Windchill 12 connected with Solidworks 2016 as application

[bbusschers]

Hello,

We are using Windchill 11 inclusive the Workgroup Manager in combination with Solidworks 2016.
We have to upgrade to Windchill 12 and we have seen that Solidworks 2016 is dropped as supported application.
(Solidworks support is starting at 2019)
Because of customer requirements we have to continue with Solidworks 2016.

Is there a way how to connect/register Solidworks 2016 to Windchill 12.
Is there a workarround?

I have tried to to use the export function, but than you need an Authoring application in this case with Windchill 12 starting At Solidworks 2019.
The exported Soildworks files are, after the export, not anymore to open by Solidworks 2016. (It is recognized as newer version).

[Ajit_Kulkarni]

Hello,

Looks like you have two options here. 

Option1 : Upgrade Solidworks to 2019. 

Option 2 : Revert back Windchill to 11. 

PTC R&D can make available SW 2016 to Windchill 12 but that will be a product change for them. I do not think they will do it but you can check by opening a support call.

Regards

Ajit

[BenLoosli]

The 2 prior version limitation is typical for the third-party WGMs.

Upgrading has always been an issue when you use multiple CAD systems. We just attach our AutoCAD files as secondary content to an electronically signed PDF of the drawing as documents. No WGM needed and the AutoCAD system can be updated when they feel like it without regard to what Windchill likes.

Have you got Windchill 12 running and tried the SolidWorks WGM with a 2016 file. It may still work, just not be officially supported.