Proe Wildfire 3 is installed on nearly all the lab computers in both Learned and Eaton. This software appears to have some issues rendering parts on current hardware. The reason is due to the age of the software, until Wildfire is upgraded to at least version 5, this problem will persist.

The workaround is to create a file called config.pro and place it within the start in directory for Pro-E. There is a single line in the file and it is as follows:

graphics win32_gdi

Once this file is loaded by the software it bypasses rendering the parts through the GPU and uses the CPU. This workaround should only be applied if you are experiencing this issue, as it has the potential of causing other issues. It is not recommended to use this setting if you are working in production and are actually attempting to design and test a real part.

The printing request form now has options for requesting plotting services. ECS offers plotting for research and academic purposes, but requests must be completed online and approved prior to being printed.

If you receive a message after attempting to import an .igs file in Patran that says xplus_iges.exe cannot be found, please try the following:

1. copy \\fs.soecs.ku.edu\public\patran\xplus_iges.exe to C:\msc.software\patran\2008r1\bin
2. copy \\fs.soecs.ku.edu\public\patran\xplus_iges.pl to C:\msc.software\patran\2008r1\bin

You should then re-try your import, you shouldn't need to restart Patran for this fix to work.

Engineering student organizations  can obtain email accounts and web space for their organization by going to:

http://www.silc.ku.edu/

SILC is Student Involvement & Leadership Center and they support email and websites for every registered student organization on campus.  They also have a website where the officers and advisor can go to request accounts and change passwords.

1. Log into the Hawkdrive using your KU online id.
2. Create a new folder by clicking the "New Folder" icon found in the top right of the interface.
3. Enter the name of the folder, click the "Next" button.
4. On the Choose Users page enter the email address of the user that you would like to have access to upload files to your document. Click the "Next" button after you have finished entering email addresses.
5. On the Verify Permissions page select the permissions for each person you entered on the previous page. If you would like them to upload documents you will need to select "Contributor". After you have set the permissions click "Finish".
6. The people listed will be sent an email with the link to this folder to where they can view or update files.

The Hawkdrive has many more options and abilities that you can use to share files and collaborate with other faculty, staff, and students. If you have any questions or would like additional training you can find more information on the login page.

There are many printers that are available to Engineering students. They can be added by copying and pasting the following links into Start > Run and clicking Ok.

• \\ps.soecs.ku.edu\e1005-laser
• \\ps.soecs.ku.edu\e1005-color
• \\ps.soecs.ku.edu\e1014-laser
• \\ps.soecs.ku.edu\e1018-laser

Some students, faculty, and staff are having problems in AutoCAD 2009 in which the ribbon does not show up.  We have created a script that will correct this problem.  To use it, go to the P: drive, then AutoDesk and double click on the AutoDesk.cmd file.  This will remove the AutoCAD registry entries and the corrupted acad.cui customization file.  After you have run this, restart AutoCAD and an installation dialog will occur.  After this has completed, AutoCAD should come up normally with the ribbon.

If this does not correct the problem please create a help ticket stating the problem and that you have tried the fix.

This document describes the process you need to go through in order to connect to the campus VPN. Using this connection will allow you to access SOE file servers, license servers and printers.

If you are connecting over a wireless connection, please make sure that your wireless interface is enabled. On most laptops there is a physical switch or keyboard combination that will turn on/off the computers wifi capability.
If you don’t have Java installed you will need to visit the following URL and install Java to your computer.
http://www.java.com

Windows Vista
Firefox
1.    If you don’t have firefox installed please visit http://www.firefox.com
2.    Login to http://staff.ku.edu using your KUOID and password
3.    Click the KU Anywhere link next to your name
4.    The RINGS page will be displayed
5.    Click the Launch RINGS Security Analyzer
6.    Click Start
7.    Verify that KU Anywhere is checked and click Continue
8.    If your computer passed the security scan click Launch Selected Service
a.    If you don’t see that option please call 785-864-8080
9.    Click Continue
10.    Click Run
You should now be connected to the KU VPN and will have access to campus services.

Windows XP
Internet Explorer
1.    Login to http://staff.ku.edu using your KUOID and password
2.    Click the KU Anywhere link next to your name
3.    Click Continue
4.    The RINGS page will be displayed
a.    If you see a yellow bar at the top of your screen click install

You should now be connected to the KU VPN and will have access to campus services.

Firefox
1.    Same process as Internet Explorer instructions

Patran runs from and stores database, session, and journal files in certain directories. If invoked from a DOS prompt, the current working directory is selected. If invoking form the Start menu or double clicking on the Patran icon, Patran uses the shortcut's "start in" directory. The following steps can be taken by a regular user to resolve this problem.

1. Create a folder on the U: drive to hold Patran data
2. Click Start > All Programs > MSC.Software > Patran 2008 r1
3. Right click the "Patran 2008 r1"
4. Click Send To > Desktop (create shortcut)

You will now see the Patran 2008 r1 icon on your desktop, this shortcut will stay on your desktop regardless of which computer you are logged on to, so this should follow you from computer to computer.

1. Right click the "Patran 2008 r1" icon, click Properties
2. Highlight the text in the "Start in" box and type the path of the folder you created on the U: drive.
3. Click Ok

For example, if you created a folder called "Patran" in the root of your U: drive then you would enter "U:\Patran" in the "Start in" box. Once this is completed start Patran from your desktop icon and use the program as you normally would. The folder you created will be populated with data from the Patran application.

Foxit Reader is now the School of Engineering's primary application for PDF reading and annotation.  Foxit has generally been an excellent replacement for Adobe Acrobat with very limited flaws.  Unfortunately, there have been issues with some of the add-on functionality to this application.

Foxit will prompt users to update their application with additional features.  One feature in particular, the "Firefox Plugin" has been known to cause several problems with Blackboard and several other KU Websites.  We recommend not installing this extension.  If you have, and are having problems with it.  Disable the extension in Firefox.

To disable the extension in Firefox go to Tools -> Add-ons.  A window will open with the extensions you have added.  Find the one that has Foxit in the title, click on it, and either click the Disable or Uninstall button.  The difference between the two being that clicking the uninstall will remove the extension permanantly and clicking disable will allow you to re-enable the extension at some future date.

Restart your your browser in order to complete the removal of the extension.  This should remove the extension and most issues should cease.  If you have done this and there are additional problems, please submit a help ticket.