GettingStarted Manual SW2001
GettingStarted Manual SW2001
Getting Started
© 1995-2001, SolidWorks Corporation ACIS® is a registered trademark of Spatial
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Document Number: SWGSDENG091501
Contents
Special Topics
Sheet Metal Part 19-1
Mold Design 20-1
3D Sketching 21-1
Importing Files / Using FeatureWorks Software 22-1
Learning to Use PhotoWorks 23-1
SolidWorks Animator 24-1
More about SolidWorks Functionality 25-1
iv
Mastering the Basics
Installation
Basic Functionality
Assembly Basics
Drawing Basics
Design Tables
System Requirements
For the most recent information about system requirements, refer to the SolidWorks
2001Plus Read This First.
1-2
Chapter 1 Installation
Dongle Requirements
q Education license customers. If your SolidWorks license was purchased by an
educational institution (not an individual education license for your personal
computer), and you do not have a SolidNetWork License installation, you must attach a
dongle to the parallel port of each machine where SolidWorks is installed. If you have
a SolidNetWork License installation, attach a dongle to the license server only.
q International customers (not including Canada). If you do not have a SolidNetWork
License installation, you must attach a dongle to the parallel port of your machine to
run SolidWorks. If you have a SolidNetWork License installation, attach a dongle to
the license server only.
Installation Procedures
The types of installations are individual, client, server and client, and server only. The
installation steps for an individual or a server are the same, though some of the questions
asked during the installation are different.
q Individual installation - This installation is for a computer that will run the
SolidWorks 2001Plus application from its own hard drive and will not share its
executable files with any other computer, whether it is on a network or not.
• To do an individual installation, insert the SolidWorks 2001Plus Disk 1 CD in the
computer’s CD-ROM drive and follow the instructions from the install wizard.
• A serial number and registration code are required.
q Server only installation - This installation is for a computer that will not run the
SolidWorks 2001Plus application, but will only act as a server, sharing its SolidWorks
installation with one or more SolidWorks client computers. (You must reinstall if you
want to change this selection.) With this option, the server does not need to be licensed
to run the SolidWorks application, but each client must have a license.
This installation should be performed by a network administrator or someone who has
experience working with the network server.
NOTE: The server and clients must be of the same platform type. There is no
cross-platform installation.
Before starting a SolidWorks server update installation, it is important
to ensure that no SolidWorks clients are running.
• Insert the SolidWorks 2001Plus Disk 1 CD in the computer’s CD-ROM drive and
follow the instructions from the install wizard.
Installing Add-ins
If you purchased a SolidWorks add-in (such as the PhotoWorks rendering software, the
FeatureWorks software, SolidWorks Piping, or SolidWorks Animator) you install these
add-ins at the same time you install the SolidWorks application. In the Setup Type dialog
box, select Custom. In the Install Component Selection dialog box, select the
appropriate check boxes for the add-ins you purchased. To install additional add-ins or re-
install add-ins after installing SolidWorks, you must re-install the SolidWorks application
with the add-ins you purchased.
If you purchased SolidWorks Toolbox or SolidWorks MoldBase, you can install these add-
ins at any time. In the SolidWorks Master Setup dialog box, under Other Products, click
the add-in you purchased, then click Install and follow the on-screen instructions.
1-4
Chapter 1 Installation
If you are a SolidWorks subscription customer, you can take advantage of SolidWorks
service packs that are regularly posted on the SolidWorks Web site. These service packs
contain software updates and enhancements to the SolidWorks 2001Plus software.
If your computer has access to the Internet, you can visit the SolidWorks Web site after
you complete the installation. You can learn more about the SolidWorks company and
products by clicking in the Help menu on the main SolidWorks window.
1-6
2
Basic Functionality
SolidWorks 2001Plus is supported under the Microsoft Windows graphical user interface.
SolidWorks 2001Plus Getting Started assumes that you have used Windows before and
know basic Windows skills, such as how to run programs, resize windows, and so on.
Before you begin the examples in SolidWorks 2001Plus Getting Started, you should read
Chapter 2, to familiarize yourself with some of the fundamentals, including:
q SolidWorks 2001Plus design concepts
As you do the examples in this guide, the design methods you use for parts, assemblies,
and drawings, represent a unique approach to the design process.
q With SolidWorks 2001Plus, you create 3D parts, not just 2D drawings. You can
use these 3D parts to create 2D drawings and 3D assemblies.
2-2
Chapter 2 Basic Functionality
Parts Drawings
Assembly
q You create sketches and use them to build most features. A sketch is a 2D profile or
cross section. Sketches can be extruded, revolved, lofted, or swept along a path to
create features.
q You use features to build parts. Features are the shapes (bosses, cuts, holes) and
operations (fillets, chamfers, shells, and so on) that you combine to build parts.
Base Boss
feature Cut
Fillet
SolidWorks Terms
Document Windows
SolidWorks document windows have two panels:
q The left panel of the window contains the following:
• The FeatureManager® design tree lists the structure of the part, assembly, or
drawing. For more information, see FeatureManager Design Tree on page 7-9.
• The PropertyManager provides an alternate way of sketching and otherwise
interacting with the SolidWorks 2001Plus application.
• The ConfigurationManager is a means to create, select, and view multiple
configurations of parts and assemblies in a document.
• Customized third-party add-in panels.
q The right panel is the graphics area, where you create and manipulate the part,
assembly, or drawing.
Graphics Model
area
2-4
Chapter 2 Basic Functionality
Axis
Plane Face
Handles
Handles allow you to dynamically drag and set certain parameters without leaving the
graphics area. The handle color is set in Tools, Options, System Options, Colors, in the
System Color box. Active handles are the Highlight color. Inactive handles are the
Inactive Entities color.
In the SolidWorks 2001Plus Getting Handles
Started book however, you set all
parameters within the PropertyManager
in order to familiarize yourself with this
method. After you become accustomed
to the options in the PropertyManager,
you can experiment with handles on
your own.
For more information about handles,
see the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online
User’s Guide.
Toolbars
The toolbar buttons are shortcuts for frequently used commands. You can set toolbar
placement and visibility based on the document type (part, assembly, or drawing).
SolidWorks remembers which toolbars to display and where to display them for each
document type. For example, when you open an assembly document, you can choose to
display only the Assembly toolbar.
2-6
Chapter 2 Basic Functionality
Getting Help
If you have questions while you are using the SolidWorks software, you can find answers
in several ways:
q For Online help, click or Help, SolidWorks 2001Plus Help Topics in the menu
bar. The online help also includes a special section, Overview of New Functionality in
SolidWorks 2001Plus, a summary of the enhancements in SolidWorks 2001Plus. The
online help is part of the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s Guide that provides
detailed information about using the SolidWorks software.
q For What’s This? help, click on the Standard toolbar, then click a toolbar icon or a
FeatureManager item. What’s This? help is also available for certain items in the
graphics area.
q For online tutorials that teach you how to create parts, assemblies, and drawings, click
Help, Online Tutorial. You will also find information on basic SolidWorks software
concepts.
q For ideas about how to best implement your design, click Help, Design Portfolio. The
Design Portfolio uses sample parts to provide design ideas.
q For helpful hints, click Help, Tip of the Day. To see a tip each time you start
SolidWorks 2001Plus, select the Show tips at startup check box in the Tip of the Day
dialog box.
q For help that describes the active dialog box, and provides access to the full online help
system, click the Help button in the dialog box or press F1.
q For Tooltips that identify buttons on a toolbar, point at the button, and a moment later,
the tooltip pops up.
q As you point at toolbar buttons or click menu items, the Status Bar at the bottom of
the SolidWorks window provides a brief description of the function.
For more information and the latest news about the SolidWorks software and company,
visit the SolidWorks web site, http://www.solidworks.com, or click Help, About
SolidWorks 2001Plus, Connect.
2-8
3
The 40-Minute Running Start
This chapter guides you through the creation of your first SolidWorks model. You create
this simple part:
NOTE: Some of the illustrations in this book have been modified for clarity.
What you see on your screen may look different from the
illustrations.
