®

Pro/ENGINEER
Wildfire™ 2.0

Pro/PROGRAMTM
Help Topic Collection

Parametric Technology Corporation

Table Of Contents
Pro/PROGRAM Basics.................................................................................................. 1

About Pro/PROGRAM................................................................................................. 1

The WHICH DESIGN Menu......................................................................................1

To View the Model Design........................................................................................1

Example: A Model Design.......................................................................................2

Incorporating Changes................................................................................................ 3

To Incorporate Changes in the Model......................................................................3

Entering Input Variables..........................................................................................3

To Select or Modify Input Parameters....................................................................3

Input from a File................................................................................................... 4

Execution Errors.......................................................................................................... 5

About Execution Errors.............................................................................................5

Feature Errors.......................................................................................................... 5

Geometry Errors...................................................................................................... 5

Creating Instances...................................................................................................... 7

To Create a Part or Assembly Instance Programmatically.....................................7

Example: Creating an Assembly Instance..............................................................8

An Example of Parametric Design..............................................................................9

Example: A Parametric Design for a Blender Cover..............................................9

Creating a Parametric Design..............................................................................9

Design for Assembly BLENDER............................................................................10

Design for Part COVER........................................................................................11

Design for Part CAP.............................................................................................12

Editing a Design......................................................................................................... 13

About Editing the Model Design.............................................................................13

Relations................................................................................................................. 13

Using Comments to Annotate Relations and Features..........................................14

Input Parameters and Prompts.............................................................................14

About Input Parameters and Prompts...............................................................14

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 Table Of Contents

Customizing Prompts for Input Variables............................................................14

Conditional Input Statements..............................................................................15

IF-ELSE Statements............................................................................................ 16

About Design Branches.......................................................................................16

Other Variable Types in IF Statements..............................................................17

Replacing Components in Assembly Designs.........................................................17

About Replacing Components in Assembly Designs............................................17

To Interchange Components Programmatically..................................................17

To Interchange Components Using Relations.....................................................18

To Replace Family Table–Driven Components...................................................19

Example: Replacing Family Table-Driven Components.....................................19

To Replace User-Defined Features....................................................................20

Example: Replacing User-Defined Features......................................................20

EXECUTE Statements............................................................................................21

Using EXECUTE Statements in Assembly Listings............................................21

Transferring Input Values from the Upper-level Assembly...............................21

Specifying a Part to Execute in an Assembly Program.....................................23

Using EXECUTE Statements inside IF-ENDIF Statements.................................23

Mass Properties and INTERACT Statements.........................................................24

Updating Mass Properties When Geometry Changes.......................................24

Using INTERACT Statements as Place Holders.................................................24

Feature Operations................................................................................................. 25

To Suppress Part or Assembly Features.............................................................25

To Suppress and Resume Individual Group Members........................................25

To Change Feature Dimensions..........................................................................26

Editor Errors........................................................................................................... 27

Editing a Design to Correct an Error.................................................................27

Index......................................................................................................................... 29
vi
Pro/PROGRAM Basics

About Pro/PROGRAM
Each model in Pro/ENGINEER contains a listing of major design steps and parameters
that can be edited to work as a program. By running the program, you change the
model according to new design specifications.
To enter the Pro/PROGRAM environment, click Tools > Program from the PART or
ASSEMBLY menu.

The WHICH DESIGN Menu

Initially, you can gain access to only a design listing that exists in the model.
However, whenever you edit a listing, a file is created that contains the latest design
specifications. At this point, two design listings exist for the same model, From
Model and From File. After you successfully incorporate design changes in the
model, From File is deleted, and only From Model is available.
In those cases where a From File design listing exists, the WHICH DESIGN menu
displays two commands:
• From Model—Retrieves a design listing built in the model.

• From File—Retrieves a design for a model from an existing file named

assemblyname.als or partname.pls.

Note: From Model reflects the current state of the model, while From File
includes all new instructions that you have added during the last editing session.

To View the Model Design

1. From the PART or ASSEMBLY menu, click Program.

2. Click Show Design or Edit Design from the PROGRAM menu to view the model
design.

o If you choose Show Design, the program appears in an information window.

o If you choose Edit Design, the program appears under the system editor—
usually in the startup window.
Note: In the header of every design listing, a REVNUM indicates the last model
revision. The system uses this to detect if the design is outdated.

