Smarter Reference Handling for SolidWorks

A set of new capabilities that give Sibe PDM a deeper understanding of how your SolidWorks files connect — and repair what shared drives can't.

Sibe is a cost-effective Cloud PDM with a native SolidWorks add-in, engineered for engineering teams that want clean version control, reliable references, and release-ready handoffs — with free unlimited web visitors. No servers, no VPNs, no admin hassles.

This release builds on the file-centric Add-in we shipped earlier this year. It focuses on the part of the job shared drives and folder-based tools consistently get wrong: understanding how SolidWorks files relate to each other, and keeping those relationships intact as your team moves, renames, and refactors.

Here's what's new:

• SolidWorks custom properties in your workspace

Sibe PDM now reads SolidWorks custom properties directly and displays them in the web dashboard. Part Number, Author, Description, Assembly, Action or any custom field your team defines is visible to engineers and non-engineers alike, without opening SolidWorks (Example metadata shown in the screenshot below: Action, Assembly, Author).

Workspace admins can toggle which properties are active under Settings → Metadata, so only the fields your team actually uses show up in the workspace.

Settings → Metadata: toggle any SolidWorks custom property to display it across the workspace.*

For teams that rely on structured metadata for manufacturing handoffs, BOMs, or compliance documentation (article numbers, materials, ESD classifications, modification history), this means less manual re-entry and more trust in what's on screen.

Automatic reference updates

Move or rename a SolidWorks file inside Sibe PDM, and every reference pointing to it updates automatically. No more broken assemblies after a file reorganisation. No more quiet failures that only surface during a release review.

Missing reference detection and repair

When a reference can't be resolved, Sibe PDM flags it clearly as missing in the References panel not hidden behind a generic error. Upload the missing file and Sibe PDM restores the link.

The References panel shows dependencies and flags missing files. Switch between Tree and Graph view depending on how you want to inspect the hierarchy.*

This is especially useful when importing legacy data from a shared drive, or when files arrive from a supplier without the full reference chain intact. Upload what's missing and Sibe PDM does the reconnection.

Full file history for move, rename, and replace operations

Every move, rename, and replaced reference now generates a Version and FileView automatically. Your file history stays accurate and auditable, whatever you do to the underlying structure.

Confirmation requests before bulk operations

Before a move or rename goes through, Sibe PDM shows exactly which files are affected and asks you to confirm. One accidental drag-and-drop won't cascade through an assembly.

Top-level folder sync policy management

Top-level folders can now be set to cache locally on team members' machines automatically. New starters, remote engineers, and anyone joining a project gets the right files on hand — without manual downloads.

Tree and Graph reference views

Switch between a flat list and a hierarchical tree view to inspect file dependencies (visible in the screenshot above). Useful for power users working on deep assemblies, and for engineering managers reviewing what depends on what before a release.

Why this release matters

Broken references and missing files are among the most common reasons small engineering teams move off shared drives and onto PDM in the first place. Sibe already handled references natively through the SolidWorks Add-in — this release extends that handling to the operations teams actually perform every day: moving, renaming, replacing, and recovering.

The combined effect: fewer surprises at release time, cleaner audit trails, and a workspace that reflects what's actually in your SolidWorks files.

See it in your own workflow.

Book a free onboarding and Q&A session here. We'll show you how it fits your current setup.

Updated on: 04/21/2026