Volkswagen Group Reference Catia Lite
User Manual
EN
Accountable:
Status:
Document version:
Date:
VW Group IT K-FIMB/3
approved
12
2020-12-14
Document history:
Version | Date | Comment | Reviser |
7 | 2014-09-11 | Revision for VWGRCLite 5.3.x | T-Systems |
7 | 2014-09-11 | Translated into English | T-Systems |
7 | 2014-09-11 | Check and release | H&D |
8 | 2015-07-23 | Revision for VWGRCLite 5.4.0.1 | T-Systems |
8 | 2015-09-18 | Check and release | H&D |
9 | 2017-03-30 | Revision for VWGRCLite 6.2.0.x | MVI-PROPLANT |
10 | 2018-09-21 | Update: Accountable | MVI-PROPLANT |
11 | 2019-04-15 | Revision for VWGRCLite 7.x | MVI-PROPLANT |
12 | 2020-12-14 | Revision for VWGRCLite 9.x | MVI-PROPLANT |
Table of content
Table of Figures
1 Preamble
VWGRCLite stands for Group Reference Catia Lite. The VWGRCLite is a system designed by VOLKSWAGEN AG to ensure flexible operating of the CAD system CATIA and directly related applications within the VOLKSWAGEN Group
This document describes the graphical interface of the VWGRCLite. It provides appropriate controls for simple configuration tasks and especially for the implementation of frequent operations.
Because of capacity reasons and frequently changing constraints, the VWGRCLite remains in a continuous development which cannot be described contemporary. Deviations of this documentation from the actual state are therefore inevitable.
The figures in this document are provided as examples. The appearance of your installation in the VWGRCLite user interface (VWGRCLite-GUI) may differ.
2 Call
Important Note: Starting the VWGRCLite-GUI or the environments can be configured differently from the supplied VWGRCLite Default by your administrator. In the following the VWGRCLite Default is described exclusively. If your implementation differs from the VWGRCLite default, please ask your administrator how to start the VWGRCLite-GUI or the VWGRCLite environments.
2.1 Starting via the“desktop icon”or“start menu icon”
On all windows platforms it is possible to create an icon for starting the VWGRCLite on the desktop or the in the start menu during the installation of the VWGRCLite.
Figure 2-1 VWGRCLite desktop icon
2.2 Starting from the command prompt
It is also possible to start the VWGRCLite through the command line of a windows “command prompt”. Therefore change to the directory
%VWGRCLITE_K_PATH%\catia\bin (e.g. C:\vwg\catia\bin) and call xgrx.bat (refer to the figure below).
Figure 2-2 Command line call of xgrx.bat (example)
3 Layout and controls
3.1 Structure of the graphical interface
The VWGRCLite window is divided into three areas:
• the menu bar (1)
It provides functions to quit the VWGRCLite, the online help and tools for special tasks.
• the configuration area (2)
It is used to select the configuration. The configuration is made up of the Level selection (OEM, Brand, Department, etc.), the Dassault Environments (V5-6 Release, Service Pack, Hotfix), the VWGRCLite tree and the Additionals.
• the usage area (3)
This service is used to start the application CATIA.
Figure 3-1 Allocation of use areas in the VWGRCLite GUI
3.2 Using the menus
The call of the functions provided in the menu is performed by simple selection of the main menu text with the left mouse button. Inside the menu the appropriate function is selected.
Figure 3-2 Example for choosing VWGRCLite menus
3.3 Using the configuration switches
The selection of the optional configuration settings is based on a list of provided value, therefore the fields are not editable. Whether and how much alternatives are provided in a list, depends on the respective installation and integration of the working environment.
To open the list, select the switch on right side of the field. The new value can then be selected from the provided alternatives.
Figure 3-3 Example for choosing VWGRCLite configuration switches
4 Configuring the working environment
In terms of the VWGRCLite a working environment includes both the versions of the application software and settings of runtime parameters defined centrally or by the user. The latter is organized in the Levels “OEM”, “Brand”, “Brand Department”, “Supplier Department”, “license” and the “Additionals” and include for example VOLKSWAGEN applications, setting, control data for fonts and construction standards as well as structure parts and standard catalogues.
Using the VWGRCLite it is possible to set up the working environment by selecting available software versions and combinations of alternatives on the different levels.
Important Note: The Levels “Supplier Department” and “license” can be configured and used optionally by the development partner. The usage happens on your own risk. Please consult your administrator on this.
4.1 Settings on the CATIA base
A CATIA base persists of a basic installation V5-6 R2018 with possibly other CATIA products (e.g. PX1, VX1), the service pack and the hot fix. This base needs to meet the current requirements of VOLKSWAGEN. A VWGRCLite installation can contain or address one or more CATIA installations. The CATIA base installation is being extended by the selected configurations on the tabs “Level” and “Additionals”.
