What are Solidworks PDM Add ins and why do I need to update them? Add ins are managed in the Solidworks PDM Administration Tool and provide additional functionality either out of the box in the case of PDF conversion and dispatch or custom programming solutions. Add ins are currently unique to PDM Professional users. When do you need to Update your Add ins? Add ins should be updated whenever you update your version or service pack of Solidworks PDM to ensure proper functionality. Add ins are not updated automatically by your installer and require manual updating. How to update your Add ins… Upgrade your Solidworks PDM Server and at least […]
SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault Maintenance: How to split your archive onto multiple discs
Is your Vault Server (known as the Archive Server) nearly out of space? PDM has functionality to help you make space temporarily until the situation can be rectified or simply choose to span files across multiple drives. **WARNING** Due NOT relocate Files while users are in the vault. Doing so could risk file or data corruption. Preparation Ensure User activity is stopped. Logins may be blocked from the admin tool and License usage may be checked from the Licensing section of the admin tool for Solidworks PDM 2015 and up. If possible, having users check in files is always a good precaution. Backup Solidworks PDM Recovery Files in the event […]
SOLIDWORKS PDM Card input Formulas: Capabilities and Limitations
This topic will be most useful to those with some experience working with Solidworks PDM administration. I intend to clarify questions about an aspect of Cards and PDM capability that often arises during new implementations and PDM configuration. Cards provide a large part of Solidworks PDM’s capability. They are often both familiar and confusing to those looking to build a vault that best fits with their internal operations. The are familiar in that they appear to be a form that contains data which are common in all aspects of our business and personal lives. The full capability however is not easily discerned as the mechanics are very specific to PDM […]
Solidworks PDM Local View Basics and Troubleshooting
There are some Unique aspects to Solidworks PDM in respect to other common software applications. One of those unique aspects is the “Local View”. This is written especially for those of you that are either new users of Solidworks PDM or responsible for installations or administration. What Is a Solidworks PDM Local View? Your Solidworks PDM Local View is an application mechanic that is rather unique compared to most applications. After the Solidworks PDM application is installed there is an additional utility called a “view setup” that must be run for the user to access files in a vault. Since vaults are singularly controlled entities, each vault will require its […]
Detailed Warnings – SOLIDWORKS PDM 2018 WHAT’S NEW
Detailed Warnings in Solidworks PDM 2018! Previous Behavior In Prior versions of Solidworks PDM, transition conditions resulted in a less than informative message for users making it difficult to remedy the situation or learn from it. New Behavior SOLIDWORKS PDM 2018 provides more-detailed warning messages when a transition fails. If one or more conditions are not met, the Warnings column displays: • A warning in case of one failed condition. • A hyperlink in case of multiple failed conditions or all failed OR conditions. You can click the hyperlink to see the details of the conditions that are not met. Based on the conditions defined in the transition, the warning […]
Would SOLIDWORKS PDM Web 2 Benefit my company?
Would SOLIDWORKS PDM Web 2 Benefit my company? Primary Benefactors Companies that have vendors or off site personnel that need access to the vault but are not part of the design team would benefit from Web2. Field server might be a good example of someone that is mobile and needs to pull up drawings read only. Web2 may give them greater accessibility to current drawings. CAD users may also benefit from it as an additional option but they would typically require a full client to take advantage of the capabilities and efficiencies presented by a full feature set. In addition, anyone using the SOLIDWORKS PDM Legacy Web should consider upgrading […]
SOLIDWORKS: Protecting Your PDM Vault
There are many different backup strategies and related tools for company resources out there. Backing up and being able to restore your SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault can often be more important than most of your company systems for a few reasons. First, it often stores and controls access to most if not all your company’s critical intellectual properties. In addition, these files are often a work in progress and any interruption or extended downtime can translate to lost productivity and missed target dates. Finally, unlike most shared drive files, there can be extensive amounts of history for these files documented in SOLIDWORKS PDM that would be difficult if not impossible to recreate. […]
SOLIDWORKS: PDM Products Simplified
Occasionally, I will talk with a customer that is new to Solidworks Products or has been newly or temporarily assigned in an administration or project role for the company’s vault. This information is for you folks… you know who you are . 🙂 The SOLIDWORKS PDM products can be a bit confusing to short timers. The names are similar and there is not an easy way through normal communication to differentiate or identify what product you use. First, Solidworks PDM products are client server multi-user applications that helps companies control, share and make document management more efficient and effective. All Solidworks PDM Products have a vault with secure user based access […]
SOLIDWORKS: Understanding PDM Workflows
New to Solidworks PDM or considering it as a solution at your company? Maybe you have used Solidworks PDM for years but workflows are still a bit of a mystery? I hope to provide you some workflow basics that will take some of the mystery out of how they are configured and their benefit potential. This is not a replacement for Solidworks PDM Administration Training or a comprehensive functional description. As always, Inflow Consultants are available to assist you in any Solidworks PDM activities that you find beyond your current capability. Definitions Here are some simple terms that will help you to understand the concepts presented. Work Product A work product […]
SOLIDWORKS: Choosing and Configuring a SOLIDWORKS PDM Pro Login Type
Windows Login for PDM Objective Assist SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Customers when choosing a Login Type and provide information required for Windows Active Directory setup and functionality. For PDM Standard, there is no choice for Windows Login currently available. Definitions SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional allows for a choice between: 1. EPDM login Users and Groups that are managed through tools and mechanics solely contained within the SOLIDWORKS PDM Application. This may be an ideal choice for smaller user bases with less access, ownership or expertise of server side features. 2. LDAP Generally, works outside of the Windows structure focusing on the Linux / Unix environment and with more technical applications. LDAP doesn’t have […]