Hello Bradley,
Luckily, my company has sent me to training and seminars. This is were I picked up most of these tips. SolidWorks World has many seminars on large assemblies.
Hello BBJT,
If SolidWorks was installed with the virus checker turned on, there are so many things that can go wrong. I wouldn't even know were to begin. A couple things that can go wrong is constant crashing, poor performance, not able to save an eDrawing, math operations don't work.
My advice, please ask your IT department to turn off the virus checker during software and Service Pack installs.
I would never open a 200,000 component assembly fully resolved (there is not need to). I always open an assembly configuration called skeleton that has a layout sketch of the assembly, where most subassemblies are suppressed (including internal components), and I only unsuppress the components that I need to work with.
To suppress internal components... Tools > Advance Select > under Property select Part is interior detail -- SW Special...
I will be writing some magazine articles on Large Assemblies, once I have finished them I will gladly send everyone the link.
cheers,
Joseph