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PTC Creo Collaboration

Created: March 06, 2018 | Updated: December 06, 2018 | Applies to versions: 1.0 and 1.1
Now reading version 1.0. For the latest, read: PTC Creo Collaboration for version 2.0

This documentation page references Altium NEXUS/NEXUS Client (part of the deployed NEXUS solution), which has been discontinued. All your PCB design, data management and collaboration needs can now be delivered by Altium Designer and a connected Altium 365 Workspace. Check out the FAQs page for more information.

Design collaboration between Altium NEXUS and PTC Creo® is enabled by the central capabilities the Altium NEXUS Server, where collaborative data is bridged by the NEXUS Collaboration panel and a specialized Altium software addition for Creo – the PTC Creo CoDesigner plugin.

Software:

  • Altium NEXUS Client
  • Altium NEXUS Server with Firebird database
  • PTC Creo® 3M50
  • PTC Creo CoDesigner plugin

PTC Creo to Altium NEXUS Collaboration installation

Altium NEXUS side:

The Collaboration panel is installed by default in Altium NEXUS and can be opened from the  button, or by selecting Views » Panels » Collaboration.

Note that the MCAD Collaboration is available only when a PCB document is active.

No additional licenses are required on the Altium NEXUS side

PTC Creo side:

It is assumed that a licensed installation of PTC Creo 2.0 or later is on the test machine.

  1. Unpack the plugin installation package on the PC where PTC Creo is installed.
  2. Run the setup file; Altium.Designer.PtcCreo.InstallUI.exe.
  3. In the installation Wizard dialog, specify a PTC Creo version and an installation path, and click INSTALL.
  4. After installation is successfully completed, click OK to close the installation Wizard.

The Collaboration plugin is now installed, automatically un-locked and registered in the PTC Creo installation. In Creo, the Collaboration panel can be opened from Tools » Altium » CollaborationPanel.

Pre-configuration

Altium NEXUS side:

  • Login to a Collaboration server (NEXUS server).
  • (optional) Specify a 3D Model search path: see the PCB Editor – Models page in the Preferences dialog.

PTC Creo side:

  • Login to a Collaboration server (NEXUS server).
    A Login form will be displayed automatically after clicking the New Board Assembly or Open Managed Project button.
  • (optional) Specify a local storage of exported 3D Models. Collaboration panel » cogwheel icon » Settings » Creo PTC Parts Library Folder.
NEXUS Server Users must have admin rights to use a Collaboration tool.
 

Getting started with Creo to NEXUS Collaboration

  1. Create new collaboration project

To create a new collaboration project on the PTC Creo side, open the Collaboration panel and choose New Board Assembly » Create New Project...  Specify a project name and click OK.

A new board assembly with the default board size will be created.

A first synchronization with Altium NEXUS to transfer the board thickness and MCAD origin is highly recommended at this step.
  1. First synchronization of Altium NEXUS PCB document with Creo board assembly

To synchronize the ECAD design side with the newly created Creo assembly:

  • Open Collaboration panel on the Creo side, click the Push button,  add a comment if needed and click Post. Now all collaboration data are downloaded to the collaboration server.
  • Then go to Altium NEXUS and sign in to the Collaboration server. Select  File » Open Managed Project,  choose an appropriate project and open it. Next, add a new PCB document to the project and save it, open the Collaboration panel and click Pull. A table with list of changes between the Altium PCB design and Creo board assembly will be displayed in the Collaboration panel.
  • To accept a change, check it in the Accept column and click Accept. A new board outline will be applied to the PCB Board in the main PCB Editor.

Define a Board Layer Stack at this step.

It is necessary to define a Layer Stack for the Collaboration design before placing 3D Models and mounting holes on the Creo side. This is because a changed board thickness can affect clearances between 3D Models and a board assembly.
  1. First synchronization of Creo board assembly with Altium NEXUS PCB document

To synchronize the Creo assembly with the the ECAD design:

  • Open the Collaboration panel on the Altium NEXUS side, click the Push button, add a comment if needed and click Post. Now all collaboration data are downloaded to the collaboration server.
  • Then in Creo, open the Collaboration panel and click Pull. The board outline change related to a board thickness will be indicated on the Creo side.
  • Accept this change to synchronize board thickness between Altium NEXUS and Creo.

The MCAD designer can begin to define a board shape, then add and place parts of a device enclosure.

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