New Toolbox ER

[pdelnet]

There was a thread a while back about Enhancement Requests - this is my new wish. If others like this one please submit it as well.

If someone knows something I don't about using "Toolbox" please feel free to enlighten me.

When using "Toolbox" to insert hardware items, bolts nuts washer etc. it would be nice if the directory the copies are stored could be selected in the "Design Library" Task Pane Tab instead of/or as well as, having to set it in the "Toolbox - Configure" dialoge box.
I frequently put hardware in the wrong job directory when I am working on multiple projects at the same time. It would also be convenient reminder of the directory that is set if it is visible when dragging hardware items into an assembly.


SW 2009 SP3.0
Dell Inc. Precision WorkStation 670
4096 Meg, Quadro FX 1400
DUAL DELL 2007FP DISPLAY
Windows XP PRO SP3

 

[ctopher]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding?
You can add the toolbox in the Design Library, then drag and drop parts into assy.

Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[pdelnet]

In Toolbox user settings, one of the options is to create a copy of part when you drag a toolbox item into the assembly (the copied file location is set in the dialoged box) as well as creating a configuration in the original toolbox model. I use this because we can assign our suppliers part numbers to the hardware size once, and then just re-use it as needed. However I prefer to have the actual models in the job directory for the assembly being created.

Who knows - maybe I am the one misunderstanding...

SW 2009 SP3.0
Dell Inc. Precision WorkStation 670
4096 Meg, Quadro FX 1400
DUAL DELL 2007FP DISPLAY
Windows XP PRO SP4.1

 

[EEnd]

A more typical process is to save the fasteners to a project independent location, often a network drive shared by all SW users. Here we try to tuck them away in a structure that mirrors the toolbox so that they are easier to find. There is some effort involved in using a new fastener: insert it into an assembly, delete it, file it away, set up its part number and other properties and then use it. But once they are made they are easy to use.

What advantage do you get from having the fasteners in the job folder?

Eric

 

[pdelnet]

I tried the network way of a shared toolbox, but with a less than totally reliable network I just cant risk the issues that creates, for more than just toolbox, all my files are stored and worked on locally. The advantage of keeping the hardware models in the same folder as the job is that the models are always there, no matter where the folder gets copied. No missing links, lost references etc. We don’t use any official PDM system and we do re-use data from previous jobs frequently. When I use a new bolt for the first time I save it in toolbox with the actual supplier part number, this creates a new configuration in the toolbox part and also creates a "clone" of this part in the directory specified file location. No hardware issues no matter what future version of SW or toolbox.

SW 2009 SP4.1
Dell Inc. Precision WorkStation 670
4096 Meg, Quadro FX 1400
DUAL DELL 2007FP DISPLAY
Windows XP PRO SP3