Sharing materials with labs through FTP

Material providers can share materials with users by placing ".dme" files on an FTP server.

If FTP settings are configured in "Dental System Control Panel" as either a lab or a manufacturer site, users can search for, download, and install ".dme" files from the site's FTP server.

Placing .dme Files on the FTP Server

As a material provider, you can:

• Place ".dme" files in the FTP root folder.
• Create folders named after specific Dental System versions and place the corresponding ".dme" files in those folders.

Note: Folder names must use the full Dental System version number (for example, "2.20.1.2"). If a folder is not named correctly, Dental System will ignore it when searching for available material files.

Starting with DS-2017, the material update process was unified. Dental System searches for ".dme" files in the following locations:

• The FTP root folder (displayed as "Unversioned").
• The folder with the highest Dental System version that is not higher than the currently installed version. The folder version is displayed next to the ".dme" file.

For example, if a user is running DS 2.19.3.0, Dental System will retrieve ".dme" files from:

• The FTP root folder.
• The "2.19.3.0" folder.

Folders with higher version numbers will be ignored when searching for available material files.

Downloading and installing .dme files in Dental System

You can download and install available ".dme" files using the following methods:

Through a Pop-Up Notification in Dental Manager

When Dental Manager is open, a pop-up notification will appear if new ".dme" files are available for installation.

You can configure how often Dental System checks for new materials.

Step 1: Open "Dental System Control Panel".

Step 2: Select "System Settings".

Step 3: Select "Services".

Step 4: Select "Materials Update Service".

Step 5: Configure the update interval between 2 and 72 hours.

During DS installation\upgrade

Available ".dme" files may be offered for installation during the Dental System installation or upgrade process.

From "Sites" in Dental System Control Panel

Step 1: Open "Dental System Control Panel".

Step 2: Select "Sites".

Step 3: Select "Labs" or "Manufacturers".

Step 4: Select a site from the list.

Step 5: Click "Download Materials".

Available ".dme" files will be offered for installation.

Additional Information

In Dental System versions earlier than DS-2017, the material update workflow may differ from the process described above.

For example, in DS-2016, ".dme" files located in the FTP root folder were not offered for download during Dental System installation, upgrade, or through "Dental System Control Panel" > "Sites", as the update process had not yet been unified.

Contact 3Shape Support if you have any further questions.
 
For full information on correct usage consult the official Safety and Setup Guide and the most current Manual.