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Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009
2

Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009

Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009

(OP)
I have a number of models (SW 2009) that do not have the proper part template associated with them.  The desired part template has all relevant information such as material, number of sheets, part number, etc.  How do I copy this part config/template data to all of these models without having to manually copy each setting to all of the models?  It'd be like having the ability to add/change part templates on "the fly".   

RE: Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009

You mention both part template and number of sheets.  Sounds like a drawing template more than a part template.  Is this what you mean?  Or sheet format?

I'm running v2007, v2008, and v2009 of SolidWorks on the same system.  Each installation needs its own set of templates, but what I've found is that when I don't copy my old templates to the new version's template folder, the new version of SolidWorks (2009) digs into my old version's (2007) template folder instead of looking in its own folder.  This is incredibly dangerous, since if I tweak and save my template in v2009, it will no longer function in v2007 (hosed, permanently).

As best I can tell, the right way to do this is to locate the templates you've created previously and copy them into the new version's template directory.  You then must point the new version to its own template folder (in Options).  The bad thing about this is that the templates are buried in layers of incomprehensible directories with descriptive names (such as "Eng"), and each version has a different directory path.  So it takes a bit of careful directory drilling to do this properly.

 

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people governed by fear cannot value freedom.

RE: Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009

Jeff,

I think he wants to change the template used to create the parts to a new template that he's created. Short answer, you can't.

kevc70,

Long answer, this question has been asked before on these forums and inevitably somebody gets pointed toward a macro that will do custom property copying. I haven't seen anything that will do it on the fly though. That, I think, you are screwed on.  

Joe Hasik, CSWP/SMTL
SW 09 x64, SP 3.0
Dell T3400
Intel Core2 Quad
Q6700 2.66 GHz
3.93 GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600

RE: Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009

Oh--yeah, I seem to remember a macro mentioned somewhere for this purpose, too.  My primary use is in changing the ridiculous template settings of parts I inherit from others (such as those that constantly display the grid or show dimensions fixed at half my screen size, etc.).

It's surprising to me that SolidWorks doesn't have a built-in utility for doing exactly this--maybe something like SolidWorks Explorer as the interface for changing the templates for whole directories of files at a time.  Maybe it's not as simple as I'm thinking.

 

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
A people governed by fear cannot value freedom.

RE: Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009

(OP)
Thank you for the answer.  Actually, what I was referring to is when you have modeled a part, then realized that you should have been using a certain part template when modeling this part.  The part template has all the configuration data needed usually under (file, then properties, and on the custom tab).  Under this tab, you can specify information such as Total number of sheets, checked by, drawn by, date, etc...........stuff that would typically go on a drawing.  I would like to update the models such that the drawings have the required information when in drawing creation.   

RE: Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009

I knew somebody would have a link, thanks CBL.  

Joe Hasik, CSWP/SMTL
SW 09 x64, SP 3.0
Dell T3400
Intel Core2 Quad
Q6700 2.66 GHz
3.93 GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600

RE: Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009

(OP)
Thank you.  The macro worked perfectly.  Was able to save alot of time updating the configs.

RE: Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009

Which macro did you use?

RE: Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009

(OP)
I used the "Copy Custom properties" macro.  I had to do a little editing to the Summary tab, but it saved me a great deal of time not having to type in all of the custom property characterisitcs.

RE: Transfer of Part template config in SW 2009

Another option that appears to be new to 2009 is the Custom Properties in the task pane (flyout area on the right - bottom icon).

I have just discovered this and it has been great for what you have just described.  I have struggled with old parts manually filling them in.

First you have to set up a template, but when you have done it, just click the icon, fill in the boxes and it is done.  The best bit is the way it handles configuration specific properties.

A neat one I found is if you link to say SW Material, it uses the normal SW edit material box for options.

Well worth the time to try it out.

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