Simple Drawing Database
Simple Drawing Database
(OP)
I work for a tiny company with few resources. That said, I'd like to develop a simple drawing control database that would track part numbers, rev levels, and related ECN's.
I've just started fiddling around with Access but was wondering if anybody's got a simple database that they could share.
Right now I'm so buried that it's hard to envision that I'll ever have the time to learn Access well enough to create a functional database.
There's no money to buy a PDM package, to hire an Access programmer, nor any other commercial solution.
I've just started fiddling around with Access but was wondering if anybody's got a simple database that they could share.
Right now I'm so buried that it's hard to envision that I'll ever have the time to learn Access well enough to create a functional database.
There's no money to buy a PDM package, to hire an Access programmer, nor any other commercial solution.





RE: Simple Drawing Database
Of course, you'll have to manually keep the spreadsheet up to date, but if it is a tiny company this is possible with discipline.
-MC
RE: Simple Drawing Database
RE: Simple Drawing Database
You might look into Filemaker Pro! It's a lot simpler to use than Access and it should do all you are asking for with ease.
RE: Simple Drawing Database
I am currently using the Excel workbook method and I am the only person allowed to update the "Master" copy. Everyone else has "Read Only" rights. When they need to enter a new part number/description/revision/etc... they copy rows from the Master, paste them into another file, make their edits, and submit to me. I review to ensure accuracy/consistency and then copy/paste into the Master file.
I typically upload the Master to the network at the end of each day. In the event that I enter a considerable amount of information or critical information to several parties I will upload to the network upon completion.
RE: Simple Drawing Database
A basic structure would be a table with data related to the document and a child table of revision history. This could also provide a real time drawing log for anyone on the system. This is also an ideal method forgenerating drawing change notifications, deviation requests and field changes.
I am working on an application now for tracking documents and I came across this thread.
Storing drawing revision history in a spreadsheet is similar to making 3d images with a 2d cad program. You can do it, but its not really 3d. If you are still interested in an access solution, let me know and I can throw a demo together for you.
Gerald Austin
Iuka, Mississippi
http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com
RE: Simple Drawing Database
I am very interested in any Access demo that you cared to share. I continue to think about this but have never had the time to delve into Access enough to get started.
Thanks in advance for anything you can share.
--------------------
Bring back the HP-15
www.hp15c.org
--------------------
RE: Simple Drawing Database
h
Have a nice day
Gerald Austin
Iuka, Mississippi
http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com
RE: Simple Drawing Database
I would stay away form developing a part number database in MS Access. We had such a database which had all the bugs that MS is known for not having multi-user access, trouble with rules, and the list goes on. We ended up getting a freeware version of SQL and wrote the program in VB6. It works great and the programmer has added a lot of functionality as need arose. I might be able to send you a copy.
Best Regards,
Heckler
"Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups" John Kenneth Galbraith
RE: Simple Drawing Database
Oasys is a free, commerical program. Oasys is CAD-aware, so it may be a better fit.
FIDAB PDM is an open source, CAD-aware system. The documentation is in Swedish, but the programmers speak and write English. The mailing list is the place to look for help.
Rob Campbell, PE
Finite Monkeys - www.livejournal.com/users/robcampbell