Install Windchill Workgroup Manager - WGM

This page describes how to install and configure the Windchill Workgroup Manager for the current server version of Windchill.

Download PTC Workgroup Manager PTC Workgroup Manager 11.1_M020-CPS11

from software.lbl.gov and unzip the .zip file. DO NOT unzip the 7-zip files.

If no access to the Software site, download the zip file WC11.1_M020-CPS11_WGM.zip. 

To Uninstall the Workgroup Manager:  Run Uninstall_Windchill_Client.cmd

To Install the Workgroup Manager:

BEFORE running the WGM client for the first time ...
(Be sure to start up the applications you are using with Windchill at least once before proceeding.)

Run Install_WGM_M020-CPS11.cmd

Continue to Windchill Setup Step 1

Information only:

This Script will set the following User Environment variables necessary for Windchill:
PTC_WF_ROOT=C:\PTC\wgm_workspace_yourusername
PTC_WFS_ROOT=C:\PTC\wgm_workspace_yourusername
PTC_WGM_ROOT=C:\PTC\wgm_workspace_yourusername
PTC_WLD_ROOT=C:\PTC\wgm_workspace_yourusername

It will also copy the Windchill Border Templates into the appropriate AutoCAD user appdata location

Windchill Setup:

Application Registration & Windchill Setup:

1. Launch the WGM Client using the Start Menu / All Programs / PTC / PTC Windchill Workgroup Manager menu pick.
   
   
   
   
2. Log into Windchill
   
   
3. This brings up the Server Management window.  Select your workspace then click "OK"
   
   

Verify the Name and Location. (If no server is set skip to Manual Server Registration & setup section)

              Name:  pdmlink.lbl.gov
              Location:  https://pdmlink.lbl.gov/Windchill 

Verify the Set as Primary Server checkbox is checked.

4.  The Register an Authoring Application window appears.  If you get no list or the Product you will be using is not listed, contact CAD support (cad@lbl.gov).  For each application you need to register:

Case 1: If default startup is used - select the application and then hit the Register button. 
 

Close the Application Management Window.

Case 2: If custom startups are used the application must be registered manually to provice the opportunity to insert the correct startup string. This will be the same as the shortcut definintion. Click "OK", then Close the Register an Authoring Application window.  For EPD use: "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2018\acad.exe" -p "Electronics Packaging Designer 8.2"

Close the Application Management Window.

On the left menu hit "Workspace". This will show your current Workspace. Close the Workgroup Manager. Confirm Client close.

Now you are prepared to start using the WGM client!   Launch your application - the WGM client will launch automatically in the background and you should be prompted to login to Windchill. 

Example: AutoCAD - Once you have opened a drawing the PTC Windchill Interface will appear on the ribbon.

Usage:

When you use the File commands in your CAD application to Open, Save, Upload or Check In, you will be working with the Workspace that your WGM client is connected to.  Best practice is to Check In as often as needed. This transfers your changes to the Windchill server and makes them visible to everyone else (i.e. places them in the Common Space).  If you only use Save, the changes are only recorded to your local WGM cache (on the local disk) so you are not protected if your hard disk crashes.  Upload will send your changes to the private Server side Workspace - this will protect you if your local hard disk crashes because the data has been stored to the Windchill server.   However, no one will see your changes until you Check In.  You may wish to do this if you want to work on something for a period of time before exposing it to the public.

To better understand where your data is (on the local computer workspace or cache, the private workspace folder on the server, or the common space on the server), please read this helpful page about how CAD Workspaces work in Windchill.  The discussion there mentions Pro/Engineer, but it works exactly the same way for all CAD packages using the WGM client:

Windchill Workspaces

If you need to search Windchll or add existing items to your Workspace, raise the WGM client window to the forground and interact directly with Windchill to perform these tasks.  For instance you can use the Navigator bar on the left edge of the WGM window to access the search feature.  Or you can click the Windchill Cabinets icon on the left to browse your Product structure.

You will also need to use the WGM client interface to change to a different Workspace, or connect to a Workspace in a different Product context.  Click the Home icon in the WGM window to take you to your home page in Windchill.  There you will find a list of your existing Workspaces - you can activate one you already have, or you may create new ones connected to the same or a different Product context.  You can also Edit the existing Workspaces (use the Pencil icon next to the Workspace) to adjust the Target Folder where the Workspace will transfer your new CAD files to.  Note each time you change the active Workspace, your CAD package will clear all open data - this is by design.  If you plan to import data that is stored on disk, make sure the WGM is running, you are logged into Windchill, and connected to the correct Workspace BEFORE you load the CAD data from disk.

Manual Server Registration & Windchill Setup:

1. Launch the WGM Client using the Start Menu / All Programs / PTC / PTC Windchill Workgroup Manager menu pick.
   
   
   
   
2. The Register an Authoring Application window appears.  For each application being registered,  select the application and then hit the Register button.  Close the Register an Authoring Application window.
   
   
   Close the Application Management Window.
   
   
3. Configure the client to connect to our Windchill server using the Tools / Server Management... menu pick.
   
   
   
   This brings up the Server Management window.  Select the Server  / Register New Server... menu pick to specify the server.
   
   
   
   The Register New Server window appears.  For the Name and Location, enter:
   
   Name:  pdmlink.lbl.gov
   Location:  https://pdmlink.lbl.gov/Windchill 
   
   It is very important to type (or copy paste) this path correctly.  Next hit the Check... button - you will be prompted to login to Windchill, then a list of Workspace Contexts (Windchill Products) should appear in the box below. Pick the context where you will begin working with Windchill and hit OK.  If you get no list or the Product you will be using is not listed, please contact CAD support (cad@lbl.gov).
   
   
   
   Before you close the Server Management window, you must set the new server connection as your Primary Server.  Right-Click on the pdmlink entry and select Set as Primary Server.  Then you can Close the Server Management window.
   
   
4. On the left menu hit "Workspace". This will show your current Workspace. Close the Workgroup Manager.