Help-Use Of Design Library Toolbox Hardware Causing Problems.

[4mranch1]

We are using SolidWorks 2007 on Dell PC's on a network. One of our designers will create an assembly using items out of the Design Library / Toolbox / Ansi Inch fastener lineup and mate the hardware. They save the file and close the file. (Note: The assembly is saved to a common shared T:\ drive all our designers have access to.)

Here is where the problem occurs, when another designer/detailer opens the file and they get this message:

"Unable to locate the file C:\Program Files\Common Files\Solidworks Data\Browser\ansi inch\bolts and screws\nas Socket Head Cap Screw_AI.SLDPRT. Would you like to find it yourself?"
(Note: The *.SLDPRT shown is just an example.)

If "Yes" is selected the Browser opens and asks you to locate the file which we do and the assembly then opens. If you do not find the file in question and OK thru the assembly opens with the wrong size hardware. What do we need to set or change so that this does not occur and the assembly just opens as it was saved?

Yes, we can find each part as it is asked for, but this is such a waste of time in large assemblies with hundreds of pieces of hardware.

Gary Ashby
Designer

 

[dgowans]

The problem is that you've got the assembly saved to a shared drive but each designer is using a local toolbox (note the C:\... path).

If you're going to continue working in this fashion you need to either all work from a shared toolbox or change the way you use the toolbox so that the individual parts are created locally and saved with the rest of the assembly. This topic has been discussed several times, search the forum for some ideas. Either way you go there are pros and cons - take some time to think about your situation and what you feel will work best. A knee-jerk reaction to this might ease your pain in the short term but cause significant lost productivity in the long term.

 

[4mranch1]

Thanks dgowans, I wondered if that might be the case. I will search as you suggested and see what I can find on what might be best for our situation.

Gary Ashby
Designer

 

[Heckdogg]

I thought that in SWx07, the toolbox was able to create missing configurations from other user's toolbox?

Are the install paths the same for all the machines?

CSWP
SolidWorks 2007 SP5.0/2008 SP0.0
2xDual-Core AMD OPTERON 280 / 8GB Ram
Quadro FX3450
3DConnexion SpaceNavigator

 

[ShaggyPE]

I remember reading some articles on the subject. I did a google search for "solidworks toolbox multiuser" and came across a few good hits. Here is the one that seemed most promising. You may need a solidworks login to access it however.

http://files.solidworks.com/Supportfiles/Toolbox_Multiuser/2006/English/toolbox_installation.htm

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional

 

[4mranch1]

Thanks ShaggePE for your reply and link to the document, it was very helpful.

I am trying to change my Standards database to another location on a shared server and I get this error message:

Error: Could not find the Standards database 'T:\SolidWorks Support Documents\Design Library\'

This what I did:I opened SolidWorks > Tools > Options > System Options > Hole Wizard/Toolbox > Then I tried to change c:\program files\common files\solidworks data\ to T:\SolidWorks Support Documents\Design Library

This is when I got the above error message. T:\SolidWorks Support Documents\Design Library is where we have copied the toolbox files to.

Can someone please help me clarify this so we can get going on the shared data highway?

Gary Ashby
Designer
UG/NX V8 Thru NX5
SolidWorks 2007
AutoCAD 2002 & 2008

 

[SBaugh]

You have change the location under Tools\options\System options\Hole wizard/Toolbox to the TB location.

The Design library is not the same as the TB. If you can't find your toolbox do a modify on the install and place the TB in a new location and point all your users there to that TB location. After you find the old TB just overwrite the new files with the old ones. Just don't replace the swbrowser.mdb file.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

"If it's not broke, Don't fix it!"

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