Create hierarchy for freeform zones

Create a hierarchy for freeform zones to allow for efficient filtering and searching within your product structure. Engineers can use this hierarchy to identify components that intersect with specific spatial zones, such as maintenance access areas.

Freeform zones are spatial regions within a product structure that help engineers visualize, filter, search, and collaborate. You can obtain the JT files that contain the freeform zones already defined in CAD software, for example, NX, and then create a hierarchy to associate zones with relevant product components and assemblies.

In Teamcenter, a freeform zone hierarchy is created using a secondary component of type Spatial Zone Container at the top, Item or Design for middle nodes, and Spatial Zone for the lowest-level (leaf) child items. Each assembly can contain one such freeform zone hierarchy.

Example

A coffee vending machine product structure can have separate freeform zone hierarchies for Brewing Unit Assembly, Water System Assembly, and Waste Management Assembly.

Prerequisites

• JT files containing freeform zones are available.
• You are the administrator of the product structure and your role has the permission to create the freeform zone hierarchy for the structure.
• The Teamcenter environment has the Smart Discovery Indexing license.

Procedure

1. Obtain the JT files that contain the freeform zones already defined in CAD software, for example, NX.
2. Search for a structure, and click Open .
3. Expand the structure and select an assembly or sub-assembly for creating the freeform zone hierarchy.
4. Click Add > Secondary Component.
5. In the Add Secondary Component panel, perform the following steps: In the Secondary Component Type list, select Spatial Zone Container. Enter the name and description for the freeform zone container and click Add.
6. Select the newly added spatial zone container, and click Add > Child to create the hierarchy.
7. In the Add Child panel, perform the following steps: In the Type list, perform one of the following actions: . If you want to create a lowest-level node in the hierarchy, select the Spatial Zone If you want to create different levels in the hierarchy, select Item or Design as per your requirement. Enter the required details and click Add. Add more child items to create the freeform zone hierarchy, considering your business requirement.
8. Perform the following steps to attach the JT file to each lowest-level child of the hierarchy. Select the lowest-level child of the hierarchy and click the Attachments tab. In the Files section, click Add . In the Add panel, upload the JT file and click Add.

Results

Spatial

Filter