Generating PDFs from CAD drawings is a crucial step for many organizations, especially when sharing technical information with non-engineering teams or external partners. Siemens Teamcenter, with its robust integration with NX, offers several ways to automate this process. Traditionally, many companies have used Teamcenter Dispatcher for this task, but there’s an alternative solution—leveraging Teamcenter Visualization and Ghost Scripts—that offers several key advantages.

This guide explores how you can use Teamcenter Visualization and Ghost scripts to automate PDF generation from NX CAD drawings, and why this method may be more flexible and efficient compared to using Teamcenter Dispatcher.

1. Overview: The Need for CAD to PDF Automation

NX CAD drawings often need to be converted into PDFs for various reasons:

Collaboration: PDFs are easy to share with non-CAD users, such as sales, marketing, suppliers, and customers.
Documentation: PDFs provide a universally accepted format for long-term storage or regulatory submissions.
Approvals: Approvers and reviewers, who may not have access to NX or Teamcenter, can easily review PDFs without requiring specialized software.

While Teamcenter provides options for automating this process, the choice between using Teamcenter Dispatcher and Teamcenter Visualization with Ghost scripts depends on specific needs.

2. Teamcenter Dispatcher: The Traditional Approach

Teamcenter Dispatcher is a widely used solution for automating CAD file conversions (including PDFs). Dispatcher routes file conversions through Teamcenter's integrated services, handling tasks like translation, file movement, and format changes.

How Dispatcher Works for PDF Generation:

CAD files are submitted to Dispatcher for conversion.
Dispatcher processes the files, running translation jobs to generate PDFs from NX files.
The resulting PDFs are saved back into Teamcenter or shared in the required format.

Limitations of Using Dispatcher:

Cost and Complexity: Dispatcher requires significant configuration and maintenance, making it ideal for large-scale deployments but overkill for organizations that only need basic PDF generation.
Resource Intensive: It consumes significant system resources, particularly for high-volume operations.
Limited Flexibility: Dispatcher’s predefined workflows may lack the customization options needed for unique document generation requirements.

3. Teamcenter Visualization with Ghost Scripts: An Efficient Alternative

An alternative to Dispatcher for PDF generation is using Teamcenter Visualization with Ghost scripts. This approach provides more control over the document rendering process, optimizing performance and reducing costs.

How Teamcenter Visualization and Ghost Scripts Work:

Teamcenter Visualization: This tool offers advanced viewing and markup capabilities for CAD models and drawings. It supports NX formats and can open complex CAD assemblies for review.
Ghost Scripts: Custom scripts that automate specific tasks within Teamcenter Visualization, such as generating and exporting PDFs from NX drawings.

PDF Generation Process:

Load the NX drawing in Teamcenter Visualization.
Apply a custom Ghost script to convert the drawing to a PDF.
Save and distribute the generated PDF.

Advantages of Using Teamcenter Visualization and Ghost Scripts:

Cost-Effectiveness: Ghost scripts provide a lightweight and cost-effective alternative to Dispatcher, with no need for additional licensing or server resources.
Flexibility and Customization: Ghost scripts allow for customized PDF generation, such as controlling paper size, file naming, and watermarking.
Lower System Overhead: This approach consumes fewer resources than Dispatcher, making it suitable for companies managing large volumes of CAD data.
Real-Time Preview: Users can view the drawing before exporting it to PDF, ensuring that adjustments can be made before generating the final document.
Ease of Implementation: Setting up Ghost scripts requires far less configuration than Dispatcher workflows.

4. Why Teamcenter Visualization and Ghost Scripts Might Be Better Than Dispatcher

Here are several reasons why Teamcenter Visualization and Ghost scripts may be the better choice for generating PDFs from NX CAD drawings:

Cost Efficiency: Ghost scripts avoid the additional costs associated with Dispatcher’s licensing, infrastructure, and administration.
Lightweight Solution: Teamcenter Visualization with Ghost scripts runs efficiently on existing infrastructure without requiring additional resources.
Customizability: Ghost scripts offer more flexibility in terms of controlling PDF generation specifications, such as file size, resolution, and format.
Scalability: Teamcenter Visualization scales easily without monopolizing system resources, making it ideal for growing businesses.
Improved User Experience: Visualization allows engineers to make adjustments to CAD data in real-time before generating PDFs.

5. When to Choose Dispatcher Over Ghost Scripts

Dispatcher may still be the better choice in certain scenarios:

Massive File Volume: If your company needs to convert large volumes of files in various formats, Dispatcher’s scalability makes it more suitable.
Enterprise-Level Integration: For companies needing deep integration with other enterprise systems, Dispatcher’s infrastructure may be necessary.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best PDF Generation Solution for Your Company

Both Teamcenter Dispatcher and Teamcenter Visualization with Ghost Scripts provide effective ways to generate PDFs from NX CAD drawings. The best solution depends on your organization’s needs:

If you need a lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective solution, Teamcenter Visualization with Ghost Scripts is a compelling option.
If you require large-scale, multi-format conversions with enterprise-level integration, Dispatcher may be a better fit.

At Vouduo, we help businesses implement tailored Teamcenter solutions that fit their document generation needs. Whether you’re considering Dispatcher or Ghost scripts, we can help you find the best solution.

Teamcenter Visualization and Ghost Scripts: A Superior Alternative to Dispatcher Translations