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Best way to manage global variables

Question asked by Michael Gera on Aug 20, 2016
Latest reply on Jan 7, 2017 by Vladimir Urazhdin

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Recently, I designed my first global variable driven series of parts. I wrote a simple .txt file and linked each part to it.

This was a giant leap forward for me (I had not done much with global variables up to this point) and I could immediately see the many benefits of SolidWorks "automation".

However, I could also see some areas that I need to work on. For example, if I edited the text file after it was already linked to a part file (added a variable, renamed one, etc.), I then had to go into each part file and "relink" the text file, which is tedious and, well, quite boring.

Is there a way to avoid having to do this, to have each part auto query the .txt file and see if there have been any changes?

Also, the .txt file seems a bit old school, for lack of a better term. Is there a way to share global variables between parts in a more "GUI" type way?

Thanks for any help, as always.

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Vladimir Urazhdin Aug 21, 2016 11:18 AM

Theoretically you can create direct link between Global Variables: Assembly <-> Parts or/and Assembly <-> Sub assemblies:

See:

2015 SOLIDWORKS Help - Equations in Assemblies

Equations worked fine in SW 2014, but since SW 2015 all links between Global Variables have been broken:

Parts in sub-assembly do not update

SW 2016 issue. Links between components Global Variables in assembly are broken.

Despite many SP (service performance) reports the issue is still exists and not clear if SW Development Team has any plan to fix it in a nearest future.

Link between Global Variables still may be established indirectly:

Global Variable of Top Level->dimension-in-sketch-of-Top-Level-Assembly-> dimension-in-sketch-of-Part (or Sub assembly)-> Global Variable-in-Part (or Sub assembly).

It works, but it is a real pain...

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Michael Gera @ Vladimir Urazhdin on Aug 23, 2016 7:41 PM

Thanks for the reply, Vladimir.

I'm going to talk to SW Tech support (my reseller) tomorrow.

I'm also having a problem where parts that I have "edited in context" are not updating when I change driving features.

Very frustrating!

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Michael Gera @ Vladimir Urazhdin on Aug 25, 2016 9:25 PM

Update:

The SW Tech submitted my assembly to Dassault headquarters for analysis. Apparnently, this one is tricky enough that they need the big guns.

-Mike

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Mark Biasotti Jan 6, 2017 8:20 AM

Recently I have been using Global Variable text file on several of my projects to handle things like global sheet metal gauges, wall thicknesses etc. between parts in an assembly of parts.

I haven't quite figured out (or this function still need additional work) how to efficiently update my global variables between parts as I'm designing. The problem arises when I have a new global variable I want to add while designing a part. Although Global variables in the equation editor say that the global variable is linked to the text file, any new variables that I introduce (yes I've clicked on the link icon), don't seem to update the global variable text file when I save the part. This is what I would expect to happen but it doesn't. What I have to do is a bit absurd: I need to go and edit the txt file with notepad, then go back to the part, uncheck the link and then re-check it to load the updated txt file. What am I missing here. I could use some help here to figure this out.

thanks in advance

Mark

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Vladimir Urazhdin @ Mark Biasotti on Jan 6, 2017 9:11 AM

Mark,

In SW 2017 links between Global Variables in assembly are working fine.

Now you can use direct links without intermediate .txt files.

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Mark Biasotti @ Vladimir Urazhdin on Jan 7, 2017 3:11 PM

thanks Vladimir,

Look forward to that.

Mark

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Vladimir Urazhdin @ Mark Biasotti on Jan 7, 2017 4:23 PM

The difference for SW 2017.

To create new / (or update broken) links:

1. Edit part (or sub assembly) in assembly.

2. Open Equation Manager.

3. Сlick on external Global Variable (or dimension) to insert it into equation. Just typing ID of external Global Variable is not working anymore.

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7 Replies

Vladimir Urazhdin Aug 21, 2016 11:18 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Theoretically you can create direct link between Global Variables: Assembly <-> Parts or/and Assembly <-> Sub assemblies:
See:
2015 SOLIDWORKS Help - Equations in Assemblies
Equations worked fine in SW 2014, but since SW 2015 all links between Global Variables have been broken:
Parts in sub-assembly do not update
or
SW 2016 issue. Links between components Global Variables in assembly are broken.

Despite many SP (service performance) reports the issue is still exists and not clear if SW Development Team has any plan to fix it in a nearest future.
Link between Global Variables still may be established indirectly:
Global Variable of Top Level->dimension-in-sketch-of-Top-Level-Assembly-> dimension-in-sketch-of-Part (or Sub assembly)-> Global Variable-in-Part (or Sub assembly).
It works, but it is a real pain...
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- Michael Gera @ Vladimir Urazhdin on Aug 23, 2016 7:41 PM
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  Correct Answer
  Thanks for the reply, Vladimir.
  
  I'm going to talk to SW Tech support (my reseller) tomorrow.
  
  I'm also having a problem where parts that I have "edited in context" are not updating when I change driving features.
  
  Very frustrating!
  Like • Show 1 Like1
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- Michael Gera @ Vladimir Urazhdin on Aug 25, 2016 9:25 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Update:
  
  The SW Tech submitted my assembly to Dassault headquarters for analysis. Apparnently, this one is tricky enough that they need the big guns.
  
  -Mike
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
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Mark Biasotti Jan 6, 2017 8:20 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Recently I have been using Global Variable text file on several of my projects to handle things like global sheet metal gauges, wall thicknesses etc. between parts in an assembly of parts.

I haven't quite figured out (or this function still need additional work) how to efficiently update my global variables between parts as I'm designing. The problem arises when I have a new global variable I want to add while designing a part. Although Global variables in the equation editor say that the global variable is linked to the text file, any new variables that I introduce (yes I've clicked on the link icon), don't seem to update the global variable text file when I save the part. This is what I would expect to happen but it doesn't. What I have to do is a bit absurd: I need to go and edit the txt file with notepad, then go back to the part, uncheck the link and then re-check it to load the updated txt file. What am I missing here. I could use some help here to figure this out.

thanks in advance

Mark
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- Vladimir Urazhdin @ Mark Biasotti on Jan 6, 2017 9:11 AM
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  Correct Answer
  Mark,
  In SW 2017 links between Global Variables in assembly are working fine.
  Now you can use direct links without intermediate .txt files.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
  - Mark Biasotti @ Vladimir Urazhdin on Jan 7, 2017 3:11 PM
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    thanks Vladimir,
    
    Look forward to that.
    
    Mark
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    - Vladimir Urazhdin @ Mark Biasotti on Jan 7, 2017 4:23 PM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      The difference for SW 2017.
      To create new / (or update broken) links:
      1. Edit part (or sub assembly) in assembly.
      2. Open Equation Manager.
      3. Сlick on external Global Variable (or dimension) to insert it into equation. Just typing ID of external Global Variable is not working anymore.
      Like • Show 0 Likes0
      Actions

Best way to manage global variables

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