SolidWorks 2009 CAD Administration Tips & Tricks

Background & Experience Solidworks user and Admin for over ten years Solidworks user and Admin for over ten years CAD Administrator of Solidworks and Autocad CAD Administrator of Solidworks and Autocad Computer IT Professional Computer IT Professional Solidworks CSWP Certified Solidworks CSWP Certified Solidworks User Group Leader - Hickory, NC Solidworks User Group Leader - Hickory, NC Current CAD Admin / Mechanical Designer Current CAD Admin / Mechanical Designer Jaybeam Wireless Hickory, NC Jaybeam Wireless Hickory, NC

Session Topics Solidworks Administration Solidworks Administration Hardware requirements Hardware requirements Hardware requirements Hardware requirements Software requirements Software requirements Software requirements Software requirements Integration plan Integration plan Integration plan Integration plan User training User training User training User training Support and Maintenance Support and Maintenance Support and Maintenance Support and Maintenance Documentation Documentation Documentation Disaster Recovery Disaster Recovery Disaster Recovery Disaster Recovery Installation Example – Case Study Installation Example – Case Study

Hardware Requirements See Solidworks recommended hardware See Solidworks recommended hardware Memory Memory Size / Allocation Size / Allocation Video Card Video Card Certified Drivers Certified Drivers CPU CPU Core architecture / Speed Core architecture / Speed Network Network Speed / Topology Speed / Topology

Hardware Requirements RAM Memory RAM Memory

Hardware Requirements 32 bit Memory Addresses <4GB 32 bit Memory Addresses <4GB 3GB Switch Option 3GB Switch Option

Hardware Requirements 64 bit Memory addresses >4GB Memory 64 bit Memory addresses >4GB MemoryPros Allows opening of very large assemblies Allows opening of very large assemblies Allows intense FEA tasks Allows intense FEA tasks Enables complex rendering of Photoworks projects Enables complex rendering of Photoworks projectsCons Limited software choices Limited software choices Limited hardware driver support Limited hardware driver support

Hardware Requirements Video Card - SolidWorks Certified Drivers Video Card - SolidWorks Certified Drivers

Hardware Requirements CPU CPU Quad Core / Dual Core / Hyper threading Off Quad Core / Dual Core / Hyper threading Off CPU speed matters CPU speed matters

Hardware Requirements Network Network Network speed 10/100/1000 or fiber Network speed 10/100/1000 or fiber Robust Routers, Switches & Hubs Robust Routers, Switches & Hubs Enterprise vs Consumer grade Enterprise vs Consumer grade Topology – Complexity Topology – Complexity Network Traffic Network Traffic

Software Requirements Solidworks flavor of choice or budget Solidworks flavor of choice or budget Standard, Office, Professional or Premium Standard, Office, Professional or Premium MAC if you dare to be different MAC if you dare to be different Windows 2003 Server OS (for network files) Windows 2003 Server OS (for network files)

Integration Plan How will you utilize Solidworks? How will you utilize Solidworks? Legacy data use and management Legacy data use and management Cadkey, Mechanical Desktop, DWG and others Cadkey, Mechanical Desktop, DWG and others Company standards compliance Company standards compliance Solidworks API and customization Solidworks API and customization IT / Engineering integration IT / Engineering integration Multi-site, Multi-version, PDM, SQL Multi-site, Multi-version, PDM, SQL Workflow considerations Workflow considerations

User Training Solidworks Essentials Solidworks Essentials Specialized Training Specialized Training CSWA, CSWPCORE etc… CSWA, CSWPCORE etc… Windows File Management Windows File Management Company Standards Company Standards Best Practices Best Practices Data management policies Data management policies

Support & Maintenance Subscription support Subscription support Service packs & updates Service packs & updates Technical Support Technical Support Portal Access Portal Access Hardware Support Hardware Support Dell or HP (tech support) Dell or HP (tech support) Homebuilt Clone (self support) Homebuilt Clone (self support)

Documentation Solidworks install & setup Solidworks install & setup License Compliance License Compliance Shared settings Shared settings User Training User Training Performance review Performance review Productivity gains Productivity gains Solidworks Support Issues Solidworks Support Issues Justify software maintenance expense Justify software maintenance expense Track recurring issues by case number Track recurring issues by case number

Disaster Recovery What if your system fails? What if your system fails? Backup documentation Backup documentation Employee leaves or absence Employee leaves or absence Hardware failure Hardware failure Software re-installation Software re-installation Equipment upgrade or obsolescence Equipment upgrade or obsolescence Natural disasters Natural disasters

Disaster Recovery Use the free Windows Backup Utility Use the free Windows Backup Utility Non-Network backups Non-Network backups 3 rd Party Backup Software 3 rd Party Backup Software Backup open files or network shares Backup open files or network shares Create scheduled backups of data Create scheduled backups of data Nightly, Weekly, Monthly, Offsite Copy Nightly, Weekly, Monthly, Offsite Copy Test data recovery from backups often Test data recovery from backups often Many just think they have good backups! Many just think they have good backups!

Available Resources Solidworks Administration Guide Solidworks Administration Guide Solidworks Forums Solidworks Forums Solidworks Knowledge Base Solidworks Knowledge Base User Groups User Groups Your Solidworks Reseller Your Solidworks Reseller Solidworks World Solidworks World

SWX 2009 Admin Install The next slides show an admin image installation of Solidworks 2009 The next slides show an admin image installation of Solidworks 2009

Verify Anti-Virus Compatibility

DVD Installation Method The next slides show an admin image installation of SolidWorks 2009 using the DVD The next slides show an admin image installation of SolidWorks 2009 using the DVD You may also use the SolidWorks Portal to download, install and update admin images. You may also use the SolidWorks Portal to download, install and update admin images.

