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Installation
- SOLIDWORKS and SW PDM System Requirements
- Preparing for Installation
- How to Download SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager (.exe)
- How to Request a Manual Download for SOLIDWORKS
- How To Order A SOLIDWORKS Media Kit
- Installing – A Complete Overview to Managing a CAD Environment
- SOLIDWORKS Hardware Guide
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- SOLIDWORKS Individual Installation
- How to Modify Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- How to Repair Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- Performing a Clean Uninstall
- How to Quickly Update SOLIDWORKS to a Newer Service Pack
- How to Transfer a Standalone License
- Install Multiple Versions
- SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard: How to Transfer SOLIDWORKS License
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- SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing
- How to Upgrade SolidNetWork License Manager
- Moving from SOLIDWORKS Standalone to Network Licenses
- Adding License to an Existing SolidNetwork License Manager
- Use Options File to Reserve Licenses for Specific Users
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Order Guide
- How to Reactivate SOLIDWORKS Network Licenses
- How to Move the SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager to a New Server
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetwork License Manager Overview
- How to Install the SolidNetwork License Manager
- Reserve Licenses with Options File
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SOLIDWORKS Portal
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SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Keyboard Shortcuts
- SOLIDWORKS Copy Settings Wizard
- Accessing Xpress Tools
- How To Tell Who Has a SOLIDWORKS File Open
- How to Use SOLIDWORKS Pack and Go
- SOLIDWORKS Administration Overview
- Rebuild Types and How They Work
- Understanding SOLIDWORKS Settings and Templates
- How to create SOLIDWORKS Part, Assembly, and Drawing Templates
- Utilizing Cloud Storage with SOLIDWORKS
- Automate File Exports with Task Scheduler
- Troubleshooting Weldment Cut List Consolidation
- SOLIDWORKS Multi-sheet Custom Properties Source
- How to Use Save As with References
- How to Troubleshoot Graphical Issues
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PDM
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- PDM How to Work in Off-line Mode
- How to Use PDM Move Tree
- How to Use PDM Copy Tree
- PDM - What are Private State Files?
- PDM Search Operators
- How to Set PDM to Details View in Windows File Explorer
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Search Results – Which Configuration’s Variables are Displayed?
- PDM Automatic Login Options
- Preview Tab Options
- How To Overwrite Latest PDM Version
- Difference Between Versions and Revisions
- How to export search results from PDM
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- PDM Administrators: Roles and Responsibilities
- PDM License Type Matrix
- PDM Server Recommendations
- PDM Backup Procedures
- How to Reset Your SOLIDWORKS PDM Admin Password
- How to Control Get Version Commands
- Adding a PDM Vault View with a Windows Azure Active Directory Account
- PDM Major Minor Revisions
- How to Set Revision Manually in PDM
- How to Set Up Revision Tables
- PDM - What are Version Free Variables?
