File Management
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      3. File Management

      3DEXPERIENCE Title and File Name, What’s the Difference?

      This article will explain the difference between the Title and File Name on the 3DExperience Platform.

      The 3DEXPERIENCE Title is used for managing files on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, but how does this differ from the file name? This is the question we will answer in this tech tip article.

      Even if model names change or are transferred to other projects, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides a reliable way to manage SOLIDWORKS model files, ensuring all references are kept up to date. To ensure that parts, assemblies, and drawings remain connected and update parametrically, SOLIDWORKS utilizes references.

      The platform's approach to file management differs significantly. We can control a 3DEXPERIENCE Title identification that can be easily modified without concern for broken references, compared to using file names to keep models organized.

      3DXTitle_vs_FileNamePic_01

      Windows File Management & SOLIDWORKS PDM

      We've grown accustomed to the File Name as a distinct identifier for Windows and SOLIDWORKS PDM. It is the file name that is stored in various folders on the hard disk. Multiple files with the same name may exist in different folders (for PDM, this depends on the "Duplicate File Name Check" settings). Just so you know, without using SOLIDWORKS PDM, changing a file name or folder structure may unavoidably result in issues with file references.

      3DEXPERIENCE File Management

      The strategy employed by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform differs. All the files are saved to a single local cache folder with distinct file names, as Windows still needs a file name to save a local copy to the disk. The file name is irrelevant after it has been saved to the platform, and there is no way to edit it once it is there. With the Title attribute, we can now manage the name on the platform. This is easily changed at any time. Instead of storing files in different folders, the Bookmark Editor handles organization. References are not broken because the files are not renamed or relocated to a different folder.

      Terminology

      The 3DEXPERIENCE platform has several key terms related to file management. Here is a brief explanation; however, the title is the primary and most crucial element.

       

      1. File Name
        This is the name of the file saved to the local folder in Windows. Once the file is saved to the platform, it is locked and cannot be changed and will prevent any broken references. If two files were saved to the platform with the same name, the local cache will apply a unique file name as Windows cannot have files with the same name in the same folder.
      2. Name
        This is a unique 3DEXPERIENCE identifier used to differentiate an object in a Collaborative Space.
      3. File Title
        This is a 3DEXPERIENCE attribute that helps organize your models. This applies to the CAD Family, physical product, 3DShape, and drawing title.
      4. Title
        Essentially the same as the File Title; however, this attribute is also referred to as the Physical Product Title.
        • If a part or assembly has more than one configuration, the Title keeps them separate by adding the configuration name in parentheses, for example, “PartName(ConfigName)”.
        • For a drawing, this could be the file title of the referenced part or assembly, or its unique file title.
      5. Component Name
        This is a unique identifier for SOLIDWORKS that shows in the MySession tab, which includes the instance number of the component in an assembly.  This is linked to the File Title.  Changes to the File Title will also change the Component Name.

      3DXTitle_vs_FileNamePic_02

      Renaming the 3DEXPERIENCE Title

      Since the file name will never change, the SOLIDWORKS references remain intact when the Title Is Renamed. This can be changed by right-clicking the top of the FeatureManager Design Tree and selecting “Rename Title…”.

      3DXTitle_vs_FileNamePic_03

      Matching Drawing Title to Referenced Part/Assembly Title

      The title of a drawing is commonly set to match that of the referenced model. The 3DEXPERIENCE task pane options allow this to be automated. Start by clicking on Settings and then select the option “Use part or assembly title as new drawing title”. Then you can select either “Only when first saved” or “On every save.”.

      3DXTitle_vs_FileNamePic_04

      BONUS: The platform offers a setting that allows you to block duplicate titles; refer to this article for more information.