the dialog > Model properties "change" > Setup Mass Properties > OK - see screenshots below. This opens a dialog that has two effects: (1) Define how the mass property is calculated and (2) Recalculate the mass and assign the value to PRO_MP_MASS
• In the "Mass properties" dialog recalculated values are assigned on "OK" without respect on the fact if the "Calculate.." had been hit in the dialog or not.
• There are other ways to calculate the mass (e.g. Analysis > Mass Properties) which produce a message log entry "Mass Properties calculation completed." but do not change the mass properties (e.g. PRO_MP_MASS). This is misleading for some users:
  
  
  

Current behavior: How to change reported mass properties (e.g. PRO_MP_MASS)

Step 1

Step 2

Idea

Simplify this and clearly separate updating the reported mass properties (e.g. PRO_MP_MASS) from just viewing the mass properties.

Possibilities to make the behavior more clear (there may exist better ways). These changes should just be applied just in case the config.pro option "mass_property_calculate" is set to "by_request":

1. Add a recalculate link in the Model Properties dialog when "mass_property_calculate" is set to "by_request":
   This should just recalculate the mass properties according the geometry and update PRO_MP_MASS.
   This recalculate link needs to be callable by a mapkey function!
2. In the "Mass properties" dialog: Remove the "Calculate..." Button.
3. Change Message log entry after finishing a mass property analysis
   From: "Mass Properties calculation completed."
   To: "Mass Properties Analysis had been performed, but model properties had not been updated to that values. To update model properties use "recalculate"

See also

Cases / SPR regarding this issue had been opened, example: https://support.ptc.com/appserver/cs/view/solution.jsp?n=CS59033

[sking]

Hi Marc- Is this still a current and valid idea for you?  If so, would you mind updating the screen shots?  They currently link to (link removed)...

[_Marc_]

Hi Stephen, yes, it's still an issue. I updated the screen shots. Thanks!

[Chris3]

Can you clarify your request?

"Simplify this" - How?

"clearly separate updating the reported mass properties from just viewing the mass properties" - isn't this how it is programmed now? The analysis method is just for viewing which is separate from the mass properties change button which is for updating. The are separate currently. What are you asking for?

[_Marc_]

I updated the idea with some possibilities to make it more clear when the PRO_MP_MASS gets recalculated according to the geometry when "mass_property_calculate" is set to "by_request".

> "The analysis method is just for viewing which is separate from the mass properties change button which is for updating."

Yes, but the message that is printed in the message log does not make that clear. I added a screenshot.