Installing the Converter (SAP Library - Original Application File of a Document Info Record)

Installing the Converter

Purpose

Converting original application files is not done with tools of the SAP System but by means of one or more converters from different suppliers on the market.

A converter interface is part of the standard SAP System. This interface controls the conversion as well as the data exchange between the converter and the SAP System. Specify in Customizing of the SAP System how the conversion is run. You determine at what processing status the conversion is started automatically.

We strongly recommend that you read all instructions and notes from the converter’s manufacturer as well as from SAP before installing a converter to ensure that conversion fits optimally into your business processes.

Prerequisites

The converter that you chose for conversion can be coupled the SAP System. Important here is that the converter is running in batch mode, this means without user entries.

Installing the Converter and Communication Programs

Select the computer where you want to install the converter.

This computer is the conversion server.

Note the following:

Some converters require additional hardware and software that must also be installed on the conversion server.
It is recommended to always leave the conversion server running so that conversions can also be executed evenings and weekends.
The conversion time of the converter are set in Customizing of Conversion under Determine conversion.
When other users also use the conversion server during the day you may want to have all conversions executed at night. This avoids the users being slowed down during the workday.

This is also true when you use an SAP application server as the conversion server. Otherwise the SAP System performance may be greatly reduced.

It is highly recommended the application server not be used as the conversion server to ensure reliable and efficient operation.

You can set up as many conversion servers as required. The definition is done in Customizing of Conversion; under Maintain converter.

Install the converter.

Please read all of the manufacturer’s documentation.

The SAP GUI can display the 3D format *.jt.
If you want to convert CAD original application files into the jt format you can use the converter from Engineering Animation, Inc. (EAI). This converter already has an interface built into the standard SAP System.

Install the following programs for communication between the SAP System and the converter.

Program	Use
sapftp and saphttp (Available on the SAP R/3 Client Installation CD)	Transport files between the SAP System and the conversion server
ConvUtil	Creates temporary directories Deletes files from the conversion server
Program for communicating with the converter such as ConvServSamp, ConvRfc2Corba	Communication between the SAP System and the converter

You can find more information under: Connecting the Converter

You will find the programs ConvUtil, ConvServSamp and ConvRfc2Corba on a SAP server SapservX under the following path: ~ftp/general/misc/converter .
It is highly recommended that you read Hints for the Communication Programs as well as the readme.txt file that is on the server under the archive docu.SAR. This file contains the most up-to-date information.

Set up an RFC destination for the program RunConvUtil.bat (for Windows NT) or StartConvUtil (for UNIX).

See:

You can also create an RFC destination for the other three programs that you need.

The other three programs are started by the program ConvUtil with the name ConvServ or ConvServ.bat. Sapftp and saphttp start them if you do not set up RFC destinations for the three programs. The start is done with the parameters that are necessary for communication with the SAP System.

Notes

Converting CATIA Files to Direct Model Files (*.jt)

If you specify a conversion of CATIA files into Direct Model format note the following entries:

Read the installation information from EAI. Choose the settings in the configuration file in such a way so that each CATIA is converted into exactly one Direct Model file.

Enter the configuration file in Customizing of Conversion for the conversion specification. Enter the configuration file according to the following convention in the activity Enter parameters for conversion: -z <Filename> )

The temporary path where the files are checked out from can only be a maximum of 8 characters long.