Starting with SOLIDWORKS 2012 SP4 a new method was introduced for launching SOLIDWORKS files from Windows Explorer.  Instead of the files being associated directly to the sldworks.exe program, they are launched through a separate SOLIDWORKS Launcher program (swshellfilelauncher.exe).  This is the program that enables the new functionality that asks which release of SOLIDWORKS you wish to use if you have more than one release installed on your system.

If you are experiencing issues with SOLIDWORKS file associations when using SOLIDWORKS 2012 SP 3 and older, follow the instructions from the article SolidWorks File Associations,  for SOLIDWORKS 2012 SP4 and later follow these steps:

Step 1:  In SOLIDWORKS go to Options and select the File Explorer page and click the Restore File Associations command.

Step 2:  Right-click on a SOLIDWORKS file (for instance .sldprt) in Windows Explorer and select Choose default program… from the Open with flyout list.

Step 3:  Select the SolidWorks Launcher program.

Step 4:  Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the SOLIDWORKS Assembly (.sldasm) files and the SOLIDWORKS Drawings (.slddrw) files.

The post Restore File Associations Command [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

Accessing the various configurations of a model or an assembly has never been easier, as we now have an additional spot within the SOLIDWORKS interface to switch configurations – the CONFIGURATIONS TOOLBAR. The advantage with this toolbar is that it can be located anywhere and you no longer have to switch back and fourth between the Feature Manager and the Configuration Manager to activate a different configuration.

This is again another example of the many ways we have to streamline the interface within SOLIDWORKS 2015.

The post New in SOLIDWORKS 2015 – Access your Configurations with a new Toolbar [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

To move the Workgroup PDM Vault to a new computer is relatively simple.  All vault settings, users, groups and the actual SolidWorks files are contained within the VaultData folder, so only that folder will need to be transferred to the new server.

Here are the steps for the full process:

Step 1:  Have all users check in any files they are currently working on.

Step 2:  Stop the Workgroup PDM Service.

Step 3:  Locate the root directory folder.  By default this should be located at C:\VaultData.

Step 4:  Copy the vault root folder to the new computer.

Step 5:  Install the Workgroup PDM Vault Service on the new computer.

Step 6:  Ensure that the Vault Data location in the installation manager matches the location where the vault root folder was copied to.  If necessary change the location in the installation manager to match the actual location.

The post Moving the Workgroup PDM Vault [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

When you need a SOLIDWORKS profile sketch normal to model edge, for say a Swept profile sketch, hold off on generating a Reference Plane.  If you preselect the edge close to the endpoint where you want the plane to be generated and select the Sketch tool…

Preselect Edge

…this will automatically generate a Reference Plane normal to the edge and coincident to the edge endpoint closest to where you selected – and start a sketch on this plane.

Reference Plane Generated

This will work for both straight and curved edges.  Here is a video demonstrating this functionality to save you some time:

The post Quickly Generate a SOLIDWORKS Profile Sketch Normal to Model Edge [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

Another handy enhancement contained in the SOLIDWORKS 2015 release is a fantastic feature for anyone working with non prismatic models that require a bit more of an “Organic” touch.

As the following video will show, we now have the ability to create a SOLIDWORKS reference plane, NORMAL to view at a given reference point. To demonstrate this new functionality, I’ve asked our minion friend Kevin to assist me….

The post SOLIDWORKS Reference Plane Normal to View Position [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

Equations in SOLIDWORKS can be a very powerful tool to automatically calculate dimensions and other parameters in SOLIDWORKS models. However what do you do when you require round numbers in SOLIDWORKS equations?

There are two functions that you can choose from depending on your requirements, the int() function and the round() function.

The int() function can be used to round a decimal value DOWN to the closest whole number.

Integer function

The round() function can be used in equations to round results to the closest whole number either up or down.

Round Function

In SOLIDWORKS, unlike other programs like Microsoft Excel, there is no function that would always round a value UP to the closest whole number.  However this can be achieved through a bit of creativity.  We can use the int() function to round down to the closest value, then outside the int() function brackets add a “+1” operation to complete the rounding up to the next value.

Round Up Custom Function

The post How to Round Numbers in SOLIDWORKS Equations [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

After manually updating an earlier version of Toolbox, as described in my blog article, Manually Updating SOLIDWORKS Toolbox, the swbrowser.mdb used by earlier versions, must be updated to the swbrowser.sldedb used by SOLIDWORKS 2015. In the Data Utilities folder, located in the SolidWorks installation directory (e.g. C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Corp\SolidWorks\Toolbox\data utilities), double-click the DatabaseConverter.exe file.

