Changelog

13.0.5.0

Enhancements

• Add frequently used commands to mini toolbar. Commands are context specific available in assembly mode, active component mode and modeltree. [RM-13293]

Improvements

• Calculate simplified contact area by using intersected outline of EDM and workpiece. This avoids too big results caused by supporting geometry. [RM-13575]
• Improve performance when reading data from assembly with many workpieces. [RM-13516]
• Avoid flushing of undo/redo buffer while running SMARTElectrode. [RM-12560]

Bugfixes

• Burnsheet UI: tree does not reflect structure of modeltree. Models are only grouped by name not considering assembly level. Fix: tree now shows assembly structure and groups same models taking assembly level into account. [RM-13514]
• Check UI: allow interference check in active component mode in Creo Parametric 8.0.4.0 and later. [RM-13123][RM-12837]
• Fix wrong calculation of electrode contour outline if features intersect base. [RM-11387]
• Fix wrong caluculation of frontal distance D1 on adjustment of base position. [RM-11091]
• Reset temporary Creo options when Drawing UI is closed with setting for combined electrode and position drawing (MERGE_EDM_POSITIONING_SHEETS=4). Skipped reset leads to a changed value for START_MODEL_DIR which prevents creation of new electrodes and assemblies. Necessary options will be temporary set when assembly views are copied to electrode drawing.
• Fix problem when Base UI is opened if working in a different electrode assembly before.

13.0.4.0

Enhancements

• Allows editing of parameters from several selected objects. Properties UI can be accessed from ribbon, modeltree and Burnsheet UI. Different values will be shown as bold Status quo. Changes values will be set for all selected objects on confirmation. Consider different behavior for part and component parameters. To change a part parameter for all positions it sufficient to select only one appearance. To change a component parameter for all positions its necessary to select all positions. [RM-12842]
• Replaced outdated options dialog in SMARTElectrode with new standard. [RM-12059]
• Added custom functionality for customer Besi. [RM-12086]

Improvements

• Measuring points can be added to template now. Use general datum points or field points to add measuring points to template. Each point feature has to carry a parameter "SE_QMM_POINTS". General datum point features may include multiple points. Measuring points from general point features can't be edited in UI. Please note that deleting in UI deletes the whole feature without further notification. [RM-11335]
• Allow creation of dimensions when manufacturing drawing is created from template. Additional rows can be added to my_drawing_format.cfg using template name in column 1. Please refer to Getting Started document to learn more about my_drawing_format.cfg. [RM-12475]
• Export to Zimmer&Kreim Alphamoduli: introduced additional parameters for quality measuring for logical electrode. TolMin: Allowed lower tolerance for the quality measuring TolMax: Allowed upper tolerance for the quality measuring PresetStylus: Stylus name for preset PresetTip: Tip name for preset PresetPrehitDistance: Prehit distance during preset PresetRetractDistance: Retract distance during preset QMStylus: Stylus name for measuring QMTip: Tip name for measuring QMPrehitDistance: Prehit distance during measuring QMRetractDistance: Retract distance during measuring Please refer to "Alphamoduli CAD/CAM Interface" to learn more about the features of the XML-export. [RM-12839]
• Introduced export of models as STL file. Add keyword #SE_EDM_BACKUP_STL# in template to save models as STL in selected directory. "STL: #SE_EDM_BACKUP_DIR##partname#.#SE_EDM_BACKUP_STL#"
• Adjusted behavior to calculate variable dimension only on change of supplier/type/size. Use normal behavior when only dimensions are edited. (A) Workpiece unlocked: Keep absolute Z position of blank length. Change of D2 changes LENGTH accordingly to keep position of DTM_LENGTH fixed. Change of Z position changes LENGTH accordingly to keep position of DTM_LENGTH fixed. Change of LENGTH changes D3(top offset) accordingly to keep position of DTM_LENGTH fixed. (B) Workpiece locked: Workpiece dimensions (A_BASE, B_BASE, LENGTH and D2) are locked and can't be changed. Changes to D1, D3 or Z position change the other two dependent values accordingly. D1 and D3 are measured dimensions and therefore change if position of base changes. [RM-12517]
• Adjusted behavior of parameter rule &z_size to show same length as parameter &size. Value of blank length datum will only be used if bigger than size of solid. Otherwise the value of the size calculation is used.
• Improved automatic attach in Base UI. Attach groups will be automatically removed if faces have been removed from electrode contour. User will be asked whether SMARTElectrode should continue with automatic attach if a mixed state is found. A mixed state consists of surfaces already attached to FREE_FACE and unattached surfaces. [RM-12500]
• All interfaces: SMARTElectrode determines necessary parameter values on-the-fly, if these are not part of parameter.cfg.
• Export to AC Form: added output of 'PrepSurfaceFinishingCH' (&surf_quality), 'PrepElectMaterialSymb' (&material), 'PrepPieceMaterialSymb' (&core_material) and 'PrepWearSpeedPriority' (&priority) to XMLJ. Introduced counter for shapes (electrodes) instead of usage of electrode id. [RM-12469]
• Export to Zimmer&Kreim Alphamoduli: introduced new option "SE_CORE_NAME_FORMAT" to allow generation of short workpiece names that remain below the limit of 32 characters. Full CAD model name is displayed in "Remark". CAD model name will be used and truncated if necessary if "SE_CORE_NAME_FORMAT" is undefined or empty. [RM-12324]
• Drawing UI: new option to add positioning sheet to NC drawing sheet. NC drawing sheet can be part of manufacturing template assigned in manufacturing UI and is copied during creation of new manufacturing assembly. [RM-11270]
• Allow modification of CMM point in UI. Select table entry and start edit with double-click or press button "Edit". Point will be automatically moved to new position or reachable coordinates are suggested if point is out of bounds. Original coordinates are restored on cancel. [RM-12392]
• Allow CMM points also in workpieces. Measuring points UI is available for activated workpieces. Functionality and workflow is the same as for electrode models. [RM-12327]

