SolidWorks 2009 CAD Administration Tips & Tricks

SolidWorks 2009 SolidWorks 2009 CAD CAD

Administration Administration Tips & TricksTips & Tricks

Background & Background & ExperienceExperience

Solidworks user and Admin for over ten Solidworks user and Admin for over ten yearsyears

CAD Administrator of Solidworks and CAD Administrator of Solidworks and AutocadAutocad

Computer IT Professional Computer IT Professional Solidworks CSWP CertifiedSolidworks CSWP Certified Solidworks User Group Leader - Hickory, Solidworks User Group Leader - Hickory,

NCNC Current CAD Admin / Mechanical DesignerCurrent CAD Admin / Mechanical Designer

Jaybeam Wireless Hickory, NCJaybeam Wireless Hickory, NC

Session TopicsSession Topics

Solidworks AdministrationSolidworks Administration Hardware requirementsHardware requirements Software requirementsSoftware requirements Integration planIntegration plan User trainingUser training Support and MaintenanceSupport and Maintenance DocumentationDocumentation Disaster RecoveryDisaster Recovery Installation Example – Case StudyInstallation Example – Case Study

Hardware RequirementsHardware Requirements

See Solidworks recommended See Solidworks recommended hardwarehardware MemoryMemory

Size / AllocationSize / Allocation Video CardVideo Card

Certified DriversCertified Drivers CPUCPU

Core architecture / SpeedCore architecture / Speed NetworkNetwork

Speed / TopologySpeed / Topology

Hardware RequirementsHardware Requirements

RAM MemoryRAM Memory

Hardware RequirementsHardware Requirements

32 bit Memory Addresses <4GB32 bit Memory Addresses <4GB 3GB Switch Option3GB Switch Option

Hardware RequirementsHardware Requirements

64 bit Memory addresses >4GB 64 bit Memory addresses >4GB MemoryMemory

ProsPros Allows opening of very large assembliesAllows opening of very large assemblies Allows intense FEA tasksAllows intense FEA tasks Enables complex rendering of Photoworks Enables complex rendering of Photoworks

projectsprojectsConsCons

Limited software choicesLimited software choices Limited hardware driver supportLimited hardware driver support

Hardware RequirementsHardware Requirements

Video Card - SolidWorks Certified Video Card - SolidWorks Certified DriversDrivers

Hardware RequirementsHardware Requirements

CPUCPU Quad Core / Dual Core / Hyper threading Quad Core / Dual Core / Hyper threading

OffOff CPU speed matters CPU speed matters

Hardware RequirementsHardware Requirements

NetworkNetwork

Network speed 10/100/1000 or fiberNetwork speed 10/100/1000 or fiber Robust Routers, Switches & HubsRobust Routers, Switches & Hubs Enterprise vs Consumer gradeEnterprise vs Consumer grade Topology – ComplexityTopology – Complexity Network TrafficNetwork Traffic

Software RequirementsSoftware Requirements Solidworks flavor of choice or budgetSolidworks flavor of choice or budget

Standard, Office, Professional or PremiumStandard, Office, Professional or Premium

MAC if you dare to be differentMAC if you dare to be different Windows 2003 Server OS (for network Windows 2003 Server OS (for network

files)files)

Integration PlanIntegration Plan

How will you utilize Solidworks?How will you utilize Solidworks? Legacy data use and managementLegacy data use and management

Cadkey, Mechanical Desktop, DWG and Cadkey, Mechanical Desktop, DWG and othersothers

Company standards complianceCompany standards compliance Solidworks API and customizationSolidworks API and customization

IT / Engineering integrationIT / Engineering integration Multi-site, Multi-version, PDM, SQLMulti-site, Multi-version, PDM, SQL

Workflow considerationsWorkflow considerations

User TrainingUser Training

Solidworks EssentialsSolidworks Essentials Specialized TrainingSpecialized Training CSWA, CSWPCORE etc…CSWA, CSWPCORE etc… Windows File ManagementWindows File Management Company StandardsCompany Standards Best PracticesBest Practices Data management policiesData management policies

Support & MaintenanceSupport & Maintenance

Subscription supportSubscription support Service packs & updatesService packs & updates Technical SupportTechnical Support Portal AccessPortal Access

Hardware SupportHardware Support Dell or HP (tech support)Dell or HP (tech support) Homebuilt Clone (self support)Homebuilt Clone (self support)

DocumentationDocumentation

Solidworks install & setupSolidworks install & setup License ComplianceLicense Compliance Shared settingsShared settings

