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Creating an Index of Referenced Files

Creating an Index of Referenced Files

Creating an Index of Referenced Files

(OP)
Hi,

I just started a job with a manufacturing company, and it is the first time that I've worked in a multi-user Solidworks environment. The other day I wanted to find an assembly(ies) that reference part X. My co worker directed me to SW Explorer, and after a very long wait, I had my answer. My question is whether there is a quicker way to do this.. Perhaps Explorer could create an index that I could access through Excel or the like? Ideas?

E

RE: Creating an Index of Referenced Files

I think this is one of the purposes of PDM.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

RE: Creating an Index of Referenced Files

handleman,

Does PDM speed up the Search process?

RE: Creating an Index of Referenced Files

I may misunderstand the purpose of PDM (don't use it) but I thought part of what it did was (as you check files in and out, etc) maintain a database of what parts/files are used where.  Then you just query a database (very fast) instead of having to actually examine the content of all files to see if they reference a given file.  

Of course, I'm sure PDM brings its own set of headaches.  And it only knows files that have been checked in.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

RE: Creating an Index of Referenced Files

(OP)
Funny, as we were talking about it I had a similar response for my coworker: "I've never used it, but isn't that what PDM is for?"

Anyhow, thanks for the responses.. CorBlimeyLimey: I'll check out the SW search link at work tomorrow, but is your indexing link a mistake? It brings up a picture of the hide/show lines button.

E

RE: Creating an Index of Referenced Files

PDMWorks Workgroup does track references and where used upon checkin.  You can go to a document in the vault and it will tell you what files it references and what file references it.  It stores these lists internally so retrieval is quick.

I would not go as far as to say that this feature is what PDM is for, but a bit of the data that it has to track to do what it is for.

Eric

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