Introducing PTC Modeler 10.1: What’s New and Noteworthy

We’re happy to announce the release of PTC Modeler’s new version: PTC Modeler 10.1! Read on to find out what’s new. 

Release Summary 

SysML 2.0 

• Powerful capabilities that enable you to easily model, analyze, and optimize the functional behavior of a system using SysML 2.0 actions. 
• PTC Modeler now includes SysML 2.0 structure modeling, which allows you to model flows, and binding connectors as well as display membership relationships on diagrams. 
• More intuitive model creation, package modeling, and package filtering. 

Digital Engineering Thread 

• OSLC Link Editor tool (Tools Ribbon) to simplify link management over time 
• A new traceability report shows design dependencies and gaps across PTC Modeler, Codebeamer, RV&S, and Windchill PLM, based on OSLC links. 
• OSLC Links Editor now has a streamlined, guided user experience, and allows modification of additional components of OSLC Links 
• PTC Modeler’s integration with MathWorks Simulink now supports simulation with the latest versions: 2023a and 2023b 

Model Management 

• Model creation is now more intuitive with optimized toolbars and context menu, to help users find the correct function as easily as possible. 
• PTC Modeler 10.1 delivers innovative system modeling capabilities in accordance with the new systems modeling standard, SysML 2.0 
• Database schema now provides increased security 

ISO 26262 Certification 

• PTC is working with TÜV SÜD to gain ISO 26262 certification for PTC Modeler 10.1, further demonstrating suitability for safety-critical design projects. 

Usability 

We also provided enhancements in PTC Modeler 10.1 to strengthen its OSLC integrations, often called digital thread integrations between PTC Modeler and other PTC products, such as PTC RV&S, Codebeamer, and Windchill.

In PTC Modeler 10.1 the OSLC Link Editor now has a streamlined, and guided user experience, and allows modification of additional components of OSLC Links. This improved version of the OSLC Link Editor allows users to view, edit, and maintain traceability relationships easily. 

The second major usability enhancement for this release is a new report that shows design traceability based on OSLC Links between model elements in PTC Modeler and remote elements, such as requirements in Codebeamer or parts in Windchill. 

Focusing on SysML 2.0 

Released in 2007, the OMG (Object Management Group) standard SysML v1 was UML (Unified Model Language) based and became the systems modeling language of choice. Then, following eight years of real-world implementation and wide-ranging research, members of the OMG, including PTC identified the need to significantly improve SysML and started the process of defining SysML 2.0.  PTC led one of the 7 workstreams to develop the requirements for the next-generation systems modeling language, which is intended to improve the precision, expressiveness, and usability over SysML v1. This RFP (request for Proposal) was completed in December 2017 and work then started on the submission of a draft standard. PTC played an active role in the SysML 2.0 Submission Team and the standard was released as Beta in June 2023, for finalization and approval by the OMG Board of Directors, which also includes PTC in 2024. 

Unlike SysML v1, SysML 2.0 is not based on UML and is specifically designed for systems engineering, from the ground up. It is more precise, more integrated, and can support more complex systems than SysML v1. It also has a standardized API based on REST and OSLC (Open Services for Lifecycle Collaboration). 

Core SysML 2.0 capabilities 

Working in parallel with the OMG standardization process, PTC Modeler 10 delivered PTC’s core implementation of SysML 2.0 two months after the beta release of the standard, making it one of the first, market-leading modeling tool to provide SysML 2.0, the next generation of systems modeling.

“We are excited to see PTC Modeler 10 from PTC as probably the first market-leading SysML v2 modeling tool to become commercially available.” - Mike Bennett, OMG Technical Director

PTC Modeler 10 provided core SysML 2.0 capabilities, such as new Model Elements, Relationships, and Namespaces. It includes the new language-wide concepts of Definitions and Usages, as well as Package Filtering. SysML 2.0 Use Cases are provided for functional modeling, with Parts, Ports, and Connectors for structure modeling. These new SysML 2.0 capabilities were delivered in both the Microsoft Windows desktop client and also the Web User Interface. 

In PTC Modeler 10.1, we have built upon this previous release and enhanced it with action modeling, which allows users to model the functional behavior of the system with elements such as actions, flows, and control modes. This great new capability enhanced the existing features we had for SysML 2.0. We’ve added more capabilities in structure modeling too, with flows, binding connections, and conjugated ports. 

Advantages of using PTC Modeler 10.1

PTC Modeler 10.1’s next-generation SysML 2.0 capabilities enable you to easily create, view and manage system models, capturing requirements, use cases and functions, logical structure elements, behavior actions, as well as key interfaces and relationships. PTC Modeler 10.1 provides an optimized user experience with extensive use of drag-and-drop, ensuring modeling is quick and intuitive. 

These features are complemented by easy-to-use model and structure browsers, and usability aids such as package/diagram filters that allow you to control what items are visible or hidden. PTC Modeler 10.1 also provides efficient modelling and reuse through the application of SysML 2.0 language constructs such as definition, usages, redefinitions and subclassification. You can accelerate adoption of SysML 2.0 and jump-start initial model development using the provided template models, example models and SysML 2.0 Model Libraries.  

Benefits of using PTC Modeler 10.1 

PTC Modeler 10.1 provides more logical, accurate and precise systems modeling, with the addition of SysML 2.0. This is beneficial for both systems engineers and less frequent stakeholders, who will find it easier to understand, create and review system models. SysML 2.0 modeling in PTC Modeler 10.1 is more consistent, particularly with definitions and usages for all model item types. PTC Modeler 10.1’s SysML 2.0 is simpler, with concepts only represented once, unlike SysML v1 which has multiple standard notations for some concepts. Its formal modeling also reduces ambiguity and improves both the quality of the models and the resulting systems. PTC’s active involvement in defining SysML 2.0 means that it is designed to meet the needs of our PTC Modeler customers.  

Out-of-the-box PTC Modeler 10.1 SysML 2.0 Model Libraries and templates accelerate system design through reuse and a reduced learning curve. The standard notation and API will enable better and faster interaction between PTC Modeler 10.1 and other SysML 2.0 compliant modeling tools.  

The improved interoperability between PTC Modeler 10.1’s SysML 2.0 solution and other tool-chain products will unlock tool selection cost savings. The simplified SysML 2.0 standard will also reduce the cost of systems engineer training and mentoring. As universities and training organizations move to SysML 2.0, more and more systems engineers will already have the necessary skills, therefore they will be saving on training costs. The improved SysML 2.0 precision, expressiveness, consistency, and usability in PTC Modeler 10.1 finds problems much earlier in the design lifecycle when they are significantly less expensive to correct. In this newest version of PTC Modeler users can use both SysML 1 and SysML 2 in the same model, with benefits for iterative migration, learning, and more.