A typical design listing may contain any of the following:

• Input variables with their current values

• Relations

• IF-ELSE clauses

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 Pro/PROGRAM – Help Topic

• Lists of all the features, parts, or assemblies in the design, which, when enclosed
within "IF condition... ELSE... END IF" statements, create alternate design
branches

• EXECUTE statements (Assembly mode only)

• INTERACT statements

• Feature suppression and order

• MASSPROP statement

Example: A Model Design

A listing for part CLAMP may look like this:
VERSION D-02-03
REVNUM 182
LISTING FOR PART CLAMP
INPUT
END INPUT
RELATIONS
d0 = d6 * 2
END RELATIONS
ADD FEATURE (initial number 1)
INTERNAL ID 1
TYPE = FIRST FEATURE
FORM = EXTRUDED
SECTION NAME = S2DOO2
DEPTH = BLIND
FEATURE’S DIMENSIONS:
D0 = 1.0
D1 = 2.4
....
D5 = 45.0
END ADD

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Incorporating Changes

To Incorporate Changes in the Model

After you finish editing a Pro/PROGRAM listing, the system asks you if you want to
incorporate the changes. To proceed, enter Y. If you enter N, the program is not
executed.
If you want to run the program at any point, open a listing using the Edit Design
command. Exiting the editor (no changes need to be made) starts the program. You
are prompted to specify whether you want to incorporate the changes in the model.
In order to incorporate the changes in the model, the system may prompt you to
enter variables.
Note: After changes are incorporated in the model, a design file is deleted; only
From Model is available for viewing, editing, or executing.

Entering Input Variables

When a model design has input variables, the system prompts you to enter their
values whenever you regenerate the model or incorporate new instructions in the
model. You can enter data using the following commands on the GET INPUT menu:
• Current Vals—When you run the program, it uses the current values without
requesting your input.

Note: If you want to check the current parameter values, choose Show Design
> From Model. The information window displays the listing with the input
variables and values assigned to them in the current model design.

• Enter—Enter new input values as prompted. Check boxes in the INPUT SEL
menu control parameter selection. Pro/PROGRAM only prompts you to enter a
new value for the checked parameters.

• Read File—When running a program, the system uses input from a file. Type a
file name (including the extension, if any).

To Select or Modify Input Parameters

1. Click PART > Program, and then click PROGRAM > Edit Design. The system
editor displays the current program for the model.

2. Edit the program input list.

3. Incorporate your changes into the model.

4. Click GET INPUT > Enter.

5. In the INPUT SEL menu, click the check boxes next to the input parameters for
which you want to enter values, and then click Done Sel.

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Pro/PROGRAM – Help Topic

6. Enter the values as prompted in the message area.

7. Click PROGRAM > Done/Return.

Input from a File

Instead of entering variables manually, you can enter them from a file located in the
current directory using Read File. The input file must have one input per line,
formatted as follows:
param_name = value or expression
For example:
THICKNESS = 2.5
INCLUDE_VALVE = YES
MATERIAL = "STEEL"

If you enter parameters from a file that contains fewer parameters than are called
for in the INPUT statement, the system assumes current values for the missing
parameter.
If, on the contrary, the output file contains more variables than are needed for the
execution, those parameters not pertaining to the program are disregarded.
Because the program ignores those parameters that do not pertain to this particular
program, you can create an input file that acts as a global source for a number of
models.
Note: The system is case-sensitive when parameters and their values are read in
from a file. Be consistent in specifying variables.

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Execution Errors

About Execution Errors

When execution errors are encountered, the system reacts as follows:
In Part mode and Assembly mode:
• If the failure is due to a feature error (for example, if a dimension violates a
Relations constraint), the information window opens with the description of the
error, which is also written to the file errors.lst.n. You can then edit the design
From File (to correct the error) or From Model (to start afresh).

• If the failure is due to a geometry error, Pro/ENGINEER enters a special error

resolution environment called the Resolve environment, which has various
functions to help you diagnose and resolve the error.

In Assembly mode:
If the failure occurs during assembly (for example, because a substituted
member does not fit), the system informs you that it failed to replace the
particular member and asks you if you want to reedit the program.

Feature Errors
Many errors are not detected during editing, but they still make the design unusable.
They can be defined generally as invalid feature-list errors. Such errors usually result
from reordering or deleting features that depend on each other, or from imposing
condition values on features such that a feature that must be created is missing its
parent.
Feature list errors are caught during execution, after the input values have been
requested, but before the model geometry reconstruction has begun.

Geometry Errors
Some errors cannot be detected until the geometry reconstruction process has
begun. For example, you could take the following design:
ADD FEATURE PROTRUSION
ADD FEATURE SHELL
OF THICKNESS d10 (to make a cup)
ADD FEATURE PROTRUSION (handle for cup)

and reorder the last two features, which are not dependent on each other. If the
geometry of the handle is too thin to be shelled with thickness d10, this creates a
geometry error. Pro/ENGINEER fails to regenerate the shell. The failed feature (the
shell) is highlighted in red on the model. The RESOLVE FEAT menu appears, and
the Failure Diagnostics window opens with information on the failed item.
If you choose Undo Changes, the system undoes the changes in this regeneration
and returns to the previous state. In the preceding example, this means that the
feature order would be restored.

