PolyWorks|DataLoop™

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User Guide
2020/04/05
PolyWorks|DataLoop
Contents

4 Getting started with PolyWorks|DataLoop

4 Understanding where information is stored
5 Choosing a Workspace folder
6 Connecting to PolyWorks|DataLoop Server
8 Working without being connected to the server
8 Logging out
9 Ignoring connection requests
10 Managing data from the server
10 Opening projects on the server
13 Opening workspaces on the server
14 Setting the display parameters
16 Deleting workspaces
18 Uploading data to the server
18 Uploading new workspaces
19 Uploading new projects and pieces
19 Additional information

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Getting started with PolyWorks|DataLoop

This user guide is intended for all PolyWorks Metrology Suite users who work with
PolyWorks|DataLoop. It explains how to use data managed using PolyWorks|DataLoop Server.
All PolyWorks Metrology Suite users should understand this information before they start using
the PolyWorks Metrology Suite with PolyWorks|DataLoop.

Note that if the items presented in this section are not available, contact your IT administrators.
It may be because PolyWorks|DataLoop is not enabled on your computer.

Understanding where information is stored

PolyWorks|DataLoop Server is where PolyWorks data is stored in order to be shared among
PolyWorks Metrology Suite users. PolyWorks data includes workspaces, projects, and
PolyWorks|Inspector pieces. It also includes point clouds and polygonal models stored in
workspaces (as opposed to those stored in projects).

PolyWorks data can be stored both on the local computer and on PolyWorks|DataLoop Server.
Its status is represented by a pair of icons.

The first one displays the local status of the data:

PolyWorks data is absent from the local computer. This is the case if data stored on
the server has never been downloaded on the local computer.

PolyWorks data is stored on the local computer. This is the case if data is created on
the local computer or is downloaded from the server on the local computer.

The second one displays the server status of the data:

PolyWorks data is absent from the database. This is the case if data created on the
local computer has never been uploaded to the database.

PolyWorks data server status is impossible to validate. This is the case if no

connection with the database is currently established.

PolyWorks data is stored on the database. This is the case if the data has been
uploaded to the database.

PolyWorks data is from another database and, thus, has an unknown status. This is
the case if you're connected to a different database than the one the data was
uploaded to.

PolyWorks data is inaccessible on the database. This is the case if the data has been
deleted from the database or if you no longer have the permission to access it.

Archives

With PolyWorks|DataLoop, data is stored on the server. Therefore, there is no need to create
and archive compressed workspace files (.pwzip) of old workspaces. Once they are uploaded to
the server, local copies can simply be deleted.

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Choosing a Workspace folder

PolyWorks|DataLoop requires that all workspaces stored on the local computer be saved in a
dedicated folder whose purpose is to share PolyWorks data with the server:

 When PolyWorks data is downloaded on the local computer, it is stored in that folder.

 When PolyWorks data is uploaded to the server, it must first be stored in that folder before
it can be uploaded to the server.

To specify the Workspaces folder, proceed as follows:

1. In the Workspace Manager, choose Tools > Options.

The General options page is displayed.

2. In the Workspace text box, type in

the Workspace folder, or click the
adjacent button to browser for the
desired folder.

 This folder must not be shared

with multiple users, as it could
lead to data loss and corruption. Choosing a folder on a local drive is therefore a good
practice.

 Better performance can be achieved by choosing a folder on a solid-state drive (SSD).

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Connecting to PolyWorks|DataLoop Server

IT administrators are responsible for making sure that a connection can be established
between the PolyWorks Metrology Suite and PolyWorks|DataLoop Server. Connection can be
established either by using your Windows session credentials or by using a user name and
password. The type of login information required is set using the Use the current Windows
session credentials to log in to Microsoft SQL Server check box on the DataLoop page of
the Workspace Manager Options dialog box.

If the connection is not established using the Windows session credentials, IT administrators
must provide you with a username and a password so that you can establish a connection
between the PolyWorks Metrology Suite and PolyWorks|DataLoop Server.

A connection with the server must be established if it is required for an operation, such as
downloading data from the server.

To connect to PolyWorks|DataLoop Server, proceed as follows:

1. In the Workspace Manager, or in any module, click the connection button located on the
status bar.

Depending on the type of login information you use, one of the following dialog boxes is
displayed.

With Windows session credentials Without Windows session credentials

2. If needed, type in your Username and Password.

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3. Click Log In to connect to PolyWorks|DataLoop Server.

The connection button, located on the status bar, indicates that a connection is established.
You remain connected until you log out or close the Workspace Manager. Your credentials
can be used to connect to PolyWorks|DataLoop Server with up to two devices
simultaneously.

If a connection cannot be established, contact your IT administrators. Your connection

parameters may not be specified properly, or servers may be down.

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Working without being connected to the server

At some point in your workflow, you may decide to work without being connected to the
server. As a result, you will only be able to perform operations that do not require a connection,
such as opening projects stored on your local computer. Several operations are offered to work
without being connected to the server, including logging out and ignoring connection requests.

Logging out

If a connection with the server is already established, you need to log out to work offline. To log
out, proceed as follows:

1. In the Workspace Manager, or in any module, click the connection button, which is located
on the status bar.

2. Depending on the type of login information you use, one of the following dialog boxes is
displayed.

With Windows session credentials Without Windows session credentials

3. Click Log Out.

Alternately, click Work Offline to log out and ignore connection requests for all future
operations. The connection button on the status bar indicates that the Work Offline mode
is activated. You remain in this mode until you log in or close the Workspace Manager.

