Tag: revision table

Drawing Revisions and PDMWorks (Part 2: Automatic Revisions)

With PDMWorks, it is possible to automatically revise a drawing’s title block and revision block upon check in.  Three things are necessary to use this functionality.  First, the drawing template will need to employ a SolidWorks Revision Table.  If someone is not familiar with how to set up revision tables, please see my previous article: Settings Up and Using SolidWorks Revision Tables faster. Second, the drawing template’s title block will need an annotation note that is linked to the custom property “Revision”.  If someone is not familiar with how to link annotation notes to custom properties, please see my previous articles about this subject:Introduction to SolidWorks Custom Properties.  Third activate the revision automation feature within the PDMWork’s VaultAdmin tool.  Of course, this will require Vault Administrator access to the VaultAdmin. The setting is found under the Revision Table tab in the General section, called “Enable Revision Table”.

Once these three items are set up, drawings will automatically revise upon check in, with updated revision and title blocks.  Control over what appears in the added revision row is within the check-in screen itself when the drawing is checked in.  Further controls can be set up to limit or automate the value for revisions so that no mistakes can be made regarding the revision level of the check-in.  Within the VaultAdmin, there is even the ability to control the number of revisions visible on a drawing.  Utilizing this set up can save substantial time and eliminate potential check-in revision identification errors.

Setting up and using SolidWorks Revision Tables faster

I am sometimes surprized by the limited the adoption of the SolidWorks Revision Table.  This is a powerful tool for drawings within SolidWorks.  The Revision Table allows the user to create a drawing template with an easily updateable revision block already included.  The user doesn’t have to use a potentially unstable Excel inserted OLE.  They also do not need a drawn revision block that requires significant labor in order to update and maintain.

The SolidWorks Revision Table is easy to insert in SolidWorks 2008.  With a drawing open, just go to Insert pulldown>Tables>Revision Table.  Within the Revision Table Pane, pick the appropriate revision template.  Choose any desired options for the table. Choose OK.  The Revision Table will automatically appear in upper right corner.  Save the drawing template for future use.  (See Help for instructions to place the Revision Table at other locations on the drawing.  Also, more steps are required in 2007 and prior; but, they are intuitive to follow and provide more on-screen control over the table’s location.)

Custom Revision Tables can be created to suit the companies specific needs.  Right click on the table to use the RMB menu to access functions that provide methods to modify the table.  When modifications are complete, use the RMB menu Save As option to save the new table as a table template for future use.

To add a revision, simply right click on the Revision Table.  Choose Revisions>Add Revision.  A new revision row will appear with the next revision inserted.  Simply double click any field to add or modify its value.  LMB click outside of the table to set the edits.

Of course, there is a simpler way to add revisions to the Revision Table!  I’ve created a macro that provides a form which allows the quick addition of revisions to the Revision Table.  It’s called RevBlockControl.  It is much faster than directly creating and entering all the rows and values.  It has been recently updated, so if you already use this macro, please consider using the latest version.

RevBlockControl Form

Sample image of the macro form

To use the macro, place it in the macros folder under the SolidWorks folder.  If it doesn’t exist, create it.  Within SolidWorks, assign a custom key stroke to the macro and/or create a toolbar icon location for it.

It can be used for a variety of revision table set-ups, including standard recommended ASME types.  It is limited to 5 columns, though it is customizable without editing the code or a complex .ini file.  If editing the code is desired, everything is spelled out with descriptions for easy of use.  In fact, the code can be quickly edited to allow the macro to drive the drawing’s “Revision” custom property.  Additionally, there is a small .ini included in this current version.  It is simply a list of initials used by the Rev By field.  Edit it with NOTEPAD to add and delete names that will automatically appear within the Rev By field.

Even without the RevBlockControl macro, the easy of use of the SolidWorks Revision Table is well worth the few minutes of effort to set it up on a template.  With the RevBlockControl macro, adding revisions to a Revision Table is so fast that it is almost effortless when compared to other type of revision blocks.