Setting Up Derived Outputs for SOLIDWORKS Files on The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

After you’ve created your SOLIDWORKS part, assembly, or drawing, you may need to save this file as a PDF, STEP, or DXF file. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform allows you to create these derived outputs to generate based on automatic triggers or manually.

Using automatically derived outputs can greatly speed up your documentation creation by offloading the manual efforts to the cloud-based engine. This article will focus on setting up derived outputs on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform so the files can be created automatically.

Methods for Creating Derived Outputs

Synchronous Converter (Conversion at Save)

There is a synchronous converter that generates the output at the same time as a CAD operation. An example of this would be saving a PDF each time the SOLIDWORKS drawing is saved to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

• Advantages: Derived outputs are always synchronized at save, no requirement for additional converter, and the derived output is generated quickly.
• Disadvantages: Save performance is slower, a limited number of formats are available, and the derived output is generated only on save.

Asynchronous Converter (Conversion Based on Events)

There is an asynchronous converter that generates the output at the same time as an event. An example of this would be saving a PDF during a state change, such as when the drawing is released. This type of converter requires an additional converter tool to operate.

The Derived Format Converter application can be installed from the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which will process the generation of outputs. This can be set up on the individual’s computer o,r the platform administration can set up dedicated workstations to process jobs from all members.

• Advantages: The saving performance is faster, there are more formats available, and generated after an event of your choosing.
• Disadvantages: Not always synchronized and up to date, can require another converter, and can require more licenses or workstations.

Derived Format Management and Adding Conversion Rules

The platform administrator is responsible for configuring derived outputs in their platform. It’s best to set up these before adding content, but if they are added, you may receive a notice to reload the server cache or need SOLIDWORKS to be restarted for the user.

To add conversion rules, navigate to the Platform Management dashboard and open the Content tab. From here, you can use the Derived Formats Management tool in the Collaborative Spaces Configuration Center to review existing rules or add new conversion rules. Once a rule has been saved, it needs to be deleted and re-created if you want to change it.

Setting Up SOLIDWORKS Synchronous Derived Outputs

The synchronous converter generates the derived output at the same time as the SOLIDWORKS file is saved to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. For example, you can generate STEP files when a SOLIDWORKS Part is saved to a 3D Space.

To set up synchronous derived outputs for SOLIDWORKS files:

1. Navigate to the Derived Format Management tool.
2. Select SOLIDWORKS (Synchronous, at save) as your Converter.
3. Specify the source and target file formats.
4. Click OK to create the conversion rule.

Creating a synchronous output rule

Once this is created, the files will be created automatically when saved to 3DEXPERIENCE using the SOLIDWORKS Connector. During the save, the derived output will be generated and attached to the part or drawing file on 3DEXPERIENCE. From the bookmark on 3DEXPERIENCE, anyone can now access that PDF by going to the information of the file and going to the Derived Outputs tab.

Viewing the derived outputs in a bookmark on 3DEXPERIENCE

Setting Up SOLIDWORKS Asynchronous Derived Outputs

The asynchronous converter requires the use of the Derived Format Converter, which is an app to be installed from 3DEXPERIENCE. With it configured, you can set up derived outputs to generate when files are released in a workflow.

To set up asynchronous derived outputs for SOLIDWORKS files:

1. Navigate to the Derived Format Management tool.
2. Select 3DEXPERIENCE (Asynchronous) as your Converter.
3. Specify the source and target file formats.
4. Specify the event that will trigger the conversion as well as the converter user.
5. Click OK to create the conversion rule.

Creating an asynchronous output rule

It’s generally recommended to use the “Force Update” setting when setting up asynchronous outputs. This setting is only applicable for asynchronous conversions and will recompute a derived format even if it was previously created using a synchronized converter. This would especially be needed if a drawing is linked to an attribute that is updated during a status change.

After this rule is set up, the derived output will be generated during a status change. In the example above, we can now use Maturity to update from In Work or Frozen to the Released Status. The derived format will then be created by the Derived Format Converter, locally installed on a user’s machine. Once the derived format launcher is finished, the output will be added to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform’s derived output tab in the Bookmark Editor.

Extending Automation with Derived Formats

Using derived formats on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform can automate your PDF, DXF, and STEP file creation. After your derived formats are added in platform administration, your files will now be converted automatically. A few of the options have been presented in this article, but there are several additional options that can be configured.

To see how to further extend your 3DEXPERIENCE functionality, register for an upcoming training class here.