Bugfixes

• Check UI: Creo Parametric versions 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0 currently don't support interference check in active component mode. A bug fix is planned by PTC for Creo Parametric 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0. Please activate main assembly before an interference check is executed for now. [RM-12837]
• Additional parameters from orbit files may be reset when included in parameter.cfg. Internal value can't be set correctly if parameters doesn't have a default rule (&). In this case the default value always comes from parameter.cfg or sel_list.txt. [RM-12805]
• In releases before Creo 4.0 modeltree was automatically expanded on several SMARTElectrode commands. Since introduction of option and checkbox "Auto Locate in Tree" this did not work anymore. Updated behavior to expand active component automatically and collapse all other items in modeltree. This applies to following commands: activate component via ribbon command, create new electrode model, create new electrode model with base, create smart electrode. [RM-12630]
• Base UI: increase too small value for base heigth D2 automatically if base won't be created because of negative value or too small height for frame. Length must be controlled and adjusted afterwards. [RM-11387]
• Export to Zimmer&Kreim Alphamoduli: improved recognition of measuring frame for imported electrodes. Important to correctly output MeasProgType, MeasSizeX, MeasSizeY and MeasSizeZ. [RM-12388]

13.0.3.0

Improvements

• Output and Postprocessor UI: STEP/IGES export of assembly or workpieces uses selected operation coordinate system as reference by default.
• Added new command to save userdefined feature (UDF) and data file for electrode blank. Use command "Open Configuration" to browse to "electrode\supplier\base_templates" and select part to customize. All variable dimensions to be controlled in data file need a custom symbol name. Select "Save Base Template" to create UDF and data file. Add additional rows of sizes or parameters to data file and copy both UDF and data file to parent folder with supplier name. [RM-12001]
• Electrode data files: allow additional columns for variable dimensions and parameters. An addtional line "VALUETYPES" has to be added between "INSTANCE" and sizes to define data types. Use "DIM" for variable dimensions, "INTEGER" for integer paramters, "DOUBLE" for double parameters and "STRING" for string parameters. Additional variable dimension have to be saved to UDF file before. [RM-9953][RM-9034]
• Adjusted behavior for default values from parameter configuration. In both cases - (a) default value defined in parameter.cfg and (b) default value defined in sel_list.txt - the value from SMARTElectrode configuration will be used now. The value will be set regardless whether the parameter already exists in template for new electrodes or not. [RM-12025]
• Reusing parameter values by parameter name did not work if connected to sel_list.txt. Reusing parameter retains initial value even if owner parameter is unlocked and changed. This applies to 12.0.6.0 and 13.0.2.0 only. [RM-11945]

Bugfixes

• Export to Zimmer&Kreim Alphamoduli: allow file names for STEP export with more than 32 characters.
• Drawing UI: temporary set Creo options need to be retained if views are moved from position sheet to electrode drawing sheet. This applies especially to Creo option "drawing_warn_if_flex_feature" which may break process if set to "yes".
• Adds named view orientations to legacy models from SMARTElectrode 7.0 to allow correct drawing creation.
• Fixed problem with unreadable operation definition if group was changed. SMARTElectrode tries now to identify features in group, but it's still recommended to keep the group unchanged. [RM-12010]

