We have talked about the SOLIDWORKS PDM Rollback feature before and saw some of the enhancements made to the feature for SOLIDWORKS 2017.  In learning about it we also saw the warning; This function should be used with caution as it permanently deletes file versions.  Personally I’m not a big fan of deleting anything (seriously I’m a data hoarder).  With the following example scenario we’re going to look at a SOLIDWORKS PDM Rollback Alternative method that achieves the same result, without deleting any files.

Example scenario

Here is my simple part;

Sample SOLIDWORKS part, two versions

There are two versions; one with slotted holes (version 2/2) and one without (Version 1/2).  It’s still in the design phase and there’s been a change at a higher level which makes the slotted holes unnecessary, and I need to revert to the previous design (version 1).  Using rollback version 2 will be deleted, but I need to keep it as we may go back to that design.

Rollback without the rollback

WARNING: Make sure the file is CHECKED IN before starting the process to ensure no changes are lost.

• Via Explorer select the file then;
  • Actions > Get > Version 1

Get previous version

File is local

This caches version 1 in your local view;

• Then via explorer copy and paste it outside of the vault to your local machine (ie desktop etc)

Copy and Paste the file outside the vault

• Then back in the vault check out the part (which forces a Get Latest, overwriting the cached version 1 with version 2)

Get the part

• and copy and paste the locally saved version, replacing the vault version

• Then check it back in.
  • Although not always required, its important to leave a comment explaining what has happened.

Check the file in

•  This creates an exact replica of version 1 as version 3.  Leaving version 2 available if we ever need go back to it.

Replica created

This is also a useful method if you don’t have rollback privileges within the vault.

Although nothing is being deleted there’s still a need to be cautious with when to use this approach, as it doesn’t work in every scenario.  The example used references a part that’s still at the In Design state and no revision has been assigned.  It this was completed to a file with a revision it would remain at the same revision.

Interested in further SOLIDWORKS PDM Training?

Contact us about our SOLIDWORKS PDM training courses for users and administrators.

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SOLIDWORKS PDM Duplicate file name can be a problem, but there are a few options for handling duplicates, all of which are accessible via:

• Administration Tool > [Vault Name] > File Types > [Right-Click] > ‘Duplicate file name settings’

SOLIDWORKS PDM Duplicate File Name Settings

Lets take a closer look at each option…

Allow duplicate file names in this file vault

This is a free-for-all…no limitations.  The vault can have duplicate filenames of any file type as long (as they’re not within the same a folder).

Allow duplicate file names

Do not allow duplicate file names in this file vault

Lock down.  This prevents any duplicate filenames for any file regardless of extension.  For example users will be prevented from creating and checking in both lightbulb.sldprt and lightbulb.slddrw

Do not allow duplicate file names

Do not allow duplicate file names of files with these extensions

This prevents users from creating and checking in duplicate filenames for specific extensions.  Note; The extensions must be defined one per line and without any prefixes.

Do not allow duplicate file names with these extensions

For example with the above entries, users will be blocked from having lightbulb.sldasm or lightbulb.slddrw in two places anywhere in the vault (no limitations on .sldprt).

SOLIDWORKS PDM Duplicate file name alternative solution

An alternative solution is to block files from being checked in unless the file name is unique via groups:

• Administration Tool > Groups > [Group Name] > Warnings
  • Affected Operation = Check In
    • Check ‘File name is not unique’

Block files from being checked in unless the file name is unique via groups

Interested in SOLIDWORKS PDM Training?

Contact us about our SOLIDWORKS PDM training courses for users and administrators.

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If the SOLIDWORKS PDM sa password is lost or forgotten it can be reset using these steps.  Whenever there is a change to the account password, there is a few places within the vault settings where it needs to be updated:

Archive Server Settings

• On the archive server host, open the Archive Server Configuration Tool
  • Start > Programs > SOLIDWORKS PDM > Archive Server Configuration

Archive Server Configuration

• Tools > Default Settings

Archive Server Default Settings

• Login > ‘SQL Login’ > Change > Update the password > Hit ‘OK’
  • Note; The password fields are always blank, regardless if there was password previously

Change SQL User Login

• Still within the Archive Server Settings…This Computer > Archives > Right-Click [Vault name] > Properties

Vault Properties

• Login > IF ‘Use default SQL login’ is unchecked > Change > Update Password > OK > Apply

Set SQL Login

• Repeat for all vaults listed.

