SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler

Labor intensive tasks, such as batch importing, exporting, and plotting can gobble up hours, if not days worth of time. Even though these jobs don’t require an excess of brain power, they still tie up your mind and computer. But now there’s a way to automate these processes.

SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler, a software utility included with SOLIDWORKS Standard (with limited functions), SOLIDWORKS Professional and SOLIDWORKS Premium, puts your system to work while you’re away. It lets you run resource intensive processes overnight or on weekends, times when the computer is normally idle, freeing you to focus on more creative projects.

Task Scheduler Features

The various tasks you can schedule with Task Scheduler are:

• Update Files – Rebuilds specified files.
• Update Associated Files – Rebuilds the specified file, plus any associated files located in specified folders.
• Print Files – Prints specified files using default document printer settings or selected options.
• Import Files – Imports STEP or IGES files and saves them as SOLIDWORKS documents.
• Export Files – Exports SOLIDWORKS documents to another file format (DXF, DWG, IGES, STEP AP203, or STEP AP214).
• Update Custom Properties – Adds or modifies custom properties in the specified files.
• Create Drawings – Creates drawings for parts or assemblies, using the specified drawing document template.
• Convert to High Quality Views – Converts drawing views from Draft Quality to High Quality.
• Run Custom Task – Runs any application, using macros or command line arguments that you specify.
• Create eDrawings – Creates eDrawings, using selected export options.
• Update SOLIDWORKS Simulation – Updates the SOLIDWORKS Simulation™ analysis in specified files.

Scheduling a Task

Scheduling a task in Task Scheduler takes minutes. As a separate utility, the program is accessed either through Windows program files or a shortcut on the desktop. Once the program is up and running, there are three steps to scheduling a project. First, select a task by clicking on one of the icons located on the left side of the screen. Options include print files, create drawings, create SOLIDWORKS eDrawings, import and export files, and more. There’s even an option to run custom scripts. Depending on the task, the program will queue you for more information. If you select print, for instance, you’ll be asked to enter the paper size, number of copies, and the printer you want to print on.

Second, indicate the items you want to run the task on by selecting an individual file or a Windows folder containing multiple files. All items inside the folder are added to the task list automatically. Third, indicate the day and time when you want to run the task. You can choose to repeat the task daily, weekly, or monthly. When the scheduled time arrives, the program fires the task, and sets to work.