Solidworks Explorer 2010.. how to move around files and folders?

[aliensquale]

Okay so I have a few questions.. first off I have my Solidworks file directory structure like the following..

d:\Customer Name\Machine Name\Application Name\partfile.sldprt
d:\Customer Name\Machine Name\Application Name\partfile.slddrw
d:\Customer Name\Machine Name\Application Name\partfile.sldasm

Now in my assemblies there could be references to files in the same folder, in folders 2 levels up, in folders on completely different partitions E: or F:

1.) So my question is this.. how do I move the actual .sldasm file to an entirely new directory or partition name, etc. and still maintain all of the references? Meaning the references would need to be updated as I move the assembly?

2.) Doing just the reverse, if I move my .sldprt part files which are being used in many different assemblies all over the place, then how do I move the .sldprt file and have it automatically update it's new location reference in every .sldasm assembly that it is used in?

3.) I often have to make copies of existing .sldprt files and put them into a new directory for custom changes to these files. Then I go into Solidworks Explorer to rename the file.. when it puts up the rename box it will automatically search for where else that .sldprt file is used in.. any assemblies, drawings, etc. What I noticed however is that it only searches up about 2 levels of directories to find the references. Instead of searching say the entire D: of where ALL of my solidworks files live. So in theory when I do the rename of my .sldprt files, I am not very confident that it is finding ALL places where the .sldprt file is being used. It may only find the places it's being used in say 1 or 2 directory levels UP from where the file currently lives. This is making things very tough for me to properly maintain all of my files and references.

And no I do NOT use 'configurations' or 'PDM works' in Solidworks and I do NOT want to use them either.. that's just a business decision we made. We are only a small 2-person Solidworks engineering team so I don't think we need to use PDM works for checking out and locking files, etc.

Thanks for your help!

 

[MadMango]

Did you get any training from your VAR?

Look in Help for Pack and Go or Find References, or use the Google Search here and find all sorts info on this subject.

If you are not using PDMworks you have to be very diligent with your file structures and about moving/deleting files. It can be done, I worked a company with over 80k model files and no PDM, but we had a dedicated person to ensure things were put in the proper place (and recreate boken links).

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[aliensquale]

does PDM works ensure all the references, etc.? is PDM works worth using for only 2 people?

 

[ctopher]

Use SolidWorks Explorer for replacing/renaming files.
Pack and Go works for making copies to another folder.

Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[aliensquale]

well in Solidworks Explorer, I choose in the options to add the main top level directory of where all my solidworks file live... such as the D:\Solidworks

Now when I look at an assembly file in solidworks explorer and choose the 'where used' tab.. it will search my entire D:\Solidworks directory for all the places the file is used. Problem now is... the d:\Solidworks directory has about 4k files in a bunch of different subdirectories and it takes FOREVER to look into all of these folders. There is an 'indexing' option in solidworks explorer, not sure what that does?

is there anyway to speed up the search through my entire directory?

 

[aliensquale]

anyway to speed up the searching through all the folders?

 

[jdos7]

"is PDM works worth using for only 2 people? "

If you use parts in multiple assemblies PDMWorks is probably worth it. PDMW will keep track of all the links and when you need to update the part it will tell you every assembly where the part is used so you can check for compatibility of the the changes.

If every job is for a different customer and the 'common' parts will all be somewhat unique then it has less value.

 

[aliensquale]

well the main issue I have right now is not with changing part names, because I can search all places the part name is being used and update it. The issue is when I change a directory name, etc... then the assemblies that reference that part don't automatically get updated with the new folder location/name.

so I wish there was a way to rename a folder or move parts into different folders and then search everywhere that part is used and have it automatically update the new part folder location path.

 

[rgrayclamps]

Hi, aliensquale:

If you setup folder for Option/System option/File locations/Referenced documents, all assembly documents will automatically point to your new locations when they are opened.

Just a curiosity, why would you rename your directory name?

You need to realize that the way you search is very tedious. If you use PDM, searching is instantaneously. A PDM is needed if more than one user is involved.

Best regards,

Alex