How to Create a Predator Trace Log

How to Create a Predator Trace Log

Overview

Some Predator products have advanced logging capabilities that allow our support team and developers troubleshoot complex issues. Creating a trace log is a simple process and can generally be done by anyone without administrator access. Predator PDM and Predator MDC currently support trace logging. 

Requirements

  1. Access to a computer with the issue

Creating Trace Log

  1. Close all Predator applications
  2. In File Explorer, go to one of the following:
    1. For Predator PDM, go to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Predator Software\PDM 11.0\"
    2. For Predator MDC, go to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Predator Software\MDC 11.0\"
  3. Right-click PPDM.exe (Predator PDM) or PMDC.exe (Predator MDC) and click Send to > Desktop (create shortcut)
    4. On Windows 11, you must click Show more options to see the Send to submenu 
  4. Back on the Desktop, right-click the new shortcut and go to Properties
  5. In the Target field, go to the very end and add "-trace"

  6. Click OK
  7. Launch the Predator application with the newly created icon and if successful, a message will appear

  8. Continue to replicate the problem, but ideally wait about a minute between attempts so it's clear in the logs
  9. Close the Predator application
  10. Go to "C:\Predator Software" and send a copy of PDM_TRACE.TXT or MDC_TRACE.TXT to the SFA support team

    • Related Articles

    • How to Create Predator PDM User Groups

      Overview Predator PDM maintains its own database of user groups to help organize permissions. This article will assist with adding a User Group. Requirements Predator PDM with Administrator License Predator PDM User Account with the Following ...

    • How to Configure Predator MDC Auto Create

      Overview Predator MDC has the option to create Jobs, Parts, and Operations on the fly. This is only necessary if you want new Jobs, Parts, or Operations to be added to the Predator database that are not already in it. This can be skipped if you ...

    • How to Upgrade to Predator DNC v12

      Overview This article will assist with the upgrade from Predator DNC v11 to v12. Requirements Local Administrator Rights Predator DNC v12 License (Serial Number starts with 0C) Download Predator DNC v12 Backup Predator DNC PXP Configuration File The ...

    • How to Create Predator PDM Environment Variable

      Overview Predator PDM uses environment variables to determine which folder to use to temporarily store files prior to viewing them. This Predator PDM cache is similar to a browser cache. Best practice is to define the PREDATOR_TEMP environment ...

    • How to Create a Generic Predator PDM Shop Floor User

      Overview Predator PDM requires authentication, and some deployments require a generic user for the shop floor. Requirements Review How to Manage Predator PDM Users Review How to Assign Permissions to a User or User Group Review Predator PDM ...