Creating Cascading Style Pull Downs in EPDM
In my previous blog, I showed you an example of a problem a customer ran into using pull down type fields in his data card. What I didn’t show you was how those types of pull downs are created in the first place. So, this blog will get down to basics.
- Life is complicated enough already, why do I need cascading pull downs?
Good question. Think of it as category and subcategory. I could have a pull down with a list of manufacturers:
- Toyota
- Honda
- Volkswagen
Then, I could have a second pull down that will display different car models depending on what I selected in the first list. So for example, if I chose Volkswagen in the first list, my second list might be limited to:
- Beetle
- Jetta
- Passat
Where as, if I chose Toyota in the first list, the second list might be limited to:
- Corolla
- Camry
- Avalon
Pretty cool, right? In the case of my previous blog, I used a list containing “A, B, C” in the first pull down and the second pull down would display “A1, A2, A3″ or “B1, B2, B3″ or “C1, C2, C3″ depending on what was selected in the first list. Let’s see how I did this wonderful bit of “EPDM-ing”.
- First, you have to create the lists.
What you get next, is a simple window where you can enter in the items of your list in the order in which you would like them to appear to the user. Be sure to name your list in the “List name:” field, and also be sure to save your list when you are done. Fortunately, EPDM is polite enough to ask if you want to save if you attempt to exit the list editor without saving first.
You will need a list for each category and subcategory. So I created a list for my main categories of “A, B, C” and separate lists for “A1, A2, A3″ etc.
Here are all my lists next to each other. So, you can see what I did:
- Great. Now what?
The variables you choose to associate to your Comboboxes have nothing to do with what is displayed in the list. Variables are just a place holder to store the information that is being displayed in the field. Don’t get that part confused. For the “List 1″ field I am having it display a “Special Vlaue” of “List A-C.” That’s the first list I created.
The second combobox needs to be dependent on the first. So, the variable it is being controlled by is “List 1.” That’s the list that has A, B or C in it. If the list 1 variable is equal to A, then the second combobox should display “List A1-A3.” If the list 1 variable is equal to B, then the second combobox should display “List B1-B3.” If the list 1 variable is equal to C, then the second combobox should display “List C1-C3.”
And that’s it. With a little bit of practice, I’m sure you will be using intelligent, cascading style pull downs in your own data cards.
I look forward to hearing any questions or comments on this topic. So, please feel free to post comments below, or to email me at SWTech@prismeng.com.
Thanks for taking a look at today’s blog. Until next time, I wish you happy data management.
Stephan Hess
Combobox Dropdown vs. Combobox Droplist in EPDM Data Cards
I ran into an interesting challenge while helping a customer through an evaluation of EPDM. He wanted cascading style pull downs on his data card. This, in itself, is not a big deal, but he ran into a problem that I had not considered before. If he selected values in his pull down menus and then went back to the driving pull down to change its value, it would leave old information in the other fields creating an impossible combination of values.
- The setup:
- The problem:
the old value of “A3″ which really should not be a possible value if the first pull down is now set to “B.” Grrrrrrrrrrr…
- The solution:
Stephan Hess
Using The EPDM Convert Task To Create PDF Files
When we do implementations, it’s very common to find that
customers use PDF files as their officially released document. This becomes especially important for departments within the company that are not CAD users. Fortunately, SolidWorks EPDM has configurable tasks built in that not only allow the creation of PDF documents, but you can also trigger these events from your workflow automatically.
Process for Automating the Creation of PDF files in Enterprise PDM:
- Finding the conversion task:
From within the EPDM administration tool, expand your
vault and then expand the “Tasks” node. Open the “Convert” task.
When you begin the Convert Task, the following bullet points illustrate the nine options that appear in the blue left-hand column:
- Areas of interest on the first page (Add-In):
Input Card: You may build and use a data card to input descriptive
metadata that will display on the resulting PDF file’s data card.
You can have the task execute as a different user other than the logged in user. That is, you can execute the task with a user that has the permissions to do so. I recommend the default option of <Execute as logged in user> and be sure to allow task execution in the user or group settings.
- Areas of interest on the second page (Execution Method):
Here you decide which computer is going to execute the task.
Only computers that are enabled to run the task may host the PDF conversion.
“Is my machine enabled?” That is a very good question:
In the bottom right of your Windows 7 desktop is the notification area. (You’re on Windows 7, right? XP support stops next year for SolidWorks). Select on the up arrow and select the EPDM blueberry. Choose “Task Host Configuration.”
Check the box for your machine to enable it. Also, be sure that
the appropriate vault is selected if you have multiple vaults.
- Areas of interest on the third page (Menu Command):
Here you will enter what you will see when you right mouse click on
a file in your windows explorer while you are in the vault. “Status bar help text” allows you to control what is displayed when you hover over the menu command similar to a tool tip.
- Areas of interest on the fourth page (Conversion Settings):
Here is where you determine what file type is going to be exported.
There are several to choose from:
This is also where you decide which configurations are being exported and which sheets will be exported. The critical thing that I will mention is you can allow the user to control these settings. You will notice there are several opportunities to check the option “Allow the user to change this setting.”
- Areas of interest on the fifth page (File Card):
Rather than using an input data card for your exported PDF’s, you
can copy existing information from the original drawing’s data card over to the new one. This is the method I use most often. It keeps you from inputting data twice.
- Areas of interest on the sixth page (Output File Details):
On this page, you set the output path of your newly created PDF files.
You also determine what the new PDF file will be named. The right arrow next to the output path allows you to choose variables to assist in naming the file. On this page, you can also choose a secondary path for output and decide what you want to do with duplicate files.
- Areas of interest on the seventh page (Permissions):
Here you determine which users or groups will have the ability to execute this task.