Database Server Service

• On the Database server host, open the Database Server Configuration Tool
  • Start > Programs > SOLIDWORKS PDM > Database Server Configuration

Database Server Configuration

• Update the password > OK

Enter Password

Lists (Optional)

This step only applies if you have the list data type set to; From SQL Database.

• Administration Tool > [Vault Name] > Lists (for cards) > [List Name] > Update Password

Lists for cards

Note: By default when SQL Server is installed, the ‘sa’ login is created which has full access to all databases on the SQL Server and this is what’s most commonly used.  It is possible the vault could be specified to use a alternate account with db_owner access.

Interested in SOLIDWORKS PDM Training?

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Are planning on upgrading your SOLIDWORKS PDM system? Need help to ensure the upgrade goes smoothly and downtime is kept to a minimum? Javelin’s team of Certified SOLIDWORKS PDM experts can provide your business with a comprehensive service for upgrading your SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard or Professional system from one version to the next—a maximum of two major releases back from the version that is being installed (i.e. SOLIDWORKS 2016 to SOLIDWORKS 2018).

SOLIDWORKS PDM Upgrade Service

Our SOLIDWORKS PDM Upgrade Service includes the following:

1. Planning Meeting to confirm and validate vault configurations and versions.
2. Initial off-site migration test on your data prior to the upgrade.
3. Remote or On-site upgrade service.
   • Installation and upgrade of your SQL server software as required.
   • Installation and upgrade of up to three data archive servers.
   • Testing of the migrated system.
   • Installation and check on upgraded clients/users.
   • Review server log files.
   • Test PDM processes with Check in/out, Workflows, etc.

You are responsible for:

• Ensuring that all active files are checked in by all users prior to upgrade.
• Complete a full system backup of the Archive Servers, Archive Files and SQL database prior to upgrade.
• Provide a copy of your PDM SQL database for off-site validation of data and process prior to the upgrade.
• Complete installation and upgrade on remaining client computers.
• Moving/copying data prior to site visit if the vault is being moved to new hardware for upgrade.

NOTE: Upgrading SOLIDWORKS files to the latest major release is NOT included (additional hours may be purchased for this task).

Why a SOLIDWORKS PDM Upgrade is important for your business

An upgrade to the latest SOLIDWORKS PDM system will enable your business to:

• Ensure that you are running an optimal build and any reported issues are resolved with the latest version.
• Support an upgraded system, if you have new hardware/software, or your system has reached the end of life (i.e. Windows Server 2003) you will need a SOLIDWORKS PDM upgrade to run on the latest system.
• Move/transfer your PDM Vault to another server, our technicians can ensure that your downtime is kept to a minimum and your data is transferred successfully.
• Take advantage of all the new SOLIDWORKS PDM features included with the latest version. Every new SOLIDWORKS release has hundreds of new features and performance enhancements.

Take a look at just a few of the latest features in SOLIDWORKS PDM 2018:

The benefits of a SOLIDWORKS PDM Upgrade Service from Javelin

By using the Javelin SOLIDWORKS PDM Upgrade Service you can be confident in the knowledge that your critical business system will be upgraded by an experienced Certified SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional, which means:

• Shorter downtime: An upgrade to a major SOLIDWORKS release requires that all PDM clients are also upgraded; which will result in your users not having access to the vault until the upgrade has been completed.  We can provide an implementation plan to minimize your downtime.
• Upgrade expertise and experience: We are familiar with the common PDM migration issues.  This knowledge allows us to provide recommendations and/or solutions to resolve your issues.
• Comprehensive certified service: We will perform a full upgrade following SOLIDWORKS’ procedures, thus ensuring that you will not have an unsupported scenario.
• Optimize Performance and Health-check: As part of the upgrade, we ensure all settings are in place to maximize your database performance.
• Peace of mind: Upgrading SOLIDWORKS PDM can often seem an overwhelming process. Not all components are upgraded using the SOLIDWORKS installation manager. Having an upgrade carried out by certified experts ensures your peace of mind for your critical business system and data.

