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PDMWorks using dumb file names

PDMWorks using dumb file names

PDMWorks using dumb file names

(OP)
Not to beat this subject to death, but after quizzing many of you more experienced SW users and reading as much as I could find about this, I have decided to dumb-down my file name structure in PDMWorks to a simple 6 digit number. All file names would be a unique sequential number regardless if they are a Part, Assembly, or Drawing. Then I will use "properties" for everything else that I previously imbebded into a not so smart-file name.
A few questions??
1) How can I generate a report thats sorted by file-name only in PDMWorks? I know I can save a report as a file, import it into Excel and then sort as I wish, but it would be nice to be able to do this direct from PDM
2) It seems my next challenge will be to maintain a separate database to generate the next number/filename used! but this would not be linked to PDMWorks so a simple Access Database would require a strict adhearance to policy. Any suggestions??
3) In PDM Vault Admin I mapped a custom property named "DetailNo" Then in SW/PDMWorks I selected it to be displayed after the file name as a custom Label Option. I get empty brackets <> but the detail number itself does not show up. However when I view the property itself it is there. Any thoughts as to why this isn't working? I just want to see the File Name / Description / Detail Number

thanks for your help

Tom Malinski
http://www.okayind.com/
Dell Prec 670, Xeon 3.8,2GB Ram, Nvidia Quadra FX 3450/4000 SDI
SWorks Pro & PDMWorks 2007 SP3.0

RE: PDMWorks using dumb file names

I'm curious, do you guys not use part numbers? If you do, why not just use them as your file names?

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP2.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: PDMWorks using dumb file names

I agree Jeff. It is the most efficient method.

Chris
SolidWorks 07 4.0/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 04-21-07)

RE: PDMWorks using dumb file names

(OP)
My solidworks usage is 90% tooling modeling and 10% customer part modeling
I do a ton of Prototype Tooling design to make prototype parts in very small quantities.
I may have 1 complex medical part that requires 10 single stage tools to fabricate. Each tool being a different operation. What makes things complex when it comes to smart file-names is that I often use SW tooling parts and assemblies from other projects for a new project. So I am constantly mixing and matching detail components to expedite the prototype development. So a sequential dumb file name structure seems like it will work well. I have been experimenting with a couple of jobs that are already complete In PDMWorks by renaming the files manually to see what works well and what doesn't.
So far, sequential totally dumb file names seems best. I can use properties to describe the tool component, and also to list customer part numbers that a tool is used for.
If I had a single tool dedicated for a single part then I could use just about any file name method I choose.

Tom Malinski
http://www.okayind.com/
Dell Prec 670, Xeon 3.8,2GB Ram, Nvidia Quadra FX 3450/4000 SDI
SWorks Pro & PDMWorks 2007 SP3.0

RE: PDMWorks using dumb file names

I am opposed to "smart" file names. It's been my experience that they eventually become dumb.
Now that I have a better understanding of what it is you're dealing with, it makes sense to me. It's basically how we do things here. While the file name is actually the part number, it is a 'dumb' number, a place holder. The description let's people know what 'it' is. That, IMO, is how it should be...

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP2.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: PDMWorks using dumb file names

I suggest having a complete tooling part number system separate from the part/assy number system. You can have a folder within PDMW called "Tooling" and have all tooling checked in there and parts/assy's (products" in other folders within the vault. You can have the tool part number referenced on the dwgs and job travelers.

Chris
SolidWorks 07 4.0/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 04-21-07)

RE: PDMWorks using dumb file names

(OP)
ctopher, I agree and have already structured this in PDMWorks.
Any suggestions as to my 3rd question in my original post? The custom property does not show up as a Label after the file name in PDMWorks

Tom Malinski
http://www.okayind.com/
Dell Prec 670, Xeon 3.8,2GB Ram, Nvidia Quadra FX 3450/4000 SDI
SWorks Pro & PDMWorks 2007 SP3.0

RE: PDMWorks using dumb file names

(OP)
I figured it out, I just needed to check the box  "Save as default"

Tom Malinski
http://www.okayind.com/
Dell Prec 670, Xeon 3.8,2GB Ram, Nvidia Quadra FX 3450/4000 SDI
SWorks Pro & PDMWorks 2007 SP3.0

RE: PDMWorks using dumb file names

With regard to getting the next number, we use an Excel document as our source for numbers.  When you need a number you fill out the info, ie. part, or assembly, and take that number. Our drawings have this same number, and are filed in the same folder as the model.  We us 5 digit numbers, and save 100 numbers in a folder named  SW xxx00-xxx99.  This also allows us also to open files using code, as the pathname is known as soon as you know the number of the file.  Non significant file names are the only way to go IMHO.

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