I was browsing the SOLIDWORKS Help and noticed a big difference between 2016 and 2017. As per the new document, the file is searched first in the location of where the assembly is open from, ignoring already opened files with the same names!
Is that really correct? I tested this assumption, but the loaded component is still the one being used. In other words, RAM is still King in 2017.
Check this out:
2017 SOLIDWORKS Help - Search Routine for Referenced Documents
and
2016 SOLIDWORKS Help - Search Routine for Referenced Documents
In 2016 the order is:
1. Uses any open document with the same name.
2. Searches the first path that you specify in the Folders list in the File Locations Options dialog box.
3. Searches the path in Step 2 plus the last folder in the path where the referenced document was last saved.
4. Searches the path in Step 2 plus the last two folders in the path where the referenced document was last saved.
5. Repeats Step 4 until the full original path has been appended to the path in Step 2.
6. Recursively searches the first path in the Folders list, then recursively searches the path where the referenced document was last saved.
7. Repeats Steps 2 through 6 for the other folders in the Folders list.
8. Searches the path of the active document, then recursively searches the path where the referenced document was last saved.
9. Searches the path where you last opened a document, then recursively searches the path where the referenced document was last saved.
10. Searches the path where the software last found a referenced document.
11. Searches the full path where the document was last saved without a drive designation.
12. Searches the full path where the document was last saved with its original drive designation.
13. Allows you to browse for the document yourself.
In 2017 the order is:
1. Searches the current folder.
2. Uses any open document with the same name.
3. Searches the first path that you specify in the Folders list in the File Locations Options dialog box.
4. Searches the path in Step 3 plus the last folder in the path where the referenced document was last saved.
5. Searches the path in Step 3 plus the last two folders in the path where the referenced document was last saved.
6. Repeats Step 5 until the full original path has been appended to the path in Step 3.
7. Recursively searches the first path in the Folders list, then recursively searches the path where the referenced document was last saved.
8. Repeats Steps 3 through 7 for the other folders in the Folders list.
9. Searches the path of the active document, then recursively searches the path where the referenced document was last saved.
10. Searches the path where you last opened a document, then recursively searches the path where the referenced document was last saved.
11. Searches the path where the software last found a referenced document.
12. Searches the full path where the document was last saved without a drive designation.
13. Searches the full path where the document was last saved with its original drive designation.
14. Allows you to browse for the document yourself.