Need a SOLIDWORKS PDM upgrade?

Take the next step and contact us to find out about the latest SOLIDWORKS PDM release and our service pricing.

Contact Us

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Often when I’m working with SOLIDWORKS PDM users, I’ll see many navigate to files, by browsing through folders. This method is cumbersome and requires remembering in which buried sub-folder a file is stored in. These same users are often surprised to hear that SOLIDWORKS PDM include a powerful and customizable search tool.

At the top-right of the Window Explorer Vault View, there is an icon that looks like a magnifying glass, clicking on the arrow pointing down will reveal all of the searches that are available to you.

Searches

Searches can also be performed inside SOLIDWORKS (requires that PDM CAD Editor is installed), from the PDM tab, of the SOLIDWORKS Task Pane

Search from the SOLIDWORKS PDM Task Pane

When launching a search from SOLIDWORKS, the PDM search tool is used. In the Window Explorer Vault View, a search can be launched from within the Vault View or in a separate window, by selecting Search Tool…

Once the search is launched searches can be performed with a variety of keywords, such as File Name, State, and Checked Out By. The keywords that you can searched for are dependent on how the Search was created. Your PDM Admin should be able to provide information on the set-up of your Searches. Below, is the default Complete Search, that ships with SOLIDWORKS PDM.

Default SOLIDWORKS PDM Search

Once the Search has found the document(s) you were looking for, you can perform many functions from the search results, such as Check-out, Open, and Change State.

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In a previous article I described how to create a Sandbox Vault. This will create a new vault with the same vault settings, but it does not copy the Database or the Archive. We can copy the Database and the Archive or parts of the archive using Collect Support Information. In this article, we will look at how to bring all those pieces together, in order to create a duplicate SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault.

The first step is create a the Sandbox Vault, making sure to select an Empty Predefined Vault. In the Sandbox Vault  article, the last step is to import the vault settings. We’ll put this off until later.

Create New Vault

Once we have an empty Vault, we restore the Database through SQL Management Studio. After logging into SQL Management Studio, right-click on the Databases folder and select restore.

Restore Database

In the General tab, for Source, select Device and hit the browse button. Click on Add to select the backup that was created earlier.

Select backup devices

Back in the General tab, set the Destination Database, to the Sandbox Vault.

Restore Database

Under options, select ‘Overwrite the existing database (WITH REPLACE)’ , deselect ‘Take tail-log backup before restore’ and select ‘Close existing connections to destination database’.

Overwrite the existing database (WITH REPLACE)

Next click OK to restore the vault.

Now that we have restored the production database, over top of the Sandbox database, we can copy the Archive folders, from our production vault, to our Sandbox vault. We can copy all of the archive sub-folders, but the archive folder can be massive.

Archive sub-folders

We are likely better off to use Collect Support Information, to copy only the files and/or folders we want work with.

There are some changes that we need to make in SQL Management Studio. In Object Explorer Expand Databases>Your Sandbox database>Tables>File Tables, right click dbo.ArchiveServers and select Edit Top 200 Rows

Edit Top 200 Rows

Change the Vault Name, so that it matches that of your Sandbox vault.

Change the Vault Name

Next, do the same for dbo.SystemInfo (also found in Databases > Your Sandbox database > Tables > File Tables)

dbo.SystemInfo

To update all the SQL and PDM settings, restart SQL Server service if possible. If not, then restart PDM Database and Archive Service.

Restart Vault

The last step is to import the vault settings, as described in my Sandbox Vault blog

If you experience any problems connecting to the vault, edit the Windows Registry and check that settings for Sandbox vault are correct. Ensure that everything is pointing correct locations. Below are the keys that should be checked.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise\ArchiveServer\Vaults
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise\ArchiveServer\Vaults\ACME_Sandbox\ArchiveTable
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise\ArchiveServer\Vaults
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks Enterprise\Databases

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When completing a search in SOLIDWORKS PDM using the name field; when two or more words separated by a space the search will use an OR operation.   Or, if you’re searching one word, what happens is a LIKE operation.  In large vaults, these searches will return a lot of mostly unwanted results.  In this article, we’ll look at how to perform a SOLIDWORKS PDM exact search.

