Thank you! This is life saving! At first when right clicking on the file in the folder the "solidworks" menu did not appear. If someone has the same issue, you need to set the "solidworks laucher" as the default file opener.
Exactly! It should set that option automatically, and in some rare cases the above steps don't work, so reach out to support if that happens, and we'll get you fixed up!
For this problem I have the solution: I created a tool for SolidWorks that renames all its components (including the drawings) following the sequence of the FeatureManager design tree, automatically in a few seconds (depends on the capacity of your computer).
If you use a CAD-aware data management tool like SOLIDWORKS PDM or the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform it isn't complicated at all. The issue comes from having one part that can exist in multiple assemblies, be referenced by multiple other parts, and displayed on multiple drawings. This is a solution that is only solved elegantly with a database of some kind, or by eliminating many of the most compelling features of associative design. If your designs or product lines are complex, you should use a database-driven solution to manage files and references.
The SOLIDWORKS menu "Rename" function creates a copy of the file with the new name. Will ALL existing assemblies be re-referenced if you will with the new-copy/new-filename using the "Update where used" check box? It is not feasible to add all the assemblies file locations using the "File Locations..." feature.
The Rename function will only update the referenced documents that are identified in the dialog. If you have two assemblies that reference a part, but only find one of them when renaming it, the one that was not found will reference the old name and will throw an error when it is opened. Having a file that is referenced by a lot of other documents presents a serious challenge to file management that is really only resolved with a tool like SOLIDWORKS PDM. There all file references are stored and managed in a database for easy access, meaning you can change any file name any time and file references will all resolve correctly.
@@MLCCADSystems I currently use PDM Standard to manage our files in our small group of 12 users. I have a need to rename files in a 'library' of commercially available components that are regularly used to produce larger assemblies, yet I want to insure all the many many references to previous assemblies are not broken. I have requested support from my current VAR, and while there are many ways to 'skin the cat' none of them fit the need it seems. I'm interested if you have other information (UA-cam video) you can share expanding on how to rename individual part files while maintaining integrity of the parametric links between.
Any file that lives inside a SOLIDWORKS PDM vault will have no file reference issues between it and any other file also in the vault after a name change. In PDM, every file has a unique file id number, the name acts more like a custom property that can change without a problem. When you open an assembly from the vault the file references are generated from the database and it knows what each file is called at that moment. Best practice would be to close the files and check them in before you do it, but that isn't strictly required.
It could be related to where you are or the workflow you are following. For full support, reach out to your support provider. MLC CAD Systems customers can create a case at www.mlc-cad.com/technical-support/
i updated a reference in the reference manager upon opening a assembly and still get an error. appears to be parts within a sub assembly that was updated, how do i proceed?
If you have a file reference issue and several assemblies are affected, you'll need to repair each one. You can still save the top-level assembly with the top-level references repaired, but then you'll want to start in on the sub-assemblies. If the files were renamed individually without being re-directed, this will be a pretty manual process. If they were simply moved, open the assembly normally, it will prompt it can't find a file, browse to the new folder and select it and SOLIDWORKS will check there for any other files that might be missing, effectively repairing everything in that folder in one shot!
Renaming parts in an assembly tree is a different workflow. If you have it enabled, you can rename files inside an assembly but those changes are not locked in until the assembly is saved. If that component is used in other assemblies or drawings by its old name, those references will break. If you are referring to in-context features, open the part and right click at the top of the feature tree and open "List External Refs" to see what assembly file they are in-context to. Make sure it is the correct assembly, that they aren't locked or broken. Depending on the workflow and other factors you may need support if that doesn't resolve the issue, if you are an MLC CAD Systems customer, reach out any time: www.mlc-cad.com/solidworks-knowledge-base/
I have a part with a drawing to go with it . This drawing contains two different paint schemes for the part named A and B . Parts the same but it can be painted with different silkscreen. It has caused problems so I need to have two different drawings one for A and one for B . The easiest way is to copy the drawing file and editing both so one is A and one is B . Of course we are talking solidworks here. This very simple and extremely common method requires research in solidworks . How do I create another copy of the same drawing file . I'll rename it immediately but I have to do that first . As I guessed solidworks only has rename , move , replace . Not copy ! I swear this thing was built to make things difficult
Drawings are never referenced externally by name, meaning if you rename a drawing it will never cause problems. Copy/paste, Save As, or any other option to create another drawing file will work exactly as expected, no special processes or procedures required. Parts and Assemblies can be referenced by other Assemblies and Drawings, so those need to consider the process shown in the video.
No, this routine will not rename the drawing sheets, but they can be renamed at any time without danger of creating issues. Sheet names are like feature names and are completely internal to the file.
