Copying an entire project instead of starting over

[PatCouture]

Hi!

How can I copy an entire project to a new name while maintaining the associativity between assemblies, parts and drawings?

I played a bit with Pack and Go but I wish there would be a quicker way to rename all the files for the new project.

I also tried the explanation from this faq: faq559-805 But it's still a tedious process for renaming.

For those who used Solid Edge I'm looking for the same functionality as the "Revision Manager".

Thanks for the help

Patrick

 

[ctopher]

I think if you right-click on the folder within SolidWorks Explorer you can copy the folder.

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

What naming system do you use?

How do you want to change the name?

 

[JMirisola]

You could do a 'Save As' and:
1- Change the name of the assembly
2- Change the location
After doing the first two:
3- Do a 'Save as' on the new assembly. Select the references button. Here, under 'More Options', you can add a suffix or prefix or do a find/replace. You can also change where the child parts are located.

Note: You have to save the assembly first, before you can change the children.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Design Manager/Senior Designer
M9 Defense
My Blog

 

[PatCouture]

For the name, the first 4 or 5 digit are for identifying the client and then there is a "-" to separate it from the rest of the name. 90% of the time I need only to change those first digits so maybe with the find/replace options I should be able to succeed.

Jeff, how do you manage the drawings files with the save as?

Thanks again

Patrick

 

[SnowCrash]

I have lived with that very system. Jeff has described how I dealt with it. You can do a search and replace to change the prefix.
To carry over the drawings they need to be open when you change the part and assembly names, then save the drawings into the new directory with new file names. You can also copy drawings to the new directory and open each then select references and redirect to the new parts.
It is tedious and error prone. Maybe someone can explain better to do this using SWExplorer or pack & go?

--
Hardie "Crashj" Johnson
SW 2010 SP 4.0
HP Pavillion Elite HPE
W7 Pro, Nvidia Quaddro FX580

 

[JMirisola]

Patrick,
In Pack 'n go you can add a prefix to all associated assembly files (parts & drawings). If you're just adding said prefix, it's going to be the quickest way, IMO.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Design Manager/Senior Designer
M9 Defense
My Blog

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Adding a prefix or suffix would be the quickest way ... but using the Search/Replace function would be the better method. It wouldn't take much longer, and would only affect the targeted names.

Either way, items NOT requiring a name change would need to be deselected first ... and on larger assys that can be a PITA and take the most time.

 

[PatCouture]

Jeff, Am I right to think that you can only ADD a prefix and not replace one with pack & go?

I agree with you CBL it may take a while just to deselect most standard parts.

Hardie, can you elaborate a bit on the select references? Can you just replace a reference or you can only repair a broken one?

Thanks guys.

Patrick

 

[JMirisola]

Pack n go has a select/replace function as well. Not sure how good it works, but it's there.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Design Manager/Senior Designer
M9 Defense
My Blog

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Save As > References tutorial;

https://il.youtube.com/watch?v=BpSV-iei-PQ

 

[SnowCrash]

Hardie, can you elaborate a bit on the select references? Can you just replace a reference or you can only repair a broken one?

When you open a drawing most of the time we double click and open the file directly. If you single click to select from the directory list you will see a reference button. You can click it and browse to the part file that the drawing will actually use.
I suppose this could also repair a link.

--
Hardie "Crashj" Johnson
SW 2010 SP 4.0
HP Pavillion Elite HPE
W7 Pro, Nvidia Quaddro FX580

 

[PatCouture]

Thank you guys I will run some test but I should be able to do what I need.

Patrick