Posts

UniCam CAD Import Error

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We have been seeing users experience errors importing CAD files into UniCam, particularly files in the ODB++ format.

The scenario is as follows:

User imports a CAD file and it imports fine with no problem. However, the next job they start working on they can no longer import the CAD and get a “Fatal Error” message. In fact, they cannot seem to import any CAD file for any job.

The solution is as follows:

When a CAD importer runs it creates a folder, “$cadtemp”, which is normally deleted automatically when the importer finishes. Sometimes the $cadtemp folder doesn’t get deleted and that causes all kinds of importer problems, one of which you’re experiencing.  For some reason, this seems to happen primarily when importing ODB CAD files.

The path you are looking for is, “C:\Users\<your windows login name>\AppData\Local\Temp\”. Look there for the $cadtemp folder and delete it if it exists. Then try to import your CAD file again.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our support team at 855-642-2848 Option 2, or via our support request form.

Fix for UniDoc & ViewStation Client Install (Version 11)

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FYI, a problem with the installer was discovered after the release of UniCam Version 11 that has occurred with some customers, but not all.

Fortunately there is an easy work around. Some customers reported getting a fatal error message when upgrading existing UniDoc and ViewStation client PCs and the installation aborts. This issue does not occur with UniCam clients installs. The work around is to:

  • Browse to the “C:\Users\Public\Documents\UniCam” folder on the client PC you are installing and rename the “UniDocfx.ini” and/or the “ViewStationFX.ini” file(s), adding a “.org” (or similar) extension to the end of the filename.
  • Then run the installer again running the “Repair” option
  • After installation completes, you can delete the newly created default “.ini” files that the installer creates and restore the old ones by removing the “.org” from the end of the filename.

That’s it! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team at [email protected], or fill out the online support request form.

Thanks for reading.

-Jim

The Siemens Software Download Server Has a New Look!

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In an effort to make the software download process for your electronics manufacturing solutions faster & simpler, Siemens PLM Software has changed the look and feel of their Download Center.

Simply look down the left-hand side of your screen, choose your product, and then dive in deeper to get what you need. Or, just type what you’re looking for in the search bar on the top of the screen and it will find it for you.

Screenshot

As always, you will need your webkey to login to the download center. For instruction on creating your webkey, as well as licensing instruction, view our licensing series here.

For step-by-step instruction on the download process, we’ve created a handy guide: Download the document

We hope you find this change helpful to your install and update process. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 855-642-2848 (option 2 for Support), or by using our handy contact form.

 

 

Licensing Tips Part 3: Auto-LogOut Feature

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UniCam Security now supports an Auto-Logout feature for both UniCam FX v9.2+ and Test Expert v9.3+. By default, the auto-logout is set to enabled, with a value of 10 minutes. This is a User level setting found in the Properties dialog for each user when in the “Security and Licensing” tool.

Auto-LogOut Feature

If you want to disable all users (or enable all users), you can use the “Secset.exe” utility found in folder where the security software is installed on the license server, (by default “C:\Unicam Security”).  To do this:

1. Open an Administrative Command Prompt on the license server.

2. Navigate to your Unicam Security” folder. CD C:\Unicam Security

3. The possible command lines for the utility are:

SECSET AUTOLOGOUT ON : Enable autologout for all users

SECSET AUTOLOGOUT OFF : Disable autologout for all users

You can also now use this command line:

SECSET AUTOLOGOUT ON 60 : This will enable auto-logout for all users, and set to 60 minutes (or whatever you specify).

If Security & Licensing Admin tool is open when you run the SECSET utility, you will need to close and re-open the Security Admin tool to see the changes.

Have more licensing questions? Be sure to read Part 1 (Installing a New License) and Part 2 (Replacing a License File).

Licensing Tips Part 2: Replace License File

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Did you recently get an updated UniCam license file with new features (or removal of options) or do you need to restore the license after a server crash/repair? If so, read on and follow these steps to replace your existing license file. It’s fairly simple to accomplish and should only take a few minutes before your team is up and running again. 

