We are considering a project of reorganizing all of our solidworks files into a new folder structure system. Identifying the referenced resources and moving them are not a problem, but we are looking for a method to batch update all the external part references in assemblies with the new external part locations so as not to break the connections. Does anyone have any experience with this or can give some leads on how/where to investigate the process more?
Many thanks!
Thanks for the reply,
I should clarify that we hope to change more than the root folder - several parts that are used in multiple assemblies are somewhat arbitraily live in one or another of the assembly folders. We would like to move each assembly and each part to independent folders. I think this would prohibit your suggested treatment, no?
Actually, after thinking about my solution, my solution would not work for a single root folder. You would have to add each folder to the list. The Referenced File location does not search sub folders.
I cannot think of a batch solution other than a custom program. The Document Manager API does allow you to move files without breaking references, but it would require a custom program.
After digging around some more, I found a promising lead in ths thread https://forum.solidworks.com/message/251144#251144
This fella seems to be working on the same type of project and has built out some console tools to aid in the process and posted them on github https://github.com/jasonnicholson
I wont have time to explore them until later in the week but would be interested in hearing from anyone who has used these yet.
Thanks
I have not actually tried it, but it should work. Add the root folder to your new structure to your System Options -> File Locations -> Referenced Documents and set your System Options -> External References -> Search file locations for external references.
Now use SolidWorks Task Scheduler to Update the assemblies so that they point to the new location for referernced part files.