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Conversion guides

Convert SLDASM to SLDDRW: create drawings for an assembly and its parts

Create SOLIDWORKS drawings (SLDDRW) for an assembly and every part in it in one PDMPublisher run: one template, the same views, PDFs in the same pass.

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Thirty parts and no drawings is a week of New Drawing, insert views, save. PDMPublisher for SOLIDWORKS creates a SLDDRW for the assembly and every referenced part from one template in one run, skips the ones that already exist, and checks them into the vault. Add-in only; the PDM task does not create drawings.

Quick answer

  • Open the assembly, tick SOLIDWORKS Drawing (*.slddrw) and Export references to file formats individually, pick the template and views in Drawing Settings, select Publish.
  • Models that already have a drawing are skipped, so a re-run after adding two parts creates two drawings.
  • Add a condition to keep purchased and library parts out.
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Create the drawings: step by step

PDMPublisher Settings window on the Publish page with SOLIDWORKS Drawing (*.slddrw) selected as the file format, the Drawing Settings button and the Export references to file formats individually option
The Publish page with SOLIDWORKS Drawing selected; Export references to file formats individually makes the run cover every part.
  1. Open the top-level assembly with its references resolved.
  2. On the PDMPublisher tab, select Settings > Publish and tick SOLIDWORKS Drawing (*.slddrw); select the Drawing Settings button that appears.
  3. Pick the Drawing template (.drwdot) and the views: Use template’s predefined views, or Top, Front, Isometric and Right.
  4. Set Existing drawing to Skip, tick Add drawing to PDM and check in if the assembly lives in a vault, select OK.
  5. Under Export, tick Export references to file formats individually so every part gets a drawing, not only the assembly.
  6. On the Conditions page, exclude purchased parts, for example a property not equal Purchased, then select PDMPublisher > Publish.

Settings that matter

SettingWhat to putWhy
Export references individuallyOnEvery referenced part gets a drawing.
Existing drawingSkipRe-runs only create what is missing.
ConditionsProperty not equal PurchasedNo drawings for hardware and library parts.
Drawing templateA company .drwdot with predefined viewsThe same layout on every sheet.
PDMPublisher Drawing Settings dialog with a drawing template path, Existing drawing set to Skip, Add drawing to PDM and check in, and Top, Front, Isometric and Right view checkboxes
Drawing Settings apply to every model in the run: the same template, views and rule for existing drawings.

Naming examples

  • Frame.SLDASM gets Frame.SLDDRW, Leg.SLDPRT gets Leg.SLDDRW, each beside its model.
  • With Adobe PDF ticked in the same run, every new drawing is also exported as Leg-A.pdf and so on.
  • The Export location applies to the exported formats; the SLDDRW files always land in their model’s folder.

If something looks wrong

  • Only the assembly got a drawing: Export references to file formats individually is off.
  • Purchased parts got drawings: add a condition on a property or vault folder, and tick Ignore sub-assembly children when condition checks fail.
  • Layouts differ between parts: the template’s predefined views are not used; tick Use template’s predefined views.
  • The Community Edition stopped at 5 references: a larger assembly needs Premium.

Keep going

Single partSLDPRT to SLDDRWThe same settings for one part. Then exportAssembly drawings to one PDFThe new drawings as one package. RulesConditional assembly processingEvery condition option explained. All formatsConversion guidesEvery export PDMPublisher does.

Documentation

Frequently asked questions

Can PDMPublisher create drawings for every part in an assembly?

Yes. Tick SOLIDWORKS Drawing (*.slddrw) under File formats, set a template and views in Drawing Settings, tick Export references to file formats individually and Publish. Each model gets a drawing beside it.

Will it overwrite drawings that already exist?

Not with Existing drawing set to Skip, which is the default; models that already have a drawing are left alone. Set it to Overwrite to replace them.

Can I skip purchased parts?

Yes. Use a condition on a vault variable or folder, and tick Ignore sub-assembly children when condition checks fail so their children are skipped too.

Can I get a PDF of each new drawing in the same run?

Yes. Select PDF under File formats together with SOLIDWORKS Drawing; the PDF, DXF or DWG export uses the new drawings in the same run.

Does every drawing use the same template?

Yes. Drawing Settings apply to the whole run: one template, the same views and the same rule for existing drawings on every model.

Where to next

PDMPublisher for SOLIDWORKS · PDMPublisher for PDM Professional · All features · Conversion guides · Pricing · Documentation · Contact

The SOLIDWORKS add-in is free to start as the Community Edition. The PDM Professional task comes with a 7-day trial. Download the add-in or start the task trial.