Working with Solid Edge Embedded

Client

Publication Number
spse01424 105
Proprietary and restricted rights notice

This software and related documentation are proprietary to Siemens Product

Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
© 2012 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Siemens and the Siemens logo are registered trademarks of Siemens AG. Solid Edge
is a trademark or registered trademark of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management
Software Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. All
other trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks belong to their respective
holders.

2 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105

Contents

Proprietary and restricted rights notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Course overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Course description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Course prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Course objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
How to use this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Software summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Activity data set and training configuration information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1

Interface basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Basic file operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Solid Edge Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Lesson review: Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Activity: Create, save, and close a part document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Lesson summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

Searching and viewing data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1

Searching for documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Searching for Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Searching for Item Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Searching for Item Revisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Searching for Datasets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Searching for non-Solid Edge documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Defining custom searches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Searching and viewing additional properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Search results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Lesson review: Searching and viewing data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Activity: Open and search for documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Lesson summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12

Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter . . . . . 3-1

Preparing unmanaged documents for Teamcenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Adding documents to a Teamcenter managed environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Lesson review: Preparing unmanaged documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Activity: Prepare unmanaged documents for Teamcenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Lesson summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16

Working with assemblies in the managed environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 3

Contents

Understanding PathFinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1

Placing parts in assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Constructing new parts within an assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
Drawing view creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Lesson review: Working with assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Activity: Create an assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Activity: Create a drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
Lesson summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-25

Opening and adding content to an existing managed document . . . . . . 5-1

Opening managed Solid Edge documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Mirror command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Lesson review: Opening and adding content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Activity: Add content to an existing managed document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Lesson summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Working with managed documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1

Opening documents efficiently . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Working with read-only documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Checking out read-only documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Creating new documents with the Save As command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Revising documents with the Revisions command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lesson review: Working with managed documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Activity: Use Hide All Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Activity: Work with a read-only document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Lesson summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10

Managing your Cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1

What is the Cache? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Managing the cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Redefining the Cache location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
Providing a private Cache for each user . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4
The Cache and Revision Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Lesson review: Managing your cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Activity: Manage the local cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
Lesson summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10

Using the Structure Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1

What is the Structure Editor? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Managing assemblies in Structure Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Edit BOM Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Managing your local cache in Structure Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Lesson review: Using Structure Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Activity: Use the Structure Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Lesson summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16

Running Solid Edge Embedded Client Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

4 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105

 Contents

Introduction to the diagnostic application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1

Exporting your attribute mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Lesson review: Running Solid Edge Embedded Client diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Activity: Run diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Lesson summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 5

Course overview

Course description
Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client instructs end users how to use the Solid
Edge Embedded Client (SEEC) to create, revise, and manage data in the context of
their daily tasks.

What is cPDM?
Collaborative Product Data Management (cPDM) is a tool that helps manage all
the processes, applications, and information required to design, manufacture, and
support a product throughout its life cycle.
A collaborative product data management tool such as Teamcenter helps you:
• Reduce duplicate data, which reduces storage requirements.

• Simplify finding and distributing data to those who need it.

• Manage assemblies and relationships between parts.

• Maintain the history of a product’s development evolution.

• Have revision control and assurance of latest data.

• Have access control to ensure integrity of data.

What is Solid Edge Embedded Client?

Solid Edge Embedded Client (SEEC) provides seamless connectivity between Solid
Edge, the revolutionary computer-aided design (CAD) system, and Teamcenter. The
integration is transparent, and you do not need to learn a unique interface to use
it. Solid Edge ST5 commands and supporting tools that create or close documents
interact with the Teamcenter data structure to manage those documents so you
do not have to.
If you are already familiar with the Solid Edge user interface, you will find the same
environments for constructing parts, building assemblies, and producing drawings
while working with documents managed by Teamcenter.
• Part

• Assembly

• Draft

• Sheet Metal

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 7

Course overview

Course prerequisites
Before beginning this course, it is recommended that you complete training in the
following areas:
• Self-paced training or instruction in Solid Edge fundamentals. Contact your
Solid Edge reseller for details.

• Teamcenter or Teamcenter Express instructor-led or self-paced training.

Teamcenter training information is available from the Siemens PLM Software
web site at http://training.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com/index.cfm.

Course objectives
This course was developed to demonstrate how to utilize the transparent integration
between Solid Edge and Teamcenter, the de facto standard in Collaborative Product
Data Management (cPDM).
After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:
• Understand the relationship between Solid Edge ST5, the Solid Edge Embedded
Client, and Teamcenter.

• Understand and utilize Solid Edge Embedded Client workflows and common
property dialog boxes.

• Move unmanaged documents into a Teamcenter managed environment.

• Create and modify Solid Edge documents managed in the Teamcenter

environment.

8 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105

 Course overview

How to use this guide

In each lesson are sections that include important concepts followed by an exercise
for practicing the concepts.
The format of the exercises is consistent throughout the guide. Steps are numbered
and specify what you should accomplish at any point in the exercise. Below each
step are specific instructions for the individual actions you must take to accomplish
the step.
Each lesson ends with a review that emphasizes concepts introduced in the lesson.

Conventions
The following conventions for tips, notes, caution, and warning messages are used
within this manual:
Tip A tip indicates information that helps you apply the techniques and procedures
described in the text.

Note A note identifies general instructions or comments that need to be emphasized.

Caution A caution identifies practices that can either produce results contrary to
what you expect or result in damage to software or data.

Warning A warning identifies practices that could result in permanent loss of data
or software.

Software summary
This training guide assumes you have successfully loaded the Solid Edge Teamcenter
Client, the software required for the operation of Solid Edge Embedded Client.
Refer to the Solid Edge Embedded Client SEEC_readme.htm file located in \Program
Files\Solid Edge ST5\Program\Embedded Client for specific version compatibility
information.
Caution This release of Solid Edge Embedded Client is not supported on the Windows
XP operating system. ST5 is the last Solid Edge release that will support
Windows Vista.

Activity data set and training configuration information

The activities in this training guide assume you have successfully loaded the
ANSI templates, set Part and Sheet Metal documents to start in the Synchronous
environment, and obtained the associated training files required for completion
of the course.
Value Added Resellers can access the Siemens Partner Portal
https://partnerportal.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com to produce a .pdf
version of the training guide and obtain the necessary training activity files.
1. Use your webkey to access the Partner Portal.

2. Choose Training®Training Materials®Solid Edge Training.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 9

Course overview

3. Under Self-paced Courses, click Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client.
The training files are available through the link Working with Solid Edge
Embedded Client activity files.

Training files should be extracted to a folder named \SEEC Class Files.

10 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105

Lesson

1 Getting started with Solid Edge

Embedded Client

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Activate and use Solid Edge with Teamcenter.

• Determine your default modeling environment.

• Create and save Solid Edge documents using the Solid Edge Embedded Client.

• Use Solid Edge Help tools.

Interface basics
Solid Edge Teamcenter Client must be installed on each workstation requiring
access to Teamcenter managed Solid Edge data. The commands you encounter
behave like typical Windows commands.

Starting Solid Edge Embedded Client

To start Solid Edge ST5 with Teamcenter, look for the Solid Edge program icon on
your desktop and double-click it.

The startup screen

The Solid Edge Startup screen provides user assistance, such as tutorials and access
to Help. It also provides access to basic operations, such as creating and opening
files, and a visual queue that the Teamcenter managed mode is enabled.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-1
Lesson 1 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

The Favorite Links portion of the screen includes a link to Solid Edge Technical
support. You can click Add or Remove Links to edit the entries in the Links list.

Enable Teamcenter in Solid Edge

To start the Embedded Client in Solid Edge, click the Application button, and
choose Manage®Teamcenter. The Solid Edge features that work with Teamcenter
are enabled.
When working with Teamcenter data through the Solid Edge Embedded Client, you
use the same commands that you normally would in Solid Edge. When Teamcenter
is selected, Solid Edge automatically adjusts the user interface as needed to provide
access to Teamcenter functions.
This normally changes the Solid Edge user interface in the following ways:

• Teamcenter is indicated in the startup screen.

• Teamcenter is displayed in the application title bar of the window.

Note If Teamcenter is not indicated, you are working in an unmanaged Solid

Edge environment.

• When browsing for Solid Edge files you are presented with the data from the
Teamcenter database.

1-2 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

• When new documents are created you are prompted to upload them to the
Teamcenter database, as they are not yet resident in the database.

• When you save a file, it is only saved locally to your cache. When you close the
document, it is uploaded into the Teamcenter database.

Determining your default modeling environment

Solid Edge ST5 provides you the opportunity to specify the modeling environment
you want to start in when creating a Part or Sheet Metal document. A model can
contain only synchronous features, only ordered features, or a combination of both
feature types. Since Assembly documents can be comprised of both Synchronous and
Ordered content, there is no need to specify a starting environment for Assembly.
The default environment is typically set by the system administrator, who may also
choose to allow you to change your default environment. The option is available on
the Helpers page of the Solid Edge Options dialog box.
The available environments are:
• Synchronous — collection of faces that define the feature shape. There is
no history retained of how a synchronous feature was created. Face(s) of a
synchronous feature can be edited.

• Ordered — history based. You can edit an ordered feature by returning to any
step used in the feature creation process. No face(s) of an ordered feature can
be edited.

Note The setting is only used when a new Part or Sheet Metal document is created.
Opening existing documents is not affected by the setting.

The lessons and activities in this training guide assume your modeling environment
is set to Synchronous. For more information, see the Solid Edge Help topic, Modeling
synchronous and ordered features.

Creating a new document

You can create new documents in the following ways:
• Use the New command on the Application menu and then select the template
you want from the New dialog box.

• Open one of the Solid Edge environments from the Create menu. When you use
the Create menu, an appropriate template is used as the starting template. For
example, when you open the ANSI Part environment, the default template is
used as the starting template for a new part document.

Regardless of the method you use to create a document, a document template is

used as a starting point. A template is a document that provides default settings
for text, formats, geometry, dimensions, units of measurement, and styles that are
used to produce a new document.
Templates are delivered with Solid Edge ST5 for each environment:
• Assembly

• Draft

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-3
Lesson 1 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

• Part

• Sheet Metal

In a managed environment, your administrator loads your company standard

templates and you are presented with the templates as managed items.

Managed template folders

Your administrator can edit the property set of the standard templates to include
default values for some of the properties as well as the additional custom properties
you need to manage your documents. For example, to make it easier to create
drawings that conform to your company’s standards, a custom Draft document
template can be defined by the administrator where your company’s dimensioning
and annotation standards have been defined. Then any changes to the standards
can be managed through the document management system of Teamcenter.

Connecting to Teamcenter
The first time you create a new document or open an existing document in a new
Solid Edge session with Teamcenter, the Login to Teamcenter dialog box is displayed
and you are prompted to log into Teamcenter.

This dialog box uses a Teamcenter user ID, password, group, and role assigned by
the Teamcenter administrator to access the specified Teamcenter database.
Note This dialog box only appears when you begin a new Solid Edge session. Once
a Solid Edge document is open and you are connected to Teamcenter, it is not
displayed.

1-4 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

The user interface

After logging into Teamcenter, the Solid Edge application window is displayed on
your screen. The application windows consists of the following areas.

Label Name How it is used

Application button Displays the Application menu, which
provides access to all document level
(A)
functions, such as creating, opening, saving,
and managing documents.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-5
Lesson 1 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

Label Name How it is used

Quick Access toolbar Displays frequently used commands. Use
the Customize Quick Access Toolbar arrow

at right to display
additional resources:
(B)
• Add or remove standard document-level
commands.

• Fully customize the Quick Access toolbar

using the Customize dialog box.

• Control the placement of the command

ribbon.
ribbon with commands The ribbon is the area that contains all
grouped on tabs application commands. The commands are
organized into functional groups on tabs.
(C) Some tabs are available only in certain
and contexts.
(D) Some command buttons contain split
buttons, corner buttons, check boxes, and
other controls that display submenus and
palettes.
command bar A floating bar that displays command options
and data entry fields for the Select Tool or
any command in progress.
(E) The command bar contains the Accept
(checkmark) button that accepts the selection
and the Deselect (X) button that clears the
selection.
Panes (docking window) A pane contains tab sets that group
functionality according to the type of
document you are working in. It also lists the
contents of the active document, sorts them
by name or type, and controls their visibility.
Example

• In a part document, the default

pane is PathFinder, and its tab sets
include the Feature Library, Layers,
and Sensors.

• In a draft document, the default

pane is the Library, and its tab sets
include Layers, Groups, Queries, and
the Library.

1-6 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

Label Name How it is used

PathFinder The PathFinder can be docked or floating.
The image shows the floating option.
(F) PathFinder contains all elements in the
active document. You can select elements in
PathFinder and control display.
graphics window Displays the graphics associated with the 3D
model document or a 2D drawing.
When you work in a synchronous
(G) environment, a contextual productivity tool
called QuickBar is displayed in the graphics
window enar your cursor. QuickBar provides
direct access to frequently used operations
based on your current selection.
PromptBar A scroll-able, movable docking window that
(H) displays prompts and messages related to a
command that you have selected.
status bar Displays messages related to the application
itself.
Provides fast access to view-control
commands—zoom, fit, pan, rotate, view
(I)
styles, and saved views.
Houses Command Finder, a valuable tool
you can use to locate a command in the user
interface.

Command Finder
To find commands quickly, use the Command Finder located on the status bar. You
can search for the command by command name or by capability.

When you type a term and click Go , the Command Finder dialog box displays
results that contain your search term.
For available commands, you can use the results shown in the Command Finder
dialog box to:
• Locate the command in the user interface.

• Read the associated Help topic.

• Run the command.

Help works even for commands not available within the current environment.
To see results in other environments, you can use the Show Matches Outside of
Environment option on the dialog box.
You can turn Command Finder on and off using the Command Finder option on the
Customize Status Bar shortcut menu.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-7
Lesson 1 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

The Solid Edge window with Teamcenter enabled

When you create a new document, a blank document opens and is displayed on your
screen. With Solid Edge Embedded Client, the components of the Solid Edge window
differ slightly from native Solid Edge. When the Solid Edge window is displayed,
Teamcenter is indicated in the title bar of the window, and the new document is
given a temporary document identifier and extension. PathFinder shows the formula
for the unsaved document. You can define the default document name formula on
the Helpers page of the Solid Edge Options dialog box when a document is open in
Solid Edge Embedded Client.

Any changes you make to the document are stored in memory. You have to save the
document to preserve the changes to your document. The first time you save the
document, you can define a permanent identifier as well as other options using
the Save dialog box.

1-8 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

Viewing Teamcenter Objects in PathFinder

Folders are commonly used to organize links to frequently used objects. When
working with Teamcenter, each user has a Home folder which can have any
workspace object connected to it. Teamcenter uses objects to store information that
describes each Solid Edge document, in addition to storing the document or file itself.
The objects known as Item, Item Revision and Dataset combine to fully describe
the associated document.
A commonly used workspace object that captures the
Item
metadata describing all the associated revisions.
Captures the revision-specific metadata. It is metadata
Item Revision
that is useful in data retrieval and reuse.
Captures the document and is connected to the Item
Dataset
Revision.

If you want to think of these objects in terms of hierarchy, from top to bottom,
it would be Item, Item Revision, Dataset. You can view this hierarchy from the
Teamcenter client. Each object is represented by a unique image, and as you expand
each level, you can see the structure. Once you reach the Item Revision, you may see
more than one Dataset for each Item Revision. For example, when your business
process requires the Solid Edge draft file to have the same Document Number as its
3D part (.par), assembly (.asm), sheet metal (.psm) or weldment (.pwd) file, you will
have a draft (.dft) file with the corresponding number under the Item Revision. This
practice impacts how a company manages Revisions.
Each object must have a unique identifier (ID). For Items, this is called an Item ID.
In the following example, the Item ID for the Item (A) is 000130. The Item Revision
(B) for this item is /A, which adds a unique Revision designation, followed by the
Dataset (C) and its Name.

The attributes that describe these objects are often the same, but when applied to
the Item, Item Revision or Dataset, they provide uniqueness. For example, since the
Name attribute is used by these three objects, to get a specific piece of information
you can specify the Item Name, Item Revision Name and Dataset Name.

Basic file operations

Opening documents
You can open an existing document in the following ways:
• Use the Open command on the Application menu and then select the document
you want from the Open File dialog box.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-9
Lesson 1 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

• On the startup screen, choose Open Existing Document and then select the
document from the Open File dialog box.

• Click the document in the Recent Documents portion of the startup screen.

When you use the Open command to open an existing document from a managed
library, the document is checked out and copied to the local cache, a folder in the
Windows file system on your computer. When the document is checked out, it
is opened so you can work on it, but other users cannot make edits to it. If the
document you are opening contains links to other documents, those documents are
available as read-only. The Look In list displays your Home folder and all available
folders within the database from which you can select a document, along with a list
of searches you have saved. When you open another managed document, you can
select the document from the local cache list, and the document in the managed
library will be checked out and opened.
Note An alternate method of opening Solid Edge documents is from the Teamcenter
Rich Client. Selecting File®Open on a Solid Edge dataset or double clicking a
Solid Edge file type from the Teamcenter Express portal opens the document in
Solid Edge. In the event Solid Edge is already running, the document opens in
the active application.

You can sort the list of entries or reorder the columns on the Open File dialog box by
positioning your cursor in white space on the dialog box, and right-clicking to display
commands that enable you to control the appearance of the list.
Tip

• You can use the Open As Read-Only option on the Open File dialog box to
open a document as read-only.

• If you do not know the location of the document, on the Open File dialog box,
click the Search button and define search criteria to locate the document.

• You can use the Revision Rule option to specify how links in the selected
document should be updated when the document is opened.

• If working with Teamcenter, you can use the Variant Rule option to specify
the variant rule used when opening a document. The variant rule is
assembly-specific and is cleared if you select a different assembly.

Saving documents
To save a document within Solid Edge Embedded Client:
• Use the Save command on the Application menu.

• Save the active document by selecting the Save icon from the Quick Access
toolbar at the top left of the Application window.

• Use the Save As command on the Application menu.

When you first save a new document, the New Document dialog box is displayed.
This dialog box is used to assign attributes to the document, such as the Item ID,
Revision, and Item Name. Solid Edge Embedded Client provides a default document
name and Item Type. You can use this dialog box to give the item a meaningful

1-10 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

name and description as well as specify other attributes, such as the folder where
you want to store the document on the disk.

The Item ID, Revision, and Item Name are required fields on the New Document
dialog box which aid in the organization and management of document data.

Closing documents
To close a document within Solid Edge Embedded Client:
• On the Application menu, click Close.

• On the Application menu, click Close®Close All.

The Close command closes the active document. If you have never saved the
document, you will be prompted to save it now. The Upload Document dialog box
is displayed so that you can give the document a name and specify a folder and
format to save it to.

You may change the values for some of the columns, such as Item Name, on this
dialog box. You can also set the value to either Check In or Upload Document.
• If you set the action to Check In, the document is saved to Teamcenter and
made available for other users.

• If you set the action to Upload Document, the document is saved to Teamcenter,
but remains checked out to you and is not available for edit by other users.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-11
Lesson 1 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

• If you made changes since the document was last saved, you are asked if you
want to save the changes. If the active document is read-only, you can save
changes by selecting Save As to save the document with a new name.

Exiting Solid Edge

To exit Solid Edge:
• On the Application menu, click Exit Solid Edge.

• Click the X in the upper right corner of the application window.

Exiting Solid Edge quits the application and prompts you to save any changes to
the open documents. The Upload dialog box is displayed so that you can give the
document a name and specify a folder and format to save it to.

User assistance
Solid Edge user assistance makes command information available as you perform
tasks. You can access command, conceptual, reference, and instructional information
any time during a design session.

User interface help features

• Tooltips help you identify a user interface element, including command icons,
option buttons, and other gadgets. When you point the cursor at a user interface
element, a label displays the name of the command and a brief description of
what it is. Where appropriate, the accelerator key combination that you can use
to invoke the command is displayed. There may also be an informational graphic
as well as a pointer to additional online Help. You can turn tooltips off and on
using the Show Tool Tips option on the Helpers page of the Options dialog box.

• The command tips provide contextual assistance as you work with Solid Edge.
You can enable them by setting the Show Command Tips option on the Helpers
page of the Options dialog box.

1-12 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

Learning tools

You can open the Help pane to access these learning tools:
• A comprehensive library of tutorials is available in every Solid Edge release.
You can find them on the startup screen, as well as by clicking the Solid Edge
Tutorials link in the Help window.

• Self-paced training courses and instructor-led training are available for Solid
Edge. You can find them when you click the Solid Edge Self-Paced Training
link in the Help window.

• You can use the About Solid Edge link on the Help window to see the software
version and license information.

Online Help
Solid Edge provides links to online Help, tutorials, and online training from the Help
window displayed when you click the Help Index icon . The Help Index button is
located at top-right on the command ribbon.
You also can press F1 whenever you need online Help during a design session. When
a command is active or if you have selected something in the graphic window, the
Help topic for that command appears. If no command is active, then the table of
contents for the Help topics appears.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-13
Lesson 1 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

Search tips for online Help

One of the most widely used features of online Help is the search function. Follow
these tips to get the most out of searching Help.
• To narrow your search results—Group elements of your search using double
quotes or parentheses.
Example To get information about the Zoom slider but not the other zoom
functions, type “zoom slider” in the search box, and then click the List Topics
button.

• To widen your search results or when you are not sure what something is
called—Use wildcard expressions to search for words or phrases. Wildcard
expressions allow you to search for one or more characters using a question
mark or asterisk.
Example The search string dimension* displays topics that contain the term
"dimension," "dimensional," and so on.