13.0.2.0

Enhancements

• Control drawing layers by my_drawing_format.cfg. Layer display can be controlled by template and drawing view name. Use view name 'TOP_MODEL' for general settings. [RM-10772]
• Added new command "Copy from Template" to allow adding of prepared electrode models. Existence of correctly named EDM csys (option EDM_ORIGIN_NAME) is mandatory. "configuration\electrode\templates" is used as default path to select templates. [RM-11700]

Improvements

• Base UI: change of holder type on details page (2nd tab) retains current position of holder. Change of electrode blank type or size resets position and holder model. Added a popup menu to optionmenu holder type to edit or reset position. [RM-11398]
• Export to Zimmer&Kreim Alphamoduli: allow a measured safety distance instead of a fixed value in XML. Use option "SafetyDistance" to set the value in export.cfg. Use option "SafetyDistanceOffset" to define the offset value. Offset will be added to measured distance from MeasZPoint to blank length. Note: only use "SafetyDistance" or "SafetyDistanceOffset". [RM-11881]
• Improved support of surface models. Surface models used as workpieces now support outline calculation, calculation of offset in operation definition and touching surface analysis for effective burn-area. Note: there is no support of interference check as this requires closed quilts. [RM-11584]
• Export to Ingersoll Multiprog: suppress output of generator types GenTypEl:RO/PF/FI/FF in ING file. Generator types are RO=roughing, PF=prefinish, FI=finish and FF=fine finish. Add option "WRITE_GENTYPEL NO" in export.cfg to disable ouput. [RM-11282]
• Export to Zimmer&Kreim Alphamoduli: added a 2nd option SE_2ND_EDM_NAME_FORMAT for naming format. SE_EDM_NAME_FORMAT is used to create short electrode names for "LogEle" and "Name". Both values have valid length of 32, but fewer characters may be available. SE_2ND_EDM_NAME_FORMAT is used for "Remark", STEP and PDF export. "CadModel" and "Remark" allow 255 characters, PDF name allows 64 characters and "File" is unristricted. Name of electrode model will be used if SE_EDM_NAME_FORMAT or SE_2ND_EDM_NAME_FORMAT are undefined or invalid. [RM-11855]
• Export to Zimmer&Kreim Alphamoduli: added ouput for "MeasureProg". By default output is "ESVierkant" for rectangular measuring frames and "ESMitteKreis" for round measuring frames. A custom program name can be used if a parameter with default "&measureprog" is added to parameter configuration. Valid values have to be added to sel_list.txt [RM-11659]
• Set temporary option values before drawing creation: "start_model_dir" must point to configuration/templates, "drawing_view_origin_csys" has to be set to "none", "save_display" has to be set to "no" and "drawing_warn_if_flex_feature" to "no". Otherwise the drawing creation may fail or end incompletely. Please check config.sup if options can't be set accordingly.
• Maintains structure of surface sets in selbuffer when creating copygeoms or cutouts. All selections and sets in selbuffer will be sorted by owner model before feature creation. All surface sets from one specific owner are merged and copied in one copy-geom. [RM-11765]
• Export to Zimmer&Kreim Alphamoduli: added correct ouput for several template types. Export now supports rectangular base with or without measuring frame and round base with or without measuring frame. [RM-11587]
• Export to Zimmer&Kreim Alphamoduli: added option "MeasZPoint" to export configuration. This allows to define the name of the datum point feature used to output "MeasZPoint". Any existing datum point "MeasZPoint" will be automatically renamed during export. [RM-11586]
• Export to Zimmer&Kreim Alphamoduli: use csys defined in SE_EDM_BACKUP_CSYS for , , and (STEP). Csys EDM_ORIGIN_NAME will be used as default csys if SE_EDM_BACKUP_CSYS is not set. Multiple csys names can be used if separated by ;. For example: SE_EDM_BACKUP_CSYS csys_measure; edm_origin_name [RM-11585]
• The electrode base can now also be added on a user-defined coordinate system. The coordinate system must be defined within the electrode model and selected before opening the dialog. Position of the coordinate system is taken into account to calculate required blank size. [RM-8704]
• Assembly is automatically cleaned up when components or entire models are deleted from the assembly. Layers and simmplified representations that are no longer required will be deleted from assembly. [RM-10621]
• The origin of the electrodes is taken into account when searching for the next available ID. Electrodes from other assemblies don't block any IDs. [RM-10620]
• Burnsheet UI and others: Don't show deleted electrodes in lists or trees anymore. [RM-10773]
• Check UI: calculation of contact area is always done for 1st appearance of electrode if parameter '&burnarea_xy' is saved to part. This avoids performance issues if slightliy different values are saved several times leading to changed models. Activate component and open Base UI to perform analysis for a specific position. [RM-11084]

