DDM Cad For Solidworks Training Manual

DesignDataManager 2017
DDM CAD Training Manual for SOLIDWORKS
©Copyright Concurrent Systems Inc. Ltd, 2017

Ref: 0000000678(2017) DDM 2017 DDM CAD Training Manual Page 2 of 72
DesignDataManager Training Guide
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Table of Contents
Introduction .............................................................................................................. 6
Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 6
What is DesignDataManager? ......................................................................................... 6
Fundamentals ........................................................................................................... 7
DDM Data Model ........................................................................................................... 7
Table Relationships ........................................................................................................ 7
Compulsory Data ........................................................................................................... 8
Document Protection, Workbench ............................................................................ 9
Loading DDM with SOLIDWORKS ........................................................................... 10
DDM and SOLIDWORKS Installation Configuration ............................................... 11
PDM Integrator Menu ............................................................................................. 12
DDM Part Management ........................................................................................... 15

Storing New Parts ........................................................................................................ 15
Task 1 ..................................................................................................................... 19
Modifying Parts ........................................................................................................... 20
Viewing Object Properties ............................................................................................ 21
Creating an Object Preview .......................................................................................... 24
Task 2 ..................................................................................................................... 24
Task 3 ..................................................................................................................... 24
Task 4 ..................................................................................................................... 24
Task 5 ..................................................................................................................... 25
Loading From DDM ................................................................................................. 26
File Version Load Control ............................................................................................. 29
Task 6 ..................................................................................................................... 29
Task 7 ..................................................................................................................... 29
DDM Assembly Management .................................................................................. 30
Storing a New Assembly............................................................................................... 30
Assembly Properties .................................................................................................... 33
Assembly Relations ...................................................................................................... 34
Task 8 ..................................................................................................................... 35
Task 9 ..................................................................................................................... 35
DDM Drawing Management .................................................................................... 36
Drawing Properties ...................................................................................................... 38
Drawing Relations........................................................................................................ 39
Task 10 ................................................................................................................... 40
Task 11 ................................................................................................................... 40
Release Manager .................................................................................................... 41
CAD Structures ............................................................................................................ 41
Task 12 ................................................................................................................... 41
Up-Issue / Revision Manager ................................................................................. 42
Task 13 ................................................................................................................... 45
Up-issuing a component from DDM Office ..................................................................... 46

Task 14 ................................................................................................................... 47
Issue Load Control ....................................................................................................... 48
DDM Configuration Management ........................................................................... 50
Saving Configurations to DDM ...................................................................................... 50
Adding New Configurations .......................................................................................... 53
DDM ‘Save Copy As’ ................................................................................................ 55
DDM ‘Save-As’ ......................................................................................................... 57

Task 15 ................................................................................................................... 59
Renaming ................................................................................................................ 60
Task 16 ................................................................................................................... 62
Importing CAD Data to DDM .................................................................................. 63
Manual Import Procedure for SOLIDWORKS .................................................................. 64
Manual Import Options ................................................................................................ 66
Directory Import Procedure for SOLIDWORKS ............................................................... 68

Introduction
Objectives
The purpose of this training manual is to help you understand and make effective use of DesignDataManager
within your business.
What is DesignDataManager?
DesignDataManager (DDM) is a document management system.
Businesses are dependant on documentation. Examples include office documents, such as project documentation,
including specifications, review minutes, calculation sheets, test reports through to CAD data with its complex
structures and relationships.
All these documents need to be carefully managed, controlling who is allowed to view or modify them. In addition
a full audit trail should be maintained to meet fundamental requirements of quality standards.
DDM is designed to provide these essential tools and controls. Using an intuitive, easy to learn user interface,
users will soon be productive. Many advanced features are built into the base product allowing customers to scale
their implementation without incurring additional module costs. These include, support for Change Orders, BOM
management, title block population, auto-numbering and process control using graphical workflow.

Fundamentals
DDM Data Model

DDM provides a data model, which caters for the storage of Parts, Assemblies, Drawings and Documents. Links
can be made between any of these objects, to show the relationships that are to be found between them. For
example, parts are linked together as assemblies or Documents are linked to Parts to show association. These
links are all handled by the database, using a schema as shown below.
PARTS
DOCUMENTS
ASSEMBLIES DRAWINGS
Table Relationships
The relationships between these tables can be defined in five simple statements, as below
An Assembly consists of one or more Parts and/or Assemblies.
An Assembly can also have one or more Documents and/or Drawings associated to it.
A Part can have one or more Documents and/or Drawings associated to it.
A Drawing can be associated to either Parts or Assemblies.
A Document can be associated either to a Part, Assembly, Drawing or another Document.