This is mostly true. If you have files in other locations that you commonly reference, you may want to have those in your SOLIDWORKS System Options as a Referenced Documents path, in which case those folders will be searched too. If you know what folder the reference documents are in, you should add those to the search path manually. If you have any documents that you don't know about or don't search for, they could get lost in the mix. The only way you can perform a "where used" and know with complete confidence that you are updating all parent documents is to use a database-driven system such as SOLIDWORKS PDM that tracks references up and down the file structure.
since we are a small office, setting up PDM is not an option. But, will try to add path is system options, the folder where all are projects are, tnx@@MLCCADSystems
It should be possible to do in VBA, but would require some work to get there that is beyond the scope of this video or the comments section. If you haven't already, check out our API tutorial videos as a starting point and good luck if you start the project! bit.ly/3C9N7tl
This can be done, but it is going to be a rather involved process. Let us know if you are interested in hiring us to apply this change or setup a system to streamline the process. www.mlc-cad.com/services/cad-migration/
Which option do you not see? For example, if you do not see the option in the Right-Click Menu to Rename in Windows Explorer it could be a file registration issue or it might look different in Windows 11 than it did in Windows 10. Reach out to your local value-added reseller to further understand what is happening on your system and the best way to resolve it.
The option to rename parts from the assembly feature tree is a new option in the last couple of years and can be disabled. All of the other methods shown in this video have not changed in 10+ years.
Thank you! This is life saving! At first when right clicking on the file in the folder the "solidworks" menu did not appear. If someone has the same issue, you need to set the "solidworks laucher" as the default file opener.
Exactly! It should set that option automatically, and in some rare cases the above steps don't work, so reach out to support if that happens, and we'll get you fixed up!
Thanks for the explanation. I have been looking this for longer time.
DUDE. you just saved my group project.
Glad to hear it!
For this problem I have the solution: I created a tool for SolidWorks that renames all its components (including the drawings) following the sequence of the FeatureManager design tree, automatically in a few seconds (depends on the capacity of your computer).
Thank you for the FeatureManager tip!
Our pleasure!
It doesn't update the 2D drawing file.
You gotta be kidding me. 😂 so easy. Ofcourse clearly explained. Thank you.
Glad it helped! It is always easier to organize everything correctly the first time, but change is inevitable. This should make it pretty painless.
Very helpful!! Thanks for sharing!✨🙏
Glad it was helpful!
thanks for the video! :) I dont understand why solidworks make this so complicated
If you use a CAD-aware data management tool like SOLIDWORKS PDM or the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform it isn't complicated at all. The issue comes from having one part that can exist in multiple assemblies, be referenced by multiple other parts, and displayed on multiple drawings. This is a solution that is only solved elegantly with a database of some kind, or by eliminating many of the most compelling features of associative design. If your designs or product lines are complex, you should use a database-driven solution to manage files and references.
Great video 👍
Thank you!
The SOLIDWORKS menu "Rename" function creates a copy of the file with the new name. Will ALL existing assemblies be re-referenced if you will with the new-copy/new-filename using the "Update where used" check box? It is not feasible to add all the assemblies file locations using the "File Locations..." feature.
The Rename function will only update the referenced documents that are identified in the dialog. If you have two assemblies that reference a part, but only find one of them when renaming it, the one that was not found will reference the old name and will throw an error when it is opened. Having a file that is referenced by a lot of other documents presents a serious challenge to file management that is really only resolved with a tool like SOLIDWORKS PDM. There all file references are stored and managed in a database for easy access, meaning you can change any file name any time and file references will all resolve correctly.
@@MLCCADSystems I currently use PDM Standard to manage our files in our small group of 12 users. I have a need to rename files in a 'library' of commercially available components that are regularly used to produce larger assemblies, yet I want to insure all the many many references to previous assemblies are not broken. I have requested support from my current VAR, and while there are many ways to 'skin the cat' none of them fit the need it seems. I'm interested if you have other information (UA-cam video) you can share expanding on how to rename individual part files while maintaining integrity of the parametric links between.
Any file that lives inside a SOLIDWORKS PDM vault will have no file reference issues between it and any other file also in the vault after a name change. In PDM, every file has a unique file id number, the name acts more like a custom property that can change without a problem. When you open an assembly from the vault the file references are generated from the database and it knows what each file is called at that moment. Best practice would be to close the files and check them in before you do it, but that isn't strictly required.
For some reason, when I right click on the file, no drop down menu appears. Do you know why this might be?
It could be related to where you are or the workflow you are following. For full support, reach out to your support provider. MLC CAD Systems customers can create a case at www.mlc-cad.com/technical-support/
lifesaver... thanks man
Glad it helped!
i updated a reference in the reference manager upon opening a assembly and still get an error. appears to be parts within a sub assembly that was updated, how do i proceed?
