any tips on using the new Soldworks Explorer?

help.....

 

I'm afraid to ask. What is going on?

 

It's all AFU.

I used to open files in SW Explorer by dragging a file from Windows
explorer to SW Explorer. No can do now. Have to click through whole
directory tree.

Anti-intuitive design worthy of Pro/E.

 

I just dont get it yet, trying to copy a file for example, but not getting
it yet - dont want to have to learn a whole new interface....

 

And someone was just complaining that I was expecting too much out of
SP 1 software.

Geesh - Bo

 

Lee, I think we users have to start insisting on uniform and consistent
interface standards. Apple started the public serious discussion of
"Interface Standards" and their consistency back in the Mid 80s. We are
20 years into the discussion, and indeed SolidWorks was founded, as I
understand it, on a series of principles including providing an easy to
use and consistent user interface.

Unless there is an obvious "new" way of speeding up something or
otherwise demonstrably increasing the functionality, I think SolidWorks
ought to maintain interface consistency.

Bo

 

My guess is that someone's girlfriend came up with the new design.

 

Off shore programming by spec.

 

I heard it was done on a new show coming out, 'Queer Eye for the Solidworks
Guy'

 

if you want to copy files, rename etc, use pack and go in Solidworks ,
it will copy top level down including all drawing files for associated
parts and subassemblies.

open up the file in solidworks, its in the file drop down menu.
Very very useful.

 

I agree, solidworks explorer is much more useful now.

For eg.

1: You no longer have to close the files you want to copy in
solidworks - they can stay open.

2: You no longer have to even open solidworks explorer - it's in
windows explorers context menu, just right click on your sw file and
select 'pack and go' which replaces what was called 'copy'

3: Has more options for including drawings etc.

4: Ok, the interface is frustrating but don't have an 'old dog'
attitude, it's just a new trick. I was frustrated at first with the sw
explorer interface, but once I discover points 1 and 2 I'm very happy.

Zander

 

so, can I up the revision numbe of parts using the pack-and-go thing (excuse
me for not having tried it yet). For example, here at Factory we use a
number at the end of each part name to distinguish the revision, so when I
up a revision I want to be able to up that number on each part - can I do
this with pack and go? (guess I'll go have a play too...)

Thanks

 

ok ok, I had a play, Pack ang Go does look pretty good for what I was
talking about with regards to revision and stuff.

 

Yes, you can just add a suffix, but unless they improved how that
functions it's an additive process. ie. you'll end up with a filename
like part1-rev1-rev2-rev3.sldprt

Zander

 

Yes, but the new dog has forgotten some old and useful tricks.

 

waht I mean is that I rename the part, so it starts as part_01, then it
becomes part_02. I have to do it manually, so it's laborious, but we dont
have enormous assemblies here on the whole so it's not too bad.....although
looking at the pack-and-go thing it looks as though you cant
click-pause-click to rename, you have to double click and bring up a box,
then rename and close - probably going to take longer....

 

Sounds like you need a PDM system.....PDM/Works would help. Swx
Explorer is just a file manager that handles copying designs and
renaming/replacing files and keeping all those links intact. Revision
managment is best left to a PDM program.

 

Nah, the new dog ate the old dogs and all their tricks for breakfast!
Otherwise I'd still be sitting at my drafting table...

 

Conspicuously absent trick: I can not drag a file icon into SW
Explooger to open that file in SWExpl.