Customer PTC E-Newsletter - PTC.com

Customer PTC E-Newsletter 

Date: June 30, 2004 

PTC Product Focus: A) What’s New in Routed Systems Designer 5.0 

Tips of the Week: 

B) Windchill ProjectLink 7.0 at a Glance 

Announcements: Most Recent Announcements 

A) Purchasing, Installing, Configuring & Running ISOGEN 

Enabled Piping Design 

B) Configuring a Windchill ProjectLink 7.0 Workflow and 

Lifecycle 

Upcoming Events & Training Schedule: Events & Training Schedule 

PTC Product Focus 

What’s New in Routed Systems Designer 5.0 

PTC’s Routed Systems Designer (RSD) is a powerful diagramming solution that enables the fast 

and easy creation of even the most sophisticated routed system diagrams. 

RSD can automatically drive the routing of cables and pipes in virtually any 3D MCAD system 

that accepts the output format from RSD, and is specially optimized for use with 

Pro/ENGINEER cabling and piping design. 

Key Product Capabilities include: 

• Offers multi-discipline breadth 

• Optimized to drive cabling and piping within Pro/ENGINEER 

• Multi-user capability 

• Encourages design reuse and automation 

RSD Benefits 

• Speeds the 3D design significantly by removing the tedious, manual process of 

interpreting 2D schematic diagrams, reducing time to market 

• Provides all diagramming needs in a single solution, reducing total product costs 

• Virtually eliminates errors by ensuring adherence to the logic defined in the schematics, 

improving product quality 

RSD 5.0 and Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 are jointly tested and tuned for optimal performance 

in combination. Together, the complete digital model can be defined, with no compromises. 

Routed Systems Designer products continue to improve with each release. The Routed Systems 

Focus group worked together with PTC to select the enhancements for this release and future 

releases. For more details, refer to the READ ME FIRST document in the reference document 

section of PTC’s Technical Support. 

Customer PTC E-Newsletter 7/12/2004 Page 1 of 16

Enhancements for RSD 5.0 fall into the following categories focused on usability: 

• Data tables 

• Datasets 

• Pan & Zoom Controls 

• Default Directory settings 

• Packing Designs 

• Set Color of Selected Shape 

• Colorized Components 

• Default Shape Label 

• Highways 

• Splices 

• Corner Fittings 

• Files Extensions 

• New Report Engine & Output 

• Packages 

Usability 

Data tables 

Datasets 

• New Options to Manipulate Data tables on RMB 

• Rename Objects 

• Cut 

• Copy 

• Paste 

• New User Interface 

• Available Values in Pull Down List 

Pan & Zoom Controls 

Directory Defaults 

Packing Designs 

• View Manipulation Consistent with Pro/ENGINEER WILDFIRE 

• Control & Middle Mouse Button to Zoom 

• Shift & Middle Mouse Button to Pan 

• Set Default Locations for Designs, Data tables, Properties, Reports, Packages, 

etc. 

• File Retrieval 

• File Storage 

• Lock Browse 

• Specify target location 

Set Color of Selected Shape 

• Ability to Set Color of Selected Shapes 

• On the Fly 


• Independent of Catalog 

Colorize Components 

Default Shape Label 

Highways 

Splices 

Corner Fittings 

File Extensions 

Reports 

Packages 

• Identify Classes using Colors 

• Set Default Text Format 

• Ability to Simplify Schematic 

• Represent a path of multiple lines as a single line 

• Add, remove & route wires to and from a highway 

• Create Through & Butt 

• Define default style 

• Change style on the fly with RMB 

• Insert 2, 3 & 4 Way Fittings 

• Auto align using MMB 

• File Extensions Added Automatically 

• File Export 

• New Report Engine 

• Save Reports to sheet, csv, or XHTML 

• Improved Control Functions 

o Drag & Drop 

o RMB Options 

• Dependency Tree 

o View Dependent Items 

o Save to *.txt 

• Auto next 

o Auto Move Through List of Resolutions 

More Information on RSD 

Routed Systems Designer and the PTC Routed Systems solutions – (piping design extension and 

cabling design extension) offer the most complete integrated tools for your fluid and electrical 

routing needs. There is a wealth of information available both from PTC and the PTC user 

community on the software CD and the web. 