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Creating Instances

To Create a Part or Assembly Instance Programmatically

Parts and assemblies created programmatically with input parameters can be turned
into instances of the generic model.
Whenever a design has been executed, either after regenerating the model or after
editing the design, you can create a family instance of that specific configuration
using the Instantiate command on the PROGRAM menu.
1. Click PART > Program or ASSEMBLY > Program.

2. On the PROGRAM menu, click Instantiate. Pro/TABLE appears with the name of
the generic model or models (part in Part mode, assemblies and parts in
Assembly mode) in column 1, and the default instance name or names in column
2.

3. Edit the default instance name or names for assembly and parts if desired, and
then exit Pro/TABLE.

After you create an instance assembly, you can view the family table. It now includes
the instance assembly name, part names that were executed, and variables that
were entered during input.
Note: The parameters that appear in the family table control the model design.

Instantiating a model revises your design program slightly. For example, if an

assembly program had an EXECUTE statement, an IF statement is created about the
EXECUTE statement. This validates execution only for a generic assembly.

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Pro/PROGRAM – Help Topic

Example: Creating an Assembly Instance

An example of the typical workflow involved in creating an assembly instance
follows:

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An Example of Parametric Design

Example: A Parametric Design for a Blender Cover

This example illustrates the logic of the design and the usage of INPUT, EXECUTE, and
IF-ELSE statements. The format of the ADD FEATURE statements in the part design
has been simplified. The explanations in square brackets are for information only and
do not appear in a normal listing.

Creating a Parametric Design

1. Assembly 1

2. Assembly 2

3. Assembly 3

4. COVER_TYPE=NO

5. CYL_DIAM

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Pro/PROGRAM – Help Topic

6. CAP: MODEL_A

7. COVER_TYPE=YES

8. COVER_SIZE

9. CAP: MODEL_B

Design for Assembly BLENDER

The parametric design for the assembly BLENDER follows:
INPUT
COVER_TYPE YES_NO
"Does the cover have a cap?:"
MATERIAL STRING
"Enter material (ABS or Poly):"
CAP_TYPE STRING
"Enter cap type (MODEL_A or MODEL_B):"
COVER_SIZE
"Enter the top plate dimension:"
END INPUT
RELATIONS
END RELATIONS

EXECUTE PART COVER [a.]

COVER_TYPE = COVER_TYPE
COVER_SIZE = COVER_SIZE
MATERIAL = MATERIAL
END EXECUTE

ADD PART COVER [b.]

INTERNAL MEMBER ID 2
...
END ADD

IF COVER_TYPE == YES [c.]

ADD PART (CAP_TYPE)
INTERNAL MEMBER ID 3
...
END ADD
END IF

Note:
a. Pass value for COVER_TYPE down to part "Cover." If value is YES, cover has
a hole added. Also, pass values for material and size of the cover (size of
the top plate).
b. Add a cover.
c. If COVER_TYPE=YES, add the cap to the assembly

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 An Example of Parametric Design

Design for Part COVER

The parametric design file for the part COVER follows:
INPUT
COVER_TYPE YES_NO
COVER_SIZE
MATERIAL STRING
END INPUT

RELATIONS
DIAM = COVER_SIZE / 2 [a.]
IF MATERIAL == "Poly"
d0=.10
ELSE
d0=.2
ENDIF
END RELATIONS

ADD FEATURE 1
INTERNAL FEATURE ID 33 [b.]
TYPE=FIRST FEATURE
...
COVER_SIZE = 2.4 [c.]

ADD
END

ADD FEATURE 2 [d.]

INTERNAL FEATURE ID 169
TYPE=PROTRUSION
...
END ADD

IF COVER_TYPE == YES [e.]

ADD FEATURE 3
INTERNAL FEATURE ID 270
TYPE=SLOT
...
END ADD
END IF

Note:
a. Relations include a relation for the hole diameter and a conditional
statement for material type. ("Poly" and "ABS" require double quotation
marks.)
b. Add the base feature.
c. Parameter name has been renamed to "COVER_SIZE".

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Pro/PROGRAM – Help Topic

d. Add walls.
e. If COVER_TYPE=YES, add a hole. (No quotation marks around YES.)

Design for Part CAP

The part CAP is table driven with instances MODEL_A and MODEL_B. The parametric
design file for the part CAP follows:
INPUT
END INPUT

RELATIONS
END RELATIONS

ADD FEATURE 1 [Add the base feature of the cap.]

