Digital Thread for Illustrations - "The Foundation"
Overview
A subset of the full Digital Thread for Service pertains to illustrations. It is achieved when CAD is connected all the way through to the illustration image files and into the documents, all managed in Windchill. Changes to the design can be propagated to the images and documents in a controlled, automated manner, using Windchill. This improves efficiency for the technical content authors by eliminating manual image file creation, manual uploading and the manual check out/check in process for image changes.
*Please note, the critical steps highlighted in Figure 1 will require Windchill 12.1+.
Where It All Begins
This Digital Thread begins when the 3D CAD data is checked into Windchill by the Design Team. Most companies have a CAD Worker in place that will automatically create a viewable representation of the model. This is typically a PVZ (ProductView ZIP) file but could be published differently, depending on your company’s visualization goals. This can also be created by Creo Parametric on Check In if a Worker is not in place. Customers have a lot of control over what is published into these viewable files, such as the Views, Parameters, Explode States, Sections, Simplified Reps, Datums, Layers, Dimensions, etc., delivering tremendous value outside of Engineering.
With this first piece in place, the Digital Thread is underway, and this 3D viewable file will update when the CAD is changed.
Post Publishing for Creo Illustrate
The viewable files published from CAD live in Windchill but are not easily usable by Creo Illustrate. Post-publishing this representation will create a new Windchill graphics object with the PVZ file attached.
Video 1 - Digital Thread for Illustrations Step 1: Post Publish
Illustration Work in Windchill
An efficient way to create the Creo Illustrate file connected to the representation is to create it in Windchill from the Actions menu.
From there, create the needed figures and check it back in. Please note, Creo Illustrate can be configured to automatically generate JPG, PNG, SVG, etc. images and create a 3D viewable on check in.
We have now extended the Digital Thread through Creo Illustrate. Changes to the CAD models can be easily updated in Illustrate. There is no need to start over when changes occur.
Video 2 - Digital Thread for Illustrations Step 2: Creo Illustrate Work
Post Published Images
At this point, the JPG images of the Illustrate figures are embedded in the PVZ file that was created during Check In. What’s also very cool is the 3D version of the Figures are also available in this viewable.
One more Post Publish operation will extract the images into new graphics objects in Windchill. Naming of the images and the folder location in Windchill can be tailored to meet your needs.
Video 3 - Digital Thread for Illustrations Step 3: Image Extraction in Windchill
Using Images in Arbortext and Parts Lists
With the figures now in Windchill as graphics objects, they can be inserted into Arbortext Editor topics, completing the Digital Thread in Windchill.
The JPG images can also be added to Parts Lists as an Illustration. This 2D image can be a nice “companion graphic” used in modern 3D parts catalogs, providing a low bandwidth initial illustration for the field.
Video 4 - Digital Thread for Illustrations Step 4: Use it and Never Lose It!
Please note, your company can further extend the Digital Thread to your customers by publishing from Windchill to your technical content delivery system.
Handling Changes
If a Figure is changed in Creo Illustrate, the JPG image can be updated by performing the Post Publish operation again after the C3DI has been checked in. Arbortext will show the updated image. Also, review your Workspace status signals to see if the JPG in the Workspace is out of date.
If the CAD model is changed, it will need to be Post Published, Creo Illustrate opened and updates accepted, and then the Illustrate representation Post Published to update the JPG image.
This process eliminates the need to manually create the JPG file and manually update the image in Windchill. It also allows the Content Author to control when the changes flow through and impact their work.
Partner With New Vision for SLM
Putting the components in place for the Digital Thread for Illustrations is a small effort for our Solution Architects. Connect with us if you are interested in talking with a New Vision expert about any of these SLM areas:
CAD Worker Setup and Configuration
Creo Illustrate configuration and use
Arbortext Content Delivery installation, data loading and legacy data support.
Training and Mentoring for Service BOMs, Parts List, Hierarchies, Information and Publication Structures.
About The Author
Andrew Burke has been working with PTC solutions for over 30 years and started as a Design Engineer modeling restaurant furniture using Pro/ENGINEER. He later worked as a CAD Trainer, Course Developer, User Support Engineer, IS Project Manager and Technical Publications Manager. He has worked for companies such as PTC, Medtronic, Polaris and is now Director of Digital Transformation with New Vision working in Minnesota.
Not sure where to start with your Digital Thread for Product Development Strategy? Contact us to learn how to get started now!
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