If you have a file reference issue and several assemblies are affected, you'll need to repair each one. You can still save the top-level assembly with the top-level references repaired, but then you'll want to start in on the sub-assemblies.
If the files were renamed individually without being re-directed, this will be a pretty manual process. If they were simply moved, open the assembly normally, it will prompt it can't find a file, browse to the new folder and select it and SOLIDWORKS will check there for any other files that might be missing, effectively repairing everything in that folder in one shot!
Thanks I'll try it tonight. I appreciate the quick response such a help
I have mirrored components that I renamed in the tree. But now they do not update when I make changes the parent component. Any help?
Renaming parts in an assembly tree is a different workflow. If you have it enabled, you can rename files inside an assembly but those changes are not locked in until the assembly is saved. If that component is used in other assemblies or drawings by its old name, those references will break.
If you are referring to in-context features, open the part and right click at the top of the feature tree and open "List External Refs" to see what assembly file they are in-context to. Make sure it is the correct assembly, that they aren't locked or broken. Depending on the workflow and other factors you may need support if that doesn't resolve the issue, if you are an MLC CAD Systems customer, reach out any time: www.mlc-cad.com/solidworks-knowledge-base/
Thank you so much for this video.
You are so welcome!
Thanks
this works so well, thanks!!
You're welcome! Glad it helped!
I have a part with a drawing to go with it .
This drawing contains two different paint schemes for the part named A and B .
Parts the same but it can be painted with different silkscreen.
It has caused problems so I need to have two different drawings one for A and one for B .
The easiest way is to copy the drawing file and editing both so one is A and one is B .
Of course we are talking solidworks here.
This very simple and extremely common method requires research in solidworks .
How do I create another copy of the same drawing file . I'll rename it immediately but I have to do that first .
As I guessed solidworks only has rename , move , replace .
Not copy !
I swear this thing was built to make things difficult
Drawings are never referenced externally by name, meaning if you rename a drawing it will never cause problems. Copy/paste, Save As, or any other option to create another drawing file will work exactly as expected, no special processes or procedures required. Parts and Assemblies can be referenced by other Assemblies and Drawings, so those need to consider the process shown in the video.
does the name of the drawing sheet change?
No, this routine will not rename the drawing sheets, but they can be renamed at any time without danger of creating issues. Sheet names are like feature names and are completely internal to the file.
Thanks a lot!
You're welcome!
thank you so much
You're welcome! More on the way, subscribe to see more!
this ONLY works for files in the same folder. If part is used in assembly outside of the folder, references would still be broken
This is mostly true. If you have files in other locations that you commonly reference, you may want to have those in your SOLIDWORKS System Options as a Referenced Documents path, in which case those folders will be searched too. If you know what folder the reference documents are in, you should add those to the search path manually. If you have any documents that you don't know about or don't search for, they could get lost in the mix. The only way you can perform a "where used" and know with complete confidence that you are updating all parent documents is to use a database-driven system such as SOLIDWORKS PDM that tracks references up and down the file structure.
since we are a small office, setting up PDM is not an option. But, will try to add path is system options, the folder where all are projects are, tnx@@MLCCADSystems
How can this be done via VBA environment?
It should be possible to do in VBA, but would require some work to get there that is beyond the scope of this video or the comments section. If you haven't already, check out our API tutorial videos as a starting point and good luck if you start the project! bit.ly/3C9N7tl
tnx
You're welcome!
OMG, 1:22...I fucking love you.
OMG Love you too! Haha, happy to help! 😂😂
But drawing not update . Thanks
Go to File > Find References and make sure the drawing is opening the correct model and path.
I have 10000 files in revision wise I want remove rev key word in all files names
This can be done, but it is going to be a rather involved process. Let us know if you are interested in hiring us to apply this change or setup a system to streamline the process. www.mlc-cad.com/services/cad-migration/
That option not in 2022
Which option do you not see? For example, if you do not see the option in the Right-Click Menu to Rename in Windows Explorer it could be a file registration issue or it might look different in Windows 11 than it did in Windows 10. Reach out to your local value-added reseller to further understand what is happening on your system and the best way to resolve it.
Sir I can change the name of any assembly file from outside without broke references in 2021 but that option missing in 2022
@@jatinderpalsingh2258 when right clicking the file in the manager click on more option and you can see solidwork rename
I hate that this changes every other version of Solidworks. Don't fix what isn't broken!!!
The option to rename parts from the assembly feature tree is a new option in the last couple of years and can be disabled. All of the other methods shown in this video have not changed in 10+ years.
Thanks
Thank you!
Thanks a lot!
You're welcome!