• Further specify your search criteria—There are several things you can do to
tailor the search to get more specific results.
o Narrow your previous results by searching within the subset of topics using
the Search Previous Results option.

o To search for topics that include all forms of a word, use the Match Similar
Words option.
Example For example, a search on the word "add" will find "add," "adds,"
and "added".

o To find topics where the keyword is of primary focus, set the Search Titles
Only option before you search.

• Sort results alphabetically—After you have searched, click the Title column
header to sort the generated topic list alphabetically.

• Searches are not case-sensitive.

• Punctuation marks such as the period, colon, semicolon, comma, and hyphen
are ignored during a search.

• You cannot search for quotation marks.

Solid Edge Technical Support

The Global Technical Access Center (GTAC) provides technical support for Solid
Edge customers.

Accessing Support from Solid Edge

You can access many support functions directly from Solid Edge. On the Help menu,
click Technical Support. Then click the appropriate option to request a WebKey
account, to access the online support library, and so forth.

1-14 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

Contacting Support
In the USA and Canada, call 1-800-955-0000 or 1-714-952-5444. Outside North
America, please contact your local Siemens PLM Software office. For more
information or the telephone number of an office near you, call 800-807-2200.
You can also access GTAC on the Web:
http://support.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com/gtac.shtml
For problems relating to Microsoft, you should contact Microsoft support on the Web:
http://support.microsoft.com

Lesson review: Getting Started

1. List the environments available when working in Solid Edge Embedded Client.

2. List two ways to open a new document. List three ways to save a document.

3. What are the three objects that combine to fully describe the associated
document when you are working with Teamcenter?

4. Where can attributes, such as Item Name, be assigned to a document?

5. How can you find information about the Search command?

6. What tool would you use to locate the Open command?

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-15
Lesson 1 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

Answers
1. The environments available when working in Solid Edge Embedded Client are:
• Part

• Assembly

• Sheet Metal

• Draft

2. You can open a new document using several methods including:

• Selecting Application Button®New and selecting the appropriate template.

• Clicking the environment (Part, Assembly, Sheet Metal) from the Create
portion of the Solid Edge startup screen.

You can save a document by:

• Selecting Application Button®Save.

• Clicking the Save icon on the Quick Access toolbar.

• Selecting Application Menu®Save As (or Ctrl + S).

3. The object’s Item, Item Revision and Dataset combine to fully describe the
Teamcenter-managed document.

4. Attributes can be assigned to a document on the:

• New document dialog box for new documents.

• Upload document dialog box for existing documents.

5. Information regarding the Search command or any command in Solid Edge can
be found in on-line Help by clicking the Help Index icon located at top-right of
the window.

6. You can use Command Finder, located on the status bar, to locate the commands
within Solid Edge.

Activity: Create, save, and close a part document

Create, save, and close a part document
In this activity, you will learn how to start Solid Edge with the Embedded Client and
use basic file operations. You will learn how to create, save, and close files, how to
assign properties to the document, and how to open existing files.
After completing this activity, you will be able to:
• Determine your default modeling environment.

• Open any of the Solid Edge environments.

1-16 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

• Create a new Teamcenter-managed Solid Edge document.

• Save a Teamcenter-managed Solid Edge document.

• Close a document.

Note For this class, all students will be working in a common local folder on each
machine. The class training folder will be used when saving files. Instructions
for loading the class files are found in the Activity Data Set section of the Course
Overview. The activities assume ANSI templates are loaded.

Start Solid Edge.

▸ On the Start menu, choose Programs®Solid Edge ST5®Solid Edge.
The startup screen is displayed. Any of the Solid Edge environments can be
opened from this screen by creating a new document. You can open an existing
document or select a document from a list of recently used documents. You can
also launch tutorials from this screen.

▸ Notice the title bar indicates Solid Edge ST5 - Teamcenter.

Solid Edge Embedded client is enabled and you are working in a managed
environment.

Turn the Solid Edge Embedded Client off and on.

▸ Click the Application button and choose Manage®Teamcenter.
Solid Edge Embedded Client is only activated when Teamcenter is displayed in
the window title bar. If Teamcenter is not displayed, you are working in an
unmanaged environment.

▸ Click the Application button and choose Manage®Teamcenter to turn

Teamcenter on.

Determine your default modeling environment.

▸ Click the Application button and choose Solid Edge Options®Helpers.

▸ Verify your Start Part and Sheet Metal documents using this environment option
is set to Synchronous.
Your new Part and Sheet Metal documents are opened using the direct modeling
capabilities available in the synchronous modeling environment.

▸ Click OK.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-17
Lesson 1 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

Create a new managed part file.

▸ Under Create, click ANSI Part.

Note The training activities assume ANSI templates are loaded for your use.
Your display may differ.

The Login to Teamcenter dialog box is displayed.

▸ Log in to Teamcenter.
The first time you access Teamcenter you must log in.

▸ Enter your Teamcenter User ID and Password, and then select the appropriate
database.

▸ Click Login.
A new part document is opened.

Examine the screen.

▸ Notice Teamcenter in the title bar.

▸ Locate the document name formula which is displayed in PathFinder and in the
title bar: Item ID/Item Revision-Item Name

1-18 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

Create a 3D solid base feature by drawing a sketch for the base

feature.
▸ Choose Home tab®Draw group®Rectangle by 3 Points.

▸ Position the cursor over the base coordinate system so that the XY principal
plane highlights, then press F3 or click the lock to select it.

Tip You can use the QuickPick feature to make selecting the principal plane easier.

Notice the alignment lines attached to the cursor. The alignment lines are oriented
to the principal plane you selected.
▸ Click to define the start point of the rectangle.

▸ Move your cursor to the right, and notice that the Width and Angle boxes update
to reflect the current cursor position.

▸ Position the cursor so that the Width value is approximately 2.50 in and the
Angle is exactly 0.00 degrees, then click to define the second point of the
rectangle.

▸ Position the cursor so that the Height value for the rectangle is approximately
2.00 in, then click to define the third point of the rectangle.

The sketch region is formed when 2D elements form a closed area.

Use the sketch region to create a solid feature.

▸ Choose Home tab®Select group®Select.

▸ Position the cursor over the sketch region and click to select it.
The QuickBar floating menu is displayed in the graphics window. It displays a
list of possible actions and the available options for the current action.
An Extrude handle is displayed near where you selected the sketch. It is used to
construct the feature.

▸ Position the cursor over the extrude handle and when it highlights, click to
select it.

▸ Position the cursor below the sketch, type 1.25 in the dynamic input box, and
then press Enter to define the extent for the feature.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-19
Lesson 1 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

The solid base feature is displayed and the sketch is no longer displayed.
Sketches are discarded after you construct a feature.

Hide the base coordinate system using the options in PathFinder.

▸ In PathFinder, clear the check box adjacent to the Base entry.

▸ The Base entry in PathFinder changes color and the Base coordinate system is
hidden in the graphics window.

Resize the view and display the entire part.

▸ Choose View tab®Orient group®Fit.

Tip The Fit command is also available in the status bar at the bottom of the
graphics window.

The file has not been saved or named. Save the file.

▸ On the Quick Access toolbar, click Save .

The New Document dialog box is displayed. This dialog box is used to assign
attributes to the document to make it easier to manage. You will see a similar
dialog box whenever new files are created or existing files change.

▸ In the New Document dialog box, ensure the Item Type column is set to Item.
The table cells indicated with red asterisks must contain content prior to loading
them into Teamcenter. You can type the information or have it generated for you.

Note Once you assign an Item Type, that attribute becomes read-only and
cannot be modified.

▸ In the New Document dialog box, click Assign All to automatically assign an
Item ID, Revision, and Item Name to the managed document.
The Item ID assigned to this document is a unique value.

▸ Select the Dataset Description cell and type Part Created in Activity 1.

1-20 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

The Dataset Description is blank when a single new document is listed. The
file name is used when multiple new files are shown. You can use this field to
provide a description of the item, with a maximum of 240 characters.

▸ In the New Document dialog box, click OK.

The document is saved to disk.
The formula in PathFinder and title bar now reflects the new attributes assigned
to the document. However, the document is not loaded to the Teamcenter
database until it is closed.

Close the file by selecting Application button→Close.

Closing the document loads it into the Teamcenter database.
Note Since no folder was specified on the New Document dialog box, by default the
item will be created in your Newstuff folder in Teamcenter.

Reopen the file you created and saved.

▸ On the startup screen, click Open Existing Document.

▸ In the Open File dialog box, double-click the Newstuff folder. It contains the
document you want to open.

▸ Select the document you want to open from the Look In list.
The Look In list displays all available folders from which you can select a
document, along with a list of any searches you have saved.

▸ Click Open.

Display conceptual information regarding closing a document.

▸ On the status bar, in the Command Finder box, type the term: close document.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-21
Lesson 1 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

▸ Click Go to display results that contain your search term.

▸ In the Command Finder dialog box, point to Close and notice how the display
changes to demonstrate the location of the Close command.

Run the command, closing the active document.

▸ In the Command Finder dialog box, click Close.

Exit Solid Edge.

▸ If you are prompted, click OK to check the document in to Teamcenter.

▸ Exit Solid Edge.

Activity summary
In this activity, you learned how to start Solid Edge with the Embedded Client and
how to determine your default modeling environment. You learned how to create,
save, and close files, how to assign document properties that make files easier to
manage, and how to open existing files from a managed environment.
Now you will be able to:
• Determine your default modeling environment.

• Open a Solid Edge document in a managed environment.

• Create a new Solid Edge part in a managed environment.

1-22 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Getting started with Solid Edge Embedded Client

• Save a Solid Edge file in a managed environment.

• Open an existing Solid Edge document.

• Use Command Finder to locate and execute Solid Edge commands.

• Close a managed file.

Lesson summary
The best way to learn the functionality of the Solid Edge Embedded Client is to
spend time using it.
Things to remember:
• When browsing for Solid Edge files in Teamcenter mode, you will be presented
with the data from the Teamcenter database.

• The Login to Teamcenter dialog box only displays when you start a new Solid
Edge session. Once a document is open and you are connected to Teamcenter,
it no longer displays.

• Saving a document saves it to disk and creates it in Teamcenter, but it is not

loaded to the database until it is closed.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 1-23
Lesson

2 Searching and viewing data

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Understand Items, Item Types, Item Revisions and Datasets.

• Execute searches to find item objects.

• Find and open managed Solid Edge documents.

• Create custom saved searches.

• Customize the display of document attributes on the Open File dialog box.

Searching for documents

You can search for managed documents by clicking the Search button located on
the Open File dialog box. The Search dialog box assists you in locating documents
that meet a defined search criteria.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 2-1
Lesson 2 Searching and viewing data

You can search for documents based on such attributes as Name, Item ID, and
Revision. A list of named searches is already defined for you that you can use to
locate documents. Each named search displays only the attributes associated with
that type of search. For example, the search named Item displays only the attributes
needed to support the Item. By narrowing the list of available attributes you can
quickly and easily define your search criteria.

Note You can use an asterisk (*) to do a wildcard search. For example, if you are
looking for all Item IDs that contain 260, you can type *260*.

2-2 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Searching and viewing data

Searching for Items

Items are the fundamental objects you use to manage data in a Teamcenter
environment. Items are used to store data that is configuration or revision-controlled,
such as business data from CAD files and document files created in Microsoft Office.
Each item has a label containing two pieces of information:
A unique identifier similar to a part number or document
Item ID
number.
A short description of the item, such as a bolt, bracket, or
Item Name
title of a document.

Using the system-defined searches, you can search for documents based on their
Item ID or Item Name as well as other properties associated with the Item.

Searching for Item Types

To search for an item, you should search for a specific type of item. The term item
describes all types of items that exist in the database.
The following types of items are delivered with Solid Edge Embedded Client and
Teamcenter:

Item Type Description

Used for data that is revision or
configuration-controlled, such as test procedures or
design specifications (Microsoft Word, Excel, and
Document
PowerPoint documents). Searching for this type of
item retrieves the documents associated with the
item.
Contains data related to an engineering change and
Engineering Order can also be used as part of a workflow to route change
information.
Used for data stored in the database that represents
manufactured parts, subassemblies, end-items, and
tools. You search for this type of item to find CAD files
Item
and other representations of part data such as 2D or
3D images of drawings or models, or to view the bill of
materials for your product.
Standard Used for standard or purchased parts.

You can search for item types using the system-defined search Item-simple.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 2-3
Lesson 2 Searching and viewing data

Searching for Item Revisions

Item revisions manage changes to items. When you create an item, the first
item revision is automatically created for you. As you make changes to the item,
additional item revisions are created to represent the revision changes.
Item revisions are what most users commonly access. They are used to manage
changes and track history of the items.
Item revisions contain objects referred to as forms and datasets. Forms contain
attribute data for the item revision. Datasets represent the physical data files for
the item revision. Revisions may also contain other objects, such as folders and
other item revisions.
There is a system-defined search to find objects based on Item Revision.

Searching for Datasets

Datasets manage data files and are typically stored in item revisions. The icon
preceding the dataset name will vary depending on the associated application.
Double-clicking a dataset launches the software application and loads the file in
the application.

Icon Type File Purpose

SE Part .par Solid Edge file

Text .txt Text document

MSWord .doc Microsoft Word document

MSExcel .xls Microsoft Excel spreadsheet

2-4 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Searching and viewing data

Searching for non-Solid Edge documents

Solid Edge supports object linking. As a result, you can use Excel spreadsheets
to document parts lists or bills of material, apply Microsoft Word documents as
instructions for detailing a product, or link to images for product definition. In
a Teamcenter-managed environment, Teamcenter maintains these links similarly
to the links between draft documents and the 3D documents. The non-Solid Edge
document is saved under the same Item Revision as the parent document or to a
new Item and Item Revision.

Supported non-Solid Edge documents include Microsoft Office Excel (.xls and .xlsx)
and Microsoft Office Word (.doc and .docx). Image documents supported are Joint
Photographic Experts Group (.jpg), bitmap (.bmp), and Tagged Image File Format
(.tiff)
Use the system-defined search for Item Revision or Item to find non-Solid Edge
documents within the Teamcenter-managed environment.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 2-5
Lesson 2 Searching and viewing data

Defining custom searches

In addition to the system-defined searches, you can create and save custom searches
by defining the search criteria, providing a name for the search, and clicking Save on
the Search dialog box.

Custom searches are saved in the My Searches folder in the Look In portion of the
Open File dialog box.

Searching and viewing additional properties

In addition to the default properties visible on the Open File dialog box, you can
search on and view any property synchronized with Teamenter. The Columns
command, available from the shortcut menu when document properties are
displayed, provides options for displaying property information in addition to the
default information.

These options can be set for columns appearing in the Open File, New Document,
Upload Document and Cache Assistant dialog boxes.

2-6 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Searching and viewing data

Search results
After you define the search criteria and perform the search, the results of the search
are displayed in the Look In list in the Open dialog box. The search command is
governed by the Teamcenter preference, SEEC_Search_Limit. To aid performance,
the preference sets a limit for the number of items returned during a search. If the
number of items returned by the search exceeds the number defined as the search
limit, you have the option to modify the search criteria, view only the number of
items defined as the limit, show all search results, cancel the query in progress, or
cancel the search.
For more information regarding Teamcenter Preferences, refer to the Solid Edge
Embedded Client Administrator’s Guide.

Lesson review: Searching and viewing data

1. Objects which are used to store data that is configuration or revision-controlled
are called _________________________.

2. True or False: Each item is described by a name, description, and creation date.

3. True or False: You can search for documents based on attributes such as name,
Item ID and Revision.

4. Name three of the Item types delivered with Solid Edge Embedded Client.

5. True or False: Item Types are used to manage changes and track history of items.

6. What workspace object is used to manage data files created by other software
applications?

7. Non–Solid Edge documents such as Microsoft Excel and Word documents as well
as image documents are saved in the same _________ _________________ as the
parent or to a new Item and Item Revision.

8. True or False: The creation of custom searches requires special privileges.

Answers
1. Objects which are used to store data that is configuration or revision-controlled
are called Items.

2. False — Each item has a label containing the Item ID, a unique identifier, and
an Item Name, a short description. The creation date is not part of the label.

3. True — You can search for items based on several properties associated with
the Item. The name, Item ID and Revision are three of the properties that can
be used for search for items.

4. Three of the Item types delivered with Solid Edge Embedded Client are:
• Item — used for data stored in the database that represents parts,
subassemblies, and other items such as 2D or 3D images of models.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 2-7
Lesson 2 Searching and viewing data

• Document — used for data that is revision or configuration-controlled such

as a test procedure or spreadsheet.

• Standard — used for standard parts.

5. False — Item Revisions manage changes to Items.

6. Datasets are used to manage data files created by other software applications
such as Microsoft Word or Excel documents.

7. A non-Solid Edge document is saved under the same Item Revision as the parent
document or to a new Item and Item Revision.

8. False — The creation of custom searches do not require special user privileges.

Activity: Open and search for documents

Open and search for documents

In this activity, you will learn how to find an existing managed Solid Edge document
using the Search command with search criteria you define. Also, you will create
and save custom searches you define.
Following this activity, you will be able to:
• Open a managed Solid Edge document.

• Search for particular Solid Edge documents in a managed environment.

• Create a customized search and save the search for future use.

Start Solid Edge.

▸ On the Start menu, choose Programs®Solid Edge ST5®Solid Edge.
Solid Edge displays the startup screen.

Search for and view the properties of an existing document.

▸ On the startup screen, click Open Existing Document.

▸ Log in to Teamcenter.
The Open File dialog box is displayed. A file location (Look in:) and file name
(File name:) are required to open an existing document. For this activity, the
location of the part file desired is not known, so you will search to determine
the location of the file.

▸ In the Open File dialog box, ensure Files of Type is set to Part documents
(*.par) and click Search .

▸ In the Search dialog box, click the arrow to expand the Saved Searches list.

2-8 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Searching and viewing data

Notice there are a number of saved searches predefined for you. For example,
you can search on attributes related to Item Revision, Objects in Projects, or a
number of other attributes.

▸ From the list of predefined searches, select Item.

▸ Click Erase to clear the existing search criteria.

▸ Double-click the empty cell beside Type and select Item.

▸ Double-click the empty cell beside Owning User and select your login.

▸ Click Search.
When the search is complete, the Open File dialog box displays the search results.

▸ Click the Item ID of the part you created in the previous activity.
A preview of the item is displayed in the Preview pane on the right side of the
Open File dialog box.

▸ Use the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the document list to view the
attributes associated with your document.

There are several columns of attribute information displayed by default including:

Item ID, Revision, Name, Type, and Description.
▸ Click Open to open the file in the Solid Edge Part environment.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 2-9
Lesson 2 Searching and viewing data

Add dimensions to your base part using the Smart Dimension

command.
▸ Select Home tab®Dimension group®Smart Dimension and place dimensions for
the length and width of your base part.

Save and close the part file .

▸ On the QuickAccess toolbar, click Save .

▸ On the Application menu, click Close.

▸ On the Upload document dialog box, set the Action to Check-in and click OK.

In addition to using predefined searches to locate documents, you can define and
save custom searches.

Define a custom search using the predefined search named Item,

together with search criteria for Item Type and Created After.
▸ From the startup screen, click Open Existing Document.

▸ In the Open File dialog box, click Search .

▸ Click Erase to clear the existing criteria.

▸ In the Search dialog box, in the Type list box, select the search criteria Item.

▸ From the Owning User list box, select your login.

▸ Double-click the empty cell beside Created After and then click the down arrow
to display a calendar. From the calendar, select yesterday’s date.

Name your custom search then save and run it.

▸ At the top of the Search dialog box, click the Saved Searches list box, and type
MySearch to give your search a unique name.

▸ Click Save to save the search criteria you defined.

The saved search will be available in the My Searches folder on the Open dialog
box.

▸ Click Search to run the search.

The search you saved is displayed in the Look In portion of the Open File dialog box
and the results of the search are displayed in the document list.

2-10 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Searching and viewing data

Expand the list of document attributes shown for your document

to include the Item Name.
▸ Right-click inside the document list area and click Columns. The Format
Columns dialog box is displayed.

▸ Select the check box adjacent to the Item Name and click OK.

Expand the view on the Open File dialog box so that you can see all
the properties shown for this item.

▸ Click the Expand button on the right side of the property information.

Notice the document list portion of the Open File dialog box expands to cover the
Preview information.
The Item Name is listed in addition to what is present by default. You can use the
Format Columns dialog box any time file properties are shown.

Shrink the display of the document list back to its original size.

▸ Click the shrink button to return the document list back to its original size.

Select the document found by the search and open it.

▸ Click Open to open the file in the Solid Edge Part environment.

Tip If the search results do not display the file you are looking for, make sure the file
type you desire is selected on the Open dialog prior to conducting the search.
For example, if you are looking for a part, but the file type is set to assembly, the
part will not be found by the search.

Fit the document to the view and then save the document.
▸ Choose View tab®Orient group®Fit.

▸ On the Quick Access toolbar, click Save .

Exit Solid Edge.

▸ On the Upload Document dialog box, click OK to Check-in the document.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 2-11
Lesson 2 Searching and viewing data

Activity summary
In this activity, you learned how to use the Search command to find a particular file
based on a set of search criterion that you defined. Additionally, you learned how
to create and save a custom search based on properties you chose as well as how to
display additional file attributes using the Columns command.
Now you will be able to:
• Run a search to find particular documents.

• Create and save a customized search.

• Open a managed Solid Edge document located using the Search command.

• Customize the display of document attributes using the Columns command.

