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Function documentationDigital Mockup Viewing (PLM Web UI) Locate this document in the navigation structure

 

You can use this function to visualize new products as 3D models in the development phase throughout the whole enterprise. You can display a 3D model of an assembly and its components while displaying a product structure, using the Digital Mockup view.

Other areas can now use product information that used to only be accessible on paper format to the engineering/design department. All departments involved in the development project can see the 3D model of an assembly on the screen even before a prototype is available.

Integration

CAD Interface

The SAP system obtains product information from a CAD system. You create a construction drawing in the CAD system for the assembly and its components. While doing this, you also set the spatial relations of the components to each other.

You use the CAD Interface to transfer your BOMs and CAD documents from your CAD system to your SAP system.

Recommendation Recommendation

Contact your CAD interface provider about whether SAP’s DMU viewing is supported. If DMU viewing is supported, the CAD coupling creates the required assignments and starts the converter that then creates the transformation matrices and original application files in Direct Model format. Alternatively, the CAD coupling can write the transformation matrices. The converter creates the original application files in Direct Model format when a status is set. A converter must be installed in both cases.

End of the recommendation.
Conversion Interface

The conversion interface of the SAP system, along with the external converter, control the conversion of the original application files as well as the creation of the transformation matrices that contain the information about the geometric positions of the components. The system creates a visual 3D file (such as *.jt) out of the CAD document for each component. This file is then stored in the SAP system as an original application file in document management and is managed by means of a document info record. You can now use the integrated viewer to view your 3D models of assemblies.

Prerequisites

  • Original application files must be in a 3D format that supports digital mockup. Direct Model format (*.jt) is supported, for example.

  • The original application files in the SAP system are managed by means of document info records. These document info records are assigned to items in your product structure.

  • Transformation matrices are also assigned to product structure items. A transformation matrix defines the geometrical position of a component within space. When a component in an assembly is used more than once, you need a transformation matrix for each part. If you are working with multilevel product structures, each level of the product structure must have a transformation matrix assigned to it.

    Note Note

    Set the parameter for digital mockup when you transfer data to the SAP system using the CAD interface. Once you have done this, the system converts the original application files automatically and creates the document info records and document assignments.

    End of the note.

  • In addition, you have made the settings for the view in Customizing for Document Management under   General Data   Define Workstation Application  :

    • You have made an entry for the workstation application JT.

    • Under Define workstation application in network, you have defined the viewer that is started to display the JT original files.

Features

You can display a 3D model of an assembly and its components in the SAP system. You can display a 3D model on the screen without opening another window while processing or displaying a product structure in the Digital Mockup view. You can also display individual or several components. When you select several components, the system calculates the geometric items of the component and sends them to the viewer for display. When the components are an assembly in and of themselves, you can dismantle components and display or hide individual components.

Example Example

The product structure of an automobile contains the body and wheels. You can display only the wheels or only the body. When you display the body and the wheels or the whole automobile, the system calculates the geometrical positions of the components and displays them. When the body itself is an assembly, you can also dismantle it into its components (fender, doors).

End of the example.

If the product has a multilevel structure you can dismantle all assemblies for the 3D models of their components. This requires however that data from design drawings has been transferred to the SAP system. You can do this for any number of levels. You can combine the components from any assemblies.

You can execute the following functions in 3D models:

  • Display an individual component

  • Display further components

  • Hide individual components

  • Display an entire assembly

    You can also dismantle the components of assemblies to subordinate levels.

  • Highlight a component

  • Display a multilevel product structure

You can also use all the 3D functions of the viewer for displaying original application files such as the following:

  • Rotating and tilting the 3D model

  • Zooming

  • Saving the current screen contents of a file