DriveWorks

Product Data Management - DriveWorks Pro Integration with Enterprise PDM

Product Data Management is a topic that we are often asked about. And because DriveWorks is so good at generating documents and data automatically, we wanted to make sure that for those companies that are interested in managing all those files that we could provide an immediate solution.

DriveWorks Pro can be set up to automatcially integrate with SolidWorks and SolidWorks Enterprise PDM to securely store all documents created by DriveWorks in the design process.

An example of how it works

1. Say you configure a cupboard in a browser, using DriveWorks Pro Live. You fill out the form including quote number, customer name, materials, dimensions etc...

 

2. When your design is complete and you click 'Release', DriveWorks Pro Autopilot starts working in the background to generate the new files.

 

3. As DriveWorks Pro Autopilot creates all the files, these are sent into the SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Vault.

 

4. When this is complete, you can open up the location where DriveWorks has saved the files: you can see the drawings, models, parts assemblies have all been automatically been checked in to the EPDM vault.

 

 

 

 

As you can see, when you configure your design on the web and click go, everything in the background has been created and checked in.

It's really easy to set up, via the settings screens in DriveWorks Pro. Just enter: Vault Name, User Name and Password, etc - and then DriveWorks takes care of the rest.

To see all of this in action, check out the EPDM Integration video on the DriveWorks Pro website.

You can also read more in the DriveWorks Pro HelpFile  

DriveWorksXpress Hands-on session at SolidWorks World 2012

At SolidWorks World 2012 one of our DriveWorks Applications Engineers will be holding a  DriveWorksXpress Hands-on session!

If you have SolidWorks, then you already have DriveWorksXpress. It's the design automation tool included in every seat of SolidWorks. Learn how to exploit this valuable tool to create multiple variations of your SolidWorks parts, drawings and assemblies automatically.

 

Everyone who attends this session will not only learn how to automate repetitive tasks using rules to reduce design time and minimize errors, but also get a FREE copy of the BRAND NEW Little Book of Rules DriveWorksXpress and DriveWorks Solo Edition.

 

This session takes place on Monday February 13th 2012 and is from 1.30pm-2.30pm.

If you have used Design Tables or microsoft excel to do any automation then it's well worth taking a look at DriveWorksXpress. 

We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

 

Getting ready for SolidWorks World 2012

What's the next big event? SolidWorks World 2012!

With the Christmas decorations now all packed away all of us here at DriveWorks are getting really excited about SolidWorks World.

 

 

This was us last year in San Antonio - Texas. Now we are looking forward to setting everything up in the stunning Sales Pavilion in the San Diego Convention Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

Do make sure you stop by our booth - NUMBER 324 - Have a chat get to know our team!

For anyone that wants to learn how to use DriveWorksXpress, one of our Applications Engineers will be running the DriveWorksXpress hands on session on Monday Feb 13th.

Don't forget DriveWorksXpress is included in EVERY seat of SolidWorks so it's certainly a presentation not to be missed!

We look forward to seeing YOU there!

Last Chance for 2011: DriveWorks Solo Headstart Webinar!

Make sure you don't miss out on your last chance this year to attend the FREE DriveWorks Solo Headstart Webinars.

 

These webinars are led by DriveWorks Solo Certified Appplications Engineers and show you just how easy it is to get started with the software!

As the New Year approaches it's time to make resolutions, learn new things and there couldn't be an easier way to learn how straightforward DriveWorks Solo is to use, than by simply signing up and sitting at the comfort of your own computer to be shown by a real expert how to get your projects up and running.

The final DriveWorks Solo Headstart Webinars for 2011 are being held on Wednesday 21st December at the following times:

 

	GMT	EST	PST
Session 1	10am – 11am	5am-6am	2am-3am
Session 2	4pm-5pm	11am-12pm	8am-9am

  

To sign up for either webinar, just click on the link below:

Session 1

Session 2

Hopefully, being close to the festive season means you will be able to have a little spare time to attend this webinar. However, if you're lucky enough to be on holiday too early to attend, or if you've got loads of Christmas orders to fulfill then why not sign up here for our webinar updates and see what's happening in the New Year!

