To add a Design Binder in Solidworks and effectively integrate documentation into your 3D models or drawings, you activate it by adding your first attachment directly. This process will cause the Design Binder folder to display within your FeatureManager Design Tree.
Understanding the Solidworks Design Binder
The Solidworks Design Binder is a powerful feature that allows you to embed or link various external files directly within your Solidworks part, assembly, or drawing documents. Think of it as a digital portfolio for your design, keeping all related documentation—like specifications, calculations, images, or instructions—consolidated and easily accessible alongside your CAD data.
Why Use the Design Binder?
Utilizing the Design Binder offers several advantages for design teams and individual engineers:
- Centralized Documentation: Keep all relevant files in one place, reducing the need to search multiple folders.
- Improved Collaboration: Team members can instantly access design requirements, analysis reports, or manufacturing instructions directly from the Solidworks file.
- Enhanced Design Integrity: Ensure that critical information is always associated with the design it pertains to.
- Streamlined Audits: Quickly present complete design packages, including models and supporting documents.
Adding a Design Binder to Your Solidworks Project
If the Design Binder folder isn't already visible in your FeatureManager Design Tree, you can easily activate it and add your first item through a simple process.
Step-by-Step Guide to Activating and Adding Your First Attachment
Here’s how to add a Design Binder and its initial attachment in Solidworks:
- Open Your Solidworks Document: Begin by opening the part, assembly, or drawing file to which you want to add the Design Binder.
- Access Hidden Tree Items: In the FeatureManager Design Tree (typically on the left side of your Solidworks window), right-click on the top-level document name (e.g., "Part1.SLDPRT," "Assembly1.SLDASM," or "Drawing1.SLDDRW").
- Navigate to Design Binder: From the context menu that appears, hover over Hidden Tree Items. Then, from the sub-menu, select Design Binder, and finally click Add Attachment.
- Browse for Your File: A file explorer window will open. Navigate to the location of the document you wish to attach (e.g., a PDF of specifications, a Word document of notes, or an Excel spreadsheet with calculations).
- Confirm Attachment: Select the file and click Open.
Once you complete these steps, the Design Binder folder will appear in your FeatureManager Design Tree, containing the newly added file. This action makes the binder visible and ready for more content.
Working with Your Design Binder: Adding & Managing Files
After the Design Binder is visible, you can add more files and manage its contents easily.
Supported File Types
The Solidworks Design Binder supports a wide range of file formats, making it highly versatile:
| Category | File Types (Examples) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Documents | .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx, .txt, .rtf |
Specifications, reports, calculations, presentations, text notes |
| Images | .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .tiff |
Product images, concept sketches, inspection photos |
| Web Files | .htm, .html |
Web-based documentation, links to online resources |
| Other | .zip, .dll (for advanced users) |
Archived data, custom add-in components (exercise caution) |
Attaching Additional Files to the Design Binder
To add more documents once the Design Binder is already present:
- Expand the Design Binder: In the FeatureManager Design Tree, click the > arrow next to the Design Binder folder to expand it.
- Right-Click the Binder: Right-click directly on the Design Binder folder.
- Choose Add Attachment: From the context menu, select Add Attachment.
- Select Your File: Browse to your desired file and click Open.
Managing Attachments
- Open: To view an attached document, right-click it in the Design Binder and select Open. The file will open in its native application.
- Save As: To save a copy of an attachment to a different location, right-click it and choose Save As.
- Delete: To remove an attachment, right-click it and select Delete. This only removes it from the Design Binder, not from its original location on your hard drive.
Tips for Effective Design Binder Usage
- Organize Your Files: Keep source files in logical folders on your network or local drive, even when attached to the binder.
- Use Descriptive Names: Give your attachments clear, concise names so their purpose is immediately obvious.
- Link vs. Embed: Solidworks typically embeds the file's content into the .SLDPRT/.SLDASM/.SLDDRW file. Be mindful of file size for very large attachments.
- Consider Solidworks PDM: For more robust document management, version control, and workflow capabilities, explore Solidworks PDM (Product Data Management). While the Design Binder is excellent for ad-hoc documentation, PDM offers enterprise-level solutions.
- Regularly Review: Periodically check your Design Binder contents to ensure all attached documents are current and relevant.
Troubleshooting Design Binder Visibility
If you find that the Design Binder folder is not visible in your FeatureManager Design Tree, the method described earlier (right-clicking the document name and navigating to Hidden Tree Items > Design Binder > Add Attachment) is the specific solution. Adding an attachment will force the Design Binder folder to display, even if it was previously hidden.
For more in-depth information and specific version details, always consult the official Solidworks Help documentation.
