File Commands
VX object files contain all of the information created for a design. This information is stored in top level root objects such as parts, assemblies, drawing packets, CAM process plans, etc. See Basic Work Flow for more about data flow within VX. These root objects also contain lower level sub-objects such as sketches and attributes.
This object-oriented structure allows for the efficient management of complex designs. Portions of files and objects are loaded into the active session as needed where they are edited and saved when the files are saved.
File 
New
The New File/Object Form shown below is used to create new VX files and new root object within the active VX file. Depending on its usage, the form's title will change (e.g., Create new file, Create new [sheet], etc.) and some of the object types my not be available at any given time. The function of the form however is similar in all cases.
New parts, root sketches, and CAM plans will be assigned the linear units of measurement defined in the VX Configuration Form.
Select the file/object type (a default object type may already be selected).
Select the object template or [no template] if desired.
Pick OK to create the file/object and close the form or Cancel.
New
Part/Assembly
Create a new file and part/assembly. An assembly is a part that has other parts (components) inserted into it. If a VX file is currently active, this creates a new part in the active file.
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New
Drawing Packet
Create a new file and drawing packet. Drawing packets contain multiple drawing sheets. The VX Object Manager is displayed for defining the first drawing sheet in the packet. If a VX file is currently active, this creates a new drawing packet in the active file.
New
Root Drawing Sheet
Create a new file and root drawing sheet. A root drawing sheet is one that resides at the object level like a part. Drawing sheets can also reside in a Drawing Packet (see above). If a VX file is currently active, this creates a new root drawing sheet in the active file.
New
Root Sketch
Create a new file and root sketch. A root sketch is one that resides at the object level like a part or drawing packet. Sketches can also be created in a part to drive features. If a VX file is currently active, this creates a new root sketch in the active file.
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New
CAM Process Plan
Create a new file and CAM process plan that can contain part components, CAM features and NC tool paths. If a VX file is currently active, this creates a new plan in the active file.
New
Root Equation Set
Create a new file and root equation set. A root equation set is one that resides at the object level like a part or drawing packet. Equation sets can also be created within a part or sketch. If a VX file is currently active, this creates a new root equation set in the active file.
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New VX File with Multiple Objects
Create a new file that will contain multiple objects types (e.g., parts, drawing packets, CAM process plans, etc.). When this type is selected, no initial object is created. The VX Object Manager is displayed for defining the first object in the new file.
Open Existing File
Use this icon to open an existing VX file. This is the same as the File Open (Ctrl+O) command (see above).
Use this option to create a new part/assembly,
drawing sheet, or CAM process plan based on an existing root object template
(see figure at right) located in the Templates.VX
file. Select one of the available templates or select [no
template].
See Using Embedded Text Variables to learn how you can embed part attribute data in your drawing sheet title blocks.
Displays a system generated name for the new file and object by default. You can accept this name or enter a new one. For all file types except Multiple Objects, the file name and the object name will be the same. Refer to the Multiple Objects type listed above.
Part Table...
Use this option to create a new part from a table-based family-of-parts interface. You will need to set up a part table for this option. Select the Part Table button and then select the part table file. You can then select a part to create from the table. Refer to the link below for more detailed information. See VX Part Tables for more information.
Part Library...
Use this option to create a new part from a VX Part Library (*.vxl) file. Select the Part Library button and then select the library file. You can then select a part to create from the library. See VX Part Libraries for more information.
OK
Accept the contents of the New File/Object Form and create the new file.
Cancel
Cancel the command and close the New File/Object Form.
New File/Object Form (See "New File" above)
File Open
Use this command to open a VX file or a non-VX file into the active session.
For VX Files
Use the File Browser to select the VX file to
open. You are moved to the object level and the
objects contained in the VX file are listed in the VX
Object Manager.
For Non-VX Files
Use the File Browser to select the non-VX file
to open. Non-VX file type extensions (e.g., .igs, .stp, .vda, .dwg, .xvx,
.vxn etc.) will be imported using the active import settings. The active
import settings can be changed using the File>Import command. This includes all file formats
currently supported on the Import Form except for
CATIA and Pro/E. See Import/Export Formats for
a complete list of formats and file extensions supported by VX.
If a VX file is active when this command is invoked, the non-VX file
is imported as a new object with the same name as the non-VX file and
added to the active file. The new object is then activated. If a VX file
is not active when this command is invoked, a new VX file and object are
created with the same name as the non-VX file. The file and object are
then activated.
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File
Close
Use this command to close the active file and return to the file level. If the file has been changed during the active session, you are asked if you want to save it before it is closed. When a file is closed or saved, it is cleared from the active session.
File
Save
Use this command to save the active VX file, updating the original file. A file can contain any number of root objects (e.g., parts, drawing packets, sketches, CAM process plans, etc.) related to a design. If the file is new and has not been saved yet, the File Browser is displayed and defaults to the "File Save" directory defined on the VX Configuration Form or the last directory specified by this command or the Save File As command.
The undo/redo history (see note below) is restarted when
a file is saved. If the file is locked
by someone other than the active user, the name of the user that locked
the file is displayed and the opportunity to override the lock is provided.