Compulsory Data
When saving Parts, Assemblies, Drawings and Documents to the DDM database, certain information must be
supplied for database integrity to be maintained. Each record in the database must be unique, so the following
rules have been placed on information required for each record on creation.
For Parts and Assemblies, the part or assembly number (Name) and Issue are the only fields which must be filled
in by the user. It is these two fields which are used to make each Part or Assembly unique.
In the same way, Drawing Name/Number and Issue are the attributes required to make each Drawing unique, and
Document Name/Number and Issue are the attributes required to make each document unique.
The core concept behind the data management capabilities of DDM is that of the Vault. Although a database is
used to store all the information and links between Parts, Assemblies, Drawings and Documents, a file Vault is
used to store all the physical files.
The positioning of files within the Vault is handled entirely by DDM and cannot be accessed directly by users.

Document Protection, Workbench
DDM has a comprehensive set of ACLs (Access Control Lists) that control access rights to documents (document,
part, assembly or drawing). These ACLs can be modified by an Administrator to satisfy the business needs. By
default, documents are protected by their state. In this way, a document at a state of Work in Progress can be
modified whereas documents that are Checked, Released or Superseded cannot be modified.
If any document at a Work in Progress state can be modified, then a mechanism is required to prevent multiple
users modifying the same document concurrently and overwriting each other’s work.
When working in the file system there is no mechanism to protect a document from being modified by another
user. This can result in documents being overwritten, modified or deleted by others. DDM enables users to
‘reserve’ documents thereby preventing other users from making changes.
In DDM each user has a personal folder called a ‘Workbench’. To protect and prevent other users making changes
to the document, the user must ‘reserve’ the document to their Workbench.
Any new documents that the user creates will automatically be reserved to the user’s Workbench. The padlock
next to the document icon indicates that the document is reserved to the user’s Workbench:
Users are still able to view and load documents reserved by others, but do not have permission to modify them.
This is important when working with CAD data. Within an assembly, multiple users can load all relevant sub-
assemblies and parts, but can only modify those they have individually reserved.
Items reserved by other users are clearly shown in the search results:

Loading DDM with SOLIDWORKS
Start SOLIDWORKS in the standard way (from the Windows Start Menu, or Desktop Shortcut)
The user will be prompted to login to DDM as SOLIDWORKS starts. When prompted, log in using the given
username and password:
DDM integrates into SOLIDWORKS using the PDMIntegrator, a SOLIDWORKS add-in. If the add-in is not enabled
then the user will not be prompted to login to DDM and will not be able to access DDM from the SOLIDWORKS
environment. The PDMIntegrator add-in will need to be enabled.
To enable the SOLIDWORKS DDM Add-in, select Tools > Add-Ins:

DDM and SOLIDWORKS Installation Configuration
A default installation of DDM will be located in the directory C:\DesignDataManager. The default SOLIDWORKS
working directory should be configured to C:\DesignDataManager\Working.
All SOLIDWORKS data saved to or loaded from DDM will be placed in this directory:

PDM Integrator Menu
DDM integration within SOLIDWORKS will enable a DDM specific menu called PDMIntegrator:
In addition these commands are made available from a PDM Ribbon Bar.
Parts:
Assemblies:
Drawings:

These Ribbon Bar menus provide the following DDM functions:
Search and Open: Calls the DDM search interface. This allows a user to load model a from DDM into
SOLIDWORKS.
Retrieve Related Drawing: Allows users to retrieve drawings related to the model currently in session. This
allows for fast retrieval of associated drawings without having to search and retrieve from DDM.
Properties: View the DDM properties of the item in the current active window.
Save: Save the current item to DDM. If the item is new, not yet stored to DDM, you will be prompted to assign a
unique name and issue. If the item has been loaded from DDM, the record will be overwritten if it is reserved by
the current user and at a modifiable state.
If the object is an assembly or drawing, prompts will be made to also save any other objects within the structure
not yet stored to the database
Save as: Create a copy of the object in the current active window to the database. A new unique name and/or
issue will need to be specified. The items in session will be renamed as part of the save-as operation. The original
items will no longer be in session. If the item is an assembly or drawing, prompts will be made to also copy any
other items within the structure.
Save A Copy As: Create a copy of the object in the current active window to the database. A new unique name
and/or issue will need to be specified. This is different to ‘Save As’ because a copy of the object is saved to DDM
as a new part or assembly, but not retained in-session or used to replace the current component in its in-session
where-used.
Save New Issue: Creates a new issue of the current active item in session.
Save Current Configuration: Saves the current part configuration to DDM and links it to the ‘Default’
configuration record in DDM.
Save All Configurations: Saves all configurations to DDM. Each configuration will have individual records
created which link back to the ‘Default’ configuration.
Load Sub-Part: Assemble a component into an assembly (open in session) from the database.
Create Preview: Create a jpeg preview image of the current active object.
Import: Imports all items in the current structure to DDM. Import is explained in more detail later in the manual.
Scan BOM: Scans the current assembly structure, and updates the Bill of Materials associated to the assembly
record.
Clear Working Dir: Clears contents of the user’s local temporary workspace, \DesignDataManager\working
3D Model file ‘attachment’ options:

