With integration to leading CAD systems, TIMS3 caters to the changing needs of today's engineering environment.

TIMS3 supports all file formats and automatically launches the appropriate application for any given file type by using the file extension association stored in the Windows Registry.

When users want to view or edit a document, the file is checked or copied out and opened in the appropriate application using the file type association. This allows different workstations to specify the native host application for the file type. For example, an editors workstation may launch MS Word on a "doc" file, while a reviewer's workstation may launch the MS Word viewer application instead.

TIMS3 also provides support for popular CAD packages that use file referencing (XREF's). Reference file support is provided for Bentley Systems' MicroStation, Unigraphics, AutoDesk's AutoCAD, and Solidworks. As well, many of the above CAD systems sub-products and related programs are also supported for file referencing. If you use a different CAD package, please contact Support to see if TIMS3 will support it.

CAD Referencing

TIMS3 provides the ability to automatically copy-out (view only access) all files 'referenced' by the master file. Prior to file check-out the user is given the chance to review the attached references and select any or all to be checked out with the master file.

Users can determine cross-file association by being able to get a quick list of reference files at any time. Reference files are automatically copied out and used for view only. Users can check-out (modify access) and lock the file for modification at anytime even though a read-only file may have been copied-out earlier.

As users work during the day TIMS3 is always checking to ensure that reference files copied-out previously are still up-to-date. If during the day you re-use a reference file copied-out earlier TIMS3 checks to ensure your version is in sync with the server. If TIMS3 finds your copy out-of-date the reference file will be updated automatically.

TIMS3 also stores the referencing information in its powerful relational database. This enables users to associate meta-data to all master and reference files, and identify both master-to-reference and reference-to-master file associations.

MicroStation

In addition to the above CAD referencing integration, TIMS3 has developed specialized tools to add integrated support for automatic reference file relocation. Through a MicroStation MDL add-on supplied with TIMS3 we 'advise' MicroStation users where to find reference files that have been previously attached using TIMS3. This is a form or a virtual dynamic path used to ensure that reference files stay associated with their corresponding master file even if the file path changes from client workstation to client workstation or from server to client workstation.

If users want to move a TIMS3 server 'project' directory even after they have added reference files, they can go ahead without fear of breaking the reference file links. If users already have a host of reference attachments (working files), TIMS3 provides a MicroStation fast reference file renaming utility provided as a custom tool in the user interface. A TIMS3 toolset inside MicroStation ensures Open Document Management Compliance (ODMC).

Microsoft Office

TIMS3 is delivered with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel macros to enable users to "push" newly created documents in these applications directly into TIMS3. Users can also "pull" previously created documents from TIMS3 directly into these applications. As well, users can also add custom watermarks, view the document's meta-data properties, launch TIMS Address Book, and add various special characters through the macros.