Maxime CASIER SOLIDWORKS configuration management in 3DEXPERIENCE
3DEXPERIENCE integration
By default, a tab is provided for managing configurations in SOLIDWORKS.
If you integrate SOLIDWORKS data into 3DEXPERIENCE without enabling 3DEXPERIENCE integration, the data will be converted as follows in 3DEXPERIENCE:
This configuration is still usable, but does not allow you to exploit the full potential of 3DEXPERIENCE.
To activate configuration management with 3DEXPERIENCE, go to options :
Conversion
This option activates the CAD Family tab in the SOLIDWORKS panel.
It also allows you to break links in 3Dinterconnect files (required for integrating SOLIDWORKS data into 3DEXPERIENCE).
This action will also convert custom properties into configuration-specific properties (necessary for mapping).
You may need to perform a "3DEXPERIENCE Compatibility Update" to activate these features.
Physical products and representations
The action we're most interested in is the fact that configurations become either Physical Products or Representations, when this function is activated.
A Physical Product corresponds to a dimensional configuration of a part (different screw sizes), while a Representation is a particular view of a part (unfolded sheet metal).
The type into which the configuration will be converted depends on the parameter set in the BOM option:
If the " Document name " option has been selected, the configuration will become a Representation.
If the " Configuration name " option has been selected, the configuration will become a Physical Product.
If the " User-specified name " option has been selected, the configuration will become a Physical Product.
It is always possible to convert a Physical Product to a Representation, or vice versa, by selecting the configuration :
This gives us 2 types of management in 3DEXPERIENCE.
Physical products
Each screw config corresponds to an item (purchasable, orderable, manufacturable).
Each screw configuration is a physical product.
In 3DEXPERIENCE, all physical products are grouped together under a CAD Family.
The CAD Family corresponds to the file, and the physical products to the configurations.
Representations
The active configuration is a physical product
The other configurations are representations (as they are only useful for a display/manufacturing aspect).
Only the physical product is an article.
In 3DEXPERIENCE you'll only see your physical products.
