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Thomas_Primosch7-Bedrock
7-Bedrock
September 29, 2024
Solved

How to insert a Windchill managed Creo part or assembly in a Windchill managed Solidworks assembly?

  • September 29, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 1108 views

Version: Windchill 12.1

 

Use Case: Let's say I have a design in Creo 9 which is managed by Windchill 12.1. I also have managed Solidworks 2023 data in the same Windchill database. As part of my Solidworks design, I want to insert a Creo managed file (part or assembly) into my Solidworks assembly. This could be for creating tooling or simply one engineer designed a part in in Creo and another needs that part in SW


Description:

If I attempt to open the Creo file through the Workgroup Manager in Solidworks I get this error:

Sep 28 20:07:31 Failed to open in SolidWorks 2023: 987-3811-025.prt. C:\Users\tpprimos\Documents\PTC Places\Workspace\987-3811-025.prt does not exist.

 

If I attempt to select "Insert Components" from the Solidworks Assembly, the File browser only shows Solidworks files in my workspace,  It does not list any of the Creo files in my workspace.  Therefore I cannot select the Creo file.

 

It seems like the only way to accomplish this is to Save a Back Up of the Creo file from Creo 9 to my hard disk outside of Windchill and open it from there.  The downside to this is now my Creo file is not a managed copy in Windchill.  

 

So the problem is how can a Windchill managed Creo file be inserted into a Windchill managed Solidworks assembly in such a manner that both files stay managed in Windchill?

 

Video is enclosed below to demonstrate the issue

 

 

(PS this works in reverse to add a managed SW file into a Creo assembly). 

(view in My Videos)

 

Best answer by avillanueva

I was able to find this article which covers your question:

Windchill PDMLink: Is it possible to open Creo Parametric file via Workgroup Manager for Inventor or Solidworks

This appears to be functionality only possible in Creo. There is already and idea posted to get this added. Its a bummer since if SolidWorks can open the Creo model similar to how Creo opens and references the SW model, the only thing stopping it is the WGM downloading the Creo model. The only work around is what you suggested, backup file outside to local disk but at that point you are able to reintroduce as a converted Creo model to SW and check in a as a new SW model. This does break associativity but will get you the geometry from the model. 

1 reply

avillanueva
23-Emerald I
avillanueva23-Emerald IAnswer
23-Emerald I
September 30, 2024

I was able to find this article which covers your question:

Windchill PDMLink: Is it possible to open Creo Parametric file via Workgroup Manager for Inventor or Solidworks

This appears to be functionality only possible in Creo. There is already and idea posted to get this added. Its a bummer since if SolidWorks can open the Creo model similar to how Creo opens and references the SW model, the only thing stopping it is the WGM downloading the Creo model. The only work around is what you suggested, backup file outside to local disk but at that point you are able to reintroduce as a converted Creo model to SW and check in a as a new SW model. This does break associativity but will get you the geometry from the model. 

    V
    vnamboodheriCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    October 4, 2024

    Hello @Thomas_Primosch, 

     

    It looks like you have a response from a community member. If it helped to answer your question please mark the reply as the Accepted Solution. 

    Of course, if you have more to share on your issue, please let the Community know so other community members can continue to help you.

    Thanks,
    Vivek N.
    Community Moderation Team.

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