SolidWorks Explorer

SolidWorks Explorer was officially discontinued by Dassault Systèmes and is not available in SolidWorks 2020 or later versions. It has been replaced by SolidWorks File Utilities. However, for organizations managing legacy systems or deciding on a modern data management strategy, comparing lightweight file utilities with a true Product Data Management (PDM) system is essential.

Here is a comprehensive breakdown to help you choose the right path for your engineering data. SolidWorks Explorer vs. PDM: Which Should You Use?

Managing SolidWorks files can quickly become a nightmare. Because CAD files are interconnected through complex external references (assemblies pointing to parts, drawings pointing to assemblies), simply dragging and dropping files in Windows Explorer will break your designs.

To solve this, users traditionally looked at two different tiers of tools: SolidWorks Explorer (now legacy/SolidWorks File Utilities) and SolidWorks PDM.

Here is how they compare and how to choose the right one for your team. The Core Difference

SolidWorks Explorer / File Utilities: A localized, single-user tool built for basic file renaming and reference management without breaking CAD links.

SolidWorks PDM: A centralized, multi-user database system designed to control revisions, manage workflows, and prevent data overwrites across an organization. Feature Comparison 1. File Renaming and Moving

SolidWorks Explorer: Keeps track of references when you rename or move a file. It updates the parent assemblies and drawings so you do not get “Unable to locate file” errors. However, it only works locally or on basic shared network drives and handles one file at a time.

SolidWorks PDM: Allows you to change file names, drag files into new folders, or restructure your directory instantly. The underlying database automatically updates all references across millions of files simultaneously. 2. Revision Control and History

SolidWorks Explorer: Offers no native revision control. If you overwrite a file, the previous version is gone forever unless you manually created a backup (e.g., saving it as “Part_RevB_Draft”).

SolidWorks PDM: Tracks every single save, check-in, and milestone. You can view the complete history of a part, see who changed it and when, and roll back to any previous version with a single click. 3. Collaboration and Concurrent Engineering

SolidWorks Explorer: Does not prevent two designers from opening and editing the same network file at the same time. The person who clicks “Save” last wins, wiping out the other person’s work.

SolidWorks PDM: Uses a secure “Check-In / Check-Out” vaulting system. When you check out a file to work on it, it locks the file for editing by anyone else. Team members can still view the file, but they cannot overwrite your progress. 4. Search Speed and Capabilities

SolidWorks Explorer: Relies on standard Windows indexing, which can be incredibly slow when searching through deep folder structures or large assemblies.

SolidWorks PDM: Uses a dedicated Microsoft SQL database. You can search by file names, custom properties (like Material, Vendor, or Description), or workflow state in a fraction of a second. Summary Comparison Table SolidWorks Explorer / File Utilities SolidWorks PDM (Standard / Professional) Primary Purpose Basic file renaming and reference fixing Enterprise data management and workflow control Cost Free (Included with SolidWorks) Paid license required Data Safety Low (Files can be overwritten easily) High (Secure vault, automated backups) Revision History Full version and revision tracking Team Size Single users only Small teams to global enterprises Search Speed Instantaneous (SQL-backed) Which Should You Use? Use SolidWorks File Utilities (The Explorer Successor) If: You are a solo designer working on a local machine.

You have zero budget for software implementation and IT overhead.

You only need to occasionally rename a part or relocate an assembly folder. Use SolidWorks PDM If:

You work in a team of two or more designers sharing the same files.

You frequently suffer from lost data, broken references, or overwritten files.

You need strict regulatory compliance (such as ISO, FDA, or AS9100) that requires formal revision approval workflows.

Your company uses non-CAD data (like PDFs, quotes, and BOMs) that must link directly to engineering projects. The Verdict

If you are still relying on legacy tools or basic Windows folders to manage your CAD files, you are losing billable hours to broken references and accidental data loss. While individual file utilities are great for quick, localized fixes, upgrading to SolidWorks PDM is a vital investment for any growing engineering team that needs data security, speed, and seamless collaboration. If you want to choose the right PDM setup, tell me: How many designers and engineers are on your team?

Do you work from a single office, or do you have remote/multiple locations?