Generating PDF Files
To provide a universal format for exchanging drawings, Adobe Portable
Document Format (.pdf) files can be created when SolidWorks drawings are
checked into the Vault. These files are not visible in the user interface,
but can be viewed by opening the PDF file from the SolidWorks Workgroup PDM Add-In in
an Acrobat Reader in SolidWorks, SolidWorks Explorer, or the Web Portal.
If a drawing is modified, the associated PDF file is automatically updated
when it is checked back in.
The PDF files have the following characteristics:
PDF files are not
created during bulk check-ins.
There is no history
for the PDF files.
You cannot add or
modify PDF file properties.
You can generate
PDF only for the latest revision. Although you can use the Task Scheduler
to update all revisions, you can only print the latest revision.
No PDF file is generated when you bump the revision
of a document. However, the document is flagged, and a task is created
in the task scheduler to update it later
PDF files can be created:
To enable PDF creation when a drawing is checked in:
On the Vault Settings tab of the VaultAdmin,
under Global settings, select Create
PDF files in the Vault on normal check in of SolidWorks drawings.
When a client checks a SolidWorks drawing
into the Vault, a PDF file is created.
To schedule the creation of PDF files:
In the SolidWorks Task
Scheduler, select Export Workgroup PDM
Files.
Under Export file type,
select Adobe
Portable Document Format (*.pdf) and configure the export parameters.
When the scheduled task is run, PDF files
are created for the drawings in the projects that are specified for export.
The export can be to the Vault, to a specified location, or both.
To view a PDF file:
In SolidWorks, enable the Workgroup PDM Add-In.
Login as a Workgroup PDM client.
In the File Explorer Task pane, open a project,
right-click a drawing and select View
Document as PDF.