What is the difference between "Export from WSP" in Windchill and "Save As" in the CAD Tool?

[tbauer]

When you want to duplicate a checked out CAD Document you can choose between "Export from WSP" in Windchill and "Save As" in the CAD Tools (Creo, CATIA, SolidWorks, NX). Is there any significant difference between those options?

[gwalker · Accepted solution]

There are actually many ways to duplicate objects. We have Creo 2.0 and PDMLink 9.1.

1. In PDMLink, within a workspace, "Save As" can be used to copy anything that can be collected in the collection window (related drawings, assembly components, family table instances, etc.). This will create new objects in the workspace with new names.
2. Also, in a PDMLink in a workspace, there is an option to Export from Workspace that also provides a collection window. The copies created will be in a file folder on a drive you specify outside of PDMLink with the original file names.

In Creo, "Save As" has two options:

1. Save a Copy will create a copy of the active file but the options to collect related objects are limited. For example, If a drawing is the active object, Save a copy will create a new drawing in the workspace with a new name that references the same part or assembly as the original drawing. Save a copy of an assembly will provide options to reuse or create the components of the assembly, but drawings are only copied if the names match and the config options are set to enable this.
2. "Save a Backup" will save the active object and everything required to open the object to a folder on a drive (similar to Export from PDMLink) with the same names as the original objects. Other related objects not required to open the active object are not included in the "backup".

I hope this helps.