Windchill MS Office Worker question

[soerton]

We're trying to implement the Windchill MS Office worker. In doing so we're required to have Adobe Livecycle Server on the network and link the worker to it. This is for it's PDF generator functionality.

My question for the user base is:

Have any of you setup an MS Office worker before? Do you know if you're able to purchase only the PDF generator and use it, or do you need to purchase the entire livecycle suite? Experiences with the worker? Tips/Tricks?

We're looking to add value with this as we do not purchase Office licenses for every person working within Windchill and being able to view and markup office files in Creo View would be a huge plus.

[tmcnaney]

The PTC Creo View Adapter for PDF includes bundled / turnkey Adobe LiveCycle Enterprise Server (ES) with required components.

If you own this product, you will see a download under "Creo View Adapters & Productview"

Adobe LiveCycle ES3 for JBoss for use with Creo 2.0, and ES4 for Creo 3.0.

https://support.ptc.com/appserver/cs/view/solution.jsp?n=CS22201

[soerton]

Thank you Tom but I have already looked at this article. The problem is this software does not appear to be included in the actual download anymore. I have a ticket open with PTC about this because they have this documented in many places but the software is not there. I appreciate your response nonetheless.

Stephen Oerton

Windchill Process Specialist

[TomU]

Stephen,

Please let me know what you find.

I found this on page 7 of this document: http://support.ptc.com/WCMS/files/160182/en/CVClientsToolkits3.0M030_21215.pdf
“The "Reader Extensions Server" is bundled with the PTC redistribution of Adobe LiveCycle server and is licensed for use with PTC Windchill solutions only. Refer to the Creo View Adapters Matrix for further information.”

You may also want to review page 8 of this document: http://support.ptc.com/WCMS/files/160181/en/CVAdapters3.0M030_21215.pdf

Tom U.

[TomU]

Actually, this one clearly says that the Adobe software is provided by PTC.

[soerton]

Yes as stated, the documents all say this, but once the package is downloaded the files they mention in the documents are not there. I have already opened all of these and read them prior to posting in the forums. I appreciate you wanting to help but I have a ticket open with PTC to find a resolution for this and they are working on it.

In Reply to Tom Uminn:

Actually, this one clearly says that the Adobe software is provided by PTC.
http://support.ptc.com/WCMS/files/162843/en/Adobe_ES4InstallConfigGuide.pdf


Prerequisites for Installing LiveCycle Server

Before you begin the installation of LiveCycle Server, verify that the media contains the required files and ensure that your server meets system requirements.

Required Files

• livecycle-jboss-win-ES4-PTC.zip—This ZIP file contains the Adobe LiveCycle installation media. This ZIP file includes the following items:

· Adobe_Acrobat_X1

· LiveCycle_Server_install

· Adobe LiveCycle Installation Guide for Creo.pdf


• livecycle-jboss-win-ES4-SP1.zip—This ZIP file contains the Adobe LiveCycle SP1 installation media. This ZIP file includes the following items:

· merge_modules

· server

· third_party

[ipochi]

Hi Stephen

Did you get any resolution to this?

I am in a similar predicament and not able to see the file in the downloaded files.

What was your workaround to this. I thought i'll get your input before logging a tech support call.

Thanks & Regards

Imran Pochi

[soerton]

The technician stated that we had to purchase a seperate license of creo view that held the licensing for adobe livecycle server so we did not end up buying it.  They also however told us that Adobe Acrobat Pro (full or trial) works.

We were able to get everything functional using a trial version of adobe acrobat pro but we ran into other problems that have held up the deployment of the worker.

We found that some spreadsheets which contained thousands of "pages" (view print breaks to see them) would cause the worker to hang while it published a single file.  This is understandable so we're currently on hold with this while we work on some custom java filtering for this scenario.  Otherwise we would have to create several office workers thus defeating the purpose of having them (reduce licensing).

[TomU]

Stephen Oerton‌, could you please clarify exactly what pieces your using to publish Office docs?  It sounds like you're not using Live Cycle, but maybe Acrobat Pro.  What else do you need to make this work?  Thanks.

[BenPerry]

I'm also very interested!

[ipochi]

Thanks Stephen , I avoided a tech support call

Please do let me know the workaround when you finally get it done.

Thanks & Regards ,

Imran

[soerton]

Tom Uminn Ben Perry So I don't have all the technical details since my IS department did the actual setup, but we purchased an Adobe Professional license at $200/yr.  We just brought it up last we on our Live environment.   Everything is publishing well (up 20 objects/minute).  Point of note, for Excel files, you must ensure the page layout is set correctly.  One document I had was publishing 35,000 pages because of bad formatting.  It stopped the worker for over 8hrs without results.

[BenPerry]

Stephen,

Can you obtain the technical details and let us know?

[NickD]

Hi Stephen,

As others have asked, can you please describe what you have done, eg. setup another dedicated PC (or VM) as some kind of worker (how?), with what software installed on it ?,  and then what configurations were needed on the server to get it all to work ?

Also, are you still using v9.1 or is this in v10.x ?

Thanks in anticipation,

Nick

[RenatShaimardan]

You can check my solution to generate PDF files from Office:

https://community.ptc.com/t5/Windchill-Blog/Create-PDF-from-office-files-without-Adobe-LiveCycle-Gen...