Introduction
Share and Markup provides SOLIDWORKS users with the ability to share their 3D designs with anyone, directly from SOLIDWORKS using the “Share a File” command on the Lifecycle and Collaboration tab.
Note: This command is only available in SOLIDWORKS 2023 SP3 or later.
Share a File is available to anyone using the Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS roles, however the recipient of a file does not require any 3DEXPERIENCE role or SOLIDWORKS license to view, markup and share comments with person who shared the design. This method removes the friction associated with traditional design sharing and collaboration tools.
The Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS role is available to SOLIDWORKS users via their SOLIDWORKS Subscription with Cloud Services, making design collaboration available to a wide range of users, including those that may be using SOLIDWORKS PDM or the Windows file system for managing their designs.
Sharing a File
The Share a File command works by adding or exporting the currently open design to a 3D Drive folder and allowing that file to be shared externally. The first time the “Share a File” command is activated, a 3D Drive folder titled “Shared with External” is automatically created in the “My Files” area of that user.
At the time of creation a user can choose to activate guest comments and restrict access to the file to specific users (email addresses).
Any Email addresses added will automatically receive an email containing the link to view the file with instructions explaining how to log in. Note: Emails will only be sent when this method is used. If you add restricted access in 3DDrive, emails will not be sent to the entered email addresses.
Set Up and Managing Shared Files
To allow users to share files, first the platform administrator must enable the Enable Shareable Link option located on the Share with External tab in Drives Control Center.
If this option is not enabled, the following message will be displayed when selecting the Share a File command in SOLIDWORKS.
To allow recipients to share comments, the Enable Comments option must be switched on. If this option is off then the option to enable comments will also be missing from the Share a File command in SOLIDWORKS.
The platform administrator can track what files have been shared and with who using the Share with External tab in the Drives Control Center widget. If required the platform administrator can revoke access to any one or more of the shared files before it's expiration date. This may be necessary if a user has inadvertently shared a file that must not be accessible to external stakeholders.
Storage Allocation
Share and Markup external access is based on "Accesses", these are effectively the MB file size of the shared file that has been either visualized or downloaded. 1MB viewed or downloaded = 1 Access.
Each 3DSwymer role comes with 5,000 Accesses (approx. 5GB of visualized or downloaded shared files). The total amount of accesses is mutualized across all members of the platform (Eg. 3 x 3DSwymer roles = 15,000 Accesses) each calendar month.
If more accesses are needed a customer can purchase the Extended Guest Access (PGA-OC) role. This provides additional share accesses in 25,000 increments per calendar month. The total number of accesses available and the amount consumed is displayed on the Share with External tab of the Drives Control Center widget.
Maximizing the Available 3D Drive Storage Allocation
3DXML is the recommended file format for sharing, this not only reduces the file size, but will also ensure that the IP of the client's company is protected as the external user will not have access to the feature or design history.
The table below highlights the file size (MB) of 3DXML in comparison with the alternative file format options available in the Share a File command.
| Simple Part Model | Smoke Detector Cover (Complex Part) | Structure System (Weldment Part) | Holmatro Assembly | Mitre Saw Assembly | Square Robot Assembly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Info | 1 Part | 1 Part 1 Body 103 Features | 1 Part 204 Bodies 14 Features | Assembly | Assembly 309 Parts 160 Unique Parts 328 Bodies | Assembly 2300 Parts 322 Unique Parts 2927 Bodies |
| SOLIDWORKS file on disk (Mb) | 0.18 | 3.45 | 6.50 | 6.85 (asm file) | 30.89 (asm file) 126.43 (prt and asm) | 42.61 (asm file) 392.10 (prt and asm) |
| SLDPRT (Mb) | 0.20 | 3.44 | 6.75 | NA | NA | NA |
| 3DXML (Mb) | 0.03 | 0.18 | 0.63 | 3.31 | 13.31 | 33.19 |
| STEP AP214 (Mb) | 0.14 | 1.88 | 8.98 | 7.99 | 81.65 | 199.13 |
| IGS (Mb) | 0.41 | 3.85 | 21.00 | 18.93 | 14.70 | 397.02 |
Summary
Share and Markup using the Share a File command is a great way to introduce SOLIDWORKS users to 3DEXPERIENCE. It’s available to all SOLIDWORKS customers who have access to Cloud Services or have purchased their own 3DEXPERIENCE roles separately. Customers today using Windows folders or SOLIDWORKS PDM to manage their designs can take advantage of the simple and intuitive sharing workflow.
To learn more please watch the Share and Markup tutorial videos located here.
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