We are looking at abandoning the toolbox all together after
using it successfully for 2 years, so any help is greatly
appreciated.
Our System
Windows XP 64 bit SP 2.0
Solidworks 2008 SP3.0
Everything installed from images
Our Toolbox
Shared Network location
Copied Ansi spec with our custom properties applied using the export/import thru excel approach
Parts set to Read only at system level
Allow overwrite checkbox set
PROBLEM 1: READ ONLY ACCESS
It all works beautifully until someone does something causing SW to remove the RO access. When it does, it doesn't reset it in a timely manner. We haven't figured out what is required to get SW to let go of the part and reset the RO access. Until it releases it, no one else can access the file to insert it, even with an existing config. With 10 people working, this is happening frequently. If someone crashes while they have write access to the file, (common in 2008), it may not reset it at all. Asking everyone to get out of the pool to reset it is problematic.
PROBLEM 2: FILE SIZE IS HUGE
The file size in 2007 of the SHCS with all of the configs we had used to that point was 12MB. The file size in 2008 of the SHCS grew to 20MB in a week, and still didn't have near as many configs as the 2007 part. I shrunk the size using Save-As (to 1.25 MB which still seems huge for such a simple part), but SW appears to activate configs each time they are used, and it starts growing again. Is there a setting somewhere that could be causing this?
PROBLEM 3: ACCESSING TOOLBOX PARTS IS SLOW
Dropping a toolbox part into an assembly takes at least 2 minutes for the Toolbox definition dialog to pop up. I think it is even longer, but can't test it right now. In 2007, it was probably 10 seconds or so. Again, the 2008 part doesn't have nearly as many configs as the 2007 part did. There is some relationship to the file size in problem 2. Right after I shrink it, it does go a little faster, but it is still much slower than in 2007. Again, is there a setting or something that might be causing this? The network location hasn't changed, so that shouldn't be a contributor.
Karen Brunke
Our System
Windows XP 64 bit SP 2.0
Solidworks 2008 SP3.0
Everything installed from images
Our Toolbox
Shared Network location
Copied Ansi spec with our custom properties applied using the export/import thru excel approach
Parts set to Read only at system level
Allow overwrite checkbox set
PROBLEM 1: READ ONLY ACCESS
It all works beautifully until someone does something causing SW to remove the RO access. When it does, it doesn't reset it in a timely manner. We haven't figured out what is required to get SW to let go of the part and reset the RO access. Until it releases it, no one else can access the file to insert it, even with an existing config. With 10 people working, this is happening frequently. If someone crashes while they have write access to the file, (common in 2008), it may not reset it at all. Asking everyone to get out of the pool to reset it is problematic.
PROBLEM 2: FILE SIZE IS HUGE
The file size in 2007 of the SHCS with all of the configs we had used to that point was 12MB. The file size in 2008 of the SHCS grew to 20MB in a week, and still didn't have near as many configs as the 2007 part. I shrunk the size using Save-As (to 1.25 MB which still seems huge for such a simple part), but SW appears to activate configs each time they are used, and it starts growing again. Is there a setting somewhere that could be causing this?
PROBLEM 3: ACCESSING TOOLBOX PARTS IS SLOW
Dropping a toolbox part into an assembly takes at least 2 minutes for the Toolbox definition dialog to pop up. I think it is even longer, but can't test it right now. In 2007, it was probably 10 seconds or so. Again, the 2008 part doesn't have nearly as many configs as the 2007 part did. There is some relationship to the file size in problem 2. Right after I shrink it, it does go a little faster, but it is still much slower than in 2007. Again, is there a setting or something that might be causing this? The network location hasn't changed, so that shouldn't be a contributor.
Karen Brunke
I never really noticed at first but I have just completed a Blank & Pierce tool assembly and fitting all the Socket head cap screws, Dowel pins & Shoulder screws was so frustrating. SW needs to own up to this one as it is a retrograde step.
Mainly it is the time it takes to drag the icon from toolbox onto the assembly screen.... Big Delay... once the item is up or on the end of your cursor it seem ok then the next big delay is when choosing another toolbox item, it all add up to a frustrating days works (instead of half a day)
Has anybody else noticed the ToolBox being slower in SW08?
Our VAR recommended a 3rd party solution developed for die design that included basic hardware. We just started using Solidworks 2008 x64 after deciding to change 5 seats from Inventor, this was not a good start to our Solidworks experience. I like the weldments, though.
Anthony Fettig
www.entrusttool.com
404125 supposed to be fixed in SP4.0
Karen Brunke
Invotec Engineering
Swx 2008 SP3.0, 32-bit on 64-bit OS
Does PROBLEM 1: throw an error with"admin" on (user's machine) has it opened exclusively?
If so look at the swBrowser location for a test.txt. take ownership and delete. this will free up the toolbox.
Good luck.
Jeff
I have just checked it out and on my system at least it now seems to be working as normal.
Almost instantaneous placement, followed by about a half second delay for menu choices.
Now as quick as it has ever been on x64 or 32bit.
This is a big time saver for me. I hope you get yours sorted soon.
Kevan
We have noticed the slowdown in Toolbox aswell. Very annoying. Hopefully it will get fixed with the next service pack.
We were facing the same problems.
1. Moreover, if we have created all configurations of each part in one go, then what is the need to keep Toolbox data on the drive with full access to everybody ? In my opinion when the administrator has created all the configs, then it should be located on read only drive. But if we do like this, Toolbox shows read only error while inserting a part, which have been created already . Does this mean that toolbox creates a part everytime someone inserts it?
2. Due to all these problems, we decided to create parts (not configs) for every size of each toolbox item and store it in common Design Library (yes, Design Library !!!) and just drag and drop from there without worrying about configs. And the design library is Read Only to most of the users (which should be).