Save STEP: Create a STEP file attachment of the currently active model.
Save PARASOLID: Create a Parasolid file attachment of the currently active model.
Drawing file ‘attachment’ options:

Save PDF: Create a PDF preview of the current active drawing.
Save DXF: Create a DXF file attachment of the current active drawing.
Save DWG: Create a DWG file attachment of the current active drawing.

Commonly used DDM command can be added to the Quick Access toolbar using standard SOLIDWORKS
functionality.
Here, Search and Open, Save, Properties and Clear Working Dir have been added to the SOLIDWORKS quick
access toolbar. The standard File Open and Save commands have been removed:
Tip: To customise the quick access toolbar, you must have a part record open in SOLIDWORKS. Right click in the
menu area and select ‘Customise’:
Select PDMIntegrator from the ‘Commands’ tab and drag the commands that you require to the Quick Access
Toolbar:

DDM Part Management
Storing New Parts

For CAD data to be stored to DDM, parts/assemblies (scene files) and drawings, the use model is to store the
model to DDM using the DDM ‘Save’ function. The ‘Import’ function is provided for importing legacy data and this
is covered later in the manual.
A new part file is created as below:
Store the part to DDM using the PDM Save option:

Ensure the part is stored to the \DesignDataManager\Working Directory:
You have the option to name the part at this stage, or alternatively you can retain the default name and assign a
name once the DDM save/property window opens. This would be appropriate if using the DDM auto-numbering
facility. The part will be renamed in session as part of the saving process.
In this case, we retain the SOLIDWORKS default name ‘Part1’.
The DDM part properties window is displayed:

We use the ‘Auto Number’ button to allocate a unique number for the part using DDM’s Auto-numbering facility.
Before completing the save, other relevant information is entered, such as a description, comments, keywords etc.
In addition we should decide where the model will be stored:
In this case we select our Workbench:
Finally, if required, we can fill out the Custom attributes:

We are now ready to store the part to DDM, click OK to complete the save:
A notepad window will confirm the store to DDM, this gives useful feedback to the user, especially when working
with assemblies, and can be closed once read:

Task 1
Create a part as defined below and store to DDM.
Bearing housing:
Name/Part No: Use the auto-number generator

Description: bearing housing

Modifying Parts
Once a new part has been stored to DDM, subsequent changes can be stored using the PDM Integrator > Save
menu as before, assuming that you have the correct permissions to overwrite the part in DDM.
We make a change to the part, created earlier, by adding a 21mm dia. through hole as shown below:
Store the part to DDM using the PDM Integrator Save menu option. This time you will not be prompted by the
DDM save window, the record in DDM will be overwritten with the modified part.
As before, a notepad window will confirm that the changes have been saved.

Viewing Object Properties
View the DDM properties of the housing part:
Using this properties window, you can view and modify the part attribute information
Note: any changes made here are automatically transferred to the SOLIDWORKS Custom part properties:

File Properties in SOLIDWORKS:
The ‘Properties’ tab displays information about the model such as material and mass. In addition information can
be found about who created the part and when it was created.
Note: ‘First Created By’ tells us who created the first Issue of the Part. ‘Created By’ tells us who created this
specific Issue.

The ‘Versions’ tab displays information of each save to the database:
As the lifecycle of the part evolves the other tabs can be used to view Revision History, Where Used information,
and Change Note details.

Creating an Object Preview
As we have already seen, object previews are automatically created when parts are stored to DDM. This behaviour
can be disabled in the DDM Client Configuration utility. It is recommended that automatic preview creation is left
enabled as it is a useful feature when browsing models stored in DDM.
If you are not satisfied with the automatic preview created during the store process, then manually orientate the
object in SOLIDWORKS and then select the Create Preview option from the PDM Ribbon:
Task 2
Modify the bearing housing part that you created earlier by adding a hole to fit a bearing. Store the changes to
DDM
Task 3
Check the properties of the bearing housing part, confirming the number of file versions.
Task 4
Create a new part preview.

