GoEngineer Blog

Accessing files stored directly on a network hard drive without it also being managed by PDM software is not recommended. This document outlines known issues that may arise as well as some practices that can help mitigate them.

This is part of a series of documents aimed towards providing the basics of creating queries for SOLIDWORKS PDM vault databases. Administrators will be able to collect data for their own purposes that are not attainable from SOLIDWORKS PDM out-of-the-box search features.

This article will cover the steps to install and use a SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM Report Generator file (.crp file) to query the SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM database as well as the steps to export the result to Microsoft Excel.

SOLIDWORKS Workgroup PDM is a non-database managed product data management system. It creates a pseudo-database setup through the use of nested folder structures. This nested folder structure also stores all the administrative level user settings (user permissions, global vault settings, etc.) within the Vault Data folder itself. 

The SQL Server Installation Center window will appear automatically. If the window does not appear automatically, Auto-Run might be disabled on the machine. Double click on your DVD/CD device and or run the setup.exe application to start.

The Complete Search is the comprehensive search form that ships with the EPDM software. This form could best be described as the “everything AND the kitchen sink” search in that it is a multi-tab form chock-full with every EPDM search method available. The problem with this search is that, for many users, it can be daunting and non-intuitive to use in practice. A few quick changes using default values can enhance its ease of use and reduce the setup time prior to each use. 

Toolbox Setup with SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM (2010 and Newer) This document outlines the steps to set up SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM (EPDM). Managing Toolbox completely in an EPDM vault requires SOLIDWORKS version 2010 or later.

To educate and/or remind ourselves of the best practice usage and the clearing of misunderstandings with Enterprise PDM, this article provides advice to avoid loss of work based on commonly received support inquiries.