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Ignoring connection requests

Whenever an operation that requires a connection is launched,

a dialog box is displayed to establish a connection with the
server. If desired, you may choose to ignore connection
requests.

Depending on the operation that is launched, different

buttons are offered:

 If a connection is optional, click Close to ignore the

connection request for the current operation, or click Work
Offline to ignore connection requests for all future
operations.

 If a connection is required, click Cancel to cancel the

operation.

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Managing data from the server

Workspaces and projects stored on the PolyWorks|DataLoop server can easily be managed
from your computer.

Opening projects on the server

When you need to work on a project, you must make sure that you obtain your project from the
server, and not from local copies, in order to work with its most recent version. You simply need
to be connected to the server.

To open projects, proceed as follows:

1. Make sure that you are not working offline. To do so, look at the connection button located
on the status bar, and make sure it displays the correct icon. Log in if necessary.

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2. In any module, choose File > Open Project.

The Open Project dialog box is displayed. It displays the most recently used projects and, if
applicable, the projects in the currently opened workspaces. Note that a connection dialog
box may also be displayed if you are not connected to the server.

3. In the search box, located in the top-left corner of the dialog box, type in information to find
your project, such as the part name.

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4. Click Search.

Search results are displayed. For Inspector projects, the number of pieces that contain the
searched string in each project is also displayed in the thumbnail.

5. Select the result that corresponds to your project.

6. Click Open.

The most recent version of the project is opened.

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Opening workspaces on the server

You can also access workspaces that are loaded on PolyWorks|DataLoop Server directly
through the Workspace Manager. To open workspaces, proceed as follows:

1. Make sure that you are not working offline. To do so, look at the connection button located
on the status bar, and make sure it displays the correct icon. Log in if necessary.

2. In the Workspace Manager, choose File > Open.

The Open Workspace dialog box is displayed. It displays the most recently used workspaces.
Note that a connection dialog box may also be displayed if you are not connected to the
server.

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3. In the search box, located in the top-left corner of the dialog box, type in information to find
your workspace, such as the workspace name.

4. Click Search.

Search results are displayed.

5. Select the result that corresponds to your workspace.

6. Click Open.

7. The most recent version of the workspace is opened.

Setting the display parameters

You can modify the display of the Open Project and Open Workspace dialog boxes to make it
easier to obtain the desired results. To do so, the following items can be used:

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Icon Description

A text box that allows editing the maximum number of piece

results when searching Inspector projects. A smaller number
of results will make the search faster, but less exhaustive.

A button that, when pressed, changes the display of the

projects, workspaces, or pieces, if applicable, to a list view
instead of a thumbnail view. In this view, columns display
properties of the projects, workspaces or pieces. To display or
hide columns, right-click the header and make a selection in
the shortcut menu.

A button that, when pressed, changes the display to show the

details of the selected project or workspace. It can be used in
both the list view and the thumbnail view.

A button in column headers, available in list view, that can

filter results according to the properties displayed in the
column. To use a filter, click the icon, select the Activate filter
check box, and enter the desired information. The icon
becomes orange when a filter is active.

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Icon Description

A button, available in list view, that clears all filters when

pressed.

A list box, available when the piece list is displayed, that allows
selecting which pieces are displayed in the list. Choose from
Pieces matching query or Pieces in selected project.

Deleting workspaces

It can sometimes be necessary to delete a workspace, either from the PolyWorks|DataLoop

Server, your local computer, or both.

To delete workspaces from the PolyWorks|DataLoop Server or your local computer, proceed as
follows:

1. In the Workspace Manager, choose File > Open or press the Open button, located on the
Standard toolbar.

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2. In the dialog box that is displayed, right-click the desired workspace and select Delete in the
shortcut menu. You can also press the DELETE key when the workspace is selected.

The following dialog box is displayed:

3. Choose the appropriate item, depending on where you need to delete the workspace from.
If the workspace is not saved on both the local computer and the server, some choices are
unavailable.

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Uploading data to the server

When workspaces, projects, and pieces are created or modified, they must be uploaded to the
server to make them available to other users.

Uploading new workspaces

When new workspaces are created, or if existing ones are modified, changes made locally are
only stored on your computer. To make them available to other users, they must be uploaded
to the server.

To upload workspaces to the server, proceed as follows:

1. In the Workspace Manager, choose File > Upload to PolyWorks|DataLoop Server.

2. In the dialog box that is displayed, use the tree view to select the data that you want to
upload to the server.

3. Click Upload.

The following dialog box is displayed.

4. If desired, type in a message to be attached with the uploaded data.

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5. Click Upload.

The workspace is uploaded and is made available to other users.

Uploading new projects and pieces

When new projects or PolyWorks|Inspector pieces are created or modified, changes made
locally are only stored on your computer. To make them available to other users, they must be
uploaded to the server.

To upload projects or pieces to the server, proceed as follows:

1. In your project, click the Save and Upload Project to PolyWorks|DataLoop Server button,
located on the Standard toolbar.

The project is saved locally. Then, the following dialog box is displayed.

2. If desired, type in a message to be attached with the uploaded data.

3. Click Upload.

 If a PolyWorks|Inspector project is uploaded, new pieces, as well as any pieces that were
modified, are also uploaded.

 Projects and pieces that are uploaded to the server are made available to other users.

Additional information

When uploading data, a message similar to the one that follows is displayed if the workspace is
not stored in the Workspace folder. If offered, click Copy.

As a result, a copy of the workspace is created in the Workspace folder, and the original copy is
kept in its original location. The original workspace must no longer be used, and it is good
practice to delete it to avoid working with duplicates.

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