Archive

Data archiving saves data to a specific file, letting you back up the system, transfer data between workstations, or pass it to another company.

Data archiving is available at several points in the software, depending on the type of data to be archived. Each archive function creates a specific file.

The data type of the archived file can be identified by its file extension.

• Environment archive: .TEWZIP

• Electrical project archive file:  .PROJ.TEWZIP

• Symbol archive file: .SYMB.TEWZIP

• Title block archive file: .TITLE.TEWZIP

• Macro archive file: .MACRO.TEWZIP

• Manufacturer part archive file: .PARTS.TEWZIP

• Cable reference archive file: .CABLE.TEWZIP

• Configuration archive file: .CONFIG.TEWZIP

Certain archive types contain design-dependent data. For example, an electrical project archive includes symbols, title blocks, and configurations, while a macro archive may contain manufacturer parts and symbols. Users can manage the integration of design-dependent data during the unarchiving process.

• Archive environment

• Archive electrical project

• Archive symbols

• Archive title blocks

• Archive manufacturer parts

• Archive cable references

• Archive macros

• Archive configurations

Archive environment

Occasionally it is necessary to retrieve all of the data managed by SOLIDWORKS Electrical. For example, when schemes (such as title blocks, symbols, reports, and configurations) have been customized.

The archive environment lets users save all of the data to a single file. This allows users to pass data that works with the same environment settings to subcontractors and others. Users can also archive environmental settings to retain data when switching from a client/server installation to a single computer. Environmental archiving also makes projects available in the electrical project management.

A wizard opens. In the Selection tab, options are displayed on the left side of the dialog box.

Exclude electrical projects: When this option is selected, the electrical projects are not included in the archive file whatever the objects selected bellow.

Custom: Customizes the elements to integrate into the archive. The Selection tab lets you select the data types to include in the archiving process. The other tabs let you manage each data type more accurately.

All electrical projects: Includes only the electrical projects that appear in the Electrical project management and mandatory items, like Classification.

All objects: Includes all elements instead of selecting them individually.

Objects from selected libraries: Allows you to select only the elements included in the libraries selected in the next step.

Objects modified by user: Adds only the modified elements to the archive file.

Objects modified by user since: Includes only the elements modified between two dates (custom date or the date of the last archive).

Remind me to do regular archive after this number of days: Reminds you to perform a regular archive. Select the option to activate it and enter the number of days between two archives.

After selecting options, you can navigate between the different tabs to specify the elements you want to include in the archive file. Click Finish to create the archive file.

The size of the archive file depends on the amount of data selected.

After activating the command, you are asked for a filename.

The file extension for environmental archives is .TEWZIP.

To archive the environment, you can also use the Environment Archiver. Environment Archiver is an external application that can be periodically launched by a scheduled task.

Archive electrical project

Archiving an electrical project backs up all of the pages and data within it, as well as items required for design work like symbols, title blocks, and settings. The electrical project archive command is available form the Electrical project management.

Two different commands are available, the first (Archive selected electrical projects) allows you to archive the electrical projects you selected. Several messages can appear, asking you to update drawings, include snapshots... The second command (Archive wizard) opens a wizard allowing you to select options.

Select the electrical project and click the Archive icon.

You must close an electrical project before archiving it, except if it is only open in your workstation. During the archiving, the electrical project is locked for all other users.

If you have selected several electrical projects, they are all included in one archive file.

You are asked for a filename. Electrical project archive files have the file extension PROJ.TEWZIP. When an electrical project is archived, it is kept in the Electrical project management.

Archive symbols

Archiving symbols creates an archive file containing all symbol data (graphic, circuits, connection points). The command is available in the Symbols management.

Select the symbols to include and click the Archive icon.

Symbol archive files have the file extension SYMB.TEWZIP.

Archive title blocks

Archiving title blocks creates an archive file containing all title block data (such as graphic and attribute settings). The command is available in the Title blocks management.

Select the title blocks to include and click the Archive icon.

Title block archive files have the file extension TITLE.TEWZIP.

Archive manufacturer parts

Manufacturer part archiving is mainly used to share/pass manufacturer parts between different workstations or companies. The command is available in the Manufacturer part management.

Select the manufacturer parts to include and click the Archive icon.

The manufacturer part archive file extension is PARTS.TEWZIP.

Archive cable references

Cable reference archiving is mainly used to share/pass references between different workstations or companies. The command is available in the Cable reference management.

Select the references to include and click the Archive icon.

The cable reference archive file extension is CABLE.TEWZIP.

Archive macros

The macro archive file includes all data used in the macro design. The command is available in the Macro management.

Select the macros to include and click the Archive icon.

The macro archive file extension is MACRO.TEWZIP.

Archive configurations

Use this command to archive all configurations (except electrical project configuration files and wire configuration files). Some archive configurations, such as terminals or automation configurations, may contain dependencies.

There is no distinction between different configurations (such as terminal blocks and electrical projects) during archiving. The file extension is the same regardless of type. As a result, you must note the name applied to the archive file, so you can identify its type later. You cannot unarchive configuration files using the incorrect Management dialog box. For example, you cannot unarchive a terminal configuration in the Automation configuration management.

The configuration archive file extension is CONFIG.TEWZIP.