What Happened to SolidWorks Explorer?
If you’re a SolidWorks user, you may have noticed that SolidWorks Explorer has disappeared from recent versions of the software. So, what happened to it? In this article, we’ll explore the fate of SolidWorks Explorer and discuss alternatives for managing your SolidWorks files.
The Rise and Fall of SolidWorks Explorer
SolidWorks Explorer was a standalone application provided by Dassault Systèmes, the company behind SolidWorks. It was designed to help users manage their SolidWorks files by providing a Windows Explorer-like interface with additional features specific to SolidWorks files.
Why was it popular?
- Easy file management: With its intuitive interface, users could easily navigate through their assembly structures and view file properties.
- Batch operations: Users could perform batch operations like renaming files, replacing references, or changing configurations across multiple assemblies.
- File searching: The application allowed users to search for specific files based on various criteria such as file name or custom properties.
What happened?
In recent versions of SolidWorks, Dassault Systèmes decided to retire SolidWorks Explorer and integrate its functionality into the main software itself. This decision aimed to streamline the user experience and reduce reliance on separate applications.
The Alternative: SolidWorks PDM
If you’re missing the file management capabilities provided by SolidWorks Explorer, don’t worry! Dassault Systèmes offers an alternative called SolidWorks PDM (Product Data Management).
SolidWorks PDM is a data management system that helps teams organize and control their design files. It provides a centralized vault to store all your SolidWorks files, ensuring that everyone works with the latest versions and avoids conflicting changes.
Key features of SolidWorks PDM:
- Version control: Keep track of different versions of your files and easily revert to previous versions if needed.
- Check-in/check-out: Prevent multiple users from modifying the same file simultaneously, avoiding conflicts.
- File searching: Quickly find files based on various search criteria, including custom properties and metadata.
The Benefits of SolidWorks PDM
SolidWorks PDM offers several advantages over SolidWorks Explorer:
- Seamless integration: Since SolidWorks PDM is integrated directly into the SolidWorks user interface, you don’t need to switch between applications to manage your files.
- Collaboration: SolidWorks PDM enables teams to work collaboratively on projects, ensuring everyone has access to the latest designs.
- Data security: With centralized file storage and access control, SolidWorks PDM helps protect your intellectual property by managing user permissions and preventing unauthorized access.
In Conclusion
In summary, SolidWorks Explorer has been replaced by SolidWorks PDM as the recommended solution for managing your SolidWorks files. While it may take some time to adjust to the change, SolidWorks PDM offers enhanced functionality and integration within the SolidWorks environment. Consider upgrading to SolidWorks PDM for efficient file management and improved collaboration within your design team.