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We have Wildfire 3, the Foundation Package, and are unable to access Simplified Reps in Assembly Menu Manager. We're starting to get some good sized assemblies and would like to learn more.
The most informative articles I've read on the subject
are PTC's Suggested Technique Knowledge Base articles
(maint contract req'd) and a couple on ptcuser.org.
Search the web, as well, for terms like "Simplified Rep"
and "Envelope Parts", as there are probably some more
that don't come to mind or I've never seen.
Search this site. There've been some informative
discussions on the topic.
One unfortunate aspect regarding many of / most of the
articles you'll run across (if I remember correctly -
it's been a long time since I've read any); they make
the assumption that AAX is available. You'll have to
filter the info that's not applicable without AAX (not
always easy to do when you haven't a clue what you're
doing to start with).
We have a call into Pro about why Simplified Reps is grayed out in the menu manager when working in the Assembly Mode. It works fine in the detail mode.
When the bundle FIRST came out circa 2000 you could not use it to create or redefine Simplified Reps; you needed AAX for that. However, with the subsequent versions Foundation Advantage and Foundation XE this functionality was advertised as being incorporated.
Perhaps you are on an old bundle that doesn't automatically qualify for the upgrading. Check the exact wording of your licence pack description.
Thanks guys. We bought our first seat 2 seats of Pro in 2000. Seems odd that if Pro advertises Simplified Reps for Wildfire, and you have to load new licence packs, it would be included.
No, just because PTC sells the functionality with new licenses for less $$ does not mean that they will give it to existing licenses who have been paying maintenance $$ for years. They will want you to pay $$ for an upgrade & pay higher maintenance $$. Just one of the many ways PTC tries to send you into the arms of the competition.
As a proof, obtain and load an assembly that contains some Simplied Reps. If you can select which Simplifed Rep to use, this is indeed the cause of your problem. If it still stays greyed out, there is something else going on.
Some people, rather than continually pay maintenance, just re-purchase new licenses every 2 or 3 years and that way get the increased functionality without paying upgrade costs.
I'll try to find someone with an assembly that has Simplified Reps.
We'vedecided to stop paying maintenance fees. After 7 years ($24k+ later)we don't see the valve. We definitely don't use $3500/yr worth of tech support. I'm still waiting for PTCheadquartersto answer this question.
Next spring we're thinking of trying out some other software.
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