Task 5
Create two new parts as shown below and store to DDM giving appropriate descriptions:
Description: bearing 21-15-16
Description: shaft 15 dia
Once complete, close all objects from CAD session and clear the working directory.
Note: to clear the working directory, use the ‘Clear working dir’ option from the PDM Integrator menu:

Loading From DDM
The DDM load window allows full control of the saved file version and/or issue of a part, assembly or drawing
being loaded into CAD session from the DDM.
From this load screen it is also possible to reserve any components not already locked, view the properties of any
components about to be loaded, export the structure to the file system, or generate reports.
In addition, the load window also incorporates a progress bar that displays how much of the model has been
copied to the working directory before being loaded into the CAD application.
Loading data into the CAD application MUST be done via the PDMIntegrator > Search and Open menu. If this is
not done, the following message will be displayed:
Use the PDMIntegrator -> Search and Open menu to load from the database:
Alternatively, if you have configured your Quick Access Toolbar, select Search and Open from here:

Search for the required item in DDM. Once located use either the right click menu and select ‘Open’, or double
click to load into session:
The DDM load screen will be displayed:
This is the structure of items that will load into CAD session.

Any items not reserved at this time can be reserved via a right mouse click on the item:
Other related tasks can also be performed using this menu – view the properties of an item, generate a BOM
report, change the status of items etc. before loaded into CAD.

File Version Load Control
The load screen can also be used to specify the saved file version of items selected for load into session.
Before selecting ‘OK’ to load the item into session, click in the ‘File Ver’ field, or select ‘F2’ and select the required
file version for load:
Task 6
Search in DDM for the housing part created in task 1. Load the part into session as stored. Note the design of the
part – when complete, close the Part.
HINT: Use ‘My Recent Items’ to quickly find parts that you have been working on.
Task 7
Search again in DDM for the housing part. Load the original file version 1 into session.
Note the differences in the design of this earlier stored version of the part.
Close the Part and clear the working directory.

DDM Assembly Management
Storing a New Assembly
Create a new SOLIDWORKS assembly based on the bearing housing part previously saved to DDM.
HINT: Load the bearing housing into session and use the SOLIDWORKS ‘Make Assembly from Part’ command
(creates a new assembly containing the current model)
There are two ways to add components to the assembly. We can load a part into session from DDM and then load
the part into the assembly session from the working directory using the standard SOLIDWORKS ‘insert
components’ function.
Alternatively, the PDM Integrator has a ‘Load Sub-Part’ function that will load a component, or sub-assembly,
directly into the assembly from DDM.
We now want to add a second component - the bearing. In DDM, we search for and load the ‘bearing 21-15-16’
part created earlier.
HINT: use ‘My Recent Items’ to quickly find parts recently created or modified:

Complete by adding the shaft in the same way, using standard SOLIDWORKS assembly constraints to position the
parts in the assembly.
Once complete, store the assembly to DDM:
Use the auto-number generator to store the new assembly to DDM:
When all information has been entered, select ‘OK’ to save the assembly.

As before, a ‘save progress’ window will open, showing the results of the Save function. Notice the component
parts of the assembly are not saved back to DDM as they have not changed:

Assembly Properties
View the DDM properties of the bearing assembly:
Note the structure in the ‘Links’ tab:
By clicking the BOM button we can see the BOM of the assembly stored from SOLIDWORKS in DDM:
Select ‘OK’ to close both the BOM Editor Window and the Properties Window

Assembly Relations
The Assembly structure can also be viewed from the DDM search window. Select ‘Search and Open’ to return to
DDM and view ‘My Workbench’:
Here we can see the three components and assembly stored to DDM.
We can drill into the Bearing Housing assembly by clicking on the ‘>’ symbol, and from here we can see the
components used in that assembly:
In a similar way, we can drill into the part record and by using the ‘Relations’ function, we can see where the
component is used:

Note: The options to include relations in search results is enabled from ‘Tools’, ‘Options’, under ‘Searches’:
Task 8
Create a new ‘bearing assembly’ using your own components created in Tasks 2 and 5, as shown on page 31.
Store to DDM giving the assembly a name (Part Number) and description.
Confirm that the assembly is correctly stored to DDM.
Task 9
Edit the BOM and add a requirement for 1off ‘bearing’ to be supplied as a spare.
Clear all items from session, and clear all files from the working directory.

DDM Drawing Management
We now load the bearing assembly, 00000004, into session from DDM and create a drawing.
Views are added as required:
Once complete, store the assembly drawing to DDM:

The DDM new drawing properties window is displayed. Drawing No and description are picked up from the
assembly:
When all information has been entered select ‘OK’ to save the drawing.
As before, a save progress window will open, showing the results of the Save function. Notice the component
parts of the assembly are not saved back to DDM as they have not changed:
Using custom attributes mapped from DDM it is possible to automatically populate the drawing title block with
attributes from DDM. Setting up drawing title blocks to take advantage of this functionality is covered later in the
manual:

