START Command Documentation

DESCRIPTION:

The start command is used to launch programs, tools, or specific applications. It supports launching SOLIDWORKS, the PDM administration tool, Notepad, Windows Explorer, and other custom programs. Additionally, it can open the SOLIDWORKS API help file or the current folder in Explorer.

SYNTAX:

start -process -swversion

PARAMETERS:

• process:
  (Optional) Specifies the program to start. Common values include:

  • admin: Launches the PDM administration tool.
  • notepad: Launches Notepad.
  • apihelp: Opens the SOLIDWORKS API help file.
  • explorer: Opens Windows Explorer.
  • .: Opens the current folder in Windows Explorer.

• swversion:
  (Optional) Specifies the version of SOLIDWORKS to launch. The year should be provided (e.g., 2023).

EXAMPLES:

# Launch the PDM administration tool.  
start admin

REMARKS:

• Launching SOLIDWORKS:
  If the -wversion parameter is provided, the command attempts to locate and launch the specified version of SOLIDWORKS. If the version is not found, an error message will be displayed.

• Administration Tool:
  The admin option launches the PDM administration tool. Ensure the tool is installed and accessible.

• Notepad:
  The notepad option launches the default Notepad application from the system directory.

• API Help:
  The apihelp option opens the SOLIDWORKS API help file (api_gb.chm) from the PDM installation directory.

• Explorer:
  The explorer option opens Windows Explorer. Using . opens the current folder.

• Error Handling:
  If the specified program or process cannot be found, an error message will be displayed.