When a project is finalized, it is very common for the names of the components created and the directories in which the files are saved not to correspond to the expectations of the company's naming rules.

If you rename and/or move files in a global project from Windows Explorer, when you then open your assembly in SOLIDWORKS, in most cases SOLIDWORKS will not find the references by itself. SOLIDWORKS will ask the user to search for each reference manually. If you have several files, this can be a lengthy process.

If these operations are performed with the ProjectExplorerbehavior is very different.

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


 


In ProjectExplorer, I open a "Windows Explorer" window. The tool analyzes all documents in the specified folder (and any sub-folders) and memorizes all dependencies. I make the necessary modifications (create new folders, move certain files, manually rename files, etc.). I can see, live, what ProjectExplorer is doing in real time.

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