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Should I delete un-used config items from Design table ?

Should I delete un-used config items from Design table ?

Should I delete un-used config items from Design table ?

(OP)
I have DOWEL_PIN.SLDPRT which has hundreds items in the Design Table.

Yet in a project I typically use a few of them.

Question: Should I make a copy of the original hundred+ items as say MASTER_DOWEL_PIN.SLDPRT and then in the job use a modified copy of it which has all the un-used config deleted ?

RE: Should I delete un-used config items from Design table ?

I use the method you suggest with a couple of parts having hundreds of configs (Deep drawn aluminium cases from Zero) & it works well.

In the case of dowels though, I would make a separate file for each diameter & have the DT in each controlling only the lengths.


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

RE: Should I delete un-used config items from Design table ?

CorBlimeyLimey,

Could you explain why you would make separate files for each diameter?  Is there a performance hit for large DTs?

Thanks,

Eric

RE: Should I delete un-used config items from Design table ?

I don't have any figures to back it up, but I believe a large DT will  have a "hit" on the performance.

I used the separate file for screw diameters when creating my library, so would just continue the same logic with other parts. More personal preference than anything else.


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

RE: Should I delete un-used config items from Design table ?

If you copy the original file, the new file will have the same internal ID as the original.  This means you can swap the files in the assembly with almost no trouble (mates should maintain, references not broken).

You could make a working copy of your dowel pin file, delete all unused configurations while you are working.  At a later date, you could (if you wanted) replace the working copy with the original (and add any new configs in the DT).

I could be the world's greatest underachiever, if I could just learn to apply myself.
http://www.EsoxRepublic.com-SolidWorks API VB programming help

RE: Should I delete un-used config items from Design table ?

I tried testing this a few versions back. I created a "Screw" file with 10 size configurations. Then I created 10 separate files for each configuration.

I then created two assemblies, one that contained the first screw part with 10 configs. I inserted it 10 times and changed each instance to a different config. In the second assembly, I inserted the 10 screw parts files.

Load times for both were about the same. The first file with configs is easier to manage IMO, not to mention easier to change sizes in assemblies. We have one pan head machine screw file with over 200 configs in it. No performance issues that I see.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2005 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2
SolidWorks 2006 SP0.0 on WinXP SP2

RE: Should I delete un-used config items from Design table ?

Gildashard ... That's good to know.
How were the file sizes affected?

Quote:

The first file with configs is easier to manage IMO, not to mention easier to change sizes in assemblies
I agree, however in my (Zero) case it was very slow (when using SW2001) to change configs. I've just tried it with SW2004 & it's fast. It's much slower (than other parts with smaller DTs) when opening the DT, but I don't really need to unless Zero adds or changes the sizes.
So from here on in I will use the completely configured version of that part.


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

RE: Should I delete un-used config items from Design table ?

I have and example that backups up large design tables to cause performance hits. I can't send it, but it was something I worked on. The DT was not just a DT with dimensions and stuff. my DT had many VBA code and formulas. I didn't have but maybe 10 configs, but the entire DT was huge with all hte data I had in it and it caused slow downs when useing the file in assemblies, etc...

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

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