5 Replies Latest reply on Sep 8, 2016 9:48 AM by Elmar Klammer

How to use different folders to organize the different extensions ?

BAS De Leeuw Sep 8, 2016 7:46 AM

Hello,

I use Solidworks to draw different vehicles. All these parts need to be made eventually.

At the moment when I draw I need to save a part, drawing, PDF, step and a DXF separatly. I also use a system to store them to make it easier for me to see what I need.

The problem is that every time I try to open a drawing it has lost it's reference and I need to browse to the drawings folder and look there.

I also would like to have this automated. When I click a button, it saves all the files automatically.

Is something similar possible ?

Re: How to use different folders to organize the different extensions ?

Deepak Gupta Sep 8, 2016 8:26 AM (in response to BAS De Leeuw)

Make sure that you add top level folder location under Tools > Options > System Options > File Location > Referenced Documents
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- Re: How to use different folders to organize the different extensions ?
  
  Bill Toft Sep 8, 2016 8:56 AM (in response to Deepak Gupta)
  
  When you create your parts, assemblies & drawings, do you do File> Save As> and select the desired Parts/ Assembly or Drawings folder? This will ensure the drawing knows where to find the part or assembly file.
  
  I suspect that you have been using Windows Explorer to MOVE part/assembly/drawing files from their original saved locations into your standard folder locations.
  Instead, from Windows Explorer, you need to use the SolidWorks MOVE function.
  
  th
  
  It will then show you all the files that use this file. Their file references will be updated at the same time.
  
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Re: How to use different folders to organize the different extensions ?

Steve Ostrovsky Sep 8, 2016 9:17 AM (in response to BAS De Leeuw)

One word - PDM
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- Re: How to use different folders to organize the different extensions ?
  
  BAS De Leeuw Sep 8, 2016 9:35 AM (in response to Steve Ostrovsky)
  
  Can you explain what PDM can do for me ?
  
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Re: How to use different folders to organize the different extensions ?

Elmar Klammer Sep 8, 2016 9:48 AM (in response to BAS De Leeuw)

Hello Bas,

You have to ask yourself what are the benefits of separating assemblies, parts and drawings. There are other ways to manage visibility of certain file extensions, if this is your main issue. Learn to use windows explorer more efficiently or use another tool like Total Commander with enhanced filter functions at your finger tips. We only separate exported formats like Pdf and Dxf files cause we use those in for burning and shop issue. We sub divide projects into folders to keep the number & size of files within the folder manageable. If they get too large, then Windows explorer bogs down. A simple folder structure with numeric identifiers and a description that summarizes all specific details will help wonders when searching. I always keep drawings and related parts together. It makes it easy to check drawings, opening drawings and gathering all relevant files. We work with mostly custom designs so we have no need to reuse many common parts except toolbox parts. For new designs we copy the whole tree. Hard drive space is cheap and managing common parts and all linked assemblies costs far more.
The following macro will let you open drawings that don't reside in the same folder as the part or assembly.
http://ww3.cad.de/foren/ubb/uploads/Andi+Beck/Solid-open-PDF-1.2.0.zip
See post neues Makro - Solid-open-PDF (DS SolidWorks/SolidWorks) - Foren auf CAD.de for description...its in German but Google can translate for ya.

Hope that helps,

Elmar
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