Does anyone actually use this...[RANT]

We have been running proe since 1998. We were running 2000i^2 for the
last 3 years with fair results. Last February we upgraded(?) to 2001
2003010 to find that we suddenly can't 'Instantiate' from our
pro/Program parts. I found a work-around by loading the NC module
(which must bring in pro/Program functionality) and releasing it after
running the program. Over the last couple of weeks I decided to clean
up some of our pending PTC issues and I logged a call about the lost
functionality. The PTC techs couldn't get 'Instantiate' to work
either even on the newest builds. They issued an SPR an said
hopefully it will be implemented soon. I was amazed. How can such a
large bug go unnoticed for over 8 months. Are we they only company
using Pro/Program or at least 'Instantiate'

Issue 2 [Rant continued]
Over 2 years ago we purchased pile of ProductView licenses because of
all the great features that were promised. We have yet to see a
complete working installation. The best I've done is to get 95% of
drawings to publish only to upgrade(?) to the newest release to fix
the 5% that don't publish and introduce a new 14% of files that don't
publish and a pile of other problems. Text and arrows won't publish
as filled as they should -- this basically makes every schematic that
is included on a drawing worthless because believe it or not PTC there
is a difference between a filled arrow and an unfilled one in a
schematic. So I log a call, and this is the first they have heard of
this problem. They try an publish on there end and the same thing
happens. They put in a featue request and give me an SPR.

I have such a hard time believing that we are the only company to come
across these issues. Does everyone else find there own work-arounds
and not log calls or is nobody actually using these features.

 

Marc,

Some of the bugs I have found are truly amazing; but they do get fixed
if you follow through and get an SPR. This requires a little digging
and being able to consistently reproduce the issue, document it
(reasonably) well, and upload the files you tested to the PTC site.
We are using 2001 and have been since it was first released.

Here a couple of statistics that will open your eyes: Since May 1,
2002 my record with PTC Tech Support stands at:

Technical Support Calls logged: 321
SPRs created for issues I discovered: 92

Of the 92 SPRs, perhaps a third are what I would term 'show stoppers'.
The balance were more annoyances or could be worked around. The good
news is that there are perhaps 15 on the list to be addressed, and
they do get fixed (eventually). It is a bit of a double-edged sword,
since almost every datecode has a few fixes that I need, so I always
have the latest build running. Of course, being on the edge of that
sword means that I am right out in front in finding new problems
specific to the latest datecode.

Regards
Peter Brown

 

<rant>
I am still kicking myself for allowing PTC
to sell us that PILE OF DOGSH*T called ProductView.

Has PTC ever heard of VoloView, AutoVue or E-drawings?

I stopped paying maintenance on Pview, because like all
of PTC's products except Windchill, it is a bastard
child that gets no real funding to improve it.
Band-aids just don't cut it.

70 out of 400 of our DRW's will not publish with
version 6.4.
No matter what I do, or what PTC "tech support" does
they fail to publish. PTC has to invest some the
high maintenance dollars back into the MCAD product group.

Don't get me started on Intralink and family tables.

Marc,
You are not the only one frustrated with Product View, but
I am too hoarse to complain any more.

 

Marc

Have been pulling my hear out over ProductView for some time now and i
know how frustrating it can get, anyways..

The filling of arrows is Pro/E drawings is not an issue when
publishing but rather an issue of the hpgl (plt) format and viewer,
you can get filled arrows in the ProductView Client by selecting
Preferences->Drawing Settings and check the Fill Polygons check box.

Hope this helps.

Hugo