You cannot add a visualization file to a file that is checked out.

[mtmarchant]

We are working on automating some of our more basic workflows and are trying to utilize Job Processor to take the strain off of our design team's individual desktops. We ran into this error today:

What I'm curious about, is whether or not we can work around this, or if the software is simply acting as intended and we as a team just have to be diligent to make sure files are checked in whenever we want to create a visualization file.

[Gabriel_Watson · Accepted solution]

I think the Job Processor needs to check out the file every time it creates the DWF, because it attaches the hidden DWF to the file it was generated from (other operations using the Job Processor often require a backend lightning-fast checkout as well, such as Rename or Copy Design).

You should keep DWF generation for lifecycle state transition triggers, such as when a file goes to a "checking" or "reviewing" state where downstream users (non-CAD) might need the visualizations to open and evaluate (mostly, from the Vault Thin/Web Client). Plus, of course, DWFs being generated upon "RELEASE" state transition (WIP to Released, for example), where manufacturing or procurement will need those the most.

Definitely, though, you should not have DWFs being generated upon check-in of files, because that adds a lot of time to the design process. Generate DWFs sparingly, as needed, and set one Job Processor exclusively for that if you can (there will be files that error out when generating DWF, and it is a constant chore for the PDM admin to fix/verify what failed).