Create number generators
As you add items to your database, you might want to automatically assign part numbers to them. But often it's not enough to assign sequential digits to each item - those digits need to follow certain rules. For example, maybe your company skips 10 digits every time it assigns a new number. Or maybe all your numbers should be of a certain length.
Creo Elements/Direct Drawing Manager includes a tool that can generate numbers that follow your rules, and then assign them to your data automatically.
Create a number generator
Start by setting up rules for one or more number generators. Each goes into a list that you later assign to specific attributes.
1. In the Number Generators panel, click Create New.
2. Enter the following information:
◦ Name
(required) The name is for reference only. Choose something that indicates what your number generator does.
◦ Prefix
(optional) Letters or numbers that should go before the current value. This can include separators like hyphens.
◦ Current Value
(required) The first number the generator assigns. This must be an integer.
◦ Increment
(required) The value to add for each sequential number. This must be an integer.
◦ Format
(optional) The minimum number of digits in the generated number. The number will be zero-filled if it has less than this number of digits.
◦ Postfix
(optional) Letters or numbers that should go after the current value. This can include separators like hyphens.
As you fill out the fields, the Preview displays what the number will look like.
3. Click OK. The number generator that you just created appears in the list.
Edit or view a number generator's settings
1. In the Number Generator Management screen, select the number generator to edit or view.
2. Right-click the number generator and, in the context menu, click Edit.
3. You can edit any field except the name. Remember that Current Value and Increment are required fields.
4. Click OK.