If you did the initial license install, most of this will be familiar to you.  You can also read Part 1 for a refresher. Please note that you will need your webkey log-in information to update your license.

Steps to Replace UniCam License File

  1. Open the Control Panel from your Start Menu
  2. Open Administrative Tools
  3. Open Services
  4. Find and select the Unicam Security and Licensing Service
  5. Stop the service by clicking the Stop button under the menu bar at the top or by right clicking on the service listing and selecting Stop.
  6. Go to the Siemens GTAC website (http://support.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com)
    1. Log in using your Webkey information
    2. Licensing Management->
    3. Current License->
    4. Enter your Sold-To ID (if requested)
    5. Click Passwords and License File
    6. Select “Unicam products” from the Product drop list field and click Continue
    7. Upload your Challenge.nlc file when prompted. Locate your “Challenge.nlc” file in the folder where you installed the license server, (by default “C:\Unicam Security”).
    8. You are prompted to download a file named “license.nlf”. Download and save this file in the folder where you installed the security and licensing server, (by default “C:\Unicam Security”). Overwrite existing license file if prompted.
    9. Start the Unicam Security and Licensing server. You can do this by simply rebooting the PC/Server, but a reboot is not required. You can also:
      1. Open Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services
      2. Locate and start “Unicam Security and Licensing server”

Do a Quick Test

For UniCam FX

  1. Open a UniCam FX client that is pointed to your security server
  2. If you are launching a newly installed client for the first time you may receive an error that no security server could be found. If this happens, close the error message and click on the Options menu in Unicam and select Security Server IP Address and then enter the IP address or hostname for the server where you installed the licensing. Click OK and close Unicam, then re-open UniCam.

For Test Expert

  1. Open a Test Expert client that is pointed to your security server
  2. If you are launching a newly installed client for the first time you may receive an error that the Server did not respond. If this happens, close the error message and click YES on the next Warning message box. A message box will appear asking you to enter the Security Server IP Address or hostname for the server where you installed the licensing. Enter the address or hostname and click OK. Close and restart Test Expert.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed your replacement UniCam license file.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed your replacement UniCam license file.

We hope this was helpful- if you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 855-642-2848 Option 2, or use our new support form for prompt assistance.

Thanks for reading,

Dave

Tech Tip: Convert Cadence .BRD File from Binary to ASCII for UniCam & Test Expert

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Are you having trouble importing a Cadence .BRD file into UniCam FX or Test Expert? If so, this post is for you.

First, a quick explanation on file types:

ASCII vs. Binary

There are 2 types of file formats: ASCII and Binary. (Read more about the differences here.) UniCam and Test Expert accept the ASCII format, and Cadence .BRD files are Binary files. In short, the two are incompatible. However, we have a solution to convert from binary to ASCII.

Change Binary to ASCII with Siemens Extract Script

Lucky for us, Siemens knows that this is a real headache for our customers, and they have made an Extract Script utility freely available. This utility must be run on a Cadence Workstation against the BRD file in order to create the necessary ASCII file format.

Find the Installer & Send Folder to Your Customer

The installers are located in default locations:

For UniCam: “C:\Users\Public\Documents\UniCam\CFG\fab_ini\Cadence\EXTRACT”

For Test Expert: “C:\Users\Public\Documents\Siemens\UniCam\TestExpert\FAB\INPUT\Cadence\EXTRACT”

Send your customer a Zip file containing the Extract Folder and have them follow the following steps.

Action Steps for Your Customer

  1. Install utility on the Cadence workstation using the “Cdc2Fab Setup.msi” file found in the EXTRACT folder.
    1. For UNIX based Cadence workstations, extract the appropriate zip file for your UNIX version and follow the instructions in the provided “readme” file.
  2. Launch the utility and from the File menu, select Configure.

BRD binary to ASCII 1

3. Set the paths for the 3 fields (see below)

  1. Extraction Tool: points to where the “Extracta.exe” is located on the Cadence workstation
  2. Script Files: should already be set correctly by the installer
  3. Output: points to where you want it to create the ASCII output file. Usually a temporary location like “C:\Temp” where you can grab it and move it from there easily to a permanent location.

