Author: Amen Jlili

Using IEdmDictionary5 for Secure and Flexible Settings Storage in SOLIDWORKS PDM gives developers a reliable and safe way to store and retrieve configuration data inside the vault. The IEdmDictionary interface in the SOLIDWORKS PDM API allows you to manage settings that can be specific to an add-in or a user, while keeping everything protected through the vault’s login system. This approach removes the need for external files and ensures your data stays both organized and secure. Advantages Retrieving Settings To retrieve the stored settings, use the StringGetAt method: User-Specific Settings You can create user-specific settings by appending the username to the dictionary key: Best Practices

By registering to the correct hooks in the GetAddInInfo method and by using poCmd.Cancel = 1 in the OnCmd method, your add-in can cancel certain events in PDM to prevent users from performing operations like deleting a critical file, checking in a document with incomplete metadata, or renaming an inappropriate part. This is the primary tenet for best practice data management and enforcement. PDM Event Hooks: Your Control Panel You can also cancel tasks during the EdmCmd_TaskLaunch hook. The following table provides an overview of the cancellable events that are available in your local SOLIDWORKS PDM vault. The use of these hooks is crucial to develop an add-in that will validieren mit PDM (validate with PDM) and maintain data integrity. Command Type Description EdmCmd_PreExploreInit Executed before a new instance of File Explorer is created. Used to personalize vault view tabs before display. EdmCmd_PreAdd Raised when a file is on the verge of being included in the vault. Utilized to provide naming conventions or verify file types. EdmCmd_PreAddFolder Raised when a new folder is on the verge of being added. Utilized for pre-creation verification or logic. EdmCmd_PreCopy Raised before copying a file. Provides an opportunity for custom processing or verification. EdmCmd_PreCopyFolder Raised prior to copying a folder. Utilized for pre-copy logic. EdmCmd_PreDelete Raised before deleting a file. A critical precaution against mistaken or unauthorized deletions. EdmCmd_PreDeleteFolder Triggers before a folder is deleted. Allows pre-deletion checking. EdmCmd_PreGet Triggers before getting a file from the vault (e.g., Get Latest/Get Version). Offers control over get. EdmCmd_PreLabel Triggers before creating a label. Useful in checking the creation of our content in the label. EdmCmd_PreLabelDelete Triggers before deleting a label. Allows checks before deletion. EdmCmd_PreLabelModify Triggers before changing a label. Allows checking or pre-modification processing. EdmCmd_PreLabelAddItem Occurs before putting an item in a label. Suits validation or custom processing. EdmCmd_PreLock Occurs before check-out of a file. Suitable for pre-check-out validation. EdmCmd_PreMove Occurs before moving a file. Supports pre-move validation or processing. EdmCmd_PreMoveFolder Occurs before moving a folder. Supports folder move validation. EdmCmd_PreRename Occurs before renaming a file. Suitable for pre-rename checks or custom processing. EdmCmd_PreRenameFolder Occurs before renaming a folder. Suits pre-rename validation. EdmCmd_PreShare Occurs before a file is shared between two folders. Implements pre-share logic. EdmCmd_PreState Triggered before setting the state of a file in a workflow. A strong hook for implementing challenging business rules. EdmCmd_PreUndoLock Triggered before undoing a check-out (equivalent to check-in of an unmodified file). EdmCmd_PreUnlock Triggered before the check-in of an updated file. Employs significant pre-check-in validation. A Practical Approach to API-Based PDM Customization Here’s how you would do this using the SOLIDWORKS PDM API Tip: As an example, you could use the EdmCmd_PreState hook to cancel certain events in PDM and prevent a file from moving into a “Released” state if all required data card variables are not filled out. This method of validation with PDM Blue guarantees that all files in your environment are complete and correct, protecting your data integrity right from the beginning. Our Experts Are Here to Help You For expert add-in development and professional SOLIDWORKS support, visit Blue Byte System Inc. We specialize in offering services to improve productivity and streamline your workflows.