NX PAX Files

When working with NX it can be useful to set up one’s own custom templates. These templates are defined in an NX PAX file that can be managed on a local workstation, server and Teamcenter. In this guide we will review the two different PAX files that can be used to define location of the templates; managed (Teamcenter) and non managed.

The Siemens Palette of PAX files can be found in your NX install location:

C:\Program Files\<NX_Version>\UGII\templates

There you will find the a collection of PAX files, including the “Model” PAX file that we will be using in this guide.

If you are setting up templates for NX with Teamcenter, you will be using the PAX files that have the prefix of *nxdm_*. These files are used for the out of the box installation and are great to use as a starting point for your custom PAX file. Also, keep in mind that you will also need to have either already imported the OFTB templates (if you are using those) into Teamcenter prior to the installation of an OFTB PAX file and import the any new custom templates that you will be adding your custom PAX file.

1. To begin log on to Teamcenter as infodba

2. Create a folder (in your Home Tab) that will store the imported PAX files that will be added to Teamcenter. When imported into Teamcenter, the PAX files will be represented by text datasets within a standard item type.

a.

3. Create items for each of the PAX files you will be using. Common PAX files are those for models, drawings, and sheets.

a. In this example I created one for the Model PAX file

b.

4. Under the item revision revision for each PAX file, create a Text dataset. You will not import a file in this step, so skip the file upload for now.

a.

You will also need to change the file from “Read-Only” to a writeable file

6. Open the PAX file in your text editor ( I use Notepad ++) and you will see multiple entries

a. Each “PalletEntry” will have a unique ID

b. The Filename will reference a item revision in Teamcenter (note the “@DB/” prefix – this will always indicate that the PAX file is intended for use with Teamcenter

7. If you decide to keep all the entries intact to use the OFTB templates (and if you have imported the template files as well) and then any new entries can be added at the end of the file. The important thing is that any new entries have a unique ID

a. OFTB template already in Teamcenter

b.

8. In my example, I have imported my template file into Teamcenter prior to making edits and uploading my PAX file to Teamcenter.

a. <<Video on template import to Teamcenter>> (SEE ATTACHMENT)

9. Here I have added an entry to the bottom of the PAX file for my custom model template:

<PaletteEntry id=”d20″>

<References/>

<Presentation name=”BLOG_Model” description=”Custom Model Template”>

<PreviewImage type=”UGPart” location=”${UGII_BASE_DIR}/ugii/templates/model_template.jpg”/>

</Presentation>

<ObjectData class=”ModelTemplate”>

<Filename>@DB/custom-plain-1-inch-template/A</Filename>

<Units>English</Units>

<ItemType>Item</ItemType>

<RelationType>master</RelationType>

</ObjectData>

</PaletteEntry>

Note:

• Edits should be limited to the strings in quotation marks between the PaletteEntry lines.
• PaletteEntry IDs must be unique
• Review that the Units match the template file you have or will import into Teamcenter

10. After the edits are completed, you are ready to upload the PAX file to Teamcenter. Find the dataset you created in step 4

a.

b. Upload the PAX file to the model_1_pax/A dataset

11. Add the following Teamcenter Preference: TC_NX_FileNewPAXFiles

a. Note: Prior to NX 1847, the TC_NX_FileNewPAXFiles preference is not applicable, and you must specify the version, as in the following: TC_NX_FileNewPAXFiles_NX12

12. Open NX to verify –

**Special Note – If you do not want the PAX Fil

To add a custom template to the local PAX file, begin by

1. Locating the local ugs_model_templates.pax file

a.

b. Make a backup copy and then make the file writeable again.

c. Edit the PAX file in your text editor (I use Notepad ++)

d. Just as before, you can delete and just have your custom templates listed in the PAX file or amend the file and add your templates to the OFTB list.

e. Here is what I added:

<PaletteEntry id=”d30″>

<References/>

<Presentation name=”Local_Blog_Model” description=”Blog Model Test”>

<PreviewImage type=”UGPart” location=”model_template.jpg”/>

</Presentation>

<ObjectData class=”ModelTemplate”>

<Filename>custom-plain-1-inch-template.prt</Filename>

<Units>English</Units>

</ObjectData>

</PaletteEntry>

I then copied the custom-plain-1-inch-template.prt to the \UGII\template folder

2. Launch NX and verify that the template is there