{"id":1355,"date":"2010-06-07T04:23:19","date_gmt":"2010-06-07T12:23:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fcsuper.com\/swblog\/?p=1355"},"modified":"2010-06-18T12:07:09","modified_gmt":"2010-06-18T20:07:09","slug":"batchprocess-2-product-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.fcsuper.com\/swblog\/?p=1355","title":{"rendered":"BatchProcess 2 Product Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

For people that frequent the SolidWorks Forums<\/a> and the SolidWorks area on eng-tips.com<\/a>, the name Luke Malpass is likely familiar.\u00a0 Malpass is the founder of Angelsix.com<\/a> and the author of several SolidWorks API books.\u00a0 He developed a powerful, yet simple SolidWorks add-in called BatchProcess.\u00a0 This add-in was recently updated as BatchProcess 2<\/a>.\u00a0 The new version is fully integrated within the SolidWorks task pane.<\/p>\n

What does BatchProcess 2 do?\u00a0 It allows the user to quickly perform and repeat complex tasks on any number of SolidWorks documents with very little set up.<\/p>\n

Full disclosure<\/h3>\n

Before I get into more specific details and opinions, let it be known that Luke Malpass has provided me with licenses for BatchProcess 2.\u00a0 The licenses give me full access to the functionality of the software in real world usage.\u00a0 This allows me to write this review as accurately as I am able.\u00a0 No request for content within this review (favorable nor otherwise) was expressed or implied by Luke Malpass.\u00a0 The content of this review is solely my own.<\/p>\n

\"bp2-1\"<\/h3>\n

User Interface<\/h3>\n

The user interface for BatchProcess 2 is unique in the SolidWorks realm.\u00a0 It seems to be vaguely reminiscent of colorful flowcharts.\u00a0 The interface is attractive and flows well with the workflow of the add-in.<\/p>\n

Installation<\/h3>\n

BatchProcess 2 requires that Microsoft’s .Net FrameWork 4.0 and SQL Compact 3.5 are installed.\u00a0 The BatchProcess 2 installer will notify the user if these applications are missing.\u00a0 I have found that tracking down the correct versions of .Net FrameWork\u00a0 and SQL Compact on Microsoft’s website can be a cumbersome task, even when URL’s are provided.\u00a0 I realize that Microsoft controls the distribution of these files.\u00a0 Even still, it would be nice to have the installer be a bit more proactive in acquiring and installing all software required for BatchProcess 2.\u00a0 However, once the pre-installations are complete,<\/span> [T]<\/span>he BatchProcess 2 installation is a breeze [and it no longer requires the user to perform any pre-installations as of 6\/18\/2010]<\/span>.\u00a0 The installer even activates BatchProcess 2 within the SolidWorks Add-ins list.<\/p>\n

Projects<\/h3>\n

As with any batch application, before any batch activity can be started, the user is required to select the documents that are to be affected.\u00a0 In BatchProcess 2, this is done by building a project (a list of documents).\u00a0 Single files, whole folders, open and recently open documents may all be quickly added to the project.\u00a0 This may be accomplished by clicking on the appropriate button in the Import Document into Project List<\/em> row.<\/p>\n

Projects may be saved and loaded for repeated use across multiple sessions.<\/p>\n

Project Toolbar Strip<\/h3>\n

Once a project is built, there are functions in the Project Toolbar Strip\u00a0that allow the user to add associated documents (assembly components, drawing references) and remove specific documents in the project.\u00a0 Other toolbar tools are also available.<\/p>\n

So far, my favorite toolbar tool is the powerful Print button which will automatically print all highlighted documents from the project.\u00a0 Other tools allow the user to open, preview, and check-in\/out files in Enterprise PDM.<\/p>\n

Jobs<\/h3>\n

\"bp2-2\"<\/h3>\n

For more complex tasks, BatchProcess 2 has a multi-layered job building tool.\u00a0 What’s a job?\u00a0 A job is a list of tasks that execute on every document within the open project.\u00a0 Jobs may include tasks for:<\/p>\n