enable functionality like 'branching'

[sdegeus]

In case of changes, you normally want to explore more than 1 possible solution.

Then compare the options, and choose which solution will be implemented.

Using Windchill PDMLink as CAD archive holding limited object-iteration, some of them with state 'Released', in combination with Windchill PROJECTLink for the actual CAD activities (be it development or changes), this is very difficult.

The suggested PTC way of using a separate Project for each alternative works, but does not enable to compare the alternatives in the same CAD-session as the data is stored in separate Project,, using separate workspaces linked to separate CAD sessions.

Defining variant in the same Project comes down to making copies, which obviously makes it a very challenging activity to actually Send the chosen solution back to PDMLink as new iteration.

A functionality like 'branching' (as in Pro/INTRALINK 3.x) would be helpful. simply define branches, compare these, and finally choose which branch is the main branch.

Note that functionality like Design Exploration will not be relevant for tools like NX, SolidEdge, ...

[JeffZemsky]

There is a capability for working with CAD to use with PDMLink and Projectlink where you can have branches to multiple projects.  The projects can then work on the concept and the choosen branch can then be brought back to PDMLink.  Have you investigated this option to see if it would suite your needs?

[jfrankovich]

Jeff,

That might work for multiple "from scratch" design concepts, but wouldn't that concept be a problem if the projects involved exploring changes to current designs? Wouldn't an object need to be checked out to multiple projects in order to explore variations in each project?

[JeffZemsky]

John,

That's how it works - you check out to PJL - but in this case it creates a branch.  When done, you check back in the one to keep.

[jfrankovich]

So each project literally acts as its own branch? I guess I was not familiar with that capability and how it is enabled. We've only used the traditional PDM PJL interaction.

[STEVEG]

What about the majority of us that don't have PJL?  It would be great to add it back to PDMLink what they took away after we "upgraded" from Intralink.

[sdegeus]

Hi Jeff,

In case you mean to say that you can check out an Object to multiple Projects (PJL) and then in each Project explore a different concept/solution/option, then that is not what we are looking for.

The problem we encounter with this particular possibility is that you cannot compare the various options/concepts easily in the same CAD session (in our case NX, but for CREO that would be the same).

So that would mean multiple CAD sessions, but then still comparing is difficult, e.g. if you assemble the options/concept you want to compare in 1 assembly, you can compare geometrically …

Regards,

Sander de Geus

[SimonLucas]

If you have visualisation enabled you could compare the different designs using CreoView in the same way you can compare different iterations of the same object. You can overlay in the same graphics window or display them in separate windows. Exact functionality may differ depending on eh version of creoview you use (lite V mcad etc)

[olivierlp]

Hello,

We are archiving your idea as part of a general review. This action is based on the age of your idea and the total number of votes received, as per this announcement.

You can always post a new idea with all the details required in the form.

Thank you for your participation.