DatabaseConverter executable file

Select the swbrowser.mdb that requires updating and click on Convert.

Database Converter tool

The post Manually Updating SOLIDWORKS Toolbox files to 2015 appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

With the new Part and Assembly BREAK VIEW functionality available in SOLIDWORKS MBD 2015, the drawing is where it can all come together.  Similar to an exploded view, the Break Views can be selected from your drawing view properties and included in your SOLIDWORKS Drawings if so desired. The video below will show you how to access and include the Break Views as a regular part of your SOLIDWORKS Drawings.

The post New in SOLIDWORKS 2015! – Break Views in Drawings [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

You are probably already familiar with the amazing photo realistic renders that are possible using PhotoView 360 in SOLIDWORKS, but what if you want to render a high quality image that looks more like it’s been hand drawn?  Well, PhotoView 360 can do that too!

Starting with SOLIDWORKS 2014, two new options were added to PhotoView 360 for Contour Rendering and Cartoon Rendering.

Photo Realistic Render

Contour Render (Render Contours and the Solid Model)

Cartoon Render (Render with cartoon edges and shading)

These new settings are available by going to the PhotoView 360 menu, selecting “Settings” and expanding the “Contour/Cartoon Rendering” section.

Contour Cartoon Rendering Settings

There are three options for Cartoon rendering:

The “Render only with cartoon edges” option will render a black and white image with cartoon like shadowing.  This produces an image somewhat similar to the Technical Illustration output that can be produced by SolidWorks Composer (except the render will be a raster image not a vector image).

Detail – Cartoon Line

The “Render with cartoon shading” option produces an image with more cartoon like shading instead of a photo realistic render.  This option does not render any edges.

The “Render with cartoon edges and shading” option blends the other two options into one output.

Additionally the thickness and colour of the cartoon edges can also be controlled.  The line thickness for the edges may be set to a value between 1 to 6.  It may require some experimentation to get the right look depending on the physical size of the model.

To learn more about PhotoView 360

To learn more about rendering you can take our Rendering Tools in SolidWorks and PhotoView 360 training course

The post Contour and Cartoon Rendering with SOLIDWORKS and PhotoView 360 [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

There are some occasions where you may need a single Custom Property value to have multiple lines.  The Custom Property dialog only has one line and hitting enter will just evaluate the value for a single line.  However you can have multiple lines by copying the values in from Notepad.

The Evaluated Value column in the Custom Properties dialog will only display the first line, however if you link a Note to this property, it will display all the lines.

Here is a video demonstrating the workflow:

The post Multi-Line Custom Properties [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

SOLIDWORKS installs with a large library of appearance files that you can apply to your models, but you can also create a SOLIDWORKS Custom appearance file from any image you wish.

Create a Custom Appearance File

To create a new custom appearance file, you need to start by editing an existing appearance with a texture.  Make sure you are editing the appearance using the “Advanced” option, this way you can change the path for the texture file.

Edit Existing Appearance

Go to the “Image” section of the dialogue and click browse to select the image file that you wish to use as the basis for the new appearance.  Select the image file and click “Open”.

Once the image file is applied to the appearance you can make any additional changes you wish, such as adjusting the color tint or the scale of the image mapping.

Edit Texture

To save these setting to a new appearance file, go to the “Appearance” section and click “Save Appearance …”.  A new custom .p2m appearance file will be created with the setting you have specified.  This appearance can then be applied to other SolidWorks models.

Save new P2M file

Add to the Appearance Library

Once you have saved the appearance file to a folder location you will be given the option of adding that folder location to the appearance library list.

Add Folder Location

New Custom Folder Added

Want to learn more?

Attend a Rendering Tools in SolidWorks and PhotoView 360 training course to learn how to create photorealistic renderings of parts and assemblies for electronic and paper output.

The post Creating SOLIDWORKS Custom Appearance Files [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

Even though your SOLIDWORKS model is set to a specific unit system, this definitely does not hold you back from using other unit systems in your equations. You can enter the unit symbols (i.e. “mm”, “in”, “cm”, “ft”, etc) in both the dimension Modify box as well as in the Equation Editor.

SOLIDWORKS will automatically convert the values from the differing unit systems and calculate.  When using different units in equations, the expression will maintain the original value and the multiple unit system for easy modification.

Multiple Unit System in an Equation

For example even if the model is all in Metric units, you can still enter Global Variables in Imperial to be used in equations.