Drawing Properties
With the assembly drawing in session,
select PDM > Properties:
The Drawing Properties window opens. Note; to view the PDF preview double click on the thumbnail preview:
Select the ‘links’ tab to view the structure of the drawing in DDM:

Drawing Relations
The Drawing structure can also be viewed from the DDM search window. Select ‘Search and Open’ to return to
DDM and view ‘My Recent Items’:
By looking under ‘Relations’ we can see the Drawing PDF Preview stored as an ‘Attachment’:
The PDF Preview can also be viewed by right clicking on the drawing record and selecting Preview:

Task 10
Create individual drawings of the bearing assembly, the bearing housing and the shaft, and store to DDM.
Task 11
Investigate the use of ‘Load Related Drawing’ from the PDM Integrator menu
Close models and drawings and clear the working directory.

Release Manager
CAD Structures
Models and drawings that we have created are now ready to be ‘Released’ for quotation or manufacture.
When releasing a CAD structure, select the top level assembly drawing and check that all sub components are also
released before releasing the higher level assembly and drawing. In this example, we release the initial assembly
that we created by selecting the top level assembly drawing ‘bearing assembly’:
Note: use ‘Expand All’ to see the full assembly structure and component drawings. In this case we select all items
(Ctrl + A) and use the ‘Set State’ button to change the state from Work in Progress to Released.
Task 12
Release the ‘bearing assembly’ from the top level assembly drawing.
Ensure all models and drawings that you have created are at a Released state.

Up-Issue / Revision Manager
The PDM menu, in conjunction with DDM, allows the creation of different issues of components. In this way,
history of the changes made to a component can be tracked and if necessary, older issues can be loaded for
reference.
Typically, older issues would have their states set to signify that they may no longer be in production,
Superseded, and later issues may be either Released or still at a Work in Progress state.
We will load the bearing assembly; make a change to one of the components and then up-issue the changed
component, assembly and drawing back to DDM.
First we search for and load the ‘bearing assembly’ from DDM.
Next, open the ‘bearing housing’ part and modify it by adding 2mm rounds to the upper edges of the housing as
shown:
Next, we call the ‘bearing housing’ drawing into session using ‘Load Related Drawing’:
With the drawing now in session, showing the modifications to the part, select PDM > Save New Issue:

The DDM Up-Issue/Revision Manager opens:
Ensure that both drawing and part are selected and then click ‘Next Issue’ to up-issue the housing to issue 2:
Add any Change Reason information as required:
Note: Change No field is optional.
Select ‘OK’ to create the new issues

The ‘save progress’ dialogue will confirm that the up-issue has completed, the up-issued component and drawing
have been stored to DDM and that new issue is now in session:
Finally we must up-issue the higher level assembly drawing. Return to the ‘bearing assembly’, load the drawing
using ‘Load Releated Drawings’ and up-issue in the same way, adding a Change Reason as before:
Complete the up-issue by selecting ‘OK’ from the Issue/ Revision Manager window. Again the ‘save_progress’
report confirms that the assembly has been up-issued.

Note that with the title block properly configured we can transfer change note information automatically to the
drawing title block:
Finally, we confirm that the required changes have taken place by reviewing the structure of the assembly
drawing selecting PDM > Properties:
Alternativelty we can see the same information from the structure in the Search Results:
We can see that the correct issues are in place as required.
Task 13
Using the techniques outlined above, modify your bearing assembly by adding rounds to the housing. Up-issue
both housing and assembly.
Once complete, close all objects from CAD session and ‘Clear working dir’.

Up-issuing a component from DDM Office
There may be occasions when you up-issue an assembly, or a component from DDM Office before loading into
CAD. For example, you may know the changes that you need to make and decide to up-issue the component
before loading into CAD and making the changes. Normally we should check where this component is used before
making the changes so that we can ensure these parent assemblies are also up-issued.
In this instance we are just going to up-issue the shaft as we need to make it longer. From DDM, search for the
shaft drawing, right click and select ‘up-issue’:
Here we up-issue the shaft and add a change reason as before:
Complete the up-issue by selecting ‘OK’ from the Issue/ Revision Manager window

We can see the up-issued shaft in ‘My Recent Items’:
Now the up-issued shaft can be loaded into SOLIDWORKS and modified as necessary.
Task 14
Up-issue the ‘shaft’ and ‘shaft’ drawing, and increase its length to 100mm. Remember to fill in change reason as
part of the up-issue.

Issue Load Control
From SOLIDWORKS, select PDM Search and Open. Search for the ‘bearing assembly’ drawing, Issue 2. Once
located use either the right click menu and select Open or double click to open:
After selecting ‘Open’, if later issues exist for any of the components, a warning icon is displayed against each
object. In this case there is a later issue available of the shaft:
The colour of the text can be changed to provide additional visual indication that a component is not at the latest
issue:

Later issues of individual components can be loaded by clicking in the ‘Issue’ field, or selecting ‘F2’:
The latest issues of all components can be loaded by selecting the ‘Latest Issues’ option from the drop-down
selection box:
The Bearing Assembly can now be loaded into session with the extended shaft. To update the links in DDM, the
updated assembly must be saved from SOLIDWORKS.

