FILES

file explorer

SolidWorks relies heavily upon the Windows user interface. Within this interface, you'll be required to use the File Explorer to find the models and drawings you create. There are several ways to access the File Explorer:

Select the Start button and find it on the Start menu.
Press the Windows logo key + E.
Select the folder icon on the taskbar.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-customize-file-explorer-in-windows-10/

folders

Folders are buckets which contain files and other folders, these are designed to form as trees
Folders may have a variety of names with few rules, it's important to be as organized as possible when using folders
Every folder has an address; like a website to a location on the drive

New Folders

You may add folders to better organize your files by clicking the NewFolder Button
You will then be asked to Rename the New Folder
Alternatively:
- RMB→New→Folder
You may always Rename the folder later, but there are some consequences if things are linked to the original name

Copying Files/Folders

Throughout Windows and within most programs, you can duplicate items such as files
Once you’ve copied an item, it’s in your Clipboard. Items from your clipboard may be pasted
Alternatively you may use CTRL+C keys on your keyboard or CTRL+LMB-Drag

Pasting Files/Folders

If you have an item on your Clipboard, you may then Paste it
Alternatively you may use CTRL+V keys on your keyboard
You can only paste appropriate items in appropriate locations:
- You cannot paste images into Notepad, Solidworks Sketches into calculator etc.

Rename Files/Folders

Throughout Windows and within most programs, you can Rename items such as files
Alternatively you may slowly double-LMB on an item to rename it

Deleting Files/Folders

Throughout Windows and within most programs, you can Delete items such as files
Alternatively you may use Delete keys on your keyboard

Create your folders

For this course, you'll need to save files in multiple locations
- You MUST ALWAYS operate using files saved on the local PC
- You SHOULD backup your files to a thumbdrive daily
You should create the folder structure shown

FILES

Files are ultimately the final content of folders
Files contain data used by programs
Files may be moved, duplicated, renamed, deleted but not while opened in their respective program

Extensions

All files have EXTENSIONS. These are the types of files.
Each filetype may be associated with a program to open the file.
For example:
- TXT may open with Notepad
- DOCX may open with Word
- PDF may open with Adobe Reader

To view extensions: View→Details→File Name Extensions

SolidWorks Files

SolidWorks uses the following extensions:
- .SLDPRT (3D PART)
- .SLDDRW (2D DRAWING)
- .SLDASM (ASSEMBLY)
- .PRTDOT (3D PART TEMPLATE)
- .DRWDOT (2D DRAWING TEMPLATE)
- .ASMDOT (ASSEMBLY TEMPLATE)
- *Listed in order of importance

PDF Files

PDF Files are nearly universal
PDF Files are independent and do not update
- This is both good and bad
- When you want to make changes to a Parent Item, the PDF will not update respectively. You will have to generate a New PDF that reflects your changes. That makes PDFs great for documenting items as they are desired to be released.

exporting to pdf

Many programs allow you to export and/or print to a PDF file

File→SaveAs→SaveAsType = PDF

For the purposes of this course, ensure that within that SaveAsPDF menu, the files are Save in Black & White

Create your Intro to SolidWorks Folders

Use Windows Explorer to navigate to your Thumbdrive
Create a New Folder “INTRO TO SOLIDWORKS, LAST, FIRST”
1. where LAST is your family name, and FIRST is your given name
Within that folder, create two folders, “HOMEWORK” and “IN-CLASS-EXERCISE”
Within \INTRO TO SOLIDWORS, LAST, FIRST\HOMEWORK\ create folders “01” through “10”
In SolidWorks, create a new Part file named, “01, SKETCHING, LAST, FIRST” saved into the folder titled “01”

Create coursework folders

Either create the folder structure below or unzip the template HERE

THUMBDRIVE
- SPC/SCHOOL
  - INTRO-TO-SOLIDWORKS
    - TEMPLATES
    - HOMEWORK
      - 01
      - 02
      - 03
      - …
      - 58
      - 59
      - 60
    - PROJECT

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