Software CD: 


URL’s: 

• First, when you load the software, there is a API guide, basic tutorial, csv example 

files, demodb RSD template file, help docs in HTML, java API examples, and PDF 

files of the install guide, help guide, and API guide. The files are located at the RSD 

loadpoint\rsdesigner\. The tutorial is excellent and a good primer before going to the 

2-day RSD class from PTC. 

• Pro/ENGINEER Routed Systems – www.ptc.com/go/route . Make sure to click on 

the Learn and Try tab for each of the 3 tools. 

• RSD Technical Tip (December 2002) - 

http://www.ptc.com/solutions/asktheplm/rsd/index.htm 

• Cabling Jumpstart Kit - 

http://www.ptc.com/solutions/routed_systems/jumpstart_kit.zip . Developed to help 

new and existing users set up their cabling environment. Written for Pro/E 2000i2, 

however, most of the content is still relevant except for the Pro/DIAGRAM section. 

RSD is recommended over Pro/DIAGRAM for both new and existing 

implementations as the better tool. 

• RSDesigner Info Exchange – www.rsdesigner.net . Independent website to ask 

questions, share libraries, download tutorials, etc. Don’t forget to also use PTC Tech 

Support for asking questions as well. 

• Creating 2-D Schematics with RSD 5.0 and Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 class - 

http://www.ptc.com/appserver/it/icm/cda/template_lib/training/goto.jsp?&trn_course 

_id=TRN-1723 

• Modeling 3-D Electrical Harnesses with Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0 - 

http://www.ptc.com/appserver/it/icm/cda/template_lib/training/goto.jsp?&trn_course 

_id=TRN-1714 

• RSDesigner independent training & consulting – www.rsdesigner.com. 

• The Routed Systems Technical Committee - http://www.ptcuser.org/tc/cable/ 

PTC also offers excellent strategic consulting services to help companies successfully deploy the 

PTC Routed Systems Solutions to their business needs. Please contact your PTC sales 

representative or for more information. 

Back To Top 

PTC Product Focus 

Windchill ProjectLink 7.0 at a Glance 

Click Here To View 

Back To Top 


Tips of the Week 

Purchasing, Installing, Configuring, & Running ISOGEN Enabled 

Piping Design 

Pro/PIPING supports Isometric Drawing Generation (ISOGEN) for all Specification-Driven 

pipelines and pipeline spools. ISOGEN is the industry de-facto standard for automatic piping 

isometric generation. Pro/PIPING saves the piping data to PCF (Piping Component File) and 

MDF (Material Description File) files for use with ISOGEN applications. 

Pro/PIPING ISOGEN files include the following features: 

• Automatic Bill of Materials (BOM) based on specifications and the specification 

database 

• Automatic generation of an isometric drawing on multiple sheets 

• Representative insulation symbol option, 2-D symbol size for fitting components 

option, an automatic mark-flow-direction symbol, and isometric symbols for pipe 

fittings 

• Automatic dimensioning including component-to-component, end-to-end, cut-pipe, 

and box dimensioning for skew-pipe segments 

• Automatic overlap checking for pipelines, dimensions, and text 

Purchasing ISOGEN Enabled Piping Design 

ISOGEN Enabled Piping Design Extension offers comprehensive, associative capabilities and 

libraries for piping design through manufacturing. Used by system and mechanical designers to 

accurately design, route, document and manufacture complex piping systems while optimally 

reusing designs for dramatic time savings and improvements in productivity. Also includes 

ALIAS Personal Isogen, thus providing the ability to process the PCF files to output industrystandard. 


ISOGEN Enabled Piping is not included with the standard Piping Design Extension that is an 

extension design add-on or part of the Flex3C packaging. Also, the standard Piping Design 

Extension can not be upgraded to ISOGEN Enabled Piping Extension. Since it uses a license of 

Alias Personal Isogen, it is require that the customer purchase ISOGEN Enabled Piping Design 

Extension as a design add-on to Pro/ENGINEER. It is compatible with Pro/ENGINEER 2001, 

Wildfire 1.0 and 2.0. 