DDM Configuration Management
Saving Configurations to DDM

In order for configurations to be correctly stored to DDM, there must be a configuration named ‘Default’ present
within the Configurations Manager in SOLIDWORKS.
In the following example, we will create SOLIDWORKS Configurations based on a family of bearings.
We create a new part using the sketch below:
Add configurations as shown:
Name Description Outside dia Inside dia depth

Config 1 Bearing 21-15-16 21 15 16
Config 2 Bearing 26-20-10 26 20 10
The Configurations are now ready for storing to DDM. Activate the Default configuration, and select ‘PDM > Save
All Configurations:

The Part properties window will open:
Add a description and then use the ‘Auto Number’ button to allocate new unique numbers for each of the
configurations:
Continue to add part numbers and description for each configuration:

The save progress dialogue will confirm that the configurations have been stored to DDM:
The DDM properties window will list all dependant configurations created from the default configuration. This is
available when activating the default configuration, viewing the DDM properties, and from the links page, selecting
the ‘instances’ button:

Adding New Configurations
To add a new configuration, load the default configuration into session.
Note: The default configuration must be at a modifiable state and reserved by the current user to allow new
configurations to be added.
Ensure the ‘default’ configuration is selected, and add a new configuration with the following specifications:
Name Description Outside dia Inside dia depth

Config 3 Bearing 16-12-10 16 12 10
With the new configuration active, Select ‘PDMIntegrator, Save Current Configuration:
This will store the new configuration to DDM, and link it to the default configuration (or ‘generic’ part).
Add a description and then use the ‘Auto Number’ button to allocate a unique number to the new configuration as
before:

View the properties of the default configuration and confirm the listed instances of the part are updated to include
the new configuration:
Note that the Generic (or Default Configuration) of any Instance (Configuration) can be found by opening the
properties of the Configuration and selecting the ‘Generic’ button on the Links tab:
Once complete, close all objects from CAD session and clear the Working directory.

DDM ‘Save Copy As’
There may be times when working on an assembly that you want to use an existing part (or sub-assembly) from
the assembly open in session as the basis for a new part that is to be included in the same assembly.
With the Bearing Assembly (issue 2) in session, we want to make a copy of the bearing housing to re-use in the
assembly under a new Name (part number). From the model tree, open the housing part into its own window.
Select ‘Save a Copy As’ from the PDM Ribbon Bar:
The new part properties window is displayed. Note that the original part name is still displayed with a ‘_copy’
suffix, the part must be renamed using the ‘Auto Number’ button:

A new Name (Part Number) is generated and the description is modified as required:
Click ‘OK’ to save the copied part.
Close the bearing housing part window and return to the assembly. Using ‘load sub-part’ function, assemble the
copied part into the assembly from DDM.
We now have two independent but identical parts in the assembly:
The copied part can be modified without changing the original part that it was based on.

DDM ‘Save-As’
DDM allows a user to create a ‘save-as’ copy of any part or assembly in the database. From within CAD session,
users can select exactly which components should be copied; any components not selected will remain common to
any assemblies that currently use them.
We will load the assembly already created (‘bearing assembly’ Issue 2) and store it back to DDM under a new
name, copying the shaft component at the same time.
Search for and load the ‘bearing assembly’ (Issue 2) from DDM, ignore the warning about the newer issue of the
shaft (load shaft issue 1). Modify the shaft by adding a 5mm hole through the centre and then return to the
assembly.
Select PDM Integrator > Save As:
DDM will prompt for other components to be copied at the same time. Here we select the shaft, 00000003. NOTE:
Remember to select ‘Include Drawings’ if we want the drawings to be copied also.
Note we could, if required, select all components to create a completely independent copy of the assembly.

Enter new names, and modify the description, for each of the items selected for copy, as shown. First the shaft:
Update the corresponding drawing:
Next, the top level assembly:
Finally rename the assembly drawing, matching the name given to the assembly:
The ‘save progress’ dialogue confirms the save to DDM:

Confirm that the structure is as expected using the PDM > Properties command:
Task 15
Create a copy of the bearing assembly, at the same time modifying and copying the bearing housing (or shaft)
used in the assembly. Ensure any related drawings are included in the copy.
Once complete, remove all drawings and models from session.

Renaming
It is possible that a part, assembly or drawing might need to be renamed. This, however, is allowed only under
the following conditions:
1. Drawings can be renamed.

