How to Add SOLIDWORKS Routing Library to a PDM Vault
SOLIDWORKS Routing creates piping, tubing, and electrical route assemblies using Design Library components. Storing these components in the PDM vault ensures proper file references and enables Where Used functionality.
This guide walks through how to move the Routing Library into a PDM vault and configure SOLIDWORKS to use it correctly across your team.
Step 1: Enable SOLIDWORKS Routing
- Open SOLIDWORKS
- Navigate to Tools > Add-ins
- Enable the SOLIDWORKS Routing add-in for Active session (left checkbox) and optionally for Start Up (right checkbox).
If you do not see the add-in, verify the SOLIDWORKS Routing add-in is installed properly.
Step 2: Move the Routing Library and Templates into the PDM Vault
- Browse to the default Routing Library location then copy the entire routing folder and paste it into your PDM vault.
Default location is C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\<Version>\design library\routing
- Check the entire routing folder into the vault (all routing files need checked into the vault).
- Locate your Routing template(s) then copy and check them into PDM.
Default location is: C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS <version>\templates
Default template is named: routeAssembly.ASMDOT
Note: The default Routing template (routeAssembly.ASMDOT) is not created by SOLIDWORKS until a new routing assembly is created for the first time in SOLIDWORKS. If you do not see the template, try starting a new assembly with a route then return to the directly to find the template file.
Step 3: Configure Routing Library Manager
The SOLIDWORKS Routing Library Manager allows you to update paths without launching SOLIDWORKS. Each SOLIDWORKS client will need to update the Routing paths.
- Open Windows Start Menu > SOLIDWORKS Tools > Routing Library Manager and click the Routing File Locations and Settings tab.
- Update Routing Library and Routing Template File Locations to point all paths to the vault location of the routing library.
Step 4: Update SOLIDWORKS File Locations
On each SOLIDWORKS client, update the Design Library path.
- In SOLIDWORKS, go to Tools > Options > System Options > File Locations
- Select Design Library.
- Remove the existing local path for \routing.
- Add the vault-based routing library path from Step 2.
- In the same File Locations section, to ensure all uses reference the same files:
- Select Referenced Documents
- Remove old paths related to local or network routing locations.
- Add the vault library path.
Step 5: Configure External References Settings
SOLIDWORKS external reference options should be updated to prevent prompts when using read-only library files.
- On each SOLIDWORKS client, go to Tools > Options > System Options > External References
- Enable the option: Don’t prompt to save read-only referenced documents (discard changes)
Step 6: Set PDM Permissions for the Routing Library
Within the PDM Administration tool, assign read-only access for standard users. Write permission is reserved for admin users. This aligns with general vault permission management practices where libraries are typically controlled to prevent unintended edits.
Minimum required permissions for Folder and State:
- Read File Contents
- Show Working Version of Files
Step 7: Update Local Cache
All users must have the routing library files cached locally.
- Right-click the library folder in PDM
- Select Get Latest Version
We recommend enabling PDM automatic cache options for the library folder to ensure users always work with the latest version after changes are made to the library files.
Best Practices and Summary
- Use one centralized routing library in the vault.
- Keep the library read-only for most users.
- Ensure all users point to the same vault path.
- Avoid duplicate files to prevent reference conflicts.
- Notify users when updates to the library occur.
Moving the Routing Library into the PDM vault ensures consistent file references from a centralized library. With correct configuration, Routing components behave like any other managed design data with the vault.
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