Lesson summary
In this lesson you reviewed the dataset model for Solid Edge Embedded Client and
learned how to search for document attributes based on this data model.
Things to remember:
• Items are generally used to store revision-controlled information.

• Each item has at least one item revision.

• Item revisions store specific information about a particular revision of an item.

• A dataset is an object that stores and manages a collection of data files.

• Document attributes such as Name, Item ID, Revision, and Item Name can be
found in the database using the Search command.

2-12 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
Lesson

3 Preparing and loading

unmanaged documents into
Teamcenter

After completing this lesson, you will be able to prepare unmanaged documents for
loading into Teamcenter using:
• Attribute mapping to map Solid Edge properties to Teamcenter attributes.

• Custom property definition to define properties for importing non-Solid Edge

documents.

• A dry run of the Add to Teamcenter process.

• Add to Teamcenter to add the documents into the Teamcenter-managed

environment.

Preparing unmanaged documents for Teamcenter

Many times the data that comprises projects consists of individual documents that
exist in an unmanaged environment. There are a few things you should do before
you add unmanaged documents to Teamcenter.

Document preparation
To prepare your unmanaged documents for Teamcenter, you should:
• Remove documents you do not want to manage.

• Find duplicate document names.

• Scan for invalid document names.

• Map Solid Edge properties to Teamcenter attributes.

• Create custom properties to define the Item Revision for non-Solid Edge
documents (image files, .pdf documents, and Microsoft Office documents) and to
define the properties for non-graphic parts (grease, paint, etc.).

• Find and repair broken links.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 3-1
Lesson 3 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

Remove unwanted files

When you add a folder to the library, every document in the folder is added to the
library, regardless of whether or not you want to manage them. You should remove
any documents that you do not want to manage before adding the folder to the
library. These documents might include text or log files that reside in the folder
you want to import.

Find duplicate document names

You can add duplicate documents to a managed library, but duplicate document
names cannot exist in the same folder. If duplicate document names are found, you
should ensure that you are adding the correct document to the library.

Find invalid document names

Teamcenter supports the same conventions that the file system supports for naming
folders and documents. Folder and document names can consist of all Unicode
characters except the following characters: # : \ ? * < > % / | " ~ !
Search your local folder for invalid document names before adding them to
Teamcenter.

Map Solid Edge properties to Teamcenter attributes

Attribute mapping defines what document properties you will exchange between
Solid Edge and Teamcenter. There are a number of property mapping definitions
that are delivered for you.
Required Maximum
Solid Edge Teamcenter
or File Property character
property attribute
Optional length
Teamcenter Custom
Item Type Required 32
Item Type (Localized)
Document Project
Item ID Required 128
Number
Revision Project
Revision Required 128
Number
Project Name Item Name Required Project 128
Custom
Dataset Name Dataset Name Required 128
(English)
TC Engineering Dataset Custom
Optional 140
Description Description (Localized)

The Dataset Name is not required on common property dialog boxes. However, if no
Dataset Name is specified, one will be computed from the Item ID and Revision.
In Teamcenter, the key attributes used to track part numbers and revisions are Item
ID, Revision, and Item Name. The corresponding Solid Edge properties are displayed
in Solid Edge on the Project tab of the Properties dialog box. You can access the
Properties dialog box by choosing Application button®Properties®File Properties.
Defining these properties in Solid Edge before adding the documents to Teamcenter
minimizes your future efforts and your Teamcenter database will be more accurately
populated from the start.
Some things to consider regarding Solid Edge property mapping:

3-2 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

• If the Solid Edge Document Number property is left blank, an Item ID is

automatically generated and assigned for you when you import the data into
Teamcenter. You should define the Document Number, Revision Number, and
Project Name before loading your data into Teamcenter.

• If any of the Solid Edge properties contain more than the maximum character
length, or if the Document Number plus the Revision is greater than the
maximum character length, you are notified of an error on import into
Teamcenter. The error is recorded in the log file generated by the import
application. Windows 7 records the log file in \AppData\Roaming\Unigraphics
Solutions\Solid Edge\Version 105\Log Files.

• In the Teamcenter-managed environment, only one Solid Edge 3D dataset is

allowed per Item. However, multiple Drafts can be associated with each item
as item revisions. When unmanaged 3D datasets using the same Document
Number property are imported into Teamcenter, you must decide to save your
Solid Edge Draft documents to the same Item Revision as the Solid Edge 3D
content or save your Solid Edge Draft documents to a separate Item.

• Solid Edge Properties and Teamcenter Attributes should match Type (For
example: String with String, Date with Date and Numeric with Numeric).

• Mapping the Project ID is not supported.

The Dataset Name property is required. If it is null or blank, Solid Edge Embedded
Client uses the default of Item ID<separator>Revision.
The Item Type and Dataset Description are localized, while the Dataset Name is
English-only.
Note The Solid Edge property to Teamcenter attribute mapping is case sensitive.

Creating custom properties

You can create custom Solid Edge properties to map to Teamcenter attributes.
For example, you can create custom properties to define the Item Revision for
non-Solid Edge documents including image files, .pdf documents, and Microsoft
Office documents (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint). You can also create custom
properties to define the properties for non-graphic parts.
There are three basic steps to creating custom properties:
• Provide a name for the custom property.

• Select the type of property you are creating.

• Type a value for the property.

Tip Refer to the Solid Edge Help topic Create custom document properties for
instructions.

In the event you are importing non-graphic parts into Teamcenter, you should
create the custom properties SE_Assembly_Quantity_Override, SE_Assembly
Quantity_String, and Unit of Measure (UOM). These custom properties should also
be added to the columns of the analysis spreadsheet datapreputilitiestemplate.xlsm
explained in the Fine Tune Your Data section.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 3-3
Lesson 3 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

Importing non-Solid Edge documents into Teamcenter

When non-Solid Edge documents are added to the Teamcenter database using Add
to Teamcenter, the custom properties that map Solid Edge properties to Teamcenter
attributes is used. If the Item Type, Item ID, and Item Revision are defined, the
non-Solid Edge document is uploaded into Teamcenter using the defined property
mappings. However, if any defining properties are missing, the Teamcenter attribute
is automatically assigned as with any other document type.
Caution If the Solid Edge property that defines the Teamcenter Item Revision is not
defined, the Item Revision will be auto-assigned upon import. The non-Solid
Edge document may not receive the same Item Revision number as its parent
document. Create custom properties to map Solid Edge properties to Teamcenter
attributes defining the Item Revision before adding the non-Solid Edge document
to Teamcenter.

Conduct a dry run with Add to Teamcenter

You can use the Add to Teamcenter program to perform a dry run to accomplish
many of the document preparation tasks.
As the dry run scans the list of documents to be added to Teamcenter, it checks for
file name length, invalid characters, and identifies files that contain broken links.
In the event duplicate document numbers are discovered, the dry run erases the
document number of one of the parts in preparation for adding the documents to the
managed environment. The dry run builds an ordered list of your files and produces
the list in .xmlm format ready for use with the Analyze files program.
During the dry run, you have the opportunity to view log files and suspend the
Add to Teamcenter process to fix the broken links. If no broken links were found,
you can add the documents to Teamcenter and update the status of the documents
to Checked In.

Automated tools for data analysis

To make the task of preparing unmanaged files easier, a few programs designed to
assist you with preparing and importing large batches of unmanaged data are made
available to you in Start®Programs®Solid Edge ST5®Data Preparation when
you install Solid Edge Embedded Client.
• Analyze

• Link Fixup

• Modify

• Add to Teamcenter

Note Microsoft Office Professional 2007 must be installed on the client to run the
programs. The input file must be in .xlsm document format.

Analyze your unmanaged files

The Analyze program provides an automated set of tools for evaluating your
unmanaged files. The program:

3-4 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

• Evaluates Solid Edge files for duplicate document number values, duplicate file
names, empty revision entries, empty project names, and broken links.

• Performs a file name length analysis.

• Evaluates the Solid Edge to Teamcenter property mapping.

Fine tune your data

Fine-tune the data generated by the analysis through the use of the analysis
spreadsheet, datapreputilitiestemplate.xlsm, so that it correctly represents the data
that will be imported into Teamcenter.
Caution It is imperative for your unmanaged data to be evaluated and corrected
prior to import so you can have a correctly populated Teamcenter database from
the start and minimize future efforts.

If you use custom Solid Edge data properties, you must define the custom properties
for use in Teamcenter using the spreadsheet datapreputilitiestemplate.xlsm located
in \Program Files\Solid Edge ST5 \Program. See the Help file Define custom
properties prior to analysis for instructions.

Repair broken links

The Link Fixup program locates the Excel spreadsheet produced from the file
analysis process and defines the parameters used for repairing broken links before
you import them into Teamcenter.

Update the files

The Modify program updates unmanaged Solid Edge files based on entries in the
spreadsheet that is produced as the output of file analysis. New property values are
saved in the unmanaged Solid Edge files.

Adding documents to a Teamcenter managed environment

You can add multiple documents and folders to the Teamcenter environment using
Add to Teamcenter. The documents that you select to add to the managed library
are called direct documents. These direct documents may contain links to other
documents or reference other documents, which are known as indirect documents.
For example, when you add an assembly to a managed library, all the parts and
subassemblies within the selected assembly are indirect documents, if you select
only the assembly document to add to the library. Similarly, a part copy within a
part document or a part referenced within a drawing document are also indirect
documents.

Using Add to Teamcenter

You can import multiple unmanaged Solid Edge files into a Teamcenter database
without starting the Solid Edge application using Add to Teamcenter. Before
running Add to Teamcenter, ensure that you are able to successfully create and save
Solid Edge files. Then prepare your unmanaged files for the managed environment
using the tips found in Preparing unmanaged documents for Teamcenter.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 3-5
Lesson 3 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

Running Add to Teamcenter

The Add to Teamcenter program is made available to you when you install Solid
Edge Embedded Client. To run the application, from the Start menu, choose
Programs® Solid Edge ST5®Data Preparation®Add to Teamcenter. When you run
the program, the Add to Teamcenter dialog box provides options for loading your files
into the Teamcenter database. Whether you are casually adding a few documents or
folders, or performing a bulk import of a massive amount of data, you should start
with a dry run to analyze your data and report any problems. The dry run gives you
the opportunity to correct any problems found before continuing.

Performing a dry run

One of the options on the Add to Teamcenter dialog box is to perform a dry run of
adding your unmanaged documents to Teamcenter. The dry run builds a list of your
files and performs a series of checks including a search for broken links, validation
of file name length, and a check for duplicate file names. In the event duplicate
document numbers are discovered, the dry run erases the document number of one
of the parts in preparation for adding the documents to the managed environment.
Log files are generated that contain errors or warnings occurring during the dry run.
Any files with broken links are written to a log file and you are informed that broken
links were found. You are then given the opportunity to open the log file and suspend
Add to Teamcenter so you can repair the links, find alternate files of the same file
name but that occur in different folders, or ignore the broken links. If you choose to
find alternates, the links are not updated to point to the new file, but you are assisted
with finding possible replacements in order to expedite fixing the broken links.
Caution If you choose to skip the dry run, the list of documents is built from your
input, but broken links are ignored by further processing.

Log files
When you run Add to Teamcenter, log files are generated that contain errors or
warnings occurring during the file upload transaction. The default location for log
files is determined on the File Locations page of the Solid Edge Options dialog box.
You can use log files to monitor the success or failure of your documents loading into
the Teamcenter database. The log files you will interact with most often are grouped
in the subfolder \Add to Teamcenter that is created when you run Add to Teamcenter.
Each file uses a naming convention consisting of a description, timestamp, and file
extension. For example, TALLog_20120514131232.log. The timestamp is a 14 digit
unique identifier using the format YYYYMMDDHHmmss where:
• YYYY is the year. In the example, 2012.

• MM is the month. In the example, 05 is May.

• DD is the day. In the example, 14 is the 14th.

• HH is the hour using a 24-hour clock beginning at midnight which is 00 and

going through 23, which is 11:00 pm. In the example, 13 is 1:00 pm.

• mm is the minute. In the example, 12 is 12 minutes past the hour.

• ss is the seconds. In the example, 32 is 32 seconds past the minute.

3-6 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

Log File Description

Contains all Add to Teamcenter settings.
AddToTeamcenter_<timestamp>.log The setting names are not localized for
this development log file.
Contains information regarding the
blocks of data being added to the
Teamcenter database, the number of
ATTHistory_<timestamp>.xml links within the block, and how long each
block took to load. The history is only
reset and cleared if you start a new Add
to Teamcenter process.
Contains a summary of actions taken
by the Add to Teamcenter process to
correct the data and load it into the
database. These actions are logged as
warnings with messages specific to why
the corrective action was taken. If a file
SEEC User Log <unique id>.xml
fails to load, an error is shown in the
summary log with a message explaining
why the file failed to load. The contents
of this log file displays in the SEEC
Summary dialog box when you are
importing files using Add to Teamcenter.
Developer log that includes a timer so
TALLog_<timestamp>.xml the total time for input is measured
accurately.

Output files
When you run Add to Teamcenter, files are generated as output of the process. All
output files created from one input list have the same timestamp so it is easy to
identify which output file is related to another. The default location for output files
is, ...\Unigraphics Solutions\Solid Edge\Version 105\Log Files\Add to Teamcenter.

Output File Description

Contains information regarding the
BrokenLinkLog_<timestamp>.xml
broken link and the parent document.
Lists input files after the completion of
the scan for broken links. Double-clicking
Unordered_<timestamp>.CSV the file opens it in Microsoft Excel.
Caution This file cannot be used as input
to the Add to Teamcenter process.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 3-7
Lesson 3 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

Contains an ordered list of your input

files along with their reverse links. If a
file has a reverse link, it is listed twice
with two order numbers and also listed
twice in the pass/fail log. The ordered list
is generated by either the output from a
dry run or as a result of the pass/fail log.
Ordered_<timestamp>.CSV
Note You can rename the
Ordered_<timestamp>.csv file
and use it as an input file to Add
to Teamcenter; however the format
must match the expected input. You
can only submit one .CSV file for
processing at a time.
Lists the documents you are importing
and provides a summary of success or
failure of the import process for each
file. The log is written once per Add to
Teamcenter session even if you elect to
suspend or retry the upload process.
SuccessFailureLog_<timestamp>.CSV
Double-clicking the file opens it in
Microsoft Excel. The order number in
this file matches the order number from
the Ordered_<timestamp>.CSV file so
you can match up entries between the
two files during troubleshooting.

Note All log and output files persist from one Add to Teamcenter session to
another. Work with your system administrator to develop a schedule to archive
the contents of the ...\Unigraphics Solutions\Solid Edge\Version 105\Log
Files\Add to Teamcenter folder to manage disk space on your computer.

Resuming Add to Teamcenter

When you use the Add to Teamcenter program, some requested actions may not
complete, or they may complete with warnings. In either case, a notification dialog
box is displayed. You cannot start a new import of files into the Teamcenter database
until the previous one is completed or canceled.
The options on the notification dialog box determine how you proceed. You can view
the log generated by the process, view a summary, continue, cancel, suspend, or
view help regarding the upload process.
• View Log—Displays the Add to Teamcenter log file.

• Summary—Displays the SEEC Information dialog box providing a quick

summary of errors or warnings encountered during the Add to Teamcenter
process.

• Continue—Continues the Add to Teamcenter process and starts loading the files
into the managed environment. This option is disabled if there are errors noted.

3-8 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

• Cancel—Exits the Add to Teamcenter process so you can start over. Any
processing is discarded and the queue is cleared of documents being loaded into
Teamcenter. You are returned to the Add to Teamcenter dialog box.

• Suspend—Interrupts processing and exits the Add to Teamcenter program,

but leaves the import queue intact. Data already created in Teamcenter is not
deleted. When you later restart the Add to Teamcenter process using the Retry
button, the files resume loading from this point.

• Help—Displays help information regarding the dialog box.

If you previously suspended the transaction, the notification dialog box is displayed
automatically when you next start the Add to Teamcenter program.

Overwriting documents using Add to Teamcenter

The Add to Teamcenter program compares the item number, revision, and dataset
values of a document with those existing in the Teamcenter database. As a result,
you can import files over files that already exist in the Teamcenter database. Add
to Teamcenter adds the import time to the original file, and on subsequent loads it
checks to see if the modified date is after the import date. If the document being
imported has not been modified since the last import, it is recognized as already
being in the database and is not re-added to Teamcenter on subsequent imports.
However, if the unmanaged file is modified after its initial import into the database,
on subsequent imports you are given the options to:
• Check out the document and overwrite it.

• Check out all files that exist and overwrite them.

• Leave the file and use the file already in the database.

• Leave all files and use the ones that already exist in the database.

• Cancel the import process.

In the event the Add to Teamcenter comparison discovers an item number that
already exists in the database, it compares the file being imported to all revisions,
datasets, and files that comprise the dataset. If a match is found, you are given
the opportunity to determine the action on the file being imported. If no match is
found, the file is assigned a new item number and a record of the action will be
placed in the log file.
For example, if the following information exists in Teamcenter:
Item ID 000100
Revision A
Dataset SE Part 000100/A
Named Reference part1_04112007.par
Revision B
Dataset SE part 000100/B
Named Reference 000100.par
Then when you import a file with 000100 as the document number, a comparison is
made between the file name of the file being imported against all named references
(ie., part1_04112007.par and 000100.par in this example). If it matches, you are

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 3-9
Lesson 3 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

given the option to overwrite the file. If you choose not to overwrite, the file is
assigned a new item ID, which is recorded in the log file.
Note During an overwrite condition, BOM precision is not changed.

Lesson review: Preparing unmanaged documents

1. List three things you should do before adding documents to a managed
environment.

2. What is the significance of defining property information before adding

documents to a managed environment?

3. Where do you access the Add to Teamcenter program and data preparation tools?

4. If no document number is defined, where does the value for the Item ID come
from when the document is loaded into Teamcenter?

5. True or False: The log files and output files generated by Add to Teamcenter are
automatically archived after each successful import of unmanaged documents
into the Teamcenter-managed environment.

Answers
1. Three things you should do before adding unmanaged documents to a managed
environment are:
a. Remove documents you do not want included in your managed environment.

b. Find duplicate or invalid document names.

c. Map Solid Edge properties to Teamcenter attributes.

2. Defining the document properties you will exchange between Solid Edge and
Teamcenter prior to adding unmanaged documents to the managed environment
will ensure your database will be more accurately populated from the start.
In the Teamcenter managed environment, the key attributes used to track part
numbers and revisions are Item ID, Revision, and Item Name. The corresponding
Solid Edge properties are displayed on the Project tab of the Properties dialog
box. Having these properties defined can minimize your future efforts.

3. The Add to Teamcenter program and data preparation tools are located in the
Start menu by choosing Programs®Solid Edge ST5®Data Preparation.
Note The Data Preparation tools are installed with Solid Edge, and the Add
to Teamcenter program is made available when you install Solid Edge
Teamcenter Client.

4. If the Solid Edge Document Number property is not defined prior to adding your
unmanaged document to the Teamcenter-managed environment, the Item ID
is automatically generated for you in Teamcenter.

3-10 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

Tip In most cases, you should define the Document Number, Revision Number
and Project Name properties before loading your data into Teamcenter.

5. False — Log files and output files generated by Add to Teamcenter are not
automatically archived. You should work with your system administrator
to develop a system to manage the space on the computer where the Add to
Teamcenter program is used.

Activity: Prepare unmanaged documents for Teamcenter

Prepare unmanaged documents for Teamcenter

After completing this activity, you will be able to:
• Set properties in groups of files.

• Create custom properties.

• Perform a dry run of data import.

• Use Add to Teamcenter to load unmanaged documents to Teamcenter.

A folder containing unmanaged files has been made available for use with this
activity. Prepare and then load the unmanaged documents into Teamcenter.

Define the file properties that will exchange between Solid Edge and
Teamcenter during Add to Teamcenter.
▸ Start Solid Edge with Teamcenter enabled.

▸ On the Application menu, click Property Manager.

▸ In the Select dialog box, navigate to, and select the SEEC Class Files folder
containing the files whose properties you want to define.

▸ In the Select dialog box, click Add>> to add the folder to the Edit Properties list.

▸ Click OK.

▸ In the Property Manager dialog box, expand the SEEC Class Files folder by
clicking the + beside the folder icon.
Note A warning dialog box may be displayed indicating that some files cannot be
processed. This happens if there are files in the folder that do not support
properties. If this warning message is displayed, click OK in the dialog box
to dismiss the warning.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 3-11
Lesson 3 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

The Property Manager dialog box displays the unmanaged files that will
be imported into Teamcenter. Solid Edge properties exchange as follows in
Teamcenter:

Solid Edge File

Solid Edge Teamcenter
Property
Teamcenter Item Type Item Type Custom
Document Number Item ID Project
Revision Number Revision Project
Project Name Item Name Project
TC Engineering
Dataset Description Custom
Description

Note If the Document Number is left blank, a unique Item ID is automatically

generated and assigned for you.

Since the Solid Edge property Project Name becomes the Item Name in
Teamcenter, edit the Project Name to reflect a short description.

▸ Leave the values for the Document Number blank and enter the Project Name
information as shown for each entry in the Property Manager dialog box.

Tip You can reposition the Project Name column to follow the Document Name
column by selecting the column heading and dragging it to the left until the
cell boarder of the Document Name column highlights.

3-12 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

▸ On the Property Manager toolbar, click Save .

▸ Click OK in the Property Manager dialog box.

Exit Solid Edge.

Note Do not run Add to Teamcenter while Solid Edge is running.

Run Add to Teamcenter.

▸ From the Start menu, choose Programs® Solid Edge ST5®Data
Preparation®Add to Teamcenter.