2. Assemblies with no drawings can be renamed.
3. Parts with no drawings and no assemblies can be renamed.
4. Assemblies with drawings can be renamed only if all drawings of it are also in session at the same time.
5. Parts with drawings and/or used in assemblies can be renamed only if all drawings and/or assemblies are
also in session at the same time.
6. Only members of the “designers” group are able to rename parts, assemblies and drawings.
As an example, we will rename the part 00000010, the shaft (shaft 15 dia - hollow).
In order to rename, we need to find where the item is used. From the search results, check where the hollow
shaft is used:
ALL parent parts/assemblies/drawings listed need to be loaded into CAD session before the component rename
takes place. If this is not done, then these models will not correctly retrieve the renamed component as they will
still contain a link to the original model name.

Once all required drawings, assemblies and parts are loaded into session, change the window to the copied shaft
component, 00000011, Select PDM > Properties and then click the #alter Part No# button to allow the part name
to be changed:
DDM will warn that all parent items will need to be in CAD session:
Click ‘yes’ to confirm the name change will take place, and DDM will confirm name modification is now possible:

Now that the Alter Number function has been enabled, click the Auto-Numbering button to assign a new part
number to the Shaft:
In the same way we rename the associated part drawing 00000010 to 00000012. Finally, we save each assembly
identified in the ‘Where Used’ list back to DDM to ensure that they use the new name of the part. In this case
save the top level assembly drawing 00000012 back to DDM.
Finally, confirm that the rename has completed correctly by checking the properties – links tab of the renamed
part:
Task 16
Rename the copied shaft part created earlier; ensuring that it’s associated drawing is also renamed.
Hint. Remember to check where the shaft is used before renaming.
Once complete, remove all drawings and models from session. Finally clear the working directory.

Importing CAD Data to DDM
A scenario could exist where a legacy assembly being saved to DDM uses common parts used by other legacy
assemblies.
A standard save into the database would result in an attempt to create two identical records in DDM which is not
allowed. Import functionality is available to overcome this.
DDM tracks components when they are imported into the database, so when a user tries to import a component
that has previously been imported, they are presented with a choice – either to use the part that has already been
imported, or to store the duplicate part into the database as a new part with a new number.
Consider the following assembly shown below:
The top level assembly also has an associated drawing, as does the sub assembly.
DDM provides two methods of importing data:

• Manual method; importing data a part/assembly at a time
• Directory Import; allows a complete directory of SOLIDWORKS data to be imported automatically.
NOTE: If existing filenames are to be used as part/assembly numbers in DDM, then auto-numbering should be
switched off by a DDM Administrator.

Manual Import Procedure for SOLIDWORKS
The user should locate the SOLIDWORKS CAD files on the file system, and copy them to the DDM working
directory; C:\DesignDataManager\working
It is essential that data is copied from the existing file location as DDM will modify file properties as part of the
import process. The recommended method for copying the data is to use SOLIDWORKS ‘Pack and Go’.
Ensure the ‘Include Drawings’ option is checked:
Load the top-level CAD assembly or drawing into SOLIDWORKS from the Working directory, and select Import to
DDM:
DDM will prompt that components required by the assembly will be imported at this time - this is why it is VITAL
that all required models are backed up to the \Working directory:

DDM will now import the drawing and all models contained in the assembly. Records will be created using the
existing filenames. Once the import is complete the ‘save progress’ dialogue will give confirmation to the user:
We can confirm the structure of the assembly in DDM by selecting the PDM > Properties command:
If a component that has previously been imported is encountered in a future import, the user will be prompted
with the following message:
Selecting ‘Yes’ will require a new name or issue to be entered for that component.
Selecting ‘No’ tells DDM not to save this part, but use the copy already stored.
If we answer ‘No’, to use the existing part, we will be prompted as follows:
DDM will ask if the file version in session should be used to overwrite the existing DDM file version stored against
the record. If we know the previously imported file version is correct then we can answer no. If we wish to create
a new file version, answer yes.

Manual Import Options
It is possible to configure DDM to import all components within an assembly structure, without prompting for DDM
information against each individual item. This will reduce the time needed to import a large assembly structure
into the database.
Load the DDM Client Configuration tool from Start > Concurrent Systems, Inc > DDM Client Configuration:
Select the ‘Import’ tab:
To remove the part, assembly or drawing properties prompt, select the ‘Auto Save’ options:
If model number generation is enabled, prompts will still be made to allocate numbers for each component.
The Properties window will also open for any compulsory attributes.

