Newbie file management

[sbmathias]

New to SolidWorks, and find managing three sets of files (parts, assemblies, and drawings) cumbersome.

Does anyone have any successful strategies for this? Do you just keep all files in the same directory, or split them into 3 separate subs, or ???

 

[ctopher]

3 SETS?? Sounds like a nightmare.
I highly suggest getting something like PDMWorks. Keeping them all in the same dir or separate dir both have negatives, especially if a user moves a file.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I like to keep my files grouped per project. It's entirely up to you whether you make sub-folders within a project or not. However, if you ever need to copy a project, either for archive or for a new project, using SW Explorer those folders will not be "carried forward".

A seperate standard parts, or library of parts should be maintained, either within the SW structure or your own.

What were you using before SW?

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

I tried sniffing Coke once, but the ice cubes got stuck in my nose

 

[Standing]

sbmathias,
How many SolidWorks users do you have?
Go with what ctopher says and get SolidWorks Professional with PDM/Works.


Bradley

 

[smcadman]

I understand where you are coming from because I previously used Mechanical Desktop; but after awhile you get used to the 3 different file types in Solidworks. I originally tried using a different folder for the part file, assembly file, and drawing file, but THAT was too cumbersome, so I just keep the three file types in one folder (per project, that is).

Flores

 

[chadn]

sbmathias,
I agree with ctopher and bredley and go with some kind of PDM system. The question other asked are good, because if you are the only one using the files you can get a system and make it work for you, but if you get 2 or more users, just try to explain YOUR system to them and have them all be happy and not try to change things.
Think about the questions the others asked before creating your own system.
Good luck.

ChadN
SolidWorks and SmarTeam user/Administrator

 

[sbmathias]

Mostly have used AutoCAD before, but never intensively. There, you just have a drawing file (unless you link a database or something to it), so managing files mostly consists of naming and organizing files.

We currently only have two SW users, but would like to build an extensible system. Seems to me like all files in one directory is the way to go. Can then sort by name or type or date or whatever. Haven't yet looked into PDMWorks or SW Explorer - guess I need to do that and see what they have to offer.

Thanks for all the observations and questions to ponder.

 

[SBaugh]

SW Explorer just lets you copy, rename and Repalce documents. This App won't really help you with File management.

PDMworks will fix all your issues with Data mangement.

At an old job I worked for a few years ago. They had their own part system. When it came to file management with SW it was a nightmare. And to the day I'm sure it still is. They had all of these certain types of files, with a certain part number, and that part number fell under this certain folder. Same fro assemblies and drawings. If you had to open a large assembly, it took awhile because the tree paths were so huge.

So I suggest projects all one folder or the better suggestion of getting PDMworks.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

For all Newbie's - Welcome to the nerd herd!

faq731-376

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Isn't there a problem with configuration control in PDMWorks?

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

I tried sniffing Coke once, but the ice cubes got stuck in my nose

 

[ctopher]

You can't assign revisions to each configuration in a file in PDMW.
Configuration Control is not a problem.