Articles by: Joe Medeiros, CSWE
Information about a file can be added and accessed through metadata. In SOLIDWORKS this metadata is referred to as Properties. In SOLIDWORKS PDM, this metadata is contained within Variables. By the use of PDM Attributes, we can map a Variable value to a File Property. This attribute acts as a conduit, allowing information entered in…
The SOLIDWORKS Design Checker is one of the most underutilized utilities in SOLIDWORKS and this is unfortunate, as this utility can help eliminate costly mistakes due to errors in a SOLIDWORKS document. Design Checker can also reduce the amount of time to check documents, by running user defined checks. The SOLIDWORKS Design Checker ensures accuracy,…
The stated Bend Direction in a SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal drawing is based on the defined fixed face of the model. Editing the Flat Pattern feature, in the Flat-Pattern folder, will display the currently defined “Fixed face”. To change the Bend Direction, select a face that is on the other side of the material. Once complete,…
Every time I startup my Windows 10 laptop, I would be prompted to log into all my SOLIDWORKS PDM Vaults. Since I typically have 3+ Vaults this was one of those little annoyances that I finally decided to do something about. After some searching, I found what I believe was the culprit. At some point…
If there is a mismatch in the Back-up settings of the SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server Configuration application, the message ‘Failed to Make Backup!’, will appear in the Archive Server log. If the error message is opened from the Archive Server log, the below description will be displayed. Date: 2018-05-18 09:07:02.000 Module: ArchiveServerService Function: MainClass::muiBackupProc Code: E_INVALIDARG…
New to SOLIDWORKS 2019, is the ability to add Coverings of a Fixed Length. This works with routes that use splines, such as tube and electrical routes. To use this tool, edit a route and select a spline route segment. The Fixed Length Covering command, can be launched from the Tools menu in SOLIDWORKS, as…
When viewing the SOLIDWORKS PDM User Log, clearing the log is straight forward. You simply left-click, on the ‘Empty the log’ icon. This is available from the User Log menu bar, located at the top-left of the Log. But how do you accomplish this for the SOLIDWORKS PDM Archie Server Log? There is no ‘Empty the log’…
A delimiter can be added, to the display of a Number (Part Number, Project Number, Document Number etc.) created by Auto Number. This will not change value in the system, but only how the Number is displayed. Splitting of an Auto Number, is accomplished through SOLIDWORKS Manage Administration Options. Select Numbering Schemes from the Advanced…