Adding Custom Columns in File Explorer

[Guest]

Hi,

I would like to add CUSTOM columns in File Explorer. Specifically, I use
SolidWorks, a 3D solid modeling program. In the SolidWorks files you can
create custom properties (meta data). For example, you could create a
property called "Revision". I would like to be able to show some of this
meta data in columns in File Explorer. Is there a add-on program that will
let you do this? Or some other way to do this? One thing that I have found is
that some of these properties will display if you just hover your mouse over
the file name. I would like to pick and choose which ones display, and show
them in columns.

Thank you,
Steve

 

[David Candy]

Only if you or SolidWorks write a program to do this.

 

[Richard In Va.]

Hello Steve,

For some time I've had the same question. However with AutoCAD, I wanted to
have a "custom" column I could use to display and sort files by customer
name.
Without an immediate or ideal solution, I decided to use the Windows (XP)
column heading called "Category". It's easy enough to get to and edit this
field from the file properties dialog.

Resorting the folder contents by customer or "Category" seems to take a
little longer. But it sure is convenient to list the customer files
together.

Not an answer... but maybe a stop-gap for you to try.

Hope this is helpful!

Best regards,

Richard in Va.
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[Guest]

Thanks, David and Richard, for your suggestions and info. Using the
"catagory" column is an interesting idea, but I really need for the
parameters in the files themselves to be shown. Looks like I need a
programmer....


Thank you,
Steve

 

[David Candy]

Why don't you ask in autocad groups or autocad itself. It only requires a small dll file to implement. This is how windows is designed, to allow companies like Autocad to add document specific features into Windows. They may have Search filters (to allow searching of custom properties) or Column Providors (what you asked for). If not ask Autocad why not.

 

[Richard in Va.]

Steve,
AutoCAD also provides a way to create "custom" file properties as you describe the
SolidWorks feature. However I think AutoDesk offers a software pkg that was developed to
help manage project files. I'm not really familiar with the product but I assume it
accesses the custom "meta-data" one can create for the file while the file is open in
AutoCAD.
I've tried different approaches to get Windows (XP) Explorer to display this information
with no success. Therefore I use the XP "category" within file properties as mentioned
before. This really works well for my needs but maybe I should mention that using this
approach will update the time-stamp for the file. So if you have a need to resort the
folders contents by date, well... you know what happens... all the files where you've
edited the file properties will sort together. I had to consider this delima for several
days before succumbing to the need to sort by customer name. It was several years ago
that I went through this, so sorting by date now has function again.

I assume also that the available column titles in Windows Explorer is likely a registry
controlled feature. Maybe someone listening in can offer some assistance here, that is,
if your comfortable with editing the registry. Really have no clue, but I wonder if
Tweakui might offer a solution here?

Good luck... I would be interested in hearing what you come up with.

Best regards,

Richard in Va.
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[Richard in Va.]

Steve,

One other thought...

This is how I name my project files.

Job Number - Customer Name - Project Description.dwg

The "Job Number" is our shop job number such as 0603125. 06=Year, 03=month, 125= the
125th job taken for the calendar year.
However I add another digit at the end of the job number, i.e. 0 through 9 and use this
for particular parts of the project.
Therefore the first part of the file name might be "06031252" (2 being added to the job
number)

Files where a "0" is added to the job number contains layout and general assembly detail
drawings ideas and scribblings.
Files where a "1" thru "7" are added contains final detail drawings.
"8" would be for pneumatic and hydraulic schematic drawings.
"9" would be for electrical schematic drawings.

The "Customer Name" is always the same...
The "Project Description" is always the same...

Maybe you could add " - Rev1" or " - Rev2" to the end of the file name.
Hence...
Job Number - Customer Name - Project Description - Rev1.dwg
This way you can use Windows Explorer to sort by file name and all the file would line-up
as you might expect.

I know you really didn't ask to hear all this.... just food for thought!

I realize tho that many (larger) engineering departments have file naming conventions and
standards that might dictate how you name your files.

Best regards,

Richard in Va.
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