All files uploaded to Bild can have metadata associated to them. These metadata values can be unique across files' different versions and revisions. Most teams utilize metadata fields like Part Number and Revision, which can be used for 2D Drawing automation by populating information in title blocks. Metadata can be used to further degree when utilizing Bild's BOM functionality as well. Any Admin can create, edit or delete custom metadata fields from the Company Settings.
Default Metadata Fields
Part Number
Nomenclature can be changed (e.g. if teams use PartNo, PartNum, etc)
ECO Status
Bild controlled metadata field based on actions within Bild
New File: new files uploaded to Bild
In-Progress: files in work
In-Review: once an approval has been created for the file
Rejected: if approval was rejected
Approved: if approval was approved
Released: if the file is released
Revision Number
As files get released, the file Revision can get auto-incremented (e.g. from Revision A to Revision B)
Nomenclature can be changed (e.g. Rev, RevNo, etc)
Auto-increment options include:
Alphabetical
Integer
Decimal
Disabled (users to specify at each release)
Note: a user can override an auto-incremented revision at release if desired (e.g. if file is automatically supposed to go from Rev A to Rev B, the user can specify another Rev instead)
Version Number
As files get checked back in, the file Version can get auto-incremented (e.g. from Version 1 to Version 2)
Nomenclature can be changed (e.g. simply Version, V, etc)
Auto-increment options include:
Alphabetical
Integer
Decimal
Disabled (users to specify at each release)
Note: a user can override an auto-incremented version at check in if desired (e.g. if file is automatically supposed to go from Version 1 to Version 2, the user can specify another Version instead)
Custom Metadata Fields
New fields can be created or edited with a variety of value types. Click +New on the top right hand corner and title the new metadata field, then, select the value type:
Text
Number
Select
Admins can then also input all the options for Selections if the field type is Select.
Mandatory Fields
Admins can set certain fields as mandatory in Bild, meaning files cannot be released until those fields are filled in. To make a field mandatory, follow these steps:
Go to the Custom Metadata/Attribute page in your admin settings.
Hover over the field you want to make required and click Edit.
Toggle on the Required to Release option.
Click Update to save the changes.
Best Practices:
Write-to-file setting: for teams who use SolidWorks or Creo, Bild supports reading and writing back metadata to the CAD files.
SolidWorks: metadata fields and values across Custom Properties and any Configurations will be read in. These values can be edited in Bild, and written back.
Creo: custom parameters can be read and edited values from Bild written back.
Parameters do not need to follow PTC convention, they will automatically be converted
Example: a "PTC Common Name" custom created metadata field in Bild will automatically map to the PTC_COMMON_NAME Creo parameter
Teams can choose which fields have write-to-file turned on and which don't to more easily manage metadata, but at minimum - Part Number and Revision are recommended for drawing template automation.
Metadata Alignment: create Bild metadata fields as defined in CAD to have full alignment between CAD, BOM, PDM, and PLM. The Bild team can help with these mappings.
Table Columns: the Bild Files table can display different columns based on teams' preferences. Any custom created metadata field can be used to display associated information on the files table.
BOM Table Columns: all View of BOMs can be edited to rearrange or remove columns to display. These columns are also based on the custom created metadata fields.