PDM rev sync with SW rev table

[D3sign3r]

Currently, we are experimenting with the built-in sw drawing revision tables to be used instead of our existing PropertyLinks add-on.
Up to now, whenever we check-in a drawing, the drawing revision is automatically updated to reflect the new update in the vault. The drawback is that when we go to make any future changes to the part/drawing, we have to manually create a new revision line and type over the previous line in the drawing. (Takes some time if there are a lot of changes to the revision.)
So the nice thing about the sw revision table is that you can easily create a new line in the revision block quickly and easily. But we found that by using this method we are isolating ourselves from the PDM vault... We'd have to manually add the new revision to the titleblock and hope that it prints the new revision in the titleblock at check-in time.

So is there an easier way to do this? Have we reached the limit of sw as far as synching the revisions in the PDM and the drawing?

Any feedback and suggesting would greatly help.

We are using SW2006 sp4.1
SW PDMworks
ProperyLinks_V3 (from Javelin)

Thanks,
Paul

 

[ctopher]

Any help here?
thread559-206454

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 1.1
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-07-07)
ctopher's blog

 

[D3sign3r]

Along the same lines, but not quite the issue we're having im afraid.
We already have PDMworks and it's fully integrated in our system network...(over 100 sw users here). The problem is syncing our drawing revisions with the PDM vault. (or vice versa)

 

[fcsuper]

Can you describe the system where you sync the revs, and the difficulties you are having, D3sign3r? I'm not getting the full picture yet.



Matt Lorono
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources
Co-moderator of Solidworks Yahoo! Group
and Mechnical.Engineering Yahoo! Group

 

[D3sign3r]

Currently we use the PropertyLinks add-on (made by Javelin) to 'take care' of our drawings. It's a pretty sweet add-on because when you click a button, it starts up the input fields, then populates the appropriate fields in the drawing (and model) with the rev and part info etc.
The only downfall is that it cannot be integrated with the solidworks built-in revision tables. So, because of this, we have to manually add each new revision lines to our drawing. (draw lines, add text, etc.) But because the first revision line in a brand new drawing sheet has the property fields already buit in, we have to copy those fields to the 'new' line and overwrite the previous line with identical wording so that the new revision won't duplicate when checking in.

Anyway,
I guess what im getting at is; Is the vault capable of syncing with the sw rev table?
Is there a way to modify the Solidworks rev table code so that it sees what revision the PDM uses?

 

[ctopher]

PDMW can read the rev table from the dwg. The admin of PDMW can set this up by checking a box by loggin into the VaultAdmin.
I do not think the rev table can read from PDMW during checkout.
The rev table can be modified as needed. Maybe API can be written to do what you like? Not sure.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 1.1
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-07-07)
ctopher's blog

 

[fcsuper]

You can affect SolidWorks rev tables with ease with API. I have an example of how to do this here:

http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php?name=UpDownload&req=viewdownloaddetails&lid=65

Certain functions of this could be intergreted into a new version of your add-in. Or, you could use the macro directly too.

API has a lot of fuctions supporting tables. Rows can be added without having to worry about rows that are already there. Any of the individual cells can have any values added to them. etc. If you went through the trouble of having your own system, might as well update it to your current processes. In for a penny, in for a pound.






Matt Lorono
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources
Co-moderator of Solidworks Yahoo! Group
and Mechnical.Engineering Yahoo! Group

 

[fcsuper]

More that might help in accessing this info is here:

http://forum.solidworks.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=11&threadid=7836&enterthread=y

Matt Lorono
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources
Co-moderator of Solidworks Yahoo! Group
and Mechnical.Engineering Yahoo! Group