The file is automatically unlocked after
the save.
File
Save As...
Use this command to save the active VX file using the File Browser. This provides the opportunity to save the file with a different name. A file can contain any number of root objects (e.g., parts, drawing packets, sketches, CAM process plans, etc.) related to a design.
Undo/Redo History
The undo/redo history (see note below) is restarted when a file is
saved. If the file is locked by someone
other than the active user, the name of the user that locked the file
is displayed and the opportunity to override the lock is provided. The
file is automatically unlocked after the
save.
Exporting to Non-VX File Formats
The File Browser allows you to specify non-VX
file type extensions (e.g., .igs, .stp, .vda, .dwg, .xvx, .vxn etc.) so
that you can export the VX file to other formats during this command.
This includes all file formats (e.g., IGES, STEP, AutoCAD, etc.) currently
supported on the Export Form. When saving to a
non-VX data file, only the active target object is saved using the active
export settings. An error message is displayed if a VX object is not active.
The active export settings can be changed using the File>Export command.
See Import/Export Formats for a complete list of
formats and file extensions supported by VX.
Use the File Browser to either select an existing file to overwrite, enter a new file name, or use the default name.
Press the Save button to save the file and then return to the active VX file.
File
Save All
Use this command to save all VX files in the active session, updating the original files. A file can contain any number of root objects (e.g., parts, drawing packets, sketches, CAM process plans, etc.) related to a design. If a file is new and has not been saved yet, it is automatically placed in the "File Save" directory defined on the VX Configuration Form. If you want to put it in another location, use Save File to save it before using this command.
The undo/redo history (see note below) is restarted when a file is saved. If the file is locked by someone other than the active user, the name of the user that locked the file is displayed and the opportunity to override the lock is provided. The file is automatically unlocked after the save.
File Properties...
Use this command to display the current properties for the active file.
Name - The current name of the active file.
Version - The version of the file if PDM (Product Data Management) is enabled. Refer to the PDM Tab of the VX Configuration Form for more information.
Location - The physical path where the file resides.
Size - The current size of the active file.
Modified - Indicated if the file has been modified since it was last saved.
Locked - Check this box to assign the active file to the active user. The active user (i.e., User name) is defined by the User Tab of the VX Configuration Form. Only saved files can be locked. When a file is assigned, only that user is allowed to update it using the save commands. If the file is already locked by another user, the ID of the user is displayed. If you unlock it, you are asked if you want to reassign the lock to yourself. Locking a file is simply a "notification-of-ownership" for use in a "friendly" environment. It handles the issue of stale locks by allowing a user to override any lock at anytime.
Multi-Object File - A check will be placed here is the file was created as a multi-object file. This is set by the General Tab of the VX Configuration Form for all new file created. You can toggle the active file between single and multi-object by adding or removing this check mark. You can only change to a single-object file if there is only one root object (or none).
File Templates...
Use this command to open the current Templates.VX file in the VX Object Manager. You can use all of the object related functions on template files just like any other VX file. You can create a new object based on a template by selecting the template file from the "Template" section of the New File/Object Form (see above). You can also define default template files from the General tab of the VX Configuration Form.
File
Save/Close
Use this command to perform both the Save
File command and the Close File command
consecutively. The active VX file is saved updating the original file.
A file can contain any number of root objects (e.g., parts, drawing packets,
sketches, CAM process plans, etc.) related to a design. If the file is
new and has not been saved yet, it is automatically placed in the "File
Save" directory defined on the VX Configuration
Form.
The undo/redo history (see note below) is restarted when a file is saved. If the file is locked by someone other than the active user, the name of the user that locked the file is displayed and the opportunity to override the lock is provided. The file is automatically unlocked after the save and before it is closed.
Windows
Explorer® window
During the active session,
you can drag and drop a file from any Windows Explorer® window directly
onto the VX graphics window. Doing so will automatically open the file
or initiate a file translation depending on the extension
type of the file.
Select the file you want from the Windows Explorer® window.
With the file selected, do the following:
Press and hold the left mouse button on the file.
Drag the file into the VX graphics window.
Release the left mouse button.
A message is displayed asking
you if you want to open the file. Pick Yes or No to continue.
What happens next depends on the extension type of the file being dropped.
File Exit
Use this command to close the active session
and exit VX. You are given the opportunity to save
any open files before exiting.
If changes have been made, pick Yes, No, or Cancel to save them before exiting.
Pick Yes or No
to exit VX.
The undo/redo history spans
all files in the active session. It is only maintained if the Enable
session management option is set to Yes on the VX
Configuration Form. Therefore, when you save a file, undo/redo is
restarted for the entire session (all files in the active session).
In
general, you should use the Save All Files
command. Save File is a more "dangerous"
command because it only saves one file in the active session, ignoring
possible dependencies between that file and other files in the session.
Save All Files ensures consistency between
all files edited by the active session. If the Enable session management
option is set to Yes on the VX Configuration
Form, a Backup Session is performed before
the file is saved.
VX can handle paths up to 255 single-byte characters in length to VX object files.
