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Quick start


This document contains important information concerning the first time you launch TraceParts from your CAD software.


For 3DXML compatible software
For any CAD software other than CATIA that can import 3DXML v3 files. To be selected to generate .3dxml files in a working directory (the default working directory used by TraceParts can be modified through the control panel).

  • Start TraceParts from the corresponding Program Group (by default: | Start | Programs | TraceParts |)
  • Once you have reached the last step of the part selection, click on 'Insert part' and a CAD file will be created in your current working directory (this directory can be modified through the Configuration panel).
  • Open the 3DXML file you have generated from any compatible CAD software

For ACIS 6.3 compatible software
For any CAD software other than Inventor or Mechanical Desktop that can import ACIS 6.3 files. To be selected to generate .sat files in a working directory (the default working directory used by TraceParts can be modified through the control panel).

  • Start TraceParts from the corresponding Program Group (by default: | Start | Programs | TraceParts |)
  • Once you have reached the last step of the part selection, click on 'Insert part' and a CAD file will be created in your current working directory (this directory can be modified through the Configuration panel).

For Alibre Design v8.2 and higher

  • Start Alibre Design
  • For Alibre Design 8.2, click on the menu | Tools | Add-ons | TraceParts |
  • For Alibre Design 9, click on TraceParts icon or in the menu | TraceParts | Insert part... |

For AutoCAD 2004 and higher

  • Start AutoCAD
  • Click on TraceParts icon

For AutoCAD Mechanical 2004 and higher

  • Start AutoCAD Mechanical
  • Click on TraceParts icon

For CATIA V4
for CATIA V4. To be selected to generate .model files in a working directory (the default working directory used by TraceParts can be modified through the control panel).

  • Start TraceParts from the corresponding Program Group (by default: | Start | Programs | TraceParts |)
  • Once you have reached the last step of the part selection, click on 'Insert part' and a CAD file will be created in your current working directory (this directory can be modified through the Configuration panel).
  • Open the .model file you have generated from CATIA V4

For CATIA V5 R13GA and higher

  • Start CATIA V5
  • TraceParts icon is automatically displayed in the "Product Structure" and "Assembly Design" workbenches. You can move this icon into any toolbar
  • Click on TraceParts icon

For Granite One compatible software
for any CAD software other than Pro Engineer that can import Granite One v3 files. To be selected to generate .g files in a working directory (the default working directory used by TraceParts can be modified through the control panel).

  • Start TraceParts from the corresponding Program Group (by default: | Start | Programs | TraceParts |)
  • Once you have reached the last step of the part selection, click on 'Insert part' and a CAD file will be created in your current working directory (this directory can be modified through the Configuration panel)
  • Open the .g file you have generated from any compatible CAD software

For IGES compatible software
For any CAD software that can import IGES files. To be selected to generate .igs files in a working directory (the default working directory used by TraceParts can be modified through the control panel).

  • Start TraceParts from the corresponding Program Group (by default: | Start | Programs | TraceParts |)
  • Open the Configuration panel (menu | Tools | Configuration... | System |) and click on the list «CAD format» to select the format you need
  • Once you have reached the last step of the part selection, click on 'Insert part' and a CAD file will be created into your current working directory (this directory can be modified through the Configuration panel).
  • Open the file(s) you have generated from any compatible CAD software

For images (BMP,.PNG,.GIF,.JPEG,.TIFF,.RLE,.PCX and .PCA)compatible software
For any software that can import images files (BMP,.PNG,.GIF,.JPEG,.TIFF,.RLE,.PCX et .PCA). To be selected to generate BMP,.PNG,.GIF,.JPEG,.TIFF,.RLE,.PCX or .PCA files in a working directory (the default working directory used by TraceParts can be modified through the control panel).

  • Start TraceParts from the corresponding Program Group (by default: | Start | Programs | TraceParts |)
  • Once you have reached the last step of the part selection, click on 'Insert part' and a CAD file will be created in your current working directory (this directory can be modified through the Configuration panel).
  • Open the image file (BMP,.PNG,.GIF,.JPEG,.TIFF,.RLE,.PCX or .PCA) you have generated from any compatible software

For Inventor 5.3 and higher
For Inventor 5.3:

  • Start Inventor
  • If "TraceParts" menu is not displayed in the | Tools | menu, install TraceParts add-in: click on | Tools | Add-ins |, select TraceParts add-in and tick the options "Loaded/Unloaded" and "Load On Startup"
  • Click on the menu | Tools | TraceParts | Insert part... |
To add the TraceParts menu and icon to the main toolbar (this is possible with Inventor 6 and higher only):
  • Click on the menu | Tools | Customize... |
  • Click on the | Environnements | tab
  • Tick "TraceParts" in the list "Available toolbars"
  • Restart Inventor and "TraceParts" will then be displayed in the main toolbar

For Kompas-3D v9 and higher
  • Start Kompas-3D,
  • Open an assembly file,
  • Click on the menu | Libraries | 1-Integration with TraceParts | Insert a detail |

For Mechanical Desktop 2004 and higher

  • Start Mechanical Desktop
  • Click on TraceParts icon or | TraceParts | Insert part... | menu

For Parasolid 11.1 compatible software
for any CAD software other than SolidWorks, TopSolid or Solid Edge that can import Parasolid 11.1 files. To be selected to generate .x_t files in a working directory (the default working directory used by TraceParts can be modified through the control panel).

  • Start TraceParts from the corresponding Program Group (by default: | Start | Programs | TraceParts |)
  • Once you have reached the last step of the part selection, click on 'Insert part' and a CAD file will be created in your current working directory (this directory can be modified through the Configuration panel).
  • Open the Parasolid file you have generated from any compatible CAD software

For Pro/ENGINEER (2001 & Wildfire 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0)

  • Start Pro/ENGINEER
  • Click on menu | TraceParts | Insert part... |
To add the TraceParts icon to the Pro/ENGINEER toolbar (this is possible with Wildfire only):
  • Click on the menu | Tools | Customize Screen... |
  • Click on the tab "Toolbars" and tick the option "Toolbar 1" available at the bottom of the list
  • Click on the tab "Commands" and then on the Category "Foreign applications"
  • Drag & drop the TraceParts icon on the toolbar
  • Click on the "OK" button

For SketchUp v5 and higher
To be selected to generate .skp v5 files in a working directory (the default working directory used by TraceParts can be modified through the control panel).

  • Start TraceParts from the corresponding Program Group (by default: | Start | Programs | TraceParts |)
  • Once you have reached the last step of the part selection, click on 'Insert part' and a CAD file will be created in your current working directory (this directory can be modified through the Configuration panel).
  • Open the .skp file you have generated from SketchUp v5 (or higher)

For Solid Edge v10SP8 to v19

  • Start Solid Edge Assembly
  • If TraceParts icon and menu are not displayed, install TraceParts add-in: click on | Tools | Add-Ins | Add-In Manager... | and then tick "TraceParts"
  • Click on TraceParts icon or | TraceParts | Insert part... | menu

For SolidWorks 2001+ SP6.0 and higher

  • Start SolidWorks
  • Install TraceParts add-in: click on | Tools | Add-ins... | and then tick "TraceParts"
  • Click on TraceParts icon or | TraceParts | Insert part... | menu

For STEP compatible software
For any CAD software that can import STEP AP203, STEP AP214 files. To be selected to generate .stp files in a working directory (the default working directory used by TraceParts can be modified through the control panel).

  • Start TraceParts from the corresponding Program Group (by default: | Start | Programs | TraceParts |)
  • Open the Configuration panel (menu | Tools | Configuration... | System |) and click on the list «CAD format» to select the format you need
  • Once you have reached the last step of the part selection, click on 'Insert part' and a CAD file will be created into your current working directory (this directory can be modified through the Configuration panel).
  • Open the file(s) you have generated from any compatible CAD software

For thinkdesign 8.4 and higher

  • Start thinkdesign
  • Install TraceParts icon : click on | Tools | Customize... |, select the "Toolbar" tab and tick "TraceParts"
  • Click on TraceParts icon

For TopSolid 2003 and higher

  • Start TopSolid
  • Click on TraceParts icon on the right of the main window or on the menu | TraceParts | Insert part... |

For VRML compatible software
For any CAD software that can import VRML97 files. To be selected to generate .wrz files in a working directory (the default working directory used by TraceParts can be modified through the control panel).

  • Start TraceParts from the corresponding Program Group (by default: | Start | Programs | TraceParts |)
  • Open the Configuration panel (menu | Tools | Configuration... | System |) and click on the list «CAD format» to select the format you need
  • Once you have reached the last step of the part selection, click on 'Insert part' and a CAD file will be created into your current working directory (this directory can be modified through the Configuration panel).
  • Open the .wrz file(s) you have generated from any compatible CAD software



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