Bugfixes

• Fixed incomplete renaming of electrodes. SMARTElectrode checks Creo option "let_proe_rename_pdm_objects" if workspace is active and temporarily changes value to "no" if necessary. Updates parameter SE_ELECTRODE_NAME and PTC_COMMON_NAME for renamed electrode model. Updates PTC_COMMON_NAME for renamed electrode drawing. [RM-11560]
• Usage of command "Attach" on a quilt with multiple contours leads to a crash. This issue is fixed. [RM-11708]
• Command show/hide solids: Removed unnecessary recapturing of model data if solids are displayed or hidden. Model version stamp is modified through creation of solid geometry layer and therefore only done if a solid exists in model. Hiding solids also clears captured geometry data, which prevents calculation of model size and contact area analysis.
• Fixed wrong position update of subsequently added Cam csys if resuming csys feature which was suppressed before. [RM-11383]
• Output UI: fixed sorting algorithm if output is sorted by string parameter. Option SE_ORDER_BY. [RM-11575]
• Classify UI: correctly remove component appearance for unclassified models after classification. [RM-11382]
• Project UI: skip non-solid components during creation of reference features. [RM-11548]
• Ouput UI: fixed failing export of CMM points if drawing was opened and saved as PDF before. [RM-8917]
• Options UI: change of active configuration path leads to overwritten options.cfg in previous configuration. [RM-11130]

13.0.1.0

Enhancements

• Output UI: allow sorting of components by parameter value before exporting. Add option SE_ORDER_BY to export.cfg to define parameter name or rule to sort components by. Add option SE_SORT_ORDER to export.cfg to define sort order. Sorting is done ascending by default. Valid values for SE_SORT_ORDER are 'ASCENDING' or 'DESCENDING'. It's recommended to sort by part parameters only. [RM-10575]

Improvements

• Handle existing base for commands mirror and pattern in electrode design mode. In case of mirror insert mode will be activated in front of base and cancelled afterwards. In case of pattern all surfaces below FREE_FACE will be used instead of all solid surfaces. [RM-8495]
• Show warning in burnsheet if blank length is too small. [RM-8494]
• Burnarea coverage check via option 'CONTACT_AREA_MAX_COVERAGE' uses blank dimensions A_BASE and B_BASE to calculate valid blank area. Analysis uses base top surface as fallback solution if blank dimensions are not available. [RM-10622]
• Base UI: Allow the contour height to be rounded to an even value when adding to the base. Option 'INCREMENT_POS' has to be set to 0 and option 'INCREMENT_SIZE' to desired step width. This funactionality can be used in combination with a variable blank dimension. [RM-5550]
• Output UI considers default action (include/exclude) of simplified representation when valid components for export are collected. [RM-11020]
• Updated advanced interface for Zimmer&Kreim Alphamoduli. Updated default list of orbits and added new elements to XML according to documentation. Please refer to Whats new presentation for more information. [RM-7864]
• All configuration files are now considered as encoded in UTF-8. Please use a tool like Notepad++ to convert if necessary. Files using ASCII standard don't need any special handling. [RM-10943]
• Use csys showing orientation of blank for calculation of angles. This is 'EDM_ORIGIN' for electrodes designed in SMARTElectrode 7.0. Use csys 'SE_EDM_BASE' or csys defined in option 'EDM_ORIGIN_NAME' for electrodes designed in SMARTElectrode 12.0. This allows adjustment of csys 'EDM_ORIGIN_NAME' for easier definition of start position. [RM-10822]
• Moved and renamed 'configuration-template' to folder 'data\template-new-configuration' to clarify that this is not useable as customer configuration. Subfolder 'udf' is also moved from top level to 'data\udf'. Introduced command 'Open Configuration' to open a file browser in active configuration folder. In case user selects 'parameter.cfg' or 'options.cfg' the built-in user interfaces will be opened automatically. In case user selects a Creo file (prt, asm, drw), it will be opened in a new window. An info window will be displayed for all other file types. [RM-10739]
• Introduced new 'Getting Started' document. This document is available in installation folder and explains briefly how to start working with SMARTElectrode. [RM-10749]
• Coordinate systems in group 'SE_AUTO_CSYS' are not updated automatically anymore. Open burnsheet and click on notification for assembly item if available. Coordinate systems and dependent operations/electrodes can be updated on double-click. [RM-10511]
• Check if merge in command 'Attach' creates a closed quilt if performed on surface feature or quilt. Change side to keep in merge feature if necessary.
• Allow subgroups in definition of user-defined features for electrode base. [RM-10389]
• Burnsheet UI / Output UI: Order electrodes by feature number. The first appearance of an electrode determines the order for the output. [RM-10409]
• Assembly UI: allow adjustment of accuracy value if parent assembly includes components with different values. A warning will be shown before creation of reference part and errors during creation will be shown in an additional message window. [RM-10414]
• Added commands 'Open Drawing' and 'Open Manufacturing' to context menu in modeltree and graphics window. Object will be opened in new window. Commands are not available in active component mode. [RM-10411]
• Allow cancelation of touching face analysis in Base and Check UI with ESC. Fast calculation is used per default in Base UI if no value set at all. It uses all electrode surfaces below FREE FACE to calculate effective contact area. Result is inaccurate if electrode is a combination of several shapes for different positions or if it includes addtional features - like supporting geometry - that do not touch the workpiece. Exact calculation runs a comparison of electrode against workpieces. This analysis may take much longer comparing surface data. [RM-10504]
• Burnsheet UI: show notifications also as helptext (tooltip) for table cell in column 'Status'. [RM-10421]
• Use feature substitute in group 'ATTACH' instead of offset/replace if Flexible Modeling Extension is available. [RM-8703]
• Repeat UI: only show selected electrodes and preview components when defining new position. All electrodes are displayed again on OK or when user starts selection again. [RM-10399]

