SOLIDWORKS PDM: Create and Deploy a Local View File

In this tutorial, we explain the steps to create a Local view file (.CVS) for both SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional and SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard. This is an extremely useful tool for distributing and automating the creation of local views when setting up new PDM clients by providing a (nearly) one-click alternative to the traditional View Setup Wizard. 

To begin with, when would we use the .CVS file above the traditional View Setup Wizard? Both methods ultimately result in a Local View that enables users to access the contents of their vault. One of the primary benefits of the .CVS above that of the View Setup Wizard is its ability to circumvent common permissions errors that can pop up during the View Setup Wizard.

Common View Setup Wizard Errors

• Could not Open Archive Server Registry
  
  
  
  
• Need to Provide Windows user credentials with Attach Access
  
  
  

The local View Setup Wizard is nothing more than a registry edit that tells the PDM Client that a particular folder has been set as the local view and to use the appropriate PDM File Explorer UI while inside it. The .CVS file directly creates that registry edit in place of the wizard by having a predefined Archive server selection, vault selection, and local view location built in.

However, a .CVS file does not inherently resolve connectivity issues between the server and client. Make sure that the server can be resolved across the desired ports and hostnames using the telnet test; otherwise, the local view will exist, but the user still cannot login. 

1: Assigning the default application for a CVS file

First, ensure that the .CVS file has been copied to the client machine and the PDM Client software has already been installed, but no local view is created. If local views or other .CVS file have been used before, double-click on the .CVS file to execute it and proceed to. 

Right-click on the .CVS file, select Open with... and when prompted, click Try Another App on this PC.

Next, choose the option Look for another app on this PC. Browse to the location of the PDM Client installation folder on the client machine and select the default program as the ViewSetup.exe application. By default, it’s most likely here: “C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS PDM\ViewSetup.exe”.

Once assigned, the .CVS icon will now be the SOLIDWORKS PDM logo moving forward, and .CVS file will execute to the screen below.

2: Have a PDM Vault but no local view

 Now, double-click to run the .CVS file and hit Finish! And that’s it! A local view has now been created. Feel free to login with your ordinary user credentials.

Bonus: Editing an Existing CVS file

 A .CVS file is editable. All you need to do is open it in a text editor like Notepad or equivalent.

Here, we can change the Parameters of the .CVS file to run for different vaults or server names as necessary for different scenarios. 

I hope you found this tutorial helpful. Learn more about SOLIDWORKS PDM below.

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