Units in Global Variables

Multiple Unit Systems Demonstration

Here is a quick video demonstrating this functionality:

Want to learn more about using Equations?

Try our SOLIDWORKS Advanced Update training course for advanced equation management techniques.

The post Using a Multiple Unit System in SOLIDWORKS Equations [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

The SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM CAD Editor license includes access to the EPDM Add In for use right within the SOLIDWORKS program.  Through this Add In, you have quick access to many EPDM actions and information from the Task Pane area of SOLIDWORKS.

However, if after installing the SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM Client, the Enterprise PDM Add In is missing from the list of Add Ins in SOLIDWORKS you will need to make a quick modification to the EPDM installation.

There are specifically two things that you will need to check:  First, that you are using the correct license type (the Editor license), and second, that you did select to install the Add In.

Add In List

Here are the steps to install the SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM Add In for SOLIDWORKS:

Step 1:  Modify the SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM installation through Programs and Features in the Windows Control Panel.  Select the SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM installation and click “Change”.

Change Installation

Installation Manager

Step 2:  In the Enterprise PDM Installation Manager select “Modify”

Modify EPDM Install

Step 3:  Continue to the “Choose Product Type” page of the Installation Manager and make sure that the “SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Editor” license type is selected.

Select Editor License

Step 4:  On the “Select Add-Ins” page and make sure that the SolidWorks add in is checked.

Select SOLIDWORKS

Step 5:  Click Install to complete finish installing the Add In.

Install

The post Installing the SOLIDWORKS Add-In for EPDM [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

If you are using SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM, one very nice feature is that the vault view can be customized to display any of your SolidWorks custom properties in the detail view as you browse your files.  However if you are just storing your files in Windows Explorer, it doesn’t have quite the same flexibility.  One thing that you can display directly in Windows Explorer though, is the Description custom property.  This way if you are using non descriptive part numbers for file names you can easily see a full description of the model directly in Windows Explorer.

Steps to display Description custom property value

Step 1:  Select the folder template that you wish to use.   Navigate to a folder where your SolidWorks files are stored and go to Organize then click on Properties.  Go to the Customize tab.  In Windows 7 and Windows 8 you can select from 5 different folder templates, “General Items”, “Documents”, “Pictures”, “Music” and “Videos”.  Unfortunately at this time Microsoft does not provide a 3D Model file type.  For this example we will use the “Videos” folder template for our SolidWorks files.  Under “Optimize this folder for:” select Videos from the drop list.

File Properties

Step 2:  Change the view type to “Detail”

Detail File Type

Step 3:  Right Click on any of the column headers and select “More”

Customize Headers

Step 4:  In the list of Details there are two entries for “Description”, only one will contain the value from the SolidWorks Description custom property.  Check the box beside the detail that you wish to add (you might need to try each to make sure you add the correct one).  Once all columns have been added, you can re-order them by dragging the column header.

Description Custom Property

Step 5:  Once the view is organized the way you wish it to display you can now apply this layout to other folders that contain your SolidWorks files.  Click on “Organize” and “Folder and search options”.

Folder & Search Options

Step 6:  Go to the “View” tab and click “Apply to Folders”.  This will apply the view you have just set up to any folders that are set up to use the “Videos” template.  Repeat Step 1 for any folders that also contain SolidWorks files.

Apply to Folders

The post Showing the Descriptions of SOLIDWORKS files in Windows Explorer [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

In a previous article we explained how you can save a PNG file from Photoview 360 with a transparent background, but what if you want the PNG image background included with the higher image quality of the PNG file?  No problem.  It’s actually a very simple procedure but not one that might be immediately apparent if you aren’t familiar with the Luxology software that PhotoView 360 is based on.  All it takes is pausing for a moment to smell the roses … or in this case to hold down the save button.

Save Layered Image

After you’ve created the photorealistic render in the Final Render dialog, click the left-mouse button on the “Save Image” button and hold it down for a moment.  A flyout menu will appear giving you the option to “Save Image” or “Save Layered Image”.  Select the option to “Save Layered Image”.

Multi-file PNG Layers

In the Save dialog box, set the Save As Type to “Multi-file PNG Layers”.  This will save two PNG files, one with the Alpha channel output and the other with the Final Color Output.  The Final Color Output file will be a lossless PNG with the render background included.