Don't forget you can try DriveWorks Solo FREE for 30 days to make sure it really is the product for you!

Merry Christmas from everyone at DriveWorks!

How To: Rename a Project in DriveWorks Pro

You make your project and use it a few times, then for one reason or another its name has to be changed. This is simple enough and this short guide will take you through step by step to show you just how easy it is:

Once a project has been created it can be renamed quite easily. This involves usign a combination of Windows Explorer and DriveWorks Pro Data Management Tool.

1. Ensure the Group that contains the project to be renamed is not open in any DriveWorks application.

2. Locate the project files for the project to be renamed in Windows Explorer

3. Rename the project files to the name to be given to the project

Both projects must be named identically. Take care not to include any extra spaces or remove the . in between the file name and extension.

 

 

 

 

4. Launch DriveWorks Pro Data Management Tool, login to the group and select the Projects stage from the Task Explorer.

5.The old project name will be displayed in red (missing) in the projects list. Right click on the missing project and select Change Location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. In the Browse for New Locaion dialog, browse to the location where the renamed project files exist.

7. In the same dialog click the file type drop down and select All File (*.*)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Select the renamed project file (ProjectName.driveproj)

Your project now has its brand new name and is ready to use!

Answers to the majority of your questions can be found in the DriveWorks Pro Helpfile, however if you do have any other questions, contact DriveWorks at support@driveworks.co.uk

 

New Machine? How To: Return Your License Key

It happens to everyone, you buy a brand new computer, then have to put all your programmes on to the new machine and make sure they're all licensed to that new machine. At DriveWorks we want you to be able to get back into action using your DriveWorks Software on your new machine as quickly and easily as possible.

So... simply return your license from your OLD machine via the internet to our license server, and then whether that means you're lucky enough to be getting a brand new machine or just reformatting and existing one, then the license is available for you to use again when you're ready!

Here's a simple guide to show you How To Return Your DriveWorks Solo License Key:

1. Go to the Windows Start Button

2. Click through All Programs > DriveWorks Solo > DriveWorks Solo License Manager

3. Click Return License

4. Click Finish on the License Management wizard once it is complete

And to return your DriveWorks Pro License Key:

1. Go to the Windows Start Button

2. Click through All programs > DriveWorks (program group)

3. Select the license that is to be returned and click View

4. Click Return License

5. Click Finish on the License management Wizard once it is complete

 

Then just do all your changes to your machine and activate the same code again which you can access through the DriveWorks Solo/DriveWorks Pro websites. Then you are back in action! 

 

The key thing with this is making sure you return the license BEFORE you make the changes to your machine, or BEFORE you need to activate it on your new machine!

 

This procedure is really quick and easy, but if you do come across any difficulties, then just drop us an email at licensing@driveworks.co.uk and we'll get it sorted for you!

For help with other queries, why not check out our online HelpFiles

DriveWorks Solo:

http://help.driveworkssolo.com/

DriveWorks Pro:

 http://docs.driveworkspro.com/

SolidWorks User Group of Manchester RELAUNCH meeting!

SolidWorks User Group of Manchester

(SWUGOM)

On the evening of 5th December, people from various walks of life (engineers, students, lecturers) braved the hailstones, snow, rain and winds of the North West to attend the relauch of 'The SolidWorks User Group of Manchester' at our offices.

 

The event was a huge success, with over 30 people seeing the presentations. There was plentiful food, supplied by Greenfields deli, around the corner from the office. It all went down very well and certainly made an impressive welcome for the attendees.

 

User Group leader, Gareth Rogers started the meeting off by announcing the re-launch of the group and setting a competition for all SWUGOM members - to design a new logo that will be used on the website and in all future work for the SWUGOM. The winner of this competition will be lucky enough to receive a SpaceMouse Pro courtesy of 3D Connexion! A fantastic prize for any designer or engineer, I'm sure there'll be countless entries for this competition! Especially as everyone had the chance to have a go with one (see photo)!

Glen Smith kicked off the presentations on the benefits of being a  'Certifed SolidWorks professional' (CSWP)  and the steps involved to achieve the certification.  

