Enabling the SOLIDWORKS PDM Add-in
Whether you’re using PDM Standard or PDM Professional, you can interact with SOLIDWORKS files in two ways: directly in the PDM vault or through the PDM Add-in fly-out panel in SOLIDWORKS.
This interaction includes, but is not limited to: checking a file in and out, reviewing a file’s version and associated file versions, and getting previous versions of a file*.
*Note: The get version command is only available if the Enable the get version command in SOLIDWORKS Add-in is selected from the user/ group settings. Review the “Always work with Latest…” section of Controlling Access to Versions and Revisions in SOLIDWORKS PDM for more information.
Locating the Add-in
If you haven’t installed SOLIDWORKS PDM on your machine, check out the SOLIDWORKS PDM Client Installation on an Existing SOLIDWORKS Installation article for the necessary steps.
To enable the add-in, go to Tools > Add-Ins, and select the checkbox to the left of SOLIDWORKS PDM.
You'll probably want the PDM panel to open automatically when you launch SOLIDWORKS. To do this, ensure the checkbox to the right of the “SOLIDWORKS PDM” add-in is selected.
Note: In the event the add-in is not listed in the available list, the Troubleshooting section below identifies how to install it.
Troubleshooting
- CAD software functionality (CAD Add-In) is only available to users with a SOLIDWORKS PDM Editor & Web license type. Therefore, the following error is an indication that the user is either set up with a Contributor and Web or Viewer license type.
For instructions on modifying the client type, review the Changing SOLIDWORKS PDM License Types article. - The SOLIDWORKS PDM Add-In is installed as an extension to the SOLIDWORKS PDM Client Installation. The SOLIDWORKS PDM Client Installation on an Existing SOLIDWORKS Installation guide covers where to find the checkbox to include this:
I hope you found this article helpful. Check out more SOLIDWORKS PDM articles listed below.
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