Installing ISOGEN Enabled Piping Design 

There are several components you will need to successfully installed ISOGEN Enabled Piping: 

• Pro/ENGINEER software (2001, Wildfire 1.0 or 2.0, 2.0 recommended) with 

ISOGEN Enabled Piping Design Extension Add-on 

• Pro/E FlexLM License File 

• Alias Personal I-Run Version 3 

• Alias Personal I-Run license File 

• Hardware lock (dongle) 

Step 1 - Pro/ENGINEER software & license file 

Load a working version of Pro/ENGINEER on your workstation. Verify the appropriate 

licensing required to produce the PCF file for Isogen. Check the license file has the following 

information: 

#################### Extension ########################### 

# Serviceable = Pro/ENGINEER FPL REP Package 

# Feature Name = 190 

# Feature Version = 25.0 

# Number of Copies = 1 

# Expiration Date = 30-nov-2004 

# Module = ALIAS ISOGEN-Enabled Piping Design Module 

This example was taken from a Wildfire 2.0 license that has license simplification. 

Step 2 - Alias I-Run Version 3 software and license file 

The Alias I-Run Version 3 software will be shipped with the hardware lock/dongle when the 

FLEXLM license file is created from PTC License Management. You can also download 

version 3 of the software from the alias website @ 

http://www.alias.ltd.uk/developers/isogen/software/isogensoftdload.htm . You will need to 

create a username and password with Alias Tech Support prior to downloading any software. 

The tech support can be reached @ http://www.alias.ltd.uk/support/contactsupport.htm 


To generate a license file, you will need to contact Alias license support licensing@alias.ltd.uk 

and supply them with the following information from your hardware lock/dongle. 

On label on front: 

Software: ALIAS I-Run 3 

Type: Training 

Key No: 1832 

And printed in gold on back: 

Model Number: HASP4-Time4 1.5 

Serial Number: KETET KP 20888 

Step 3 - Hardware Lock 

The hardware lock will be shipped to the customer with your software CD’s from PTC License 

Management after a FLEXLM license file is created for the sales order number that includes 

ISOGEN Enable Piping Design Extension on it’s order list. The hardware lock should look like 

the figure below. 

Step 4 - Install the hardware lock 

The hardware lock must be attached to the parallel (RS232) port of the client PC that will run the 

software (software also has to be installed on the client PC). It contains an internal real-time 

clock, indicating the exact time (hours, minutes and seconds) and date (day, month, year). It 

expires based on time, that is, Alias Limited set an expiry date for each product licensed on the 

lock. 

Step 5 - Install the Isogen I-Run software 

Execute setup.exe to install I-Run Version 3 software on your computer. It will run an Install 

Shield program that allows you to install, modify, repair and uninstall the program. Select all the 

default prompts. 


Step 6 – Configuring your I-Run to load license file 

From Start Menu select #Programs, # Alias Isometrics, #Irun V3#Customer Utility 

Select the … to locate your license file. Only select the update hardware lock/dongle if you are 

updating the dongle to a new license file because the original has timed-out. 

Configuring ISOGEN Enabled Piping Design 

Step 1 - Create your isogen working directory and project file 

• From start menu select #Programs, #Alias Isometrics, #I-run v3, #Project Manager 

• Select #File, #New, #Isometric Directory, select drive , enter name of directory 

, #OK, answer 'yes' to 'create it now' prompt 

• Select #File, #New Project Area 

• Replace the name of the project with a new name 

• Select 'Spool' from Template Styles box 

• Select 'AutoCAD DXF (DXF) from Output Format box, #OK 


• Pick on 'piping_iso_drawings' in right hand window under 'iso_working_directory' so that 

'piping_iso_drawings' shows in current project window 

• Close Project Manager 

Step 2 - Set up your config.pro option in Pro/ENGINEER to load piping drawings to the 

right place 

• Select #Utilities, #Options (opens config.pro) 

• Enter the new option 

• Isogen_output_files_dir = D:\iso_working_dir\piping_iso_drawings\inputs 


There are several other ISOGEN related config.pro options that can be set as well. 

