How to set the PDM Preview Tab Viewer
How to set the PDM Preview Tab Viewer
- January 10, 2023
- Rick Braine
The preview window in PDM File Explorer and the View option in PDM History dialog are dependent on two different applications to display the preview. If the file path to the required viewer application is not configured correctly or is invalid, then the preview may fail with errors indicating the viewer was not found. In some cases, the viewer path may even be set to an older version that cannot preview the newer versions of files.
Configuring the Preview/View in PDM File Explorer
These steps should be performed by the PDM administrator using the PDM admin user. These options are typically set at the group level, though can be configured for an individual PDM user.
Right-click a group or user and select Settings…
In the Settings dialog left-side menu, select Viewers.
The default file path and argument are listed below for SOLIDWORKS/CAD files and all other files. We recommend the viewer application file path be verified on client machines.
ALL SOLIDWORKS and CAD FILES (set to EModelViewer.exe)
File Extensions:
sldasm, sldprt, slddrw, eprt, easm, edrw, dwg, dxf, 3dxml, stl, prt, xpr, asm, prtdot, asmdot, drwdot
Path and Argument to viewer program:
C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\eDrawings\EModelViewer.exe “%1%”
(note there is a space between .exe and %1% but not afterwards)
ALL OTHER FILES (set to FileViewer.exe)
File Extensions:
* (The Asterix is used to capture all other files not associated with a specific extension)
Path and Argument to viewer program:
C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS PDM\FileViewer.exe “%1%”
(note there is a space between .exe and %1% but not afterwards)
The PDM viewers are not configured properly to view any type of file.
Technical Support
If you have any questions or experience unexpected behavior, feel free to reach out to MLC CAD Systems technical support