SolidWorks Toolbox is a powerful and complex feature. This topic summarizes some concepts to consider before configuring a Toolbox using SolidWorks Installation Manager.
Finding More Information About SolidWorks Toolbox
For details about configuring, extending, and using SolidWorks Toolbox, click in SolidWorks.
To view this help, you might have to start the Toolbox add-in, using .
Using a Shared Toolbox
When you install Toolbox, you can have Toolbox data on the local computer or in a shared network location. Storing Toolbox data in a network location is recommended. By using a common location, all SolidWorks users share a consistent set of fastener information.
If this is the first time installing, browse to the new shared location where you would like to install the Toolbox.
Upgrading an Existing Toolbox
Upgrading a Toolbox to a new SolidWorks major release version makes that Toolbox incompatible with computers running prior major release SolidWorks versions.
If other computers remain at that prior major release and continue to require a Toolbox configured for that release, you should make a copy of that Toolbox and upgrade that copy. The new SolidWorks installation will upgrade the copy of the Toolbox and the previous SolidWorks installations will continue using the old Toolbox.
Configuring Toolbox Access
After installation, when you access Toolbox components SolidWorks checks how you have configured Toolbox and makes suggestions to improve access and performance.
For accessing the shared network Toolbox (recommended), use a UNC path to the server on which the shared Toolbox was installed. For details, see UNC Format.
An administrator can create a password for Toolbox and set permissions and preferences for the workgroup. Restricting access to configuration and setting common preferences ensures consistent Toolbox data.
Upgrading Toolbox in a SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Environment
Before you upgrade the first SolidWorks installation that accesses the Toolbox folder from an Enterprise PDM vault:
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In Windows Explorer, navigate to the Toolbox folder in the Enterprise PDM vault.
- Right-click the Toolbox folder and click Get Latest Version.
This enables SolidWorks Installation Manager to verify whether parts need to be updated.
- Check out the Toolbox folder.
The Toolbox folder must be checked out so SolidWorks Installation Manager can update the Toolbox.
- After upgrading, check in the Toolbox folder.
The Toolbox library in the vault has now been upgraded.
For subsequent SolidWorks upgrades, before initiating the upgrade, Enterprise PDM clients must get the latest version of the vault Toolbox folder (using Get Latest Version). This enables SolidWorks Installation Manager to verify that the files are up to date.
For details about Toolbox configuration in SolidWorks Enterprise PDM, see Configuring Toolbox in the SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Administration Tool help.