How To Rename Solidworks Files without Breaking References

@solidworks assembly and drawing files maintain references to other related files so changes can be incorporated into the overall design and common parts can be shared. To avoid creating problems, files must be moved or renamed carefully using one of the methods shown in this video:
- Rename normally, and manually re-attach references when they are broken
- Rename files in the assembly tree
- Save As, with references
- Pack and Go
- File -- Open -- References to redirect the path

The ideal solution is to use a data management tool like SOLIDWORKS PDM that is CAD-aware and can automatically maintain references with no additional considerations required.

[candecalvomarenco]

Thank you! This is life saving! At first when right clicking on the file in the folder the "solidworks" menu did not appear. If someone has the same issue, you need to set the "solidworks laucher" as the default file opener.

[JayquanDeMarcusWashington]

DUDE. you just saved my group project. <3 i needed something to brighten my day

[kandasamyrajan]

Thanks for the explanation. I have been looking this for longer time.

[eugeniosilvaconceicao]

For this problem I have the solution: I created a tool for SolidWorks that renames all its components (including the drawings) following the sequence of the FeatureManager design tree, automatically in a few seconds (depends on the capacity of your computer).

[CandyHam]

Thank you for the FeatureManager tip!

[Karshakan]

You gotta be kidding me. 😂 so easy. Ofcourse clearly explained. Thank you.

[yeohshenhorng]

It doesn't update the 2D drawing file.

[ilustradsn]

thanks for the video! :) I dont understand why solidworks make this so complicated

[joshwatson]

For some reason, when I right click on the file, no drop down menu appears. Do you know why this might be?

[Kebmoz]

The SOLIDWORKS menu "Rename" function creates a copy of the file with the new name. Will ALL existing assemblies be re-referenced if you will with the new-copy/new-filename using the "Update where used" check box? It is not feasible to add all the assemblies file locations using the "File Locations..." feature.

[ronchampagne]

I have a part with a drawing to go with it .
This drawing contains two different paint schemes for the part named A and B .
Parts the same but it can be painted with different silkscreen.
It has caused problems so I need to have two different drawings one for A and one for B .
The easiest way is to copy the drawing file and editing both so one is A and one is B .
Of course we are talking solidworks here.
This very simple and extremely common method requires research in solidworks .
How do I create another copy of the same drawing file . I'll rename it immediately but I have to do that first .
As I guessed solidworks only has rename, move, replace .
Not copy !
I swear this thing was built to make things difficult

[michaelf]

I have mirrored components that I renamed in the tree. But now they do not update when I make changes the parent component. Any help?

[EliteSniperFMJ]

i updated a reference in the reference manager upon opening a assembly and still get an error. appears to be parts within a sub assembly that was updated, how do i proceed?

[ayhankandemir]

does the name of the drawing sheet change?

[sushilpareek]

How can this be done via VBA environment?

[LajosLoci]

this ONLY works for files in the same folder. If part is used in assembly outside of the folder, references would still be broken

[kishoreguptamathamsetty]

I have 10000 files in revision wise I want remove rev key word in all files names

[MusicAutomation]

I hate that this changes every other version of Solidworks. Don't fix what isn't broken!!!