14 Replies Latest reply on Jul 21, 2011 7:59 AM by Joy Garon

Automatic file naming

Ray Luck Jun 26, 2011 6:09 PM

Hi,

I would like to setup a simple folder that stores our customer purchase orders and other information. The majority of these files are pdf's.

Can EPDM automatically name the files using a serial number?

For example, I receive a copy of a purchase order in an email. I open the pdf and go to 'save as' and browse for the folder location in the vault. Here, edpm renames the file to 0001 (or whatever is next), I fill the data card in and a copy is saved.

Is this achievable?

Cheers,

Ray Luck.

Re: Automatic file naming

Faur Arama Jun 27, 2011 1:54 AM (in response to Ray Luck)

Hi Ray,
First I must say that I don't try this method but I think it will work.
1. define a serial number for your documents;
2. add a variable for serial number and also for pdf files;
3. add this variable on document card and make it "equal" to special value of defined serial number;
4. in dispatch add a new action during add with condition "after the add operation";
5. define a runtime variable = variable value from selected file datacard.." and make it equal to variable defined on 3;
6. add a command "rename file" and use for new name variable defined on 5.

I hope it works
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- Re: Automatic file naming
  
  Andries Koorzen Jul 7, 2011 8:48 AM (in response to Faur Arama)
  
  Hi Ray. I saw this post and tried Faur's suggestion. It works indeed!
  
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- Re: Automatic file naming
  
  Ray Luck Jul 7, 2011 5:22 PM (in response to Faur Arama)
  
  Hi Faur,
  
  Sorry I havn't replied, I have been too busy to try this but I will give it a go this weekend.
  
  Andries, thanks for letting me know. I hope I can get it working.
  
  Cheers.
  
  Ray.
  
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  - Re: Automatic file naming
    
    Ray Luck Jul 8, 2011 2:05 AM (in response to Ray Luck)
    
    Okay, I'm doing something wrong but I'm not sure what.
    
    I was testing the renaming by pasting a pdf into the folder specified and I received this error message.
    
    Any suggestions?
    
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    - Re: Automatic file naming
      
      Faur Arama Jul 8, 2011 2:15 AM (in response to Ray Luck)
      
      Hi Ray,
      For some reason I can't see your attached image. Could you post it again
      
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      - Re: Automatic file naming
        
        Ray Luck Jul 11, 2011 7:48 PM (in response to Faur Arama)
        
        Sorry, here it is.
        
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        Re: Automatic file naming
        
        Joy Garon Jul 11, 2011 8:43 PM (in response to Ray Luck)
        
        Hi Ray,
        
        I've seen this error before, but, I can't remember what caused it. If you upload the .acn file (save the file) I'll take a look at it for you.
        
        Joy
        
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        Re: Automatic file naming
        
        Ray Luck Jul 13, 2011 1:37 AM (in response to Joy Garon)
        
        Hi Joy,
        
        Thanks. Here it is. I think my problem has to do with the variable I am trying to rename the file with.
        
        The file paths seem to be okay.
        
        Cheers,
        
        Ray
        
        Rename PDF.acn.zip 358 bytes
        
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        Re: Automatic file naming
        
        Joy Garon Jul 18, 2011 10:15 AM (in response to Joy Garon)
        
        Hi Ray,
        
        Okay, I did have a look at your dispatch and there are several errors.
        I suggest you study the attached Dispatch tutorial to understand the basics of the rename operation.
        
        Best Regards,
        Joy
        
        SWW2011-Dispatch_Hands-On_LR.pdf 1.0 MB
        
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        Re: Automatic file naming
        
        Ray Luck Jul 21, 2011 1:14 AM (in response to Joy Garon)
        
        Hi Joy, thanks for the info. I will take a look.
        
        Cheers.
        
        Ray.
        
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        Re: Automatic file naming
        
        Tim Read Jul 21, 2011 7:45 AM (in response to Joy Garon)
        
        Hi Joy,
        
        Looking through the tutorial it states that "All files must be checked out before renaming". Do you know why that is?
        
        I ask the question because checking out ALL files that use a particular part before renaming it would be quite difficult for us. Renaming while ALL files are checked is is a lot easier and seems to work just fine with updating all the references.
        
        Best Regards,
        Tim
        
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        Re: Automatic file naming
        
        Joy Garon Jul 21, 2011 7:59 AM (in response to Tim Read)
        
        Hi Tim -
        
        I put that in as an example of how to use logic.
        I suppose I should expand on that some more.
        Normally when dealing with SolidWorks files (assemblies with references in particular) I teach the difference between SW references and database references. If I check in the assembly and parts, I can then move a part to a different folder and if I check out the assembly, the database references enable the location of the part (uses its database document ID).
        
        It's important to note that the Dispatch rename command is a Windows rename and not a SolidWorks rename.
        Perhaps I should make a video with audio that explains this part in a bit more detail.
        
        Regards,
        Joy
        
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        Re: Automatic file naming
        
        Faur Arama Jul 13, 2011 12:22 AM (in response to Ray Luck)
        
        Hi,
        This error usually is about file name. Verify that the new file name contain all the path like d:\<vaultname>\<folder>\<filename>.
        You can add an "OK MessageBox" before the file is renamed and in the text of message put the new file name so can verify that file name is correct.
        
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    - Re: Automatic file naming
      
      Andries Koorzen Jul 8, 2011 4:24 AM (in response to Ray Luck)
      
      Hi Ray. I also can't see the image. Did the upload fail perhaps?
      
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