▸ Log in to Teamcenter by entering the required information in the Login to

Teamcenter dialog box.
Notice the messages in the status bar at the bottom of the Add to Teamcenter
dialog box.

Perform a dry run of adding your unmanaged documents to the

managed environment.
▸ In the Add to Teamcenter dialog box, select the SEEC Class Files folder
containing the files you want to add to the Teamcenter-managed environment.

▸ Click Add to add the selected folder to the Folders and Documents To Be Added
list.

▸ To link the files that are to be added to Teamcenter to a specific folder, select the
Add Documents To This Folder check box.

▸ Click Browse for Library Folder to select a folder from the Select Folder
dialog box.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 3-13
Lesson 3 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

▸ Click your Home folder, then click New to create a new folder. Name the new
folder Valve and provide a description of Documents for Class. Then click OK.

▸ Click Dry Run (analyze data and report problems).

▸ From the Overwrite list, select Prompt.

▸ Click OK to start the dry run.

The Add to Teamcenter Status dialog box displays providing you information
regarding the progress of the dry run.
▸ Record the number of Part/Sheet Metal, Assembly, and Draft files processed as
shown in the Progress Summary portion of the dialog box.

File Types Number Processed

Part/Sheet Metal

3-14 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

File Types Number Processed

Assembly
Draft

When the dry run completes, the Validations Complete dialog box notifies you
of warnings regarding the data validation process.

View the information regarding your unmanaged documents.

▸ Click Summary.
The message, The document number in 100–0001–001.par is blank... indicates
the Document Number property in Solid Edge was not defined. The Add to
Teamcenter process will automatically assign unique document numbers for you.

Caution For the purposes of this activity, letting the Add to Teamcenter utility
automatically assign the Document Number for you is appropriate. In some
cases, you may want to manually assign the Document Number property using
Property Manager or the Analyze Files, Modify Files, or Link FixUp programs
delivered with Solid Edge.

▸ Click OK.

Load the unmanaged files into the managed environment.

▸ In the Validations Complete dialog box, click Continue.

As documents are added to the Teamcenter database, the progress of each group of
transactions is displayed at the bottom of the Add to Teamcenter Status dialog box.

Status Message Examples

• Checking for documents...

• Processing documents 1 to 11 of 11.

• Loading documents 1 to 11 of 11.

The Add to Teamcenter Complete dialog box is displayed notifying you the process is
complete.

Dismiss the Add to Teamcenter Complete, Add to Teamcenter Status,

and Add to Teamcenter dialog boxes.
▸ Click OK to dismiss the Add to Teamcenter Complete dialog box.

▸ Click OK to dismiss the Add to Teamcenter Status dialog box.

▸ Click Cancel to dismiss the Add to Teamcenter dialog box.

View the log file to verify the success or failure of the import process.
▸ In Windows Explorer, navigate to the Add to Teamcenter log files.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 3-15
Lesson 3 Preparing and loading unmanaged documents into Teamcenter

Tip In Windows 7, the default location is

\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Unigraphics Solutions\Solid
Edge\Version 105\Log Files\Add to Teamcenter

▸ Double-click the SuccessFailureLog_<timestamp>.CSV file.

The file opens in Microsoft Excel and lists the documents you are importing,
along with a summary of success or failure of the import process for each file.

▸ Verify each of your unmanaged documents display a summary of Success.

Caution Do not continue with the lessons until each of your unmanaged documents
successfully load into Teamcenter.

▸ Exit the log file.

Activity summary
In most cases, unmanaged Solid Edge documents are uploaded into the
Teamcenter-managed environment by an administrator. However, in this activity,
you learned more about the properties that exchange between Solid Edge and
Teamcenter as well as the process involved in preparing unmanaged documents
for importing into a managed environment. Also, you learned how to use Add to
Teamcenter to perform a dry run and then load the documents into the managed
environment.

Lesson summary
Many times, complete projects consist of multiple documents. Since project designs
change over time, it is important to have a well-controlled system to facilitate the
management of those documents.
Things to remember:

• Proper preparation prior to adding documents to a managed environment

minimizes future efforts.

• When a folder is added to a library, the entire contents of the folder are added
to the managed environment. Remove any outdated or unwanted files from the
folder prior to adding them to Teamcenter.

• The key attributes used to track part numbers and revisions are Item ID,
Revision ID, and Item Name.

• When you add documents to Teamcenter, if the Document Number property is

left blank, the Item ID is automatically generated and assigned for you.

• Additional information regarding the automated tools for data preparation is

available in the Solid Edge Embedded Client Administrator’s Guide and in
Solid Edge Help.

3-16 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
Lesson

4 Working with assemblies in the

managed environment

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Create an assembly in the managed environment.

• Navigate the document structure using PathFinder.

• Create in-place additions to the document.

• Create a drawing from the assembly.

• Save and upload the documents into Teamcenter.

Understanding PathFinder
The PathFinder helps you work with the components that make up your assembly. It
provides alternate ways to view the composition and arrangement of the assembly,
besides looking at the graphics in a regular assembly window. You can also use
PathFinder to in-place activate a part or subassembly so you can make edits to
individual assembly components while viewing the entire assembly.
The PathFinder is available when you work in an assembly or a subassembly within
the active assembly.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-1
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

In the Assembly environment, you can also use PathFinder to view, modify, and
delete the assembly relationships used to position the parts and subassemblies,
reorder parts in an assembly, and to help you diagnose problems in an assembly.

In the Assembly environment, PathFinder is divided into two panes. The top
pane lists the components of the active assembly in a folder tree structure. Listed
components can include: parts, subassemblies, assembly layouts, assembly reference
planes, and assembly sketches.
The bottom pane shows the assembly relationships applied to the part or
subassembly selected in the top pane.

Using the top pane

You can do the following using the top pane of PathFinder:
• View components in collapsed or expanded form. For example, when you expand
a subassembly, you can view all of its parts.

• Highlight, select, and clear components for subsequent tasks.

• Determine the current status of the components within the assembly.

• Determine who the document is checked out to.

• Determine how the assembly was constructed.

• Reorder parts within an assembly.

• Rename reference planes, sketches, and coordinate systems.

When you pass your cursor over a component in the top pane of PathFinder, it
is displayed in the graphic window using the Highlight color. When you click

4-2 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

a component it is displayed using the Select color. Then you can associate the
component entry in PathFinder with the corresponding component in the graphic
window.
Note When you pass your cursor over or click the top-level assembly in PathFinder,
it does not display in the highlight or select color. This improves performance
when working with large assemblies.

Because the highlight and selection of components in large assemblies can impact
performance, options are available on the Assembly page on the Options dialog
box so you can improve the performance when working with large assemblies. For
example, options are available to simplify the display of highlighted and selected
components in the graphic window and to disable the highlight of components in the
graphic window when you pass your cursor over them in PathFinder.
For more information on improving performance in large assemblies, see the Working
with large assemblies efficiently Help topic.

PathFinder in the managed environment

In the managed environment, an unsaved document is shown in PathFinder using
the document name formula defined on the Helpers page of the Solid Edge Options
dialog box: Item ID/Item Revision-Item Name. The file is held in memory prior
to the document being saved.

When the document has been saved, the default formula is replaced by the saved
assembly item information.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-3
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Displaying document status in PathFinder

After a document has been saved in the managed environment, the document status
is displayed as text after the document formula. The document status provides
information about whether it is available for checkout, and whether there is a new
version or new revision available.

In addition to the Teamcenter UserID, Solid Edge Embedded Client displays the
name of the person who has the managed document checked out. The name is
derived from the Teamcenter Person information that is managed by the Teamcenter
administrator. The Teamcenter Person information captures a name as a means
of identifying Teamcenter users similar to an entry in a phone book. While the
Person information is not unique and can be attached to more than one UserID, the
Teamcenter UserID remains a unique identifier.
You can use the Status®Display Status command on the PathFinder shortcut menu
to turn off and on the document status. When the document status is turned on, a
tooltip is also available to provide additional information.

4-4 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Determining the status of a component

The symbols in PathFinder reflect the current status of the components in the
assembly. The following table explains the symbols used in the top pane in
PathFinder:
Legend
Active part
Inactive part
Hidden part
Unloaded part
Part that is not fully positioned
Part that has conflicting relationships
Linked part
Simplified part
Missing component
Alternate components part
Part position is driven by a 2D relationship in an assembly sketch
Displayed assembly
Adjustable Part
Adjustable Assembly
Driven Reference
Fastener System
Pattern group
Pattern item
Reference planes
Reference plane
Sketch
Motor

Note The symbols in PathFinder can also represent combinations of conditions. For
example, a symbol can show that a part is hidden and not fully positioned.

Determining how the assembly was constructed

The components in the top pane of PathFinder are listed in the order in which they
were placed in the assembly. This can be useful when evaluating design changes.
For example, if you delete a single assembly relationship from a part, the symbols for
other parts could also change to indicate that the parts are no longer fully positioned.
This occurs because the positioning of the other parts depended upon the part
from which you removed the relationship. In this example, reapplying the single
relationship should cause the other parts to also become fully positioned again.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-5
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Changing the display status of assembly components

You can use the top pane of PathFinder to control the display status of assembly
components. For example, you can hide parts and subassemblies to make it easier
to position a new part you are placing in an assembly. You can use the check boxes
adjacent to the assembly components in PathFinder to control component display or
shortcut menu commands when one or more components are selected. The color of
the text in PathFinder also indicates whether a component is displayed or hidden.

Using the bottom pane

When you select a part or subassembly in the top pane of PathFinder, you can use
the bottom pane to view and modify the assembly relationships between the selected
part and the other parts in the assembly. The document name is also displayed,
as well as a symbol that represents the type of relationship. The following table
explains the symbols used in the bottom pane in PathFinder:
Legend
Ground relationship
Mate relationship
Planar align relationship
Axial align relationship
Connect relationship
Angle relationship
Tangent relationship
Gear relationship
Suppressed relationship
Failed relationship

When you select a relationship in the bottom pane you can do the following:
• View which elements were used to apply the relationship.

• Edit the fixed offset value of the relationship.

• Change the offset type of the relationship.

• Delete the relationship.

• Suppress the relationship

Placing parts in assemblies

You can place any of the following types of solid parts in Solid Edge assemblies using

the Teamcenter Parts Library tab :

• A part constructed in the Solid Edge Part environment.

4-6 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

• A part constructed in the Solid Edge Sheet Metal environment.

• Another assembly constructed in the Solid Edge Assembly environment.

• Any document that is open in Solid Edge other than a Draft document.

To place parts that were constructed in other CAD formats, you must first convert
them to Solid Edge part files.

Placing the first part in an assembly

To start the part placement process, on the Teamcenter Parts Library page, select
the part you want, then drag it into the assembly window. If you want to place
an open document into an assembly, set the Look In location to Open Documents.
You can also start the part placement process by double-clicking the part on the
Teamcenter Parts Library page.
The first part you place into an assembly is important. It serves as the foundation
upon which the rest of the assembly will be built. Therefore, the first part should
represent a fundamental component of the assembly. Because the first part is placed
grounded, you should pick a part with a known location, such as a frame or base.

Although Solid Edge makes it easy to edit parts during the design cycle, the first
part you place in the assembly should be as completely modeled as possible. In the
same way, although it is easy to delete parts from assemblies and change assembly
relationships, the first part you place should remain grounded and not be deleted.
To reposition the first part, you should first delete the ground relationship. You can
then apply assembly relationships between the first part and the assembly reference
planes or subsequent parts you place in the assembly.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-7
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Placing additional parts in an assembly

You can use the Assembly page on the Options dialog box to specify whether
subsequent parts are temporarily placed in the assembly window (A), or displayed in
a separate Place Part window (B).

When you set the Do Not Create a New Window During Place Part option, the part
is temporarily placed in the assembly window at the location where you dragged
and dropped the part. To make the positioning process easier, drop the part in a
location where it is easy to select the positioning elements you want to use. If you
start the part placement process by double-clicking the part on the Teamcenter
Parts Library page, the display area of the assembly window is adjusted so you can
see the new part.
When you clear the Do Not Create a New Window During Place Part option, the part
is displayed in a separate Place Part window. If the active window is maximized,
the Place Part window is also maximized, essentially hiding the assembly window
from view. Due to this, beginning users should not maximize the active window.
Let the windows overlap, and this will make placing parts into the assembly and
applying relationships much easier.

4-8 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Positioning parts
You use assembly relationships to position the new part relative to a part already
in the assembly. The Relationships Types option on the Assemble command bar
contains a wide range of assembly relationships for positioning parts relative to
one another.
In addition to explicit assembly relationships, the FlashFit option reduces the steps
required to position a part using the mate, planar align, or axial align relationships.
This option is recommended in most situations. For example, you can use FlashFit to
mate a face on the placement part (A) with a face on the target part (B).

After you apply the first assembly relationship, the new part is re-positioned within
the assembly.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-9
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

As you apply the remaining assembly relationships, the software positions and
re-orients the part in the assembly.

Additional parts can be positioned relative to any part in the assembly, or even
relative to more than one part in the assembly. You can also position a part relative
to an assembly sketch.
For more information on positioning parts using assembly relationships, see the
Assembly Relationships Help topic.
Note By default, Solid Edge maintains the relationships with which you position
the part. If you clear the Maintain Relationships command on the Parts Library
shortcut menu, the relationships will be used only for positioning, and the
part will be grounded. Grounded parts do not update their positions when you
make design changes.

Constructing new parts within an assembly

Use the Create In-Place command to create a new part or subassembly within the
context of a managed assembly. Be sure to click the Teamcenter Parts Library tab,
and then click the Create In-Place button in the PathFinder window. Using the Parts
Library tab will create-in-place in the unmanaged environment.
Note When you are working with a new unsaved assembly document, you must
save the assembly document first before you can construct a new part within
the context of the assembly.

4-10 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

On the Create New Part In-Place dialog box, define the document template and
placement option. You can specify a part, sheet metal, or assembly document
template.
There are three placement options for creating a part in-place:
Coincident with Assembly Origin
Places the new part’s reference planes directly on top of the assembly origin,
oriented exactly as the assembly.
By Graphic Input
Positions the new part relative to an existing part. In addition to selecting a
reference part, you will also need to select a reference plane or a planar face (A),
then a planar face or edge (B) to define the orientation of the base reference
planes for the new part.

You then define the origin location of the base reference planes for the new part.

Offset From Assembly Origin

Offsets the new part’s reference planes from the assembly’s reference planes by
specified keypoint or value. Select a keypoint on any part already placed in the
assembly, or type a specified x, y, and z offset distance applied relative to the
assembly origin. The new part’s reference planes will be oriented the same as
the assembly reference planes.

After defining the document template and placement option, you must specify
the Item ID, Revision, and Item Name for the document being created with the
Create-In-Place command. You can specify these attributes manually on the New
Document common property dialog, or have them created for you automatically
using the Assign All command.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-11
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Drawing view creation

You can make a drawing in Solid Edge using several types of drawing views: 2D
part views, 2D views, and predefined 3D model views. The drawing can contain
dimensions and other annotations that describe the size of a part or assembly, the
materials used to create it, and other information.
You can place any number of drawing views on a sheet. However, in the
Teamcenter-managed environment, the draft document is created in the same Item
Revision and is automatically assigned the same Item ID as the first view on the
drawing.

Part views
You can create part views of any Solid Edge part, sheet metal, or assembly document
(.par, .psm, and .asm file types). Multiple part, sheet metal, and assembly documents
can be used as the basis for part views in a draft document.

Creating a primary part view

You begin creating part views by using the Drawing View Creation Wizard to create
a primary view of a 3D part or assembly. A primary view is simply the first view
placed on the drawing.
The Drawing View Creation Wizard displays a series of dialog boxes. The specific
options you see depend upon whether you start the command from a draft or 3D
model document:
• The Drawing View Options dialog box sets drawing view options for the model.

• The Drawing View Orientation dialog box either selects a named view or creates
a custom orientation for the view.

• The Custom Orientation dialog box contains view manipulation commands that
creates a custom view as the primary view.

• The Drawing View Layout dialog box sets companion orthographic views to
place with the primary view.

4-12 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Placing a primary part view

When you click Finish on the Drawing View Creation Wizard, the cursor is displayed
as a rectangle the size of the new part view. You can position the view anywhere
on the sheet, and then click to place it. If you selected companion views from the
wizard’s Drawing View Layout dialog box, when you click the drawing sheet, all
selected views will be placed at once.

Note In the managed environment, the draft document is created with the first view
on the drawing and is assigned the same Item Revision number as the part.

Creating additional part views

After you create one or more primary part views, you can use them to create
principal views, auxiliary views, detail views, section views, and broken views. You
can then use those part views to create still others. For example, if you create a
principal view (B) based on the primary view (A), you can create a section view
(C) based on the principal view.

Creating drawings of assemblies

When you create a part view of an assembly, you can control the display of the
individual parts and subassemblies in the assembly. For example, you may want
to hide certain parts or specify that a part is displayed as a reference part. You
can also control the display of weld beads and material addition features in a part
view of a weldment assembly.
You can use the Model Display Settings button on the Drawing View Wizard to
specify which parts you want to display in the part view before you place it on the
sheet.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-13
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

You can select a part view and edit its properties later using the Properties command
on the shortcut menu.
You can also use the display configurations you have saved in the Assembly
environment to control the display of the parts in the part view. When you select
an assembly document in the Select Model dialog box of the Drawing View Wizard
command, you can specify which configuration name you want to use from the
Configuration list in the Assembly Drawing View Options dialog box. For example,
you can use an exploded display configuration name to place a part view of an
exploded assembly.

To enhance the performance of assembly drawing views, clear the Show Hidden
Edges and Show Edges of Hidden Parts options on the Assembly Drawing View
Options dialog box. To make these changes for all assembly drawing views, clear
these options on the Edge Display page of the Solid Edge Options dialog box. You
can create a draft template file with these options cleared and use it to create all the
drawing views of your assemblies without hidden lines.
Note In the Assembly environment, you can define two types of display
configurations: assembly configurations and exploded configurations.

Creating drawing views automatically

You also can create drawing views quickly and automatically by dragging a Solid
Edge document onto a drawing sheet.
• When you drag an assembly model onto an empty drawing sheet, an isometric
view is created.

• When you drag any other model file onto an empty drawing sheet, front, top,
and right views are created.

You also can drag a model onto a Quicksheet template. With a Quicksheet template,
you can customize the view types and properties, save the document as a template,
and reuse it with any model you want. The views remain unlinked to a model file,
but retain their properties. Or you can use one of the templates delivered with
Solid Edge in the Quicksheet directory. Included assembly templates (metric and
English) consist of one isometric view, parts list, and auto-balloon enabled. Included
part templates (metric and English) consist of front, top, and right orthogonal views,
and one isometric view.

4-14 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Lesson review: Working with assemblies

1. True or False: You can use PathFinder to in-place activate a part of a
subassembly.

2. In the top pane of Pathfinder you can do all of the following except:
a. View components in collapsed or expanded form.

b. Determine the current status of the components within the assembly.

c. Rename documents, reference planes, and coordinate systems.

d. Determine how the assembly was constructed.

3. In the Teamcenter-managed environment, an unsaved document is shown in

PathFinder using the default document name formula that consists of the
___________________.

4. True or False: You can use PathFinder to determine a managed document’s

status.

5. Describe the difference between the function of the Parts Library tab and the
Teamcenter Parts Library Tab.

Answers
1. True — You can use PathFinder to in-place activate a part or subassembly so
you can make edits to individual assembly components while viewing the entire
assembly.

2. In the top pane of PathFinder you can perform all of the functions listed except
for (C). In the managed environment, you cannot use PathFinder to rename
documents.

3. In the Teamcenter-managed environment, an unsaved document is shown in

PathFinder using the default document name formula that consists of the Item
ID/Item Revision-Item Name.

4. True — After a document has been saved in the managed environment, the
document status is displayed in PathFinder after the document formula.
Example (Checked Out to You)

5. The Teamcenter Parts Library tab is used to create-in-place in the Teamcenter

managed environment. The Parts Library tab is used to create-in-place in the
unmanaged Solid Edge environment.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-15
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Activity: Create an assembly

Create an assembly
In this activity, you will learn how to create an assembly in a managed environment
using parts from the Teamcenter Parts Library.
After completing this activity, you will be able to:
• Place parts into an assembly file using the Teamcenter Parts Library.

• Use the Create In-Place command in a managed environment.

• Save and upload the assembly into Teamcenter.

• Recognize the relationship between the Draft document and the parent item.

Open a new assembly document.

▸ Start Solid Edge with Teamcenter enabled.

▸ From the Startup page, under Create, select ANSI Assembly.

▸ Log in to Teamcenter when prompted.

▸ Notice the document formula listed in PathFinder is incomplete.

The document has not been given a name, so a temporary name consists of the
description Item ID/Item Revision-Item Name (Asm1). The document exists
in memory until it is saved.

▸ Click the Teamcenter Parts Library tab .

The Teamcenter Parts Library tab looks very similar to the unmanaged Parts
Library tab. Use care to choose the Teamcenter Parts Library tab to work in the
managed environment.

Note This lesson assumes the training files have been loaded into the Teamcenter
database. You should see the files displayed in the folder named Valve.

Use the Columns command to add the Item Name column to the list
of attributes shown in the Teamcenter Parts Library.
▸ Right-click inside the Teamcenter Parts Library and click Columns. The Format
Columns dialog box is displayed.

▸ Select the check box adjacent to the Item Name and click OK.

▸ In the Teamcenter Parts Library, click and drag the Item Name column so that it
follows the Item ID column.

4-16 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Drag the item with the Item Name, Handle, into the assembly window.
A message displays indicating that you must first save the document before placing
the first item in the assembly.

▸ Click OK to dismiss the warning message.

