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ChrisPLM12-Amethyst
12-Amethyst
March 17, 2017
Question

solidworks integration in PDMLink 11

  • March 17, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 6546 views

Hello gurus !!!

PTC provide a Workgroup CAD manager for Solidworks but I have never used it, implemented it, nor have been given any datasheets.

I am expecting some limitations vs Creo Integration, however, while my company could be migrating to Windchill, it is unlikely we move from SW to Creo (not that I would mind )

Instead of getting the list of all the functionalities that works, I was wondering if I could find out what sucks with the SolidWorks Workgroup CAD Manager.

eg, I love in Creo the fact you access the workspace (and even more) via the embedded webbrowser. How does that work with SW ? Is there a workspace at all for instance ?

Are all the SW features recognized in PDMLink.  (imagine if you could create family table in Creo but once in PDMLink you would only see the generic !!!)

Thanks for any tips and for the gurus who are using this Workgroup CAD manager.

Best regards

2 replies

M
MikeLockwood22-Sapphire I
22-Sapphire I
March 17, 2017

We have SW (2015 now; 2016 within the next month) in use with WC 10.2 M030.  Appr 150 SW users, doing quite a lot.  Essentially no issues.

I've personally worked w/this same combination hundreds of hours preparing to bring in data from acquired companies.

One huge caveat: SW System Option for assemblies allows parts created within assemblies to be stored in the assy file, not as separate part files.  This causes major havoc with Windchill, especially with renames, configurations (family tables) and other.  Have to set this option to checked and save the assy this way.

Also, Creo Parametric forces family tables to be verified but there is no such concept in SW.  Geometry that is not possible can be checked in.

Creo Parametric is "smart" for download. You can add just a drawing to a WS, then open it - all needed models will be downloaded.  WIth SW and WGM, if it's not in the SW, it just doesn't open it. There is a timer and it goes ahead w/o really letting you know that it's opened w/some models missing.

For publishing, the Creo View adapter considers "Suppressed" as "missing."  You cannot check "fail publish for missing components" if you allow suppressed to be ok.

Lots more experience that I have on these things but in general it works very well.

    C
    ChrisPLM12-AmethystAuthor
    12-Amethyst
    March 22, 2017

    Thanks Mike

    very useful as usual

    J
    jhamilton1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    March 24, 2017

    Why go to PDMLink instead of PDM Professional? My company is in the middle of implementing PDMLink (not our choice) and we are having nothing but trouble.

    C
    ChrisPLM12-AmethystAuthor
    12-Amethyst
    March 24, 2017

    Hi Jeff,

    we are already on PDM Professional and the reseller himself told me it was a file manager and not a PDM.

    It is lacking many functionalities that you find OOTB in PDMLink.

    What type of trouble are you having ?

    J
    jhamilton1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    March 24, 2017

    Instability. Lockups. Everything comes in with full access, not read only, so it's easy to get screwed up. No previews being created. Noticeable performance issues.A lot of things.

    Sounds like the PTC reseller told you that. That's what they told our management and how we ended up with it. OOTB is pretty much useless. No automation OOTB. Workflows are just enough to say that they have them. Many basic things that you expect from PDM just isn't there or you have to pay extra to have customized. Windchill is primarily an upper level lifecycle management tool for Creo with a little PDM thrown in. If you need PDM get PDM, If you have Creo and want to go to advanced PLM them maybe consider Windchill. But it is a very large, complex set of tools that can cost a chunk of money and resources.

    Depends upon what you want to do. PDM Pro is a strong EPDM tool that will do pretty much anything that you can imagine including connect to other systems. But you have to have workflow procedures defined for your company, it doesn't come with any. But they are easy to create and manage. OOTB boasts of a lot, but delivers very little on that front. You cannot do automated workflows OOTB. There is a good article on the Tristar website about Workflow automation vs OOTB that hits it very well.

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