The post Including the PNG Image Background in a PhotoView 360 Rendering [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

When a SOLIDWORKS drawing sheet becomes crowded and difficult to read, it may help to know that it is possible to move a drawing view or a BOM to a different sheet.  All dimensions and annotations move with the view.

Applying SOLIDWORKS Drawing Move View

In the design tree, activate the sheet that includes the drawing view that is being moved.  Click on the view with the left-mouse button and keep the button pressed.  Drag the view and hover over the name of the sheet to which it is being moved.  When the icon that looks like a yellow bent arrow pointing to the left appears, release the left mouse button to drop the view on the sheet.

Drag and drop a drawing view to a different sheet

The same method works for moving BOMs from one sheet to another.  The sheet that includes BOM must be active before the move.

Drag and drop a BOM to a different sheet

The post SOLIDWORKS Drawing Move View or BOM to a different Sheet appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

For many users, both new and more experienced, working with files with multiple Configurations can get very complicated and confusing, especially if several different variables are being controlled in the various configurations.  To help manage this, one thing I recommend to all my students starting out with configurations and to anyone who contacts us for help at our support desk, is to ALWAYS use the Modify Configurations table ANYTIME they are working with configurations.  There are other ways to work with configurations, such as design tables or manually adjusting each value, but the Modify Configurations table is often the perfect balance of speed and control for working with either simple or highly complex sets of configurations.  The benefit of using a table is that you are able to see all of your configurations laid out together with their individual settings and/or values.  This makes troubleshooting and error checking very easy.

To start a Modify Configurations table, right-click on any feature, dimension, mate or component and select the “Configure Feature”, “Configure Dimension” or “Configure Component” command.

Different Configure Commands

Once the table is launched new features, mates or components can be added to the table by double clicking on them in the FeatureManager Design Tree area.  New dimensions can be added by showing them in the graphic preview area and then double clicking on them to add them to the table.  New configurations can be created directly in the table and their individual settings adjusted then applied to the SOLIDWORKS model.

Modify Configurations Dialog

One important thing to remember though about the Modify Configurations table is that it is simply a view, a way to see all of the configuration data in one place.  If you close the dialog without saving the table view, it’s gone, and you will need to recreate that view of the data again.  To avoid this, once you have added all of the columns in the table (even if you haven’t completed creating all of the configurations yet, or haven’t made all of the adjustments for each configuration) save the table view right away.  You will need to give the table view a name then click the “Save Table View” button.  This will add the table to a special folder on the Configuration Manager tab.

Save Table View

Double-clicking the table in that folder will bring up the column set up in the Modify Configurations table again.

Access the Saved Table

Here is a video demonstration of modifying configurations with a Table:

The post Using the Modify Configurations Table in SOLIDWORKS [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

If you’ve ever dealt with a panel that has a pipe intersecting it at an angle, you’ve probably been faced with the awkward situation of having to create a cutout for it. It’s not going to be a circular cutout (unless the angle is 90°). It’s not going to be a slot, either. The cutout is going to be an ellipse. Generating that ellipse can be a challenge.

That is, unless you’re using SOLIDWORKS.

As you can see, the obvious method of having an assembly-level Cut-Extrude feature does not have the functionality of a Sheet Metal Cut-Extrude feature (Normal Cut option). Therefore, you must edit the part within the context of the assembly in order to get access to the Normal Cut option.

The post Creating a Cutout in a Sheet Metal Part for a Pipe Intersecting at an Angle [VIDEO] appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

The ‘Hole Wizard Thread Data Not Found’ error message may appear when using a newly created Hole Wizard hole. This is usually the result of a mismatch between the Size in the Sizes Tab, shown below.

Toolbox Size

And the Full Size in the Thread Data tab.

Toolbox Thread Data

To avoid typos, copy the contents of the Size cell into the Full Size cell. A restart of SOLIDWORKS may be required to complete the change.

The post Hole Wizard Thread Data Not Found When Using Newly Created Hole appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.

If you are using an AMD FirePro graphics card, there may be a setting you can apply for better performance and stability of SOLIDWORKS.  This option does not apply to all AMD FirePro cards, but it’s worth a quick check.

In the Windows Task Tray, you might see an AMD Control Center icon.  It may look something like this…

AMD Control Center

If you right-click on this icon, it should show your AMD FirePro card.  Hover over your card and choose 3D Settings > Standard Settings > High Performance.

AMD FirePro Standard Settings

The post How to improve Performance & Stability of SOLIDWORKS when using an AMD FirePro Graphics Card appeared first on SolidWorks Tech Tips, Videos & Tutorials from Javelin.