Datasheet

Part I: Introducing SolidWorks Basics

There are two Default Template options: Always use these default document templates and Prompt

user to select document template. The Default Template options apply to situations when a template

is required by an automatic feature in the software such as an imported part or a mirrored part. In

this situation, depending on the option selected, the system automatically uses the default template

or the user is prompted to select a template.

Performance

Allowing the software to apply the default template automatically can have a great impact on speed. This is espe-

cially true in the case of imported assemblies, which would require you to select templates manually for each

imported part in the assembly if the Prompt user to select document template option is selected.

Sharing templates

If you are administering an installation of a large number of users, or even if there are just a couple of

users working on similar designs, shared templates are necessary. If every user does what she thinks

best, you may get an interesting combination of conflicting ideas, and the consistency of the compa-

ny’s documentation may suffer. Standardized templates cannot make users model, assemble, and

detail in exactly the same way, but they do start off users on the same foot.

To share templates among several users, create a folder for templates on a commonly accessible net-

work location, preferably with read-only access for users and read-write permissions for administra-

tors. Then point each user’s File Locations and Default templates to that location. Access problems

due to multiple users accessing the same files do not arise in this situation because users copy tem-

plates to create new documents and do not use them directly.

Caution

One of the downfalls of this arrangement is that if the network goes down, users no longer have access to their

templates. This can be averted by also putting copies of the templates on the local computers; however, it has the

tendency to undermine the goal of consistent documentation. Users may tend to use and customize the local tem-

plates rather than use the standardized network copies.

CAD administration and organizing any group of people on some level always comes down to trusting employees

to do the right thing. There is no way to completely secure any system against all people trying to work around the

system, so you must rely on hiring people you can train and trust.

Understanding Feature-Based Modeling

You need to be familiar with some terminology before diving into building models with SolidWorks.

Notice that I talk about “modeling” rather than “drawing,” or even “design.” This is because

SolidWorks is virtual prototyping software. Whether you are building an assembly line for automo-

tive parts or designing decorative perfume bottles, SolidWorks can help you visualize your geometri-

cal production data in the most realistic way possible without actually having it in your hand. This is

more akin to making a physical model in the shop than drawing on paper.

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