User TrainingUser Training Performance reviewPerformance review Productivity gainsProductivity gains

Solidworks Support IssuesSolidworks Support Issues Justify software maintenance expenseJustify software maintenance expense Track recurring issues by case numberTrack recurring issues by case number

Disaster RecoveryDisaster Recovery

What if your system fails?What if your system fails? Backup documentationBackup documentation Employee leaves or absenceEmployee leaves or absence Hardware failureHardware failure Software re-installationSoftware re-installation Equipment upgrade or obsolescenceEquipment upgrade or obsolescence Natural disastersNatural disasters

Disaster RecoveryDisaster Recovery

Use the free Windows Backup UtilityUse the free Windows Backup Utility Non-Network backupsNon-Network backups

33rdrd Party Backup Software Party Backup Software Backup open files or network sharesBackup open files or network shares

Create scheduled backups of dataCreate scheduled backups of data Nightly, Weekly, Monthly, Offsite CopyNightly, Weekly, Monthly, Offsite Copy

Test data recovery from backups oftenTest data recovery from backups often Many just think they have good backups!Many just think they have good backups!

Available ResourcesAvailable Resources

Solidworks Administration GuideSolidworks Administration Guide Solidworks ForumsSolidworks Forums Solidworks Knowledge BaseSolidworks Knowledge Base User GroupsUser Groups Your Solidworks ResellerYour Solidworks Reseller Solidworks WorldSolidworks World

SWX 2009 Admin InstallSWX 2009 Admin Install

The next slides show an admin The next slides show an admin image installation of Solidworks image installation of Solidworks 20092009

Verify Anti-Virus Verify Anti-Virus CompatibilityCompatibility

DVD Installation MethodDVD Installation Method

The next slides show an admin The next slides show an admin image installation of SolidWorks image installation of SolidWorks 2009 using the DVD2009 using the DVD

You may also use the SolidWorks You may also use the SolidWorks Portal to download, install and Portal to download, install and update admin images.update admin images.

Enter SWX Serial Number Here

If not a clean install number will populate

automatically

Option to get Current Service

Pack

DefaultChoice

Select to create Admin Image

Select if SP Update & Select Admin Image

Path

Select this only if you need it.

Warning! This will install the PDMW server on the

local machine

If PDM Server Selected, If PDM Server Selected, then…then…

It will be installed It will be installed locally!locally!

Allow Firewall Ports Allow Firewall Ports required to enable required to enable PDMserver accessPDMserver access

Enabled by default

Not Required for PDM Server

This will install during

Client Installations

Vault Server Storage Vault Server Storage FolderFolder

ClientClient

Choose components to Choose components to installinstall

Vault Admin needed only to

manage PDM Vault

Should use highest level SolidWorks SN

for Admin Image Creation

Default Setting

Best for Multiple Release installations

07’ 08’ 09’ etc.

Network shared Toolbox

Or…Stand alone

Toolbox

Postpone if large downloads should

run during off hours

Anticipation…Anticipation…

All good things take All good things take time…time…

C’mon#@%!

Enter Your Company InfoEnter Your Company Info

This means that Clients must have R/W permissions to the

Admin Image folder

Just a reminderJust a reminder

Admin Director HelpAdmin Director Help

Give SolidWorks Give SolidWorks FeedbackFeedback

Option to learn moreOption to learn more

Admin Image DirectoryAdmin Image Directory

Copy this entire directory to

create a portable Admin Image

Verify PDMW Vault Service Verify PDMW Vault Service StartedStarted

Defragment Your SystemDefragment Your System

Keeps things running Keeps things running faster…faster…

SWX 2009 Client AdminSWX 2009 Client Admin

The next slides show how to prepare The next slides show how to prepare your admin image to enable client your admin image to enable client installationsinstallations

Access the Option EditorAccess the Option Editor

Run: sldadminoptioneditor.ex

e

Your Serial

Number as required

Use when SP upgrade

req’d

Use to track who’s activated

what

Add Clients (machines)Add Clients (machines)

SWX 2009 Admin Client SWX 2009 Admin Client InstallInstall

The next slides show how to install The next slides show how to install Solidworks at a client from an admin Solidworks at a client from an admin image.image.

Clients must have write access to the Clients must have write access to the admin image folder to execute the admin image folder to execute the installation.installation.

From the client, navigate to the admin From the client, navigate to the admin image installation and excecute the image installation and excecute the StartSWInstall.hta file. Or send an email StartSWInstall.hta file. Or send an email with a link.with a link.

