SOLIDWORKS PDM - Automatic Drawing Check Before Approval (Alternative to Design Checker?)
Hello everyone,
I'm looking for a robust solution to automate some SOLIDWORKS drawings checks before they enter our validation circuit within SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional.
Background
SOLIDWORKS Premium
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional
Validation workflow already in place
Desired objective
I'm not looking to replace human validation.
Instead, the idea is to add automatic pre-checking to eliminate simple and repetitive errors before a plan arrives at the validators.
The objective is to: 1.Design → 2.Application for validation→ 3.Automatic control → 4.Business/quality/standards validation→ 5.Next step...
If the automatic check detects an anomaly:
the transition is refused;
the document remains in its current state;
The user who initiated the transition receives a notification with the details of the issue.
Once these basic checks have been validated, the document can continue its normal validation cycle where the checks carried out by the validators remain essential:
compliance with internal standards;
technical coherence;
business design;
functional choices;
document quality control;
etc.
Automatic checks targeted
Initially, only " basic " but time-consuming checks when they have to be carried out manually:
Compliant and up-to-date basemap
Correct dressing standard
Checking the layers used
Detecting overlapping views
Detection of dangling dimensions or annotations
Error view detection
Checking Certain Document Properties
What I've already studied
I started looking at Design Checker.
Unfortunately, I find it quite limited for this need:
aging interface;
difficulty in effectively integrating the rules related to our plan funds;
Control of the dressing relatively heavy to maintain (cannot include a standard " .sldstd " file directly)
Reporting possible but complicated operation in a PDM workflow.
I haven't found a simple method to automatically block a transition based on the result of the control.
I have the impression that we should go through:
Dispatch;
a PDM add-in;
or a specific development.
My questions
How do you manage automatic top-level checks before validation?
Are you actually using Design Checker in production?
Is there a native solution to block a PDM transition when a check fails?
Have you developed an in-house solution (Dispatch, API, add-in)?
Question 3: Is this the main function of a worksflow in PDM?
Question 5. Partial response, plan fonts and skin standards, are normally handled automatically in the SolidWorks templates and profile, and therefore locked as needed by the admin.
With respect to question 3, I think we are talking about perhaps two different levels of control.
Indeed, one of the main functions of a PDM workflow is to control and allow or deny transitions based on defined criteria.
On the other hand, the native conditions of PDM are mainly based on elements already known to the vault:
variable values;
Document status.
category;
File type.
revision;
user rights;
etc.
My question is more about the ability to condition a transition to an analysis of the content of the SOLIDWORKS file itself.
For question 5, I also agree with you on the fact that basemaps and design standards should ideally be mastered via SOLIDWORKS templates, user profiles and administrative rights. This is currently the case in our configuration.
In my context, the need comes mainly from the fact that the existing one is old and that not all the documents have necessarily been created with the same templates over the years. Despite the templates and profiles, it still happens to encounter:
old basemaps;
Different skin settings.
Non-conforming layers.
overlapping views;
annotations or dangling dimensions.
The idea is therefore not to replace upstream parameterization, but rather to set up an automatic safety net before human validation.
Business validators bring added value on functional, normative or business aspects. I would simply like to avoid them having to waste time on " basic " errors that could be detected automatically upstream.
Without being mean, your description is not far from the gas factory. We are entering a register that is very good, but which will require you to constantly use " reliable " macro resources to identify errors. But it exists, I can't tell you how it works. The experience of a designer at Airbus or other company would be interesting, it seems to me that they have a similar functioning. The designer launches the controls if it does not pass the control impossible to start the workflow!!
old basemaps;
Different skin settings.
Non-conforming layers.
overlapping views;
annotations or dangling dimensions.
These elements of your organization will need to be squared back , start putting control elements in place, and save time.
Small sample of an AI research on this topic:
Yes, there are several powerful alternatives to Design Checker to automate drawing control on SOLIDWORKS. Depending on your needs and budget, you can turn to VBA macros, vendor utilities , or third-party software.
Here are the best solutions sorted by category:
VBA Macros (The free and tailor-made solution)
The most flexible and cost-effective way is to use the SOLIDWORKS API through macros. You can program (or find online) scripts that scan the plan for specific errors.
For wobbly dimensions: A macro can cycle through all the views, detect the property .IsDangling of each annotation, and choose to isolate it, change its color to bright red, or delete it automatically.
For error-based cuts: The script can check the rebuild status of each view (.GetSectionProperties or the state of the FeatureManager tree) and block recording if a view is corrupted.
Advantage: Completely free, integrates into your SOLIDWORKS buttons.
Disadvantage: Requires development skills (VBA or C#) for maintenance.
The tools of the myCADtools suite (Visiativ)
If your company has a subscription with the reseller Visiativ (very common in France), you have access to the myCADtools suite. Two tools are perfectly dedicated to this:
DrawingChecker: A direct alternative and often considered more ergonomic than the native Design Checker. It compares your plan to a graphic charter and lists all the errors (shaky dimensions, superimposed text, incorrect layers).
Integration: An ultra-powerful tool for batch processing. It can open 500 plans at night, detect all wobbly dimensions, apply corrections, update basemaps, and export everything to PDF 100% autonomously.
Mass automation software (Batch Tools)
For companies that manage large volumes of data and want to automate pre-release verification or archiving in PDM:
SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduling: Native tool (Professional/Premium). While it doesn't repair, it can run custom macros on entire folders of plans during your closing hours.
CustomTools: A very popular third-party add-in that allows you to standardize properties, check the consistency of plans against 3D models, and automate exports without opening each file manually.
Comparison table of alternatives
Solution
Cost
Level of customization
Ideal for...
Macros VBA / API
Free
Total (Custom)
Specific needs without a software budget.
myCADtools (Visiativ)
Paid (Included in some subscriptions)
High (Ready-to-use)
French design offices are already Visiativ customers.
CustomTools
Paid (Third-Party License)
Medium
Property management and validation before export.
Native Planner
Free (SW Pro/Premium)
Low (Unless linked to a macro)
Running bulk checks at night.
If you're leaning towards the macro solution, I can provide you with a basic VBA code example to automatically detect wobbly dimensions in a plan. Would you be interested?
, start putting control elements in place, and save time.
Total (Custom)
High (Ready-to-use)
Low (Unless linked to a macro)