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Possible to link BOM to filenames?

Possible to link BOM to filenames?

Possible to link BOM to filenames?

(OP)
I am trying to make a description field in both the title block of a drawing and in the BOM that is linked to the part's filename.  I know how to link a drawing's title block to the filename, but not the BOM.  From what I've read in SW help files, it seems the only additional properties you can link a BOM to are custom properties, and filename is not a custom property.  Am I out of luck?

RE: Possible to link BOM to filenames?

Yes. Out of luck. Well, that is my forst guess.

But you could make a custom property with the value being the filename. But maybe you don't want to do that 'cause your filenames change a lot or something...

Mr. Pickles

RE: Possible to link BOM to filenames?

(OP)
Linking a custom property to the filename would be perfect.  How do you do that?

RE: Possible to link BOM to filenames?

Yes Scott, that is what cmm might want, and I already knew about. But when I messed with it awhile ago, I always had instance numbers appended to the "filename". So, what is the easy fix?

Since I control all my SW stuff from a VBA front-end, I have a routine inside that "pushes" Custom Properties BEFORE it opens the SW files (does it through the OS, so MUCH faster). Of course it pushes the filename in there to a custom prop, along with others...

As usual, thanks Scott,



Mr. Pickles

RE: Possible to link BOM to filenames?

Hey Scott, if you listening, never mind on my question. I apprently wasn't awake back when. I went and looked at my old junk, and found out that it wasn't the instance number, it was the whole part number. This place started out using revision control tagging in the filename. It gives the filename the allusion of having the instance number on there, like if you were asking for names and such inside VBA.

Long story short...never mind. I go get more coffee now. Maybe a blast of Starbucks Syrupy coffee is in order...

Mr. Pickles

RE: Possible to link BOM to filenames?

I understand how to link the file name to the BOM but how how you link the file name to the title block information in the drawing.

RE: Possible to link BOM to filenames?

No Problem Mr.Pickles! I hope this has help out all of you. I think I'm going to take that DL a make permanent place for it on my site.

The thing to remember when making custom BOM's is to make a custom .xls file. When editing the BOM file in excel you have to use Insert\Name\Define. You can either add a new function that has the same name as an item in your Custom properties in SW or you can change one of the preexisting columns. Also what ever you do DO NOT REMOVE $END$ Always insert new columns and don't delete the ones that are already there. I have found it screws up more if you delete them. Better to just hide them. Once you figure out this little trick in excel and also to link it to SW.0 You can make some real awesome and large BOM's.

I hope this helps,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
credence69@REMOVEhotmail.com
http://www.3dmca.com
http://home.insightbb.com/~scott.baugh/

RE: Possible to link BOM to filenames?

Let me add to Scott's post and say I totally agree with him. As much as you want to, DO NOT delete anything. Hide it. Better to be too big than to be sad.

And Scott, I'd like one of those happy face pancakes. A bit hungry this morning...

Mr. Pickles

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