PLM - Print/Plot/Extract Files
To locate, view or open files of SmarTeam(ST) CAD Documents through the PLM platform, follow the subsequent steps.
1. Optional prerequisite to enable the opening of STEP files of ST CAD Document directly into SpinFire Ultimate:
Install the software below from CMF. These are available on any CERN Windows machine.
- CERN - PLM Desktop
- Actify SpinFire Ultimate
Note: There is an embedded viewer in the PLM to allow users to view the documents without installing Actify SpinFire Ult., but for a comprehensive review of a document Actify SpinFire Ult. is required.
For the subsequent steps, use either the PLM Desktop app (open the PLM website as shown below), or open the following link in any web browser, https://plm.cern.ch/. However please note, to open a file directly into SpinFire Ult., the PLM desktop must be running. An explicit error will be returned if it is not.
2. Search for the document in the PLM
2.1 It’s recommended to search for a document through the Folders (ST Projects) and Parts (ST Items) it is in, rather than directly, as these queries load much faster and have improved accuracy. Access these search boxes through the table of contents on the PLM Website (or webpage), as shown below.
Note: the Part (Item) reference can easily be deducted from the ST CAD Doc reference: just remove the _ and the 2 last digits
ex: CAD Doc ref :ST1234567_01 -> Part ref: ST1234567
2.2 Query for the desired Folder or Part using the filter fields. Double-click to open the object in its own window.
2.3 Navigate to the document from the Folder or Part window.
The contents of both objects are shown as icons under the main information boxes, click to open them in their own window. Alternatively, navigate using the ARAS grid and different tabs at the bottom of the window as shown in the images below.
2.4 Ensure you open the required revision of the document. A warning will be displayed in the header of the profile card if it is non-latest, with a link to the latest revision.
3. The 3D data of a CAD Document can be viewed from its Profile Card.
- For quick visualisation there is an embedded viewer window on the right-hand side of the window (installation of Actify SpinFire ult. is not required to view this).
- For a more in-depth review, the data can be opened in the local default CAD viewer using the button below (SpinFire Ult. if installed and the PLM desktop is running).
- To download a .stp file of the document, press the arrow in the top box and choose the filetype from the dropdown list.
4. For a drawing, the 2D data can also be viewed on the Profile Card.
- For quick visualisation there is an embedded viewer window on the right-hand side of the window.
- To download a .pdf file of the CAD Document, press the arrow in the top box and choose the filetype from the dropdown list.
- If it is saved in EDMS, there is also a link to this area.​​​​​​
For more information on how to use SpinFire Ultimate please read the following documentation.
FAQ: SpinFire Ultimate
To download CAD files from Parts, Parts attached to Folders, Design Collections or Change Items at once, you need to:
- Access the Profile Card of the object you need to extract the files from
- Select the "Extract files" icon from the Profile Card header
- Choose the BOM Level and what type of CAD files you need
- Select the "Create .zip" button
When executing the "Extract Files" functionality, the selection of the Level applies on the Parts directly linked to the Folder or to the Change Item, or to the Part itself.
The action is now available from the Parts grid in the "More" menu.
This procedure allows the creation and download of a .zip file to your local machine, containing only converted and archived files. CAD native files remain in the PLM.
To print multiple Drawings from your local folder, please read this article.
To print multiple Drawings at once from your local folder in DFS, you need to:
1. Access data in your DFS folder and select all the Drawings you need to print
2. Right-Click and select the option "Open in PDF-XChange Editor"
3. Once PDF-XChange Editor is open, select "File" --> "Print All"
4. Before launching the plotting, make sure that:
- The plotter accepts the format of the Drawings you need to print out
- The highlighted properties are ticked/selected