Managing Revision Numbers

[Speedy]

We have files of up to 4 vertical assembly levels.

Up to now we were not using a revision number in the file names, only on drawings and older, non-current files. When we made changes to parts or assemblies we simplpy used 'saved as' and gave a revision number on the end of the name, i.e. 'current_file_name_00' etc.
That way we did not have to rename the assemblies up along.
When we open the assemblies the most current file will always open.

Problem is, we can't open an old revision of an assembly from the top level, only old part & drawing files.

To do it corectly, we have to save & rename all assemblies vertically up along to the top level.

Is this the standard method or is there an easier way. A simple change to a part on the lowest level will require up to 5 new assemblies also.

Any comments welcome!
Speedy

 

[3dlogix]

Speedy,

Depending on the amount of people that work on these files, I would say that your approach is risky. There are no standards as to what is good practice, but I have never been partial to this approach of saving older versions. If you have Intralink, then you can do this easily. Outside of Intralink, on a Windows folder basis, it becomes a liability.

I suggest that you make a back-up of the top-level assembly and drawings, put them in a secure folder, and only access them when needed.

Keep your most current files the same name as the older versions, by doing what you are doing, you are removing a large portion of ProE strengths-associativity.

I saw this at my last place when I first started there, and I reverted to the "same name" file system, doing away with rev extensions at the end. All I did was make a folder for the current rev level, and dumped all the files there once they were released to the suppliers. If we ever needed to go back (rarely), we simply restarted ProE and changed the WD to the last release folder, not the current one.

Just my thoughts from the front lines.

Steve

http://www.sprdesign.com

http://www.3dlogix.com

 

[Speedy]

3dgogix, Thanks for that.

I take your pt but I just don't like having numerous files with the same file name. We have assemblies with a large amount of revisions covering both standard and non-standard machines so the permutations are quite a lot.

I would appreciate anyone else's comments on this. There will be quite a bit of wotk to do and we want to make the right decision.
Thanks,
Speedy