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DriveWorks Solo 21
Run

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Run

When a Project is open the Run button becomes available from the command bar.

Run Project Icon

This will display the Forms, designed in the Project Designer, in the DriveWorks Solo Task Pane.

When the forms are Run to completion it is referred to as a Specification.

Run - From File

A previously Run project, that has had the Form Data Exported (see Export Form Data section below), can be run again by clicking the drop down icon on the Run button and selecting From File.

Run Project From File Icon

This feature allows the Forms to be populated with data from:

  • Similar projects run from a different machine.
  • Similar projects run from a DriveWorks Pro module (that have had Specification Data Exported).
  • Past versions of projects that require re-running.

When the XML file differs from what is expected the following messages will be displayed:

  • The following message will be displayed when there are controls that exist in the specification file that cannot be found in the project:

    Message displayed when controls could not be driven

    Expand the More Details drop down for a detailed list of all controls that could not be driven.

    Check 'Don't show this message again' to ignore further warnings until the application is restarted.

  • The following message will be displayed when the XML file is not a valid specification file.

    Message displayed when the XML is invalid

  • When new controls have been added to the project, that do not exist in the XML file, the project will run with the valid controls populated.

    The controls that cannot be populated will not be driven (any default values applied will be preserved).

Run - Bottom of Capture Assistant

The Run button available from the bottom of the capture assistant provides access to Local DriveWorks Solo projects.

It also provides access to sample content.

Hovering the mouse over any local project will give a tooltip that provides the location of that project.

Double clicking any local project takes you straight into run mode.

Right clicking any recent project will give a menu option to either Edit Project or run the project From File.

Give Access to all Local DriveWorks Solo Projects

All Projects can be run without having to open each project individually.

  1. Click the Run bar from the bottom of the capture assistant.

  2. Right click the Local folder and select Choose Folders.

  3. Click Add from the Local Folders window.

  4. Browse to the location the project is stored and click OK.
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each folder you have a project located.

    Or

    Select a parent location if all projects are stored relative to it.

Generating a Preview

When you run your project, the DriveWorks Solo tab changes into Running mode. Some command bar items are hidden/disabled, and new ones appear:

Run Mode

  1. Generates a preview of the model based on the current filled-in values

    The Preview function loads files with a temporary name. This is to reduce load time when the specification is modified and the models previewed once more. In doing this any features or components whose rules result in Delete will be substituted with Suppress.

    The drop down on the Preview button displays an option for activating Auto Preview.

    Auto Preview will auto generate the SOLIDWORKS models each time a form control is updated.

  2. Generates a drawing attached to the top-level model (the model must have been previewed at least once before this option can be used)
  3. Provides previews of the documents in the project.

The area below the form changes to display navigation options, and any form warnings which were setup for input controls.

Run Mode (Bottom)

Finish

When the running project is finished by clicking on the Finish button, the following dialog is displayed:

Finish
Dialog

You can choose which outputs you want to generate, and also whether you want the results folder opened after generation has finished.

The output options are:

  • Save models with final file names
    • Selecting this option will generate all required models, in the final locations with their final file names.
    • De-selecting this option will not generate any models or drawings.
  • Generate drawings (Only available when Save models is selected)

    Selecting this option will generate all required drawings.

  • Generate documents

    Selecting this option will generate all required documents.

  • Export form data

    Selecting this option will export all control names and values entered as an XML file. See below for more information.

  • Open results folder when done

    Selecting this option will launch a Windows Explorer window, in the parent location of where all the results are stored.

Export Form Data

The Export Form Data option allows you to export the names, type and values of all the controls in the forms, being run, as an XML file.

  • Names are the names applied to the controls on each form.
  • Type is the type of control (for example TextBox, CheckBox, etc.).
  • Values are the values of the control when Finish was selected from the form.

This option will export all editable controls. The Controls that are editable are:

  • Check Box
  • Combo Box
  • List Box
  • Numeric Text Box
  • Option Group
  • Slider
  • Spin Button
  • Text Box

The name of the XML file will take the project name with the SpecificationID special variable appended to it.

The XML file will be stored in the parent Results folder.

An example of the exported XML file is shown below:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Specification SpecificationName="WheelChair 0008" ProjectName="Wheelchair" SpecificationID="8">
  <Controls>
    <Control Name="QuoteNumber" Type="TextBox">
      <Value>MB0008</Value>
    </Control>
    <Control Name="CompanyName" Type="TextBox">
      <Value>DriveWorks Ltd</Value>
    </Control>
    <Control Name="ContactName" Type="TextBox">
      <Value>Mr. M. Lowe</Value>
    </Control>
    <Control Name="Address" Type="TextBox">
      <Value>UK</Value>
    </Control>
    <Control Name="Currency" Type="ComboBox">
      <Value>US Dollar</Value>
    </Control>
    <Control Name="BackHeight" Type="TextBox">
      <Value>524</Value>
    </Control>
    <Control Name="ThighLength" Type="TextBox">
      <Value>426</Value>
    </Control>
    <Control Name="ShinLength" Type="TextBox">
      <Value>415</Value>
    </Control>
    <Control Name="Check" Type="CheckBox">
      <Value>false</Value>
    </Control>
    <Control Name="Wheels" Type="OptionGroup">
      <Value>Sport</Value>
    </Control>
    <Control Name="Spokes" Type="ComboBox">
      <Value>3</Value>
    </Control>
  </Controls>
</Specification>