Creating and Using Work Instruction Files

By creating work instruction files, you can run the upgrade tool concurrently on several workstations to reduce the upgrade time.

You create the work instruction files on the first workstation that runs the upgrade tool, which becomes the master workstation.

To create and use work instruction files:

  1. Create a shared folder and give each workstation that will participate in the upgrade Read/Write access.
  2. Start the File Version Upgrade Utility by doing one of the following:
    • On Windows 7 and Windows Server systems prior to Windows Server 2012, from the Windows Start menu, select All Programs > SOLIDWORKS PDM > File Version Upgrade.
    • On Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 or later, on the Apps screen, under SOLIDWORKS PDM, click File Version Upgrade.
  3. On the Welcome screen, select Initiate a new upgrade process (Master Workstation) and click Next.
  4. Complete the wizard screens.
  5. On the Upgrade Settings screen:
    1. Under Upgrade Settings, select Divide the upgrade work into multiple work instruction files.
    2. Specify the number of work instruction files to create.
    3. For Shared location for work instruction files, type the name of the shared folder you created in step 1 or click the browse button to navigate to the folder.
      The folder name must be in UNC format.
    4. Click Next.
  6. On the Ready to Upgrade Files screen, do one of the following:
    • To upgrade now, click Yes.

      When a completion message appears, click OK.

    • To exit the upgrade utility and run work instruction files at a later time, click No.
  7. If you selected No in step 6, run the File Version Upgrade tool again to perform the upgrade using the work instruction files.
  8. On the Welcome screen, select Participate in an upgrade process [Slave Workstation].
  9. On the Select Work Instruction File screen:
    1. Browse to the location of the work instruction files.
    2. Select the work instruction file to process.
    3. Click Next.
      The Work Instruction File Summary displays with a read-only summary of the settings specified for the upgrade.
    4. Click Next.
  10. On the Ready to Upgrade Files screen:
    1. Click View Files to see a list of files that will be upgraded.
    2. To upgrade the files, click Yes.
    3. When a completion message appears, click OK.