PDM One Troubleshooting Guide

Objective: To answer popular customer questions regarding PDM One.

Difficulty: Easy

In this article:

1. Why are the check-in/check-out buttons grayed out?
2. Why aren't my assembly references showing up?
3. How do you set up the Google Drive integration with PDM One?
4. What is Parallels, and how do you set up PDM One if you’re using it?

This article addresses frequently asked questions about installing and managing PDM One. While this guide covers many common issues, it does not include every possible problem. If you encounter further difficulties after following these steps, please open a support ticket for assistance from our support team.

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Why are the check-in/check-out buttons grayed out?

If these buttons are inaccessible, it could be due to an incorrect setup or an incorrect login. Follow the steps below to resolve these issues and regain access to the buttons.

To activate the check-in/check-out buttons, check the following things are set up correctly: 

1. Ensure that the part has been successfully pulled by verifying the part number displayed to the left of the part name. Double-check that it appears correctly.
2. Confirm that the configuration file is correctly pointing to the appropriate location:

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Duro Labs\Duro Labs SOLIDWORKS Add-In\DuroPdmConfig.txt

3. Set the DuroPdmBaseDirectory configuration value to your designated base storage folder. Ensure that all backslashes used in the path do not have a trailing backslash.
   • (Correct) C:\\Users\\name\\Duro Dropbox
   • (Correct) C:\\Users\\name\\Box
   • (Incorrect) C:\Users\name\Duro Dropbox
   • (Incorrect) C:\\Users\\name\\Duro Dropbox\\PDM
   • Save the file after making your changes.
     

4. Click the checkbox to ensure it registers properly—occasionally, it may not register until you click and unclick.
5. Ensure you are signed into the Prismatic integration with your root Admin account.
6. Close and reopen your CAD application (NX or SolidWorks) so any changes that are applied.

Why aren't my assembly references showing up?

PDM does not currently support nested assemblies. Consider alternative organization methods to manage your files effectively if your project involves complex assembly structures.

If assembly references are not appearing for other PDM users, follow these steps to resolve the issue:

1. Adjust External Reference Settings:
   • Navigate to Tools > Options > External References.
   • Ensure that the option "Search File Locations for external references" is selected.
2. Update Referenced Documents Path:
   • Go to File Locations > Referenced Documents.
   • Add the path to the Vault in this section to ensure proper reference linking across all PDM users.

How do you set up the Google Drive integration with PDM One?

1. Ensure all files within the PDM directory are shared with the Root Admin on Google Workspace.
2. Create a PDM folder within “My Drive” and share with all plugin users. This is ideally completed by the Root Admin.
3. Create an alias for the PDM folder from the Root Admin's MyDrive to your MyDrive.
4. Ensure that the owner of the PDM Folder is the admin who signed into Prismatic
5. For all PDM Folder share recipients, add a shortcut to “My Drive” by right-clicking on the folder, as seen below. This ensures that you can easily find the folder locally.
   

What is Parallels, and how do you set up PDM One if you’re using it?

Parallels is a virtualization software that enables users to run Windows and macOS concurrently on the same computer. By creating a virtual machine (VM) within the host operating system, Parallels allows users to switch between Windows and macOS without rebooting. This functionality is particularly beneficial for users who require access to applications specific to one operating system while working in the other.

To ensure PDM One works with Parallels set it up, follow the steps below:

1. Verify that the Cloud Storage Desktop app is installed on the Mac partition of your device, as Parallels does not support Box, Google Drive, or Dropbox on the Windows side.
2. Ensure your Cloud Storage folder is placed in the shared partition between the Mac and Windows systems.