I’ll provide a complete solution addressing CAD file conversion, PDM connector configuration, and viewer codec support.
Root Cause Analysis:
The Aras 3D viewer doesn’t work with raw CAD files - it requires processed viewer data (tessellated geometry, metadata, structure). When your PDM connector retrieves external CAD files, they’re being stored as generic file attachments without triggering the necessary CAD processing pipeline.
Solution Part 1: CAD File Conversion Configuration
Verify and configure the CAD conversion service:
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Check Conversion Task Queue: Navigate to Administration > Conversion Tasks in Aras. Look for failed or pending tasks related to your external CAD files. The logs here will show specific conversion errors.
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Enable CAD Processing for External Files: Modify your PDM connector to trigger CAD import workflow when retrieving files. The connector should:
- Create proper CAD Document items (not just File attachments)
- Set the appropriate CAD file type classification
- Trigger the CAD import agent to process the file
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Review Conversion Logs: Check [InstallDir]\Innovator\Server\Logs\CADConversion for detailed error messages. Common issues include:
- Missing translator components
- Unsupported CAD format versions
- Insufficient permissions on conversion server
- Memory/resource limitations during tessellation
Solution Part 2: PDM Connector Configuration
Update your connector’s post-retrieval workflow:
1. File Retrieved from PDM
2. Create CAD Document item (not generic File)
3. Set file_type property to appropriate CAD format
4. Apply CAD Import method
5. Queue for viewer conversion
6. Update relationships (Part-CAD Document)
The key is ensuring external files follow the same processing path as native Aras CAD files. Your connector needs to invoke the CAD Import Server service after file retrieval.
Solution Part 3: Viewer Codec Support Verification
Validate codec availability for your formats:
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STEP Files (.stp, .step): Requires STEP translator license. Check Administration > Licenses to verify STEP import is licensed. STEP AP203 and AP214 are most common - ensure your files match supported versions.
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IGES Files (.igs, .iges): Usually included in base CAD import license. Verify IGES version compatibility (5.3 is standard).
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Parasolid (.x_t, .x_b): Requires specific Parasolid translator license. This is often a separate license component - verify it’s installed and activated.
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Codec Testing: Create a simple test by manually importing one external file through Aras’s standard CAD import interface (not through the PDM connector). If this works, the issue is connector configuration. If this fails, it’s a codec/license issue.
Solution Part 4: Implementation Steps
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Immediate Workaround: For already-retrieved files that aren’t displaying, manually trigger CAD import:
- Open the CAD Document item
- Run the “Import from File” action
- Monitor conversion task completion
- Refresh viewer
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Permanent Fix: Modify PDM connector workflow:
- Add CAD document creation step
- Configure automatic CAD import triggering
- Set up conversion monitoring
- Implement retry logic for failed conversions
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Validation Process:
- Test with each CAD format individually
- Verify conversion tasks complete successfully
- Confirm viewer data (PVZ files) are generated
- Test viewer loading for each format
Solution Part 5: Performance Optimization
For large volumes of external CAD files:
- Configure batch conversion processing
- Allocate sufficient resources to CAD conversion server
- Implement conversion priority rules (critical files first)
- Set up monitoring alerts for conversion failures
Troubleshooting Decision Tree:
- Viewer fails → Check conversion task status
- Conversion fails → Review codec/license availability
- Conversion succeeds but viewer fails → Check viewer data file generation
- All succeeds but specific formats fail → Verify format version compatibility
This comprehensive approach ensures external CAD files from your PDM integration go through proper Aras CAD processing, generating all necessary viewer data for successful 3D visualization.
This draft is based on general Aras Innovator knowledge. It has not been verified against your specific version and environment. Practitioners: verify the steps and share your experience below.