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SOLIDWORKS Documents in Windows Explorer

Use Windows Explorer to see thumbnail images and to access custom property information for SOLIDWORKS documents.

If you save custom property information in the Summary Information dialog box, the following properties appear in Windows Explorer when you move the pointer over a file:

  • Description
  • Revision
  • Status

Additionally, Type, Size, Last Saved By and Number of sheets are shown automatically. You cannot save this information in the Summary Information dialog box.

Viewing Thumbnail Images in Windows Explorer

To see thumbnail images:

  1. In Windows Explorer, open a folder with SOLIDWORKS documents.
  2. Click the arrow next to the Change your view button, and then move the slider to change the size of the thumbnails.
    A thumbnail image of each SOLIDWORKS document in the folder is displayed.

    If you set up Windows Explorer to show preview images, a preview of the SOLIDWORKS document also appears when the document is selected.

    You can also view thumbnail icons of SOLIDWORKS parts and assemblies in Windows Explorer. The graphic is displayed in an isometric view, zoomed to fit, with a white background. To enable this functionality, click Tools > Options > System Options > General , and select Show thumbnail graphics in Windows Explorer.

    You may need to restart SOLIDWORKS and Windows Explorer to see the thumbnail icons in these applications.

Viewing Custom Property Information in Windows Explorer

To view custom property information:

  1. In Windows Explorer, open a folder with SOLIDWORKS documents.
  2. Move the pointer over a SOLIDWORKS document.
    The custom property information is displayed.

Opening a SOLIDWORKS Document from Windows Explorer

To open a SOLIDWORKS document from Windows Explorer:

Do one of the following:
  • Double-click the document name.
  • Right-click the document name and select Open.
  • Drag any document supported by the SOLIDWORKS software into an empty part of the SOLIDWORKS graphics area.


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Web Help Content Version: SOLIDWORKS 2016 SP05

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