Be More Productive with These 6 Enhancements in Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS

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WARNING! “File Title already exists on your 3DEXPERIENCE platform.” This is actually great news, and what you’ll see if a file you try to save on the 3DEXPERIENCE® platform already exists. This is one of the many great enhancements in the Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS update R2022x FD01, released this February.

If you’re not familiar with Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS, it is one of the many powerful “roles” in our 3DEXPERIENCE Works portfolio that enables you to store, access and collaborate on your SOLIDWORKS data on the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform and access the platform right from your SOLIDWORKS interface.

Here are some of the key enhancements I think you will appreciate most:

  • File uniqueness warning on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform – save time and avoid duplicates and headaches!

As I mentioned in the introduction, you will now receive a warning if the same file name already exists on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform when you go to save your SOLIDWORKS file. All you have to do is enable check for duplicate title before saving your content. This is also supported when you do a batch save. And I’ve got more good news when it comes to doing a batch save or upload next on the list.

  • Assign bookmark on batch upload– saves a step when organizing your files on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Just as the title suggests you can now assign a bookmark when you go to perform a bulk upload of a SOLIDWORKS part, assembly or drawing files from multiple folders at the same time. From My Session, you can use the Bookmark Editor to bookmark your selection when doing your batch upload, helping you arrange and organize your data on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Before this update, you had to bookmark it separately after the upload was complete, making this new feature a great timesaver.

  • Streamlined collaboration between platform users– open non-native files with a single click.

Easily bring in non-native components created in 3D Creator or 3D Sculptor into your SOLIDWORKS assemblies. You can then create SOLIDWORKS-derived parts from those inserted components. We’ve made this process even more convenient. Simply right click and search for the non-native files and bring them into your SOLIDWORKS environment to add them to your design.

  • Sync file name between SOLIDWORKS and physical product– quickly match your components between SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

When it comes to CAD family objects, you can now sync the file name between SOLIDWORKS and the physical product. This means there is now one-to-one title mapping between the file and the product. You can change the physical product title from anywhere and the data will always be synchronized. Also, the CAD family of mono-physical product files will be hidden in 3DSearch.

  • NEW! Information Panel Integration- quickly find key component information with a single click.

You’re going to love this new feature! Available in the Action bar, this new command shows you a side panel inside of MySession. From the side panel you can access various information from your selected object such as:

– Properties
– Sharing
– Comment
– Relations
– Derived Outputs
– Revisions
– Specification Documents
– Attachments

  • Derived Output Management– save time by using consistent settings defined by your administrator across your team.

Derived outputs can now be managed in the Admin Console where administrators can specify the type of format to save a file when sharing with someone who doesn’t have SOLIDWORKS. Administrators can choose from formats like PDF, STEP, etc. for parts and drawings.

Previously, derived outputs generated by SOLIDWORKS were governed by client settings so there was no way for administrators to govern them company-wide.

Also, with the Admin Console for derived formats, the administrator can create new rules for derived outputs. For example, the type “Drawing” and the event “On Save” will be available. In addition, the Derived Output Rule definition panel will allow for both asynchronous and synchronous generation options.

Well, there you have it. There is a half a dozen enhancements to help you and your team be more productive. Questions, comments? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment thread below.

To learn more about Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS visit:  https://www.solidworks.com/product/collaborative-designer-solidworks.

 

Priyanka Kanherkar

Priyanka Kanherkar

Priyanka Kanherkar is a Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS Roles Portfolio Manager focused on connecting SOLIDWORKS desktop with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. She has a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering specializing in Aerodynamics from the Florida Institute of Technology. Apart from work, she loves travelling, cooking and hiking. Priyanka is also a trained Indian classical dancer.