eDrawings for sharing in Solidworks - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - eDrawings for sharing

Dashboard Goal

Understand how eDrawings files are shared and viewed across different departments to improve collaboration and reduce delays in product design reviews.

Sample Data: eDrawings Sharing Records

Date	Department	File Name	Views	Comments	Shared Via
2024-05-01	Engineering	Gearbox_Assembly.eprt	15	3	Email
2024-05-02	Manufacturing	Chassis_Frame.eprt	10	1	SharePoint
2024-05-03	Quality	Brake_System.eprt	8	2	Email
2024-05-04	Engineering	Steering_Column.eprt	20	5	SharePoint
2024-05-05	Manufacturing	Engine_Block.eprt	12	0	Email
2024-05-06	Quality	Suspension.eprt	9	1	SharePoint
2024-05-07	Engineering	Transmission.eprt	18	4	Email

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Files Shared
  Formula: Count of distinct File Name = 7
• KPI Card: Total Views
  Formula: SUM(Views) = 92
• KPI Card: Total Comments
  Formula: SUM(Comments) = 16
• Bar Chart: Views by Department
  Formula: SUM(Views) grouped by Department
  Engineering: 53, Manufacturing: 22, Quality: 17
• Pie Chart: Sharing Method Distribution
  Formula: Count of records by Shared Via
  Email: 4, SharePoint: 3
• Table: Detailed Sharing Records
  Shows all columns from sample data

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+----------------------+
| Total Files Shared   | Total Views          | Total Comments       |
|        [ 7 ]         |        [ 92 ]        |        [ 16 ]        |
+----------------------+----------------------+----------------------+
|                      Bar Chart: Views by Department               |
|                      (Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality)       |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pie Chart: Sharing Method Distribution (Email, SharePoint)      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| Detailed Sharing Records Table                                  |
| (Date, Department, File Name, Views, Comments, Shared Via)      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

Filter by Department: Selecting a department updates the bar chart, pie chart, KPI cards, and the detailed table to show only records from that department.

Filter by Sharing Method: Selecting Email or SharePoint updates all components to reflect only those sharing methods.

Search File Name: Typing a file name filters the detailed table and updates KPIs and charts accordingly.

Self Check

If you add a filter for Department = Engineering, which components update?

• KPI Cards: Total Files Shared, Total Views, Total Comments show only Engineering data.
• Bar Chart: Views by Department updates to show only Engineering (single bar).
• Pie Chart: Sharing Method Distribution updates to show only Engineering sharing methods.
• Detailed Table: Shows only Engineering records.

Key Result

Dashboard shows eDrawings sharing activity by department, views, comments, and sharing methods to improve collaboration.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using eDrawings in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To share CAD models and drawings without needing full SolidWorks software

B. To create 3D models from scratch

C. To edit CAD files with advanced tools

D. To convert drawings into PDF format

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand eDrawings purpose and compare options

   eDrawings is designed to share CAD files easily without requiring the full SolidWorks software. The other options describe functions not related to its sharing purpose.

2. Final Answer:

   To share CAD models and drawings without needing full SolidWorks software -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   eDrawings sharing = To share CAD models and drawings without needing full SolidWorks software [OK]

Hint: Remember: eDrawings is for sharing, not editing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing eDrawings with full CAD editing software
• Thinking eDrawings creates models
• Assuming it converts files to PDF

2. Which file extension is NOT used when saving eDrawings files from SolidWorks?

easy

A. .eprt

B. .easm

C. .edrw

D. .edxf

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify valid eDrawings extensions and check .edxf

   Valid eDrawings file extensions are .eprt (part), .easm (assembly), and .edrw (drawing). .edxf is not a recognized eDrawings file extension.

2. Final Answer:

   .edxf -> Option D

3. Quick Check:

   Invalid eDrawings extension = .edxf [OK]

Hint: Only .eprt, .easm, .edrw are valid eDrawings files [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming .edxf is a valid eDrawings extension
• Confusing with other CAD file types
• Mixing up assembly and part file extensions

3. If you save a SolidWorks assembly as an eDrawings file and send it to a colleague, what can they do with the file using the free eDrawings Viewer?

medium

A. Edit the assembly and change parts

B. View, rotate, and add comments to the assembly

C. Convert the assembly back to a SolidWorks file

D. Export the assembly as a 2D image only

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand eDrawings Viewer capabilities and evaluate options

   The free eDrawings Viewer allows users to view, rotate, and add comments but not edit or convert files. View, rotate, and add comments to the assembly matches viewer capabilities; the other options describe unsupported actions.

2. Final Answer:

   View, rotate, and add comments to the assembly -> Option B

3. Quick Check:

   Viewer functions = View + Rotate + Comment [OK]

Hint: Viewer = view and comment, no editing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking viewer allows editing
• Believing it converts files
• Assuming export is limited to images only

4. You tried to share a SolidWorks drawing by saving it as an eDrawings file, but your colleague cannot open it. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The file size is too large for eDrawings Viewer

B. The colleague does not have SolidWorks installed

C. You saved the file with the wrong extension, like .sldprt instead of .edrw

D. You forgot to export the file as a PDF

Solution

1. Step 1: Check file extension and rule out other causes

   eDrawings files must have extensions like .edrw for drawings; .sldprt is a SolidWorks part file, not eDrawings. The colleague does not need full SolidWorks installed, file size rarely blocks opening, and PDF export is unrelated.

2. Final Answer:

   You saved the file with the wrong extension, like .sldprt instead of .edrw -> Option C

3. Quick Check:

   Wrong extension blocks opening [OK]

Hint: Check file extension before sharing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming full SolidWorks is needed to open eDrawings
• Blaming file size without checking format
• Confusing PDF export with eDrawings sharing

5. You want to share a complex assembly with a client who only needs to review and comment on the design. Which steps should you follow to prepare the file using eDrawings for sharing?

hard

A. Save the assembly as .easm using 'Save As' in SolidWorks, then send the file; client uses free eDrawings Viewer to review and comment

B. Export the assembly as a .sldasm file and ask the client to install SolidWorks

C. Save the assembly as a PDF and email it; client can edit comments directly on the PDF

D. Send the original SolidWorks assembly file; client opens it with any CAD software

Solution

1. Step 1: Save assembly as eDrawings file and share for review

   Use 'Save As' in SolidWorks to save the assembly as .easm, which is the correct eDrawings format for assemblies. Send the .easm file; the client can open it with the free eDrawings Viewer to review and add comments without needing full SolidWorks.

2. Final Answer:

   Save the assembly as .easm using 'Save As' in SolidWorks, then send the file; client uses free eDrawings Viewer to review and comment -> Option A

3. Quick Check:

   Save as .easm + free viewer = sharing with review [OK]

Hint: Save as .easm and use free viewer for client comments [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Sending full SolidWorks files expecting client to edit
• Using PDF which does not support 3D review
• Assuming any CAD software can open SolidWorks files