- PDM How to Rollback a File to a Previous Version
- PDM Setting Cache Options Automatically
- How to Change PDM Date Formatting
- How to Delete a PDM User Completely
- How to Reset Web2 Authentication in IIS
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Connectivity Test Tool
- How to Configure the SOLIDWORKS PDM Local HOSTS file to Resolve Server Name
- Create Local Vault View Shortcut
- How to Configure a Computer to be a PDM Task Host
- How to Setup a Dedicated Unattended Task Host
- How to use PDM Database Upgrade Tool
- Collect Support Information for PDM
- Update Credentials for PDM Archive Server
- Update Credentials for PDM Database Server
- Creating and Using PDM Labels
- Troubleshooting PDM Notifications
- PDM Cold Storage and How To Use It
- How to set the PDM Preview Tab Viewer
- How to reset the SQL password for the PDM Vault SQL Server
- SOLIDWORKS Strategies for Using the File Version Upgrade Tool (FVUT)
- How To Relocate An Existing SOLIDWORKS Vault View To Another Drive
- How to manually remove a disconnected PDM Vault View
- How To Relocate Vault Archive Folders To Another Drive
- How to Setup Toolbox in PDM - SOLIDWORKS
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- Create Local Vault View
- How to Delete or Recreate a Local Vault View
- Create Local PDM Vault View Using .cvs File
- How to Change PDM Client License Type after Installation
- PDM File Version Upgrade Tool
- PDM Upgrade Checklist
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS PDM Add-ins
- SOLIDWORKS PDM: Moving Server Components - Checklist
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
- SOLIDWORKS PDM / Manage Installation Guide (PDF)
- Install Microsoft SQL 2019 for PDM Professional
- How to Install PDM Client Software
- Change SQL Server License
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in PDM - AUTOMATICALLY
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in PDM - MANUALLY
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Known Solutions
- Windows Firewall Exceptions for SOLIDWORKS Network Based Products
- Why Users Need Local Admin Rights to Install SOLIDWORKS
- How to Run SOLIDWORKS with Administrator Permissions
- Blank SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager - Resolution
- SOLIDWORKS RX - The Ultimate CAD Diagnostic Tool
- SOLIDWORKS Safe Modes
- How to Force SOLIDWORKS to Use Your Graphics Card
- How to Ensure that You are Running a SOLIDWORKS Certified Graphics Card Driver
- Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS Installation Issues
- Resolution to Common File Location Errors
- Non-Matching Internal ID
- Could not obtain a license for SOLIDWORKS CAM. Invalid (inconsistent) license key
- “The Source Folder Is Not Versioned Properly…” Error when Modifying Serial Number
- “A Newer Version of This Product is Already Installed” Error when Installing SOLIDWORKS
- "Error obtaining License (-85, 147, 0)"
- SOLIDWORKS Search Routine Order
- How to Restore Dismissed SOLIDWORKS Messages
- Viewing SOLIDWORKS Configurations in eDrawings
- How to Modify the Reference/Update Dialog Dismissal Time
- SOLIDWORKS Educational Resources
- How to Change the SOLIDWORKS Language
- Restore Your File Associations
- How To Reset SOLIDWORKS Registry
- Resolve "Sheet Format Could Not Be Located"
- How To Correct The "Default Templates Are Not Valid" Error
- Correcting foreign language characters in the FeatureManager Tree
- How to Collect CXPAs
- Show all articles ( 12 ) Collapse Articles
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Simulation
- Simulation Meshing Guide
- How to Duplicate and Reuse Simulation Study Data
- Setting Up Default Options for SOLIDWORKS Simulation Studies
- Which Type of Elements Should I Use?
- Is SOLIDWORKS Simulation Accurate?
- Getting Started with Simulation
- The Basics of Setting Up a Study in Simulation
- Do I Need Non-linear Simulation?
- Submodeling Studies – The What, Why, & How of Using Them in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- What To Do When you get the “Excessive Displacement” Warning in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- How to Create Temperature Dependent Custom Materials in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- How to Export Flow Simulation Results to Import into FEA
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3DEXPERIENCE
SOLIDWORKS Administration Overview
SOLIDWORKS Administration Overview
So, you’ve been tasked with administering SOLIDWORKS. Now, where do you start to make sure your team is organized and productive in a consistent environment? This article is intended to provide SOLIDWORKS administrators with an overview of the high-level topics they should take into consideration to help ensure they are successful at implementing SOLIDWORKS for a single user or large team of many users.
Hardware and System Requirements
Before SOLIDWORKS can be installed, hardware and system requirements should be reviewed to ensure the computers can install and run SOLIDWORKS products. It is also helpful to know hardware and system requirements vary year over year, so the best practice is to review the requirements annually.
SOLIDWORKS has specific operating system and software requirements. Follow this link to review the SOLIDWORKS System Requirements
SOLIDWORKS relies on 3 main components to run efficiently: Processor (CPU), Random Access Memory (RAM), and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Follow this link to review the SOLIDWORKS Hardware Guide with additional information as to how SOLIDWORKS uses the hardware components
Installation
Standalone/Individual (serial numbers which begin with 900)
Standalone installations are installed and activated on a single computer. Best practice is to maintain a simple spreadsheet to record each serial number and which computer it is installed on. Follow this link for standalone installation instructions
Instructions for modifying SOLIDWORKS installation to switch serial numbers or installed products
Network (serial numbers which begin with 901)
Network serial numbers are installed and activated on a server and then distributed to client computers using the SolidNetWork License Manager (SNL). Each client computer must have access to the SNL server using the same network or configured to access the server remotely using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Follow this link for detailed instructions for installing the SNL as well as connecting client computers to the server.
