How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
(OP)
I'd like to make available our product as an assembly to users but I don't want them to be able to edit or take apart the assembly. This is for them to put our assembly into their Solidworks files. What is the best way to do this?






RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
The interior of the engine was greatly simplified; e.g. the camshaft and crankshaft were represented as straight cylinders, with correctly detailed flanges at the exposed ends.
The models were supplied in some 'neutral' format that I don't recall, that could be imported to SW, and were detailed (on the exterior) right down to the split lockwashers.
... which were a huge problem, because the angled split surfaces came into SW as some sort of Mobius Strip like entity that caused SW to choke, so you had to replace each and every one of the damn things with a better model before SW could use the assembly.
I suggest you do something similar, e.g. supply a 'dumb solid' model of all the exterior interfaces, omitting the interior intellectual property or greatly simplifying it. ... and supply a simplified model of any lockwashers as well.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
Jeff Mirisola, CSWE
My Blog
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
http://help.solidworks.com/2014/english/solidworks...
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
1. Export assembly as a .stp file into a new directory.
2. Open the .stp assembly.
3. Save the assembly and files in Solidworks format
4. Select one of the files and edit it in the assembly.
5. joint all other parts in the assembly to that one part.
6. Save the part
7. open the part and fill all the empty areas so your customer cannot figure out what is on the inside.
8. Save the new file.
9. Export to .stp again (need to do this so if you send the file out as a Solidworks file they cannot delete your
10. Open the file and save as a part file.
11. Either send out as a part file or convert it to another solid type.
This can be a relatively long process but it does ensure that people only can do a form fit with your model. Everything is one solid part and since you filled the inside they have no idea what the inside is.
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
Chris, CSWA
SolidWorks '15
ctophers home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
My current customer was o.k. with a .STL formatted solid so I'm o.k. for now.
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
I think the point BrianE@@ is trying to make is that an eDrawing file cannot be inserted into other SolidWOrks files (part or assembly). ... to check for fit/clearances/etc, or simply to complete the final assembly.
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
The eDrawing program is just a viewer for SW files. It allows customers or other departments to view, measure, red-line, etc, SW files without needing SW installed.
It can also save as STL.
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: How to send out un-editable assemblies to customers?
I do what CBL suggested, saving the assembly as a part with just exterior faces. If the weight is important to the user I may also adjust that before sending it out.
Diego