The following image shows the starting user interface of PARTdataManager.^[19]

PARTdataManager with tabbed page "Part selection"

Basically you can search for the desired part via index trees (e.g. Catalogs or Classes) whereon we do not focus in this example.

"Catalogs" tabbed page

"Classes" tabbed page

In the example in hand we will perform a Full-text search. This is opened and activated at program start by default.

Detailed information on all search methods is found under Section 3.1.1.6.4, “ Search methods ”.

Leave the presettings Search in all catalogs for parts and part families.

You can find detailed information on this under Section 3.1.1.6.2, “Determine catalog/classification/directory to be searched” and Section 3.1.1.6.3, “ Search for Parts | Part families and Parts ”.

Set the following entry in the input field:

Cardan joint

You can find detailed information on this under Section 3.1.1.6.4.2, “ Full-text search ” or directly in the user interface with click on .

Click on Start search.

-> The search results are listed below on the tabbed page Search results.

You can realize that you already reached the project level (deepest level of the index tree structure) at the respective icons (e.g. (part) or (assembly)^[20].

Perform a double-click on the desired part.

The Part view opens.

Part view

Note Via tabs you can switch between Part selection, Part view or Search results (label showing last search) anytime.

On the tabbed page Part view now determine the characteristic of the part.

The following figure shows the setting options of the Part view:

The default values, when opening the Part view ^[21] page, refer to a middle table row.

The following uses the List view to specify values.

All table values are listed one beneath the other.

List view

The following symbols clarify the selection options:

	Meaning
	Fixed value The variable contains a non-changeable value.
	Several values available in list field / Changeable value: When you select a value in the list field, then automatically depending variables are changed as well. The following two possibilities can occur: At a depending variable only one value is still possible. Then the variable is marked with . In the opened list field you see a black value (the set and the others in blue font color. There are restrictions at a depending variable, but still several values are possible. Then the variable is marked with further on. In the opened list field you see black values. These are not affected by the current selection. Furthermore you see blue values. These have been filtered by the current selection. Example: D has been set to the value 1.6. Thereby at L values greater than 20 are not possible anymore. These now are displayed in blue font color.
	Value indirectly determined This symbol is shown if: by filtering another variable, the selection was restricted to one single value. or by filtering another variable, the selection was restricted to one single value. Note This does not mean that you cannot perform changes anymore. However by the selection of a blue value all restrictions performed before are removed.
	Value pinned The value has been pinned by clicking on or or by direct selection. Actively filtered variable (by selection in the list field or by clicking on the symbol) In the related list field all values are blue, except the set one. This is black. Filtered variables restrict depending variables. There values, not available anymore, are also colored in blue. Variables unaffected by the filtering are still displayed in black. Compare Fig. „Example: D has been set to the value 1.6. Thereby at L values greater than 20 are not possible anymore. These now are displayed in blue font color.“. By clicking on the icon the filter can be removed again. Yellow and orange variables (value range fields) can not be filtered. (These are set via .)
	By clicking on this symbol the Enter value window opens. For value ranges (yellow and orange fields) you may make a selection here.

In the example at hand D2 is given the value 63.

The symbol automatically changes from to . -> Thus the value is filtered (fixed). At some depending lines (variables) [Z, PR, DR, TOL] with only one possible value the green checkmark appears.

List tab page

Now variable D3 receives the value 14.

-> Almost all variables are now set.

Determine the desired value via Info or list field and afterwards pin the variable.

Afterwards, you should test if the settings are correct for still changeable values .

You can find detailed information on list view under Section 3.1.1.7.1.2, “Determine characteristic in list view ”. See also Section 3.1.1.7.1.1, “ Determine characteristic in table view ”.

3D view

In the 3D view you can view and test the part three dimensionally.

For this you have many additional functions.^{[22] [23]}

In order to inspect details you have the magnifying glass function available.

3D view with magnifying glass

The tabbed page Technical details shows Dimensioning views (e.g. Front view, Side view) and Display mode.

If there are selection options select the desired one in the list field.

Dimensioning view "Front view"

For Assemblies yon can see the bill of material under tabbed page Assembly -> tabbed page Bill of material. The number of single parts is shown under Amount.

On the Links docking parts similar in construction are shown.

Links (here with selection "Directory")

By double-clicking on a part you can load it directly.

Export

If you are happy with your selection you can export the part or assembly to your CAD system.

Click on the icon Transfer to CAD .^[24]

	Note
	The icon remains active regardless of whether you keep opening from the PARTsolutions menu or whether you switch directly to the PARTdataManager.[25]

Via Export in file you can also export the part onto your hard drive in various formats.^[26]

Export

2D derivation (optional)

Should you want to export the part to a 2D CAD system, you must first create a 2D derivation.

Click on the 2D view button.

-> The 2D view window shows up.

2D view

Select a view. Here in the example Frame DIN (BOM) is chosen.^[27]

Now export the part as described in the last point.

Note When using a 2D CAD and clicking on the button Transfer to CAD, without having created a 2D derivation, a default derivation is transferred to the CAD system. Information on setting options is found under Section 3.3.9, “"Export to CAD" tabbed page ”.

We will perform a Full-text search with the following settings:

In the input field for the full-text search also complex expressions can be used.

Click on Start search.

-> The view changes to the Search results tabbed page. In the result list you can find concrete single parts, which meet the condition. The respective icon signalizes that single parts are displayed .

Due to the variable specification in the search results list only correct characteristics are displayed.

In the Summary column the variables are displayed. You see, that only characteristics are displayed, which meet the condition in the full-text search input field.

Also see Section 3.1.1.6.7, “ Search results ”.

Two hits shall be loaded into the Part comparison now:

For the first hit to be loaded click on the icon Load as first part and for the second one click on the icon Load as second part .

-> The docking window Part comparison is opened. The number of opened parts is shown on the tab.

You can transfer parts directly from the search results list into the part comparison.

Here you can check the loaded parts in many respects. Detailed information on this can be found under Section 3.1.1.6.10, “ Part comparison ”.

At the desired part, click on the icon Export to CAD .

-> The desired part is transferred into the CAD system via interface.

Detailed information on this is found under Section 2.6.2, “ Insert 3D from the Standard and supplier parts library ”.