Ever questioned what the “Set Revision” function inside of your vault view under Modify → Set Revision actually does within Product Data Management (PDM)? Well, this article will serve as a guide and show  you how you can set up “Set Revision” introduced to PDM Professional and Standard in 2016.  

Things to keep in mind before beginning this process:

• All the files must be checked in before “Set Revision is performed”.
• Must have the ability to select multiple files (large group of files) to perform this function.
  **Caution: It is recommended not to select more than 100 files at a time for performance reasons.
• If the revision is a custom property in the file already, the system will read that and set them to match.

Set Revision’s Role in Day-to-Day Operations

Set Revision can play a critical role in day-to-day operations. Here’s how:

1. If you bring a legacy part into your vault and want to set it to a specific revision. The “Set Revision” option allows you to set not only the data card value, but also update the database to the specific revision of your choice.
   • The legacy part is at (i.e. Revision E), you can set it to “E” once you bring it into the vault and pass it to the appropriate state that has the permissions to set that revision variable.
2. You can set the revision variable without having to constantly pass the file through the workflow multiple times to bump the revision. 
   • Expedite this process (HUGE time saver!!)
3. If the data card value for revision variable is different than what the database sees as the value for the revision variable.

For a Set Revision to Work, Here’s What Needs to Happen

First, permissions need to be set for the user/group.

• Check-out: Update Variable
• Set Revision: Change revision based on specified revision  schema

Once complete, verify that a revision scheme is specified using the Administration Tool. 

Revision Number Component Properties:                          Revision Number:

Now, on to the state where you would like to allow for this “Set Revision” to take place.

Approved State -> Revision Numbers Tab

From the drop-down next to Revision Numbers, select your revision number, select the revision variable where this revision is writing to, and finally what are you are going to increase the revision number by. It most cases, it will be one. 

 **NOTE: Make sure that all 3 areas are specified or else this “Set Revision” will not work.  

1. The revision number must be specified
2. The revision variable needs to know where to write the variable to
3. The revision component that is determined by the revision number needs to know how much to increment by

Once everything is specified it should look like this:

Now, it’s time to put this into action.

Step 1: Select All Components to perform this action.

Step 2: See the current revision of the file (may vary between Database vs. Data Card).

Step 3: Options for performing the Set Revision operation

• Select Set Revision on All Files (only if you want to change the Revision on all files)
• Update Data Card Variable on All Files (will check out the file, update the data card variable, check back in)
• Set All New Revision Values to Card Variable Value (will update the New Revision to the existing Data Card Variable Value)

Step 4: See what the New Revision is going to be and change the revision to the revision of your choice based on the drop-down menu.

**Note: You can also set the revision to the revision of what is on the data card (see 2161038.sldprt).

RESULT:

Now you are an EXPERT at Set Revision!

Learn more about PDM with our PDM Client Breakdown Guide!