After a few hours spent designing parts and drawing them up, it's time to convert them... Find out in just a few clicks how to generate these conversions automatically!
There are various ways of activating automatic conversions. The first step is to set up the conversion rules. Note that this converts parts and drawings, but not assemblies.
Setting the conversion rules
Start by going to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Go to "Platform Management", "Content", "Collaborative Spaces Configuration Center", then "Derived Formats Management".
Here you will find all the conversion rules.
Click on "+" to add a rule. A dialog box will appear.
Various parameters are proposed:
- "Converter" is the system you choose to convert your files. You can choose to have the conversion take effect when a file is saved or when its maturity is changed.
- "Origin" corresponds to the origin of the file you wish to convert.
- "Type" is the type of file to be converted. As a reminder, the choice is limited to a part or a drawing.
- "Target format" is the format you wish to obtain after conversion.
- "Event" indicates the conversion method (when saving, for example).
Once the rules have been added, click on 'Apply' and refresh the cache. To do this, go to "Deploy configuration", then "Reload cache".
Once the rule has been saved, you'll need to delete it if you want to change it!
Generate and retrieve file conversions
The choice of converter type will mean different methods for generating the converted files. Let's take a look at a few examples to see how this works.
The following conversion rules have been created:
- A 3D file in STEP
- A drawing file to PDF
First method: conversion at save time
Advantage: no additional installation
Disadvantage: can take a very long time to save configured files (screws, nuts, etc.)
These two rules will start the conversion of files when they are saved in SOLIDWORKS.
Note: SOLIDWORKS must be restarted for the rule to apply when saving.
Open SolidWorks, then load the part or drawing of your choice. Make a change, or simply CTRL+Q (global refresh). 
Save with 3DEXPERIENCE (see tutorial).
The converted files are generated and saved in your Bookmarks (see tutorial), in the location where the modified part is saved. To find them, select your part, then go to Information "i". Then select the "Derived output" icon (three outgoing arrows). 
Now all you have to do is download your converted file!
If you want to download several files, it can be tedious to download them one by one... What if we told you that you could retrieve all the files in an assembly at once?
Still in Bookmarks, select your assembly. Unsurprisingly, in the 'Derived Outputs' section, there's nothing!
On the other hand, you will notice an icon with a folder next to the "Derived Outputs". This 'Download all derived outputs' icon contains, as its name suggests, all your converted files. All you have to do is click on it and download them!
You now know how to generate your conversions automatically using SOLIDWORKS registration.
We will now look at how to generate these conversions by simply modifying the maturity status of a file.
Second method: conversion on maturity change
Advantage: files are converted when they are "Released" (=validated)
Disadvantage: need to install and maintain an additional application
This rule will launch the conversion of files when they change maturity in 3DEXPERIENCE.
The choice of converter is important here, as it involves installing a 3DEXPERIENCE application that will take care of the conversions.
The status modification is set to "Frozen" for this example. In other words, the file will be converted when you change its status to "Frozen" in 3DEXPERIENCE.
Make sure you check "Force update".
Let's look at how to install the conversion application.
In 3DEXPERIENCE, click on "Derived Format Converter". The application will be installed.
Once installed, simply go to Bookmarks, choose the file to convert and change its status. As the rule has set the status to "Frozen" for generating conversions, you now need to choose this maturity.
The files will be stored in "Derived outputs" as shown above.
Conclusion
Now you know how to convert your files automatically. Three rules have been presented as examples, but you are entirely free to create the ones that suit you best!