I have an assembly (like an outdoor shed) that can be ordered in 9 versions (product options) and in 16 Widths and 7 Lengths, (but only 1 height!). I have a top level assembly with all 1008 possible configurations. There are 7x16=112 "size" configurations (Product option 1) each with 8 derived configurations (product options 2 to 9).
I need a drawing with just the BOM and an ISO view on the sheet (no dimensions). To keep drawing sizes manageable, I have a separate drawing file for each Product option & Length (9x7=56 separate drawing files). And each drawing file has 16 sheets (one per Width). I then use a great utility from #TASK to export all 16 BOM's into one Excel file which is used by the supplier to enter into their order system.
After doing the first drawing file (Option #1 in Length #1 and 16 Width pages), I saved it as a new name & MANUALLY went through all 16 sheets and used the drop-down configuration lists to select the new desired BOM & ISO view. Simple but BORING. The configuration list is so long it takes time to scroll down to the right one.
Question: Is there a way to externally edit the drawing file (like in a text editor)? Then I could do a search & replace to change those 2 configuration names on each sheet.
I guess what I am looking for is the equivalent of a "Design Table for Drawing Views".
All suggestions welcomed!
I will be marking this Solved because of the great work done by Artem and his team at #TASK.
I wrote them last Monday and said I was willing to pay for a custom macro. They liked my idea of "Design Table for Drawings", and asked a few questions. They saw this as generic and did this for all customers.
Wed. AM they wrote to tell me they completed a new #TASK "Drawing Sheets Configurator" and included an instructional video!
It works with a 3-column CSV file (New Sheet Name, Assembly Name, Referenced Configuration). I used Excel to do all the formulas on Sheet1 for my set of 7 drawings for the first Model. Then copied blocks of cells to 7 different sheets (paste as text). Then save each sheet as CSV file, using "CSV (Comma Delimited)" format. VERY IMPORTANT! My CSV file naming ensures each is unique. The drawing file names need to match exactly. I started out by doing a "master" drawing package for one Model & Length.(16 Width sheets). In Windows I copied this drawing 7 times. Then copied each CSV file name and renamed one of the copied Drawings. The screenshot shows everything ready to go. Note that I need to select "All Sheets" option. I also needed to set the #TASK Option "Restart SolidWorks after every 1 File". It took 24 min. to do those 7 drawings. Result: All Sheets renamed and the Drawing Views on each sheet link to the desired Configuration.
On Friday they told me they had completed two more #TASKs and included another instructional video.
"Drawing Tables Renamer" changes the default BOM feature tree name to be the primary Drawing View Configuration.It also allows text to be added (I used "BOM-AT_"). It needs the Active Sheet option. Note that they made it work with ANY drawing table!
"BOM Table Configuration Remapper" automatically changes the configuration to match the primary Drawing View Configuration. It also needs the Active Sheet option.
My BOM table has QTY as the 3rd column. In testing, the QTY column ended up as the last column. Turns out to be another "assumption" of SW. On Monday, they told me their workaround was for me to move the QTY column to the end and rename it "QTY.", then insert a new column 3 ("QTY") and make it an Equation (='QTY.'). Then hide "QTY." column. (Because of my "master drawing" methodology, this could stay visible when I set up the revised master drawing.) This custom #TASK "hide_show_table columns" is not on their web site, so I have attached it (with permission). It just hides the last BOM column.Doesn't matter if it started out visible or hidden.
Then I ran those 3 #TASKs at once (all checked off) and it took 31 min. for all 7 drawings.
I have also attached their instructional videos.
5 stars to #TASK!