SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler:- { Part 1}

Automate Manual Task with SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler:- { Part 1}

SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler is a tool that allows SOLIDWORKS user to perform repeated/mundane work at automatically without manual involvements, designers shear their design to manufacturer, purchase or vendors in PDF format, which contain component /BOM information of drawings.

Creating one by one PDF of all drawings manually is very time-consuming and boring task. So, you can set a process to automate your PDF conversion task through task scheduler, likewise you can automate other task like drawing creation, custom properties insertion, update files, convert to native format, dwg conversions, export import to many file formats etc

Task scheduler will create a windows task that can occur once, daily, weekly, or monthly.

Task Scheduler tool is available for SOLIDWORKS Standard (with limited functions), SOLIDWORKS Professional, SOLIDWORKS Premium Or SOLIDWORKS Office License

Standard versions of SOLIDWORKS only give you access to the following functions:

1. Convert Files

If you have a SOLIDWORKS Office or SOLIDWORKS Premium you will have full access to the following tasks:

• Convert Files
• Upgrade Assistance
• Update Associated Files
• Print Files
• Import Files
• Export Files
• Update Custom Properties
• Create Drawings
• Convert to High Quality Views
• Run Custom Task
• Create eDrawings
• Update Simulation
• Design Checker
• Render and Animation

To explore the details of Task Scheduler we have divided the same blog in four different sets.

In this blog we will focus on the

1. Introduction to SOLIDWORKS TASK Scheduler
2. Task Scheduler User Interface,
3. Convert Files,
4. Update Files,
5. Update associated files

SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler User Interface

Run the Task Scheduler from your Windows Start menu. Shown in Fig 1

1. It contains Options File, Task, View and Help
2. Task Sidebar- It contains the task to be executed ie. Convert Files, Create Drawings, etc
3. Task Manager- It shows details about the task is to be performed or task executed in history.

1) Covert Files

What it is? –

Convert existing version files to new versions

Why?

1. Improve Performance
2. Rebuild Time
3. Out of Date Relationship

Know More

Every year SOLIDWORKS come up with new release with additional new functionalities, improvements suggested by SOLIDWORKS uses to improve design productivity of designers.

Traditionally, every time it is necessary to rebuild the earlier release file to new version of SOLIDWORKS.

SOLIDWORKS will update files to next release through “Rebuild” and Save.

If assembly has a greater number of files existing version files require some time to open which may delay the performance of SOLIDWORKS.

If files having in context relationship time require is more.

SOLIDWORKS Task scheduler Converts file automatically and improve the designer’s productivity by reducing rebuild time.

Example– Converting SOLIDWORKS 2012 files into SOLIDWORKS 2018. Shown in Fig 2

Step 1- Click on convert files & Add a Folder of a file to be convert. Shown in Fig 3

Step 2- Select Options to take backup of recent release files. Shown in Fig 4

 Select a folder for backup of files (Files Before conversion this case SOLIDWORKS 2012) and click OK

Step 3- Set the Start time & Start Date for the task.

Then click OK. Shown in Fig 5

Conversion of the file to the higher release will execute at the specified time.

Step 4- After task execution you will observe the

file will get updated to the newer release of SOLIDWORKS.

shown in Fig 6

Step 5- Backup of the older version file is saved in the folder location given in the Options. Shown in Fig 7

You will observe the task executed and task scheduled in the Task window, It Shows Task, time, status of the task in detail. as shown in fig 8

 

 2) Update Files

What it is? –

Rebuilds the specified documents with any changes made since the last time the model was rebuilt.

   Why?

1. Saves opening time of reference document
2. Multiple files updates in the idle time

Know More

You can schedule tasks to update SOLIDWORKS documents. The Update Files task rebuilds the specified documents with any changes made since the last time the model was rebuilt. You can update individual files or all files of a specified type within a folder.

This is a simple way to auto update the drawing when you made changes in the part or assemblies

Example- Take Example shown in Fig 9.

For execution of this task follow the procedure

Step 1- Click on the Update Files from the task sidebar in the Task Scheduler. shown in Fig 10

Step 2- Add folder where files are located, also add file type to update and give Time to the execution, Task will only be executed for the files having file extension mentioned in the File Type Click OK. shown in Fig 11

 

Make changes in the Sprocket Block as slot have been deleted and that changes will be seen in the reference drawing of the model without opening that drawing manually.

Step 3- open the drawing file after execution of task.

Drawing file will get updated.

Task in Task Scheduler shows completed task status and files. shown in Fig 12

3) Update Associated Files

What it is? –

Rebuilds the specified documents and its referenced documents, updating the referenced file in the same folder and from specified folder of any file extension.

     Why?

1. Saves opening time of reference document
2. Time saving

  Know More

You can schedule tasks to update a SOLIDWORKS document and its referenced documents

Update File task will only work on the single folder and on the mentioned file type

But in Update Associated files, All the files referenced to the mentioned file will be updated when changes made in that model.

You must mention the reference file folder.

Step 1- Click on the Update Associated Files from the task sidebar in the Task Scheduler. shown in Fig 13

Step 2- Give location of file from browse of Update Associated files window.

You can also specify the Task Tile to the task.

Also Schedule a task as Start time , Start Day

Click on next. shown in Fig 14

Step 3- Add the folder location of referenced file

You can specify multiple folders also.

shown in Fig 15

Similarly, Task will be executed on a scheduled time.

You will get updated drawings, assemblies after the task execution.

This Saves time of Opening file, rebuilding and saving file

Conclusion:

Task Scheduler performs task in idle time to save productivity time. By using Convert Files updating of files to higher release is easy and saves time. Update Files and Update associated files allows you to automate your work of rebuilding and saving referenced files.

Created By-

For more details contact:

CAD Infield Technologies

+91- 97301 40885

Aatmling Narayanpure

Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert & CAE Professional

aatmling@cadinfield.com

CAD Training Institute in Pune