When a project is completed, it is very common for the names of the components created and the directories where the files are saved to not comply with the company's naming conventions.

If you rename and/or move files from a global project using Windows Explorer, when you subsequently open your assembly in SOLIDWORKS, in most cases, SOLIDWORKS will not automatically update the references. SOLIDWORKS will prompt the user to locate each reference manually. If you have multiple files, the process may take a long time.

If these operations are performed using the ProjectExplorer tool, the behavior is very different.

Let's take this assembly as an example, where all the files have been saved in the same folder.


 


In ProjectExplorer, I open a “Windows Explorer” window. The tool scans all the files in the specified folder (and any subfolders) and records all dependencies. I make changes (creating new folders, moving certain files, manually renaming files, etc.). I can see, in real time, the actions that ProjectExplorer is performing.

The renaming action can be configured to follow naming conventions that are very easy to set up. In this case, by right-clicking on the documents, I can select the files and then choose “Rename with ProjectExplorer.” The action is executed automatically.