Searching and Opening SOLIDWORKS Data

You can search and open SOLIDWORKS assemblies, parts, and drawings from various apps from the side panel. The open (when data is not already downloaded) is executed in two steps. In the first step, the selected file and active instance metadata are downloaded. The second step is executed in the background. In this step, inactive instance metadata is downloaded in local cache and unloaded files are downloaded. The Open, Lock/Unlock, Replace by Revision, Properties, Save, and Refresh are blocked during the second step.

Note: For mono configurations, the CAD family name is not displayed and does not appear in search or Relations explorer.

This task shows you how to:

See Also
Open Mode Types

Open from 3DSearch

You can search for objects in the 3DEXPERIENCE, using 3DSearch and open them.

  1. Enter the search criterion in the search bar in the side panel and press Enter. You can use predeined queries to search the objects. For more informaion, see Predefined Queries.
  2. Right-click the object and select Open.
    The object opens in SOLIDWORKS.
    Note: You can open only one file at a time using this option.

Open from Bookmark Editor

You can search for objects from folders using Bookmark Editor in the side panel and open them.

  1. Browse and select an object using Bookmark Editor.
  2. Right-click the object and select Open.
    The object opens in SOLIDWORKS.

Open from Relations

You can search for objects and open them using Relations in the side panel.

  1. From Relations widget of the side panel, select the object.
  2. Click Open in the action bar.
    The object opens in SOLIDWORKS.

Open from Product Explorer

You can search for objects and open them using Product Explorer.

  1. From Product Explorer widget of the side panel, select an object.
  2. Right-click the object and select Open.
    The object opens in SOLIDWORKS.

Open from Windows Explorer

You can search for objects from folders using Windows Explorer and open them in SOLIDWORKS.

  1. Open SOLIDWORKS.
  2. Select File > Open.
  3. Browse, select an object, and click Open.
    The object opens in SOLIDWORKS.
    Note: Use following methods to open SOLIDWORKS file:
    • Drag the file from My Work folder and drop in the SOLIDWORKS.
    • Double-click the file in My Work.
    • Right-click a file within My Work and select Open.