Using SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional

How to manage your documents with SOLIDWORKS

Using SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Training Course Overview

The focus of the Using SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional training course is on the fundamental skills and concepts central to the successful use of SOLIDWORKS PDM including storing documents, revision control, and working within SOLIDWORKS.

This course is designed around a process or task-based approach to training. Rather than focus on individual features and functions, a process-based training course emphasizes the process and procedures you follow to complete a particular task.

By utilizing case studies to illustrate these processes, you will learn the necessary commands, options and menus in the context of completing a task.

Course Duration

In-class 1 Day (5 hours/day)

Or Online 1 Day (5 hours/day)

Skill Level

Basic/Intermediate Course

Course Type

Live Hands-on Practical Training

Using SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Course Requirements & Benefits

Understand the course requirements and the skills you will acquire after completing the course

Requirements

Experience with Windows and SOLIDWORKS software

Knowledge of SOLIDWORKS file structure and referencing

SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional

Features Targeted

Check vault files in and out

Working with file references

Revision control in SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS PDM Workflow

Acquired Skills

Manage your company documents

Share and collaborate with others

Apply document revision control and workflow management

Thanks very much for the great training received this week, you are a true wizard at PDM, we learned a tremendous amount of information and how powerful a tool PDM can be for a company like ours. We look forward to the final steps when we implement this later this month.

— Chris White, Mechanical Designer, Quickmill Inc. 

Using SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Lessons

The following lessons are included in the course

Lesson 1: SOLIDWORKS PDM Concepts

  • The Fundamentals of PDM
  • What is SOLIDWORKS PDM?
  • SOLIDWORKS PDM Overview
  • SOLIDWORKS PDM Modules
  • SOLIDWORKS PDM Components
    • File vault
    • View of file vault
    • Working folder (cache)
    • Access rights
    • SOLIDWORKS PDM 'Smart' files
    • SOLIDWORKS PDM 'Smart' folders
    • File data card
    • Folder data card
    • Workflow
    • Notifications
    • Versions and revisions

Lesson 2: SOLIDWORKS PDM User Interface

  • SOLIDWORKS PDM User Interface
    • Getting help
    • The explorer window
    • Logging in
  • Case Study: Exploring SOLIDWORKS PDM
    • SOLIDWORKS PDM User interface layout
    • Logging out
  • Exercise 1: Explore SOLIDWORKS PDM User Interface

Lesson 3: Document Creation and Check In

  • Document Creation and Check In
    • Create new folders and files
  • Case Study: Checking in Documents
    • Add existing files
    • Document check in
    • Create files and folders from templates
  • Advanced Document Check In
    • Check in file
  • Case Study: Checking in Documents with References
  • Exercise 2: Document Creation and Check In

Lesson 4: Versioning Files

  • Versioning Files
    • Check out
    • Optional check out method
  • Case Study: Versioning Files
    • Overwriting latest versions
    • Local file version
    • Get latest version
    • Get version
    • Overwriting checked out versions
    • Undo check out
    • History
  • Exercise 3: Versioning Files

Lesson 5: File References

  • File References
    • Creating and removing references
  • Case Study: File References
    • Copying files with references
  • Case Study: Copy File and References
    • Moving files with references
  • Case Study: Move File and References
    • Sharing files
  • Exercise 4: File References

Lesson 6: Searching

  • Searching SOLIDWORKS PDM
    • Name and location
    • Start searching
    • Searching for checked out files
    • The search results
  • Case Study: Search
    • Favourite searches
  • Quick search
  • Exercise 5: Search

Lesson 7: Workflow and Notification

  • SOLIDWORKS PDM Workflow
    • Change file state
  • Case Study: Workflow
  • Exercise 6: Workflow

Lesson 8: Working in SOLIDWORKS

  • Versioning SOLIDWORKS Files
    • SOLIDWORKS add-in
    • Add-in options
    • Check out files
  • Case Study: Versioning Files
    • Check in files
  • Managing Local Cache
    • Remove local copy
    • Clear local cache
    • Working with file versions
    • Workflow
  • Exercise 7: Versioning SOLIDWORKS Files

Appendix A: Working with Bill of Materials

  • Bill of Materials (BOM)
    • Modify computed BOM
    • Modify computed BOM quantity
    • Activate computed BOM
  • Case Study: Modify a Computed BOM
    • Create named BOM
    • Modify named BOM
  • Case Study: Create and Modify a Named BOM
    • Compare BOM

What makes a good SOLIDWORKS PDM Administrator?

The successful implementation, use and growth of SOLIDWORKS PDM, is largely dependent on the skill of the administrator. Below are some characteristics that make for a good SOLIDWORKS PDM Administrator:

  • Ability to form concession:
    • Individuals and groups can have differing goals and priorities. A good PDM Admin should be able to form a solution, that the majority can agree on.
  • Ability to make decisions: 
    • At times concession is not practical or possible. A good PDM admin should be able to make decisions that benefit the company as a whole.
  • A solid understanding of the company's policies and processes: 
    • In order to ensure that PDM reflects important company policies and processes, a good PDM Admin should have a good understanding of these policies and processes and/or be able to easily access information on these policies and processes.
  • General computer skills:
    • A comfortable working understanding of computers and a general understanding of networks.
    • The admin should also have access to technical resources such as IT/IS.
  • Time to maintain and administer PDM:
    • The PDM Admin should be able to schedule time for maintaining PDM (updates).
    • General troubleshooting.
    • Developing and growing the use of PDM in order to take full advantage of the automation and time savings offered by SOLIDWORKS PDM.

Training Methods

Choose the training method right for you

Group/Public Training

Receive training as a group (limited amount per class) from certified instructors using vendor approved training content and methodologies.

Training is delivered either live online or in a traditional classroom environment.

Advantages
  • Cost effective training method.
  • More effective than video based training, with videos learners are often not as focused on the training and skip exercises.
  • Learn more through group questions and feedback.

Private Training

This style of flexible training is perfect for teams or individuals who are faced with a specific challenge and require personalized courses with on-the-job coaching.

Training is available live online, in-person classroom or onsite at your location.

Advantages
  • Use our state-of-the-art mobile classroom at your facility.
  • Bring your team up to a consistent level of knowledge by having them take the same training at the same time.
  • Benefit from flexible scheduling options.

Upcoming Training Courses

Choose a scheduled Using SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional course

Date & Time
  • March 18, 2024
  • 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET
Location
Live Online
Date & Time
  • April 8, 2024
  • 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET
Location
Live Online
Date & Time
  • April 22, 2024
  • 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET
Location
Live Online
Date & Time
  • May 6, 2024
  • 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET
Location
Live Online
Date & Time
  • May 21, 2024
  • 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET
Location
Live Online
Date & Time
  • June 3, 2024
  • 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET
Location
Live Online
Date & Time
  • June 17, 2024
  • 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET
Location
Live Online
Date & Time
  • July 8, 2024
  • 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET
Location
Live Online
Date & Time
  • July 22, 2024
  • 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET
Location
Live Online
Date & Time
  • August 12, 2024
  • 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET
Location
Live Online

Are you using SOLIDWORKS to its full potential?

Enhance your skills and capabilities with a SOLIDWORKS Training Assessment from TriMech.