Enter SWX Serial Number Here If not a clean install number will populate automatically

Option to get Current Service Pack

Default Choice

Select to create Admin Image Select if SP Update & Select Admin Image Path

Select this only if you need it. Warning! This will install the PDMW server on the local machine

If PDM Server Selected, then…

It will be installed locally!

Allow Firewall Ports required to enable PDMserver access

Enabled by default Not Required for PDM Server

This will install during Client Installations

Vault Server Storage Folder Client

Choose components to install

Vault Admin needed only to manage PDM Vault

Should use highest level SolidWorks SN for Admin Image Creation

Default Setting

Best for Multiple Release installations 07’ 08’ 09’ etc.

Network shared Toolbox Or…Stand alone Toolbox

Postpone if large downloads should run during off hours

Anticipation… All good things take time… C’mon

Enter Your Company Info

This means that Clients must have R/W permissions to the Admin Image folder Just a reminder

Admin Director Help

Give SolidWorks Feedback

Option to learn more

Admin Image Directory Copy this entire directory to create a portable Admin Image

Verify PDMW Vault Service Started

Defragment Your System Keeps things running faster…

SWX 2009 Client Admin The next slides show how to prepare your admin image to enable client installations The next slides show how to prepare your admin image to enable client installations

Access the Option Editor Run: sldadminoptioneditor.exe

Your Serial Number as required

Use when SP upgrade req’d

Use to track who’s activated what

Add Clients (machines)

SWX 2009 Admin Client Install The next slides show how to install Solidworks at a client from an admin image. The next slides show how to install Solidworks at a client from an admin image. Clients must have write access to the admin image folder to execute the installation. Clients must have write access to the admin image folder to execute the installation. From the client, navigate to the admin image installation and excecute the StartSWInstall.hta file. Or send an with a link. From the client, navigate to the admin image installation and excecute the StartSWInstall.hta file. Or send an with a link.

Set Permissions for Access

Link Example

links can be blocked… so…

Click to Install Verify Internet Explorer Settings If installer won’t run…

Ready to startup SolidWorks

Just Click Accept…

Just Say No! Updates should be done via updated Admin Image

Verify your client installation SP0.0

Setup Toolbox

Clean new interface…

Helps to prevent “Big Bolt Syndrome” Determine your requirements

No Save Button… Just Close

Now you may need to apply company specific settings for each client installation. Now you may need to apply company specific settings for each client installation. Use Copy Settings.reg file to apply settings. Use Copy Settings.reg file to apply settings. This may be done using local, login or other scripts. This may be done using local, login or other scripts. You may allow users to setup their own preferences. You may allow users to setup their own preferences. Be Aware

Verify System Options

Congratulations!

Use Solidworks RX for Maintenance RX can automate routine cleanup. RX can automate routine cleanup.

Windows Desktop Search Settings The next slides show how to setup WDS settings for optimum effectiveness. The next slides show how to setup WDS settings for optimum effectiveness. Even if you allow Solidworks to install indexing, you will need to update it to the latest version. Even if you allow Solidworks to install indexing, you will need to update it to the latest version. Google WDS or Windows Desktop Search Google WDS or Windows Desktop Search Download the file(s) Download the file(s) Install it and then configure it, don’t use defaults Install it and then configure it, don’t use defaults

Study WDS Search Abilities Solidworks uses the index to find things very quickly within Solidworks interface. Solidworks uses the index to find things very quickly within Solidworks interface. PDMWorks Workgroup and Explorer utilize it. PDMWorks Workgroup and Explorer utilize it. Outlook is indexed by default Outlook is indexed by default May slow performance if outlook is loaded May slow performance if outlook is loaded Network Shared Directories can be included Network Shared Directories can be included Use UNC path for these locations Use UNC path for these locations

Setup Standard Settings The next slides show how to setup shared settings for Solidworks in a networked environment. The next slides show how to setup shared settings for Solidworks in a networked environment.

Shared Network Location

Default Templates

File Locations

Be careful with this one! Be careful with this one!

File Locations

Caution -Search paths change dynamically Caution -Search paths change dynamically

File Locations

Hole Wizard / Toolbox For Shared Toolbox For Shared Toolbox

Crash Recovery

External References Use Caution - Setup for your needs Use Caution - Setup for your needs

Collaboration Use Caution – Watch Lightweight Mode Use Caution – Watch Lightweight Mode

Design Library Customize your Library Customize your Library

Toolbox Customize your Toolbox - Streamline Customize your Toolbox - Streamline

User Interface Customize with macro Buttons / Hotkeys Customize with macro Buttons / Hotkeys

Standard Start Templates Reduce redundant work Reduce redundant work

Copy Settings for Reuse Enforce Standard Shared Settings Enforce Standard Shared Settings Capture and archive settings Capture and archive settings

Good Luck… Continually learn what’s new Continually learn what’s new Stay on top of Service Packs and issues Stay on top of Service Packs and issues Monitor your standards and practices Monitor your standards and practices Makes life easier for you and everyone… Makes life easier for you and everyone… Visit for admin guide Visit for admin guidewww.solidworks.com\

For More Info Send your requests to: Rodney Hall