Javelin / TriMech Author
Izaaz Sheikh
Setting Up SOLIDWORKS PDM Template Variables
By Izaaz Sheikh on August 15, 2025
SOLIDWORKS PDM templates are used to automate the creation of new file and folder structures. This can be done through a simple right-click in the Explorer Vault View. With templates, you can automatically name your template files and folders as well as provide information for…
Parallel Transition Basics with SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional
By Izaaz Sheikh on February 21, 2025
SOLIDWORKS PDM is a highly customizable data management tool that can accommodate unique product development processes. The most often customized aspect of PDM is the workflows that files follow from initial design to release. If a file requires multiple approvals to transition into the next…
The First thing to note about Columns in SOLIDWORKS PDM 2021 is the Columns node in PDM Administration. It now contains the sub nodes File Details Columns, File List Columns, File Operations Columns, Quick Search Columns and Search Results Columns. The addition of these sub…
How to disable SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault Launch at Windows Startup
By Izaaz Sheikh on March 20, 2019
Every time you start up your laptop, you might be prompted to log into all your SOLIDWORKS PDM Vaults. For example, you have three or more vault views created in your File Explorer and you are asked to sign in all of your vault views….
There are numerous ways to get a list of SOLIDWORKS PDM users who are logged into the vault view. PDM Search Card Importing the Users Search Card Using the SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional search tool, we can complete a search to list all logged in users. Via the…
A SOLIDWORKS PDM Named BOM, is a saved from a Computed BOM and can be treated like any other vaulted file. Named BOMs can be Checked In/Out, Versioned, and have their State changed. Like other vaulted files, the history of the BOM is captured and can be…
Revert to a previous file revision with SOLIDWORKS PDM Rollback
By Izaaz Sheikh on April 28, 2016
Ever made a mistake and transitioned a file to a released state before it was ready? Not to fear! SOLIDWORKS has you covered; with its SOLIDWORKS PDM Rollback functionality you can return a file to a previous version. NOTE: This function should be used with caution as…
Updated SOLIDWORKS PDM Warning for Folder Containing Hidden Files When Deleting
By Izaaz Sheikh on January 22, 2015
The warning “folder contains hidden files you may not delete”, may appear when deleting or destroying a folder. There are a number of reasons why this may occur. The user deleting or destroying the folder, lacks read permissions to some files in that folder. Typically,…
Automatically Naming SOLIDWORKS Files with Serial Number
By Izaaz Sheikh on June 22, 2013
In SOLIDWORKS PDM, files can be automatically named or renamed when a file is saved. This setting can only be set when the ‘Admin’ user is logged in and this setting change needs to only be done once on one computer due to the setting…
PDM – Mapping Variables to Microsoft Word
By Izaaz Sheikh on December 13, 2012
EPDM variables can be mapped to a Microsoft Office document, automatically populating documents such as ECN’s (Engineering Change Notices). 1) In this article, the appropriate variable used will be Affects, and it has been configured for Word and Excel file types. 2) The Variable has…
Cyclic (circular) Reference
By Izaaz Sheikh on September 21, 2010
A cyclic (or circular) reference occurs when two or more components, in an assembly, share external references in a way that a rebuild of one component necessitates a rebuild of another component(s). If PDM is involved, cyclic references will prevent the check-ins. A circular reference…