Export of Folders to 3D XML

To more easily facilitate data exchange with remote sites or suppliers, you have the ability to export the contents of your folders into a 3D XML file. This can be done so that either full or partial folder structure is exported, without its contents.

Note:

  • The export of folders can be accomplished from VPM Navigator, and from search results and Folder Editor workbenches.

  • The Export command is found by clicking PLM Access > Export. For more information on Export, see Exporting 3D XML files.

  • Multi-selection of folders for export is supported.

The following task will show you how to export folders.

Before you begin: You must have selected one or more folders in a Search Result or Folder Editor window.

  1. Highlight the selected object(s) and select PLM Access > Export.

    The Export dialog box appears.

    Important: Because a folder can not be managed without its root folder, the export of folder(s) from Query results is prohibited. If a folder other than a root folder is attempted to be exported, an error dialog box is displayed advising that some of the selected entities can not be exported.  

  2. Enter the Path and Name for the exported file. You may also browse for the directory using the browse button .

  3. In the Completion Options section, determine how much of your folder structure you want to export.


    • All - Exports the entire folder structure (root folder and all of its subfolders) and all the contents under the folder are exported.

    • Only Folder Structure - Exports the entire folder structure, but not the content.

    • Only Folder Content - Exports all the content under all subfolders but the folder structure is not exported.

    Important:
    • When a folder structure is exported, the selected folders are always fully expanded from the database (without taking into account visible children in the editor) and the whole subfolder structure is exported. This subfolder structure is also completed with the full parent list of selected elements up to the root folder.

    • When the folder structure is exported using All or Only Folder Structure, the generated 3D XML file will contain only the authoring part, the review section will be void. This means the file can't be opened in 3DXMLPlayer or as a data source.

    • When using the Only Folder Content option, the exported content is fully expanded from the database and exported. For example, in the case of a product reference attached under a folder, the full product structure under the root product reference is exported. The content of any subfolders under selected folders is exported regardless of whether the folders are visible/expanded or not. Also with this option, the generated 3D XML file will contain a valid 3D XML review section and you will be able to open it in Version 6 (V6) as a data source. As the content may contain several root objects, when opened in 3DXMLPlayer all data of the 3D XML file will remain hidden.

  4. In the Identification section you can provide some additional information to the receiver. To add information click on the <to be edited> text in any row.

    This Id card can be viewed by the receiver before importing the file. You are not required to enter data. Each of these attributes can be filled in with any data you choose. If you do not enter any data, a blank is saved (the text "to be edited" is not saved). The data is embedded in the 3D XML file, therefore, after export, you cannot interactively edit the data.

  5. Click Preview to see a list of the objects to be exported.

    If one of the selected entities is not supported for export, none of the selections will be exported, and the 3D XML will not be generated.

  6. Click OK to finish the export