This document summarizes four lessons on using part classifications, templates, and bidirectional properties in OpenBOM for SolidWorks. The lessons include: 1) Creating a bill of materials using the BOM command, 2) Reclassifying an item to a specific catalog, 3) Using OpenBOM templates to define BOM behavior, and 4) Sending property values back to SolidWorks properties and updating them in OpenBOM. The document provides definitions and guidelines for integrating OpenBOM with SolidWorks to effectively manage bills of materials and part properties.

1. In OpenBOM (part II) - Part Classifications
(Catalogs), Templates, Bi-Directional properties
Steve Hess
Director of User Experience, OpenBOM
stevehess@openbom.com
July 15, 2020
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)
Mastering SolidWorks BOMs

2. Webinar basics
You are all muted
Please type questions in the chat window or send to support@openbom.com
We will publish a recording following the event
I will share this deck with the playback.
This is meant to be a casual event….. And maximise use of time
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

3. About Mastering Solidworks BOMs in OpenBOM
Breaking into several “Episodes” as follows:
Webinar #24: New BOMs, Settings, Properties, Update OpenBOM, Save Item
Webinar #25: Part Classifications (Catalogs), Templates, Bi-Directional
properties
Webinar #26: SolidWorks Configurations, Purchased Assemblies
Webinar #27: SWX BOM Maintenance
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

4. Webinar #25 (today) in particular
Quick Review of “BOM” command and what happens
Reclassifying an item to a specific Catalog
Using OpenBOM Templates in Solidworks
Sending property values back to Solidworks
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

5. Definitions:
Classification/Catalog: a term used to describe items the category or Catalog of an item.
Example: A screw might be in a Hardware Classification/Catalog
Catalog: A list of Items used by your company to make your products. Often called a
Classification or Inventory or an Item Master, this is a list of parts and sub-assemblies and
associated information needed to put your final product together.
Property: An attribute or trait used to describe an item.
Value: Is the actual number or text of a Property. Example: The Value of a particular parts
Description is “Gear”
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

6. OpenBOM for SolidWorks Basics
● OpenBOM requires the installation of an addin to create BOMs from Solidworks
○ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz8YQy9trtU
● BOMs are created from SWX Assemblies only
● Individual SWX Parts may be saved to OpenBOM using Save Item Command
● OpenBOM for Solidworks integration requires a license
○ Free Trial or Professional User or above. www.openbom.com
○ Or, You may be a member of your Team or Company
● SolidWorks 2016 or later although some functionality works with earlier swx versions
● Solidworks PDM and Windows File Explorer addins are supported but not covered here
● Upload from Folders, Excel, other CAD also supported in other webinars
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

7. Lessons
Lesson #1 - (2 minute review) Create a BOM using the BOM command
Lesson #2 - Moving a screw from the default classification of SolidWorks
Items to Hardware?
Lesson #3 - Using an OpenBOM Template to define BOM behavior
Lesson #4 - Sending OpenBOM values back to specific Solidworks
properties. Updating The Description in OpenBOM and sending the value
back to Solidworks.
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

8. Live session….1. Lesson #1 Two minute review
○ Open -Wireless Router W25
○ Settings
■ Sign in
■ Save
○ Click BOM
○ Review the BOM
○ Understand how Solidworks Items Catalog relates to BOM
○ → All Items went to Solidworks Items Category/Catalog
2. Reclassify the 90310-08011 Screw to Hardware Classification (Catalog)
○ Open the Solidworks Items Catalog
○ Create the Hardware Catalog
○ Open 90310-08011.sldprt
○ Click Save Item
○ Specify Hardware Catalog
○ Visit Hardware Catalog
○ Open the Solidworks Items Catalog
○ Delete 90310-08011 item
○ Back to BOM
○ Note 90310-08011 is undefined
○ Assign Hardware Catalog
○ All good!
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

9. Lesson #3 Using an OpenBOM Template w/ Solidworks
● Goal - have a certain set of properties, in a certain order, in every Solidworks BOM
● In OpenBOM, Create a BOM with the properties you desire
● Assign any common Catalogs
● Set the order
● Add formulas (if any)
● Remove any Properties you don’t want
● Save as a Template Template Master
● Solidworks Setting and specify Template
● Delete BOMs
● Click BOM
Lesson #4 Sending property values back to Solidworks
● Open the swx openbom settings
● Any property coming back from OpenBOM MUST be in the BOM “Properties” definition
● Create a BOM5 property list
● Add “Bin Location”
● Save
● Goto OpenBOM
● Change Bin Location for the screw
● Back to SWX, Update CAD Properties
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

10. Do’s and Don’ts
● Do always use unique part numbers. If you have Door.sldasm containing Door.sldprt OpenBOM
will give each PN=”Door”. So use one of the methods described in prior slide to set a unique part
number. Don’t rely on File Name. Consider non-intelligent part numbers.
● Do be mindful of your “Default Catalog” when Creating BOM
● Do read the messages, they say what is going to happen
● Do Use “BOM” and “Save Item” commands
● Don’t use the “Catalog” command. It is being deprecated.
● Don’t create multiple configurations with the same Part Numbers (more in coming webinar on that).
You will get wrong quantity for that PN.
● --> Use Configuration Specific Part Number instead

11. References
Solidworks first 3 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz8YQy9trtU
Blog/Video on Templates in SOlidworks:
https://www.openbom.com/blog/video-openbom-solidworks-add-in-templates-can-save-tons-of-time
OpenBOM Webinars https://help.openbom.com/webinars/ (see #21,22)
OpenBOM Basics https://help.openbom.com/get-started/understand-openbom/
OpenBOM Help https://help.openbom.com/ - a great place to start
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)

12. Questions / comments ?
Please send to support@openbom.com or use the Support feature in OpenBOM
© OpenBOM, 2020 (Newman Cloud Inc.)