Welcome to CAD/CAM in Schools |
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Schools will need to check carefully that they have the necessary hardware and software to run Pro/ENGINEER. Minimum (and recommended) requirements:
For existing users with access to Windchill, go to section 7. Software Download and under Wildfire 4.0 download the two files WF4_Schools_CD1 (621 MB), WF4_Schools_CD2 (535 MB). Windchill access is through an invitation e-mail from PTC. Please ask your Pro/E trainer to request this for you.
The resource DVD is currently mainly Wildfire 3 based, but the majority of the tutorials will work as written. The resource will be updated in Autumn 2010.
Wildfire 5.0 is available on Windchill but has code missing in the rendering section. The Association plans to adopt this version in September 2010 provided the new build is available.
Installation method:
Download these brief instructions. (Full instructions are at http://www.ptc.com/WCMS/files/74416/en/Schools_install_guide_EN.pdf)
Please note that administrative rights are required for installation. Often school based laptops are not configured to allow teachers to load software. Please check with your ICT support staff to avoid frustration!
If you are using a school networked computer or server, you may need to change the logical order of the network cards. If the ethernet card is not first in the list the licensing will not work. Download an explanation here.
In case of difficulty refer to: http://www.ptc.com/products/proe/studentedFAQ1.htm#12
Decals or Sculpt Nodes not showing?
On some computers it has been found necessary to change the Open GL setting in order to see Decals properly (decal in large pixels rather than the bitmap image) and to use the Warp nodes in the Sculpt feature (only lines available for dragging). Try switching to Renderer on the options menu of the Appearance Editor before selecting a map. Or try updating your Graphics Card software.
Go to Options and change the "use_software_opengl" to "yes" (it's near the bottom of the option list), click Apply and Save the config.pro file (disk icon at the top). Restart Pro/ENGINEER to implement. Note you may need administrator rights to do this. Warning, this may make Pro/ENGINEER rather slow!
Decals and textures cannot be resized or re-positioned in Wildfire 5.0 Schools Edition at present.
Wildfire 4.0 (M020 and M030) Missing Folders
In the previous install the sheet metal profiles are missing. This has been corrected with the new release, but if you need these files download them here and extract to the text directory of ProENGINEER Wildfire 4.0. Applies to both Schools and Schools Advanced Editions (JM 18/02/10)
The early Student Edition (M020) has a faulty Sheet Metal section. The current download on www.ptcacademy.com is M092, which is correct. If you are re-installing the student version, copy the licence.dat file from C:\Program Files\ProENGINEER Student Edition\text\licensing to another location first.
Download this file for information on network permissions.
If you are using a school networked computer or server, you may need to change the logical order of the network cards. If the ethernet card is not first in the list the licensing will not work.
Schools Tutorials at http://www.ptc.com/offers/tryout-schools.htm
Introduction to Advanced Rendering Extension (Wildfire 2.0 but still useful) at http://www.ptc.com/go/wildfire/learn/tutorial_443/index.htm
A manual for new or experienced ProEngineer users in Product and Industrial Design disciplines The focus is on creating unique forms rather than engineering elements. The text addresses theories and issues underlying the ProEngineer functionality rather than blow-by-blow tutorials, in this way the designer will become a considered and flexible user able to resolve tricky forms rather than a simple operator able only to follow simple tutorials. See http://www.proe4d.co.uk/
Pro/ENGINEER Schools Edition cannot open files saved from the full commercial version. You can however use Pro/DESKTOP as a go-between as Pro/DESKTOP will open commercial files.
Pro/ENGINEER Schools Edition can open Pro/DESKTOP files directly as components but not edit them. In File > Open, find the correct file type in the drop down menu at the bottom.
Pro/ENGINEER cannot import DXF files as sketches but Pro/DESKTOP will and can export DWG from the Drawing Interface. Pro/ENGINEER can import DWG into the Sketcher and load DXF into the drawing interface.
Pro/ENGINEER's Engineering Drawing can export the image as TIF only. This can be changed to JPG or BMP in Microsoft Office Picture Manager.
Pro/DESKTOP will load files from the commercial version of Pro/ENGINEER but NOT the Schools Edition. From the Schools Edition export as Parasolid (*x_t) and import into Pro/DESKTOP. You will have the option to load as components.
Importing drawings to the sketcher is done with DRW, DWG or AI format or as the following method from DXF:
1. Run ProE
2. File>Open> Browse to the DXF and Open. It appears as a feature but cannot be edited.
3. Create a datum plane referencing two of the lines in the DXF (or CSYS axes).
4. Create a new sketch on the datum plane choosing two of the lines in the DXF as references.
5. In sketcher, select the Use tool to create a zero offset on lines in the DXF you want to use.
6. The sketch can now be added to and edited as the basis for features such as revolve, etc.
If you have students with sight impairment it is possible to change the font settings in Tools > Options. The most useful is popuphelp_font. Type this in the box and click Find. Add arial, 24 to the Value box and click Add/Change then Apply. The config.pro settings must be saved and Pro/ENGINEER restarted. In Windows Vista you must run as administrator to access options.
The other possibilty is to use Microsoft Magnifier (Start > All Programs > Accessories > Accessibility) and dock the window to the right-hand side of the screen.
To Change the Position of the Dashboard in WF 4.0
1. Click Tools > Customize Screen. The Customize dialog box opens.
2. Click the Options tab.
3. Under Dashboard position, click Above graphics area (the default) or Below graphics area.
4. Save the new settings in the config.win using one of the following methods:
o Select Automatically save to (selected by default), and then accept the default config.win file name. You can also enter a new file name or navigate to the config.win file in which you want to save the settings.
o Click File > Save Settings. In the Save Toolbar Configuration File dialog box, you can accept the default file name and path, or you can type a new file name or navigate to the config.win file in which you want to save the new settings. Path names can contain up to 260 characters.
5. Click OK to close the Customize dialog box and accept your changes.
The Engineering Drawing format for exporting dxf from Pro/ENGINEER to laser or Techsoft 2D is in the two files for download below. Save the files to C:\Program Files\ProENGINEER Schools Edition\pro_standards\templates to add them to the standard templates.
A4 template A3 template (Right-click and use "Save Target As... " and find the dxf option)
When importing into TechSoft 2D, untick "Load as a Group", select mm as units and then delete the scale text and the border (4 lines).
