Cool idea or rubbish? (Windows thumbnails and Solidworks)

Is there way to print, (easily and in order), the SW working directory as
viewed when using the thumbnail option?

I think this would be very useful, when storing drawings in a binder, for
quick reference and also for ensuring that the name you choose for a part is
easily seen by others.

 

Windows explorer >> PrintScrn >> paste into a word document

 

Not quite but good try! lol

This just gives the whole screen with everything on "that" view.
Now add 1500 documents to that directory and it becomes a pain in the butt
to keep in order!

 

I guess I'm not clear on what you're after then...

 

I would guess Pete is looking for a concept similar to a photographic
"contact sheet".

Off hand, I don't know of any method to do that.

 

You can get directory ( folder) printing software that will print out the
directory (folder)listing in order, but this is normally just plain text, I
want the same thing but with using the thumbnail views.

This way I can have a quick pictorial reference at the front of a printed
document binder. Anyone could then see, at a glance, the document file that
they want.

For example:-
You take your photos to be developed, and you get a thumbnail reference card
so that you can order more, just by quoting the code under each thumbnail.

I hope this makes more sense

 

That is exactly what I am after, you just piped me on the post!
Thank you Dave.

 

Snagit has a function where it can do a screen capture of any window
even if it has to scroll the window. You can get a jpg out of it that
is say 800 pixels wide and 2400 pixels long, which has all of the
thumbnails on it. Further, in the XPTC there are instructions for
tweeking the registry to adjust the size of the thumbnails.

 

Thank you Matt, Snagit is the perfect program for what I have in mind!

 

Also have a look at Picasa available for free from Google.com. It
creates an index of all specified folders and reads jpeg, tiff, bmp,
gif, png, as well as some others. It can also print a 'contact sheet'.

 

Apart from that it can not read soldworks thumbnails, so is completely crap
for what I want and has wasted my time FOOL.

 

Hey, maybe a bit rough on the fellow? At least he took his time to make a
suggestion, although not quite appropriate for what you wanted. Maybe
there's more to this situation than I know, but my impression from this side
suggests an apology might be in order.

WT

 

You are quite right Wayne, my most humble apology sent out.

Bad day at the office and directors wanting something for nothing, no excuse
I know, but hey! we all have our off days

I will count to ten next time and kick a cat or something, (ONLY kidding I
love cats )
HeHe!!!!!!

Now back to the directors, ding ding round two!

 

Well to complete rmont's idea, you can use SolidWorks task scheduler to
save all your drawing as Jpeg's and then use Picasa to print the
contact sheets. In fact with this combo you could even have pictures
of every sheet in a drawing, not just the last active one when saved.

Definitely count to ten next time. The group works because everyone is
willing to share their ideas. And for example, his start allowed me to
complete the idea. I would not have thought of Picasa let alown known
it can print contact sheets.

 

Hi Mr Who

Where in the task scheduler is the option to save as Jpegs?

Thanks
Pete

 

You would have to write a macro to iterate through a directory and spit
them out. It's not that hard. If I have some free time (if ever) I
will see about making one. It would be a pretty cool thing to have for
many people. I think...

 

I agree about it that being a cool macro.

Every part required for a sub-assembly could be kept in a pictorial form on
a contact sheet, so that when documents are required you and the production
team could see at a glance, which are required and which are only for
reference.

 

Well I'm a sucker for helping people out so here you go. This
doo-hickey will open any solidworks file type you specify and save it
as any file type you want.

http://209.123.84.162/solidworks/ and download SaveAsTool.swb

To use:
1. Launch SW Task Scheduler
2. Run Custom Task from left sidebar
3. Under macro file path specify the file you just downloaded
4. Under parameter names enter c:\temp, .slddrw, .jpg for example.
5. Run it. I assume you have a c:\temp directory to which I can write
a failure log to. Note that only solidworks documents are currently
supported. slddrw, sldprt, sldasm, drw, prt, asm.