Journaling for Dummies...

[NorthwesternDesign]

Below is the explanation from the help menu. Can somebody explain in simple terms and perhaps examples of where one might use this function? I want to be able to use NX to the fullest capability that I can. Thank you:
This capability is designed as an easy to use tool that is upward compatible and accommodates changes to underlying applications across releases. For I-DEAS users, this capability provides a similar but more robust alternative for I-DEAS program files.

You can use journaling to enhance and accelerate your workflow environment. Journals increase productivity through a variety of scenarios such as automating repetitive tasks, automating procedural workflows, rapid creation of autotests, and as an aid for creating more advanced automation programs.

Creating journals – You can automatically create journals by recording an interactive NX session, or manually create them using any text editor. Automatically created journals produce the same model data and history tree with playback as was originally created during record, assuming the same start state.

Editing journals – You can enhance journals by manually editing them with simple programming constructs such as local and global variables, loops, arrays, mathematical expressions, branching, and conditionals.

Replaying journals – On non-Windows systems, Java, or C++ journals must first be compiled and then executed using the File?Execute?NX Open command. Replay of Visual Basic journals is not supported on non-Windows systems.

Language – Visual Basic .NET was selected to satisfy the goal of providing users with a modern, popular, easy to use, and universally available programming language. You can also record journals in C++ and Java for rapid application creation.

Windows forms – Using WinForms, you can provide your users with interactive GUI support from simple user prompts to full blown dialog boxes.

Execution modes – You can execute a journal as a single mode or a batch mode process.

Note:

Journaling is Windows-specific functionality that leverages the Microsoft .NET Framework component. Before you can replay a Journal or execute a custom NX Open for .NET program, you must install this component. You can download it from the Microsoft .NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable Package page.

 

[looslib]

Journals can be used menu driven family of parts, automating attribute capture for titlebloacks and notes, and other things that your users do repeatedly. The value is in capturing the knowledge of the process and automating it so the users save time.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

 

[cowski]

Have you ever used the 'record macro' function in Excel? A journal in NX is the same idea (they couldn't use the term 'macro' because in NX a macro is similar but separate functionality). A basic journal can be created by recording your actions. This is a good way to start the framework, but a little hand editing can turn a useful journal into a powerful journal.

Do you have any step-by-step procedures written down that you need to use on a regular basis? If so, this is a great use for a journal. For instance, we have a specific procedure for submitting a part for prototyping. I wrote a journal that would export a parasolid, take a screenshot, open the submission database and fill in certain information. The only thing left for the engineer was to fill in the info unknown to the journal (eg due date).

For an example, visit this thread:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=264567

you will find a journal that exports pdf files of the drawing sheets. Nothing too exciting, but it can reduce working through various menus to a single button click.

 

[NorthwesternDesign]

Thanks for the direction fellas! I don't think I have used the record macro function, but I will have to think about proceedures that we commonly do....Your prototype suggestion makes sense. We read in a lot of data that needs to be submitted for quote. Open part, check volume in cubic cm, screen shot, check for undercuts, create 3 or 4 view drawing, fill out title block, etc.... that just might work for us.