Saving & Using SOLIDWORKS Templates Utilizing the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

This article will explain how to either create a new or use an existing SOLIDWORKS template and store it within the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

SOLIDWORKS templates are the first thing you always use when creating a new Part, Assembly, or Drawing file.

A shared collection of templates for SOLIDWORKS users should be available to all members of your design team to preserve consistency. Storing and maintaining templates in the cloud is possible when SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform are linked. To find out how to access templates from the Platform while creating a new file and how to save a SOLIDWORKS Template file to 3DEXPERIENCE, continue reading.

 

Creating a SOLIDWORKS Template to store on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

 

Creating a new Template:

1. Start a new Part, Assembly, or Drawing from an existing template.
2. Modify your template by setting the Tools | Options | Document Properties options. A template can contain additional features like notes, custom properties, and reference geometry.
3. Click File | Save As… and select the appropriate Template Type from the “Save as type:” pull-down.
4. Save this template file locally on the machine (Selecting a template type will default to the first template path under System Options | File Locations | Document Templates).
   1. Note: The template file must be saved locally before being saved to the platform.
5. The template file extension is displayed at the top of the SOLIDWORKS Window (shown in the screenshot below).

The template file is ready to be published to the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform by following the instructions below while it is open in the SOLIDWORKS Window.

Saving the Template to the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform:

1.  Check the Collaborative Space shown at the top of the “MySession” window within the       3DExperience tab in the Task Pane. This is the collaborative space where the template will be saved, and only members of that space can access it after it is saved.

2.  Right-click the File Name (ANSI_IN_HQ) in the “MySession” window and select Save with Options.

3.  Selecting Save with Options launches a “Create Template – Collaborative Space Here” window.

Choose either “Create as Released” or “Create as Draft”.

• Create as Released will set the template to the Released maturity state, making it available to users within the collaborative space.
• Create as Draft will set the template to the Private maturity state; only the file owner can see it.

Once the template file is saved to the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, other users can utilize it from within SOLIDWORKS.

Using Templates from the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Collaborative Space

To begin a new Part, Assembly, or Drawing using platform templates, connect to the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, open SOLIDWORKS, and select File | New.

In the “New SOLIDWORKS Document” window, click the “Advanced” button to show multiple tabs. Select the 3DEXPERIENCE tab, this will show all templates stored within the current collaborative space.

These 3DEXPERIENCE Template files shown on this tab were automatically downloaded from the platform when SOLIDWORKS was launched or when a new template was added. This happens in the background, while SOLIDWORKS was establishing a connection to the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform, a local copy of the template files was saved to this location:

C:\Users\[USER]\AppData\Local\DassaultSystemes\CATTemp\ENOUSWC\Resources\[TENANT]\Templates\3DEXPERIENCE\

One of the most effective methods for ensuring your team complies with company standards is to store your SOLIDWORKS Templates in your 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. Additionally, sharing and downloading templates automatically eliminates the need to configure these file locations across all computers manually.