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SOLIDWORKS PDM · Lesson 1: Discover PDM and log in

How the vault works, logging in, client license types and the Windows Explorer interface.

Lesson goal

Understand what SOLIDWORKS PDM does, log in to the vault and find your way around it.

▶

4 videos

✎

1 exercise

Beginner

↳

No prerequisite

1. Watch the videos

Dassault Systèmes videos hosted on MySolidWorks: they open in a new tab and a free account is enough. Watch them in order.

SOLIDWORKS PDM OverviewVideo 1▶SOLIDWORKS PDM OverviewOverview: logging in, browsing, checking out, editing and checking in a part.↗ SOLIDWORKS PDM Log In/Log OutVideo 2▶SOLIDWORKS PDM Log In/Log OutLog in to one or more vaults and enable automatic login when Windows starts.↗ SOLIDWORKS PDM License TypesVideo 3▶SOLIDWORKS PDM License TypesThe three client types: Editor, Contributor and Viewer, and what each one can do.↗ SOLIDWORKS PDM Windows Explorer InterfaceVideo 4▶SOLIDWORKS PDM Windows Explorer InterfaceBrowse the vault, find the PDM tools and open files.↗

2. Key takeaways

1

The vault centralizes files and their metadata in a Microsoft SQL Server database.

2

You access it from Windows Explorer: PDM commands appear in the shortcut menu and the toolbar.

3

The Editor client works on all files with the CAD add-ins, the Contributor on all files without CAD add-ins, the Viewer has read-only access.

4

Login can be automatic when you open your Windows session, even on several vaults.

Tip

Check your license type before reporting a missing menu: a Viewer cannot add or modify files, and that is expected.

3. Do the exercise

In a test vault:

  • log in from Windows Explorer, then log out
  • enable automatic login and check it by reopening your session
  • open a part in the vault and locate the PDM tabs at the bottom of the window
✓To check: You can tell which client type is installed on your workstation and find a vault file without going through SOLIDWORKS.

Stuck on the exercise or on a real part?

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