To configure how DDM behaves when encountering an items that has previously been imported into DDM, select
from the following options:
Prompt: - Ask the user which course of action should be taken from the following options:-
Treat as New: - the user will need to give this component a new name or issue. A new record will be created.
Use Previous: - will not store any changes to DDM during import, but will use the existing record from the
database when encountering an object that has previously been imported.
Use Previous and Attach New File - will create a new file version against a record in DDM when encountering
an object that has previously been imported. This option will follow ACL rules, therefore the object must be
reserved by the user and the user must have ‘modify’ rights.
‘Use Previous’ is the recommended setting for most installations.

Directory Import Procedure for SOLIDWORKS
A Directory Import utility is provided for existing SOLIDWORKS data, this allows the user to point to a directory of
SOLIDWORKS data, including drawings, and import all the data in one go. The import utility will run some checks
prior to import to ensure all required files are available, any missing files will need to be located before the import
can complete. In addition the Directory Import utility will copy all data from the current location on the file system
to the DDM working directory so that there is no need to manually copy the data as required by the manual
import method.
Before running the Directory Import utility ensure that you are logged into DDM and have SOLIDWORKS open.
The Directory Import utility can be found here:

"C:\DesignDataManager\PDMIntegrator_SolidWorks\2017\ImportDirContent.exe"
Run ImportDirContent.exe, the Directory Import utility window opens:

We should first point to the directory containing the files we want to import:
Next we determine if Configuration Parameters should be copied to SOLIDWORKS Custom Properties. DDM reads
attribute information from Custom Properties and not from Configuration Parameters. If your parameters are
defined as Configuration Parameters ensure that the option is selected to copy as shown:
If the directory to be imported includes Toolbox parts then it is strongly recommended that these are converted to
standard SOLIDWORKS parts prior to storing to DDM. This prevents any ongoing conflicts with the Toolbox and
ensures that the items are correctly managed in DDM:
DDM does not allow a part and assembly to exist with the same number whereas SOLIDWORKS will allow this
when saving to the file system. The import tool can be configured to rename any parts that have the same name
as assemblies using the following option:
In the above example, the part will have ‘-1’ appended to the part number/filename.
When working with configurations, usually the configuration is assigned the part number of the configuration item.
Sometimes however, the part number of the configuration is stored as the BOM number attribute. DDM is not able
to read from this attribute and so the import tool can be configured to rename the configurations to match the
BOM item number:

Options are also available to automate the import process and remove prompts:
With ‘Auto save’ selected the user will not be prompted with the DDM Properties window for each item. Note: this
is only suitable if the items already have filenames that match the item part/drawing number.
Finally we can determine what action should be taken when importing a previously imported component. See page
67 for a full explanation of these options:

With all options configured we can start the import. This is run from the File menu, File -> Import:
The import process will begin. Depending on the options selected, some pre-processing may take place prior to
the import:
Once this is complete you will receive the following prompt:

Click ‘Yes’ to begin the import to DDM:
A summary report will confirm that the import has completed:
It is recommended that the import is verified before moving on to a new directory. To do this, clear the working
directory of files (C:\DesignDataManager\working) and then load imported assemblies and drawings from DDM to
SOLIDWORKS.
Note: Remember that the #Clear working dir’ PDM function can be used:
Finally confirm that the correct file links have been created as shown:

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DesignDataManager 2017

DDM CAD Training Manual for SOLIDWORKS

©Copyright Concurrent Systems Inc. Ltd, 2017

SOLIDWORKS® is a registered trademark of SOLIDWORKS Corporation.

IronCAD is a registered trademark of IronCAD or its Licensor.

Concurrent Systems Inc. Ltd

Telephone: +44(0) 1635 551553

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Loading DDM with SOLIDWORKS ........................................................................... 10

DDM and SOLIDWORKS Installation Configuration ............................................... 11

PDM Integrator Menu ............................................................................................. 12

DDM Part Management ........................................................................................... 15

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DDM ‘Save-As’ ......................................................................................................... 57

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DesignDataManager (DDM) is a document management system.

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DDM Data Model

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To enable the SOLIDWORKS DDM Add-in, select Tools > Add-Ins:

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3D Model file ‘attachment’ options:

Drawing file ‘attachment’ options:

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Storing New Parts

A new part file is created as below:

Store the part to DDM using the PDM Save option:

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In this case, we retain the SOLIDWORKS default name ‘Part1’.

The DDM part properties window is displayed:

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In this case we select our Workbench:

Finally, if required, we can fill out the Custom attributes:

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Create a part as defined below and store to DDM.

Name/Part No: Use the auto-number generator

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Create a new part preview.

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Description: bearing 21-15-16

Description: shaft 15 dia

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The DDM load screen will be displayed:

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Close the Part and clear the working directory.

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Storing a New Assembly

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Once complete, store the assembly to DDM:

Use the auto-number generator to store the new assembly to DDM:

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