How to Create a Custom Interface for Entering File Properties in SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS Property Tab Builder is a stand-alone utility you use to create a customised interface for entering properties into SOLIDWORKS files.

The tabs you create with Property Tab Builder appear in the SOLIDWORKS interface on the Custom Properties tab in the Task Pane. You create different tab templates for parts, assemblies, and drawings.

You can also enter properties on the Custom and Configuration Specific tabs in the Summary Information dialog box in SOLIDWORKS.

The video below shows how Property Tab Builder can be used to setup a custom interface for entering file properties.

In companies with multiple SOLIDWORKS users, typically one person, such as the lead user or administrator, creates the customized tabs for everyone to use. In this example, the administrator is referred to as “you”; people who use the tabs in the SOLIDWORKS interface to enter properties are referred to as “users”.

Opening Property Tab Builder

Do one of the following:

  • In SOLIDWORKS, on the SOLIDWORKS Resources tab_SolidWorks_Resources.gif tab of the Task Pane, click Property Tab Builder task_pane_property_tab_builder.
  • From the Windows Start menu, click All Programs > SOLIDWORKS version> SOLIDWORKS Tools > Property Tab Builder.
  • In SOLIDWORKS, on the Custom Properties tab in the Task Pane, click Create now. (Available if a tab template does not yet exist for the active document type.)

2014-07-CT--SOLIDWORKS---Property-Tab-Builder_2Property Tab Builder opens. The center pane contains the template you are creating for the tab. You drag elements such as text boxes and radio buttons from the palette on the left, and set attributes for those elements in the pane on the right.

 

 

 

 

Storing Templates

Save the tab templates in the location where you store your properties.txt file. You can create multiple templates for each document type. The file extension indicates the template type:

  • .prtprp for parts
  • .asmprp for assemblies
  • .drwprp for drawings

To find the location of your existing properties.txt file, in SOLIDWORKS, click Options > File Locations . Select Custom Properties Files in Show folders for. The path appears under Folders.

To share the customised tab, store it on a network drive that is accessible by all SOLIDWORKS users on the design team. Then have the users set their file location for Custom Properties Files to that location.

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