PDMWorks organization (parts and assemblies)

[SilasH]

We recently implemented PDMWorks without any sort of official training, so I'm sure we're doing some things less than optimally. In one sub-project, there are both parts and assemblies that contain those parts. From the PDM pane, the assemblies are visible, while the parts are not visible without expanding the assembly. I want the parts to be visible without expanding the assembly, with the assemblies containing shortcuts to these parts. Is it possible to do this with both parts and assemblies in the same sub-project?

Project
Sub-project
Part A
Part B
Assembly AB
Part A shortcut
Part B shortcut

 

[ctopher]

I don't think so. PDMW is a "file management" program, not a revision control or part/assy control program. It shows you a "tree" of how file relate to each other.

Chris
SolidWorks 07 2.2/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

 

[fcsuper]

No. PDMWorks always files parts under the first instance of their where-used within the same project/subproject. There is no way to set PDMWorks so that a part is filed equal to its where-used in the same project/subproject.

However, you can organize your projects so that all parts of a project are within a partcular subproject. This will require checking in parts of different types into different projects. I don't recommend this, however, as it will get confusing really really fast as to where a part or assembly should be placed.

Project A
Assemblies
Linked parts
SubProject B
parts

My advice is to simply get everyone used to using the Simplified Search function and working within the normal PDMWorks methods.

Alternatively, at my company, we place files into commodity codes projects. Basically, we file everything like its a library. I don't recommend this system, but it's not a bad way of doing things if you want to see parts more readily.

Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA

http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php