Pro/ENGINEER Configuration Tips

[skotmorris]

Hi,

I'd like to open a new thread on changing some default options in Pro/ENGINEER to share with everyone. Hopefully some of the other mentors will have some good suggestions too! Here are a handful of good ones I use on a regular basis.

Enable the Preview Window in File Open Always:

file_open_preview_default expanded

Start Pro/E with the Main Window Fully Maximized

open_window_maximized yes

Initial Display of Datum Features

display_axes yes/no
display_coord_sys yes/no
display_planes yes/no
display_points yes/no

Always Open Files from the Working Directory

file_open_default_folder working_directory

Running Pro/E on a Low-End Graphics Card

graphics win32_gdi (opengl is the default)

Use the Default TrueType Font for On-Screen Notes

default_font ttf_font.ndx

PS. Tools, Options is where you change any configuration options ;-)

[skotmorris]

Hi,

If you are working with moving parts with joint definitions, there is a cool config.pro option that will allow pushing parts with moving parts. This can be very useful when you have designs that are moving but not always in contact with each other.

enable_advance_collision yes

Definitely good to use in the design, idea or prototype stage before you have a fully defined and constrained mechanism. Once you have enabled this option, you must turn on the push option in the assembly settings by picking Tools, Assembly Settings, Collision Detection. This will open the Collision Detection Settings dialog box where you should set General Settings to Global Collision Detection and set Optional Settings to Push Objects on Collision, OK.

[jhouser]

So I have a question for using mechanism dynamics. Are you replacing all the electronics with a single block with a mass that approximates your electronics, or did you redefine the neutral files for the electronics to have mass?

[ligerbots]

After you enable the collision, what exactly do you do to be able to move parts around and see where they interfere with each other?
Also I'm not sure if my changes got saved to the config file as when I open ProE, it opens restored and not maximized. I just set the config file in my active working directory, right?

[jhouser]

Sorry for the long response. I think the configuration question you have is most important right now, but I'll answer the mechanism portion first.

Enabling collision is most useful in running a mechanism analysis. This is where you apply motors and forces and run your mechanism for a duration of time and it then you can measure outputs such as speed, torque, acceleration, etc.

When you did your initial install, you entered a "Start In" directory, this is one of the places that Pro/E gets configurations. If you right click on the shortcut you use to start Pro/E, it will show you your "Start In" location. This is typically where you'll want to save changes. You can do a search of your directories for the config.pro file if it's not in your "Start In" location.
I've been using XP for a long time and I'm seeing different things happen with Vista or Windows 7. You may not have rights to your "Start In" folder, so you may need to move it somewhere else.
Finally, make sure it saves as config.pro in your start-in location.

[skotmorris]

Elie, in order to get the parts to move, you must change their static constraints to mechanism constraints. Pro/E supports numerous joint connections besides the traditional mate, align, insert.

I am using the collision option with the Burlington team becuase they are using a cam driven design, but the cam is not always in contact with the follower. Otherwise I could use the cam/follower connection.

If you want some help with joint connections and getting motion into your assemlby, just lemme know. I am open on Wed/Thr next week.

[ligerbots]

Hey, Thanks for your reply. I'm not actually sure that at this point we need a more detailed CAD drawing, but I was just interested in how it could be done because I ran into a similar problem when I was trying to build a latching hook. If you have any reference materials handy or could point me in the right direction when creating those joints that would be awesome! I'll try and make a more detailed model after the build season so we have it for reference next year.
Thanks

[sthrondset]

I have not been able to change the default config.pro file.

Any help would be appreciated!

[skotmorris]

Save a copy of the default config.pro file to you My Documents folder. You can do this in Windows or Creo. Once located in your My Documents folder, you will be able to change it in any way you want to. When Creo is started, it will look for a config.pro file in My Documents and load it on startup.