How to Use the Design Checker Task in SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler

Problem

Manually performing design checks for each individual SOLIDWORKS file uses up time that could be better spent elsewhere. The Design Checker task can automate this and complete it on a regular basis if needed.

This article will show how to use the Design Checker task in the Task Scheduler. The Design Checker is an Add-In that is included with SOLIDWORKS Professional and SOLIDWORKS Premium.

You can find a full list of tasks performed by the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler here:

Automating Tasks After Hours – Hawk Ridge Systems Support

Solution: Use Design Checker Task

The Design Checker task provides a way to automate the verification of certain design elements, such as dimension standards, fonts, materials, and sketches, to ensure that the SOLIDWORKS document meets particular pre-defined design criteria. The pre-defined design criteria are saved into a Standard File (*.swstd).

Follow the steps below to set up the Design Checker task using an existing Standard File:

1. Select the Design Checker task in the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler.

   

   Steps 2 - 8 will reference the image below:

   

2. Create a Task title if needed.
3. Click the Add Standards... button to add one or more Standards Files (*.swstd) for the Design Check. 

4. 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 from different folders: use the button Add File > browse to the file's location > select the file > click "Open".
   • If adding folders which contain all 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 sub-folders" to include files in sub-folders.

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

5. Under Task schedule, the "Running mode" can be set to Once, Daily, Weekly, or Monthly. If the Start time and Start date are set in the past, before clicking "Finish", the task will start immediately.
6. Under Report folder, select where to save the Design Check Reports that are created.
   • Same as original file: This will save the converted files in the same folder location as the source files.
   • This Folder: This will allow you to specify a different folder for the converted files.
   • Add report to design binder: The report appears in the Design Binder folder in the file's FeatureManager design tree.
7. Select Advanced... to access the options below:
   • Set where the task working folder is. The task working files can include backup files, reports, and so on.
   • Set when the task would timeout, ending the task whether or not the task completes.
   • Run SOLIDWORKS in the background minimized or not.
8. Click Finish to set the task in motion after all requirements have been setup.

SOLIDWORKS will launch itself, perform the actions according to the task, and close itself when the scheduled time is reached.

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.