Is there a way to choose a default BOM template?

[cmm]

Is there a way to make SolidWorks default to a certain BOM template so you don't have to locate it and select it every time? If not, is there at least a way to specify the default BOM template directory, like you can the other template directories?

 

[BBJT]

Not in the current release. You need to put your bom in the
Program Files\SolidWorks\lang\english directory. BBJT CSWP

 

[Standing]

Now I am really curious about this. I clicked Insert, then Bill of Materials. SolidWorks went right to: C:\Program Files\SolidWorks\lang\english\bomtemp.xls. I am currently running SolidWorks Plus SP 5.1 Is there anyone else out there that does not have the problem that CMM is having? Bradley

 

[BBJT]

I am assuming that cmm is putting a custome BOM i another location. SolidWorks will always look in Program Files\SolidWorks\lang\english\bomtemp.xls. In the current release anyway. I heard buzz that you will be able to tell SolisWorks where to look in 2003. That of course is non official. BBJT CSWP

 

[cmm]

Yes BBJT, that's what I'm trying to do. Why SolidWorks allows us to specify default folders for every kind of template except BOM makes no sense to me. How annoying.

 

[BBJT]

I could not agree with you more. BBJT CSWP

 

[Standing]

CMM,
Once you have your BOM in the Program Files\SolidWorks\lang\english directory, there is no problem, right? Except we had problems creating the BOM file in the beginning. We needed to change the BOM template several times. And several times after that, the BOM is stable now. What we do is put an executable visual basic program in the SolidWorks Icon on everyone’s desktop. Now each and every time that they double click on the Icon, the bomtemp.xls file is copied from a central location on the net work to their C:\ drive, then SolidWorks is started automatically. As an added plus we also copy our macros from the same location to their C:\ drive. I can change the macros every day and no one is troubled by the change. Bradley

 

[SnowCrash]

Well, there IS a problem putting the BOM you want to use in the designated Sworks directory. It gets erased when you do a new install!
I simply put a shortcut in the SW BOM directory and click on that to load the one we use.

What is the biggest pita with this is when you first go to save the drawing it wants to save it in the SWorks BOM directory! DUMB!

So now I save the drawing first - where it belongs - then add the BOM, using the shortcut.

Crashj 'there must be a better way' Johnson

 

[BBJT]

I am messing around with 2003 Pre-Release which now lets you set the location of the BOM. BBJT CSWP