INTERNAL FEATURE ID 33
TYPE=FIRST FEATURE
...
END ADD

ADD FEATURE 2 [Add a datum plane.]

INTERNAL FEATURE ID 106
TYPE=DATUM PLANE
...
END ADD

ADD FEATURE 3 [Add a protrusion.]

INTERNAL FEATURE ID 108
TYPE=PROTRUSION
...
END ADD

ADD FEATURE 4 [Add a hole.]

INTERNAL FEATURE ID 179
TYPE=HOLE
...
END ADD

ADD FEATURE 5 [Add a top plate.]

INTERNAL FEATURE ID 198
TYPE=PROTRUSION
END ADD

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Editing a Design

About Editing the Model Design

By editing a design, you make changes to a model.
Although the editor permits you to make other changes (changes not discussed in
the following topic) in the design, it ignores these changes upon execution. Only
those discussed in the following topic are actually changed in the design.
For example, if a feature attribute was changed from THRU ALL to THRU NEXT, the
attribute that appears in the model after execution is THRU ALL.
To edit a design, click PROGRAM > Edit Design. If two designs exist for the
model, you must choose From Model or From File from the WHICH DESIGN menu.
Note: When you edit your design for the first time, or after you have successfully
incorporated changes in the model, the WHICH DESIGN menu does not appear. In
these cases, the design is edited only From Model.

A warning appears when you attempt to edit From Model while a file with a
Pro/PROGRAM listing exists in the working directory. This warning reminds you that
when you exit from the editor the file will be overwritten with the new contents. If
you still want to proceed with editing (this replaces an old design file), enter Y. To
abort editing, enter N.
If you are working with an assembly that has components belonging to a family
table, listings for instances may be viewed, but they cannot be edited, because the
program always resides in the generic part.
Note: To gain access to the listing in a generic assembly, assembly instances
must be cleared from workstation memory.

Relations
All relations valid in a Pro/ENGINEER model can be entered in a Pro/PROGRAM
design.
If an expression you want to include in the RELATIONS statement contains more than
80 characters, use a backslash (\) to interrupt the current line and continue the
expression on the next line.
The format can be as follows:
RELATIONS
PARAMETER = COVER_SIZE/2 + LENGTH*0.75 -\
0.75*d3*d3 + THICKNESS*2
END RELATIONS

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 Pro/PROGRAM – Help Topic

Changing the material density in a part causes the system to update the mp_density
value in relations and vice versa.
Note:

o When using negative dimensions, a dollar sign ($) must precede the
dimension symbol in both the input statement and the external input files.
For example, use $d20 instead of d20. The dimensions will not be updated
if a dollar sign does not precede the symbols.

o If the program assigns a value to a dimension variable that is already driven

by a part or subassembly relation, two error messages appear. Edit or
remove the program relation and regenerate.

Using Comments to Annotate Relations and Features

You can use comments in the program to annotate relations and features. To insert
comments, use the following format:
/* < your comment

Note that the slash and asterisk precede the comment. Also, the comment on a
feature must immediately follow its ADD FEATURE line. The comment is then
attached to the feature being added and appears in the information window.

Input Parameters and Prompts

About Input Parameters and Prompts

INPUT variables may be specified at the beginning of the listing. A typical use of an
INPUT variable is to supply a value for a dimension. This is a parameter later used in
a relation or as input for model names used in assemblies.

Input Parameter Types

The INPUT statement must indicate the name and type of the variable. Variable
names must always begin with a character.
The following variable types are supported:
• Number—Enter a number for this variable type.

• String—Enter a string of characters for this variable type. This enables you to
enter parameters or model names, but not user attributes.

• YES_NO—Enter either Y or N for this variable type.

Note: If no type is specified for the variable, the system default is Number.

Customizing Prompts for Input Variables

Whenever input is required, the system prompts you to enter the value of the input
variable. Instead of using the system prompts, you can customize prompts for

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 Editing a

particular input variables. Then, during design execution, the prompts appear when
the associated variable requires input.
The rules for including prompts follow:
• A prompt must be enclosed in quotation marks.

• A prompt must immediately follow the corresponding input variable.

For example:
INPUT
THICKNESS NUMBER
"Enter wall thickness for the cylinder"
INCLUDE_VALVE YES_NO
"Is valve to be included for analysis"
STOCK_ID STRING
"Enter the part’s stock ID"
...
END INPUT

Deleting Input Lines

If an input variable is deleted from the design or its name is changed, the relations
and conditions that use it do not become invalid automatically. The old variable
name remains in the list of parameters of the model and needs to be deleted
explicitly using the Del Param command.

