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dgrobe1-Visitor
1-Visitor
December 1, 2015
Solved

STEP/IGES file download

  • December 1, 2015
  • 4 replies
  • 12853 views

when we load our drawing (pdf) into our PLM software, sometimes our customers request a step file.  i noticed that now, you can create the step file, and automatically attach it to the documentation in Windchill. however, if i do a search for a part, i have no way to actually download the file to my local drive, without opening it into creo, then saving it.  is there something i am doing wrong?  can i somehow browse to this part?

Best answer by TomU

Access it from a stand-alone web browser.  Not from the one running inside Creo.

4 replies

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23-Emerald IV
TomU23-Emerald IV
23-Emerald IV
December 3, 2015

It would be helpful if you can be a little more precise in describing your process.  You talk about loading a PDF, but then later talk about searching for parts.  Are you loading the PDF as a "Windchill Document" (WTDocument)?  When you talk about parts are you referring to "Windchill Parts" (WTPart) or CAD Models (EPMDocument)?  Some screenshots would probably go a long way in getting you some answers...

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SimonLucas1-Visitor
1-Visitor
December 3, 2015

if the step file is attached to an EPMDoc, then go to the info page fro the EPDoc, then go to content, and under secondary content should be the step file. You can download directly from there.

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dgrobe1-VisitorAuthor
1-Visitor
December 3, 2015

we use creo, and windchill.  but we dont use windchill as our PLM, for purchasing, and BOM.  we only use Windchill as the vault for our parts. check in, check out, revise.

we have a seperate software that we use for BOM, purchasing, and such.  so, when i create a drawing, i export a pdf, save it locally, and attach it to the other program via a pdf. 

sometimes customers request step files of the part for programming purposes.  our purchasing department then emails me, and asks for it.  where i will go open the part, save as a step, then email the attachment.

i saw in windchill, that it could automatically attach it in windchill, so i did some testing, and had some step files created and auto attach in windchill.  but, when i search for that part, like simon in his post.  the step files are there, but there is no way for me to download and save it locally to send the attachment.  i can only download and open in creo. not save it to my local anywhere.

T
23-Emerald IV
TomU23-Emerald IV
23-Emerald IV
December 3, 2015

There are several ways to approach this.  Here are two of them.

Option 1 - Save the STEP file in Creo as an attachment to the CAD model.

This option appears when doing a "Save As" from Creo (when connected to Windchill).

After checking in, the STEP file can be accessed from the objects "Content" tab.  There is a download link provided.

Option 2 - Configure Windchill to automatically generate STEP files for all CAD models as part of the publishing process (typically after check-in).

These files will also show up on the content tab under the "Representations/Annotations" section.  Right click on the representation to see them.

If you take this second approach, there are options available to make accessing the data even simpler.  We have a 3rd party utility from Wincom Consulting that provides "Google style search" with one-click access directly to the additional files.  It looks like this:

PTC is also developing a new set of Role Based Apps for Windchill 11 that run on the ThingWorx platform.  These too will provide simple, one-click access directly to the additional files.  They will probably end up looking something like this:

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    23-Emerald IV
    TomU23-Emerald IV
    23-Emerald IV
    February 26, 2018

    Yes, the Creo View Adapters are capable of generating these additional files for Inventor during publishing.  See page 415 of this document:

    https://www.ptc.com/en/support/refdoc/Creo_View/4.2/MCADAdaptersInstallConfigGuide

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      cmoreno1-Visitor
      1-Visitor
      May 6, 2020

      Something wrong with this system that the accepted answer is the posters reply to a question about the correct solution. The correct solution is TomU's original post.

      Things like this on PTC's support site drive me crazy. Even this, which should be so simple, sets you up for failure.

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