Mass delete of configurations

I have an assembly with about 1700 configurations. I ran into some
stability problems with this assembly, so I decided to break it up
into 4 or 5 separate assemblies. Ideally I could do a Save As Copy
five times and then edit each assembly's design table. If I do this
and remove configurations Solidworks will ask me "Configuration xxxxx
is not in the design table. Delete it?" and I have to click Yes.
There is no "Yes to all" checkbox and it ends up needing to be clicked
hundreds of times.

My next try was deleting them all from the configuration tree before
editing the design table. This works, so I wrote a macro to select
and delete all the configurations. Unfortunately, it looks like even
this method takes FOREVER to run (I think because it deletes each
configuration one at a time).

So my question is, what is the quickest way to wipe out 1700
configurations?

Ben Garvey

 

Since either way takes so long, how about going the other way. Open a new
assy file, add a design table, and paste in the Excel rows that you want in
that file. That way it will create that set in that file and the only
delete is the whole original file.

WT

 

Ok, brain fart. First you have to have the parts and mates in the assy -
duh. This would entail deleting all but one config the first time and then
using that as your starter assy file rather than a new, blank one. Sorry.

WT

 

That's a pretty good idea. It wouldn't take me long at all to remate
the assembly. I'll try it.

Ben

 

Actually, my design table is calling out the parts so that's not a
problem. I think there are only three mates in the assembly, so it
should be easy.

Ben

 

By the way, I am already finished splitting the assembly thanks to
your simple solution.

Ben