SOLIDWORKS Pack and Go is an important utility to copy or share projects. This provides the ability to make a complete copy of a model and move it to another location. Referenced parts and assemblies are included so there’s no need to search through folders to copy files. All references update automatically even if filenames are changed.
NOTE: If working in a PDM environment, the Copy Tree feature is recommended over Pack and Go. The following articles dive deeper into Copy Tree functionality.
https://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2014/07/solidworks-pdm-copy-tree/
https://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2016/05/pack-go-vs-copy-tree-solidworks-pdm/
Pack and Go is run from an upper level assembly or drawing. This can be accessed by opening the file in SOLIDWORKS and selecting File > Pack and Go.
File > Pack and Go
The functionality is also available outside of SOLIDWORKS by right-clicking a SOLIDWORKS file and choose SOLIDWORKS > Pack and Go. In Windows 11, you may first need to select ‘Show more options’ from the right-click menu.
Explorer Pack and Go
The first step to take is specify the new folder location. The new path is visible in the ‘Save To Folder’ column. The options at the bottom to flatten or keep folder structure is helpful where subfolder structure needs to be maintained. See our article https://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2019/06/solidworks-pack-and-go-folder-structure/
Save to Folder
New filenames can be assigned a few different ways:
- Add a Prefix or Suffix from the checkboxes in the bottom left
- Double-click on a cell under ‘New Filename’ column to change individual filenames
- If there is a consistent naming convention, such as a project number, the Select/Replace option allows you to search and replace text
Toolbox components are stored in a standardized location. The default is C:\SOLIDWORKS Data, though it may have been moved to a server for shared access. Typically these components do not need to be copied to the new folder. They will continue to reference the Toolbox directory. However in the situation of sending files externally to users without access to Toolbox functionality, there is an option to include a copy of the referenced Toolbox fasteners.
Include Toolbox Components
Pack and Go also includes the ability to ‘Include drawings’ if the referenced drawings are located in the same folder as the overall model.
Include Drawings
If the drawings are located in a different location, File Locations can be specified for it to recursively search for drawings with the same file name as components. However this can take additional time to process, especially if using Including Subfolders and there is deep folder structure of the path entered. If using this method, be sure to remove the File Locations path after to avoid poor performance in future use of Pack and Go.
File Locations
If any of the models contain Simulation results (*.CWR files), these can be included by enabling ‘Include simulation results’. The Simulation study tabs will be included regardless of this option, however they may need to be re-run if the results were not included.
Include Simulation Results
New in SOLIDWORKS 2024 is the ability to save files back two previous versions with some limitations.
https://help.solidworks.com/2024/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/t_saving_sw_docs_previous_versions.htm
Pack and Go in SOLIDWORKS 2024 includes an option for all files to be saved in 2022 or 2023 version.
Save to Previous Version
And finally if you need a self-contained package to email or store, select the option to ‘Save as a zip file’.
Save as ZIP File
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