Conditional Input Statements

The input list in Pro/PROGRAM can include IF - ELSE - ENDIF statements. When an
IF condition evaluates to FALSE, you are not prompted to enter the input values.
For example:
INPUT
INCLUDE_HOLE YES_NO
"Should the hole be included?:"
IF INCLUDE_HOLE == YES
HOLE_DIA NUMBER
"Enter diameter for hole"
ELSE
...
ENDIF
...
END INPUT

When executing this program, you are prompted to enter the diameter of a hole only
if a hole feature is included.

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Pro/PROGRAM – Help Topic

IF-ELSE Statements

About Design Branches

Conditional statements can be used to create a design branch, enabling you to
control whether a feature or component is included in the design.
For example, if the original Part design was:
ADD PROTRUSION.....
ADD HOLE.....
ADD CUT.....

The modified design might look like this:

ADD PROTRUSION.....
IF d1 > d2
ADD HOLE
...
END ADD
ENDIF
ADD CUT.....
END ADD

Conditional statements are also valid for assemblies. They control whether a
particular part or subassembly is added to the assembly or executed. In the following
example, PART_B is not used unless the parameter DIA has a value less than or
equal to 1.25.
ADD PART BASE_1
....
IF DIA > 1.25
ADD PART PART_A
.....
END ADD
ELSE
ADD PART PART_B
.....
END ADD
ENDIF

Pro/ENGINEER reevaluates any Pro/PROGRAM feature conditional statements (for

example, IF statements) before regenerating each feature. As a result, only a single
Regenerate command is needed for a design in which Pro/PROGRAM feature
conditional statements are changed by Evaluate features and reference dimensions.
However, if you add to a design a Pro/PROGRAM feature conditional statement that
is changed by a later feature, the system provides an error message that the design
is now inconsistent.

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 Editing a

Other Variable Types in IF Statements

All variable types may be included in IF statements. Notice that string values must
be enclosed in quotation marks.
For strings:
IF MATERIAL == "STEEL"
d2=10
ENDIF
For YES_NO:
IF DRAFT==YES
d25=5
ENDIF

Replacing Components in Assembly Designs

About Replacing Components in Assembly Designs

You can set up a program to replace assembly components with interchangeable
components. Interchangeability is established using interchange groups, members of
the same family table, or assembly layout declarations. The member named when
executing the design must be interchangeable or else the execution quits and
previous values are kept.
You can set up a program that interchanges components through an INPUT
statement structure or through a RELATION statement. When the feature of a
parameter belongs to an assembly or to another component, an ADD COMPONENT
statement or relation must include the component ID.
The format for assembly relation is:
XYZ = <parameter_name>:fid_<feature_name>:<comp_id>
OR
XYZ = <parameter_name>:fid_<N>:<comp_id>
where <comp_id> is the component ID in the assembly of the referenced part. To
determine the component ID (<comp_id>) in Assembly mode, choose Component
Id from the RELATIONS menu and use Pick From File to select the proper
component.

To Interchange Components Programmatically

1. Include a string variable in the INPUT statement in an Assembly
design. For example:

INPUT
fastener_name STRING
"Enter name of fastener to be used in cam:"
END INPUT

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Pro/PROGRAM – Help Topic

2. In the associated ADD statement, put the name of the string variable in
parentheses.

For example, to add a part specifically to the assembly:

ADD PART (fastener_name)

...
END ADD

3. To interchange a part named washer for a subassembly or vice versa, use an

ADD COMPONENT statement, using this format:

ADD COMPONENT (name with an extension, or variable)

COMPONENT ID <component Id>

For example:

ADD COMPONENT washer.prt

COMPONENT ID 4
...
END ADD

To Interchange Components Using Relations

1. In the INPUT statement, include a YES_NO
variable. For example:

INCL_CRANK YES_NO

2. Add an IF_ELSE clause in the

RELATIONS. For example:

RELATIONS
IF (INCL_CRANK == YES)
PART_NAME = "CRANK"
ELSE
PART_NAME = "SHAFT"
ENDIF
END RELATIONS
The ADD statement includes the variable defined in the ADD statement (it is
enclosed in brackets).
For example:
ADD PART (PART_NAME)
...
END ADD

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 Editing a

To Replace Family Table–Driven Components

You can automatically replace family table–driven components according to design
criteria by using the lookup_inst function. With this function, you can search a
component family table to find an instance that fits the values of the search
parameters. If the lookup function does not find a match, it returns the name of the
generic.
The format for lookup_inst is:
lookup_inst ("generic_name", match_mode, Òparam_name_1Ó, match_value_1,
Òparam_name_2Ó, match_value_2,...)
where
• generic name—Name of the generic model with a .prt or .asm extension

• match_mode—One of the following values:

o –1 (find closest instance with param values less than or equal to supplied
values)

o 0 (find instance with param values that match supplied values exactly)

o 1 (find closest instance with param values greater than or equal to supplied
values)

• param_name_1—Family table parameter name

• match_value_1—Value to match against

Example: Replacing Family Table-Driven Components

Given an assembly that consists of a block and a peg, assemble the instance that
matches the diameter of the hole in the block.
inst_name = declared string parameter initialized to generic part name

generic_name = peg.prt. This part contains a number of instances based on

diameter dimension (d) and length dimension (d1).

