Standard Modeling Guidelines

[crichard]

All - Does any one have any standard modeling guidelines they are willing to share? We're looking at implementing some guidelines for building models and would like to see what else is out there first. What I mean is we're looking at guidelines such as "Use pattern whenever possible, reference pattern components", etc., etc.


Does anyone have anything like that which they would be willing to share?

 

[[email protected]]

That is very hard to enforce and create rules.



What I have done is document the way Pro/ENGINEER is setup:



<ul>
[*]Where to find start-parts and which to use
[*]Where to find templates, and which to use
[*]How to structure a purchased part
[*]How to structure layers
[*]How to use ModelCHECK and which options (preconfigured)
[/list]
Go more with high-level, and then target the problem areas like
patterning on an individual basis. At times where best-practice issues
are required to discuss to many I hold a mini training session to show
how to use a certain functionality and then show how to use it for the
company standards.

 

[crichard]

I'm curious about modelcheck... we don't use that here and we need to implement it.. what would you think are ideal options to set with model check?

 

[[email protected]]

typically anything you'd set in a start part. parameter checking, layer configuration.



relations are an issue and I've not sorted that out... still problematic with ModelCHECK.



keep your eyes on Profiles magazine, I'll be having an article show up there in the next issue.

 

[james.lynch]

Looking forward to it provan..

what would you say are the most important considerations to take into accound when creating a start part?

 

[crichard]

Yeah - I'm along for the ride on that question. We don't really use start parts here for anything except placing parameters in models... I came to work here about 3 months ago from a Sys Admin back ground.. now doing CAD Admin and I'm trying to get some of the basics setup such as start parts, model check, etc., etc...

 

[[email protected]]

Looking forward to it provan..

what would you say are the most important considerations to take into accound when creating a start part?

Anything you want standard. If its there, people use. That's the
problem with standardization, you can't tell people do it "this" way
and expect them to create the required layers and parameters on a
day-to-day basis, because they'll get bored of it.



Start parts and templates are key to forming a standard.



Therefore, for start parts:

- parameter

- layers

- relations

- key datums



For example I have start parts based on project/product AND type. For example, Widget-X piping, Widget-X sheetmetal, etc.



In this way you tailor the requirements for efficiency.



Hope it helps some.

 

[james.lynch]

it does indeed! <?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />


thank you kindly..


I presume that the creation ofstart parts and modeling guidesshould be should be undertaken even if an administrator was not employed.. (in small design offices for example) as it promotes good modeling practices..


I'm still in college doing a mastersand have dedicated this year to learning as much about ProE as possible, and find this post extremely helpful.


Thanks,


James

 

[crichard]

Very helpful. I think time needs to be spent to further develop start parts, templates, etc., etc.


Thanks for the inputs.. all very valuable information.

 

[james.lynch]

from someone who has never had any PTC official training, is this the type of stuff that they cover?


because this is the "nuts and bolts" of proe useage.. it's all well and good giving their tutorials in photorendering and webcasts in top-down design (all of which I find very helpful btw.. not dishing that in any way!) but wouldn't it be more benificial if they had one which covers this type of info? (I mean from the basics, for those of us who havent got admisintrators) Promote good techniques, use the package properly, stop having regen errors etc, promoterobust model creation,stop the headaches and KICK EVRY OTHER CAD PACKAGES ASS!

 

[[email protected]]

Its a marketing gimick. All vendors do it and they avoid this topic
because of the up front cost associated. Its not really a budgeted
item, and is the responsibility of the company purchasing the software
to impelement not PTC's. They just want your cash.



However, I do recommend to people just purchasing the software new (no
previous seats) to try and enlist a VAR (value added reseller) for the
purchase. In most cases, they offer a service to implement and the
costs vary so do your shopping and your reference checking.



Its an easy area to soak a company, but in my opinion it's a days work
to implement and I would argue that if you forced the company to commit
to a well thought out standard that an implementer not need charge more
than 2 days consulting.



To many, "implementations" are a cash cow and many will milk it.
They'll tell you that they need a week to do questioning and testing
and implementing. Therefore you're left with a bill that can range from
5,000 to 15,000.



If you do your homework, review your existing drawings, decide on the
proper forward course of action PRIOR to asking an implementer you can
save loads of time and money.



Anyways, it's a big topic to discuss and I could go on. I'd rather you
take the time yourself to educate yourself on what the software offers
for standardizing and ask a few people how they configure their
software for startup, start parts etc. I would then write a scope of
work to identify how you want to your Pro/ENGINEER to operate.



If you arm yourself with as much documentation as possible you will
greatly reduce your cost for implementation and documentation of
standards.

 

[james.lynch]

Thanks Provan..