KB74648407: ArtiosCAD - Adding the basic dimension information (L-W-D) from the embedded ARD into the MFG Information Database dialog

Question

Is it possible to add the basic dimension information (L-W-D) from the embedded ARD into the MFG Database Information dialog?

Answer

Yes, but with the following limitations:

• ArtiosCAD license for "Information Enhancement" is required.
  We need to be able to use Userfields. Check if you can use them in the Database Information dialog by clicking the Userfields button.
• This will only work correctly if the MFG has only one embedded design.
• The original ARD should have values for L-W-D before it is embedded into the MFG.

In the description that follows, you can find two use cases:

• If you choose Option 1 (in the example screen shot given below), you will be able to get three individual values for L, W and D.
• If you choose Option 2 (in the example screen shot given below), you will get a single text string containing L x W x D.

You can choose either one of them, or both:

Follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Save one of the following Libraries to your Serverlib

For Option 1: Save the following file to your ServerLib: LWD_MFG_EMB1.txt

For Option 2: Save the following file to your ServerLib: LWD_MFG_EMB2.txt

Step 2: Creation of Userfields for L-W-D

(also see http://help.esko.com/docs/en-us/artioscad/12.1/userguide/home.html?q=en-us/common/ac/topic/UG7_DataCenter_id1112461UER25.html) 

  For Option 1: Create three Userfields: one for L, one for W and one for D

1. Open the Datacenter Admin.
2. Go to the Userfields > Add new record.
3. Choose an ID number for the Userfield (one that doesn’t exist yet).
4. Choose a name for the Userfield (e.g. Length).
5. Make sure to select:
   1. Manufacturing radio button in Category.
   2. INTEGER option in the Format drop down menu.
   3. Calculated Expression to make it a Calculated Userfield.
6. In the Calculated Expression textbox, key in the following expression: LIBRARY(LWD_MFG_EMB1.txt,1).
   where,
   
   1. If the variable in the end = 1 then the Userfield will get the value of L.
   2. If the variable in the end = 2 then the Userfield will get the value of W.
   3. If the variable in the end = 3 then the Userfield will get the value of D.
7. Repeat this for W and D.

For Option 2: Create one Userfield for L x W x D:

1. Open the Datacenter Admin.
2. Go to the Userfields > Add new record.
3. Choose an ID number for the Userfield (that does not exist yet).
4. Choose a name for the Userfield (e.g. L x W x D).
5. Make sure to select:
   1. Manufacturing radio button in Category.
   2. TEXT option in the Format drop down menu.
   3. Calculated Expression to make it a Calculated Userfield.
      
6. In the Calculated Expression textbox, key in the following expression: TLIBRARY(LWD_MFG_EMB2.txt).
   

Step 3: Add the Userfields into the MFG Database Information Dialog

1. In the ArtiosCAD, go to the Options > Defaults > Design Defaults > Database.
2. Choose the Use custom dialog definition file radio button for Manufacturing.
    
3. Modify the dialog, using the controls on the right hand side (also for more information see http://help.esko.com/docs/en-us/artioscad/12.1/adminguide/home.html?q=en-us/common/ac/topic/AG5_Defaults_id565287ATS23.html).
4. To add the L-W-D information, click and drag the Userfields you created in step 2, into the dialog.

Step 4: Create an MFG with only 1 embedded design, and test the dialog

The result should look similar to this example screenshot: