SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler

SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler

Jul 11, 2022 | SolidWorks

Learn how to use the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler to set up repetitive tasks and run them automatically

SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler helps you by automatically running various tasks/actions on multiple files with minimal setup and no user interaction required during the processes.

Alternative with Macros

In this Blog, we will not be covering the other side of ‘the automation of tasks’ using SOLIDWORKS Macros (or Windows Macros). This can be a great alternative if the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler cannot perform the required task, however, macros often require you to have a decent knowledge of coding to make final tweaks to the macro and have it work as required.

 

What can the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler do?

The SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler (“SWTS” as I will unofficially refer to going forward) can perform various tasks for you by default. These tasks are all shown in the cover image for this blog, but we will take a slightly closer look into the more common tasks, which will be remarkably similar in terms of setups.

When it comes to setting up the different tasks you will be presented with the window shown below where you will usually want to start by putting a familiar name for the task. You will then want to specify what files you want the task to run on. You can do this either by selecting/adding your files manually or by selecting/adding a folder location which will then use all the files inside that folder.

If using the folder option, there is a tick box to the left where you can specify that sub-folders can be included so the task will drill down into child folders.

There is also a column title ‘File Name or Type’ where you can specify certain file types. This is particularly useful if you only want to run the task on certain files such as SOLIDWORKS parts, but not run for assemblies or drawings.

The next thing to select is your time. I would normally recommend picking a time when the PC running the task will not be required so the machine is not hindered by SOLIDWORKS operating in the background.

Various tasks will also have their own options which can be customised, although a common option among all tasks is to have a backup location set should a task fail mid-run as you would then have a backup of the file/s which you can then retrieve.

Convert Files

The SWTS’s Convert Task is used to upgrade files from one major version of SW to another.

When you update SOLIDWORKS from one major version to another, such as 2020 to 2021, you may find the first time you open an old file in the new major version that the file is a little slow on its first open and first save. This is because the file needs to be converted to the new file format so you can take advantage of any new features and enhancements.

Usually, there is no need to manually update files to the latest version as users would just update files as and when required while editing existing files. However, with large/complex assemblies where you could have thousands of parts, you may find that updating all the files to the newest version takes some time. It is in these scenarios that you may want to run Convert task to have all your files, or at least the files you are likely to require soon, be updated during non-working hours.

Once your files have been upgraded/converted you should then find that they will either be just as quick to open/save as before, if not quicker with the newer version of SOLIDWORKS.

Update Files

If you ever find that you have files which have been saved without the user rebuilding the models the ‘update files’ task can run to have SOLIDWORKS automatically rebuild and re-save all the files. That way the next time you open the files you do not have to wait for things to be rebuilt to see any changes.

You also have the option to do a normal rebuild (“Rebuild changed features”) which is like hitting the normal SOLIDWORKS rebuild icon, or you can do a longer rebuild (“Rebuild all features (slower)”) which is the equivalent of a force rebuild inside SOLIDWORKS using the CTRL+Q keyboard shortcut.

Update Custom Properties

This task can update your SOLIDWORKS files' properties (or configurations specific properties) in bulk. If you need to change properties of multiple files to a single value, this Task can be very handy. This is the first task where a ‘next’ option will be available, bringing up the window shown below.

In the first column (Name), you will want to enter your SOLIDWORKS File Properties name exactly as it appears in SOLIDWORKS. Therefore, it can often be better to copy and paste the name so that there are no typos or additional spaces missed out.

In most cases, the type will be set to “text” but should match what is inside SOLIDWORKS currently, or what you want this to be if you are creating a new property which may not already be in the SOLIDWORKS file.

The Value (or ‘Value/Expression’ inside SOLIDWORKS) is where you will set what you want the Property to be set to. In the example below by Property called “customer” will be set to the value of “TMS”

The configuration column will only be used if you want to use Configuration Specific Properties as you can then specify what configuration names the particular property should be used/set in.

Note – you cannot have this task set up to generate different property values for different files as all files you have selected will be set to the same value entered above. If you want separate values for separate groups of files you should look to set up multiple separate tasks to run one after another.

Run Custom Tasks

If you have created your own Macro (or API programme) to perform a dedicated task you could use this SWTS task to have your macro run on multiple files at the same time. This will save you time and resources as you will not need additional code in your macro to have it open files, run the main code or close the file then move on to the next file.

Update Simulation

If you run SOLIDWORKS simulations which can take a decent amount of time to solve, it may not always be viable to run the studies during working hours as these can often tie your machine down, so you will not be able to continue making other models.

You’d usually want to run longer simulations during non-working hours to minimize any downtime. Remember to hit ‘solve’ just before you leave for the day, and that this only allows you to have one study set up to run so you would not be able to have further studies run afterwards.

This is where you could use the ‘Update Simulation’ task to create a set time for your studies to run. Not only can you add multiple files to your task, but you can also select to specify which study in a particular file you want to run or update. Setting up your files and studies to run at 5pm (or when you finish for a day) can then allow you to start the following day with your studies all complete, assuming you are not running too many studies that will take longer to run than you are away from the office.

Note for PDM Users

If your files are inside a PDM vault, you will need to make sure that you are logged into the PDM vault with a user that has permission to see the files/folders.

Most actions in the SWTS will be making changes to the files, so you would need to make sure that you have checked out any files which you are going to run through the SOLIDWORKS task scheduler, otherwise they will be read-only and the SWTS will be unable to edit any of the files

There is a separate application specifically for PDM users which can perform a couple of similar actions to the SWTS, but you must request this through your Reseller (TMS) who will provide the tool as required. Please get in touch if you would like more information regarding this.

Conclusion

Nobody likes having to manually run the same task repeatedly, so why not have a look to see if the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler can save you time and resources but have these take place during non-working hours to reduce any downtime of a PC.

If you have any questions about anything in this blog or SOLIDWORKS in general, please feel free to give us a call on 01324 550 760 or email us at SOLIDWORKS.Support@TMS-Scotland.com

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