SOLIDWORKS Data Model

Understanding the SOLIDWORKS Data Model and identifiers is a prerequisite for using and accessing SOLIDWORKS data within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Windows

In Windows (a file management-based platform), you create documents or files, and you store that data in a file system. The file system is more commonly known as a hard drive or disk drive, and you use the File Explorer app to organize and access your data. Within this platform, apps create and use a wide variety of common file types (like TXT and ZIP) as well as app-specific file types. SOLIDWORKS creates and uses its own documents (SLDPRT, SLDASM, SLDDRW), document templates (PRTDOT, ASMDOT, DRWDOT), sheet formats (SLDDRT), library features (SLDLFP), and so forth. These app-specific file types are known as the SOLIDWORKS Data Model for Windows.

3DEXPERIENCE Platform

In the 3DEXPERIENCE platform (a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) or data management-based platform), you create objects or content, and you store that data in a database. The database is more commonly known as a collaborative space. (The concepts of a file system do not apply.) Within this platform, apps create and use a wide variety of common content types (like Physical Product and Drawing) as well as app-specific content types. When you save SOLIDWORKS files to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the system does two things:

1. Uploads your SOLIDWORKS files to a File Collaboration Server (FCS).
2. Creates objects that represent and link to your SOLIDWORKS files.

The objects and object hierarchy are known as the SOLIDWORKS Data Model for the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. The objects are what you search for, interact with, and open in 3DEXPERIENCE platform apps. The following objects are created: 

• For each SOLIDWORKS part file, the system creates the following hierarchy:
  • One CAD Family object. This is a container for all configurations in the file.
    • One or multiple Physical Product objects. One for each configuration in the file.
      • One 3D Shape object for each Physical Product object.
         
• For each SOLIDWORKS assembly file, the system creates the following hierarchy:
  • One CAD Family object. This is a container for all configurations in the file.
    • One or multiple Physical Product objects. One for each configuration in the file.
    • One or multiple Embedded Physical Products. One for each virtual part in the file.
       
• For each SOLIDWORKS drawing file, the system creates a Drawing object.

NOTE: For single-configuration part and assembly files, CAD Family and 3D Shape objects do not appear in 3DSearch, 3DSpace, or MySession. These objects are visible in some dashboard apps like Bookmark Editor, Product Structure Explore, and Relations. You cannot delete SOLIDWORKS-mastered 3D Shape objects. If you delete the CAD Family or Physical Product object that represents a SOLIDWORKS file or configuration, then the system automatically deletes the corresponding 3D Shape object as well. 

You must be familiar with these four content types when using SOLIDWORKS and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Physical Product, 3D Shape, and Drawing are common content types. CAD Family is a content type that is unique to external CAD (xCAD) apps like SOLIDWORKS.  

You can use the Relations app to visualize and better understand these objects and the object hierarchy.

SOLIDWORKS & 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Identifiers

Once you understand the SOLIDWORKS Data Model for the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, you can better understand the identifiers that are used within SOLIDWORKS. Understanding the identifiers is another essential part of using and accessing CAD data within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

1. File name is the unique identifier for Windows. It is the name of the file on disk and includes a file extension. After you save a SOLIDWORKS file to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, you cannot change the File name.

2. Name is the unique identifier for the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. It is the name of the object in your collaborative space. You cannot change the Name.

3. File Title is the common identifier for Windows and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. It is a 3DEXPERIENCE platform attribute that appears in the FeatureManager design tree, title bar, and other areas of the user interface. You can change the File Title at any time. Changes to the File Title propagate to CAD Family, Physical Product, 3D Shape, and Drawing object Titles.

4. Component Name is an identifier for SOLIDWORKS. It is a 3DEXPERIENCE platform attribute that appears in the MySession app. It matches the File Title that appears in the FeatureManager design tree, including instance numbers when used in assemblies. You change the File Title to change the Component Name.

5. Title, also called Physical Product Title in some contexts, is an identifier for the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. It is a 3DEXPERIENCE platform attribute that appears in the MySession app and dashboard apps like Properties and Bookmark Editor. You can change the Title at any time.

By default, the Title for parts and assemblies with one configuration is the same as the File Title. The Title for parts and assemblies with multiple configurations is a concatenation of the File Title and configuration name, with the configuration name enclosed in parentheses. For drawings, the Title matches either:

• The File Title of the part or assembly that the drawing references.
• Its own specified File Title.

The MySession option highlighted in the image to the right determines the Title behavior for drawings.

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