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:
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PDF files are not created during bulk check-ins.
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There is no history for the PDF files.
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You cannot add or modify PDF file properties.
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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.
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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:
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In the SolidWorks Task Scheduler, select Export Workgroup PDM Files.
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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:
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In SolidWorks, enable the Workgroup PDM Add-In.
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Login as a Workgroup PDM client.
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In the File Explorer Task pane, open a project, right-click a drawing and select View Document as PDF.