InFlow Technology

Dispatch Check In Trigger Doesn’t Work!

PDM Enterprise comes equipped with a lot of tools to help you with automating your day-to-day routines. One of the most expansive tools is the SolidWorks PDM Enterprise Dispatch Add-In which allows you to set up custom programming without necessarily have any programming experience! That's great!... until something doesn't work how you think it should. One of the problems that I'm referencing is the Dispatch trigger to run a Dispatch action when a file is either checked out, checked in or the checkout is undone. Here's what's happening ---

 

Check Out:

 

    When a file is checked in to the PDM Enterprise vault, it is locked down and not available for modification. In order to make changes to a file you must first check it out of the vault (think of it as a virtual library). Once checked out, it copies the file(s) locally to your machine and you can make whatever changes you need to.

 

Check In:

 

    Once you have finished making your changes you will need to check your file back into the vault so that it is safe and so other users can check it out if they need to (return your books so others can read it!). When you check the file in, the changes are now saved to the server and a new version of the file is created, for instance going from version 4 to version 5.

 

Undo Check Out:

 

    There will be instance when you've gone ahead and checked a file out, made changes to the file, then realized that those changes aren't actually necessary. Yes, we've all been there. So now we're stuck with this updated file that we don't want to keep. Our first thought would be to simply undo all of the changes that we made, then check it back in, but that's more work than we need to do. Instead, we can use the Undo Check Out command. When you undo the check out of a file, the changes are completely discarded and no new version is created, for instance version 4 will stay at version 4.

 

    Now here is where the tricky, behind the scenes shenanigans start. If you check a file out, make absolutely no changes to it, then select "Check In", the programming in PDM Enterprise actually does an "Undo Check Out" because nothing has changed and there is no need to create a new version. Dispatch will reflect this programming so you may think that the "Check In" trigger should activate, but it's actually the "Undo Check Out" trigger that is activated!

How do I properly import a “SQL database” card list from one EPDM vault to another?

The use of .cex files can be a handy tool for importing settings and configurations from one vault to another such as a Test EPDM vault (Source vault) to a Production EPDM (Target vault). However, when importing card lists or cards that are populated from a SQL database, there are a couple important things to keep in mind.

PLEASE NOTE: If the information for the list is not updated in the target vault it can cause serious functionality and performance issues since the list is attempting to query the database with invalid information.

Let's use the example of a SQL database card that queries back to its own EPDM vault.

First, let's take a look at what a SQL database card list looks like and how it behaves when exporting/importing. There are four main areas that important to the SQL database card list:

1. SQL statement – The SQL statement is retained when exporting the card into a new EPDM vault. Please note, that the statement could contain database specific information.
2. Server Information - The server information contains the server name and the database name that you are running your statement on. This information is retained when exporting the list.
3. Log in Information – The Log in information is the user name and password used to log into the SQL database. Verify that the user has the correct privileges for the SQL server. The user name is retained when exporting however the password will become blank.
4. Refresh rate – The refresh rate is retained when exporting the card list.

After importing the card into the target vault, you will need to open the list by double-clicking on it in the Admin tool. Once open, you will notice that the password is blank and that all other information is retained (re-enter the password). Since the list in the source vault was referencing back to itself, you will need to update the Server Information and potentially any reference to the server and database name in the SQL statement.

Once this is completed, select the Test button to verify that the query is working in the target vault. Don't forget to save when exiting the list.

 

How can I tell who is Logged into EPDM?

Here's a posting that we had a few years back that I thought was worth repeating…

How can I tell who is logged into SolidWorks Enterprise PDM?

Answer: SolidWorks Enterprise PDM does not use any fancy license management software, it keeps track of licenses and logged in users inside a SQL database. So, to get a license count, all you have to do is run a user search from Windows Explorer.

When logged into SolidWorks Enterprise PDM go to Tools > Users (if there is no Users pick available, your admin has to turn this on in the Search Card form)

When the search dialog comes up, just make sure the box marked "Show logged in users" is checked and the box marked "Show logged out users" is unchecked.

