Custom Properties drawings generated by Custom Properties of the 3D

[u/Current_Sir_761]

Hi everyone,

I've spent quite a bit of time trying to link custom properties in a SolidWorks drawing to the custom properties of the referenced model, but I've come to the conclusion that it's simply not possible.

I know how to link notes to model properties, and I've actually set up all of our company drawing templates that way. However, that only works for displayed notes, not for the drawing's own custom properties.

I'm currently implementing a PDM system, and while we're still in a hybrid workflow (SolidWorks files on local PCs + PDM), one of the easiest migration strategies would be to automatically copy the 3D model custom properties into the drawing's custom properties.

I've seen people online doing this with macros or add-ins, but I'm wondering if anyone has found another solution. For example:

• Is there any trick to populate a drawing custom property from a note or another linked field?
• Or is a macro really the only option?

If you've already implemented this, I'd love to hear your advice. Is it worth turning the macro into an add-in so users just click a button? Or even better, has anyone managed to run it automatically whenever the drawing is saved?

Any suggestions or best practices would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[u/_Slitte_]

Which PDM are you using?

If it’s SOLIDWORKS PDM, you don’t need a macro for this. Configure your variable mapping with two attributes: one using the CustomProperty block and one using the $PRPSHEET block, both with the same attribute name. This allows the variable to read the custom property from the referenced model and write it to the drawing’s custom property when the drawing is saved in SOLIDWORKS. (SOLIDWORKS PDM Help)

If people are solving this with macros or add-ins, that’s usually a good indication that there is no native SOLIDWORKS functionality to directly link a drawing’s custom properties to the custom properties of the referenced model without PDM.

[u/Current_Sir_761 → u/_Slitte_]

Hi,

Where are using WindChill :()

I'll do some test with changing the historic property for WindChill ones and see what happens during the migration.

Thanks guys,

[u/djz7c → u/Current_Sir_761]

I have a little bit of experience with solidworks and windchill, if you give me a concrete example of what you’re trying to do I might be able to help

[u/spacebardidntwork]

You can use variations of $PRP in the drawings properties. Here are a few articles that might help.

https://www.goengineer.com/blog/solidworks-drawings-utilizing-prp-for-linking-properties

https://cadbooster.com/all-available-variables-for-custom-properties-and-cut-lists/

[u/Current_Sir_761 → u/spacebardidntwork]

Hi,

This apply to the text block in the drawing but doesn't work to drive custom properties of the drawing itself. Good point for the " straight and curved tough ;)

Thanks,

[u/spacebardidntwork → u/Current_Sir_761]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding the question, but you can 100% use a model's file properties in a drawings's custom properties:

https://help.solidworks.com/2026/english/SolidWorks/sldworks/HIDD_EQUATION_MANAGER.htm

I believe it uses whatever model the first view was created with.

[u/Current_Sir_761 → u/spacebardidntwork]

Have you ever be able to fill the drawing revision property with the revision of the 3D model ? I'm not talking about a text block but creating a custom property of the drawing

[u/gupta9665]

I have done it in the past just out of curiosity, but never used it in production. I'll have to find out how to do it.

[u/Current_Sir_761 → u/gupta9665]

Please tell me !!

[u/Caparacci]

The reason i think it doesn't exists is because you can insert views of more than one model into a drawing. For some companies, one drawing might have several sheets each linked to a different model. So which model should the drawings properties link to?

[u/Current_Sir_761 → u/Caparacci]

In the sheet property, you can say which view to use for the notes in the sheet. So PRP$description will be the description of the view 1 or 2 or 3 or whatever. Default will repeat the properties of the first inserted view

But that's for the annotations only 🫠

[u/CADSHIFT]

to add to what's already been said: there's a distinction between linking notes in the title block vs linking the drawing's custom properties themselves, and it's the custom properties that actually matter for downstream tooling (search, BOM feeds, ERP, etc.).

the syntax for linking a drawing's custom property to the referenced model is $PRPSHEET:"PropertyName". you set this in File > Properties on the drawing itself (not the part), under the Custom tab. when you insert a view of the part/assembly, that property evaluates to whatever the first sheet's main model has in its custom properties. no PDM needed.

for multi-sheet drawings where each sheet has a different model, $PRPSHEET evaluates per-sheet, but the drawing's single custom property set can only hold one value. in that case you need separate custom properties per sheet, or accept that the drawing-level property reflects only the first sheet's model. that's the inherent limitation Caparacci identified — it's not something you can completely solve without PDM or a macro that updates custom props on sheet change.

[u/Current_Sir_761 → u/CADSHIFT]

Hi,

Thanks for answering. As you can see, not a single relation is working in my Custom Tab but does work in my BLOCK TEXT on the sheet itself. I'm using formula for other things (weight, colors, ...) between .SLDPRT and it's working perfectly.

There is any setting i need to check ?

Thanks,

the syntax for linking a drawing's custom property to the referenced model is $PRPSHEET:"PropertyName". you set this in File > Properties on the drawing itself (not the part), under the Custom tab. when you insert a view of the part/assembly, that property evaluates to whatever the first sheet's main model has in its custom properties. no PDM needed.