Problem with changing references

Apr 26, 2006 6 Replies

Recently, I have been having problems changing references to drawings when opening them.



When I have a bunch of very similar parts that I have to create drawings for, what I typically do (and what I have been doing for years) is to create a complete drawing of one part first. Next, I copy that drawing in Windows Explorer and name it to one of the other part names. Then, I use the file>open>references tool to point the copied drawing to the other part. This has worked great for me and saved me COUNTLESS of hours over the years.



Now, about 60-80% of the time, I go through the same steps, but the original part that the drawing was pointing to will show up on the drawing, instead of the one I changed references to. I can try it over and over on the same drawing, but it still always references the original part. Then, there are some drawings that will work as expected, first time and every time.



In order to change the references now, the only workaround I have found is to first temporarily rename to original part in Windows Explorer. Then open the copied drawing. When it fusses at you about not being able to find the part, manually point it to the new part that you want the copied drawing to point to. Then, don't forget to change the name back on the original file. What a PITA!!!



I am using SW2006 SP3.4. If I remember correctly, it seems like this has probably been going on since around the time I went to SP3.4. But I'm not certain.



Has anyone else seen this on, or after SP3.4?


I thought maybe I was going crazy, but I also think I saw that behavior. However I don't know when it started - I'm on SP4.1.

WT

"Seth Renigar" wrote in message news:O7R3g.18075$ snipped-for-privacy@tornado.southeast.rr.com...

Will it work to use SW explorer inistead of windows explorer? Then you can open your copied drawing in SW explorer and change the reference there. I've had fairly decent luck with that.

Bigbear

"Seth Renigar" wrote in message news:O7R3g.18075$ snipped-for-privacy@tornado.southeast.rr.com...

Saw it here too, last week.....SW 2006 Sp4.0

// Krister

bigbear skrev:

bigbear,

Don't know! I have never tried it. As a matter of fact, I don't even know how to do that in SW Explorer. But it shouldn't be too hard to figure out either.

About the only thing I ever use SW Explorer for is file renaming. I find the UI a little clunky. Therefore, I have never really investigated what all it is capable of.

I will try this method next time I have this problem.... Hopefully, SW will fix this problem, if it hasn't already been fixed in a more recent SP.

Here is the way I do it. PartA PartB PartC PartD

Make a new folder, (folderA), and copy all of the parts assemblies etc, in to this new folder. Make the first drawing using partA Save first drawing as drawing PartB, PartC and PartD ticking the "as copy box" CLOSE both documents PartA and the Drawing of PartA Copy both documents PartA and the drawing of PartA to another folder, (folder B).

In folder A, delete part A, open drawing partB, (which will look for Part A), and refer it to Part B, Save the Drawing of PartB.

In folder A, delete part B, open drawing partC, (which will look for Part A), and refer it to Part C, Save the Drawing of PartC.

In folder A, delete part C, open drawing partD, (which will look for Part A), and refer it to Part D, Save the Drawing of PartD.

Copy all documents to folder B.

Delete or rename folder A.

Remember ticking the "as copy box" so that no links remain is an important step.

Hope this is what you require.

Pete

"Seth Renigar" wrote in message news:O7R3g.18075$ snipped-for-privacy@tornado.southeast.rr.com...

It is basically just another technique of doing my renaming workaround. It seems kind-of complicated though. I might give it a try though next time I'm in this predicament.

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