using the SW 08 search feature

[adampunch]

At the '08 introduction presentations, one of the new features being promoted is the ability to search your files for parts and then copy over a useful feature or sketch to a new part. I've tried using this search box a few times (the one at the upper right of the screen) without success. I can find parts from the toolbox and some sheet files, but never the parts i expect to bring up. And often the search pane or the whole application freezes.

Anyone have experience using this?

 

[JMirisola]

Make sure that you have your search paths set up correctly. As for the freezing, what are your system specs?

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

 

[adampunch]

well, i tried adding our parts folders under Options -> File Locations -> Search Paths.

as for system specs, i doubt that's a problem, but here you go:
Windows XP pro SP2
Xenon 3.4 GHz processor
3GB ram

the rest of the program runs very smoothly

does the search tool look at all of the custom properties, file names, etc? what can you search for exactly?

 

[JMirisola]

From SolidWorks:

SolidWorks Search is available in SolidWorks and SolidWorks Explorer to search for file names and for text strings in all indexed documents. SolidWorks Search is faster than other search engines and provides:

•Full text search (searching text inside documents)

•Advanced search (searches for multiple criteria)

•Keywords (for precise searches)

•Retrieval of all types of documents

•Customizable searching, indexing options and add ins for different documents (i.e., Adobe Acrobat)

Note: The SolidWorks search is installed as an option and contains the Microsoft Windows Desktop Search engine.


Also, SP1.0 is out. You might try upgrading to that. I've had my search freeze up a couple of times as well and I'm hoping that upgrading will take care of it.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

 

[sldwkmin]

In order for the search functionality to find items they must first be indexed. This search is simply using the windows desktop search tool. Be aware that indexing does take up processor and resources. I would set the paths to be indexed and then be sure to set it to only index when the system is idle and let the machine run over night a couple times in order to get all items indexed. You can access the indexing options by RMB on the magnifying glass on the right side of your task bar.

Cole M
CSWP, CSWST, CSWI, CPDM
SW06
SW07
HP XW4300, 3.4g proc, 2.5g RAM, ATI Fire GL 3100

 

[TheTick]

If your search paths include network locations, lotsa luck. I've had really poor luck w/ SW & SW Explorer search on network locations. I've set indexing, updated indexes, and still find SW search misses things that I know for certain it should find if it worked right.

The problem seems to be related to network locations, as search for things on local drice seems to work fine.

Honesty may be the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

-SolidWorks API VB programming help

 

[adampunch]

Aha- that indexing is the problem. I totally disabled that windows service last week because it was driving my computer (and me) crazy. Even though it's only supposed to run during idle times, it seemed to be swamping my computer constantly and making the fan really loud. Well, i guess i'm going to have to wait until microsoft can tame their indexing program. Thanks for all the info!

 

[StefanHamminga]

You can find my indexing start / stop scripts mentioned in one of my previous topics, they might be handy when you want to control indexing yourself.

Stefan Hamminga
EngIT Solutions
CSWP/Mechanical designer
Searching Eng-Tips forums

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

thread559-199391

 

[AnnaWood]

The other thing that needs to happen to be able to find features, sketches, etc is SolidWorks needs to run the Dissection process on your files.

On install of SW08 this is defaulted to start at 11:00 p.m. every night. It will not run if your computer is off. You may also have disabled the option. It is a System Option under Search.

I am assuming the disection process needs to have Windows Desktop Search install and running to work.

Cheers,

Anna Wood
SW 2007 SP4.0, WinXP
Dell Precision 380, Pentium D940, 4 Gigs RAM, FX3450

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/solidmuse

http://www.phxswug.com