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PCB Connector: Geometry of all components missing when pulling PCB through the Connector

Question asked by Piotr Adamowski on Nov 15, 2017
Latest reply on Dec 22, 2017 by Karishma DCOSTA

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Hi guys,

I'm evaluating the SolidWorks PCB Connector for data exchange between Altium and SolidWorks and I wonder why the whole geometry is being missed when pulling the PCB through the Connector. The board itself is being translated and shown properly, the components appear correctly in the feature tree, but you cannot see them. When opening a component you see an empty feature tree, no geometry.

We found out, that using standard (as provided after installation) file templates solves this problem. So, there has to be a problem with our templates.

We use SWX 2017 SP2 and are not willing to upgrade in the next two years. All of our templates were made from the 2017th original / standard templates, of course with a lot of customization afterwards.

So, does anyone know what the exact problem might be (file properties, drafting standard, unit system...)? Our VAR says that in SWX2018 this issue has been solved, which is unsatisfactory in our situation.

By the way: Why you cannot set the defaut template separately for the PCB Connector components as it is already possible with the CircuitWorks add-in?

Thanks a lot!

Piotr

Piotr Adamowski Dec 21, 2017 1:09 PM

Correct Answer

Hello Karishma DCOSTA,

this was observed with SolidWorks 2017 SP2 and PCB Services from the 2017th version.

After installing PCB Services 2018 and updating to SolidWorks 2017 SP5 this problem disappeared. I think, that PCB Services 2018 did the job. Refering to what our VAR was suspecting it seems to be connected with user defined templates (renamed coordinate System).

After testing PCB Connector under SolidWorks2017 I have found so many bugs in importing and exporting PCB designs from / into PCB Connector, that I will wait until 2019 or 2020 Version to test it again (with the next SolidWorks / PDM upgrade in our Company).

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Karishma DCOSTA

Dec 21, 2017 12:20 PM

Hello Piotr,

Quick question - which version of SW PCB Connector are you evaluating? and which version of AD are you currently using?

The issue that you just described usually occurs when there are geometry issues with the model that you are trying to use in the collaboration.

A quick check would be to verify the models which do not appear in MCAD by opening those models in MCAD and checking if anything in the model is broken (indicated by red in the FM tree).

Let me know if this helps.

Thank you very much.

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Piotr Adamowski @ Karishma DCOSTA on Dec 21, 2017 1:09 PM

Hello Karishma DCOSTA,

this was observed with SolidWorks 2017 SP2 and PCB Services from the 2017th version.

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Piotr Adamowski @ Karishma DCOSTA on Dec 21, 2017 1:11 PM

Altium Designer was also in the 2017th version

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Karishma DCOSTA

@ Piotr Adamowski on Dec 22, 2017 1:06 AM

Thank you very much Piotr for your inputs.

We would suggest to enumerate the bugs/issues with your VAR so that your experience the next time around would be a smooth sail. We are hoping to ensure the same:-)

Warm Regards

Karishma

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4 Replies

Karishma DCOSTA Dec 21, 2017 12:20 PM
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Hello Piotr,

Quick question - which version of SW PCB Connector are you evaluating? and which version of AD are you currently using?
The issue that you just described usually occurs when there are geometry issues with the model that you are trying to use in the collaboration.
A quick check would be to verify the models which do not appear in MCAD by opening those models in MCAD and checking if anything in the model is broken (indicated by red in the FM tree).

Let me know if this helps.

Thank you very much.
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- Piotr Adamowski @ Karishma DCOSTA on Dec 21, 2017 1:09 PM
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  Correct Answer
  Hello Karishma DCOSTA,
  
  this was observed with SolidWorks 2017 SP2 and PCB Services from the 2017th version.
  After installing PCB Services 2018 and updating to SolidWorks 2017 SP5 this problem disappeared. I think, that PCB Services 2018 did the job. Refering to what our VAR was suspecting it seems to be connected with user defined templates (renamed coordinate System).
  
  After testing PCB Connector under SolidWorks2017 I have found so many bugs in importing and exporting PCB designs from / into PCB Connector, that I will wait until 2019 or 2020 Version to test it again (with the next SolidWorks / PDM upgrade in our Company).
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- Piotr Adamowski @ Karishma DCOSTA on Dec 21, 2017 1:11 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Altium Designer was also in the 2017th version
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  - Karishma DCOSTA @ Piotr Adamowski on Dec 22, 2017 1:06 AM
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    Correct Answer
    Thank you very much Piotr for your inputs.
    
    We would suggest to enumerate the bugs/issues with your VAR so that your experience the next time around would be a smooth sail. We are hoping to ensure the same:-)
    
    Warm Regards
    Karishma
    Like • Show 1 Like1
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PCB Connector: Geometry of all components missing when pulling PCB through the Connector

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