Work arounds: No UGII access environment, no way to store templates, etc 1

[emorrison]

Good day gents,

I've recently started work with a company that not only doesn't have a local UG installation, but where all IT is handled through an outside company. UG templates, utilities, anything within the UGii folder, is off limits. I've also found that any request to add templates and whatnot is like an act of congress.

So, what I'm curious to know is... how much workaround can one do within UG?

'We' do not want to use Master Model and I've tried to make a case for it numerous times to no avail. They'd rather have one assembly, one print with multiple sheets for the assembly components. Our product is comprised of small(er) tooling assemblies.

Now, the engineering manager DOES want a specific block/info layout within the drawing and these 'template.prt' files are stored on our server. The problem is, loading anything into this pseudo-template locks me out of using 'explosions' and/or building BOMs that update as they normally do. Importing this INTO a part's drawing doesn't seem to help much either. I'm lost here, as I've never had to jump through so many hoops and barrels to get what I need effeciently.

Anyone else working in a more locked-down environment where UGii is inaccessible? Any hints/tricks for workarounds on these issues would be most appreciated.

BTW we are still using NX6.0

Thanks in advance,
Everett

 

[Toost]

How many users of NX are there ?

The solution, unless that other servicing company is very cunning at NX installs...., is to set overriding environment variables. ( Environment variables can be locked , thereby the word "cunning".)
The best way to do this , would differ depending on how many users / computers this should be done on.


I.e, NX will/can use tons of environment variables, for example one can set the variable UGII_TEMPLATE_DIR which directs NX when the user selects "new" to a specific directory where the templates and the "pax"-files are located. ( the pax file contain the list of selectable templates)
by default this variable is not active and the templates reside in ...\ugii\templatesIf there are a few users, these variables can be set in the Windows control panel.
A few more users it might benefit to create a "bat file" that automates the setting on each computer ( ensures correct spelling)
A few more users and it might benefit to create a start script that sets the variables upon start of NX.
again more users and it benefit to create a customized install and so on.

So, the quick and dirty solution : ( Don't stop reading here...)
set the variable UGII_TEMPLATE_DIR = C:\Siemens\templates ( - In the Windows control panel to any accessible directory, preferably accessible for all users)
Copy , from the install directory ...\ugii\templates everything to the new directory

Then the simple solution is to edit/save the specific template that you desire.
( This is the quick and dirty solution, the long and clean solution is to create a new template and a new "pax file" and read the following.)

Now , the described variable, is originating from the "ugii_env.dat" which is a file containing NX environment variables, any overrides ( for your company) should be written ( copy from the ugii_env.dat) in the file specified by the variable "UGII_ENV_FILE", per default this file is named "ugii_env_ug.dat"
So the proper method, is Set "UGII_ENV_FILE" in windows control panel ( example UGII_ENV_FILE = D:\cad\our_NX_variables.dat)
Then copy the file "ugii_env_ug.dat" from the ...\ugii\ directory , place /rename as above.
Edit the "our_NX_variables.dat" and set in there the "UGII_TEMPLATES_DIR"- variable.

The benefit is that when you note that you need an extra variable, for say, table templates , you only need to edit the "our_nx_templates.dat".

Regards,
Tomas

 

[emorrison]

Thanks Thomas,
It appears the same company that manages NX/Teamcenter for us also locks out access to system variables. So, I'm back to asking nicely to have our templates added and likely being told, yet again, that I'm asking them to 'break the system'.

BTW, this division of the company is small(er) with approximately 10 seats in use, 10 of the 800 or so being used worldwide. Under 'user tools' there are 4 branches of templates that have been created for other divisions, probably with more users than us.

Enough crying over it... I'll pass along your suggestions. Maybe we can work something out soon, so we're not using NX like AutoCad here...

Cheers,
Everett

 

[Toost]

Since you are part of such a large company, the IT people might know how to lock the variables, which isn't that well known. But, when you say "User Tools", i am getting a bit confused. Normally the templates are visible under File New, or under Insert -Sheet in Drafting.
Having the templates in the resource bar ( in one of the tabs on the side) is an older technique.
Can you upload a screenshot, ( erase details to hide company specific names etc.)

If the environment variables are locked, it will be visible in the NX logfile, Help - NX logfile, then search for "locked", it should be quite clear what is locked or not.
Can you see if ( in the logfile) the variables
UGII_SITE_DIR
UGII_GROUP_DIR
UGII_USER_DIR
are used ?

the group and User variable is not always used / set and can "often" be used to again override specific settings.

Regards,
Tomas

 

[markrief]

At the 2012 PLM Connection, I presented "Customization Tips and Tricks" in the NX CAM track. This included a method to do local customization without affecting the install, and without system environment variables. If you are PLM World citizen, you should be able to download the presentation at

http://www.plmworld.org/p/do/sd/sid=2943&fid=2921&req=direct

Mark Rief
Product Manager
Siemens PLM

 

[emorrison]

Thomas,

Again, much thanks for your help.

The 'User Tools' fly-out is probably something one of our admins built. It's shown in the attached .jpeg and I'll assume this is what everyone at the corporate office uses since Start>Drafting from the model environment only gets me a "No valid sheet template pax file found" message. File>New directs me to plenty of pre-defined templates which I'll assume are in the inaccessible UGII/templates folder.

I've passed along the environment variable idea to IT, since none of this is available on the 'user' login. Everything is locked up pretty tight here. This might be a nice/easy workaround for them.

Mark,

I signed up and tried the link, but get a "You don't have permission to access /p/do/sd/sid=2943&fid=2921&req=direct on this server" message.

Is there another level of membership that I need to apply for?

Thanks again.