▸ Save the document by clicking Save on the Quick Access toolbar.

The New Document dialog box is displayed. This dialog box is used to assign
attributes to the document. You will see a similar dialog box whenever new files
are created or existing files change.
The table cells indicated with red asterisks must contain content prior to loading
them into Teamcenter. You can type the information or have it generated for you.

▸ In the New Document dialog box, verify the Item Type is set to Item, then

click Assign All .

The Item ID, Revision, Item Name, and Dataset Name are assigned to the document.
You may change the values on this dialog box. The Item ID can be thought of as a
document number. The value for the Item Name is equivalent to the project name in
Solid Edge. Its value should be descriptive of the document being saved.

▸ Change the Item Name to Handle Assembly.

▸ Enter a Dataset Description of Assembly Created in Lesson 4.

The Dataset Description field can hold up to 240 characters and should contain a
lengthy description of the data.

▸ In the New Document dialog box, click OK.

The document is saved to disk and created in Teamcenter. Since no folder was
specified in the New Document dialog box, by default the item is created in your
Newstuff folder in Teamcenter.

Begin creating the assembly.

▸ From the Teamcenter Parts Library, drag the item with the Item Name, Handle,
into the assembly window.
Since this is the first part placed in the assembly, the part is positioned relative
to the reference planes and is grounded. After you have placed the first part in
an assembly, you position additional parts using assembly relationships.

▸ Drag the item with the Item Name, Cover, into the assembly window.

▸ On the Assemble command bar, click Assemble Relationship Types® Insert, to

join the face of the cover with the face of the handle.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-17
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

The PromptBar instructs you to Click on the face to mate or axis to align.
▸ Click the face of the handle cover.

▸ Click the face of the handle.

▸ To define the axis to align, click the cylinder of the handle cover.

4-18 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

▸ Then click the cylinder of the handle.

The part is fully constrained.

▸ Save the document by clicking Save on the Quick Access toolbar.

Create a new part within the assembly.

▸ In the Teamcenter Parts Library tab, click Create In-Place .

▸ In the Create New Part In-Place dialog box, set the template to ansi.par and also
set the By Graphic Input option. Click Create and Edit.

The New Document dialog box is displayed. It is used to specify attributes of the new
part you are creating with the Create In-Place command.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-19
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Complete the New Document dialog box.

▸ Verify the Item Type is set to Item, then click Assign All to automatically
assign an Item ID, Revision, Item Name, and Dataset Name.

▸ Change the Item Name to Handle Cap.

▸ Enter a Dataset Description of Part Created in Lesson 4.

▸ Click OK.

Create a cap which protrudes upward from and covers the top of
the handle.
▸ Turn on the display of reference planes by selecting the check box adjacent to the
Reference Planes collector in PathFinder.

▸ When you are prompted to click on a part containing planar face or reference
plane, click the handle.
Tip You can click the part named Handle in PathFinder.

▸ When you are prompted to click on a planar face, select the face as shown.

▸ When you are prompted to click on face, edge or plane parallel to the desired
X-axis, position the cursor over the Front (XZ) axis and click.

▸ Click the end of the axis most toward the handle to determine the reference
plane orientation.

▸ Move your mouse until a dot appears over the center of the circle, then click to
place the XY origin of the part you are creating.
Notice the display updates and a new coordinate system is displayed.

4-20 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

▸ Choose Home tab®Draw group®Circle by Center Point.

Two alignment lines attach to the cursor oriented to the XY plane on the base
coordinate system.

▸ Position the cursor over the base coordinate system as shown in the illustration
below. Stop moving the mouse for a moment, and notice that the cursor image
changes to indicate that multiple selections are available.

▸ Right-click, and the QuickPick tool is displayed. Position the cursor over the
entry in QuickPick that highlights the XY principal plane as shown, then click to
select it.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-21
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

▸ Click the center point of the circle.

▸ Position the cursor over the edge of the model and click to define the extent
for the circle.

▸ In the Home tab®Select group, click Select and select the sketch region.

▸ Select the extrude handle and define the feature extent by positioning the cursor
above the region.

▸ Set the distance to 0.20 in.

▸ Choose Home tab®Close group®Close And Return.

▸ Fit the view of the Assembly using the Fit command.

Save the document.

▸ Click Save on the Quick Access toolbar.

Examine the entries in PathFinder.

There are three items in PathFinder that are registered in Teamcenter and comprise
the assembly. The status of the part file that is the cap of the handle is Checked Out
To You because the file has not been closed and you have write access.

Close the assembly.

▸ Choose Application button®Close®Close All.
When you close the assembly, the documents are saved to disk and persist as
data in cache. Teamcenter becomes aware and notes the relationship between
the parts and the assembly.

Review the available actions for the assembly and the part you
created.
▸ In the Upload Document dialog box, click inside the Action cell for the part
you created.

Note Your Document Name will vary from what is shown in the illustration.

4-22 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

The value for the Action to be performed can be set to either Check-in or Upload
Document.
• If you set the action to Check In, the document is saved to Teamcenter and
made available for other users.

• If you set the action to Upload Document, the document is saved to Teamcenter,
but remains checked out to you and write access is not available to other users
for write access.

Ensure the action for all documents is set to Check-in and click OK.
This concludes Part 1 of the activity for this lesson. You do not need to exit Solid
Edge.

Activity summary
In this activity, you learned how to create new managed document content and use
the Create In-Place command to create a part within an assembly. You also learned
to how to upload documents into the Teamcenter database.

Activity: Create a drawing

Create a drawing
In this activity, you will learn how to create a drawing in a managed environment
using an existing assembly from the managed library.
After completing this activity, you will be able to:
• Use the assembly to create a drawing.

• Save and upload a drawing into the database.

Verify Solid Edge is still running with Teamcenter enabled.

▸ Verify Teamcenter is enabled by looking at the title bar.

Search for the assembly you created in the first part of the activity.
▸ Choose Application button®Open to access the Open File dialog box.

▸ Set the Files of Type to Assembly Documents (*.asm).

▸ Click Search , and in the Saved Searches list, select Item Name.

▸ In the Criteria column, specify the Item Name you gave the assembly in the
previous activity. Type Handle Assembly.

▸ Click Search.

▸ Select the item from the list and click Open.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-23
Lesson 4 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Create a drawing.
▸ On the Application menu, choose New®Create Drawing. The Create Drawing
dialog box is displayed.

▸ Clear the Run Drawing View Creation Wizard option and click OK.
Since the specified template is not a Quicksheet template and the current model
file is an assembly, an isometric view is created.

The draft document has not been saved, so the document name formula is incomplete.

Save the drawing.

▸ Click Save on the Quick Access toolbar

The Item ID, Revision, and Item Name are assigned to the document.
Note By default, the draft document is created in the same Item Revision and gets
the same Item ID as the first view on the drawing.

▸ Change the Item Name to Drawing of Handle.

▸ Enter a Dataset Description of Drawing Created in Lesson 4.

▸ Click OK.
The document is saved to disk and created in Teamcenter, but it is not loaded to
Teamcenter.

▸ Ensure the Action is set to Upload Document for both the draft document and
assembly, and click OK.

Close the drawing and exit Solid Edge.

▸ Choose Application button®Close.
In PathFinder, the status of the assembly is Checked Out To You because the
file has not been closed.

▸ Choose Application button®Close®Close All.

▸ Exit Solid Edge.

This concludes the activity.

Activity summary
In this activity, you learned how to create a drawing using managed data, and
recognize the relationship between the draft document and the Item Revision
and Item ID of the first view on the drawing. You also learned to how to upload
documents into the Teamcenter database.

4-24 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with assemblies in the managed environment

Lesson summary
PathFinder is a valuable tool that you can use to manipulate components of an
assembly file.
Things to remember:
• In the managed environment, the document is saved using the default document
name formula: Item ID/Item Revision-Item Name.

• PathFinder is divided into two panes. The top pane lists the components of the
active assembly in a folder tree structure. The bottom pane shows the assembly
relationships applied to the part of subassembly selected in the top pane.

• In order to use the Create In Place command, you must first save the assembly.

• By default, the draft document is created in the same Item Revision and is
automatically assigned the same Item ID as the first view on the drawing.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 4-25
Lesson

5 Opening and adding content to

an existing managed document

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Use additional options in the Open File dialog box to open existing managed
documents.

• Understand and use basic Revision Rules.

• Add to and modify existing managed document content.

Opening managed Solid Edge documents

The Open command opens existing documents. Solid Edge keeps track of the
documents you worked on last, so you can open them quickly. These documents are
listed in the Recent Documents section of the Solid Edge startup screen; just click
the name of a document in the list to open it.
You can also open a Teamcenter-managed document by double clicking the document
name within Teamcenter.

The Open command

When you use the Open command to open a Teamcenter-managed document, the
document is checked out and downloaded to the local cache. If the document you are
opening contains links to other documents, those documents are downloaded to cache
as well. Then the document is opened so you can work on it. While the document is
checked out, other users cannot make edits to it. Subsequent use of the Open File
dialog box displays the Look In box set to the last location used. When you open
another managed document, you can select the document from the location shown or
use the Look In box to navigate to the location of your choice.
The Open command focuses on an Item-centric view of items in the database,
including those with no dataset. You can determine the level of detail used to view
the information presented from Teamcenter using the options in View Detail .
You can determine if you want to see a Basic, Intermediate, or Full display of the
objects in the database.
• Basic—Default display. The Item, Item Revision, and Dataset are displayed
on a single line.

• Intermediate—Displays the Item and Item Revision combined in one row. The
Dataset displays on a separate row.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 5-1
Lesson 5 Opening and adding content to an existing managed document

• Full—Displays the Item, Item Revision, and Dataset on individual rows.

When you open an empty object (one that does not contain a dataset) in Solid Edge,
you have the opportunity to create a Solid Edge dataset for the virtual structure by
choosing a Solid Edge template and uploading the document into the database. This
enables the top-down design approach in that the structure can be created from
Teamcenter, with Solid Edge defining the dataset.
Note As a best practice, do not open an empty item Read-Only.

Revision filters

The Revision Filter determines the revisions of a document shown in

PathFinder. You can use the Revision Filter to display All, Latest, Released, Latest
Released, or Latest 3 revisions of documents.

Selecting specific types of documents

The Files of Type field filters the types of files displayed in the Look In list and can
be used to minimize the effort required to locate the file you choose.

Files of Type Action

Lists all documents produced by Solid
All Solid Edge documents (...)
Edge.
Assembly documents (*.asm) Lists assembly documents.
Draft documents (*.dft) Lists draft documents.
Part documents (*.par) Lists part documents.
Sheet Metal documents (*.psm) Lists sheet metal documents.
Weldment documents (*.pwd) Lists weldment documents.
JT documents (*.jt) Displays documents saved in JT format.
Lists documents produced by NX products
NX documents (*.prt)
of the type .prt.
Lists documents produced by AutoCAD
AutoCAD documents (*.dwg)
of the type .dwg.
Lists document produced by AutoCAD of
AutoCAD documents (*.dxf)
the type .dxf.
All documents (*.*) Lists all files.
Displays Item Revisions that contain a
Items with no Solid Edge documents non-Solid Edge dataset or those that have
no dataset.

Using Revision Rules

You can use the Revision Rule option on the Open File dialog box to specify a
revision rule when opening managed items. Revision rules are parameters you set to
determine which item revisions are displayed for the item you choose. For example,
if you select Version from Cache, the item you have selected is opened using the
version already in your local cache. This is very beneficial if you work with the same
data all day and know the information is up-to-date. The version information is
validated and the documents are checked out, but no file transfer takes place. This
improves performance.

5-2 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Opening and adding content to an existing managed document

The revision rules are very helpful in managing documents through the life of a
project. Revision Rules are defined in Teamcenter and read by Solid Edge Embedded
Client. Latest Working is the default revision rule used by Teamcenter and Solid
Edge. Do not modify, rename or remove the Latest Working Revision Rule.

Revision Rule Description

Opens the latest item revision with a release status
Any Status; No Working of Released. You only view item revisions that are
released.
Any Status; Working Opens the latest status revisions.
Latest Working Opens the latest item revision regardless of the
release status.
Precise Only Opens the specific item revision that was in effect the
last time the item revision was saved.
Version from Cache Loads the version already in local cache.

Note Your system administrator configures the revision rules for your site and they
may be different from what is listed here. This list of revision rules is only an
excerpt of those available.

The revision rule being used is displayed in the formula shown in PathFinder after
the Item ID, Item Revision, and Item Name. For example:

Variant Rule filtering

Using classic variants, you can define options (for example, color) and the
corresponding values for each option (for example, red and blue). You can then
associate the options with an item revision, typically the top-level item in the
structure. You can then define a variant condition (for example, load IF color=red)
for any occurrence of components that are configurable, and therefore subject to
variant rules. The master is the structure where no variant rule is applied. It
is referred to as unconfigured.
Variants are defined in the Teamcenter program, Structure Manager. The interaction
between Teamcenter variants and Solid Edge documents is within the Assembly and
Draft environments. The variant rule option is not enabled until you select the item
revision of an assembly that has variant rules associated with it. Once you select
the appropriate value for your variant rule, your selection acts as a display filter.
Only the components corresponding to the variant rule you choose are displayed
when you open the document.

Check-Out Information
You can choose to open a managed document as read-only by selecting the Open
as Read-Only check box in the Open File dialog box when Teamcenter is enabled.
Then you have the additional option of opening just the first level of the document
read-only or all levels of the document read-only. You can save the setting and
automatically open all documents read-only by clicking Save As Default when you
have the Open Read Only check box selected.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 5-3
Lesson 5 Opening and adding content to an existing managed document

Working with read-only documents will be covered more in-depth later in this
document. You can also learn more by viewing the Help topic Working with read-only
documents.

Options for specific types of documents

There are some options on the Open File dialog box that pertain only to specific types
of documents. Other options improve performance when you open large assembly
documents.
When opening assembly documents you can improve performance by choosing to
hide all components, inactivate components, or to open simplified representations
of assembly parts.
Note You cannot open more than one assembly document at a time.

When you want to open a managed draft document quickly for viewing and printing
but not editing, you can select the Inactivate Drawing Views For Review option
on the Open File dialog box. Only the draft document and other non-3D linked
documents are downloaded to cache, resulting in much faster open times.
When you select Inactivate Drawing Views for Review, 3D content is not downloaded
to cache. Commands for creating new 3D drawing views are not available. However,
you can select and move drawing views, add and edit dimensions and annotations,
and you can change their scale and adjust their properties. Any linked documents
that might appear on the drawing sheet (ie. Microsoft Word or Excel documents
or image files) are downloaded.
You can identify a draft document that has been opened in review mode by the
Inactive watermark stamped on working sheets and the 2D Model sheet. Another
indicator is the document title bar, which displays the following in front of the
document name and revision ID: Draft with Inactive Drawing Views.
Once a draft document is open, you can change from one mode to the other. On the
Tools tab, in the View Activation group, you can select these commands:
• Activate Drawing Views

• Inactivate Drawing Views

Document availability
In Solid Edge, the availability of documents is displayed in the Status bar at the
bottom of the Open File dialog box. The availability is read-write or read-only for
unmanaged documents. However, the document availability for managed documents
is displayed as Unknown since the document availability is controlled by Teamcenter
and not by the operating system.

Mirror command
In this lesson, you will use the Mirror command to illustrate how assemblies with
parts placed using the Mirror command behave in the managed environment. You

5-4 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Opening and adding content to an existing managed document

can mirror one or more parts or assemblies about a reference plane you select.

The Mirror command bar guides you through the mirror process. The Mirror
Settings dialog box specifies the output options you want.

Selecting the mirror plane

When mirroring components, you first select an existing reference plane that defines
the mirror plane you want.

Selecting the components

After you define the mirror plane, you can select the components to mirror in the
graphic window or PathFinder. When selecting parts in the graphic window, you can
select individual parts, or you can define a fence to select a set of parts. You can
mirror parts, subassemblies, or the entire assembly. To select an assembly, you must
use PathFinder. When you finish selecting components, click the Accept button on
the command bar or click the right mouse button.

Assembly structure and grounding options

The Mirror Settings dialog box specifies that the new components duplicate the
existing assembly structure or that the new components are added to the active
assembly. When you set the Replicate Assembly Structure option, the mirrored
components duplicate the entire assembly structure of the original components. This
can be useful when mirroring a complete subassembly that also contains nested
subassemblies and you want the new components to match the existing assembly
structure.
If you are mirroring a single part that is several layers deep in nested subassemblies,
you may want to set the Flatten Structure into Active Assembly option to avoid
creating several empty subassemblies.
The Ground All Parts option on the Mirror Settings dialog box specifies whether
a ground relationship is added to the mirrored components. When you clear this
option, the parts are placed with no assembly relationships. You can add assembly
relationships later by selecting a component and then clicking the Edit Definition
button on the Place/Edit Part SmartStep command bar.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 5-5
Lesson 5 Opening and adding content to an existing managed document

Lesson review: Opening and adding content

1. True or False: You can open multiple assemblies at the same time when working
in Solid Edge Embedded Client.

2. True or False: The Files of Type field on the Open File dialog box filters the types
of files displayed in the Look In list.

3. Setting the Files of Type field to (*.psm) filters the display to show only
____________________ documents.

4. Name three options you can set when opening existing documents from the
Open File dialog box.

5. When you open an item you work with consistently throughout the day and you
want to improve performance, set the __________ ________ ___________ Revision
Rule from the Open File dialog box.

Answers
1. False — You can only open one assembly at a time when working in Solid Edge
Embedded Client.

2. True — By using the Files of Type filter, you can limit the types of files displayed
to that which you choose and minimize the effort required to locate the file you
are looking for.

3. Setting the Files of Type field to (*.psm) filters the display to show only Sheet
Metal documents.

4. A few of the options available to you in the Open File dialog box are:
• When you open an assembly from the Open dialog box, you can improve
performance by choosing to hide all components.

• When you open a draft document you can choose to Inactivate Drawing
Views so the 3D content is not downloaded to cache.

• You can use Revision Rules to determine which item revisions are displayed
for the item you choose.

5. When you open an item you work with consistently throughout the day and you
want to improve performance, set the Version from Cache Revision Rule in the
Open File dialog box.

Activity: Add content to an existing managed document

Add content to an existing managed document
In this activity, you will learn how to open existing Teamcenter-managed Solid Edge
documents and use options to minimize the effort required to locate them. You
will learn how to work with revision rules to access the most appropriate version

5-6 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Opening and adding content to an existing managed document

of the document and how to examine multiple files as they are written to disk and
to Teamcenter.
After completing this activity, you will be able to:
• Open an existing managed document using options on the Open File dialog box.

• Focus the display of items in the Look In list.

• Use Revision Rules to your advantage.

Start Solid Edge and prepare to open an existing document.

▸ Start Solid Edge with Teamcenter enabled.

▸ On the startup page, click Open Existing Document.

▸ Log in to Teamcenter when prompted.

The Open File dialog box displays and the Look In field is set to the location
where it was last used.

Use options on the Open File dialog box to open the handle assembly
you created in the previous lesson.
▸ Ensure the Look In field is set to your Newstuff folder.

▸ Set the Files of Type to Assembly documents (*.asm) to restrict the items shown
to assemblies.

▸ Set the Revision Rule to Latest Working.

The Latest Working Revision Rule opens the latest item regardless of its release
status.

Note Revision Rules are always active. Be sure you select the appropriate
revision rule anytime you open a document.

▸ Set the level of detail for viewing Teamcenter attributes by changing the View
Detail to Full.
Notice the display of the Look In list changes. The Item, Item Revision, and
Dataset display on individual rows in the list.

▸ Click the + adjacent to your assembly to expand the Item and Item Revision to
see the Dataset.

▸ Select the handle assembly you created in the previous lesson and click Open.

In PathFinder, note the formula used for the assembly.

The formula Item ID/A-Handle Assembly(Checked Out To You)(Latest
Working) indicates the current status and the Revision Rule used to open the item.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 5-7
Lesson 5 Opening and adding content to an existing managed document

Apply a new Face Style to the cap of the handle.

▸ In PathFinder, select the Item named Handle Cap.

▸ Choose View tab®Style group®Face Overrides list, and select Green (clear).

Save and close the handle assembly.

▸ In the Upload Document dialog box, change the Item Name to Modified Handle
Assembly.

▸ Set the Action to Check-in.

▸ Click OK.

Open a new Synchronous ANSI assembly.

▸ From the startup screen, under Create, click ANSI Assembly to open a new
assembly.

Save and upload the new assembly.

▸ Click Save on the Quick Access toolbar.

The New Document dialog box is displayed.

▸ In the New Document dialog box, click Assign All .

▸ Ensure the Action is set to Upload Document.

This adds it to Teamcenter, but leaves it checked out to you.

▸ Change the Item Name to Valve Body Assembly.

▸ Enter a Dataset Description of Assembly Created in Lesson 5.

▸ Click OK.
The document is saved to disk and created in Teamcenter, however it remains
checked out to you.

Position the valve body and side plate in the assembly window.

▸ Click the Teamcenter Parts Library tab .

5-8 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Opening and adding content to an existing managed document

▸ From the Valve folder, drag the item with the Item Name of Valve Body into
the assembly window.

▸ Drag the item with the Item Name of Side Plate into the assembly window.

▸ Fit the view.

You are automatically entered into the FlashFit command.

Use FlashFit to mate the side plate to the valve body.

▸ When you are prompted to click on an element of the placement part or choose a
different relationship type, mate the back face of the side plate to the valve body.

▸ Create the second relationship by clicking a cylinder of the bolt hole on the side
plate and mating it with the corresponding cylinder that is the hole for the bolt
on the valve body.

