A Local Windows App for Secure, Fast Solid Edge File Search

Many cloud tools start by asking you to upload your CAD data. DrawingManager takes the opposite approach. It’s a desktop application that runs locally on Windows, indexing files where they already live— on your PC or on your organization’s storage.

This page complements our cloud-storage guide: cloud platforms can be great for collaboration, but you don’t need a cloud-based indexing service to search Solid Edge files quickly. DrawingManager gives you the speed and control of a local app while still working with the storage systems your team already uses.

Keep CAD data under your control

DrawingManager reads and indexes your Solid Edge files locally. Your files, extracted properties, and search index stay within your environment—no uploading drawings to third-party servers.

Designed for privacy and regulated environments

For confidential projects and regulated industries, “local-first” is not a preference—it’s a requirement. With DrawingManager, your intellectual property stays inside your firewall and within your existing access controls.

No database server to install or maintain

DrawingManager uses an embedded database that’s built into the application. There’s no separate SQL server to configure, no services to keep running, and no ongoing database administration. Install the app and start indexing.

Fast search without cloud latency

Because the index is stored locally, searches feel instant. You’re not waiting on a remote API or a shared server to respond—results appear immediately, even on large libraries.

Works even when you’re offline

DrawingManager continues to work without an internet connection because the application and index run on your computer. The only online requirement is a subscription check at startup. If you’re temporarily offline, a 7-day grace period keeps you productive.

Fits your existing storage strategy

DrawingManager is storage-agnostic: it indexes files from locations Windows can access, including local disks and network shares. If your team uses cloud collaboration platforms, that can still work—as long as the files are available locally through your sync client (offline-cached rather than online-only placeholders).

Minimal internet use, by design

DrawingManager connects to the internet only to verify subscription status and to check for updates. Everything related to indexing and searching your CAD data stays local.

Bottom line: you get cloud-era flexibility for where files are stored, while keeping the benefits of a local Windows application: privacy, performance, and reliability.