CAM Customization 1 Environment

NX CAM Customization The First Step: Creating a Local Environment

Mark Rief Product Manager

© Siemens AG 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Why Customize?  NX CAM is a great system, but everyone wants something different.  NX CAM has broad functionality, but you probably don’t need all of it.  Having lots of options is good for functionality, but not usability.  Make the system more understandable to your users.  Set default values.  Optimize the user interface  Reduce errors  Improve your chances of making the right choice.

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© Siemens AG 2012. All Rights Reserved. Siemens PLM Software

What Can We Customize?  NX UI Customization – toolbars, menus, roles.  CAM Setup Templates – initial setup assembly  CAM Object Templates - what can be created, default parameters, dialogs, icons, tool tips  Libraries – Tools, holders, machining data

 Machining Knowledge Rules – for feature based machining  Wizards – Step by step UI to guide the user through several steps  Journals – record, edit, playback common tasks  API Programs – automate interaction, parameter setting, process, provide complete control.

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© Siemens AG 2012. All Rights Reserved. Siemens PLM Software

Templates are the place to start  Easy to develop  Easy to share  Reuse anything – tool, operation, complete process  By setting up custom templates, you can…  Streamline your workflow  Set fewer parameters  Provide consistent defaults like tolerances  Enforce consistent machining practices

 Reuse best practices

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© Siemens AG 2012. All Rights Reserved. Siemens PLM Software

There are many ways to customize NX • Edit the OOTB installation (No!) • Set environment variables in control panel • Use batch files • Use other scripts • Use a folder and shortcut  TODAY

• Easy for any user to do without system privileges • Easy to make several

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© Siemens AG 2012. All Rights Reserved. Siemens PLM Software

Why Do You Need a Local Environment?  A safe place to experiment  Try new things without risk  Test your customizations before distributing  Don’t mess up the out of the box (OOTB) installation  Don’t risk disrupting production  Need something to roll back to  Preserve your customizations during an upgrade

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© Siemens AG 2012. All Rights Reserved. Siemens PLM Software

Demo: Create a Safe Customization Environment  Create a home folder

 Copy the OOTB mach\resource folder to the home folder  Remove read only protection  Create a usertools\bitmaps folder in the home folder  Create a usertools\startup folder in the home folder (toolbars, pax)  Copy the OOTB a ugii_env.dat file in the home folder  Define variables to point to the folders you created  Copy the OOTB shortcut to run NX  Set the “Start In” folder to your home folder  Run NX and check the syslog

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© Siemens AG 2012. All Rights Reserved. Siemens PLM Software

Planning your Customization  Create a local environment  TODAY  Optimize the common use cases first  Plan for distribution to other users  Make your ideas easy to understand  Don’t keep a good idea secret!  Plan for version upgrades

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© Siemens AG 2012. All Rights Reserved. Siemens PLM Software

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© Siemens AG 2012. All Rights Reserved. Siemens PLM Software