Generate Derived Output

Using the Design with SOLIDWORKS app or SOLIDWORKS Connected, you can schedule a task that generates derived output as .DXF, .DWG, or .PDF files from SOLIDWORKS drawings or STEP files. The software uploads the output to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

Creating a Generate Derived Output Task

To create a generate derived output task:

  1. In SOLIDWORKS, click Tools > SOLIDWORKS Applications > SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler.
  2. Click Generate Derived Output on the sidebar, or click Tasks > Generate Derived Output.
  3. In the Task title dialog box, enter a title for the task.
  4. Specify the Derived Output:
    • DWG file
    • DXF file
    • PDF
    • STEP AP203
    • STEP AP214
    You can have the task include STEP AP203 or AP214 derived objects attached to SOLIDWORKS assemblies. The STEP format is not available for the Design with SOLIDWORKS app in on-premises installations. AP203 defines the geometry, topology, and configuration management data of solid models for mechanical parts and assemblies. This file type does not manage colors and layers. AP214 has everything that an AP203 file includes, but adds colors, layers, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, and design intent.
  5. Select a Collaborative Space.
  6. Specify the Maturity state.
  7. Specify an Owner for the collaborative space.
  8. For Task user, enter your 3DEXPERIENCE Username and Password, only if you are using the Design with SOLIDWORKS app.

Scheduling the Task

Your computer must be on at the scheduled start time for the task to run. The SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler does not need to be open. If the computer is off at the scheduled time, it starts the task automatically when you turn it on.

The Generate Derived Output Task includes the same options as the Export Task. For more information, see: DXF/DWG Options, STEP Export Options, and PDF Export Options.

To schedule the task:

  1. Under Task Schedule, specify the following:
    Option Description
    Running mode Specifies how often the task runs. Select Once, Daily, Weekly, or Monthly.
    Start time Set the time that the task should start.
    Start date Set the date that the task should start
    If you are using the Design with SOLIDWORKS app, you must enter your 3DEXPERIENCE credentials to run this task. These credentials allow the task to run SOLIDWORKS on your behalf at the scheduled time. For example, you can specify a nightly task to automatically generate derived outputs for new assemblies or drawings that match your search.
  2. Click Options to configure export options.
  3. Click Advanced to adjust additional task such as backup file location and time-out duration.
  4. Click Finish.

At the scheduled start time, the software starts the task. If the task processes multiple files, it creates a subtask for each file. If you enabled Backup task files in Task Options, the software saves a backup of each file in a .zip archive before exporting. When the task finishes, the status changes to Completed. Click Completed to see the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler Report.

If the backup files include Unicode file paths, use a zip file extraction tool that supports UTF-8 encoding.