Family instance names of peg.prt include:

2 x 4 - d0 = 2, d1 = 4
2 x 5 - d0 = 2, d1 = 5
2 x 6 - d0 = 2, d1 = 6
3 x 4 - d0 = 3, d1 = 4
3 x 5 ............
3 x 6 ............

Add a relation to the control in which peg.prt is added to an assembly controlled by

dimensions of a feature in block.prt. The relation is:
inst_name = lookup_inst ("peg.prt", 0 , "d2", d6:0, "d1", d5:0 +1)

In this way, the instance of peg.prt being assembled to blockpeg.asm is controlled,

based on the dimensions of the hole in block.prt.

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Pro/PROGRAM – Help Topic

The Pro/PROGRAM listing would look like this:

INPUT
END INPUT
RELATIONS
INST_NAME = LOOKUP_INST ("PEG.PRT", 0, "D2", D6:0, "D1", D5:0 + 1)
END RELATIONS
ADD PART BLOCK
INTERNAL COMPONENT ID 1
END ADD
ADD PART (INST_NAME)
INTERNAL COMPONENT ID 2
PARENTS = 1 (#1)
END ADD
MASSPROP
END MASSPROP

To Replace User-Defined Features

You can programmatically interchange user-defined features using a CHOOSE
statement:
CHOOSE (<variable name>)

where <variable name> is the name of a string variable that contains the ID of the
group to be placed. All the available IDs can be found in the ADD statement of the
leader of the currently active group in the Pro/PROGRAM listing.

Example: Replacing User-Defined Features

INPUT
GROUP STRING
"ENTER GROUP TO PLACE 300/352/409"
END INPUT
CHOOSE (GROUP)
Note:

o To use a CHOOSE statement, you must first manually replace a family table
instance of the group or replace the group with another group.

o CHOOSE statements cannot be included in conditional statements.

The group leader’s ADD statement could look like this:
ADD FEATURE (initial number 4)
INTERNAL FEATURE ID 300
PARENTS = 33(#1)
TYPE = PROTRUSION
FORM = EXTRUDED
SECTION NAME = S2D0002
DEPTH = FROM SKETCH TO BLIND
FEATURE’S DIMENSIONS:

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 Editing a

d44 (d23) = 2.00

d45 (d24) = 1.00
d46 (d25) = 1.00
d47 (d26) = 2.00
d48 (d27) = 1.00
MEMBER OF A GROUP, NAME = RECT
LEADING FEATURE OF THE GROUP: ID = 303
LAST FEATURE OF THE GROUP: ID = 303
GROUP IS REPLACEABLE BY FEATURES ID (NAME):
409(round) and 352 (circular)
END ADD

EXECUTE Statements

Using EXECUTE Statements in Assembly Listings

EXECUTE statements are valid for assembly listings only. They provide a link
between input variables in an assembly and input variables for programs in parts
and in the subassemblies that make up the assembly. EXECUTE statements follow
this sequence:
EXECUTE {PART} name or variable
{ASSY }

input variable of design at next lower level = expression

input variable.....

END EXECUTE

Similar to an ADD statement, an EXECUTE statement can be used in the format

EXECUTE COMPONENT to interchange parts and assemblies. When specifying the
component, make sure to use its extension (.prt or .asm).
Note: When you are running a program, each part can be executed (that is, each
part can receive variable values through an EXECUTE statement) only once. Avoid
including conflicting instructions.

Hierarchy of Assembly Execution

Assemblies can execute subassemblies, which in turn can execute other
subassemblies. The parts that compose a subassembly are not executed by the main
assembly but are instead executed by the subassembly. Only the next level down in
an assembly is executed by the assembly design.

Transferring Input Values from the Upper-level Assembly

The input variables are used to transfer input data from the upper-level assembly to
the appropriate parts and subassemblies to drive the creation of the model.

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For example, for the part block_base, the listing looks like this:
INPUT
key_size
ansi_thread
...
END INPUT
RELATIONS
d5 = key_size
d3 = depth * 1.25
END RELATIONS
....
Then the design listing for the assembly looks like this:
INPUT
hole_diameter NUMBER
thread_type STRING
depth
...
END INPUT
RELATIONS
END RELATIONS
EXECUTE PART block_base
key_size = hole_diameter/2 + 0.025
ansi_thread = thread_type
depth = DEPTH
...
END EXECUTE

And the design for the part block_base looks like this:
INPUT
ADD FEATURE.....

