Manage Tools Files (PartMaker, ToolMinder)

Use this menu option to transfer tool data between a PartMaker Tools Data (.tdb) file and a Master Tools Database file. Selecting this menu option displays the Manage Tools Files dialog,

A Master Tools Database file enables your company to manage its tool inventory in a single file, which is saved as a PartMaker Tools Data File (.tdb), or a comma-separated values (.csv) file. Using an external database program, such as Microsoft Excel, employees who are not familiar with PartMaker can easily manage your tool inventory, if required.

When you have set up a Master Tools Database file, you can quickly import tools from this file into a PartMaker Tools Data file (.tdb), before you start programming a part. Similarly, if you create tools in PartMaker you can easily export these tools from PartMaker into the Master Tools Database file.

Using a Master Tools Database file makes it easier and quicker to manage your tools for specific jobs without maintaining a large PartMaker Tools Data file (.tdb).

Warning: Autodesk recommends that you import tools from a Master Tools Database File into a PartMaker Tools Data file before you start programming a part. Importing tools when you have started programming the part may cause incorrect tool references in the toolpaths you have programmed.