# File Organization and Naming Standards

When using SolidWorks PDM, it is important to consider file organization and assembly creation as to minimize confusion and increase clarity for all users. The structure below should be utilized for all of PDM, regardless of subsystem.

<p class="callout info"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Organization**</span></p>

***Note***: "SolarGators" PDM access is stored in a local file of your choice during installation, that is the starting point for accessing PDM as described [here](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/books/installation/page/solidworks) and [here](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/books/solidworks/page/how-to-use-pdm-pt-1).  
[![Screenshot 2026-02-11 113833.jpg](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/screenshot-2026-02-11-113833.jpg)](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/screenshot-2026-02-11-113833.jpg)

<div class="SCXW104173511 BCX8" id="bkmrk-1.-solargators%C2%A0is-fi"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">**1.** <span style="text-decoration: underline;">SolarGators</span> is firstly organized by vehicle: <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Car *\####*</span>  
  
[![base.jpg](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/base.jpg)](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/base.jpg)  
</div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">**2.** <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Car ####</span> is then organized into:</div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">- FOLDERS: <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Aerobody</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Battery Pack</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cockpit</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Structures</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Suspension</span>

</div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">- ASSEMBLIES: <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Car #### Full Assembly</span>

</div></div>[![intocar.jpg](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/Mgqintocar.jpg)](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/Mgqintocar.jpg)  
**3.** Any **"**<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Subsystem</span>" is then organized, as necessary, into FOLDERS, ASSEMBLIES, and GEOMETRY:

<div class="SCXW104173511 BCX8" id="bkmrk-%22full-assembly%22-%22sub"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">- "<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Full Assembly</span>"
- "<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sub Assembly</span>"
- "<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Geometry</span>"

</div></div>[![example3.jpg](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/example3.jpg)](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/example3.jpg)

**4.** Sub-system-sub-assemblies are then organized into FOLDERS:

<div class="SCXW104173511 BCX8" id="bkmrk-%22custom-component%22-%22"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8"><div class="SCXW104173511 BCX8" id="bkmrk-%22custom-component%22-%22-1"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">- "Custom Component"
- "OTS"

</div></div><div class="SCXW104173511 BCX8" id="bkmrk-note%3A-all-major-cust"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">- - - *Note*: all major custom components should have their own folder, where each version of their parts can be housed alone. All OTS components go into their own folder.

</div></div></div></div>[![suassed.jpg](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/scaled-1680-/aicsuassed.jpg)](https://wiki.ufsolargators.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/aicsuassed.jpg)

<div class="SCXW104173511 BCX8" id="bkmrk-%5Bsubteam%5D-folder%C2%A0-th"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW104173511 BCX8">  
</div></div><p class="callout info"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">**Naming**</span></p>

<div class="SCXW104173511 BCX8" id="bkmrk-custom-made-parts%C2%A0-f"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">1. **<span class="TextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8">Custom Designed Components</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}"> </span>**

</div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">- - <span class="TextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8">*File Name*: Part\_Name\_V#</span></span>

</div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">- - - <span class="TextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8">*Example*: Trailing\_Arm\_V1</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}"> </span>

</div></div><div class="SCXW104173511 BCX8" id="bkmrk-assembly-folders"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">2. **<span class="TextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8">Assembly Folders</span></span>**

</div></div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8" id="bkmrk-file-name%3A-name_asse">- - <span class="TextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8">*File Name*: Name\_Assembly</span></span>

</div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8" id="bkmrk-example%3A-rear_suspen">- - - <span class="TextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8">*Example*: Rear\_Suspension\_Assembly</span></span>

</div><div class="SCXW104173511 BCX8" id="bkmrk-drawing-files%C2%A0-file-"><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">2. **<span class="TextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8">Off-The-Shelf Components</span></span>**<span class="EOP SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}"> </span>

</div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">- - <span class="TextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8">*File Name*: Part\_Name\_Part#</span></span>

</div><div class="ListContainerWrapper SCXW104173511 BCX8">- - - <span class="TextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW104173511 BCX8">*Example*: Shoulder\_Bolt\_91259A455</span></span>

</div></div><span class="EOP SCXW104173511 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{}">\[ ***If you have any questions ask Trevor :)*** \]</span>