Most of the files are located and set by default to the proe_loadpoint\text\piping_data\isodata 

files. 

The following configuration options must be set in the Pro/PIPING config.pro file to use the 

ISOGEN interface: 

isogen_mandatory_attr_file – do not set this option, currently the isogen.fls file is not included in 

the proe_loadpoint\text\piping_data\isodata. 

isogen_symbol_map_file – set to 

proe_loadpoint\text\piping_data\isodata\isogen_symbol_map.ptd 

isogen_output_files_dir - already set above, this is where the pcf files will be saved. 

isogen_nominal_size_map_file - set to 

proe_loadpoint\text\piping_data\isodata\isogen_nominal_size_map.ptd 

isogen_pcf_filename_format - MNEMONIC-SPECIFICATION-NUMBER, 

isogen_endtype_map_file – set to 

proe_loadpoint\text\piping_data\isodata\isogen_endtype_map.ptd 

Note: 

The Symbol Map, Endtype Map, and Nominal Size ISOGEN Map files are required to map 

Pro/PIPING component information to ISOGEN component information. 

Step 3 (Optional) Changing the look of your Alias ISOGEN drawings 


First, you can add additional symbols to your symbol keys file isogen_symbols_map.ptd to add 

additional fittings to map to the ISOGEN symbols. Refer to the symbols keys.pdf doc that can 

be downloaded here. http://www.alias.ltd.uk/support/downloads.htm 

Second, the drawing’s style can be adjusted for each customers needs. Download and install the 

Isoutilitiesv211.exe from http://www.alias.ltd.uk/support/downloads.htm. Go to 

Start#Programs#Alias Isometrics#Iso Utils#Options Editor. Open the options file from a style 

and you can edit the settings. It is good practice to start this from one of the standard styles that 

is near the desired result and do not forget to make a backup copy of the styles before you start. 

Furthermore, you can also find all the information for customizing Isogen is under C:\Program 

Files\Alias\I-Run v3\Documentation. 

Running ISOGEN Enabled Piping 

Step 1 - Creating isometric drawings from Pro/ENGINEER pipeline assemblies 

• Task 1 - Create your pipeline assembly in Pro/ENGINEER using spec-driven piping. Make 

sure the CSYS in the pipeline assembly has the Z-axis pointing upwards. This affects the 

orientation of the ISOGEN in the drawing. 

• Task 2 - Select #Drawing from the piping menu, select the pipeline assembly that you want 

to create a drawing of, fill out the table as shown 

• Task 3 - Create the dxf drawing file in isogen 

• Launch isogen V3 

• From start menu select #Programs, #Alias Isometrics, #I-run v3, #I-run 

• Select #File, #Open, select the file (*.pcf) you just created. Pick it and select “Add” to the 

list and then select OK. 


• Should be located in the piping_iso_drawings directory. 

• File, Generate Drawing, select appropriate style, OK 

• When the Run Complete dialog box comes up, the dxf file is ready for you to open in 

Pro/E 

• Task 4 - Open the drawing in Pro/E 

• Select #File, #Open, set type to *.dxf, browse to your drawing file in your isogen directory 

(d:\isogen_working_dir\piping_isd_drawings\spool\drawings\*.dxf 


For more info about schematic driven, spec-driven piping and ISOGEN, check out this articles 

from PTCExpress and the Alias website. 

Schematic Driven Piping Technical Tips (February 2003) - 

http://www.ptc.com/solutions/asktheplm/schematic_driven/index.htm 

Piping Design Technical Tips (January 2002) - 

http://www.ptc.com/solutions/asktheplm/piping_design/index.htm 

Alias ISOGEN I-Run technical downloads tech support website: 

http://www.alias.ltd.uk/support/downloads.htm & 

http://www.alias.ltd.uk/support/contactsupport.htm 

For learning how to create schematic driven 2D PI&D, there is a 2-day class available. Here are 

the details: 

http://www.ptc.com/appserver/it/icm/cda/template_lib/training/goto.jsp?&trn_course_id=TRN- 

982 

Happy routing! 

