How do I change the names and Windows file structure of SOLIDWORKS files without losing the reference links?
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, for example, an assembly in which all the files have been saved in the same directory.
We want to reorganize the file structure and create directories for this project.
In ProjectExplorer, open a "Windows Explorer" window. The tool scans all the files in the specified folder (and any subfolders) and records all dependencies. Let’s make some changes (creating new folders, moving certain files, manually renaming files, etc.). We can view, 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. To do this, right-click on the documents to select the files, then choose “Rename with ProjectExplorer.” The action is executed automatically. Let’s take a look at this in the image!
Don't panic—if you change your mind or make a mistake, a backup of your original folder structure is created (you can also click the backup button). This backup will allow you to revert to the original state (which is very reassuring!).