Is there a simple way to have a "created date" for Solidowrks files, that would show up in search results?
We have a variable called created date, and it populates on some excel files. I am just not sure how to have the same for SW files. It has been a while since I have done much in the admin tool, so maybe this is super easy and its just not coming to me.
In the Vault administration tool modify or create a columns set for the search tool to use.
Create a new column and select the variable from the list.
Use the move up or down buttons to reposition it in the list.
Go to the search card and make sure the column set you added the variable to is selected.
If you add the column to the end you can always drag it to the right or left.
It appears that after you add the column you need to exit out of SWPDM on your client machine and then log back in to see the changes.
Hi Paul,
Thank you for the reply. I can understand all of that aspect, but what "pushes" a value into the creation date variable on SW files? Im not sure the proper way (or easiest) to actually write the value upon creation.
Hi,
Look in PDM Help:
1. You create a variable - Creeted Date. You configure Block name of this variable - $PRP. You set Attribut name - SW-Created Date. And extensions - sldprt, sldasm, sldprt.
2. You create Columns c the necessary columns and this variable. Type - Search Result.
3. You create and configure the Card for Search with this columns collection.
Paul Wyndham was ahead of me - but did not specify how to configure a variable.
Yes, and I tagged his as correct, but you both are correct and helped!! Thank you!
I was unsure of the SW-Created date
Sorry you said you had the variable already, so I didn't think to explain that.
In order for the variable to populate with information from the SolidWorks files you need to have a field for it on the data card.
To create a new variable right click on Variables and Select New Variable. You could also Open the variables dialog and do it that way.
Next create the variable:
Click OK and your done with the new variable. It should now show up in your variable list.
***** Make sure you have a custom property in the file that is named the same as the Attribute Name, otherwise it won't work.
I already had a variable in my vault called Creation Time so I used it instead of creating a new one called Creation Date.
Add a textbox to the data card then set the variable to the one you want.
You don't necessarily need to use any of the other checkboxes on the properties tab, so I didn't show them.
Save the data card and you should be good to go to have the value show up.
In order for the variable to populate you would need to check out the files, do something to modify them so that you can save, then check them back in. If you just check out then immediately check back in it might just undo checkout and not update the variable.
If you make the variable "Version Free" you wont need to check the file out to manually change it. It will still update with the custom property from the file if you check it in.
Now that I posted this I see that you already got it figured out from Sam Sam's post. Glad it worked, I will leave this here just in case it is helpful for future reference. You would put SW-Created date in the field marked by number 4.
In the Vault administration tool modify or create a columns set for the search tool to use.
Create a new column and select the variable from the list.
Use the move up or down buttons to reposition it in the list.
Go to the search card and make sure the column set you added the variable to is selected.
If you add the column to the end you can always drag it to the right or left.
It appears that after you add the column you need to exit out of SWPDM on your client machine and then log back in to see the changes.