Next select the search button (upper left corner, looks like a magnifying glass)

A list of all logged in users will display. You can see user information related to those users and you can send them an email by Right-clicking on the user's name and selecting "Send Mail". It will send the mail using the internal notification system or using your normal SMTP server.

For more info, visit www.inflow-tech.com.

Enovia V6 2012x - Accessing CAD data in the web client

In previous posts, I showed how to use SolidWorks while integrated with the Enovia V6 PLM system.  You can open data directly in SolidWorks to modify parts, assemblies, and drawings, but interact with Enovia at the same time.  In this video, I will be showing how engineers or other users access the SolidWorks data from the Enovia V6 web client.  This is the interface other departments will use to upload documentation, participate in processes, or view the CAD data.

 Stay tuned for more videos on Enovia V6.  I plan to submit one on synchronizing your CAD with your Engineering BOM, Engineering Change, and Program/Project Management.  For more info, visit www.inflow-tech.com.

Enovia V6 2012x SolidWorks Integration

In a previous post, I showed how users could access their CAD files using the Windows Explorer Enovia V6 client.  The Windows Explorer integration is one way to browse and open files into SolidWorks from your Enovia V6 workspace.  In this video, you will see how to use the SolidWorks integration in SolidWorks.

Many Enovia operations can be performed from the Task Pane on the right side of the SolidWorks session or from the right mouse click.  You will also be able to perform major operations from the SolidWorks command manager (the ribbon at the top of the SolidWorks session).

 

Stay tuned for more Enovia V6 videos.  Visit us on our website at www.inflow-tech.com.

Enovia V6 2012x SolidWorks Integration

With the 2012 release of Enovia V6, there is a new Enovia integration with SolidWorks.  Rumor has it the integration (called SLW) is actually being developed by the same developers of Enterprise PDM, the very popular SolidWorks PDM product.  Having used both Enovia V6 and EPDM, the SolidWorks Integrations are nearly identical.

Check out the video below.  This particular video shows one way SolidWorks users will access their SolidWorks files using the V6 client.  This Windows Explorer client shows how the Enovia workspace can integrate into Windows Explorer so that the workspace folders can be easily navigated.  The users can access files from Windows Explorer, the Enovia Web Client, or from SolidWorks.

 

Stay tuned for more videos on Enovia V6.  Check out our website at www.inflow-tech.com.

Smarteam class icon does not refresh on "save as" to new class

With V5R21 SP3 and Solidworks 2012 SP2 - Smarteam icon does not refresh in DMT if part class is saved into a different class.

1. In Solidworks, create and save a new part.
2. Save this part into Smarteam as Solidworks part class.
3. "Save as" into Smarteam as Solidworks standard part class.
4. The icon still points to the Solidworks part class.
5. Right-click in the DMT and Refresh.
6. The icon changes to Solidworks standard part class.

How do I change a users Enterprise PDM License Type?

Users are different in regards to the roles they play at your organization and how they use Solidworks Enterprise PDM.

To address this, Enterprise PDM offers several different license options.

SolidWorks Enterprise PDM License Types

Enterprise PDM uses floating client licenses. When you log in to a vault, the license installed on your system is taken from a pool of licenses that are enabled by the registered license file. When you log out or exit Enterprise PDM, the license is returned to the pool and can be used by another client.

Available licenses are:

• SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Editor & Web

  Includes these license types:

  Editor: Supports working with all file types, including management and previewing of CAD formats such as SolidWorks. CAD add-ins allow users to access Enterprise PDM from within the CAD application.

  Web: Remote users can use the WEB client to search the vault and perform basic functions to enable remote work processes.

• SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Contributor & Web

  Includes these license types:

  Contributor: Users on a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN or virtual private network (VPN) can perform the same functions as with the Editor license type, except that CAD add-ins are not enabled.

  Web: Remote users can use the WEB client to search the vault and perform basic functions to enable remote work processes.

• SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Viewer

  Allows read-only access to vaults. Users cannot add or modify (check out, check in, update values) files or use CAD add-ins.

• SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Processor License

  Grants permission to run any type of client, up to the number specified for the license.

Reference: http://help.solidworks.com/2012/English/EnterprisePDM/Admin/c_version_license_type.htm

Most of you know to select this license type during client installation. Some of you may wonder, "How do I change these licenses for a User?".

No worries! It's a very simple procedure for your Enterprise PDM Administrator.

From your Enterprise PDM Administration Tool, follow these steps...

1. Click Help > SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Administration..
2. Use the Client type drop-down list to select a different client license type.

   

3. Click OK.
4. When instructed to restart your computer, click OK.
5. Restart your computer.

That is all there is to it!

There are some other options to change the License Type If you prefer.

• Using Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs to remove Enterprise PDM and then reinstalling.
• Opening the Add/Remove Programs dialog box, and selecting SolidWorks Enterprise PDM > Change. In the SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Installation Wizard, select Modify.

For clients installed from an administrative image (via active directory deployment or a similar scripted install), you must reinstall the client using another administrative image of the specified client type.

Double Clicking on a SolidWorks File Doesn’t Do Anything!

Have you ever double clicked on one of your SolidWorks files, fully expecting it to open in SolidWorks for you to modify to your heart's desire, but instead your PC simply sits there... doing nothing.... laughing at you? Well maybe not laughing at you, but it sure feels like it is! We've come across this problem ourselves and although there are quite a few reasons for something like this to happen, there is one possibility that many might not have thought of. That possibility is that you actually told SolidWorks not to open your files ever again!

Yes, it's true. It's called "Don't ask me again". You may see this option quite a bit when you're working with SolidWorks and it can be either a solution to your everyday annoyances or the cause.

Enabling "Don't ask me again" and choosing an option will disable these pop ups and always enforce the choice that you selected. So for instance, if you try to open a part that isn't available for write access, realize that you don't want to open it as "Read Only" and choose cancel, it will always use the cancel option if you have "Don't ask me again" enabled. Therefore anything that isn't able to be written to will not open from this point forward. No messages, no pop-ups, no prompts, just confusion six months down the road. The good news is that we can bring these messages back!

To see any pop up messages that you have disabled, open up SolidWorks and go to Tools > Options > System Options > Messages/Error/Warnings. This screen will give you a list of all of the messages/errors/warnings that you have disabled in the past and check them to re-enable the prompt.

Once the message is reactivated, you will be see the prompt whenever you try and open SolidWorks files that are not available for write access! As I had mentioned before, this is only one possible solution as to why a file doesn't open with a simple double-click of the mouse. If your issue continues to occur, please feel free to contact CATI and InFlow customer support to help you out!

Best Regards,

The InFlow Technical Team

I checked out a file from my vault and it opened read only?!? Help!

Checking out a file to work with and discovering its read only can be frustrating and unfortunately it can happen periodically when working with solidworks Enterprise PDM.

Don't worry, Inflow is here to help!

Here are a few common reasons why a checked out file in a PDMWorks® Enterprise vault still opens as read-only in SolidWorks or other applications:

1. From the Solidworks Main Menu toolbar select Tools, Options, External References and check the SolidWorks option "Open referenced documents with read-only access" to ensure it is unchecked

2. Verify that you do not already have the file open in SolidWorks or another application.

Verify that the file that is being checked out is not already open as read-only in an existing SolidWorks process. Having an assembly open means that the referenced parts are already loaded in memory as read-only. Use the PDMWorks Enterprise add-in to check out files loaded in SolidWorks or ensure that the files being checked out are not already open in another application.

3. Double check your windows login profile.

It's easy to switch logins and forget your current profile. Double check this, as it can impact your vault access and therefore the file rights. Rights within the vault are still of course managed through PDMWorks® Enterprise.

If your still having issues of course Inflow Technical Support is always happy to assist our customers!

Reference SolidWorks KB: Solution Id: S-022812 and S-038600