Adam Papworth from Liverpool John Moores Unversity gave a presentation on the benefits of work placements.  Then it was time for more food.

After this, Craig Darrall from Laser Lines  did a presentation on the increasingly popular topic of 3D Printing, this certainy created a lot of interest with everyone going away eager to investigate further!

The keynote speaker for the event was Andy Deighton  SolidWorks Territory Manager for Northern Europe, giving a presentation on SolidWorks 2012.

With everyone attending clearly being a SolidWorks User, they were all keen to learn as much as possible from a SolidWorks expert like Andy! His presentation went down really well, helping everyone learn as much as possible about what is new in SolidWorks 2012.

Everyone then had the opportunity the get their hands on some of the SolidWorks swag. Every attendee was also lucky enough to get  FREE copy of Develop3D magazine and the chance to sign up for a subscription!

Thank you to all the sponsors!

All in all a brilliant success.

So now it's your chance! If you are a SolidWorks User in the North West of England, why not join the group or attend the next meeting which is also being held at the DriveWorks offices, on Monday 12th March. Make sure you're there, it's a great networking opportunity not to be missed.

For anymore info visit the SWUGOM website

or email SWUGOM leader Gareth Rogers: info@swugom.co.uk

DriveWorks - Appearing at a SolidWorks Reseller Event Near You!

Over the past couple of months there have been countless SolidWorks Reseller events all over the world, spreading the word about SolidWorks 2012!

 

DriveWorks software (along with our DriveWorks Solo pop-up banners) has been popping up at as many as possible, here are just a few:

DriveWorks Seminar at the Alignex Event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

DriveWorks at the 3D Vision Event:

            

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

DriveWorks at the Graphics System Corporation event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

DriveWorks at the Solid Solutions Management Events:

 

DriveWorks at the DASI Event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

DriveWorks at the CATI event

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've been at many more events, but if I put all the photos on here, it would take up the whole blog! See our Facebook Page for more details of where we've been and where we're going next!

DriveWorks Office - The Perfect Location to Hold a SolidWorks User Group Event!

As the days get shorter and colder and the festive season approaches, celebrations are needed to keep everyone's enthusiasm for design as high as ever.

 

Therefore, on 5th December 2011 the DriveWorks office complete with festive lights (!!) is the venue for the SolidWorks User Group of Manchester (SWUGOM) event. The event is open to all SolidWorks Users in the North West of the UK!

The event will be presented by the SWUGOM User Group Leader - Gareth Rogers and promises to be one of the best meetings yet!

 One reason this event is guaranteed to be so memorable, is Andy Deighton, who is the SolidWorks Territory Manager for the WHOLE of Northern Europe is coming along to talk about SolidWorks 2012!

 

There will also be a copy of the Develop3D Magazine available for EVERY attendee!

 

If you're a SolidWorks User in the Manchester area on the evening on 5th December, then just click to register here. It's an opportunity not to be missed, especially when the office will be looking so Christmassy!

 

For more information look on the SWUGOM website (www.swugom.co.uk) or email Gareth directly (info@cadineer.co.uk).

 

 

Become an Expert! - FREE DriveWorks Solo Online Training Sessions

  

 Learn from the experts - become an expert!

 

The FREE DriveWorks Solo Online Training Sessions are run by DriveWorks Solo Certified Application Engineers.

You will be taken through a  sample project within DriveWorks Solo to really get to grips with how easy the software is to use!

 

Training Includes:

 

• Session 1: Model Capture, Creating Forms, Building Rules, Running your Project, New File Names and Locations. 

 

• Session 2: Replacing Files, Table, Form Navigation, Improving Your Forms, Driving Replacement Files, Controlling Custom Properties.

 

• Session 3: Documents, Controlling Drawings

 

Simply sign up on the links below and become a DriveWorks Solo whiz!

 

• Session 1: Tuesday November 22nd - 4pm-5pm (GMT)
• Session 2: Wednesday November 23rd - 4pm-5pm (GMT)
• Session 3: Thursday November 24th - 4pm-5pm (GMT)

 

After attending the online training, your ability to automate will be automatic!