Example 1

• In this example; I’m searching for the part named Example 1 A

Search: Example 1 A

The search that’s actually happening is: ExampleOR1ORA.

It’s returning anything matching Example, 1 or A which in large vaults will return a lot of results.

Example 2

• If I’m searching ABC

Search: ABC

The search that’s actually happening is; LIKE ‘%ABC%.

It’s returning anything matching ABC which again in large vaults will return a lot of results.

How to Perform an Exact Search

To search for an exact filename use double quotes.

• Searching “Example 1 A” will only return that filename;

Search: “Example 1 A”

• Or Searching “ABC.” will only return that filename;

Search: ‘ABC.”

Don’t forget, you can also use wildcards to further enhance your searching techniques.

Learn more about SOLIDWORKS PDM

Javelin delivers SOLIDWORKS PDM user and administration training courses either in-class, online, or on-site at your location. Learn more about our SOLIDWORKS PDM Training »

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In this article, we’re going to look at how to setup the weldment cut list to show the quantity and length values in a SOLIDWORKS PDM Weldment Cut List

SOLIDWORKS PDM Weldment Cut List

Quantity

• Administration Tool > Bills of Materials > Weldment Cut List
  • Add the column ‘QTY’ with the variable <Reference Count (BOM Quantity disregarded)>

Add the column ‘QTY’ with the variable

• Then hit OK.

The Quantity should now be visible;

Length

• Administration Tool > Variables
  • Create a variable for the length and map it accordingly;
    • Name: Cut List Length (Or whatever you desire)
    • Variable Type: Decimal Number
    • Block Name: CustomProperty
    • Attribute Name: UNIT_OF_MEASURE
    • File Extension: sldprt

Create a variable for the length and map it accordingly;

• Add this new variable to the part card

Add this new variable to the part card

• Add the new variable to the Weldment Cut List BOM
  • Administration Tool > Bills of Materials > Weldment Cut List
    • Add the column ‘Length’ with the variable created (Cut List Length)

Add the column ‘Length’ with the variable created (Cut List Length)

• Hit OK

Now when a part containing a cut list gets checked into the vault, the length and quantity should be visible via the BOM tab in explorer;

QTY and Length displayed

Interested in further SOLIDWORKS PDM Training?

Contact us about our SOLIDWORKS PDM training courses for users and administrators.

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By default the SOLIDWORKS PDM Contains Tab in Windows Explorer is set to the ‘Active Configurations’, and as a result of this will not show any references to drawings.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Contains Tab

How to show the drawings within the Contains tab

• Change the view from Default <Active Configuration> to <Do Not Show Configurations>

Do Not Show Configurations

Then the drawings will be listed as references within the contains tab;

Drawings listed as references under the contains tab

Need SOLIDWORKS PDM Training?

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When opening the Complete Search Card from within a vault, the SOLIDWORKS PDM default search path will be the folder in which the search was opened, therefore only searching from that folder down.  As a user, I found that 99.9% of the time, I actually wanted to search the entire vault, regardless of where I opened the search card.  In this article, we’re going to look at how to set the default SOLIDWORKS PDM search path to be the root folder.

Note; To edit a data card requires the permission Can update the design of cards

Setting the default search path

• Open the complete search card
  • Administration Tool > Cards > Search Cards > Complete Search
    • Then Select ‘Default Values’

Open the complete search card

• Set the variable as Search Folder Path and the value as \

• Hit OK, then save and close the card editor

Save the Search Path

Now all SOLIDWORKS PDM searches, using the Complete Search Card will set the Search Folder Path as the root of the vault.

Learn more about Data Card Customization

Contact us about our SOLIDWORKS PDM training courses for users and administrators.

