Multiple sheets in seperate files problem

[Timelord]

I have run up against a unique problem. I have received models and drawings from a customer constructed in SolidWorks. My job is to clean up the drawings and get the parts built. Here is the problem: for some strange reason the drawings with multiple sheets have the seperate sheets in seperate files. I don't know why and I won't ask the customer because I don't want to make him look stupid. I want to consolidate the multiple sheet drawings into a single file. Is there a way I can open both files and copy the drawing vbiews in one file to a new sheet in the other file? Or is there some other work around that somebody is aware of short of redrawing the views?

TIA

Timelord

 

[CADGemini]

You can copy the views from each sheet and paste it into a new sheet in the first file. To do this you need to highlight all the views in the drawing tree and do a (Ctrl+C) Copy. and then go to the new sheet in the first file and do a (Ctrl+V) Paste.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,
Jon

Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

for some strange reason the drawings with multiple sheets have the seperate sheets in seperate files.

I don't understand ... how is that possible? You either have a drawing with multiple sheets or multiple single-sheet drawings!
Are you saying that the sheets in the multi-sheet drawing were not populated with views?

I won't ask the customer because I don't want to make him look stupid.

If approached the correct way, the customer need not be made to look or feel stupid. I would approach him/her & explain that there is a better way to do the drawings, which would save them time & money. He/she may be totally unaware that there is an alternative to the way it is being done.
Of course if you want the extra (I assume paid) work, then keep quiet.

& all the best.

 

[ctopher]

Do you have tabs for sht2,sht3,etc? Then each sheet is also a different file with format & views? If so, see jksolids suggestion. If no, then see CorBlimeyLimey.
Please clarify.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP0.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[Timelord]

Hey Everybody,

Don't get excited. The reason that the sheets are in seperate files is my customer made them that way. Not any malfunction. jksolid's suggestion worked just fine (I was trying to right click and copy and that did not work).

All is OK now,

Timelord

 

[ctopher]

not excited, just trying to be clear so to help.
Happy it worked out.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP0.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[SolidsMaster]

note though, that you'll have to re-align all the views, as they will lose there alignment to each other in the copy process.

J

 

[ausswann]

Maybe I'm stupid, but what are the real penalties in having 1 file for each sheet in a multi-sheet drawing vs have 1 file for the entire multi-sheet drawing.
Has anyone actually worked under both systems found any significant draw backs.

 

[SolidsMaster]

Ausswann, the biggest draw back to going individual sheets is the file maintainence along with it. Especially if you are using pdfs in a document system. Right now (before SP1.1) SW actually has a problem with drawings ballooning up and causing crashes due to memory issues. The only draw back to multiple sheets is performance on huge drawings.

John

 

[EngJW]

Same thing with Autocad- you can have multi sheets all in one file, the right way to do it, but those who refuse to advance beyond Autocad 12 put the sheet on the model tab and make a file for each sheet. Then you have to find and open each file to plot it.

 

[ctopher]

With different sheets, to roll revision on first sheet, you would have to remember to do all. You may also use slightly more disc space with separate files (separate sheets) rather than just one file with all sheets.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP0.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

 

[EngJW]

I am working on my first SW drawing and it contains 8 sheets. To see what would happen, I saved it as a dwg and then opened it with Autocad 2000. Only one sheet showed up, and it was on the model tab.

I thought I had all sheets selected but maybe not. Is there a specific technique for doing this?

Thanks