PDMWorks - "Vault computer cannot see library folder"

[KyleWilcox]

Hi guys... trying to set up PDMWorks at our company...

we've currently got an employee's PC set up to run the vault service (and hold the vault), and the company's file server contains our design library files.

Problem: when we try to add the design library folder from the server to the PDMWorks software (in vaultadmin), it gives the message "The vault computer is unable to see this folder. Share this directory with the vault computer to enable the edrawings preview and open document commands for references that are not checked into the vault."

The odd thing, is that it has seen a few of our design library objects when we checked in assemblies containing them... but most parts it's not, and is just checking them in like normal. but anyways, is this most likely something that I need to ask our network admin to change sharing permissions? It doesn't seem to make sense to me, because the vault computer DOES have access to this folder--they can go into it and do whatever they like!

Maybe PDMWorks just has a problem with loading a design library from a different computer?

thanks for any help/solutions/suggestions!!

-Kyle

 

[SBaugh]

Why wouldn't you install vault on the server anyways? The Server should get backed up and thats even more of a reason to keep the vault on the server. THe vault most also be on a UNC path type of server or you will run into problems like these. Permissions would not be a problem if you were on the server... however to load the vault there you must be sitting at the server. Talk with your Admin and get your vault move there and try it again.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[RawheadRex]

Hi Kyle,

The following comes from the SolidWorks Knowledge Base and looks as though it applies to your situation. I hope it's useful to you.

*****************

Specifically, the error means that the PDMWorks service cannot access the shared folder even though the user can access it. To change this, alter the properties of the PDMWorks service. Control Panel ->Administrative Tools ->Services. Right-click on PDMWorks Server and choose Properties from the menu. Select the Log On tab. Change the toggle to "This account" and enter a domain account which has permissions to the shared folders as well as the PDMWorks vault folders (perferably a domain admin). A domain account should be entered in the form of "User@Doman". Once completed, stop and start the service to register the change.

*****************

Regards,


Chris Gervais
Application Engineer
CSWP, CSWST

 

[ctopher]

The Vault should be alone on a server. The Design Library should be separate. When you use a part from the library, it will check into PDMW when you check it in. Adding the Design Library folder at the same place as the Vault will not insert it into the Vault and errors occur. Not everyone uses PDMW. This is why the library is separate.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[KyleWilcox]

The vault isn't installed on the server because we share the server with another company in the building (i know... that's retarded), and it's actually their server... they call it a "file server" and refuse to let us install the pdmworks service on it. We may buy our own server but in the meantime......we're screwed.

I did try installing the vault service on our computer, and the vault itself on the file server, but the vault service would just crash every time I tried to start it... i have tried both with and without UNC paths... it just didn't like separating the vault service comp from the vault comp.



Unfortunately, altering the service log-on didn't work either Same error....



The Vault is "alone" on one of our engi's computers. The Design Library is on the network server, visible to all. I realized this is an issue because if I try to check in library parts (or assemblies w/them), it actually CHECKS IN the library components, haha. The vaultadmin has the design library folder setup in the toolbox options, but it isn't seeing the files in the design library (on the server) and realizing that that's what they are.

I'll keep plugging away... thanks guys

 

[ctopher]

The Design Library is on the network server, visible to all. I realized this is an issue because if I try to check in library parts (or assemblies w/them), it actually CHECKS IN the library components, haha.

What does that mean?
Why is it an issue if it works?
The library can be on the same server, I suggest making it it's own folder away from the Vault.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[KyleWilcox]

what I meant is that the design library folder... can be browsed publicly by anyone who wishes to do so

when i said "I realized this is an issue when---", I meant "I first noticed PDMWorks wasn't working correctly when---"

...

Design library parts are not supposed to be checked in to the vault in the same manner as ... uh, "designed" parts. What's going on is resulting in PDMWorks not knowing design-library-parts are that, and it treats them like normal parts, meaning I can edit them, bump their revision, etc...

this is apparently because "the vault computer cannot see the toolbox folder" on the server. Damn and blast.

Thanks again for your time... I'll try to contact our VAR tomorrow to see if they know anything (and I'll also try to convince my boss to get us our own server hahaha)

-Kyle

 

[ctopher]

Remember, PDMW is a File management tool. It will check in just about anything.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[KyleWilcox]

please pardon my assuming Chris, and I really am thankful for your time, but you're giving the impression that you either have never used PDMWorks, or have never used it as the folks at SolidWorks intended it to be used.

If I am wrong with this assumption, then allow me to repeat again to make sure we're on the same page; design library parts (specified within vault-admin under the "Standard Libraries" tab) are not supposed to be "checked in" to the vault in the same manner as non-library parts. They are supposed to be used in what I would call a "reference-only" way. They're supposed to be recognized and stored within a project name that PDMWorks "knows" is a toolbox or design library "project"(and displays the name in a blue font).

Having said all this... I think I have a workaround for the time being... it seems that if I check in documents on the computer on which the vault server is actually running, it WILL successfully see that files are in the design lib folder as specified by vaultadmin and add them to PDMWork's design lib... so I'll just make an assembly containing every design library part and "check it in" on the vault computer to get all the parts in PDMWork's library, then it should see library parts OK when work gets checked in from other computers...

gah. definitely time to bug my boss to get us our own server!

Thanks again...
Kyle

 

[ctopher]

Sorry, I have not had much time to thoroughly understand this thread in detail.
I have been using PDMW for approx 8 years as admin. I will look into the library issue more later today.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[KyleWilcox]

it's alright Chris... I honestly think the solution to this problem is "don't be a cheap company, get your own server, install the vault on it, and keep library files on it as well!!" ... however, for the time being, my workaround seems to be fine... just have to check in "library" elements on the vault-computer before any other computers can reference them.

 

[RawheadRex]

Hello Kyle,

I'm not sure if you took the VAR training for PDMWorks or not but just to let you know, it is your choice as to whether or not to place your Design Library parts under revision control in PDMWorks. The software DOES NOT force you to do it one way or another.

Scenarios covering management of Toolbox and Design Library files are covered in the PDMWorks training class (chapter 4 specifically). Your VAR should be able to explain the ups and downs of each approach and walk you through the process of setting each one up. Setting up Toolbox and the Design Library is basically the same routine.

Just a little bit of additional info to chew on if you weren't already aware.

Best regards,


Chris Gervais
Application Engineer
CSWP, CSWST