Note:

o The parameter key_size appears in the EXECUTE statement for the

assembly and the INPUT statement for the part. This is necessary for the
parameter value to be passed down from the assembly to the part. If the
parameter does not appear in both places, or no EXECUTE statement is in
the assembly design for the part, then those values that are currently in
memory are used for the part.

o The parameter thread_type is set equal to ansi_thread in the EXECUTE

statement, which is then passed to the part through the INPUT statement.
o The parameter depth is set equal to DEPTH in the EXECUTE statement and
passed to the part using the same name in the INPUT statement. This
technique is often preferable to step 2 because it is easier to keep track of
the parameters.

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o The relation d5 = key_size is not necessary. The parameter symbol d5 can

instead be renamed key_size using the Symbol command in the DIM
COSMETIC menu.

Specifying a Part to Execute in an Assembly Program

When you are using an assembly program to replace a part in the assembly using
interchangeability records, you can make sure that the appropriate part program is
executed by entering the part name as a variable in the EXECUTE statement. This
operation is similar to using a variable in an ADD PART statement.
For example, an assembly program could look like this:
INPUT
COMPONENT STRING
"Enter part name"
DIAMETER NUMBER
END INPUT
....
EXECUTE PART (COMPONENT)
d1=DIAMETER
END EXECUTE
If an EXECUTE statement passes values to variables A and B, and an INPUT
statement declares only the variable A, the following occurs:
• A warning message informs you that the variable B has not been defined. You
can then edit your design to correct the error.

• If you incorporate changes in the model after ignoring the warning, the value of A
is passed to a parameter with the same name in the part being executed.

Using EXECUTE Statements inside IF-ENDIF Statements

EXECUTE statements can be used inside IF-ENDIF statements as a way to avoid
execution of the lower-level model, unless necessary. If not executed, the current
values of the model are used.
For example:
INPUT
key YES_NO
"Does the assembly have a key (Y/N):"
IF key == YES
key_name STRING
"Enter key name:"
ENDIF
END INPUT
RELATIONS
END RELATIONS
IF key == YES
EXECUTE PART (key_name)

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END EXECUTE
ENDIF

The part keyname is executed only if it is included in the assembly.

Mass Properties and INTERACT Statements

Updating Mass Properties When Geometry Changes

Use the MASSPROP statement to update mass properties each time geometry
changes. After you have specified parts or assemblies for which mass properties are
to be updated, you can request the current value of a required parameter through
the relations mechanism.
To update mass properties, use the following format:
MASSPROP
PART NAME
ASSEMBLY NAME
END MASSPROP

Note: When specifying the model for which mass properties are to be calculated,
enter the model name without an extension.
The MASSPROP statement can contain the IF... ELSE clause. If you add a condition
to the MASSPROP statement, the mass properties of an object will be calculated only
if that condition is met.
For example:
MASSPROP
IF THICKNESS > 1
PART PLATE
ELSE
ASSEMBLY BLOCK
ENDIF
END MASSPROP
In the preceding example, if the parameter THICKNESS is more than 1, mass
properties is recalculated for the part PLATE; otherwise, mass properties for the
assembly BLOCK is calculated.

Using INTERACT Statements as Place Holders

INTERACT statements provide a placeholder for creating interactive part and
assembly features. They can be inserted anywhere within the FEATURE ADD - END
ADD or PART ADD - END ADD statement.
For example, the ELSE statement in the previous example could have been
constructed as follows:
ADD PROTRUSION.....
IF d1 > d2
ADD HOLE.....

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ELSE
INTERACT
END IF
ADD CUT.....

In this example, an alternate set of features is to be created if d1 is not greater than

d2.
Interact mode works similarly to Insert mode accessed from Pro/ENGINEER.

Executing an INTERACT Statement

When the system encounters an INTERACT statement in the program, the execution
of the program is interrupted. At this point, you can add new features. Also at this
point, the system displays an incomplete model built up according to the last
instruction before the INTERACT statement. In Interact mode, the model is frozen
and cannot be modified.
After you are in Interact mode, select any feature you want to add from the FEAT
CLASS menus and proceed to specify all required parameters. After you have
created a new feature, the system asks whether you want to continue adding
features. If you answer N, program execution resumes. After execution is completed,
any new features added within the INTERACT statement replace the INTERACT
statement in the model design.
Note: You can quit interacting immediately after the program moves into the
INTERACT phase (before you start to create features). Choose Done/Return from
the FEAT CLASS menu and answer N to the system prompt asking if you want to
continue. The program resumes execution and proceeds to the end.

