Uploading Your CAD Documents to Sibe

This guide demonstrates the two methods for bringing your existing CAD documents and project files into your Sibe Workspace: using the SolidWorks add-in for local files and using the Web Dashboard for a direct web upload. You will learn how to Check-in your first project files to begin version control.

Prerequisites

You must have the Sibe SolidWorks add-in installed and configured before starting this process. You should also have your initial project files organized and ready on your local machine.

Uploading Files Using the SolidWorks Add-in

This method is ideal for transferring a current project from your local drive into Sibe, where you can immediately begin using Check-out and Check-in capabilities.

1. Create a New Project Folder in the Web Dashboard.

Before importing, create the destination project folder in your Sibe Web Dashboard to ensure it is ready in your Workspace.

2. Open the Sibe PDM Panel in SolidWorks.

In SolidWorks, refresh the Sibe PDM panel to ensure your new folder is visible.

3. Navigate to the Local Import Path.

Change the view in the Sibe PDM panel to Local Import. This view shows a directory of your local file system.

4. Copy Files into the Local Folder.

On your computer, copy the files you want to upload into your local Sibe vault folder. This action makes the files visible to the Sibe add-in for SolidWorks but they are not yet stored in the cloud.

Give the Sibe PDM panel a refresh.

5. Check In Your New Files.

The newly added files will appear in the Changes tab of the Sibe PDM panel with a status of 'added locally'.

Click the checkbox at the top to select all the new files.

6. Enter a Version Comment and Check In.

Enter a required Version Description (a comment for tracking changes) for this initial Check-in (this uploads your local changes to the cloud and creates a new file version). For the first upload, "v1" is a common practice.

Click the Check-in button.

7. Verify Files in the Vault.

Once the check-in is complete, refresh your local import folder. All files will now be in the vault, marked as Version 1, and ready to use.

From the Vault tab, you can now right-click to Check-out files (this locks it so only you can edit it, preventing accidental overwrites by teammates), open them, and begin work.

Uploading Files Using the Web Dashboard

The Web Dashboard offers an alternative method that is often useful for quickly uploading entire folders or complex, nested file structures.

1. Create a New Project Folder in the Web Dashboard.

Navigate to your main Workspace view in the Web Dashboard and click to Create another project. Name the new project (e.g., 'Web Import').

2. Initiate the Upload.

Look for and click the Upload Files icon on the right-hand side of the screen.

3. Select Files or Folders.

You can select individual files or select a whole folder. This whole folder can contain subfolders and nested files—Sibe will handle the entire structure automatically.

4. Complete the Upload.

Enter a Version Description for this first upload (e.g., v1).

Click Upload to begin the transfer. The time this takes is dependent on your internet speed.

5. Access Files in SolidWorks.

Return to SolidWorks and refresh the Sibe PDM panel to see the new folder. This file set is now available to open and Check-out from the Sibe add-in for SolidWorks.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• Duplicate File Names are Prohibited: Sibe will not allow you to upload files with duplicate names across your entire Workspace. This is an important rule to ensure you maintain clean, unambiguous CAD data in your new vault.
• Uploading Nested Folders: Both the SolidWorks add-in local import method and the Web Dashboard upload method fully support uploading files with subfolders and complex file structures.
• File Availability: Once files are successfully checked in or uploaded, they are cached locally in your vault folder (for the SolidWorks add-in method) and can be opened, checked out, and worked on immediately.

What's Next?

Now that your CAD documents are in Sibe, you can begin the standard PDM workflow. The next step is to learn how to Check-out and Check-in files to manage versions (versions let you track changes over time — think of it like saving snapshots of your design at key milestones) and track changes for the files you just uploaded.

Updated on: 03/24/2026