The selection is takes place in the tab “Dassault” using the switch “Environment”. Following is a picture from a selection:
Figure 4-1 Choice of a CATIA base environment (example)
4.2 Setting up the Level
To be able to select the “OEM”, “Brand”, “Brand Department”, “Supplier Department” or “license” you will need to activate the tab “Level”:
Figure 4-2 VWGRCLite GUI register „Level“
4.2.1 Selecting the Level environment
Depending of the installation by your administrator, you will run across a selection in the different Levels “OEM”, “Brand”, “Brand Department”, “Supplier Department” and “license”. The selection is made using the respective switch . The required configuration is being applied automatically, a restart of the VWGRCLite is not necessary.
Note: The Levels “Supplier Department” and “license” can be configured and used optionally by the development partner. Please consult your VWGRCLite administrator on this.
4.2.2 Minimum selection for “Brand”
A VWGRCLite installation has to contain at least one Brand (VW, Audi, SEAT, Skoda…). The VWGRCLite environment cannot be started, if no Brand has been installed or is selectable. The error message “No Brand installed” will appear. In this case, refer to your VWGRCLite administrator.
Figure 4-3 Error picture, if no brand package is installed or selected
4.3 Setting up“Additionals”
Under the tab “Additionals” additional VOLKSWAGEN applications are provided (e.g. VWGBoM2KSL, VWGCADGlyph, VWGDoLittle, VWGVWMetho). The additional applications available to you will be displayed by activating the tab “Additionals”. Next to the application name, the version is stated. In this example, the versions have been replaced with x.x.x.x for simplification.
Figure 4-4 Representation of various additional applications (example)
The icon in front of the Additional signalizes, whether the Additional is activated or
deactivated . Switching the state is performed by selecting anAdditional.
Figure 4-5 Example of an activated application (here VWGBoM2KSL)
4.4 Selection of a VWGRCLite tree (so called“grclitetree”)
According to requirements the VWGRCLite comes in different configurations which for example differ in the available selections under the tab “Level”. If your administrator has configured multiple VWGRCLite trees, they will be displayed under the tag “VWGRCLite”. Generally if only the default VWGRCLite tree has been installed, only the tree “vwgrclite” will be displayed. Following is a figure showing multiple VWGRCLite trees:
Figure 4-6 Representation of various grclitetrees (example)
When selecting another VWGRCLite tree, the VWGRCLite will be automatically restarted.
Prior to the termination a message will be displayed, which you will have to confirm. On selecting “No”, the action will be canceled and the old VWGRCLite tree remains active. On selecting “Yes” the VWGRCLite will be terminated and restarted with the selected VWGRCLite tree automatically.
Figure 4-7 Message, if grclitetree is changed
5 Menu“File”
Using File/Exit quits the VWGRCLite user interface.
Figure 5-1 VWGRCLite GUI menu File
6 Menu “Tools”
6.1 CATUTIL Batch Monitor
Figure 6-1 VWGRCLite GUI menu Tools / CATUTIL Batch Monitor
The menu option “CATUTIL batch monitor” starts the correspondent CATIA program. The pre- configured environment of the VWGRCLite GUI is used in this process.
Should there exists no license configuration for the selected VWGRCLite environment CATIA is first started, so that this can be done.
Reason: Some CATUtils needs a preconfigured Licensing.CATSettings in batch mode.
If a Licensing.CATSettings exists for the selected VWGRCLite environment the CATUTIL batch monitor is started.
Figure 6-2 CATUTIL Batch Monitor representation
Details can be found in the CATIA online help topic: "Running Batches Using the Batch Monitor ".
6.2 Delete CATIAUser Settings
Figure 6-3 VWGRCLite GUI menu Tools / Delete CATIA User Settings
The tool “Delete CATIA User Settings” deletes the content of the CATUserSettingPath for the current Level selected in the VWGRCLite GUI. A further check or a backup will not be performed. A message will appear (refer to step 4 in the figure below). If this message is answered with “Yes” the user settings will be deleted.
Figure 6-4 Sequence example for „Delete CATIA User Settings“
If there are no User Settings present for the selected Level when calling “Delete CATIA User Settings” the following message will appear:
Figure 6-5 Error message: CATIA User Settings do not exist or are not accessible.
Background information on the VWGRCLite CATIA User Settings: The CATUserSettingPath is a CATIA variable to store in which directory the settings of the user will be stored.
For each configuration of VWGRCLite Levels, another CATUserSettingsPath directory will be created. Only the Levels OEM, Brand and Brand Department will be considered. The directory name consists according to the following schema:
catv5settings.<OEM>.<Brand>.<Brand_Department>
By default the directories are located in the %USERPROFILE%\.vwgrclite\R30 folder. In case of doubt, refer to your VWGRCLite administrator to come to know where your CATIAUser Settings are located.
