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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
Utilizing Cloud Storage with SOLIDWORKS
Utilizing Cloud Storage In A Multi-User Environment
The best practice for working with SOLIDWORKS files in a multi-user environment is to utilize PDM to manage data. PDM provides a number of benefits beyond simply managing files and avoiding version conflicts between users. If you are unable to implement PDM currently, you may find some advantages to using cloud-based storage such as OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. versus a network drive.
The challenge to using network drives for sharing CAD files is network congestion. If network interruptions occur during the save process it can leave files in an unrecoverable state. Cloud storage and PDM both copy files to local directories for editing and then copy them back to the central location once files are updated.
There are a few important considerations to using cloud-based storage systems which need to be addressed to avoid confusion and file version conflicts. By default, most cloud storage systems will check to see if a file has been modified by another computer before updating the cloud data with a modified local copy. If it detects a possible conflict the filename will typically be saved with a modified filename. For example, OneDrive automatically appends “-<computername>” to filenames to indicate which version was modified by which computer. This can lead to broken references as well as confusion as to which file is the most up to date version.
Best Practices Sharing Files with Cloud Sync
In order to avoid issues, it is recommended to take the following steps for all computers that will be accessing CAD files:
1 Use a Local Common Directory
Ensure CAD files are stored in the same local directory – SOLIDWORKS will attempt to find referenced files for assemblies and drawings from the original folder path that they were saved in. Use a common folder path such as “C:\CAD-Data\” to avoid broken references. The best option is to set the storage location for your cloud storage to a non-user specific folder such as “C:\CAD-Data\” rather than the default location which is typically “C:\Users\<username>\...”
If you already have folders created in your cloud storage solution, an alternative method is to use mklink to create a virtual Directory Junction from your cloud storage folder to a virtual folder. The format for the mklink command is:
mklink /j [Link Folder] [Target Folder]
See the following documentation from Microsoft for the mklink command: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/mklink
The mklink command can be executed in a Command Prompt window, this example is typical for OneDrive for Business, but you will need to adjust the paths as needed for your specific situation:
mklink /j "C:\CAD-Data" "%UserProfile%\OneDrive - MLC CAD Systems\CAD-Data"
2 Disable Syncing While Working
Disable Syncing while working on SOLIDWORKS files to avoid sharing conflicts with the sync utility.
3 Enable Multi-User Collaboration
System Options > Collaboration, enable the option Enable multi-user environment as shown
NOTE: For more information on Collaboration options refer to the SOLIDWORKS Online Help: Collaboration Options
4 External References Settings
System Options > External References
Enable: “Open referenced documents with read-only access”
This causes sub-components of assemblies or drawings from being opened in read-only mode by default to avoid inadvertent changes from being written to those files.
Enable: “Don’t prompt to save read-only referenced documents (discard changes)”
This eliminates the need to unselect all sub-components of an assembly or drawing when some components are opened as read-only.
Working in Collaboration Mode
The Collaboration options adds a pair of context-sensitive options to the File menu. The first option will display differently depending on the current read/write access for the selected file.
- Make Read-Only – If a file is opened with write access, you can use the File -> Make Read-Only command to change the access to read only.
- Get Write Access – If a file is opened as read-only, you can use the File -> Get Write Access to re-open the file for editing.
This is useful if you have multiple people working on different parts within an assembly and/or working on drawings of those parts/assemblies.
The File -> Reload command is a useful tool to view the status of file references. Click the “Show References” button to show all sub-components that are loaded in memory.
You can now review which files have been modified, change access from Read Only to Write access or vise versa and choose which files to reload:
For more information on the Reload tool refer to the SOLIDWORKS Online Help: Reload Tool: https://help.solidworks.com/2022/english/Solidworks/sldworks/HIDD_FILE_RELOAD_MULTIPLE.htm?rid=139090
Technical Support
If you have any questions or experience unexpected behavior, feel free to reach out to MLC CAD Systems technical support.