Overview of Importing Objects

Integration with Other Applications > Creo Parametric – Windchill Integration > PDM Actions > Importing Objects to the Workspace > Overview of Importing Objects

Import involves invoking the import user interface, initially selecting objects in a source location for import, using collection rules to gather related objects, and, optionally, specifying additional options for how the objects should be handled by the system upon committing the import.

The following are important aspects of import:

• While objects are being imported, Creo Parametric session is frozen.

• Setting a preference allows you to specify that secondary (attached) content is transferred along with the primary file.

• One object can cause the failure of import. Conflicts are reported in the Event Management utility.

• If the object already exists in the commonspace or workspace, its status is shown in status columns.

• If a component of an assembly stored in the local file system has been moved to a location other than where the rest of the assembly is stored, the import of the assembly from the original location shows the moved component as an incomplete dependent object (ghost), and the component’s file path is displayed as its former location.

Import creates CAD documents in the target workspace with primary content. An imported object's file name becomes its CAD name. The system tries to establish appropriate dependencies between new and existing CAD documents, if there is an object with the same name already in the target system.

Import supports the following functionality:

• Display of the object status and conflicts (provided the object already exists in the commonspace or workspace)

• Electing either to reuse objects that are already in the commonspace or workspace, or to overwrite with an imported object from a source directory. The system provides default object handling settings by checking object database status or user privileges.

• Check out of objects upon import if you are importing objects that are already on the server.

• Reuse of a server version of an object. If that version is not in the workspace, you have an option not to add it to the workspace upon import (by setting a preference).

• Attaching secondary content from the local directory

If any dependents of an imported object are not imported and not existing in the database, they appear in the workspace as incomplete objects. (regardless of the nature of dependency, required or optional). Any resolution of incomplete objects should be done during a subsequent upload or checkin.

See the Administration and Configuration chapter of this guide for information about preferences for search paths, automatic download, or allowing attachment of secondary content.

For more information on using the workspace import user interface see Importing to the Workspace.

Interpreting the Status of Imported Objects using Workspace Content Status Column and Status Message Column

Windchill Workgroup Manager for Creo Parametric intelligently identifies the status of the imported objects and allows the user to perform the following actions:

• The intelligent identification of status of imported objects simplifies the workflow between the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) PLM system and the target system used by suppliers.

• In the following list, the target system could be either Windchill, another PLM or PDM system, or local file system (no PLM or PDM system) for CAD model storage.

• Determine whether an object being imported to Windchill previously originated from the target system.

• Determine whether the object being imported has changed since it was last exported.

• Determine whether the object that exists in the target system has been changed since it was last exported.

• Reconcile changes to the objects during the import process.

• Reflect accurate Workspace Modified status after one or more imports.

When you import objects to workspace, on the Specify Options page, in the Objects List table, the “Workspace content status” and “Status Messages” columns display icons, which indicate the status of the imported objects or CAD documents. For information about the Objects List table, see Importing to the Workspace.

• “Workspace content status” column: (Active workspace only) Displays object local workspace status icon (if applicable).

• “Status Messages” column: Displays status message icon and text message in tooltip (if applicable).

Criteria for Imported Objects

Workspace content status column

Status Message column

Status Message Column Tooltip

Imported object or CAD document is new.

(New)