Pack to Share

Compress and send Cimatron files to another Cimatron user, without sharing proprietary file features embedded in smart catalog parts and catalog assemblies.

A CTF file is a Zip-like format for Cimatron files, containing compressed files, data, and path information. A CTF file can be used for backup purposes or for sending to other users.

A CTF file is the best method for compressing Cimatron files as only the relevant files in a folder are compressed. For example, when creating a CTF file of an assembly, only those files in the folder that are used in the assembly are automatically compressed and included in the CTF file; all other files in the folder that are not used in the assembly are not included in the CTF file. Hence, the CTF file contains all the associated files.

There are a number of ways that you can pack or unpack a CTF file, for more see:

• Pack and unpack CTF Files Utility
• Packing a CTF file
• Unpacking a CTF file
• Pack to CTF & email

Pack selected sanitized Cimatron files into one compressed CTF file

1. InvokeInvoke (for more, click Access at the top of this Help topic) the Pack to Share function. This involves selecting the files or folder to be compressed into a CTF file.

2. The Cimatron Explorer is displayed. Select the required part or assembly file(s) or folder - Drafting and NC files cannot be selected in this function.

3. The Pack to Share dialog is displayed.

   

   Set the appropriate parameters by marking or unmarking the checkboxes:

   Reset History on all parts	The history of each Part to be added to the CTF file will be reset and re-saved before inclusion (not assembly features).
   Reset History on catalog parts	The history of each catalog based Part to be added to the CTF file will be reset and re-saved before inclusion (not assembly features).
   Break links to catalog parts	Remove the file links to all catalog based parts to be added to the CTF file (This option cannot be deselected).
   Break Part level file links	Remove links to parts or assemblies that reside underneath other Part files (Links in Assembly, Drafting, and NC files are not changed).
   Clear all Setup Table entries	Remove all entries in the Setup tree of every selected part and assembly to be added to the CTF file, including any external links like to catalogs or Excel.
   Remove saved Display Mesh data (smaller file size)	Remove (zero out) the .mesh component of every file.

   Note: Any dependent files will also be included, Catalog source files will not be included.

4. Enter the name for the packed file in the File name field and choose a location to store it.

5. Click Save to complete the operation.