What are PDM File Categories and How to Change Them
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional can use categories to group and organize files and items, such as sending them to the correct workflow upon initial check in. SOLIDWORKS PDM assigns one and only one category to every new vault file and item.
When a category is created, conditions are defined under which new files and items are assigned to that category. File extension, location, or a variety of other file characteristics can be used to define the conditions. For example, a SOLIDWORKS Files category can be created for all SOLIDWORKS drawings (.slddrw), assemblies (.sldasm), and parts (.sldprt). The category can then be added as a condition to the Engineering workflow. When users initially check in files of these types, they will automatically enter the Engineering workflow.
Using categories, you can assign the correct type and workflow for the different document types or file locations within PDM.
Default Category
New vaults contain an initial category named – (hyphen). If a file or item does not match the conditions for any other category, SOLIDWORKS PDM assigns the default category. By default, the default category has no conditions. You can rename and add conditions to the default category, but you cannot delete it.
As a best practice, we recommend users do not add any conditions to the default category. Adding conditions to the default category may prevent files from being added to PDM if they do not meet conditions of any other category. The default category should be left as-is.
When a File Does Not Match a Category
Every file and item must satisfy the conditions of at least one category. If a user tries to check in a file or item that matches no category, SOLIDWORKS PDM displays an error message, and the check-in fails. Ensure that you define categories that cover all file types used in the vault or have one category (such as the default category) that has no conditions. Files and items that match no other category are assigned to the category with no conditions.
Change a File’s Category
The admin user can change the category of a checked in file by selecting the file(s), and then from the local vault view’s menu, select Modify and then Change Category. This action will change the Category a file is associated with, not the workflow that the file resides in.
NOTE:
- Only the default ‘admin’ user has permission to Change Category.
- PDM History does not record the category change.
The example below changes a file’s category from (-) to SOLIDWORKS Files.
Creating Category
In the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration tool, right-click Categories and select New Category.
- In the Category dialog box, enter a name and optionally a description.
- Create one or more conditions to define what files or items are assigned to this category.
- Click OK to save the changes.
Deleting Categories
Categories can only be deleted if they are not being used.
- A category cannot be deleted if it has vault files or items assigned to it.
- The default category (-) cannot be deleted, not even by the default ‘admin’ user.
To delete a category:
- Expand Categories.
- Right-click the category and select Delete.
- In the confirmation prompt, click Yes.
Creating Conditions for Categories
Conditions are created to control how SOLIDWORKS PDM assigns files and items to categories.
- Expand Categories, then right-click a category and select Properties.
- Under Conditions, click New.
- Under Type, click Click here to change, select a condition type, and provide additional input as required by the type.
- Optionally add more conditions.
NOTE: by default, conditions are AND conditions, meaning all conditions must be true for the file or item to pass the transition. You can also define OR conditions, meaning at least one condition must be true. - To define OR conditions:
– Click Or (green folder) to create an OR container.
– Drag two or more conditions into the OR container. - When you are done adding conditions or otherwise editing the category, click OK.
You can also rename conditions and change category conditions at any time.
Category and Condition Examples
The image below categorizes all SOLIDWORKS files anywhere in the vault by using an AND condition with argument %.sld% to include file extensions beginning with .sld (this includes .sldprt, .sldasm, .slddrw in one condition).
The image below categorizes all non-SOLIDWORKS CAD files anywhere in the vault by using OR conditions to include various CAD file types based on their file extension.
The image below categorizes all files checked into two specific folders or their sub-folders using OR conditions to include the folder paths. These conditions do not include a specific file extension as they will include any file checked into those folders.
The image below categorizes all Microsoft Office documents using OR conditions for the specific file extensions when they are checked into any folder within the vault. Note the % operator at the end of the arguments to include both .doc and .docx file extensions.
Categorizes all PDF files except the files checked into the Released Files folder or it’s sub-folders. Note these are AND conditions, meaning the file must be a .pdf file extension (first condition) AND not reside in the Released Files folder or sub-folders (second condition).
Categorizes all files checked into the Toolbox folder (SOLIDWORKS Toolbox components) using a single AND condition.
Additional Resources
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