Working In Offline Mode – SOLIDWORKS PDM

SolidWorks PDM is a robust solution for managing design data, streamlining workflows, and ensuring version control in engineering and product design projects. However, in some situations, such as when you're traveling or in an area with no internet connection, you may need to work without being connected to the PDM vault. SolidWorks PDM offers an offline mode feature, which allows you to continue working with files even when disconnected from the vault.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to set up and work in offline mode in SolidWorks PDM.

Why Use Offline Mode?

Before diving into the steps, let's understand when you might need to use offline mode:

1. No Internet Connectivity: If you're on the go or in a remote location without network access, offline mode lets you continue working without interruption.

2. Large Files or Bandwidth Limitations: When working with large files that would otherwise take a long time to download or upload, offline mode lets you download them once and work locally.

3. Reduced Dependency on Network Speed: Working offline means your local storage and system resources handle your work, without depending on the vault server’s responsiveness.

Prerequisites:

• Check-in all currently checked out files to ensure the PDM server has the most recent versions saved.
• The files you need should be checked out again before going offline.

Step-by-Step Guide to Working in Offline Mode in SolidWorks PDM

1. Download Files for Offline Use:

• Before going offline, select the files you want to work with and check them out to ensure you have local copies. The system will prompt you to check out the files you wish to work on.
• Navigate to the folder(s) containing the files and select the “Get Latest Version” option to ensure your local copies are up-to-date.
• Once files are checked out, they will be downloaded to your local working directory, making them available for offline use.

2. Working Offline

At the top of the vault local view, go to Tools and click on “Work Off-line”.

*Note that while in off-line mode, the folders in the local view will be blue in color.

Once you've switched to offline mode, you can work on your designs as usual.

• Make Changes Locally:
  • Open your files directly from your local PDM vault cache. You can modify them in SolidWorks or any other associated software.
  • Any changes you make will be stored locally and tracked by the PDM system, which will synchronize with the server once you're back online.
• Create New Files (Optional):
  • You can also create new files in offline mode. However, these files will remain in your local cache until you're back online and the system can check them in.
• Local File Versions:
  • If you need to open or modify older versions of a file, you can access them from your local cache. However, be mindful that these versions are not synchronized with the vault, so any changes will need to be uploaded once you're back online.

3. Sync Files When Back Online

To switch back to online mode, go to Tools and click on “Work Online”

After you've completed your work offline, you'll need to sync your local changes with the vault.

1. Reconnect to the Vault:

• • When you’re back online, open PDM Explorer, and reconnect to the vault by logging back in.

2. Check-in Files:

• • Navigate to your local files in the vault and select the ones you worked on offline. Right-click and choose “Check In” to upload your changes to the vault.
  • If there are any file conflicts (e.g., if someone else has modified the file while you were offline), you’ll be prompted to resolve them.

3. Upload New Files (if applicable):

• • If you created new files while offline, select those files and upload them into the vault by checking them in as well.

4. Sync the Cache:

• • The PDM system will automatically sync your local cache with the vault. It will upload the changes and notify you if any issues arise during the sync process.

5. Review Check-in Status:

• • Review the status of your check-ins to ensure that everything is updated in the vault properly. You can verify file versions, status, and who made modifications.

Best Practices for Working in Offline Mode

1. Plan Ahead:

• • Before going offline, ensure you’ve checked out all the files and resources you’ll need. SolidWorks PDM lets you check out entire folders, so make sure to grab everything you’ll need for your work session.

2. Keep Local Cache Organized:

• • Your local cache is where PDM stores all your files. Keep it organized to prevent confusion. Also, regularly clear out outdated files to avoid cache bloat.

3. Track Changes Carefully:

• • Ensure that you are aware of any other changes made to the files while you were offline. PDM offers notifications of such changes when you reconnect, so you can avoid overwriting someone else’s work.

4. Use Version Control Wisely:

• • Make use of the version control features in PDM. If you’re working with older versions of files, ensure you are editing the correct version to avoid potential conflicts.

5. Limit Large Files When Possible:

• • Avoid checking out excessively large files unless necessary. This will ensure that your offline experience is as smooth and efficient as possible.

Troubleshooting Offline Mode

• Issue: Files Are Not Syncing After Reconnecting:
  • Solution: Verify your internet connection and ensure you're logged into the correct vault. Check the file version history to see if there are any conflicts preventing check-in.
• Issue: Missing Files in Cache
  • Solution: If files you worked on offline are missing after reconnecting, try refreshing your cache by right-clicking the vault root and selecting "Refresh Local Cache."

Conclusion

Working in offline mode in SolidWorks PDM is an incredibly useful feature for engineers, designers, and anyone working with CAD data when away from a network or vault. By preparing your files ahead of time and understanding how the syncing process works, you can ensure that your work remains uninterrupted even without a live connection to the vault. Whether you're traveling, working in a remote location, or just managing network issues, offline mode in PDM helps you stay productive and in control of your design files.

ARTICLE BY Phillip Lewis, CSWE