Overview

As described in the Data Model and Identifiers in the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform​​​​​​​ page, when you save SOLIDWORKS files to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the system automatically creates a hierarchy of objects that represent and link to the SOLIDWORKS files. This out-of-the-box approach is great for people who want to get up and running with the data-management platform as quickly as possible, with no impact to their traditional or legacy workflows. However, the best practice is to update your SOLIDWORKS files for compatibility before you save files to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

NOTE: If you have Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS, this only applies to SOLIDWORKS Desktop 2023 SP4.0 and newer versions.

The benefits of updating files for compatibility are:

• Optimal open and save performance.
• Exposure to 3DEXPERIENCE platform terminology and content types within SOLIDWORKS.
• Visibility of the SOLIDWORKS data model for the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. 

How to Update Files for 3DEXPERIENCE Compatibility

There are two ways to update files for compatibility:

1. Manual Update

Create or open a part or assembly file and select the Update for 3DEXPERIENCE compatibility command from the FeatureManager Design Tree context menu.

2. Automatic Update

Activate the Update SOLIDWORKS files for compatibility with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform system option and create or open a part or assembly file.

NOTES: 
• If you update files for 3DEXPERIENCE compatibility, then make sure to update your document templates as well, or create new document templates.

• With SOLIDWORKS Connected and SOLIDWORKS Desktop 2024 SP1.0 and newer versions, you can update files for compatibility in bulk using the 3DEXPERIENCE Compatibility task in the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler.

What Happens to Files That are Updated for 3DEXPERIENCE Compatibility

After you update a part or assembly file for compatibility, three things happen:

1. New configuration view becomes available in the FeatureManager Design Tree

The CAD Family View uses 3DEXPERIENCE platform terminology and concepts. It displays the CAD Family object, Physical Product configurations, and Representation configurations. With CAD Family View, you can create Physical Product configurations or Representation configurations, convert from one mode to the other, and then back again if you wish.

2. Configurations display as Physical Product configurations or Representation configurations

Like traditional configurations, Physical Product configurations represent your manufactured designs. They have a single engineering definition, including maturity state, Enterprise Item Number (EIN), and relevant properties or attributes.  

Like traditional derived configurations, and as the name suggests, Representation configurations represent your Physical Product configurations in a different way, to aid in the design. These include sheet metal flat-pattern configurations, weldment "As Welded" configurations, SpeedPak configurations, and any other use cases where positional or alternate views of the Physical Product configuration are needed.

The Part number displayed when used in a bill of materials property, for each configuration, determines whether a configuration is updated to a Physical Product configuration or a Representation configuration. (See the next wiki page for a detailed explanation.)
 

3. Custom properties are removed

If custom properties exist, then they are merged into configuration properties.

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