This is one of the presentations made at SWW 2009. It outlines best practices for creating an admin image. Admin Images are used to install SolidWorks across a network of users. This is useful for IT and CAD Managers.

1. Improving Your Administration Image Elise Moss, Senior Mechanical Engineer Moss Designs

3. What is an Administration Image? While a professional image at work is important it has nothing to do with an Administration Image

4. Improving Your Administrative Image

5. Plan…Plan…Plan… DON’T just sit down and say I’m going to set up my ADMIN IMAGE today – PLAN FOR IT Things to think about: Where will it be placed on the server? What users will have access to it? What different operating systems exist? What system options do you need to maintain? templates/toolbox/material libraries/design libraries Figure it may take you DAYS not hours to get everything set up properly

8. BEFORE YOU USE THE COPY SETTINGS WIZARD Check your paths Get everything pointed to the correct path on the server

9. Set Up the Default Templates

11. Set Up Where to Save Any Toolbox Parts

12. Verify the Keyboard Shortcut Keys file Be sure to save a back-up of the list!

13. Customize Menus and Toolbars Add the tools you need and delete the ones you don’t

14. Launch the Copy Settings Wizard Located under Start/Programs/SolidWorks <>/SolidWorks Tools

15. Off to see the Wizard…. SolidWorks Must be closed to Copy Custom settings!

16. Save to the Server for Easy Access This is also handy to have for new installs, classrooms, and going from one workstation to another. Don’t forget to write down where you saved it!

17. The Copy Settings Wizard By default, the file is placed on the local driver in the Documents and Settings path

19. Accessing the Options Editor Locate the sldadminoptioneditor.exe file It is located in the sldim folder

20. Adding Users and Groups Use the users and groups data you have available in PDMWorks to help you create the user list

21. Planning done…all prep work done… Turn off any virus protection or anti-spyware software when creating the admin image.

22. Create the admin image on your local drive You will move the admin image to the server later…but it will be less likely to be corrupted if you create it on your local drive. Verify that the server location is set to be shared and is visible to the users

23. Gentlemen….start your engines! You will need the DVD to create the admin image. If you have 32 and 64 bit systems, you will need to create a separate admin image for each system-type. Copy the DVD to the server or create a virtual drive and place the DVD files there for easy access.

24. You need an Internet Connection You must be “on-line” to create an admin image so the software can check for updated files and valid license keys.

25. Start as if you are doing a regular install… Locate the sldim.exe file and double-click it. File is located under the sldim folder on the DVD.

26. Select Administrative Image as the Install Type

27. Which serial number should I use? Load the serial number with the most products available to copy all the files you will need.

28. Select the Products to Install If you have licenses for other products, click here and they will be included in the install image

29. Pay Attention! Write down the path where the admin image will be placed

30. An option for scripts is now available It is recommended to perform an uninstall prior to any major upgrade; i.e. 2008 to 2009 So, create a script that will uninstall SW for the user and scrub the registry and set it to run prior to installation

31. Run a script after install as well If you have custom add-ins, you can run a script after Install to ensure that your add-ins are loaded

32. Creating Scripts Learn about how to script or download sample free scripts: http://gscripts.net/

33. Important things to remember when doing the uninstall… If running Toolbox in your local machine, backup the Toolbox database. The default locations are: <C:rogram Filesommon FilesolidWorks Data> for 2007 <C:olidWorks Data> for 2008 Obtain administrative rights to the computer. Consult with IT department if needed.

34. Uninstalling Disable any anti-virus program that may be running. This is best done by stopping it’s service(s) via the Windows Services. The services can be accessed quickly by START, Run and type ‘ services.msc’. Locate the services associated with the scanner and stop them. VI. Use the Add/Remove programs in the Windows Control Panel and, a. Remove secondary products first (ie. eDrawings, PDM/Works, DWGEditor, etc.) b. Remove older versions of SolidWorks (if applicable) c. Remove current version of SolidWorks Use Control Panel to uninstall SW and any related programs.

35. Uninstalling Remove the SolidWorks installation directories: <C:rogram FilesolidWorks>, <C:rogram FilesWGeditor> (if exists)

36. Uninstalling CRITICAL STEP: Remove the Windows Registry keys that remain after uninstalling all products. a. From the Windows Start menu, select Run and type ‘regedit’ b. In the Registry Editor, delete the keys below. Some keys may not be present on your system. Under HKEY_CURRENT_USERoftware - SolidWorks - eDrawings - SRAC - Moldflow Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEoftware - SolidWorks Corporation - SRAC - eDrawings - SolidWorks

37. Uninstalling Reboot your system. CRITICAL STEP: Log in with administrative rights and ensure the anti-virus services are stopped again (they would have restarted with the system reboot).

38. So, do ya wanna do this or that? Locate and set the file you created with the Copy Settings Wizard It is preferable to do a new release install for any major releases

39. More options… If you place your hardware on the server, make sure users have share access

40. Improving Your Admin Image If you have the DVD, you do not need to download…it is faster if you use the DVD. Select Download if you are creating an Admin Image for a service pack or upgrade as the files won’t be on the DVD

41. Improving Your Download Image Click this link!

42. The Download Takes about 15-90 minutes

43. Locate the StartSWInstall.hta file Look for the file in the SolidWorks Admin folder

44. Using an HTML to install Open “StartSWInstall.HTML” located under the admin image directory folder by double clicking on the file. This opens the file in internet explorer.

45. Launching the install When you double click the StartSWInstall.hta file, this window will appear

47. The easiest way to set up links are in Word Paste in your company’s logo Type in a line for each installation

48. Adding Hyperlinks Highlight the entire line Right click Select Hyperlink

49. Setting up the Hyperlink Select Existing File or Web Page Check the text to be displayed to make sure it makes sense Check the address to make sure it points to the file located on the server

50. Advantages of using Word It can be emailed to remote users It can be easily created Doesn’t require special software Doesn’t require special training Easily edited and updated Easy to upload to intranet

52. Questions? Elise Moss [email_address]