Redlining for Original Application Files 

Use

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

You can display your product with the integrated viewer of the standard system. All departments can visualize original application files in 2D and 3D formats.

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 a 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.

See also: Viewer for Displaying Original Application Files

Prerequisites

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

See also: Viewer for Displaying Original Application Files

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).

This authorization object controls which users can process which layers, based on a combination of activity and document type. You can restrict the check more by using 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.

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 like when using a red pen. 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

Other users add their comments to further 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.

The processing functions for layers depend on whether the viewer is displaying 2D or 3D format files.

Format

Saving Comments

2D data

The layer is saved as a transparent vector format (CGM) for 2D files.

  • There is no limit to the number of layers for each original application file. 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.
  • 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.
  • You can use the layer menu for easy processing of the individual layers.

3D model

The current development phase allows only storing redlining files in pixel format (TIF) for 3D models. Storage is the same as the layers. More layer functions are planned for future Releases.

  • The system copies the 3D model into the Redlining file the way it currently appears on the monitor screen (for example rotated on the X axis and with frames) as well as with markups for your comments.
  • Special Redlining functions for 3D Models are available such as anchoring markups in the 3D model.

Activities

When you are in one of the named processing situations with the original application file in the integrated viewer you automatically see the application function bar. You can execute the following functions:

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.