For those who use PDFs as a shop drawing, what interface do you use to get to them?

Discussion in 'SolidWorks' started by SW Monkey, May 17, 2006.

  1. SW Monkey

    SW Monkey Guest

    Im trying to research a fast/easy way for multiple users to access
    these PDFs. We have about 16,000 drawings in PDF format, and using
    Windows Explorer or Windows search to find a file is a PITA.

    Anyone know of a webpage type interface that would work well with this?
     
    SW Monkey, May 17, 2006
    #1
  2. SW Monkey

    Michael Guest

    google desktop?
     
    Michael, May 17, 2006
    #2
  3. SW Monkey

    mr.T Guest

    You can create one your self using ASP , win2000 server and its indexing
    services it is not too complicated especially if you have some sort of data
    base to pull some extra data from.

    It is amazing how much time you can save if you can punch part number and
    have it pop up on the screen instead of walking to the file cabinet, and I'm
    not going to mention the whole printing and copying issue.
     
    mr.T, May 17, 2006
    #3
  4. SW Monkey

    John H Guest

    I think Google Desktop is OK for home use (though Yahoo is better) but there
    are security issues for commercial data.
    I've been trying Copernic Desktop at work (it does network drives) and it's
    great.

    I can find a drawing by part number in a couple of seconds.

    What I've yet to investigate is whether it's possible to have a central
    index that all users can access, rather than a separate index being built on
    each pc.

    Regards,
    John H
     
    John H, May 17, 2006
    #4
  5. SW Monkey

    Brad Guest

    PDM Works has a web interface. We use that to allow our production
    floor to access the pdf files we create. Our Sw users use a full PDM
    client but we use web access for anyone who only reads drawings.
    Brad
     
    Brad, May 17, 2006
    #5
  6. SW Monkey

    Diego Guest

    We're using tif files for our paperless shop project. That said, we use
    a link in our manufacturing software for people to click on which
    brings up the attached files.

    It's clerical on the front end to attach the files to job routings, but
    then it's controllable on what people can get to. Helps with rev
    control issues, etc.

    This may be different from your situation, but then, as always, mileage
    may vary.

    Diego
     
    Diego, May 17, 2006
    #6
  7. SW Monkey

    DT Guest

    I wrote a small .BAT program for viewing word docs. Run the program, it
    asks for a number, it opens it in Word. I imagine you could do
    something similar with a PDF file. I also did something similar with VB
    to view Autocad drawings, same concept.
     
    DT, May 17, 2006
    #7
  8. SW Monkey

    SW Monkey Guest

    Can you post your BAT file, id like to try that out as a temporary way
    to access these files.

    We currently use a PDM system for our SolidWorks files, but chose to
    keep the PDF files outside PDM system. Manufacturing has a "Paperless"
    program that will link to the PDF files, but im looking for something
    that could be used outside of that program. All 16,000 PDFs are in one
    flat directory.

    Heres another question, does everyone using PDFs do rev control on the
    PDFs as well as the SolidWorks files? We plan on doing this with the
    PDFs, and we think we have a good idea how, but im curious how others
    may do this.
     
    SW Monkey, May 17, 2006
    #8
  9. SW Monkey

    DT Guest

    @echo off
    net use x: \\id01sdata2\engineering\shared\LABELS\LOTCARD
    x:
    set /p str=Enter Lot Card Number:
    start /w %str%.doc
    c:
    net use x: /delete
     
    DT, May 17, 2006
    #9
  10. SW Monkey

    DT Guest

    The bat file creates a temporary network drive "x:" then deletes it at
    the end of the code.
    If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask.

    DT
     
    DT, May 17, 2006
    #10
  11. SW Monkey

    Bill Guest

    The batch works good. I would like to be able to do something similar
    with html. Have a field you type the drawing number in, hit submit and
    have it pull up the pdf file.

    Has anyone done this?
     
    Bill, May 18, 2006
    #11
  12. SW Monkey

    SW Monkey Guest

    Yep, thats what im looking for also.


    Thanks DT,

    BAT files works well. For some reason though, it doesnt delete the
    temp network drive mapping when I close the PDF after viewing it.

    If I enter a part # that doesnt exist, than error message comes up
    saying invalid file, and the bat file ends, deleting the network drive
    mapping.
     
    SW Monkey, May 18, 2006
    #12
  13. SW Monkey

    SW Monkey Guest

    Here is my modified BAT file. Ive never messed around with BAT files
    much, but what does /p and /w mean? I havent googled it yet, which I
    probably could find an answer pretty quick.

    Question: Rather than typing "end" to end the BAT file, is it possible
    to end it if the user closes the window? I tried doing this, but it
    network drive doesnt get deleted, and I get an error the next time I
    run the BAT file.

    ---------------------------------------------------------
    @echo off
    net use x: \\NETWORK PATH
    x:

    :BEGIN
    set /p str=Enter Item Number:

    IF EXIST %str%.pdf GOTO RUN

    echo Item not found

    IF %str% == end GOTO END

    GOTO BEGIN

    :RUN
    START /w %str%.pdf

    :END

    c:
    net use x: /delete
    -------------------------------------------
     
    SW Monkey, May 18, 2006
    #13
  14. SW Monkey

    SW Monkey Guest

    Here is my modified BAT file. Ive never messed around with BAT files
    much, but what does /p and /w mean? I havent googled it yet, which I
    probably could find an answer pretty quick.

    Question: Rather than typing "end" to end the BAT file, is it possible
    to end it if the user closes the window? I tried doing this, but it
    network drive doesnt get deleted, and I get an error the next time I
    run the BAT file.

    ---------------------------------------------------------
    @echo off
    net use x: \\NETWORK PATH
    x:

    :BEGIN
    set /p str=Enter Item Number:

    IF EXIST %str%.pdf GOTO RUN

    echo Item not found

    IF %str% == end GOTO END

    GOTO BEGIN

    :RUN
    START /w %str%.pdf

    :END

    c:
    net use x: /delete
    -------------------------------------------
     
    SW Monkey, May 18, 2006
    #14
  15. SW Monkey

    DT Guest

    <<Question: Rather than typing "end" to end the BAT file, is it
    possible
    to end it if the user closes the window?>>

    I'm not sure...The BAT file we use closes after closing the DOC file.
    Maybe it's a server problem. We're using a Windows Server, what about
    you? This was my first attempt at using a BAT file in this way. Sorry I
    can't be of more help to you.
     
    DT, May 18, 2006
    #15
  16. SW Monkey

    SW Monkey Guest

    The BAT file closes just fine if I close the PDF file, I was talking
    about just closing the BAT file in general.

    I can add a IF statement when a user enters "9". that ends the BAT
    file.

    Is there a reason a drive mapping has to take place? Im going to see
    if I can get this to work with an existing directory path.
     
    SW Monkey, May 18, 2006
    #16
  17. SW Monkey

    DT Guest

    <<Is there a reason a drive mapping has to take place?>>
    I created this last year, I'll see if I can find my notes to why I did
    this. It may have had something to do with the UNC path. Big help
    aren't I...LOL!!! Let me know how you fair with the existing path.
     
    DT, May 18, 2006
    #17
  18. SW Monkey

    SW Monkey Guest

    I just found a great program that allowed me to create a GUI to do
    this.

    Check it out, pretty easy to use. If you are interested in the code,
    let me know.

    http://www.autohotkey.com/
     
    SW Monkey, May 19, 2006
    #18
  19. SW Monkey

    DT Guest

    Good deal. I'll check it out. I'd like to check out the code
    too...whenever is convenient for you.
     
    DT, May 22, 2006
    #19
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