Hi Greg,
Thanks for asking. Here is a brief description on the file structure I use. This is a copy of the post I made some time ago.
"The first thing I can tell about file management is that it requires a strict discipline, exercised by everyone who is dealing with given set of files. And that's probably the hardest part to enforce!
As for the naming convention - I can offer you to look at a system I use for. It works for me very well for more than 20 years.
- Each and every client has its folder set up on my computer. And the folder is named after the client's business name - not some numbers such as the date, when the folder was created.
- 2. In that folder there are subfolders related to the client's projects. Again, named after the project name - not any ambiguous numbers no one can explain at a glance.
- In each and every project folder there are always some folders, named "Ga" - for General arrangement drawings, "Assembly" - for assembly files, "Details" - for individual parts drawings. Plus - some others, created by Inventor, when dealing with iParts.
- Now, for the file naming. To start with - I have a spread sheet for each client, where I record the projects, I have done for him. They are recorded in consecutive order, starting from 01. The files with 01 index are reserved for the standard parts, pertaining to this client only. These files can be used thought all of the projects for this client. They are, in effect - library parts for this particular client. I can give more detailed explanation of it later, if needed. For the time being - let's continue to talk about the naming convention itself.
Say, I have 45 entries for the client. Then all the files, related to his last project will have number 45 as a first digits for each and every drawing related to that protect, Assembly file will be named 45-ga, part files are named 45-01, 45-02 and so on.
45-ga file - is a main assembly file. It usually contains sub-assemblies in it. The sub-assemblies are named 45-1ga, 45-2ga and so on. And the part numbers for each sub-assembly will be 45-1-1, 45-1-2, or 45-2-1, 45-2-2 for the second sub-assembly. And so on.
Some of the parts in assemblies (and sub-assemblies) can be iParts. Then their numbers will be 45-1-1-1, 45-1-1-2, 45-1-1-3 if the iFactory is a part 45-1-1.
Some of the projects can be fairly large and to keep all the parts files in one location could be inconvenient. Then I add some sub-assembly’s folders in main project folder and put all the files, related to that sub-assembly in there. The folder is named with meaningful name, of course. And that name is although shown on the title block of every drawing, related to that assembly.
To summarize:
The drawing name consist out of four groups of digits:
- General project number.
- Assembly number. Project number, following by "Ga" letters.
- Part number for the specific assembly. "Ga" letters are dropped from the part's name. If the part belongs to the main assembly - then it's number will be 45-01, 45-02....45-023. If the part belongs to a sub-assembly – than it will look like 45-1-…, 45-2-…, etc.
- iParts indicators.
I do avoid using idle numbers in file names as much as possible. What is the point to use 001 or 002 as a prefix to the file name? The first Zero will expire only after 99 projects you will get done. Until than - these digits will only take space in a title block without adding any valuable information.
The drawing number and the part number are the same. It is although true for the General arrangement drawings.
I always keep in mind that my drawing is used by a person, who doesn't have access to my file system. All he has - is a hard copy of my drawing in his hand. When he is on the phone with some queries regarding the drawing - he can only tell me the drawing number and the name of the project - as it's written in the title block. And with the system I use it is enough info for me to find that file on my computer almost instantly - no matter how many years are gone since that project."
Best Regards,
Igor.
Web: www.meqc.com.au