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During our Administering SOLIDWORKS PDM Training course, I always recommend setting the explorer view as Details as there’s a lot more information available for files with this view option.  Directly after I often get asked: “How do I set the SOLIDWORKS PDM Details View as the default in Windows Explorer?”.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Details View

With SOLIDWORKS PDM being integrated within Windows Explorer, its a Windows Folder setting that we have to change

Set Details View as Default

For this example, I am using Windows 10

• Navigate to the root level of your vault

Navigate to the root level of your vault

• Then select the Details View via the slider

  Then select the Details View via the slider

• To push this setting to all other folders within the vault;
  • Via Explorer Select; Tools > Folder Options

Via Explorer Select; Tools > Folder Options

• Select the view tab
  • Click > Apply To Folders

Click > Apply To Folders

Now all your sub-folders within the vault will use the details view by default;

Now all your sub-folders within the vault will use the details view by default;

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By default when SOLIDWORKS PDM transition actions complete a change state operation on a file, all the referenced files will be selected to transition:

SOLIDWORKS PDM transition action

You can de-select any files to exclude them from the transition.

Some users like the files selected by default, as it ensures no files are forgotten files when transitioning an assembly.  Other users dislike it, as it has the potential to complete unwanted transitions on files.

The good news is we can control this behavior via the settings.

Change the settings to not select referenced files when changing state

• Administration Tool > Users > [User Name] > Right-Click > Settings

Administration Tool Settings

• Reference Dialog > Check ‘Do not mark referenced files when changing state‘ > Ok

Do not mark referenced files when changing state

Then by default, the referenced files won’t be selected in a change state dialog;

Change state dialog

NOTE: This setting change can be completed on a global level, by changing the settings at the ‘Users’ node instead of the Username.

Need SOLIDWORKS PDM Training?

Contact us about our SOLIDWORKS PDM training courses for users and administrators.

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When moving SOLIDWORKS PDM files between folders, with the option ‘Folder data card variable’ checked the result may not be what you are expecting.

Default Values

The expectation would be that any Data Card Control, with ‘Folder data card variable’,  would pull the Variable Value from the Folder Card, regardless how the file made its way to the folder.

When a file is moved or copied and the associated Data Card has Default Values, the existing values are copied to the target file. The default values of the target file are NOT regenerated. With the exception of:

• Data card variables with the Unique flag set. If this set, the variable value is cleared, the user is warned and the default value is regenerated.

Unique variable

• Data card variable is a serial number. The user is warned and the variable value is set to next available serial number.

Serial number

• Default Overwrites is enabled for data card variable. The variable value for any copied file is regenerated, but the variable value is not regenerated for files that are moved (cut & paste).

Default overwrites

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SOLIDWORKS PDM 2018 now allows Administrators greater flexibility and control when working with Assigned Folder Permissions.

Previously, each folder had to be assigned permissions one at a time.  Starting with 2018 however, multiple folders can be selected at a time and their permissions set.

To select multiple folders you can either:

• Hold down Ctrl and click to select multiple individual folders.
• Hold down Shift and click to select multiple folders in order together.
• Left Click and Drag to select multiple folders.

Assigned Folder Permissions

When multiple folders are selected, the Permissions checkboxes may display one of three different ways:

An empty check box:  This indicates that this permission has not been set on any of the selected folders.

A check box filled with a green square:  This indicates that the permission has been set on at least one of the selected folders.

A checked box:  This indicates that the permission has been set on all of the selected folders.

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When working with large file sets in SOLIDWORKS PDM, the file list generated for actions such as Check Outs, Check Ins and Transitions can get quite long and potentially difficult to manage.

For instance to Check Out an entire file set of several hundred files, it would take quite a bit of time to check the box beside each file, one at a time.

SOLIDWORKS PDM file lists

Thankfully, there is no need to perform such a tedious process.  Simply Right Click on any file in the list and select “Check Out All Files“.  This will check the Checkout box for each file in the list that can be checked out by you.

Check out all files

What is really great about this command is that it’s actually a toggle, so performing it again when all files are checked will uncheck them all.  So as an example, if you are performing a Transition on a file, but don’t want to Transition the entire file set, you can use the “Change State on All Files” command to uncheck all the files, then individually select the file or files that you do want to Transition.

Change state on all files

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When you are encountering issues using SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional or Standard, the first thing that your Value Added Reseller’s SOLIDWORKS PDM Support technician will want to review in most cases are the log files, from both the local client and the server.

