How to: Generate a PDF during a Release Process using WorkFlow in ePDM

Generating PDFs for SolidWorks drawings is a common request by our customers. Here is a step-by-step process to add this to your workflow in Enterprise PDM.

By following these steps, you can produce secure, flat files that can be shared with users via email or in other departments. You can also speed up design time by eliminating the manual process of saving out multiple file types. You can use this same process to automatically create step files, IGES, Parasolids, pretty much any file type you can “save-as” out to SolidWorks.

If you need more assistance or have questions, please contact Inflow Technology Support at 888-285-2285 or at support@inflow-tech.com

Ryan Dally – PLM Consultant

Step 1: Create a PDF convert task

If you do not already have the convert task loaded in your vault, follow these instructions http://blog.inflow-tech.com/inflow/2010/08/convert-to-pdf-an-out-of-the-box-feature-for-solidworks-enterprise-pdm-2010- Make sure your add-in version matches your client version before proceeding (see notes at the end of this post)

Once loaded, open your convert task and configure it for PDF generation.

Add-in

Execution Method

Menu Command

Conversion Settings

File Card

Output File Details

Permissions

Notifications

Select OK to save your updated convert task.

Step 2. Add the new task to the workflow

Modify your Workflow

Add the action

Save and close the workflow.

3. Test the Changes

Once you have all the pieces in place. Run a file through the workflow to test the action and the task. Once triggered, you can check the progress in the “Task List” in the admin tool.

Notes

Adding task hosts: Right Click on the ePDM icon in the system tray and select “Task Host Configuration”

Task fails with “Unknown Error”: This often occurs if the SolidWorks Task Add-in is out of date. The add-ins are not automatically upgraded during the standard upgrade process of the server. You can compare your add-in version to the client version in the admin tool. If it is out of sync, you can update it by re-adding it following this process: http://blog.inflow-tech.com/inflow/2010/08/convert-to-pdf-an-out-of-the-box-feature-for-solidworks-enterprise-pdm-2010-

You may also need to reconfigure the task if you choose to overwrite the convert task.