▸ Place the third relationship by mating another of the bolt holes on the plate
with the bolt hole on the valve body.

The part should be fully constrained.

Mirror the side plate onto the opposite side of the valve body.
▸ Turn on the display of reference planes by selecting the check box adjacent to the
Reference Planes collector in PathFinder.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 5-9
Lesson 5 Opening and adding content to an existing managed document

▸ Choose Home®Pattern group®Mirror .

▸ Click the side plate to respond to the prompt to click on components to be

mirrored.

▸ Click on the Select Components Step to accept the selection.

▸ When you are prompted to click an assembly reference plane, click the Front (xz)
reference plane as the axis about which to mirror the plate.

▸ On the Mirror command bar, click Finish.

The side plate is mirrored to the opposite side of the valve body.

▸ In PathFinder, notice you have an entry for the item, Side Plate and a Mirror
Group which contains the second instance of the same item.

▸ Save the assembly.

Position the top plate into the assembly window.

▸ From the Teamcenter Parts Library, drag the item with the Item Name of Top
Plate into the assembly window.

▸ Fit the view.

Fit the top plate onto the valve body.

▸ Use the FlashFit command to fully constrain the parts.

▸ Save the assembly.

Position the final part into the assembly window.

▸ From the Teamcenter Parts Library, drag the item with the Item Name of Stem
into the assembly window.

▸ Fit the view.

5-10 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Opening and adding content to an existing managed document

Insert the stem into the valve body.

▸ Use the FlashFit command to position the stem into the valve body as shown in
the drawing.

▸ Save the assembly.

Position the handle assembly you created earlier onto the valve stem.
▸ In the Teamcenter Parts Library, set the location to Newstuff and locate the
modified handle assembly you created earlier.

▸ Drag the modified handle assembly into the assembly window.

▸ Choose Home tab®Select group®Select.

▸ In PathFinder, right-click the top level assembly and click Activate.

▸ Choose Assemble tab®Assemble.

▸ Use FlashFit to fit the handle onto the stem.

Tip Expand the Modified Handle Assembly and turn off the display of the handle
cap.

Save and close the new assembly.

▸ In the Upload Document dialog box, set the Action to Check-in and type a
Dataset Description of Completed Assembly.

▸ Click OK.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 5-11
Lesson 5 Opening and adding content to an existing managed document

Reopen the completed assembly using the Revision Rule Version

from Cache.
▸ From the Application menu, click Open.

▸ Set the View to Basic, and select your completed assembly.

▸ On the Open dialog box, set the Revision Rule to Version from Cache.
The Version from Cache rule opens the version of the document already loaded
in cache on your local machine instead of transferring data from Teamcenter.

▸ Click Open.

Hide the display of the reference planes.

▸ In PathFinder, clear the check box adjacent to the Reference Planes collector.

▸ Save the assembly.

Close the assembly and check it into Teamcenter.

Activity summary
In this activity, you learned how to navigate the Open dialog box in a managed
environment.
Now you will be able to:

• Open existing managed documents using various options from the Open dialog
box.

• Limit the display of items in the Look In list in order to assist you in finding
items quickly.

• Use Revision Rules to access the appropriate revision of an item.

Lesson summary
Things to remember:

• The Open command is used to open existing documents.

• You can only open one assembly at a time.

• Setting various options on the Open File dialog box can assist you in locating
files, accessing the most appropriate version, and can also help you improve
performance.

5-12 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
Lesson

6 Working with managed

documents

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Use the Hide All Components option to efficiently work with large assemblies.

• Open documents using the Read Only option.

• Recognize the Read-Only Status Indicator.

• Understand the functionality of the Read Only Assistant.

• Create a new Revision of an item.

Opening documents efficiently

Opening large, managed assembly documents can be time-consuming. The
application spends time running a query to determine the assembly structure based
on the Teamcenter Revision Rule, checking versions, validating permissions, and
transferring the files to your local cache. To make working with large assembly
documents on a day-to-day basis as efficient as possible, you can control how the
assembly document is opened.
The Assembly Open As option on the Open File dialog box determines with what
options assemblies are opened. The default setting are defined on the Assembly
Open As tab of the Solid Edge Options dialog box. By default, Small Assemblies are
defined as less than 50 unique components. Medium Assemblies are defined has
having between 50 and 1000 unique components, and Large Assemblies are defined
as having greater than 1000 unique components.
Depending on your circumstances, you might need to work with all of the files
referenced by an assembly, or you might only need to work with a few of them.
You can control how much of the assembly is downloaded to cache by hiding the
components you do not need. When you enable the Hide All Components option
on the Open File dialog box, all the components in the assembly are hidden when
it is opened. Only the direct first-level children of the assembly being opened
are downloaded to cache. Then you can judiciously expand and show only those
subassemblies you need to work with using PathFinder.
Note Solid Edge Draft requires the entire Assembly structure. This workflow is not
supported when you detail assemblies in the Draft environment.

Read the PathFinder structure to decide which components you need next, and select
the Expand command or click the + to download the next level of the assembly to the

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 6-1
Lesson 6 Working with managed documents

cache as needed. Once you expand the levels of the assembly you want to work with,
you can then show the parts and subassemblies with optimum performance.
If the entire subassembly branch is required, you can select Expand All, resulting in
a download of all required documents.

Working with read-only documents

When you open a document, you can select Open as Read-Only on the Open File
dialog box to access the document without the intent of editing it. This makes it
possible for you to open the top level of a large assembly and then navigate to your
specific area of responsibility for modification.
When you open a document as read-only, the document is not checked out of the
database, but only copied to the local cache and opened for viewing purposes. There
are several indicators that the document is opened with read-only status:
• The document title displays [Read-Only].

• The Save command is disabled.

• The Read-Only Status Indicator displays in the upper right corner of the
graphics window and is enabled.

You can click the Read-Only Status Indicator to display the Read-Only Assistant.

Read-Only Assistant
The Read-Only Assistant is an informational and interactive menu comprised of five
sections related to your open document:

Section Description

Displays the current document status for unmanaged and

managed documents.
Legend
Available
In Work
In Review

Document Status Released

Baselined
Obsolete
Driven reference

Documents managed with Teamcenter display the

Teamcenter status.

6-2 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with managed documents

Section Description

Displays messages that are not interactive, but update upon

Messages
refresh.

Displays commands available to you. This section updates

upon refresh.
• Notify Me When Available
The read-only document is polled every 30 seconds to
determine when it is available for write access. Once
available, you must close your read-only document and
reopen it with write access.
Command
• Save As
Saves the active document to a new name, folder, or
format.

• Revise
Creates or displays revisions of the active document.

Request write Changes the access to the document to writable as soon as

access the document is available.

Queries the document status and displays the time and

Refresh date of the last refresh. The time and date format uses the
Windows Regional and Language Options.

You can use the Read-Only Assistant to access commands that are available to you
based on your current document status. Pressing Esc hides the Read-Only Assistant,
or you can close the Assistant by clicking the X.
Note The Read Only Assistant is not available while you are within a command
environment such as Edit Profile. It becomes available by clicking the Read-Only
Status Indicator once you complete the command.

Read-Only as the default setting

You can save the selection to open documents read-only by clicking Save As Default
on the Open File dialog box. The selection becomes the default the next time
the Open File dialog box is displayed. The next document you open has Open as
Read-Only automatically set for you. Documents opened from the startup screen
option Recent Documents, from the Cache Assistant, from Windows Explorer, or
using the Open shortcut option, are opened using the settings you last saved as
your default.
Caution Clicking Save As Default sets the option on the dialog box to the default for
all Solid Edge document types.

In contrast, any command that creates a new document (Save As, Revise, Create
Drawing, Create Assembly) automatically opens a writable document regardless of
your default setting. Checking out a document in the Teamcenter Rich Client and

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 6-3
Lesson 6 Working with managed documents

then opening it in Solid Edge with Teamcenter enabled, also opens the file with write
privileges regardless of your default setting.
Tip You can view the Open File dialog box to determine your active default settings.

Additional concepts
There are some important concepts to be familiar with when you are working with
documents that are opened read-only. You can only edit the most recent version of
the document. This prevents you from having the document opened as read-only,
and another user opening the document, editing it, and then closing it making your
document not the most current version. In a managed document, the version is
tracked by the document management system. However, in unmanaged documents,
if the document you have open is not the latest version, you will receive a message
that write-access is not available.
Another important concept relates to opening documents that contain references to
other Solid Edge documents, such as when you are working with assemblies. When
you request to open an indirect document, the indirect document is opened using the
value of the Open As Read-Only check box of the parent, or direct document, and the
selected radio button First level read-only or All levels read-only.
Example

• An assembly is opened with the Open As Read-Only check box selected.

The assembly is read-only. When you in-place activate a part within the
assembly, the part document is also opened as read-only.

• You open an assembly with the read-only check box cleared and the assembly
is not available for write-access because it is opened by another user. The
assembly is opened as read-only, and you request write access. When you
in-place activate a part within the assembly, the part document is opened
with write permission.

Checking out read-only documents

Managed direct documents opened with read-only permissions can be checked
out using the Check Out command. The Check Out command is available on the
Application menu by choosing Manage®Check Out. The command verifies the active
document is the most recent version, checks the file out of the database, sets the file
to a writable state, and enables the Save command for you to save any in-memory
file changes. The Check Out command does not transfer any files from the server
since the active document is the latest version. Use this command to save changes
you make to a document that has been opened read-only.
Another option for saving changes you make in a read-only document is to use the
Save As command to save the changes to a new Item ID.

Creating new documents with the Save As command

The Save As command, located on the Application menu, saves the active document
to a new Item ID, Revision, and Item Name. You can also specify other property
information, such as the Teamcenter storage folder and the data set description, on
the New Document dialog box.

6-4 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with managed documents

Because the Save As command creates a document with a new Item ID, use it to
create similar but different parts and assemblies. To create a different revision of
the same component, use the Revisions command.
Note The Save As command is automatically invoked if you select the Save command
for documents that are new to Teamcenter.

Revising documents with the Revisions command

The Revisions command specifies a new Revision for a document while retaining
the same Item ID. To revise the active document, on the Application menu, choose
Manage®Revisions.
The Revisions dialog box displays revision history. Clicking New creates a new
revision. If there is a draft file in the same Revision, it is copied to the new Revision.
Note The ability to change the Revision is based on the value of the
Teamcenter site level preference SEEC_MakeReadOnly-Revisions. When
SEEC_MakeReadOnly-Revisions is set to True, you must use the Assign or
Assign All command to obtain the value from Teamcenter. More information
on Teamcenter Preferences is available in the Solid Edge Embedded Client
Administrator’s Guide.

Tip Only one revision can be performed at a time. The Structure Editor is a
more comprehensive tool for revising multiple documents. Structure Editor
is introduced in a subsequent lesson.

Lesson review: Working with managed documents

1. When you are working with a large assembly and want to work with the files
as efficiently as possible, you should use the __________________ option on the
Open File dialog box.

2. True or False: When opening an assembly with all components hidden, only the
direct first-level children of the assembly being opened are downloaded to cache.

3. Name two indicators that are present when a document is opened with read-only
status.

4. Which of the statement(s) below are true regarding opening documents Read
Only.
a. Any changes you make to an item opened read-only are lost.
b. Changes made to an item opened read-only can be saved by requesting write
access and then using the Check Out command to check the item out of the
database and then save it.
c. You can use the Save As command to specify a new Item ID to save the
changes to an item opened as read-only.
d. You have to close the open item and reopen it without using the Read-Only
option and then save the changes.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 6-5
Lesson 6 Working with managed documents

5. True or False: The Save As command is automatically invoked if you select the
Save command for documents that are new to Teamcenter.

6. To revise the active document, choose __________________ from the Application

menu.

Answers
1. When you are working with a large assembly and want to work with the files
as efficiently as possible, you should enable the Hide All Components option
on the Open File dialog box.

2. True — When opening an assembly with all components hidden, only the direct
first-level children of the assembly being opened are downloaded to cache.

3. Two indicators that are present when a document is opened with read-only
status are:
• The document title displays [Read Only].

• The Read-Only Status Indicator displays in the upper right corner of the
graphics windows and is enabled.

4. Of the statements listed, (B) and (C) are true.

B — Changes made to an item opened read-only can be saved by requesting
write access and then using the Check Out command to check the item out of
the database and then save it.
C — You can use the Save As command to specify a new Item ID to save the
changes to an item opened as read-only.

5. True — The Save As command is automatically invoked if you select the Save
command for documents that are new to Teamcenter.

6. To revise the active document, choose Manage®Revisions from the Application

menu.

Activity: Use Hide All Components

Use Hide All Components

After completing this activity, you will understand how to use Hide All Components
to effectively work with large assemblies.

Open the valve body assembly you created in the previous lesson
and set Hide All Components.
▸ Start Solid Edge with Teamcenter enabled.

▸ On the startup page, click Open Existing Document.

6-6 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with managed documents

▸ Log in to Teamcenter when prompted.

The Open File dialog box displays and the Look In field is set to the location
where it was last used.

▸ Set View Details to Basic.

▸ Set the Files of Type to Assembly documents (*.asm).

▸ Select the completed valve body assembly created in the previous lesson.
It should be in your Newstuff folder.

▸ On the right side of the Open File dialog box, set the Assembly Open As option to
Large Assembly, and set Hide All Components to Yes.
Opening assemblies using the Hide All Components option enables you to
effectively manage various components of a large assembly. All components are
hidden and only the direct first-level children of the assembly being opened are
downloaded to cache.

▸ Click Open.

Use the shortcut command, Expand, to show the Modified Handle

Assembly.
▸ In PathFinder, right-click Modified Handle Assembly and then click Expand.

The branch of the parent assembly is downloaded to cache, enabling navigation

at that level.

Show all components of Modified Handle Assembly.

▸ In PathFinder, right-click Modified Handle Assembly, and click Show All.

The modified handle assembly is displayed, enabling modification at that level

without having to display the entire parent assembly.

Use the shortcut command, Open, to open and edit the subassembly.
▸ In PathFinder, select Modified Handle Assembly, right-click, and select Open to
edit the subassembly.

▸ Right-click the assembly and select Activate.

▸ Select the Item that is the handle cap and in the View group select Black (clear)
from the Face Overrides list.

▸ Save your change.

Close the Modified Handle Assembly.

▸ Choose Application menu®Close.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 6-7
Lesson 6 Working with managed documents

View all components of the valve body assembly.

▸ Select the Valve Body Assembly in PathFinder, right-click, and select Show All.

▸ Save the assembly.

Close the valve body assembly and check in the document.

▸ Choose Application button®Close®Close All.

▸ In the Upload Document dialog box, set the action to Check In and click OK.

Activity summary
In this activity, you learned how to use the Hide-All Components command to open
selected portions of large assemblies, enabling you to work more efficiently.

Activity: Work with a read-only document

Work with a read-only document
After completing this activity, you will be able to:
• Open a document read-only.

• Recognize the Read-Only Status Indicator.

• Access and use the Read-Only Assistant when working with a read-only
document.

• Use the Revise command to save changes made to an item opened read-only.

Open the assembly created in the previous lesson using the

Read-Only option.
▸ Verify Solid Edge is still running with Teamcenter enabled.

▸ On the startup page, click Open Existing Document.

The Open File dialog box displays. The Look In box is set to the location where
it was last used.

▸ Ensure the Look In field is set to your Newstuff folder.

▸ Set the Files of Type to Assembly documents (*.asm) to restrict the items shown
to assemblies.

▸ Select the assembly with the description Completed Assembly you created
in the previous lesson.

▸ Set the Revision Rule to Latest Working.

▸ Select the Open as Read-Only check box.

6-8 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with managed documents

▸ Set the All Levels Read-Only option.

▸ Click Open.

Expand the view so you can see the components of the assembly.
▸ In PathFinder, right-click the item Modified Handle Assembly and click Expand
All to view the components of the assembly.

Apply a new Face Style to the Handle Cap.

▸ In PathFinder, select the Item that is the Handle Cap of the assembly and in the
View group select Copper from the Face Overrides list.

▸ Save your change.

The Save command is disabled because you opened the top level assembly with all
levels set to read-only.

Examine your workspace.

The window title bar indicates the item is opened [Read Only], and the Read-Only

Status Indicator is displayed in the upper right corner of the graphics window.

Access the Read-Only Assistant.

▸ Click the Read-Only Status Indicator.

The Read-Only Assistant is displayed providing you details about the open item.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 6-9
Lesson 6 Working with managed documents

The Read-Only Assistant indicates you have a few options if you want to save your
change to the assembly:
• You can choose the Save As command to save the document to a new Item ID.

• You can choose to create a new revision using the Revise command.

• A third option is to request write access.

Create a new revision of the document.

▸ In the Read-Only Assistant, click Revise.

▸ In the Revisions dialog box, click New.

Notice that the new revision is automatically assigned for you.

▸ Click OK.

The Read Only Assistant no longer appears in the workspace and [Read Only] no
longer appears in the title of the subassembly. You are now working in the revised
copy of the original document.

Save and close the assembly.

▸ Choose Application button®Close®Close All and save your changes.

▸ In the Upload Document dialog box, set the action to Upload Document. Then
click OK.

Note By setting the action to Upload Document, it remains checked out to you, but
the changes you made are stored in the database.

Activity summary
In this activity, you learned how to save changes you made in a document you
opened with read-only access.
Now you will be able to:
• Open a document as Read-Only.

• Identify the Read-Only Status Indicator.

• Utilize the Read-Only Assistant to work with a document opened read-only.

• Use the Revise command to create a revision of an existing document opened

Read-Only.

Lesson summary
In this lesson, you learned how to use various commands to assist you while you
work with managed documents:

6-10 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Working with managed documents

• Use the Hide-All Components option to effectively and efficiently open large
assemblies.

• Open documents read-only and then use the Read-Only Assistant to evaluate
your options for saving the changes made to the document.

• Create a Revision of a document.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 6-11
Lesson

7 Managing your Cache

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Understand the functions of the Cache Assistant.

• Check documents in and out of Teamcenter using cache assistant commands.

• Download documents from Teamcenter using cache assistant commands.

• Filter the display of the contents of your cache.

• Delete documents from the local cache.

• View cache summary information.

What is the Cache?

When working with managed documents, Teamcenter maintains the documents that
are a part of the library. As you work on documents, Solid Edge Embedded Client
downloads a copy of the document to a local folder in the Windows file system and
only downloads it again if the document becomes out of date. The location for the
local copy of the document is called the cache. Working with a local copy of the
document improves performance over working directly with the one stored in the
library.
Solid Edge Embedded Client manages the synchronization between the document
stored in the library and the document in your local cache. It checks your cache
to see if the local document is up to date with the version of the document in the
managed library. Solid Edge Embedded Client then automatically checks out the
document to your local cache.
You can use the SEEC Cache setting on the File Locations page of the
Solid Edge Options dialog box to specify the location of your local cache.
Caution Documents in the cache should not be manipulated through the operating
system, but only through the use of the Cache Assistant dialog box.

Managing the cache

You can manage the contents of your local cache using the Cache Assistant command
on the Manage menu. You can use the Cache Assistant dialog box to synchronize all
the documents in the managed library, check in documents you have checked out,
download documents from the managed library to your local cache, filter the display
of the contents of your cache, or clear documents from your local cache.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 7-1
Lesson 7 Managing your Cache

You can use the dialog box to manage all the documents in your local cache, or you
can use the shortcut menu commands to manage selected documents. Similar to
Windows Explorer, you can use the Ctrl key to select documents randomly, or the
Shift key to select a sequential list of documents.

Synchronizing documents in the library

The Synchronize All command checks your local cache for any out-of-date
documents, and then downloads the latest version from the managed library to
update your local cache. You can also use the Synchronize command on the shortcut
menu to synchronize selected documents.
Note The Synchronize All command synchronizes all documents in the cache, not just
the ones displayed in the dialog box as a result of filtering the cache contents.

Previewing documents
You can view the contents of a document by clicking it in the document list and
then looking at the image displayed in the Preview pane of the Cache Assistant
dialog box. Not all documents have a preview image associated with them. You can
generate a preview image for an open document using the options on the Preview
page of the Properties®File Properties dialog box in Solid Edge Embedded Client.

Checking documents in and out of the managed library

Documents opened for edit are automatically checked out and the document status
in the local cache is changed to read-write so that you can make changes to the
document. Opening a direct document causes read-only copies of all indirect
documents to be downloaded to your local cache. If you in-place activate a part in an
assembly, Solid Edge Embedded Client checks out the part.

You can use the Check In All command to upload the documents to the managed
library and make them available for other users to check out. Individual documents
are automatically checked in when you close the document or they can be checked in
using the Check In command on the shortcut menu.
You can use the Undo Check Out command on the Cache Assistant shortcut menu
to undo changes you make to a checked out document. Any changes you have
made to the checked out document are lost when you undo the check-out of the
document. This also releases the document, which allows other users to make
changes to the document. If you undo the check-out of a direct document, you also
undo the check-out for any associated indirect documents that are checked out.
The Undo Check Out command does not upload the document to the library, and it
is not removed from your local cache.
Managed direct documents opened with read-only permissions can be checked out
using the Manage®Check Out command. The command verifies the active document
is the most recent version, checks the file out of the library, sets the file to a writable
state, and enables the Save command for you to save any in-memory file changes.
This command is available in Teamcenter environments for Assembly (.asm), Part
(.par), Sheet Metal (.psm), Draft (.dft), View and Markup, and Revision Manager.
Note The Check Out command does not transfer any files from the server since the
active document is the latest version.

7-2 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Managing your Cache

Downloading documents to local cache

You can use the Download command to select documents from the managed
library and download them to your local cache. This is helpful if you want to manage
your cache manually or work off-line. When you click the Download button, the
Download File dialog box is displayed so you can select the documents you want.

