Problem

This article goes over how to change the referenced file to a similar file in SOLIDWORKS. This is useful in situations where we want to replace the referenced part for a drawing without losing annotations, or change the part inserted into another part or assembly.

Solution

This can be performed when opening the main file with the steps below:

1. Open SOLIDWORKS without opening any files
2. Click File > Open

3. In the Open window, select the part/assembly/drawing file where we want to replace a reference and click the "References..." button

   

4. In the "Edit Referenced File Locations" dialog box that comes up, double-click on the desired component to replace in the Name column

   

5. In the other "Open" dialog box that comes up, browse to the desired replacement component, select it, and click the Open button

   

6. In the "Edit Referenced File Locations" dialog box, the file that has been replaced will show the changes made in green

   

7. Click "OK" to confirm the change in the "Edit Referenced File Locations" dialog box
8. On the original "Open" dialog box, open the part/assembly/drawing file selected in Step 3
9. Confirm the component has been replaced and the end result is satisfactory. There may be dangling dimensions and annotations that would need to be fixed.
10. Save the model to keep this reference change.

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.