Examples:
1) Level selection:
• OEM=vw_group
• Brand=vw
• Brand Department=def
• CATUSerSettingPath
今 …\.vwgrclite\R30\catv5settings.vw_group.vw.def
2) Level selection:
• OEM=vw_group
• Brand=audi
• Brand Department=vw_electric
• CATUserSettingPath
今 …\.vwgrclite\R30\catv5settings.vw_group.audi.vw_electric
6.3 CATIAShell
Figure 6-6 VWGRCLite GUI menu Tools / CATIA Shell
You can use a “CATIA Shell” if a command shell with configured VWGRCLite environment is required instead of an interactive CATIA session. In this case your selection in the VWGRCLite user interface will be reflected.
7 Menu“Documentation”
7.1 Documentation
According to your selection in the usage area of the VWGRCLite user interface, further information will be provided in the menu “Documentation”. The document selected by a mouse click will be displayed by the included viewer.
Figure 7-1 VWGRCLite GUI menu Documentation with an example of document selection
7.2 Videos
A submenu „videos “exists only, if your VWGRCLite administrator has integrated the separately available CAA videos into the VWGRCLite. The videos are an optional offer of help of Volkswagen and can be used if necessary.
The Video documentation does not replace any valid norm or agreement with Volkswagen.
The video document supplements the written documentation and shows a possible procedure.
The application versions in these videos can differ from the VWGRCLite release.
Attention: Forwarding of video documents to a third party without explicit written permission from the Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft is not permitted.
Figure 7-2 Representation of menu „Videos“ (example)
The videos are shown in the provided video player.
Figure 7-3 Selection of the Validat video and representation of the interactive language control
8 Menu “Help”
8.1 Support Mail
8.1.1 Support Mail with an installation of Microsoft Outlook
Requirement: Microsoft Outlook is installed and configured as the default mailing application.
If you want to report a problem regarding the VWGRCLite to the T-Systems CAx-Service (support interface regarding the VWGRCLite), please use the function “Support Mail” in the menu “Help”. Using this function will collect all relevant information about your system environment. Following this an Outlook mail with the recipient cax-consulting@t-systems.comand the collected information will be displayed.
In case of problems regarding VWGRCLite applications (e.g. Validat, NTool, etc.) you should extend this mail by a reproducible problem scenario description (e.g. steps taken until the problem occurs, output of diagnosis functions of the application, screenshots, etc.).
Caution: It is recommended to let your administrator or your CAD support check those problems first, before reporting them to the T-Systems CAx-Service!
Generate the VWGRCLite Support Mail:
Figure 8-1 VWGRCLite GUI menu Help / Support Mail
At first the following window appears:
Figure 8-2 Support Mail wait message
Consecutively a mail with the required information will open.
Figure 8-3 Support Mail: Outlook e-mail result
8.1.2 Support Mail without an installation of Microsoft Outlook
The automatic support mail can only be created if Microsoft Outlook is installed and configured as the default mailing application. If this is not the case, you can also
manually save the files for the support mail into a folder.
Example:
Figure 8-4 VWGRCLite GUI menu Help / Support Mail
At first the following window appears:
Figure 8-5 Support Mail wait message
If MS Outlook is not installed on your computer or it cannot be found, you can alternatively save the necessary VWGRCLite log and system files in a folder and attach them to your e- mail afterwards.
Figure 8-6 Directory query and afterwards the directory result of the Support Mail
In case of problems regarding VWGRCLite applications (e.g. Validat, NTool, etc.) you should extend this mail by a reproducible problem scenario description (e.g. steps taken until the problem occurs, output of diagnosis functions of the application, screenshots, etc.).
Caution: It is recommended to let your administrator or your CAD support check those problems first, before reporting them to the T-Systems CAx-Service!
8.1.3 Important VWGRCLite log and system files
The following overview is about important log and system files which will possibly be created when installing, configuring or using the VWGRCLite.
• in %VWGRCLITE_K_PATH%\catia\catadm
个 all inst_grx.log.<nn> and all vwgrclite<nn>_packagesOverview.log
• in %VWGRCLITE_K_DATA%\catv5\var\local
个 GrXAdmin.log
• in %USERPROFILE%\.vwgrclite
个 vwgrclite<nn>_packagesOverview.log, all Startlog.* and all vwgrclite.*
• in %VWGRCLITE_K_DATA%\catv5\var\<USER>\errorlog
个 CATError.log and the most recent SessionInfoFile_<USER>_*.txt
The variables %VWGRCLITE_K_PATH% and %USERPROFILE% can be requested through a command shell (cmd.exe):
Figure 8-7 Command line examples to give out the value of variable
8.2 Packages Overview
This function provides a quick overview of the installed package versions in the currently active VWGRCLite tree (in figure 28: vwgrclite und vwgrclite01).
In the figure below the version readings are masked with x.x.x.x for generalization:
Figure 8-8 VWGRCLite GUI menu Help / Package Overview with an example
If you are using the function “Save”, the file “vwgrclite<nn>_packagesOverview.log“ will be
created in “%USERPROFILE%\.vwgrclite”
8.3 Info
“Info” will display information about the VWGRCLite (e.g. version, build, kernel), the VWGRCLite license and some information about the system.
Figure 8-9 VWGRCLite GUI menu Help / Info with an output example