Deleting documents from cache

The Delete All command removes all the documents in your local cache. This
is helpful if you want to free disk space or force the local cache to update with the
latest information from the managed library.

Filtering the display of cache contents

As the number of documents in your cache increases, you may want to filter the
documents displayed in the Cache Assistant dialog box to make it easier to find
the document you are looking for. The first row in the Cache Assistant dialog box
is used to set filters on the documents displayed from the cache. Use the values
associated with each property to display the documents from the cache that match
the criteria you choose. For example, setting the Cache Status to Checked Out To
You displays files you have checked out and also those that have a cache status of
Modified, as documents have to be checked out to be modified. The filter Checked
Out To Others displays all files checked out to someone other than yourself. When
you choose Synchronize All, all documents in the cache are synchronized and not
just the ones displayed by the filter.
The first time you display the Cache Assistant dialog, the filter is set to documents
Checked Out To You.
Note If no filter has been set, All Values displays in each column of the filter row.

Checking document revisions

The Show Revisions command on the Cache Assistant shortcut menu displays the
name and folder path of any documents that are revisions of the selected document.

Opening documents
The Open command on the Cache Assistant shortcut menu opens the selected
document in the application used to create it.
Double-clicking the row of a document in Cache Assistant opens the document in its
parent application. For example, the document would be opened in Solid Edge or
Structure Editor.

Cache assistant summary information

The bottom of the Cache Assistant dialog box displays the number of documents, free
disk space, and space used relative to the documents displayed in cache.
When no documents are selected in Cache Assistant, the number of Solid Edge
documents in cache displays with the amount of free disk space and the amount of
disk space used by the documents in cache.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 7-3
Lesson 7 Managing your Cache

If any documents are selected in Cache Assistant, the summary information displays
the number of files selected and the disk space used.
When the view of documents in Cache Assistant is filtered, the summary displays
the number of files shown in the filter and the total number of Solid Edge files in the
folder along with the disk space used by the documents in the view.

Redefining the Cache location

To optimize performance, documents from Teamcenter are downloaded once to
cache on the local machine when accessed and then only downloaded again if
they are out-of-date. The default cache location is %APPDATA%\Unigraphics
Solutions\Solid Edge\SEEC.
Caution Changing the predefined cache location removes existing contents of the
cache and should be performed with care.

If you need to change the default location for cache, you should:
1. Schedule the change at the beginning of a project.

2. Use Cache Assistant to check in all items you want to keep in Teamcenter.

3. Manually clear each cache folder using the Delete All button on the Cache
Assistant dialog box.

4. Open a new document and use the SEEC Cache entry on the File Locations page
of the Solid Edge Options dialog box to redefine the location for the local cache.

Providing a private Cache for each user

When working with Solid Edge Embedded Client, each user should have access to an
assigned computer and individual cache.
Note The location of the cache should be on the physical disk of the local machine.
This is a personal cache and must not be shared by multiple users.

However, when this is not possible, you can use shared computers which have
individually assigned cache configurations. In this instance, you should set up
private caches for each user in a network location that can be accessed from any
work location.
1. Create a mapped network drive utilizing the method recommended by your
specific operating system.

2. Start Solid Edge Embedded Client and create a new document.

3. Use the SEEC Cache entry on the File Locations page of the Solid Edge Options
dialog box to define the location for the local cache.

4. Browse to the mapped drive and select the cache root folder.

Follow the process for each system to create the same mapped drive and set the
cache on the File Locations page.

7-4 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Managing your Cache

Note If the mapped drive changes, you will need to reconfigure the mapped drive on
each computer that uses the remote-mounted cache configuration.

The Cache and Revision Rules

When you open large, managed assembly documents, the application determines
the assembly structure based on the Teamcenter Revision Rule, checks versions,
validates permissions, and transfers the files to your system.
When you know you need to work with all or most files in a large assembly, you
should use the Solid Edge revision rule that saves time by validating only the selected
assembly document, and then uses the version of files that exist in your cache.
For example, when you open an assembly using the Revision Rule Latest Working,
the assembly is placed in the cache for your working session. On subsequent working
sessions, opening the assembly using the Revision Rule Version from Cache causes
all subassemblies to be configured to use what is already downloaded to the cache. In
Solid Edge Embedded Client, the cache is persistent between sessions. Using Version
from Cache, the version information is validated and the documents are checked out,
but no file transfers need to take place, resulting in optimized performance.

Lesson review: Managing your cache

1. True or False: When referring to the location of the cache in regard to Solid Edge
Embedded Client, you are referring to a temporary location in the memory of
the operating system.

2. You can use the __________ _____________ command on the Cache Assistant
shortcut menu to reverse changes you make to a checked out document.

3. What command is useful if you want to work off-line with managed documents?

4. True or False: Clicking the Delete All button on the Cache Assistant dialog box
removes all files from the local cache.

5. Which is the most efficient and recommended configuration for the local cache?
a. A personal cache on the physical disk of the local machine.
b. A personal cache accessed through a mapped network drive.
c. A shared cache location.
d. None of the above.

Answers
1. False — When referring to the location of the cache in regard to Solid Edge
Embedded Client, you are referring to a local folder in the Windows file system.

2. You can use the Undo Check Out command on the Cache Assistant shortcut
menu to reverse changes you make to a checked out document.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 7-5
Lesson 7 Managing your Cache

3. The Download command is useful if you want to work off-line with managed
documents. This command downloads the documents you choose to your local
cache so they are available to you when you are off-line.

4. True — Clicking the Delete All button on the Cache Assistant dialog box removes
all files from the local cache.

5. The most efficient and recommended configuration for the local cache is (A) a
personal cache on the physical disk of the local machine.

Activity: Manage the local cache

Manage the local cache

In this activity, you will learn how to use Cache Assistant to:
• Check documents in and out of the managed library.

• Download documents to the local cache.

• Filter the display of the contents of your cache.

• Delete documents from the cache.

• View cache summary information.

• Use the Undo Check Out command to recover unchanged items from Teamcenter.

Open the Cache Assistant.

▸ Start Solid Edge with Teamcenter enabled.

▸ From the Application menu, choose Manage®Cache Assistant and log into
Teamcenter.
The Cache Assistant dialog box is displayed.

Examine your login information.

▸ Click the link at the top of the Cache Assistant dialog box that displays your
Teamcenter login information.
Example Name [User ID]-Group/Role [Database]

The User Settings dialog box is displayed. In the Session page, you can
change groups or roles provided you are part of more than one group or role in
Teamcenter.

Note You can only change the group or role when there are no documents open in
Solid Edge.

▸ Click Cancel to dismiss the User Settings dialog box without making any
changes.

7-6 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Managing your Cache

View your project information.

The Project information is located in the middle of the dialog box.

The documents in your cache are a part of the Default project. You can have more
than one project defined. You can view the contents of the cache by project by clicking
the arrow to select a different project.

Examine the cache contents of the Default project.

The first row of the dialog box is used to filter the display of the contents of your
cache. The Cache Status is set to display documents Checked Out to You. All items
currently checked out to you as part of the default project of your local cache are
displayed in the list.

Change the Cache Status filter to display All Values.

▸ Click the cell in the first row of the Cache Status column.

▸ Set the filter to All Values.

Now the cache displays the complete contents of your cache.

Note You can set filters for each document property independently of one another.

Locate the summary information at the bottom of the Cache Assistant

dialog box.
The summary information shows the number of documents in the cache along with
the space used by the documents.
• When the view of documents in Cache Assistant is filtered, the summary displays
the number of files shown in the filter and the total number of Solid Edge files in
the folder along with the disk space used by the documents in the view.

• If any documents are selected in Cache Assistant, the summary information

displays the number of files selected and the disk space used.

• When no documents are selected in Cache Assistant, the number of Solid Edge
documents in cache displays with the amount of free disk space and the amount
of disk space used by the documents in cache.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 7-7
Lesson 7 Managing your Cache

Examine the contents of the Cache Status column.

The cache status provides information regarding the state of the documents in your
local cache as compared to the copies held in the Teamcenter database.

Update the cache status information.

▸ Click Update Status Info on the Cache Assistant toolbar.

Most of your documents display a cache status of Up-to-date indicating the
version of the document in your cache matches what is in the Teamcenter
database.

Check in any documents with a Cache Status of Checked Out to You.

Documents with a status of Checked Out to You indicates the document has been
locked to other users.
▸ Right-click the checked out documents in the list and choose Check-in.
The Upload Document dialog box is displayed. You have the option to set the
action to Check-in or Upload the Document.

▸ Ensure the action is set to Check-in and click OK.

Occasionally, you will need to clear your project’s cache. For example, you would
clear your cache when you want to force the local cache to update with the latest
information from the database; when you want to free local disk space; or following
the completion of a project.

Clear your cache for the Default project.

▸ On the Cache Assistant toolbar, click Delete All .

▸ When you are prompted, Are you sure you want to delete all the document from
the project?, click Yes.

Download the completed valve assembly to your local cache. Use

the Latest Working Revision Rule.

▸ On the toolbar in the Cache Assistant dialog box, click Download .

▸ From the Look In list, select Newstuff.

▸ Make sure Files of Type is set to Assembly.

▸ Select the completed valve assembly from the list of items.

▸ Set the Revision Rule to Latest Working and then click Open.
Any subassemblies or part files referenced by the assembly are also downloaded
to the cache.

7-8 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Managing your Cache

Using commands in the Cache Assistant shortcut menu, open the

side plate part file that is a component of the assembly.
▸ Right-click the item with the Item Name Side Plate, and choose Open.
The part is checked out and opened in Solid Edge.

Delete any feature of the part and save your change.

▸ In PathFinder, select any feature of the part, and choose Delete.

▸ Close the part file and save.

The modified document is saved to your local cache, but it has not been checked in or
uploaded into the Teamcenter database. If you determine the change you made is in
error, you can cancel the check-in or upload into Teamcenter.

Cancel the upload.

▸ Click Cancel on the Upload Document dialog box.

▸ Do not check the document in or upload it to the Teamcenter database, but let
the modified document remain in the cache only.

Reopen Cache Assistant and examine the contents of your cache.

Notice the Cache Status has changed to Modified for the item with the Item Name of
Side Plate and Unknown for other items.

Update the Cache Status information.

▸ Click Update Status Info on the toolbar of the Cache Assistant dialog box.
The Cache Status for all items which comprise the assembly are Up-to-date with
the exception of the part you modified.

Undo the check-out of the part you modified.

▸ Select the part you modified, right-click, and choose Undo Check-Out.

Delete the Side Plate part from your cache.

▸ Right-click to access the shortcut commands and select Delete From Cache.

▸ Confirm your intentions to delete the document from the project.

Use the shortcut menu to open the updated assembly.

By choosing to undo the check-out of the document, the change you made was
not saved and you were able to recover the unchanged part from the Teamcenter
database.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 7-9
Lesson 7 Managing your Cache

Reopen the Cache Assistant.

▸ From the Application menu, choose Manage®Cache Assistant.

You can access the Cache Assistant while viewing a Solid Edge file to verify the
cache status of an item or manipulate data in the cache.

Check in any remaining items currently checked out to you.

▸ Click Check-in All on the Cache Assistant toolbar.

▸ In the Upload Document dialog box, click OK.

Since you have a document open, the document is changed to Read Only status.
It is available to be checked out of the database by other users.

▸ Close the Cache Assistant dialog box and exit Solid Edge.

Activity summary
In this activity, you learned how to start the Cache Assistant and how to use basic
operation commands.
Now you will be able to:
• Filter the display of the contents of your cache to make it easier to locate the
items you are looking for.

• Check documents in and out of a managed library using Cache Assistant.

• Download items to the local cache.

• Delete individual items from the cache.

• View cache status information.

• Clear the cache for your project.

Lesson summary
The cache is a folder in the Windows file system that contains local copies of the
documents from the managed library.
Things to remember:
• In a managed environment, a copy of the Solid Edge document you want to
edit is downloaded from the database to your local cache. The local copy of the
document is only downloaded again if the document becomes out-of-date.

• Documents in the cache should not be manipulated through the operating

system, but only through the Cache Assistant dialog box.

• Changing the default cache location removes any existing contents of the cache.

7-10 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Managing your Cache

• Each user should have access to an individual cache. The location of the cache
should be on the physical disk of the local machine for optimum performance.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 7-11
Lesson

8 Using the Structure Editor

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Start the Structure Editor.

• Find and open an assembly in the Structure Editor.

• Clone an assembly to a new item in the Teamcenter database.

• Manipulate the BOM structure of an assembly.

• Revise a component of an assembly.

• Manage the cache associated with Structure Editor.

What is the Structure Editor?

Structure Editor provides advanced capabilities for managing assembly structures
in a collaborative environment giving you Bill of Materials (BOM) markup and
change capability for Teamcenter managed data. Using Structure Editor, you can
make changes to the BOM structure, clone existing assemblies, but locally revise,
save-as, or reuse portions of the assembly tree. You can quickly repurpose data
within a managed environment.
Copying or making a new revision of an existing document while maintaining the
original version is a part of the life cycle of every document. When you select an
assembly for copying or revising, Structure Editor displays a hierarchy of the related
assembly structures that may or may not need to be acted upon. Structure Editor
lets you do such tasks as:
• Copy Teamcenter-managed Solid Edge assembly structures to new documents
stored in new Teamcenter items.

• Revise partial or whole assembly structures.

• Update or maintain references in the document hierarchy.

• Show Teamcenter properties.

• Add, create new, remove, cut, copy, paste structure elements.

• Preview an assembly.

• Print the assembly structure.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 8-1
Lesson 8 Using the Structure Editor

Interface basics
The Structure Editor displays an assembly and all its referenced documents in a
navigable user interface. You can easily select which documents get copied or revised
and then saved as new documents stored in new Teamcenter items. The interface
displays an assembly and all of its referenced documents in either Expanded or Parts
List format. This makes it easy to select portions to be saved as new documents
and stored in new Teamcenter items.
To start Structure Editor, choose Start®Programs®Solid Edge ST5®Structure
Editor.
Note You cannot process actions in Structure Editor while working in Solid Edge.
You should close Solid Edge before starting Structure Editor.

The startup screen

The Structure Editor startup screen resembles the Solid Edge startup screen and it
provides access to:
• User assistance.

• Basic operations such as opening existing or recently used documents.

• Links to the Solid Edge home page and technical support.

You can click Add or Remove Links to edit the Links list.

Structure Editor prompts and messages are displayed in an area called the status
bar. The status bar is located at the bottom of the screen.

The Structure Editor window

After you choose an assembly document to open, the Structure Editor window
displays four viewing areas. The main portion of the window consists of four window
panes. You can resize each window pane individually to adjust the viewing area.

8-2 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Using the Structure Editor

• The pane in the upper-left quadrant contains the Bill of Materials used for
markup. This pane is sometimes referred to as the source pane.

• The pane in the upper-right quadrant is the final view of the Bill of Materials.
This pane is sometimes referred to as the target pane. There is a slider beneath
the source and target panes so you can scroll to view additional columns of
information.

• If an assembly is saved with a preview, the preview image is displayed in the

lower-left window pane.

• The lower-right pane displays Teamcenter property information.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 8-3
Lesson 8 Using the Structure Editor

Arranging your work space

You can arrange the Structure Editor work space by:
• Resizing the window panes.

• Using the slider to view the desired data.

• Using the View®Scroll-Lock option to control the simultaneous vertical scrolling

of the upper-left and upper-right window panes.

• Fitting the individual cell size to the data by double-clicking the cell border.

Interacting with data cells

Selecting individual cells within Structure Editor indicates you want to perform
operations on the data contained within the cell.
There are several ways to interact with the information contained in the cells:
• Click the cell to select it.

• Double-click the cell to edit its contents.

• Press Enter within a cell to display a dialog box.

The contents of cells can be cut, copied, and pasted using the same actions as with
Microsoft Office applications. Cutting deletes data from the cell and copies it to the
clipboard. Copying moves data to the clipboard without changing the data in the
source cell. Once on the clipboard, you can paste the data in other cells.
Cut a cell:
1. Select the cell you want to cut.

2. Choose Ctrl + X to cut the contents from the cell onto the clipboard.

Copy a cell:
1. Select the cell you want to copy.

2. Choose Ctrl + C to copy the contents of the cell onto the clipboard

Paste a cell:
1. Select the cell you want to paste into.

2. Choose Ctrl + V to paste the contents of the clipboard into the cell.

Tip The Cut, Copy, and Paste commands are also available from the shortcut menu
when you right-click within a cell.

Managing assemblies in Structure Editor

There are different ways to revise and copy Solid Edge assembly structures. You can
use a manual process for cloning an assembly, or you can use other mechanisms to
do such things as rename or move assembly structures. Because information is

8-4 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Using the Structure Editor

being shared between assemblies, maintaining the relationship information between

these assemblies can be complex.
Structure Editor has commands such as Save As All, Save As Selected, Revise All,
Revise Selected, New, Add, Remove, Where Used, and Cache Assistant that help you
manage assembly structures.
The following table defines the components of the Structure Editor toolbar:

Icon Command Action

Resets all actions to No Action
Clear All for all documents in the active
window.
Saves a copy of selected files
Save As Selected within a structure to a new item
number, revision, and item name.
Saves a copy of every occurrence
Save As All of the selected item(s), but only
Occurrences sets the action for the selected
item.
Saves a copy of all of the files
Save As All within a structure to a new item
number, revision, and item name.
Revises selected files within a
Revise Selected
structure to a new revision.
Revises all the files within a
Revise All
structure to a new revision.
Replaces an existing document
Replace Selected in the BOM with a selected
document.
Creates a new empty row in the
New
structure.
Adds an existing item revision
Add into the BOM structure as a child
of the currently selected row.
Removes the selected row(s) and
Remove all its children from the from the
BOM structure.
Finds where selected documents
Where Used
are used in other documents.
Assigns Teamcenter-generated
Assign All
values to properties.
Performs the actions specified in
Perform Actions
the Action column.
Determines how the document
is displayed in Structure Editor.
Show View
You can choose between Exploded
or Parts List views.
Changes the view to show the
selected family member for
a family of assemblies. This
Show Family Member
command is unavailable if the
document displayed is not a
family of assembly.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 8-5
Lesson 8 Using the Structure Editor

Determines which item revisions

Revision Rule are displayed for an item.

Note Setting an action of Save as Selected or Revise Selected on one occurrence

of a file within the structure sets the same action for all occurrences within
the structure.

Copying and revising managed assemblies

When you add an assembly to a managed library on a server, it becomes a managed
document. With the Structure Editor, you can copy or revise Teamcenter-managed
assembly structures. You can also open a single document for copying or revising.
Since the original document does not change during either of these operations, it is
not checked out of the database.
When you open an existing assembly in Structure Editor, the structure of the
existing assembly is placed in the upper-left and upper-right panes of the Structure
Editor window. The initial display of the structure will only have the first-level
files shown. You can expand the levels individually or expand them all. Applying
an action to one occurrence of a file within a structure applies the action to all
occurrences of the file throughout the structure, even if they are not expanded.

Edit BOM Structure

Structure Editor includes Bill of Materials (BOM) markup and change features
giving you the functionality to make changes to the BOM structure while
maintaining a single revision of an item within the structure.
Within the structure you have the ability to:
• Add rows

• Create new rows

• Remove rows

• Cut, copy, and paste rows

Note Structure Editor is not designed to work with data copied to the clipboard
from Teamcenter. If you want to copy and paste contents from Teamcenter,
use the Teamcenter Structure Manager product.

Multiple actions can be performed on a row. For example, you can add a new row to a
structure, and then add rows to the newly added row.
Each time an item is marked for an action, the Action column updates to indicate
what is happening to that specific row. Some examples of the value for the Action
column are:
• Add

• New

• Remove

• Add-Save As

8-6 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Using the Structure Editor

• Add-Revise

Caution Only a single application on a single computer should load a product

structure for modification. For example, an assembly should be closed and
uploaded into the database before it is opened by another application.

Add command
Adds an existing item revision into the BOM structure as a child of the currently
selected row. If you have multiple rows selected when you click Add, the selected
Item Revision is added as a child to each selected row. If any of the rows have 3D
Solid Edge part or sheet metal files in them, you cannot add a child row. The selected
row is added as a child to other rows. The Action is set to Add for the added row,
and the structure is shown under the replaced row so you can also modify the
structure of the replaced item.
You can use the Add command when:
• The view is set to Exploded.

• A row(s) with data is selected.

• The Item Revision does not contain a part or sheet metal document.

You can perform multiple actions on a row. Since you can only have one revision of
an item in the structure, the action on an added row is changed to Add-Revise if any
other occurrence of the item is marked for revision. The action is set to Add-Save
As when you select Save As All Occurrences or Save As All on an item that is
being added.

New command
Creates a new empty row in the structure. You have two options for inserting a new
empty item into the BOM structure. You can:
• Insert a new row into an existing assembly.

• Create an empty item as the root item in a new structure.

You can use the New command when:

• The view is set to Exploded.

• A single row with data is selected.

Note The New command is disabled if you have multiple rows selected.

• The Item Revision does not contain a part or sheet metal document.

For new rows, you can define the properties:

• Item ID

• Item Revision

• Item Name

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 8-7
Lesson 8 Using the Structure Editor

• Item Type

• Folder

Remove command
Removes the selected row(s) and all its children from the BOM structure. All
instances of the parent assembly are affected, and the selected row is shown with a
horizontal line through the center of the text in the source pane. The Action is set to
Remove for the indicated row. The Action for the parent item is set to Update. The
structure under rows with a Remove action is hidden. If you change the action from
Remove to something else, the structure is re-displayed.
You can use the Remove command when:
• The view is set to Exploded.