Bugfixes

• Corrected replacement of drawing view orientation if symbolic names are used on templates. Default 2d view names: SE_TOP (SE_DEFAULT), SE_BOTTOM, SE_FRONT, SE_BACK, SE_LEFT, SE_RIGHT Default 3d view names: SE_DEFAULT_ISO, SE_ASM_DEFAULT, SE_ASM_ISO These orientations will be replaced with correct orientation for operation or electrode. [RM-10990]
• Hide invalid commands in modeltree if selected feature is not inside active component. [RM-10985]
• Reset surface appearance to default before touching faces are colored. A definition for 'COLOR_EDM_TOUCHING_FACES' has to be available in my_color_format.cfg. Coloring in Base UI is only processed if electrode has only one position. In Check UI all positions of electrode have to be selected to process coloration. Warnings will be displayed if 'COLOR_EDM_TOUCHING_FACES' is not applicable. A distinction is made between the following cases: (1) Check UI: coloring can be done when all electrode positions are selected for touching surface analysis (2) Check UI: a warning will be displayed and coloring will be canceled if NOT all electrode positions are selected for touching surface analysis (3) Base UI: coloring can be done in detailed calculation of contact area if active electrode is used only once in assembly (4) Base UI: a warning will be displayed and coloring will be canceled if active electrode is used multiple times in assembly [RM-10405]
• Assemble again UI: check for valid electrode selection before command 'Assemble on constraint' is executed. [RM-10844]
• Fixed wrong result for selection by color in electrode design mode. Sometimes too many surfaces were selected. [RM-10857]
• Fixed problem with creation of ordinate dimensions on drawings. Multiple redundant baselines without merging dimensions have been created. [RM-10685]
• SMARTElectrode-ribbon may be locked if active operation is deleted. Features are now checked whether they belong to active operation before deletion is executed. If active operation was deleted outside SMARTElectrode, a different operation will be activated automatically. [RM-10733]
• Fixed problem in Properties UI when switching processor to a value without defined orbits in configuration. Parameter for orbit is now reset to '-'.
• Hide commands in modeltree if selected feature is not active. [RM-10518]
• Avoid crash in Base UI if no active workpiece found. [RM-10488]
• Add template with base: read type and supplier from selected template to avoid error messages in validation. SE_EDM_TYPE and SE_EDM_SUPPLIER are saved to new electrode model automatically. [RM-10407]
• Handle resumed base properly if user-defined FREE_FACE is used. Until now base has been reset on cancelation of insert mode. [RM-8515]
• Fixed problem with coloring electrode components in preview.
• Fixed problem to open local help with spaces in path.

13.0.0.0

Enhancements

• Creo 7.0 ready version.
• Multibody support. [RM-9973]

Improvements

• Added custom CSV output. Line counter increases by 1 for every valid undersize. [RM-10184]
• New option 'CONTACT_AREA_MAX_COVERAGE' added to define a threshold value from which a warning is displayed in Base UI and Burnsheet UI. The option value defines the maximum coverage of the blank area by contact surfaces in percent. Default is 80%. [RM-10357]

Bugfixes

• Base UI: Fixed restoring of last value if A_BASE / B_BASE are edited before additional dimension changes. [RM-10218]
• Export: Check electrode for existing csys before export. Check is version dependent. [RM-10191]