How To Use the Update Custom Properties Task in SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler

Problem

Manually updating the custom properties of all associated SOLIDWORKS files can be time consuming. The Update Custom Properties task can automate this process and complete it on a regular basis if needed.

An example use case of this task is if changes were made to a part that changes the values of Custom Properties in Assemblies or Drawings, this task can be used to update all Custom Properties in the assemblies and drawings without having to do so manually.

This article will show how to use the Update Custom Properties task in SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler. You can find a full list of tasks performed by the Task Scheduler here:  

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Solution: Use Update Custom Properties Task

The Update Custom Properties task can be used to update or modify Custom Properties. This is useful if changes were made to a model since the last time the documents were rebuilt or Properties need to be added. This can target individual files or whole folders.

Follow the steps below to set up and use the Update Custom Properties task:

1. Open SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler and choose the Update Custom Properties task.

   

   Steps 2-6 will reference the image below:

   

2. Create a custom Task title if needed.

3. Select Add File... or Add Folder... to choose the documents that need to be updated. Either files or folders can be specified. You cannot select both.

   • If adding individual files: use the button 'Add File...' > browse to the file's location > select the file > click "Open".
   • If adding folders which contain the files that need to be updated: use the button 'Add Folder...' > browse to the folder's location > select the folder > click "Select Folder". You can then check on "Include subfolders" to include files in subfolders.

   Note: In this task part, assembly, and drawing file types can be selected.

4. Under Task schedule, the "Running mode" can be set to Once, Daily, Weekly, or Monthly. If the Start time is set in the past before clicking "Finish," the task will start immediately.
5. Select Advanced... to access the options below:
   • Set the Task Working Folder location. The task working files can include backup files, reports, etc.
   • Set when the task would timeout, ending the task regardless of if the task has been completed or not.
   • Run SOLIDWORKS in the background while minimized or not.

6. Click Next. The Custom Properties window will appear, allowing you to input the custom properties you would like to add or modify.

   Steps 7-12 will reference the image below:

   

7. Click on a row in the Name column to select an existing custom property name from the list or enter a name to create a new custom property.
8. In the Type column, select the custom property type (Text, Date, Number, Yes or No).
9. In the Value column, enter the custom property value depending on the type specified in the last step.
10. In the Configuration column, if the custom property affects configurations within the SOLIDWORKS document, enter the name of the configuration, otherwise leave this blank.
11. Repeat steps 7-10 for additional custom properties.
12. Click Finish to set the task in motion.

For further technical support, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems at 877.266.4469 for the U.S. or 866.587.6803 for Canada and support@hawkridgesys.com.