Moving Files

[mncad]

I have models of bolts, screws and such that get used in almost everything we draw. We just started with SW2003 a few months ago. At that time we created a directory called "hardware" on the server. Now that directory is getting pretty large and I would like to break that directory up with several sub folders. What is the best way to do this without screwing up all the references?

 

[TheTick]

Look in the help file under "referenced documents". Under System Options-->File Location, there is a category for referenced documents. Here, you can set the directories that will be searched when an SW assembly looks for a component.

I haven't played with it in a while, so you will need to experiment. I believe there is a seting which tells SW to look in the current directory first, and then in the directory list. Gravity is a harsh mistress.

 

[macPT]

There is no problem to move the files if you configure SW, as TheTick mentioned, with the new paths. Even if some SW file as some reference to a file in an path that don't exist (for example if an assembly calls an hardware part that was moved), it will search those configured paths before error.

The big problem is the inverse. If you make a copy of files to a different folder, for some reason (to make changes, design tests, ...), you must pay attention because SW allways remembers the place of the original file and this is the one that is being changed: not the copy. Example: you copy an assembly and it's components to a test folder. You open the assembly in the test folder and open in the design tree a selected component to modify. When you do this, SW opens the original file and not the copy.

You must break the connection so you don't have surprises (change the config, disconnect from network, change the original folder name so SW do not find it...).

If anyone has better ideas than these, please share them. This is a bit annoying.

Regards

 

[mncad]

mac,

Have you tried changing the references? When you get the file open window in SW you will notice a box to the lower left of the filename called reference. Highlight the name of the new copied file, then click on the reference button. In the new window that comes up you can change the file names that SW references. In the window if you do a slow double click (like you do to rename features in the tree) on the filename it will show you the whole name so you can tell the difference between the files. If you have long directory names sometimes you can't see the filename. You have to be very careful with this as you can really screw up alot of stuff. Not that I have done that or anything. You may want to start with a junk file, copy the junk file and play with the references so you don't mess up anything good.

mncad

 

[SeanF]

macPT,
Far as I know (I don't do this much). You need to do the following.
1. Copy your files somewhere else.
2. Select the "open file" dialog within SldWks.
3. Now select "references".
4. Now you need to change the referenced files.
5. Change the refs to point to the dir that you copied all the files too.

This will make it so that you are working on the files that were copied. Editing the ref file locations is less than easy to understand. However, if you have any questions just post. It amounts to having to "highlight" the listed paths and editing them.

Hope this helps, and/or is understandable. If you get stumped trying this just give me a call. Phone # is on our web-site. I am Ext. 203. # is toll free btw... I will lead you thru this once over the phone. That might be a hella bunch easier than trying to explain this.

Regards, Sean F
Mechanical Engineer
seanf@newing-halll.com
1 2 many l's in e-mail

 

[macPT]

Thanks! I've never bother to pay attention to the open file dialog box. I'll try that.

Regards