Solidworks Explorer Are you using it?

[PatCouture]

Hi Everyone!

I've been working with SolidWorks for five years now and I've always manage to access my files using windows explorer. I remember opening SolidWorks explorer five years ago to see if it could be useful and closed it two minutes later and forgot about it. I'm now wondering if I may be missing something worth knowing.

By the way we don't use PDM.

If you are using Solidworks explorer would mind explaining for what specific reason? Is there a clear benefit versus windows explorer?

Thanks you in advance for sharing your experience.

Patrick

 

[ctopher]

I use it all the time. It's the only way to rename files without losing references.
If you rename in Windows Explorer, you will lose references.

Chris, CSWP
SolidWorks '16
ctophers home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[GRF]

I use it to access the PDM Workgroup Vault mostly.

I would like to at to ctopher's comments. You can rename files using a combination of Windows Explorer and Solidworks Explorer. If you find the file in Windows Explorer then right click on the file you want to rename. A command list pops up, one of those things listed with be Solidworks and it will have an arrow next to it. You can mouse over to the arrow and another list will pop up, Pack and Go, Rename, Replace and move. I have only used the rename function. It pops up the same dialog box that Solidworks Explorer gives you for a rename. I just find it easier to navigate with Windows Explorer over Solidworks Explorer. I can change folders much faster in Windows Explorer than SW Explorer. I think part of that SW Explorer checking the local file version against the vault for every file each time you change directories.

 

[PatCouture]

I'm doing much the same as GRF. I use Windows explorer to navigate to the file and right click -> SolidWorks -> Pack N Go or rename or replace or move. So I can keep all the links intact.

The purpose I see for using SolidWorks Explorer would be to change custom properties or to look at the reference files without opening SolidWorks itself.

Are there other benefits?