We use a lot of step files from our customers. We open the step file in SolidWorks which uses our template to make parts and assemblies. The same parts are used between the new and existing assemblies. I add some metadata to the parts (our part number, description, etc.) then check them into the vault.
When I translate a new step file, I don't want to look up the information for all the parts and subassemblies if they already exists in PDM.
Furthermore, I don't want to overwrite the file in PDM if it already exists.
How do I open a step file - creating parts and assemblies - then add only the new parts/assemblies to PDM?
Thank you,
Todd
Open the STEP file as usual. Save it OUTSIDE THE VAULT. Copy the top level file into the vault. Select the file in Windows Explorer and then select 'Tools....Update References' from the PDM menus. This will open a dialog listing the referenced files:
You can tell it to search inside the vault (the green folder icon with the magnifying glass) for files (with the same name) and it will update the references in the assembly to point at the files already in the vault. This can be a multi-step process if there are a lot of nested subassemblies. You can also use the 'Add File to Vault' (icon to the right of the search icon) to add any new files.