Feature Operations

To Suppress Part or Assembly Features

1. To suppress a part or assembly feature or components, add the word
SUPPRESSED immediately following the word ADD:
ADD SUPPRESSED PROTRUSION

2. To resume a suppressed feature, delete the word SUPPRESSED from the

ADD FEATURE clause.

Note: Suppression through the use of Pro/PROGRAM works the same way as in
regular Pro/ENGINEER (suppressed models are not retrieved when an assembly is
retrieved). Therefore, suppressed models are not stored when you save an assembly
with the Save As command.

To Suppress and Resume Individual Group Members

In Pro/PROGRAM, to suppress a single feature that is not part of a group, add the
word SUPPRESSED after the word ADD, as shown in the following example. Then you
would add a line to the end of the feature that reads END ADD.

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To suppress an entire group programmatically, include the statement IF <value =

NO for a yes/no parameter> before the GROUP HEADER line, and the syntax ENDIF
after the last line in the group. All members of the group are suppressed.
Note: In Pro/PROGRAM, all groups contain a group header, which is identical to the
group name.

Suppressing Single Features That Are Members of a Group

You can suppress and resume individual features that are members of a group,
provided you have set the configuration option del_grp_memb_ind to yes. To
suppress group members in Pro/PROGRAM, use the same syntax that you use to
suppress an entire group, as shown in the preceding paragraph. However, the
placement of the syntax is different. Instead of placing the lines before and after the
entire group, you place them before and after the single feature within the group, as
though you were suppressing any other single feature that is not a group member.
To resume the individual feature, delete the lines IF <value = no> and ENDIF
from the beginning and end of the feature.
Note: In order to suppress individual members of a group, you must set the
configuration option del_grp_memb_ind to yes.

To Change Feature Dimensions

You can change the dimensions of features in the program by replacing a DIMENSION
statement with:
MODIFY d# = value

You can also assign a new dimension value through the RELATIONS statement.

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Editor Errors

Editing a Design to Correct an Error

Editor errors that prevent Pro/PROGRAM from reading the design are caught as soon
as you exit the editor. Some ways that errors can occur are:
• Having an IF statement without an END IF statement or vice versa.

• Typing a variable name incorrectly in a relation or a condition.

• Reordering a child before the parent.

• Deleting a parent feature.

If the file contains errors, the PROG ERROR menu appears with the following active
commands:
• Abort—Cancel changes that you have made to the design and keep it as it was
prior to editing.

• Edit—Edit the design to correct errors. Error messages indicate the location and
type of error. These messages are ignored during subsequent design processing;
they are deleted if new errors are found and inserted into the design, or if you
exit from the model.

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Index
C

CHOOSE statement

In Program 20

CHOOSE statement 20

components

interchanging in Program 17

replacing in assemblies 17

components 17

conditional statements 16

design branches

about 15

and conditional statements 15, 16

creating 15

design branches 15, 16

Edit Design command

PROGRAM menu 1

Edit Design command 1

errors

correcting programmatically 27

execution errors 5

feature 5

geometry 5

in Program 27

invalid feature list errors 5

errors 5, 27

EXECUTE statements

in Program 21

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EXECUTE statements 21

features

changing dimensions 26

features 26

geometry

errors 5

reconstruction 5

geometry 5

groups

resuming members programmatically 25

suppressing members programmatically 25

groups 25

IF statements 16

input parameter

types

selecting or modifying 3

input parameter types 3, 14

input variables

entering 3

GET INPUT menu 3

in model design 3

input variables 3, 14

instances

creating 7

creating programmatically 7

instances 7

INTERACT statements

in Program 24

INTERACT statements 24

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lookup_inst function

in Program 18

lookup_inst function 18

MASSPROP statement

in Program 23

MASSPROP statement 23

Pro/PROGRAM

about 1

comment format 14

conditional statements 15

creating a model instance in 7

design branches 15

editing the design 27

editing the model 13

errors 5, 27

example model design 2

including prompts 14

incorporating model changes 3

interchanging components 17

interchanging components with relations 18

parametric design example 9

relations 13

replacing components in assemblies 17

replacing family table-driven components 18

specifying a part to execute 22

suppressing assembly features 25

suppressing part features 25

transferring input values 21

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using EXECUTE statements 21, 23

using INTERACT statements 24

viewing the design 1

WHICH DESIGN menu 1

Pro/PROGRAM 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27

prompts

about input parameters and 14

about INPUT variables and 14

prompts 14

relations

in Program 13

relations 13

resume

group members programmatically 25

resume 25

Show Design command

PROGRAM menu 1

Show Design command 1

suppress

group members programmatically 25

suppress 25

variables 14, 16