I've been asked to look into how we use e-drawings to write mfg notes on released drawings in EPDM. Currently we've been using a piece of software called Jobpack but it doesn't seem to play nice with EPDM. What we want to be able to do is to allow people in manufacturing and operations to be able to write their own notes about set-ups, problem areas with machining, ect. I think we can do this with edrawings but I'm not sure the best way to go about this. Some of the people making these notes would be machinists so I'm not sure we want to give them checkout rights with released drawings but is there a way we can get them the ability to mark things up?
Bit different application, but this discussion is related.
Re: Mark up drawings for employee to correct in Solidworks
In EPDM Right click and View File get you into eDrawings.
With what you want... the issue would be that they would need to save a copy of the .sldrw file in order to keep their notes. Probably none of your users would be able to modify the released file. The copy with notes could be placed inside the vault or outside. It seems like there should be a better way to handle what you are talking about.
In fact - just tested it - I'm not sure you can even save the .slddrw with notes back to .slddrw format. The Save As window comes up because you don't have the file checked-out, and in that there is no option for .slddrw. The Save command seems to be the only way to keep the format. ...But maybe that works. They could save the edrawings file (.edrw) in the same location as the released drawing. Before checking-in the .edrw they could use Paste as Reference to create a link to the source .slddrw (optional). And you could create a custom data card for eDrawing files that had some relevant mfg notes info, especially any extra info they want searchable.