• A row or multiple rows with data are selected.

• The direct document is not in the selected row.

Note You cannot remove the top level assembly or the Family of Parts master under
a Family of Parts member.

You can use the Clear All command to undo your selection. Clicking Perform Actions
completes the removal of the selected row.

Cutting, copying, and pasting rows in Structure Editor

You can cut, copy, and paste rows in Structure Editor using shortcut commands.
Information that is cut or copied is placed on the Clipboard.
Note Structure Editor does not interact with the clipboard in Teamcenter. If you
want to cut and paste rows in the Teamcenter clipboard, you must use the
Teamcenter Structure Manager (formerly Product Structure Editor).

Eligible conditions
You can use the cut, copy, and paste commands when:
• The view is set to Exploded.

• At least one row with data is selected.

• The row selected is not the direct document.

More Information
For more information, see the Cut a row, Copy a row, or Paste a row help topics.

Managing your local cache in Structure Editor

When you work with managed documents, Structure Editor creates a local cache
of the viewed documents to improve performance. When you open a document, the

8-8 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Using the Structure Editor

synchronization between the document stored in the database and the document
in your local cache is automatically managed for you. Structure Editor checks your
local cache to see if the local document is up to date with the version of the document
in the managed library. Structure Editor then opens the local document or copies the
current version from the database to your local cache.
The Cache Assistant command on the Manage menu enables you to manage your
local cache. You can use the Cache Assistant dialog box to synchronize all the
documents in the database, check in documents you have checked out, download
documents from the managed library to your local cache, or delete documents from
your local cache.
The Cache Assistant commands work the same through Structure Editor as when
you are using the Cache Assistant in Solid Edge Embedded Client. Review the
lesson on Managing Your Cache for additional information.
Caution The Open command on the Cache Assistant shortcut menu opens the
selected document in the application used to create it. You should exit Structure
Editor before making changes to the document in Solid Edge.

Lesson review: Using Structure Editor

1. You can use the Structure Editor to perform all of the following functions except:
a. Copy assembly structures to new Teamcenter items.
b. Revise partial assembly structures.
c. View an assembly in Exploded or Parts List format.
d. Print Teamcenter properties.

2. Name the four window panes that comprise the Structure Editor window.

3. True or False: Scroll-Lock causes the column order to be identical in both upper
windows of the Structure Editor.

4. What is the difference between the Revise Selected and Revise All commands?

5. True or False: You should not work in Solid Edge and Structure Editor
simultaneously.

Answers
1. You can use the Structure Editor to perform all of the following functions except:
d. Print Teamcenter properties.

2. The four window panes that comprise the Structure Editor window are:
• Source — contains the Bill of Materials used for markup.

• Target — contains the final view of the Bill of Materials.

• Preview — displays a saved preview image of the assembly.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 8-9
Lesson 8 Using the Structure Editor

• Property — displays Teamcenter property information

3. False — Scroll-Lock controls the simultaneous vertical scrolling of the upper-left

(source) and upper-right (target) window panes.

4. The Revise Selected command revises selected files within a structure to a new
revision. The Revise All command revises all the files within a structure to a
new revision.

5. True — You should not work in Solid Edge and Structure Editor simultaneously.

Activity: Use the Structure Editor

Use the Structure Editor

In this activity, you will learn how to:
• Open an assembly in Structure Editor.

• Clone a complete assembly.

• Revise an assembly component in Structure Editor.

• Save and close the files in Structure Editor.

Start Structure Editor.

▸ On the Start menu, choose Programs®Solid Edge ST5®SEEC®Structure
Editor.
From the Structure Editor startup screen, you can:

• Open an existing document or select a document from a list of recently used

documents.

• Read the Tip of the Day.

• Connect to links from the Favorite Links portion of the screen or add and
remove links.

The status bar at the bottom of the screen describes commands and displays
instructions.

Open an existing document.

▸ Under Open, click Existing Document.
Since you are working with a managed document, the Login to Teamcenter
dialog box is displayed.

▸ Log in to Teamcenter.

8-10 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Using the Structure Editor

The first time you access Teamcenter you must log in. Enter your Teamcenter
User ID and Password, and select the appropriate database if more than one
database is defined.

▸ Click Login. The Open a File dialog box is displayed.

Use Search to find an assembly using the Item Name.

▸ In the Open a File dialog box, set Files of Type to Assembly document (*.asm).

▸ Click Search .

▸ Expand the Saved Searches list.

▸ From the list of predefined searches, select Item Name.

▸ Click Erase to clear any existing search criteria.

▸ In the Item Name box, type *valve body*.

▸ Click Search.
When completed, the Open a File dialog box displays the search results.

▸ Select the assembly with the description of Completed Assembly.

A preview of the item is displayed in the Preview pane on the right side of the
Open a File dialog box.

▸ Click Open to open the file in the Structure Editor.

Examine the Structure Editor screen.

The Structure Editor screen is divided into four window panes.
• The upper-left window pane displays a BOM view of your assembly using the
Revision Rule you selected when you opened the item. It is the source pane.

• The upper-right window pane initially displays your item in the same BOM view
as the source pane. However, this pane reflects any changes you make to the
item while in Structure Editor. It is the target pane.

• The lower-left pane is the Preview pane.

• The lower-right pane is the Properties pane.

Note The initial display of the structure of your item shows the first level files only.
In a multi-level assembly, you can expand each level using the + to the left of the
item or you can use the Expand All command to expand all levels of the assembly.

Expand the structure of the assembly and turn on each of the panes.
▸ In the source pane, right-click the assembly name and choose Expand All.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 8-11
Lesson 8 Using the Structure Editor

▸ On the View menu, choose Preview.

▸ On the View menu, choose Properties.

Modify the view in the Structure Editor window.

▸ Select the horizontal divider between the top and bottom half of the Structure
Editor window.

▸ Drag the divider up. When you release the left mouse button, vertical scroll bars
appear in the source and target window panes.

▸ Use the vertical scroll bar to view the hidden contents of the assembly in the
source window pane.
The source and the target windows move independently of one another. You may
want to scroll the two windows in vertical synchronization with one another,
especially when you work on large assemblies.

▸ Choose View®Scroll-Lock to synchronize the vertical scrolling of the source and

target window panes.
The source and target window panes now scroll together vertically in a
hierarchical or Bill of Materials (BOM) view of the components of the document.

View your document in Parts List format.

▸ At the top of the screen, from the Show View list, select Parts List.

The Parts List display is a flat listing of the components of the assembly.

Return to the Exploded View.

▸ In the Show View list box, select Exploded.

Rearrange the column information so the Item ID, Revision, and Item
Name columns appear in order.
▸ In the target window pane, select the column heading Item ID and drag it to the
left until the cell border of the Action column highlights.

▸ Release the left mouse button to position the column.

▸ Repeat the process for the Revision and Item Name columns. Your display
should resemble the following:

8-12 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Using the Structure Editor

Use your existing item to clone or copy the assembly.

▸ In the Structure Editor toolbar, click Save As All .

Setting the assembly action to Save As All clones or copies all of the files within a
structure to a new item number, revision number and item name. As a result, cells
in the Action column of the target window pane change. Each item in the cloned
assembly has an action of Check In.
You must supply the required information of an Item ID, Revision, and Item Name
for each item in the cloned assembly. You can type the information or have it
generated for you.

Assign an Item ID, Revision, and Item Name to the new managed
document.

▸ In the Structure Editor toolbar, click Assign All to automatically assign an

Item ID, Item Name, and Revision to the document.
The Item ID is automatically assigned a unique value.

Tip The Assign All command is also available from the shortcut menu.

Remove the row containing the handle cap.

▸ In the source window pane, select the row containing the item that is the handle
cap.

▸ Right-click and select Remove.

Notice the row is shown with a horizontal line through the center of the text in
both panes. The Action is set to Remove for that item.

Create a new row in the top level assembly.

▸ In the source window pane, select the top level assembly.

▸ In the Structure Editor toolbar, click New

A new empty item is created as a component of the parent assembly.

▸ In the target pane, right-click the new item and then click Assign.

Many times the items that comprise an assembly are stored in various folders. You
can clone or copy items to a common folder for organizational purposes.

In the target pane, specify a folder to store the assembly.

▸ Scroll to the Folder column and double-click inside the Folder cell for the
top-level assembly.

▸ In the Select Folder dialog box, choose your Home folder.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 8-13
Lesson 8 Using the Structure Editor

▸ Click OK.

Copy the Folder cell contents to each of the remaining Folder cells.
▸ Click the top-level assembly’s Folder cell.

▸ Press Ctrl + C to copy the contents to the clipboard.

▸ Click the Folder cell for the next item in the list.

▸ Press Ctrl + V to paste the contents of the clipboard into the cell.

▸ Repeat pasting the contents of the clipboard into each cell until each cell displays
the Home folder.

Tip You can select multiple cells by selecting the first cell, holding down your Shift
key, and then selecting the last cell.

Revise a single component of the new assembly.

▸ In the source window pane, select the item with the Item Name of Stem.

▸ On the main toolbar, click Where Used to determine if the part is used in
other assemblies.
Changes to the item will affect each of the documents where it is used.

▸ Cancel the Where Used Results dialog box.

▸ In the source window pane, click the Action cell and set the action for the item
named Stem to Revise.
The value for Revision is blank in the target window pane.

▸ In the target window pane, right-click the item and choose Assign.
The new revision is automatically assigned.

Perform the Actions you have specified.

▸ Click Perform Actions on the Structure Editor toolbar.

The Perform Actions command executes all actions specified in the Action
column.

Open your new top level assembly in Solid Edge.

▸ In the target pane, select the top level assembly and select File®Open in Editor.
The Structure Synchronization dialog box displays.

8-14 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Using the Structure Editor

The structure synchronization dialog box notifies you when an assembly requires
structure synchronization with the database contents. This condition occurs
when an assembly is changed outside the Solid Edge environment.

▸ Click Yes to synchronize the changes.

▸ In PathFinder, verify the following:

• A new empty item exists as part of the assembly.

• The handle assembly no longer contains the handle cap.

• The item that is the stem is now revision B.

Exit Solid Edge and save your changes.

▸ Select Application menu®Exit Solid Edge.

▸ Click Yes to save the changes to the document.

View the data in your Structure Editor cache.

▸ From the Structure Editor toolbar, select Manage®Cache Assistant.
The Cache Assistant has the same functionality in Structure Editor as it does in
a managed Solid Edge environment. You can use the Cache Assistant dialog box
to synchronize all the documents in the managed library, check in documents
you have checked out, download documents from the managed library to your
local cache, filter the display of the contents of your cache, or clear documents
from your local cache.

Check in all documents.

▸ Click Check in All .

▸ Update the status of the items in the cache by clicking Update Status Info .

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 8-15
Lesson 8 Using the Structure Editor

Clear your cache and remove the default project.

▸ Click on the lower portion of the dialog box to remove all projects
from the cache.

Caution Deleting all projects from the cache checks in all checked-out documents,
deletes from cache all of the local projects and associated documents and creates
a new project named Default.

▸ At the prompt, click OK to delete all projects from the cache.

▸ Confirm the delete by clicking Yes.

The cache is cleared and a new Default project is created.

▸ Close the Cache Assistant dialog box.

Exit Structure Editor.

▸ From the Structure Editor toolbar, select File®Exit.

Activity summary
In this activity, you learned how to start Structure Editor and how to use basic
operation commands. You learned how to clone assemblies and revise individuals
parts within assemblies.
Now you will be able to:
• Open any managed document in Structure Editor.

• Clone an existing assembly.

• Revise an individual part within an assembly.

Lesson summary
The Structure Editor is a tool for managing assembly structures in a collaborative
environment.
Things to remember:
• You can revise partial or whole assembly structures in Structure Editor.

• There are four windows panes in the viewing area of Structure Editor. Each
pane can be manipulated independently of one another.

• The Save As All command makes a copy (or clones) all items and the new
structure is saved as a new item in Teamcenter.

• You should not work in Solid Edge and Structure Editor simultaneously. Exit
one of the applications before making changes to your document.

8-16 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
Lesson

9 Running Solid Edge Embedded

Client Diagnostics

In this lesson, you will learn how to:

• Start the Solid Edge Embedded Client Diagnostics Application.

• Supply basic configuration information.

• Perform a diagnostics scan.

• Read the SEEC Diagnostic log file.

• Export your Teamcenter attribute mapping.

• Create a package of information to supply to product support.

Introduction to the diagnostic application

The Solid Edge Embedded Client diagnostic application enables you to easily create
a collection of information regarding your Solid Edge Embedded Client configuration.
The application is delivered with Solid Edge Embedded Client and collects client
information such as software location, database connection, cache information,
registry details, and log files into one location to share with product support in
the event assistance is needed.
To run the diagnostics application, from the Start menu, choose Programs® Solid
Edge ST5®SEEC®Diagnostic Application. The SEEC Diagnostics dialog box
displays your current Teamcenter connection configuration. You only need to provide
a location for the output of the scan. Once the scan is run, read-only output from the
scan appears in the Detail portion of the SEEC Diagnostics dialog box. If multiple
versions of an application are installed, the scan reports the details for each version.

The startup screen

The SEEC Diagnostic Application startup screen provides basic information such as
the title and version of the diagnostic tool.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 9-1
Lesson 9 Running Solid Edge Embedded Client Diagnostics

The SEEC Diagnostics dialog box

The SEEC Diagnostics dialog box consists of two areas of information:
Teamcenter Displays Teamcenter connection information.
Contains specific information regarding your configuration
Detail discovered during the scan.

The SEECDiagnostic log file

A series of log files are collected by the scan. The log file generated by the diagnostics
scan is SEECDiagnostic_YYYYMMDDHHMMSS.txt where YYYY is the year, MM is
the month, DD is the day, HH is the hour, MM is the minute, and SS is the second the
scan was started. Types of information the SEECDiagnostic log file can include are:
• System hardware and software information

• Disk size and free space

• Teamcenter preferences

• Template filenames

• Environment variables

The SEECDiagnostic log file and other output generated by the scan is stored in a
folder in the diagnostic package location you define. The data in the diagnostic
package folder should be zipped along with an export of your Teamcenter attribute
mapping and sent to product support for analysis in the event assistance is needed.

Exporting your attribute mapping

Attribute mapping defines what document properties you will exchange between
Solid Edge and Teamcenter. The key Solid Edge properties that are automatically
mapped to Teamcenter attributes are displayed in Solid Edge on the Project tab of
the Properties dialog box. You can create custom Solid Edge properties to map to
Teamcenter attributes such as Item type and Dataset Description. Having a list of
the attributes you have mapped is significant when troubleshooting problems. A
user with system administrator privileges can obtain this information by performing
an export of the data using the export_attr_mappings command and arguments. The
output of the export is created in the file you specify.
Example C:\Program
Files\UGS\Teamcenter\Express\V3\bin>export_attr_mappings
–file=c:\temp\attr.txt –u=myuserid –p=mypassword –g=mygroup

The arguments used are:

–file=the mapping file being created locally

–u=userid for your Teamcenter database

–p=password for your Teamcenter database

–g=Teamcenter group

9-2 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Running Solid Edge Embedded Client Diagnostics

Lesson review: Running Solid Edge Embedded Client diagnostics

1. True or False: Use the Diagnostic Application when you need a collection of
information regarding your Solid Edge Embedded Client configuration.

2. The Diagnostic Application is delivered with _________ __________ ____________

______________.

3. The SEECDiagnostic log file contains all of the following information except:
a. Teamcenter attribute mapping.
b. Solid Edge version.
c. Disk information.
d. Teamcenter preferences.

4. True or False: Attribute mapping defines the document properties you will
exchange between Solid Edge and Teamcenter.

Answers
1. True — Use the Diagnostic Application when you need a collection of information
regarding your Solid Edge Embedded Client configuration.

2. The Diagnostic Application is delivered with Solid Edge Embedded Client and is
available from Programs®Solid Edge ST5®SEEC®Diagnostic Application.

3. The SEECDiagnostic log file contains all of the following information except:
a. Teamcenter attribute mapping.

4. True — Attribute mapping defines the document properties you will exchange
between Solid Edge and Teamcenter.

Activity: Run diagnostics

Run diagnostics
In this activity, you will learn how to:
• Start the Diagnostic Application.

• Perform a diagnostic scan.

• Read the SEEC Diagnostics log file generated by the scan.

• Export your Teamcenter attribute mapping.

• Create a collection of files necessary for assistance with troubleshooting.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 9-3
Lesson 9 Running Solid Edge Embedded Client Diagnostics

Start the SEEC Diagnostic Application.

▸ On the Start menu, choose Programs®Solid Edge ST5®SEEC®Diagnostic
Application.
Caution You should exit Solid Edge, Structure Editor, and Add to Teamcenter
prior to running diagnostics.

After the startup screen is displayed, you see the SEEC Diagnostics dialog box.
You can use the dialog box to define the location of the output generated by the
scan and view details produced by the scan.

Notice your configuration selection.

▸ In the SEEC Diagnostics dialog box, notice the selection of the 2-tier or 4-tier
button identifying the configuration installed on your client.

The application automatically identifies your connection type. However, if you have
both the 2-tier and 4-tier configurations, you can manually set the connection type
for the scan.
If you are not sure which configuration your have, refer to the Solid Edge Help topic
Determine your Teamcenter client configuration.

Define the location of files associated with your specific configuration.

For a 2-tier configuration, browse for the location of your TC_ROOT and TC_DATA
information.
For a 4-tier configuration, supply the URL of your server.

Start the scan.

▸ In the Diagnostic Package Location, specify a folder where the diagnostics folder
and all files created by the scan will be stored.

▸ Click Scan.

▸ Log in to Teamcenter.

Upon successful login, the scan begins. You are notified when it completes.

Review the results of your scan.

▸ Click OK to dismiss the Scan Complete dialog box.

9-4 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Running Solid Edge Embedded Client Diagnostics

The Detail portion of the SEEC Diagnostics dialog box contains the results of the
diagnostics scan. The SEECDiagnostic_timestamp.txt log file is created in the
folder you defined in the Diagnostic Package Location.

▸ View the contents of the folder you defined as your diagnostic package location.
Example C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\My
Documents\SEECDiagnostic

The folder contains the log files and other files generated by running the
diagnostics application.

▸ Open the SEECDiagnostic_<timestamp>.txt log file generated by the scan.

The SEECDiagnostic_YYYYMMDDHHMMSS.txt is automatically generated by
the scan. The YYYY is the year, MM is the month, DD is the day, HH is the hour,
MM is the minute, and SS is the second the scan was started.

▸ Locate the section of the log file that reports disk information.
The scan reports the total disk space and free space available.

Warning Information reported in this log file should not be altered.

▸ Review the Teamcenter Preferences portion of the report to view the preferences
defined on your server.

▸ Close the log file.

Create an export of your Teamcenter attribute mapping.

Note The following example assumes an installation of Teamcenter Express.

▸ Open a Command Prompt window by choosing

Start®Programs®Accessories®Command Prompt.

▸ Set your iman_root environment variable equal to the installation location of

your Teamcenter client.
Example C:\>set iman_root=”c:\Program Files\UGS\Teamcenter\Express\V3”

▸ Set your iman_data environment variable equal to the location of your Teamcenter
data.
Example C:\>set iman_data=\\myserver\ugs\tcdata\

This example assumes a 4-tier Teamcenter connection. Substitute the name

of your server for myserver.

▸ Change directories to the installation location of your Teamcenter client.

Example C:\>cd %iman_root%

▸ Change directories to the \bin directory.

Example C:\Program Files\UGS\Teamcenter\Express\V3>cd \bin

▸ Run %iman_data%\iman_profilevars.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 9-5
Lesson 9 Running Solid Edge Embedded Client Diagnostics

Example C:\Program
Files\UGS\Teamcenter\Express\V3\bin>%iman_data%\iman_profilevars

▸ Export the Teamcenter attribute mappings using the export_attr_mappings

command and arguments.
Example C:\Program
Files\UGS\Teamcenter\Express\V3\bin>export_attr_mappings
–file=c:\temp\attr.txt –u=myuserid –p=mypassword –g=mygroup

The arguments used are:

–file=the mapping file being created locally

–u=userid for your Teamcenter database

–p=password for your Teamcenter database

–g=your Teamcenter group

The output of attribute mappings is created in the file you specified.

▸ Create a Zip file of the data in the diagnostic package folder along with the
export file containing your Teamcenter attribute mapping.
You are ready to send the information to product support in the event assistance
is needed.

▸ Close the SEEC Diagnostics dialog box.

Activity summary
In this activity, you learned how to start the Diagnostics Application and perform a
scan of your system. You also learned how to read the SEECDiagnostics log file and
export your Teamcenter attribute mapping.
Now you will be able to create a package of files to send to product support in the
event assistance is needed.

Lesson summary
The Diagnostic Application is a tool for creating a collection of information regarding
your Solid Edge Embedded Client configuration.
Things to remember:
• Exit Solid Edge, Structure Editor, and Add to Teamcenter prior to running
diagnostics.

• The SEEC Diagnostics dialog box consists of the two sections: Teamcenter and
Detail.

• Multiple log files are collected in the location you specify when you perform a
diagnostics scan. The SEECDiagnostic<timestamp>.txt file contains pertinent
information regarding your client system.

9-6 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 spse01424 105
 Running Solid Edge Embedded Client Diagnostics

• You should not edit the contents of the SEECDiagnostic log file.

• Create a Zip file of the data in the diagnostic package folder along with the export
file containing your Teamcenter attribute mapping to send to product support.

spse01424 105 Working with Solid Edge Embedded Client ST5 9-7