Convert DRWDOT to SLDMAT

Understanding drwdot and sldmat file formats

DRWDOT files are SolidWorks Drawing Template files. They store predefined settings, sheet formats, and drawing standards used to create new drawings in SolidWorks. These templates help maintain consistency across engineering drawings.

SLDMAT files are SolidWorks Sheet Metal Gauge Table files. They contain material thickness and bend allowance data for sheet metal parts, enabling accurate design and manufacturing processes in SolidWorks.

Why convert drwdot to sldmat?

While DRWDOT and SLDMAT serve different purposes, you might want to extract material or sheet metal information from a drawing template to create a custom gauge table. This conversion is not direct, but involves exporting relevant data and formatting it for use as a gauge table.

How to convert drwdot to sldmat

1. Open your DRWDOT file in SolidWorks.
2. Identify and note the sheet metal parameters (thickness, bend radius, etc.) used in your template.
3. Create a new gauge table in Excel or a text editor, following the SLDMAT format (CSV or TXT with specific columns for thickness, bend allowance, etc.).
4. Save the file with a .sldmat extension.
5. In SolidWorks, go to Tools → Options → System Options → File Locations and add the folder containing your new SLDMAT file.

Best software for drwdot to sldmat conversion

The best and most reliable software for this process is SolidWorks itself. While there are no direct third-party converters for this specific conversion, SolidWorks provides all the necessary tools to extract data from DRWDOT files and create SLDMAT files manually.

Tips for successful conversion

• Ensure you follow the correct SLDMAT file structure. Refer to SolidWorks documentation for formatting details.
• Double-check all material and bend data for accuracy before saving the SLDMAT file.
• Test your new gauge table by applying it to a sheet metal part in SolidWorks.