Manage Part Revisions

Manage, control and update Major, Study and Library Part revisions using the Part Library.

About Part Library and Revisions

The Part Library is an integral part of data management and revision control within the Part Browser.

Part Library

By default, a Part Library is generated when the Part Browser is enabled.

The default Part Library is located at <user home>\AltairLibraries\default\libraires\PartLibrary.

The Part Library serves as a centralized library of HyperMesh parts, which in turn facilitates the collaboration between simulation teams both locally and abroad.

You must be connected to a Part Library to access all Part Library related options.
Note: Parts without a UID cannot be saved to the Library.

Revisions

In the Part Browser, the Revision column displays the Major revision, Study revision, and Library Part revision. All of the appropriate workflows have entry or access points to the Part Library, enabling quick and easy access to previous revisions or generating new revisions.
Major Revision
Depicts a change or set of changes that have been finalized and released for further review. In most cases the Major Revision is mapped to the PDM Revision, but you can modify it.
Study Revision
Created locally to track experimental changes or prototyping changes that may or may not be published. The purpose of the Study Revision is to manage design and prototype exploratory concepts. You can modify the Study Revision.
Library Part Revision
Locally, published revision within the Part Library. You cannot modify the Library Part Revision. The library revision is incremented each time you save a part representation.
You can review and edit a part's Major Revision and Study Revision in the Entity Editor.
Figure 1. Revisions for the LeftInner_A_000434_Safety. Major Revision = C (mapped to the PDM revision, user editable), Study Revision = “-“ (can be any letter or numerical value, user editable), Library Part Revision = 8 (library version, not editable)


Create and Connect to Libraries

Create and connect to libraries of your choice.

A default Part Library is generated when the Part Browser is enabled and is located at <user home>\AltairLibraries\default\libraries\PartLibrary.

  1. From the Assembly ribbon, select the Libraries tool.
    Figure 2.


    The Library Manager dialog opens where you can find all the available options for libraries, add or remove libraries, and connect or disconnect from the current.
    Figure 3. Library Manager Dialog


    The left side of the Library Manager contains the following content:
    Column Name/Number Contents
    First Indicates if the library is connected.

    If a check mark is present, the library is connected.

    If there is an error connecting the library (for example, losing network connection), a warning triangle will be shown here.

    Contains an option to connect or disconnect from the selected library by clicking on the empty circle or the present check mark respectively.
    Name The name of the library.
    Path The full library path.
    Type The type of library.

    Currently, three different library types are available: part, subsystem, and material.
    Fifth Contains an option to connect or disconnect from the selected library.
    Note: You can only have one library connected for each library type.

    You can not edit library information once it's connected. You can only connect or disconnect from this library.
  2. Create a new library.
    1. Click +.
    2. Select Library type: Part, Subsystem, or Material.
    3. Select the Library mode: Team, Shared, or Local (only for Material Library type).
    4. Optional: Define template: DesignSpace or Sections.
      This will pre-populate the library with some example parts.
    5. If you are working with a shared library, enter Library host/port.
    6. Click Create.
  3. Add a new library.
    1. Click .
    2. Select a folder that contains an already existing library.
      Note: Local Library mode for Part, Subsystem Library types can still be added.
  4. Click to remove the selected library.

Sync Library Revisions

Sync the in-session library revision with the latest available revision in the Part Library.

If someone else has made changes to the library and your session is not up-to-date with the library, use Sync to recheck the library for the latest data, making the latest library revision available the next time a user loads from the library.

Before you can sync library revisions, you must Create and Connect to Libraries.

In the Part Browser, right-click on a part/part assembly and select Library > Sync from the context menu.

Edit Study Revisions

Study Revisions are a way to explore design space, and can be promoted to a Major Revision as required.

Assign and edit Study Revisions in the Entity Editor.

  1. In the Part Browser, select a part/part assembly.
  2. In the Entity Editor, edit the Study Revisions field.