Thankfully, this information and more can be very easily gathered and packaged up using the Collect Support Information Wizard that is available on all client installations of SOLIDWORKS PDM (this is available for PDM Professional and PDM Standard vaults, for CAD Editor, Contributor or Viewer clients).  Here are the steps to use this important support tool:

STEP 1:  On the client system that is encountering the issue, launch the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration program.  Right click on the vault name in the list and select “Collect Support Information …”

Collecting information for SOLIDWORKS PDM Support

STEP 2:  To use the Collect Support Information wizard, you must log into the Administration tool as the admin account.

STEP 3 Collect Logs and Settings:  On this screen, leave all items checked and click “Next>“.

NOTE:  If you encounter any issues or errors after Step 7 when generating the package, return to this screen and try unchecking any of the items that failed.  If you have to perform this change, make sure to bring it to the attention of your PDM support technician.

STEP 4 Collect Archives:  The wizard can be used to collect Archives of specific files or folders in the vault.  Unless you have been specifically instructed to include these files by your support technician, you can skip this step for now and click “Next>”

STEP 5 Create SQL Backup:  The wizard can be used to trigger the creation of a backup file for the SQL database.  Unless you have been asked for an SQL backup file, there is no need to generate the file now.  Leave the option “Do not create a backup file” selected and click “Next>”

STEP 6 Add Additional Information:  On this screen you can enter any additional comments or description of the issue that you wish to communicate to the PDM support technician.  If you have already described the issue to them, then you can simply leave this blank and click “Next>”

STEP 7 Create Package:  Click “Browse” next to the output file path text box and select a Folder and File name for the .zip file that will be created for by the wizard.  Once this is set, click “Finish” and the

STEP 8:  Once the package is complete, send the .zip file to your PDM support technician.

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Microsoft SQL Server doesn’t share it’s toys well with others.  By default, SQL Server Standard will dynamically use up memory based on what resources are available.  As a result, it’s fairly common for it to take up ALL available memory on a system and not release it back until the service is restarted.  However there are generally other processes running, not to mention the operating system itself, that will run out of memory due to SQL’s greedy ways.  This will sometimes result in performance issues and instability.

The way to address this is to limit the amount of memory that Microsoft SQL Standard is allowed to use.  By default this limit is set to 2TB of RAM, which is what allows SQL Server Standard to think it can use up all resources.

This limit is set by going to the SQL Server Management Studio and right clicking on the instance name at the top of the Object Explorer and going to “Properties”.

SQL Server Management Studio Properties

Go to the “Memory” page and see the “Maximum server memory”.

Maximum Server Memory

PLEASE NOTE:  This only applies to SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional vaults.  SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard uses Microsoft SQL Express, which is limited to only use 1GB of RAM.

So how much RAM should SQL be allowed to use?

Well that depends on a few factors.

1. Is this server dedicated for hosting just the SQL Database for PDM or is it also hosting the PDM Archive Server service?  If it’s also hosting the  Archive Server service then we will need to hold back about 500MB of RAM for that service.
2. Is there any other software running on this server?  There shouldn’t be.  SOLIDWORKS highly recommends that the server hosting the PDM Server services be dedicated for that purpose, however if that is not possible for your situation, you will need to determine what other programs are running on this server and what their RAM requirements should be.
3. Are there any other SQL instances running on this server?  If the SQL server is only hosting SOLIDWORKS PDM then you won’t need to worry about this, but if there are multiple instances for other softwares, then each instance will need to be configured so that they share the available memory.  So for instance if you have 3 SQL instances and determine there is only 10GB of memory that should be made available for SQL, that memory will need to be distributed among each of the instances, setting the maximum value on each so that the total does not exceed the available memory.

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Generally it’s best practice to use the SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server Configuration utility to relocate the PDM Archive folders, however there may be times (perhaps during a server migration or after a restore due to a system failure) where you might need to be able to specify the Archive Folder locations manually.

This is actually fairly easily done, the archive folder path information is stored directly in the Windows Registry.

To set the SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server Folder Location:

Step 1:  Launch Services (type services.msc into the Windows Start Menu search) and ensure that the Archive Server Service is stopped.

