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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
- Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS Installation Issues
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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
- How to add or remove network serial numbers
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SOLIDWORKS Portal
- Customer Portal replaced by DSx Client
- How to get FREE Certification Testing
- The SOLIDWORKS Knowledge Base – Help Resolve Your SOLIDWORKS Questions
- How to Add Contacts and Assign Roles in DSx Client Care - 3DEXPERIENCE
- How to Enter Enhancement Requests for SOLIDWORKS Users
- MyProducts.solidworks.com Overview
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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
- How to Enable or Disable SOLIDWORKS Add-ins
- Updating File References in PDM
- How to Add Fonts in SOLIDWORKS
- Essential SOLIDWORKS Hotkeys and Shortcuts
- Where Used with SOLIDWORKS File Utilities
- SOLIDWORKS Backup and Recovery System Options
- SOLIDWORKS Performance Evaluation - Parts
- SOLIDWORKS Performance Evaluation - DRAWINGS
- SOLIDWORKS Performance Evaluation - Assemblies
- Difference Between Delete and Destroy in PDM
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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
- Selecting Child References Automatically in SOLIDWORKS PDM
- PDM Branch and Merge Overview
- What is a Drawing Node in PDM?
- Copy and Paste as Reference in 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 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
- How to Resolve “Workflow States Exceeds Permissible Limit” - SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Enter a Valid Account for this Resource
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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
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Simulation
- Simulation Meshing Guide
- How to Duplicate and Reuse Simulation Study Data
- Setting Up Default Options for SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- 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
- How to Add a Hydrostatic Load
- Important Mesh Theory to Accurately Run your Finite Element Analysis Simulations
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3DEXPERIENCE
- How to Create a 3DEXPERIENCE ID
- 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud Eligibility Tool
- Cloud Services Activation
- Invite Users & Assign Roles
- How to Install Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS
- Install the 3DEXPERIENCE Add-in for SOLIDWORKS
- How to Install 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Connected
- How to Update SOLIDWORKS Connected and other Apps
- Storing SOLIDWORKS Templates on 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
- Work Offline in 3DEXPERIENCE
- How to uninstall 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Connected
- How to Export as 3DEXPERIENCE Package File and Share
- How to Import a Package File with 3DEXPERIENCE Exchange Add-in
- How to Delete Files and Objects in 3DEXPERIENCE Collaborative Spaces
Understanding DXF/DWG Layer Mapping for Sheet Metal
Understanding DXF/DWG Layer Mapping for Sheet Metal
Mapping entities by type to a specific color and line format layers is a useful tool when converting SOLIDWORKS files to 2D drawing exchange formats like DXF or DWG. Groups of entities can be assigned to specific layers. Named layers are commonly used by CNC sheet metal cutting post-processing software to assign processing methods automatically. For example, post-processing software can be configured to always scribe/etch entities assigned to a DXF layer named SCRIBE. With a little bit of up-front configuring, SOLIDWORKS makes it easy to map entities to specific layers repeatedly when converting from SOLIDWORKS Sheet Metal to DXF or DWG files.
System Options
A quick change to SOLIDWORKS System Options is required to activate the SOLIDWORKS To DXF/DWG Mapping.
1. Select Tools > Options > System Options.
2. Select the Export category.
3. From the File Format dropdown list, select DXF/DWG.
4. For Custom Map SOLIDWORKS to DXF/DWG, turn on Enable Map file.
5. The file location will populate automatically the first time a mapping file is created and saved. This location can also be changed on-the-fly for different DXF/DWG requirements.
6. Click OK to save the options changes.
DXF/DWG Output Options
With a sheet metal part open, either right-click a face of the part and select Export to DXF/DWG or select Save As from the File dropdown list and then select DXF or DWG as the file type.
In the Properties Manager, select Sheet Metal as the Export type and then select which Entities To Export.
For this example:
Geometry = the edges of all visible geometry (perimeter and holes)
Bend Lines = all sheet metal bends
Sketches = the visible sketch on the center of the part (sketches must be visible to map using Sketches)
Click the Green Checkmark to accept the options.
Defining the Mapping Layers
Once you accept the DXF/DWG Output options, a dialog opens to configure the layers. After defining the layers the first time, you can then use Save Map File… to save a template and map entities repeatably.
1 Define Layers:
The Define Layers section are the layers you want to create in your DXF/DWG. To create a new layer, enter any text to name the Layer, select a color from the color pallet, then select a Line Style from the dropdown list.
For this example, we created CUT, SCRIBE, BEND-UP, and BEND-DOWN
2 Map Entities:
The Map Entities section allows you to map SOLIDWORKS Entities To Export to the DXF/DWG Define Layers created in the left column.
For this example, we assigned Geometry to the CUT layer, Sketches to the SCRIBE layer, and the Bend lines to their associated BEND-UP and BEND-DOWN layers. To map both bend directions to the same layer, simply select the same Define Layer from the Layer dropdown list (center column).
Once satisfied with your selections click OK to create the DXF/DWG with the mapped layers.
Map Colors (right column) can be used to map a specific SOLIDWORKS color to a different color in the DXF/DWG. For example, you could map Black to White or Green to Red using the Map Colors section.
Click Save Map File… to save the Define Layers for use later. Click Load Map File… to switch between mapping templates with different Define Layers.
Review the DXF/DWG File
The DXF/DWG is created with the correct layer names, colors, and line styles.
Final Note
To repeatably create DXF/DWG files with the same mapped layers, make sure to activate Enable Map file and set the file location to your saved mapping file.
If you will always use the same mapping file and no longer want to see the SOLIDWORKS to DXF/DWG Mapping dialog which displays the layer configuration, then activate the option Don’t show mapping on each save. SOLIDWORKS will then use the specified mapping file to map all entities to the Define Layers.