Set Permissions for Set Permissions for AccessAccess

Email Link ExampleEmail Link Example

Email links can be Email links can be blocked…blocked…

so…so…

Click to InstallClick to Install

Verify Internet Explorer Verify Internet Explorer SettingsSettings

If installer won’t run…If installer won’t run…

Ready to startup Ready to startup SolidWorksSolidWorks

Just Click Accept…Just Click Accept…

Just Say No!Just Say No!

Updates should be done Updates should be done via updated Admin Imagevia updated Admin Image

Verify your client Verify your client installation SP0.0installation SP0.0

Setup ToolboxSetup Toolbox

Clean new interface…Clean new interface…

Helps to prevent

“Big Bolt Syndrome”

Determine your Determine your requirementsrequirements

No Save Button… Just No Save Button… Just CloseClose

Now you may need to apply Now you may need to apply company specific settings for each company specific settings for each client installation.client installation.

Use Copy Settings .reg file to apply Use Copy Settings .reg file to apply settings.settings. This may be done using local, login or This may be done using local, login or

other scripts.other scripts. You may allow users to setup their own You may allow users to setup their own

preferences.preferences.

Be AwareBe Aware

Verify System OptionsVerify System Options

Congratulations!Congratulations!

Use Solidworks RX for Use Solidworks RX for MaintenanceMaintenance

RX can automate routine cleanup.RX can automate routine cleanup.

Windows Desktop Search Windows Desktop Search SettingsSettings

The next slides show how to setup WDS The next slides show how to setup WDS settings for optimum effectiveness.settings for optimum effectiveness.

Even if you allow Solidworks to install Even if you allow Solidworks to install indexing, you will need to update it to indexing, you will need to update it to the latest version.the latest version. Google WDS or Windows Desktop SearchGoogle WDS or Windows Desktop Search Download the file(s)Download the file(s) Install it and then configure it, don’t use Install it and then configure it, don’t use

defaultsdefaults

Study WDS Search Study WDS Search AbilitiesAbilities

Solidworks uses the index to find things Solidworks uses the index to find things very quickly within Solidworks interface.very quickly within Solidworks interface.

PDMWorks Workgroup and Explorer PDMWorks Workgroup and Explorer utilize it.utilize it.

Outlook is indexed by defaultOutlook is indexed by default May slow performance if outlook is loadedMay slow performance if outlook is loaded

Network Shared Directories can be Network Shared Directories can be includedincluded Use UNC path for these locationsUse UNC path for these locations

Setup Standard SettingsSetup Standard Settings

The next slides show how to setup The next slides show how to setup shared settings for Solidworks in a shared settings for Solidworks in a networked environment.networked environment.

Shared Network LocationShared Network Location

Default TemplatesDefault Templates

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

Be careful with this one!Be careful with this one!

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

Caution -Search paths change Caution -Search paths change dynamicallydynamically

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

File LocationsFile Locations

Hole Wizard / ToolboxHole Wizard / Toolbox

For Shared ToolboxFor Shared Toolbox

Crash RecoveryCrash Recovery

External ReferencesExternal References

Use Caution - Setup for your needsUse Caution - Setup for your needs

CollaborationCollaboration

Use Caution – Watch Lightweight Use Caution – Watch Lightweight ModeMode

Design LibraryDesign Library

Customize your LibraryCustomize your Library

ToolboxToolbox

Customize your Toolbox - StreamlineCustomize your Toolbox - Streamline

User InterfaceUser Interface

Customize with macro Buttons / Customize with macro Buttons / HotkeysHotkeys

Standard Start Standard Start TemplatesTemplates

Reduce redundant workReduce redundant work

Copy Settings for ReuseCopy Settings for Reuse Enforce Standard Shared SettingsEnforce Standard Shared Settings Capture and archive settingsCapture and archive settings

Good Luck…Good Luck…

Continually learn what’s newContinually learn what’s new Stay on top of Service Packs and issuesStay on top of Service Packs and issues Monitor your standards and practicesMonitor your standards and practices Makes life easier for you and everyone…Makes life easier for you and everyone…

Visit Visit www.solidworks.com\www.solidworks.com\ for admin for admin guideguide

For More InfoFor More Info

Send your requests to:Send your requests to:

http://www.freewebs.com/hswug/conthttp://www.freewebs.com/hswug/contactus.htmactus.htm

Rodney HallRodney Hall

CatawbaValleySWUG@gmail.comCatawbaValleySWUG@gmail.com