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:
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"
Disable Syncing While Working
Disable Syncing while working on SOLIDWORKS files to avoid sharing conflicts with the sync utility.
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
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.