Back To Top 

Tips of the Week 

Configuring a Windchill ProjectLink 7.0 Workflow and Lifecycle 

Click Here To View 

Back To Top 

Announcements 

PTC Tips & Techniques Newsletter Archives 

Miss an issue! Can’t find that awesome technique you read about? Fear not, you can click on 

the link below and go through our Customer PTC E-Newsletter archives. 

It’s better than finding the Covenant of the Ark! 

Click Here To Access 

PTC Tips & Techniques Webcasts: Work Smarter. Not Harder. 


Click below to see regularly scheduled Tips & Techniques technical Webcasts that are designed 

to provide you with the most popular time-saving tricks that Pro/ENGINEER users of all skill 

levels will find useful. Get more out of your maintenance dollars! 

In addition to our Creation Tips & Techniques, here are some new events related to our 

Collaborate and Control solutions. 

July 22 - An End User's Guide to Maximizing the Usability of Windchill Solutions 

August 19 - Tips & Techniques for Windchill ProjectLink Users 

August 25 - An End User's Guide to Maximizing the Usability of Windchill Solutions 

Keep on the look out for additional events related to Windchill ProjectLink, Windchill PDMLink 

or Windchill in general coming soon! 

Click below to see other regularly scheduled Tips & Techniques technical Webcasts that are 

designed to provide you with the most popular time-saving tricks that PTC solutions users of all 

skill levels will find useful. Get more out of your maintenance dollars! 

Tips & Techniques: Work Smarter Not Harder! 

Hands-On Workshops 

Experience and receive the next generation of CAD - Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire. During these 

workshops you can try it yourself to experience this breakthrough in simple, powerful, and 

connected in CAD software. 

http://www.ptc.com/appserver/it/icm/cda/template_lib/events/online.jsp?im_dbkey=17625&im_l 

anguage=en 

Special Hardware offers for customers updating to Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 

http://www.ptc.com/partners/hardware/current/wildfire_tlo.htm 

http://www.3dlabs.com/PTC/ 

PTC Sponsored Events 

Click below to see PTC sponsored events: 

http://www.ptc.com/company/news/events/index.htm 

Thinking About Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire? Check this out. 

http://www.ptc.com/go/engineering/index.htm 


E-PROFILES IS HERE!! 

We have been eagerly anticipating the debut of the new electronic version of Profiles Magazine 

and now it is here! This new web site will supplement the print edition of the magazine and will 

provide new useful features not feasible with paper media. e-Profiles will provide you with 

24x7, worldwide access to key information previously available exclusively in the print version. 

"Tips & Tricks," a popular feature pioneered by Pro/USER, has also moved to the web and will 

be expanded as the site matures. Future plans include several foreign-language editions of 

Profiles for our many international readers. Currently, Profiles is printed in English and 

Japanese. 

Please take a few minutes to check out this new web site. We don't think you will be 

disappointed. 

http://profilesmagazine.com/ 

Back To Top 


Upcoming Events & Training Class Schedules 

Upcoming, 2004 

June 13 - 16, 2004 

Your local Pro/Engineer User Groups 

http://www.prouser.org/rugs/ 

Nashville, TN 

Pro/USER International Conference 

http://www.prouser.org/ 

Please visit the PTC Education Services website for the latest training information 

including course descriptions, schedules, locations, and pricing. 

• Attend a course at any PTC Center and receive a free copy of Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 

Student Edition! 

http://www.ptc.com/services/edserv/index.htm 

PTC 

Note: This PTC E-Newsletter will continue to be used for the following: 

1) Inform you on events related to PTC products (user groups, conferences, training schedules, etc.) 

2) Educate you on solutions that are available at PTC 

3) Tips & Techniques using PTC Products 

Note: These messages are compiled in the local PTC office and will be distributed via 

e-mail. 

Back To Top

Customer PTC E-Newsletter - PTC.com

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?