Naming your models

It is recommended that you set up a naming scheme on your system so that models can be found by user, department, or customer project.

To specify a naming scheme for models:

1. List the items to include in the name.

   • For example, you could include the following items in your model name:
     • The part represented by the model
     • The revision number of the geometry
     • Who produced the model
     • The customer for whom the model is created
     • The project in which the model is developed

2. Code the items.

   • If you have many items to include in your name, consider using codes to identify the items. For example, you could use:
     • The part number to show the part represented by the model
     • A number to show the revision number of the geometry
     • The initials of the person who produced the model
     • The name of the customer for whom the model is created
     • The number of the project in which the model is developed

3. Order the items.

   • Fix the order in which the items appear in the name.
   • Position the unique part number, or the project number, at the beginning. This groups together all the models connected with that part or project in the model name lists.

4. Use separators between the items in the name.

   • If the coded items have a fixed number of characters, they do not need separators. However, using periods or other characters as separators makes the names easier to read.
   • In our example, the model name: 531.2.2500.perkins.rpg indicates the following:
     • 531 - This model is associated to a part with the unique part number 531.
     • 2 - This is the second revision of this model.
     • 2500 - This model was developed within project number 2500.
     • Perkins - This model was designed for the customer Perkins.
     • rpg - This model was produced by a user whose initials are RPG.

5. Inform all users of the naming scheme.

   • Everyone must use the naming scheme for it to be successful.

Distinction between a part and a model:

• A part is a physical component that can be purchased or manufactured.
• A model is a computer-generated representation built by PowerShape to describe aspects of the part.

Although the part can be represented by one model, it is usually represented by several models. Some of the reasons for this are:

• The inside and outside geometry is created as separate models.
• Several sub-components are individually modelled.
• Models can contain drawings and the drawings are stored as individual models.
• It is important to name your models so that you know which part they represent.