Revisions

[Mechomatic]

Hello All!

My company uses Solidworks 2012 for all of our 3D CAD and production drawings. We have a standard product line (which is modeled up in the appropriate file location) that we then customize for customers. Each customre gets a job folder where we save a copy of the basic equipment configuration, then make any changes as needed for the specific job. The issue I'm trying to find a solution to is when we make revisions to drawings and/or models. We're constantly having to go back to recreate drawings because links get broken, or what have you. Can anybody share their "best practice" for making revisions to drawings/subassemblies to retain the old information (don't want to break any drawings from previous jobs on accident) but not have to spend quite as much time redoing drawings when a revision is made?

Thanks!

http://www.linkedin.com/in/wapratesi

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

How are you copying the original product files?
You should be using the SolidWorks Pack and Go tool to copy all files (including drawings) which should preserve all links & references.

 

[MadMango]

How many users? The Search engine on these forums is very robust. If you're not using PDM, you'll have to get creative.

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"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[TateJ]

We don't track revisions in our models or drawing files. But we do create a PDF of every drawing revision. It's not a perfect system, but it doesn't break references... and if we have a good PDF drawing of prior revisions, we can always re-create a prior revision if needed. So, to clarify... our models and drawings are always the current revision. This being said, in the near future we will implement a PDM system. Then we will be awesome..!

Also... PACK AND GO is a powerful tool... study up on it.

And... You can change the REFERENCES of a drawing.
Search for "Edit Referenced File Locations Dialog Box" in your help menu.

Jack L Tate - Xtreme Tower Products - SolidWorks 2013 - Windows 7 - Microsoft Wireless Mouse 5000 - SpaceNavigator - Slacker Radio - Swingline Stapler - [COLOR=red yellow]C₈H₁₀N₄O₂[/color] - Rental Bowling Shoes - Titanuim Spork - And that's all I need!

 

[ctopher]

It's common for some CAD users to to do a save as for drawings into their own folders, leaving the models broken in other paths.
I see this all the time.
Good suggestions from others here. I use PDMWorks to track all files.

Chris
SolidWorks 13
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[aroundhere]

we have a folder where we place a pdf of the part BEFORE the new rev. We never change the name of the original file drawing or model. This is if the new rev is a minor change and will be used in all new assys. If the part has a major change, we just give it a new PN. If you are using different revs of parts, that it where things get confusing. I think our company is going to go with Enterprise or some other PDM shortly. good luck