Introduction

Share and Markup provides users with the ability to share their 3D designs with anyone, directly from SOLIDWORKS Design using the “Share” command on the Lifecycle and Collaboration tab.

Note: This command is only available in SOLIDWORKS 2023 SP3 or later.

The Share command is available to anyone using the SOLIDWORKS Design roles and the Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS role. However, the recipient of a file does not require any 3DEXPERIENCE role or SOLIDWORKS license to view, markup and share comments with the 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 Design users via their SOLIDWORKS Subscription with Cloud Services, making design collaboration available to a wide range of users, including those who may be using SOLIDWORKS PDM or the Windows file system for managing their designs.

Sharing a File

The Share command works by adding or exporting the currently open design to a 3DDrive folder and allowing that file to be shared externally. The first time the “Share a File” command is activated, a 3DDrive 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 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 command in SOLIDWORKS Design.

The platform administrator can track what files have been shared and with whom 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 their 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. 

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 your company is protected, as the external user will not have access to the SOLIDWORKS Design Feature Manager Design Tree history.

Summary

To learn more, please watch the Share and Markup tutorial videos located here.