Instructions to modify SNL to add serial numbers
Administrative Image
For SOLIDWORKS environments with 5+ SOLIDWORKS installations. The administrative image can be used with either standalone or network serial numbers. We recommend considering the SOLIDWORKS Administrative Image as a tool to install and manage specific client options, such as serial number, system options, and file locations. Follow this link for detailed instructions for creating and deploying an administrative image
Upgrade
Each year SOLIDWORKS releases a major version of the software followed by 5-service packs throughout the year. Best practice is to keep up with updates as they become available. In a collaborative environment, all users must be on the same major version of the software, though they can be running different service packs of the same major version.
- Standalone installations can be upgraded directly from within SOLIDWORKS by selecting Help > Check for Updates, or by downloading and installing the newest major version or service pack from the Customer Portal. Follow this link for short video instructions to quickly update SOLIDWORKS
- Network installations can be upgraded following the same process as Standalone installation except the SolidNetWork License manager (SNL) must be upgraded first or the client computers will not be able to obtain a license. Follow this link for instructions
- Administrative image installations are managed by the administrative image. Downloading and creating a new version of the administrative image will automatically upgrade the client computers. Reference the “Upgrading to a new Service Pack” section of the SOLIDWORKS Admin Image Deployment guide
System Options > File Locations
To ensure a consistent design environment, SOLIDWORKS administrators should consider organizing a network location for SOLIDWORKS document templates and other ancillary files, such as material databases, weldment profiles, appearances, etc.
The various file locations can be set within SOLIDWORKS by selecting Tools > Options > System Options > File Locations. Below is a list of commonly used and shared files which should be considered:
- Document Templates
- BOM Templates
- Custom Property Files
- Drafting Standards
- Material Databases
- Revision Table Templates
- Sheet Formats
- Weldment Cut List Templates
- Weldment Profiles
- Any other custom template type which should be consistent between users in your organization.
System Options > Hole Wizard Toolbox
- SOLIDWORKS Standard includes Hole Wizard.
- SOLIDWORKS Professional and Premium versions include Hole Wizard and Toolbox.
SOLIDWORKS Hole Wizard and Toolbox are installed by default to the same database and folder ‘C:\SOLIDWORKS Data’. There are numerous benefits of using these massive predefined standard libraries across multiple users. Best practice is to consider relocating the SOLIDWORKS Data folder to a shared network location and then update the file location in SOLIDWORKS using the shared location’s UNC path in Tools > Options > System Options> Hole Wizard / Toolbox.
Once the Hole Wizard and Toolbox are configured for your organization, we recommend password protecting the database and assigning only the admin and/or specific power user(s) to manage changes to the databases. This will ensure a consistent environment with limited chase for data loss due to unnecessary or accidental changes.
Consider maintaining a backup routine for the SOLIDWORKS Data folder, especially prior to making any major changes to the database or settings.
Troubleshooting
If you are experiencing unexpected, machine-specific behavior with SOLIDWORKS products installed using the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager, you can use a special SOLIDWORKS repair tool to attempt repairing the installation. While a repair is not intended to target specific symptoms, it is a good broad-stroke tool to employ at first if you encounter odd behavior before considering a clean reinstall.
Repair instructions (written and video)
If you need to remove SOLIDWORKS completely, follow these instructions for a clean uninstall
Contact MLC CAD Systems Technical Support
The link below connects to our SOLIDWORKS Technical Support Request web form for new support requests. This form is entered directly into our support queue and then handled on a first-come-first-serve basis. Or you can send an email with attachments to solidworkssupport@mlc-cad.com or call us directly at 800-364-1652 x2