SW2009-Property Tab Builder 1

[macduff]

Anyone using this functionality in SW2009? I'm trying to set our standard drawing templates using this and I'm having a hard time. I thought I could import my CP's into this, but it seems I have to start from scratch?

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2008 SP 4.0
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[rockguy]

I don't believe you can import your current CP's.. I started from scratch. I love the new interface.

Rob Rodriguez CSWP

http://www.axiscadsolutions.com

http://www.robrodriguez.com

http://www.robrodriguezblog.com

Eastern Region SWUGN Representative

http://www.swugn.org

http://www.nvtswug.com

SW 2007 SP 2.0

 

[grunt58]

I just finished up our templates. Love it so far. Unfortuatly I think you'll have to start from scratch. If you have any text or excel files already created you can link to them...

You would think it would find and reconize your custom props but just overwrite what they give as default with your cp name.

It took me several failed attempts to figure it out. There are no "templates" or tutorials to follow which is pretty dumb if you ask me.

Grant
Applications Engineer
SW2008 X64 SP 3.1
Dell Precision T5400
Nvidia Quadro FX 5600
Xeon 2.5GHz Quad Core, 4GB RAM
XP Pro X64 SP2.0

 

[macduff]

Thanks for the feedback. I figured I had to start from scratch. Question; will the Property Tab Builder link automatically to my old CP's in the drawing field like $PRP:"CheckedDate"? See attached file in what I'm trying to do. I only created the first 5 in the tab builder so far.

Thanks so much,

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2008 SP 4.0
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[smcadman]

Change the $PRP to $PRPSHEET



Flores

 

[macduff]

Thanks smcadman, It seems to be working "as is" for now. I'm starting to get a little dangerous with this functionality. I can't seem to edit the file once I saved/created it, but I'll figrue it out.

You guys are right, it's pretty cool! Don't understand why you would need extra groupboxes, radio, and check box?

Hmm...need to play around with the software somemore....

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2008 SP 4.0
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[smcadman]

The part file custom properties work consistently here, but the assemblies properties doesn't work. If I close SW and restart it, the assemblies properties is empty and I get the

A property page for assembly files was not found. Click "Create now" to launch the Property Tab Builder.

If you already have a template, place it in the folder specified in Tools - Options - File Locations - Custom Property Files

As for the part file properties goes, I use the one where we use an external text file and the drop-down lists work awesome.

Flores

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I haven't had the need to play with it that much. My templates are already created, and with the new ability to populate the properties from the BOM and drawing, I guess I don't really understand its intended purpose.

How and why are y'all using it?
In what way is it better then accessing the properties via the regular File > Properties method?

 

[macduff]

CBL,
I see it as a quicker way to access CP fields by selecting the icon in the task pane. I guess you can argue that because you can setup a hotkey for the CP's. I think it might help the gal in Doc Control when she needs to fill in signatures and dates in the drawings. I think it's a simpler interface to use.

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2008 SP 4.0
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[smcadman]

One example that makes it better is that you can have a text file with a material list such as:

24 GA. (.024) C.R.S.
22 GA. (.030) C.R.S.
20 GA. (.036) C.R.S.
18 GA. (.048) C.R.S.
16 GA. (.060) C.R.S.
14 GA. (.075) C.R.S.
13 GA. (.090) C.R.S.
12 GA. (.105) P & O
11 GA. (.120) P & O
10 GA. (.135) P & O
3/16" PLATE (.188  H.R.S.
1/4" PLATE (.25) H.R.S.

Then everybody is consistent on there sheet metal gauges in there BOM and properties on there drawings. You can also have spaces between the lines in the same text file so I have a list of common coil that we order for stamping.





Flores

 

[pdybeck]

I love the property tab manager while working in an assembly. You can click on a part and that parts properties can be filled out in the pinned manager in the task pane. Just click on the next part and fill out the info. If you click on a blank space in the assembly, then you get the assembly's properties. You can complete all you need to as far as properties go, without having to leave the assembly...

 

[macduff]

pdybeck,
That's pretty darn neat. I'll have to check that out in my SW2009 testing.

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2008 SP 4.0
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

pdybeck,
Normally I create all my properties when creating the part, so that I don't have a whole load of boring properties to enter at the end of the design stage, but I can see that capability being quite useful for last minute changes. Although as I stated earlier, even that can be done at the drawing stage via the BOM and sheet format notes.

As the only SW user here, the sharing, consistency and document control aspects don't come into play for me.

 

[handleman]

We've semi-automated custom properties with a macro for years now. Default values and dropdowns get loaded from a common database, current project information stored and retrieved for each user, etc. Property tab builder may be a good addition, but every company should really have a custom application or macro to do this.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

 

[macduff]

handleman,
Do you have a couple of screenshots of this database you're talking about? Or the macro you can send me?

Best,

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2008 SP 4.0
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[handleman]

Here's a somewhat stripped-down version of what we are using. As I said, it's very customized for us. Because I wrote it. I've stripped out some additional functionality that is great for us but can't be easily modified for use outside our division - Approved vendor database link, standard part number verification, etc. That said, there are plenty of ways this code could be improved. It was one of the first macros I wrote for SW, and I think I've learned a lot since then. I made no effort to make it generic for anyone, but you may be able to tinker with the code enough to do something with it. Before you can use the "current project" and "change project" buttons you will have to edit the database and put in your windows login name.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

 

[macduff]

Cool, I'll check it out later today. Will this macro run on SW2008?

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2008 SP 4.0
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[handleman]

Tested on SW '03 (I think - whatever we were using at the time) through '09.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)