- Areas of interest on the eighth page (Success Notification):
On this page you can set what the success notification reads and who will
get the notification. I recommend that the person that launched the task receives the notification.
- Areas of interest on the ninth page (Error Notification):
In the unlikely event of an error, you can specify what the message reads
and who will get the message. Maybe you would pick someone you have a grudge against and have all the error notifications go to them, or it may be better to have the person that executed the task receive the notification. Just like the step above.
I mentioned earlier in this blog that you can execute these conversion tasks in the workflow. Edit the properties of the transition that you would like to trigger the task. Typically, that would be the transition that sends the files to the approved state. Create a new action and select execute task from the pulldown. Typically, PDF’s are only created for drawing files, so be sure to have the action only run on SLDDRW files..
After completing all of these steps, you will have successfully automated the process of creating a PDF!
I look forward to hearing any questions or comments on this topic. So, please feel free to post comments below, or to email me at SWTech@prismeng.com.
Thanks for taking a look at today’s blog. Until next time, I wish you happy data management.
Stephan Hess
Windows-based Data Management with EPDM
Data management has always been a focus for engineering and production companies. Even companies without a PDM (product data management) system utilize data and revision management.
Consider the example of drawing a “title block” or “revision table” in SolidWorks. In many ways, drawing title blocks and revision tables is a form of data management. Engineers and designers maintain current revision numbers (or letters), sign offs, design changes, and “where used” information from the title block and revision table. This may work out OK when your engineering team is only one or two people working on one project at a time, but as your company grows and your productivity increases, your team may need to look to a computerized system to handle product data management (PDM).
Enterprise PDM (EPDM) is a great Windows-based data management solution for SolidWorks users.
3 great benefits users see after implementing SolidWorks Enterprise PDM:
1. Workflow Management and Notifications
The workflow management in EPDM will allow for seamless approvals and can incorporate digital sign-offs to approve revisions. The built-in notification system can instantly notify required users when a document is ready for review and can be moved through the design process without email, phone notifications, or verbal confirmation.
2. Company-wide data management solution
While EPDM is known as, “The data management solution for SolidWorks,” it can also manage revisions of ANY windows-based document. Word docs showing ECOs and .jpeg images illustrating proposed changes, excel spreadsheets or any other windows-based document can be checked into the EPDM vault and revision managed. Document workflows can be tailored to handle these file types using different rules that SolidWorks file types.
With this capability, EPDM can then be utilized by EVERY department, not just engineering: legal, marketing, order management, manufacturing, etc could all use EPDM to handle their data management needs.
3. Instant cross site and multi-site collaboration
With EPDM, collaboration becomes instantaneous. Users and viewers from different departments access all files in the vault (provided they have permissions) at any time during the design process. If a company has multiple facilities in different locations the EPDM vault can be replicated so that the data in the vault will instantly reflect changes made at any of the sites. Should one of YOUR customers need to approve a working design they can be given temporary access to the files and allowed to view their files, even from offsite.
This small list only scratches the surface of the possibilities and advantages you will gain by implementing Enterprise PDM. For more information please feel free to contact the Prism Engineering technical team.
Hope you enjoyed this post,
Andy Billiard
Certified Enterprise PDM Professional (CPDMP)
Prism Engineering, Inc.
Prism Leads Amtrak to Success with SolidWorks
Amtrak commuters don’t usually throw the morning paper aside to examine the shear genius behind a seat design, or to watch in awe as the train car doors seamlessly slide open and shut. They are usually too engrossed in the daily news or hiding behind laptop screens answering the emails received before the sun rose.
But think about it: how could a giant steel car, filled with hundreds of people, hurdling down iron tracks at dizzying speeds be so nonchalant? Some may say, “Genius!” Others may cry, “Aliens!” The truth behind the silent beast? SolidWorks.
Prism‘s team has worked hard to provide Amtrak with the latest and greatest SolidWorks software, training and support. We’ve helped them work through every step of the process: design, simulation and data management. It’s crucial that Amtrak be able to swiftly and efficiently update designs, so Prism helped solve their critical business issues with SolidWorks–now they’re almost as fast as the famed Acela line!
We realize not everyone’s SolidWorks designs determine the future of the United States infrastructure, but we do know that each company has its own specific needs. It’s important to communicate your design and modeling process to your re-seller; this enables them to unveil opportunities and solutions you may have otherwise overlooked. Can you save time and money in product testing with Simulation software? Do you outsource? Maybe 3DVIA can help you eliminate manufacturing miscommunication.
Amtrak’s success resulted from effective communication with us; remember to express your obvious wants and needs to your reseller, but also share with Prism your entire process–a fresh perspective may make a world of difference in your process.
(You can read SolidWorks’ description of Amtrak’s success here)
Prism’s Latest Conversation
I am honored and excited to be writing the initial blog on behalf
of Prism Engineering.
While blogging has become more mainstream in corporate America as a
means to promote products and services, our objective is not to promote but to
simply initiate a two-way conversation. Prism’s success would not exist if we did not carefully listen to our
customers comments and suggestions. Consequently, our blog will be our direct link to you, and we encourage
you to participate.
While I recognize that Prism has been effective in the past at
creating and distributing information through various correspondences, such as
customer newsletters, software promotions, training schedules and press
releases, this does not allow for a dialogue.
This two-way conversation via the Prism Blog should improve upon our
continuing efforts to hear directly from our user community, which will aid us
in our corporate mission of exceeding our customers’ expectations.
On behalf of our entire team at Prism Engineering, thank you for
your continued faith in us, and I look forward to our future conversations.
Sincerely,
John R. Ewell
President
Prism Engineering, Inc.