BRD binary to ASCII 2

4. From File menu, select Export Board and select the .BRD file you want to export.

We hope you found this helpful. If you need further assistance or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to serving you.

Thanks for reading,

-Jim

Licensing Tips Part 1: Installing a New License

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Licensing is one of the most common support topics to come through our support line.  Now that we have a vehicle for sharing information with the world, I have put together a 4-part series on common licensing questions and their answers. This article is the first in the series, and will guide you through your initial licensing experience.

Step 1: Create a Siemens Webkey Account

In order to access our web tools and services available at Siemens PLM Software, you will need to create a WEBKEY account. A WebKey account allows you to control the username and password used to associate you with your company. Through this authentication scheme, we can control access to services, information and also guarantee the privacy of all customer data.

Let’s get started:

  1. Follow this link to create your WebKey account
  2. Enter your Sold-to ID. Your Sold-to ID is directly under the Sold-to information on your shipping order. (You may have also received an email from your CSR with an attached file containing this info.)
  3. Enter your WebKey Access Code (WAC). The Webkey Access Code can be found on the upper right corner of your shipping order that came with your CD. (You may have also received an email from your CSR with an attached file containing this info.)
  4. Fill in required info and create a User Name and Password
  5. This will trigger an activation email from Siemens PLM Software- once you have received the email and activated your webkey, follow the steps below.

Note: You must have a WebKey to log onto the Siemens UGS Support web site. If you do not have a WebKey and have trouble using the process defined above for creating one, please contact the Global Technical Access Center (GTAC) at 800-955-0000 or 714-952-5444 (North America or South America) or your local support office (all other world locations).

Step 2: Install UniCam Licensing Tools

  1. From the UniCam FX CD setup menu install Microsoft .NET 3.5 SP1.
  2. From the UniCam FX CD launch the Setup.exe then select “Security & Licensing” option from the Setup Wizard menu and click Install.
    1. Accept the default settings and click to “Agree” to the licensing terms.
  3. When the installation is complete it will create a file named “challenge.nlc”. This file is saved in the folder where you installed the license server, “C:\Unicam Security” by default. (Make note of this location for step 11 below.)
  4. Browse to the Siemens Support web site at http://support.industrysoftware.automation.siemens.com
  5. Log in using the Webkey information you just created
  6. License Management->
  7. Licenses->
  8. Enter your Sold-To ID (if requested)
  9. Click Passwords and License File
  10. Select “Unicam products” from the Product drop list field and click Continue
  11. Upload your Challenge.nlc file when prompted. Locate your “Challenge.nlc” file in the folder where you installed the license server, (by default “C:\Unicam Security”).
  12. You are prompted to download a file named “license.nlf”. Download and save this file in the folder where you installed the security and licensing server, (by default “C:\Unicam Security”). Overwrite existing license file if prompted.
  13. Start the Unicam Security and Licensing server. You can do this by simply rebooting the PC/Server, but a reboot is not required. You can also:
    1. Open Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services
    2. Locate and start “Unicam Security and Licensing server”

 Licensing is Now Installed and Ready for Test

For UniCam

  1. Open a UniCam FX client that is pointed to your security server
  2. If you are launching a newly installed client for the first time you may receive an error that no security server could be found. If this happens, close the error message and click on the Options menu in Unicam and select Security Server IP Address and then enter the IP address or hostname for the server where you installed the licensing. Click OK and close Unicam, then re-open UniCam again.

For Test Expert

  1. Open a Test Expert client that is pointed to your security server
  2. If you are launching a newly installed client for the first time you may receive an error that the Server did not respond. If this happens, close the error message and click YES on the next Warning message box. A message box will appear asking you to enter the Security Server IP Address or hostname for the server where you installed the licensing. Enter the address or hostname and click OK. Close and restart Test Expert.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed your UniCam License server and your users can now begin to use the software. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our support form or by calling 855-64ACUITY, Option 2.

In Part 2, we will cover “Replacing an Existing License File”. Read Part 2 HERE.

Thanks for reading,

-Dave