Redlining for 2D and 3D Formats (SAP Library

Redlining for 2D and 3D Formats

Use

It is especially important to have an efficient exchange of information in the development process of a product, in order to save costs, time, and effort.

You can digitally visualize your product with the integrated viewer in the standard SAP system. All departments (such as work scheduling, marketing, and sales and distribution) can visualize all original application files (such as product specifications, test reports, design studies and 3D models) for a product in both 2D and 3D format.

Being able to see a product before it is produced allows you to expand on the scope of employees for product analysis. You can use redlining functions to include original application files in other business processes. Users with authorization can add comments and suggestions to the document (for example, 3D model).

Integration

The standard SAP system's SAP Graphical User Interface (SAP GUI) now has an integrated viewer from Engineering Animation, Inc. (EAI). When you have made the setting in Customizing of Document Management for the viewer of the SAP System you can use Redlining functions without making any further settings.

Prerequisites

You can use the redlining functions when the following prerequisites have been met:

You have made the settings in Customizing for Document Management for the integrated viewer in the SAP system.

It is recommended to define the categories for markups, under General Data ® Define Category for Markup.

The remarks and comments (markups) that you create of an original application file are saved in a layer that you can also edit. You can edit a layer when the layer is assigned to individual categories (such as engineering/design, sales & distribution).

The authorization assignment for editing layers is done with the authorization object for document management (C_DRAW_MUP – authorizations for markups).

This authorization object controls which users can process which layers, based on a combination of activity and document type. You can further restrict the check for document status and category.

Features

Calling the Menu

The redlining functions are automatically available when you display an original application file with the integrated viewer in the supported processing situations. The selection is dependent on personal settings (options).

Formats

You can create comments for original application files in all file formats that can be displayed by the viewer. The viewer can display the following formats:

2D data	Vector data: With model character (such as DXF) With screen character (such as CGM) With plot character (such as HPGL) Pixel data (such as TIFF, BMP, JPG) Text data (such as ASCII, EPS, PDF)
3D model	Model data (JT, WRL, STL)

The complete list is available in the List of Viewing Formats.

Markups and Layers for Comments

You can write your comments on the original application file as if you are using a red pen. Of course, this does not change the actual original application file. Your comments are saved as markups in a layer.

A list of the supported text and graphic elements for markups can be found here: Redlining Function Bar.

You can use the following processing options for both 2D and 3D formats.

There is no limit to the number of layers for each original application file. Other users can then add their own comments in separate layers.
The system saves a layer for an original application file as an additional file for the original application file in the same storage data as the original application file itself. Layers are saved as a transparent level in vector format (CGM).

You can display as many original application files and as many layers as you want on top of each other in the viewer. The process is similar to when you lay transparencies on top of one another on an overhead projector.
You can use the layer menu for easy processing of the individual layers.
The authorization assignment ensures that on authorized persons can create, change or delete layers for documents of a particular document type.
You can change or even delete the information that is stored in a layer.

Note

The special redlining function Fix is available for markups in the 3D model.

Activities

If you display an original application file with the integrated viewer are in one of the named processing situations, you automatically see the application function bar. You can carry out the following functions:

Maintain Layer

Carry Out Redlining Functions

Carry Out Measurement in 2D Files

Carry Out Measurement for 3D Files

The selection of the active functions depends on the current processing situation. For example, it depends on whether the viewer is displaying 2D or 3D format files.