Stop SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server

Step 2:  Launch the Windows Registry Editor and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\Applications\PDMWorks
Enterprise\ArchiveServer\Vaults\[vaultname]\ArchiveTable.  There will be 16 entries, one for each of the archive server folders.  Modify EACH registry key to point to the correct folder location.

Registry Editor

Step 3:  Go back to Services and “Start” the SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server service.

Start the SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server

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To ensure the safety of your SOLIDWORKS PDM data, it’s essential to have a maintenance plan in place to perform regular (preferably nightly) backups of the vault database and the ConisioMasterDB database.  A Maintenance Plan that will automatically backup the databases can be set up for SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional using the SQL Server Agent included in Microsoft SQL Standard.

Note: SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard does NOT  include the SQL Server Agent so this method does not work for PDM Standard vaults.

However over time those backups will take up a great deal of hard drive space if they are not cleaned up and removed.  This process can also be automated by the SQL Server Agent.

Steps to removing Old SQL Database Backups

Step 1:  Ensure that the SQL Server Agent service is running.  Launch the SQL Server Configuration Manager program and check that the SQL Server Agent is currently running, if it isn’t right click the Agent and click Start.

SQL Server Configuration Manager

Step 2:  Log into the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio and expand the Management folder in the Object Explorer then right click on the Maintenance Plans folder and select the Maintenance Plan Wizard command.

Maintenance Plan Wizard command

Step 3:  When the Wizard launches the starting page explains further what functions can be automated using the Maintenance Plan.  Click Next.

Wizard starting page

Step 4:  Name the maintenance plan, the click Change to create a schedule for the plan to run on.

Name the maintenance plan

Step 5:  You can run the plan Daily, Weekly or Monthly at whichever time will work for you.  If you already have a Maintenance Plan in place to perform the backups, you may want to schedule the Cleanup to take place on the same schedule.  Click OK to set the schedule, then click Next.

Run the plan Daily, Weekly or Monthly

Step 6:  Select the Maintenance Cleanup Task option and click Next.

Maintenance Cleanup Task

Step 7:  On the Task Order screen ensure that the Maintenance Cleanup Task is listed, otherwise go back a step and select it again, then click Next.

Maintenance Cleanup Task Enabled

Step 8:  Define the options for the Cleanup Task. Click “…” to specify the folder where the SQL Database backup files are being saved.  Specify the Age of the files which should be removed by the task.  If backups are being done daily for instance, setting the Cleanup Task to remove any files over 14 days old will keep only 14 .bak files from each database being backed up.  Once the options are set, click Next.

Define the options for the Cleanup Task

Step 9:  If you wish you can set up a report text file, then click Next.

Set up a report text file

Step 10:  Finally, review settings and click Finish to complete the Maintenance Plan Wizard.

Complete the Maintenance Plan Wizard

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SOLIDWORKS PDM Branching and Merging, aids in the design process, by allowing the designer to Branch concepts from source file, and combine the successful concepts with the source file.

Branching

The first part of this process, is Branching. Branching creates copies of a source, in much the same way as Copy Tree, but adds the ability to maintain the History, of the branched files. By maintaining this History, the branches can later merged to their Source. Like Copy Tree, Branch is available from the Tools pull-down, in the PDM Local Vault view.

Selecting Branch from the Tools Pull-down of the Local Vault View

Many of the options available in Copy Tree, are also available from the Branch Dialogue box.

Branch Dialog Box

A file can be Branched multiple times and a Branch, can itself be branched. Each Branch is independent of its source file, so that any changes to a Branch or its source, will not affect other branches or the source file. The History of the Source and Branched files, will record the Branching operation.

File History Showing Branch Operation

Merging

At any time, Branched files, can be Merged with their Source file. Any modifications in the Branched file, will be carried over to the Source file. Like Branch, Merge is available from the Tools pull-down, in the PDM Local Vault view.

Selecting Merge from the Tools Pull-down of the Local Vault View

The dialog box for Merge is similar to both Copy Tree and Branch.

Selecting Merge from the Tools Pull-down of the Local Vault view

File History Showing Merge Operation

As with Branching, the Merge operation is recorded in the History of the Merged and Source files.

One final note, while the screenshots in this article showed SOLIDWORKS files, other file types, can also be branched.

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