Converting from Windows to Unix

[Ataloss]

I use Ideas on a Windows machine but one of my customers uses Ideas on a Unix machine, and we're having trouble exchanging files. If he sends me a library file (.pkg) I try to import it, Ideas tells me it has to convert the file, so I hit OK, then I import them with no problems.

Going the other way is the problem. I give my customer a library file and he claims that Ideas refuses to open it, and that he can't convert it - he says there is no program to convert it.

I assume he just doesn't know what he's looking for, since I've read other threads where users discuss converting files from Windows to Unix. Can someone please let me know what the program to convert the file from windows to unix is called, or should the unix version of Ideas start this program automatically like the Windows version does? Alternatively, is there any way that I can convert the files from Windows to Unix format before I send them so that he doesn't have to convert them?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[feadude]

Try a universal or archive file. They might work.

good57morning@netzero.com

 

[looslib]

Are you both on the same version of Ideas? Usually older versions will not be able to open newer version files.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."
"Fixed in the next release" should replace "Product First" as the PTC slogan.

Ben Loosli
CAD/CAM System Analyst
Ingersoll-Rand

 

[RCDLtd]

I-DEAS on UNIX should automatically convert the files in the same way it does on Windows.

If the UNIX version is older than the Windows version then it should give an error message that tells you that.

One common problem is that the data for import/conversion on the UNIX system doesn't have the necessary write access for ideasadm. The directory the data is in should also be open for write access since the system wishes to create a log file in there.

 

[Ataloss]

Thanks for the help. The customer (Ford) will only accept .pkg files, so we can't use a universal or archive file.

When we discovered this issue, the designer at Ford asked us what version of Ideas we were using (Ideas10 I think) and they said we had the right version. Another division of our company in England works with Ideas in Unix, and they are having the same problem opening our files, and they said they're not getting an error about it being a newer version. I've passed on the suggestion about write access for ideasadm and they're going to look into it.

In the meantime, I just send our English Division a step file or .model file and they are translating it into an Ideas file for me. We don't have to transfer files very often, so it's just an occasional annoyance for them to do it for us.

I don't usually work in Ideas (Catia V5 typically) so it's quite possible that I'm missing a step in the export process somewhere. We're supposed to be getting a contract worker in a couple of weeks who is experienced with Ideas and Metaphase, so hopefully he can help us out.

Again, thanks for all the info.
Robert

 

[RCDLtd]

Although the C3P load of I-DEAS is capable of migrating Windows data through to UNIX, Ford as a rule do not accept Windows data. Your Ford contact maybe quoting you the rules rather than trying to import it.

That doesn't answer why your UK office can't migrate it though. You won't have missed out any steps as there are no other steps required, you export from Windows just like any other I-DEAS Library Data Export, all the migrating is done by the Importing system.

My experience with Ford is that they don't like translated files either, History supported and fully editable is the preference.

If you're still having troubles getting your data into Ford you may wish to consider one of the 3rd Party CDSP companies that Ford apoints. I know there's a couple in the UK and one I've successfully used before is Bertrandt. Shout if you need some contact details and I'll dig them out.