The Mastering the Basics section contains a series of tutorial exercises designed to teach
you basic SolidWorks concepts, as follows:
q Chapter 3. The 40 Minute Running Start - Create your first part.
q Chapter 5. Drawing Basics - Create a drawing of the parts and the assembly.
q Chapter 6. Design Tables - Rename features and dimensions, and create variations of a
part using a design table.
For consistency, you take the first part you create, then build your knowledge by using the
same part throughout this section.
3-2
Chapter 3 The 40-Minute Running Start
The first feature in the part is a box extruded from a sketched rectangular profile. You
begin by sketching the rectangle.
1 To open a 2D sketch, click Sketch on the Sketch toolbar, or click Insert, Sketch.
A sketch opens on the Front plane.
2 Click Rectangle on the Sketch Tools toolbar, or click Tools, Sketch Entity,
Rectangle.
3 Move the pointer to the sketch origin. You
know the pointer is on the origin when the
pointer changes to . Click the left mouse
button and start moving the pointer to create a
rectangle.
As you move the pointer, notice that it displays
the dimensions of the rectangle. Click the
mouse button to complete the rectangle.
For more information about inferencing
pointers and lines, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s Guide.
Adding Dimensions
In this section you specify the size of the sketched rectangle by adding dimensions. The
SolidWorks software does not require that you dimension sketches before you use them to
create features. However, for this example, you add dimensions now to fully define the
sketch.
As you add dimensions to a sketch, the state of the sketch appears in the status bar. Any
SolidWorks sketch is in one of three states. Each state is indicated by a different color:
q In a fully defined sketch, the positions of all the entities are fully described by
dimensions or relations, or both. In a fully defined sketch, all the entities are black.
q In an under defined sketch, additional dimensions or relations are needed to completely
specify the geometry. In this state, you can drag under defined sketch entities to modify
the sketch. An under defined sketch entity is blue.
q In an over defined sketch, an object has conflicting dimensions or relations, or both. An
over defined sketch entity is red.
1 Click Tools, Options. On the System Options tab, click General, then click to clear
the Input dimension value check box. Click OK.
2 Click Dimension on the Sketch Relations
toolbar, or click Tools, Dimensions, Parallel.
The pointer shape changes to .
3-4
Chapter 3 The 40-Minute Running Start
The first feature in any part is called the base feature. You create this feature by extruding
the sketched rectangle.
1 Click Extruded Boss/Base on the Features toolbar, or click Insert, Base,
Extrude.
The Base-Extrude PropertyManager appears in the left panel, and the view of the
sketch changes to isometric.
2 Under Direction 1, do the following:
• Set End Condition to Blind. Sketch
Preview of
the extrusion
3-6
Chapter 3 The 40-Minute Running Start
NOTE: File names are not case sensitive. That is, files named
TUTOR1.sldprt, Tutor1.sldprt, and tutor1.sldprt are all the same
part.
Sketching a Boss
To create additional features on the part (such as bosses or cuts), you sketch on the model
faces or planes, then extrude the sketches.
NOTE: You sketch on one face or plane at a time, then create a feature based
on one or more sketches.
1 Click Hidden Lines Removed on the View toolbar, or click View, Display,
Hidden Lines Removed.
2 Click Select on the Sketch toolbar, if it is not already selected.
3 Move the pointer over the front face of the part.
The edges of the face become dotted lines to show that
the face is available for selection.
The pointer changes to to show that you are
selecting the face.
4 Click the front face of the part to select it.
The edges of the face become solid lines and change
color to show that the face is selected.
5 Click Sketch on the Sketch toolbar, or right-click
anywhere in the graphics area and select
Insert Sketch.
A sketch opens.
6 Click Circle on the Sketch Tools toolbar, or click
Tools, Sketch Entity, Circle.
7 Click near the center of the face and move the pointer to
sketch a circle. Click again to complete the circle.
3-8
Chapter 3 The 40-Minute Running Start
To establish the location and size of the circle, add the necessary dimensions.
1 Click Dimension on the Sketch Relations toolbar, or right-click anywhere in the
graphics area and select Dimension from the shortcut menu.
2 Click the top edge of the face, click the circle, then click a
location for the dimension.
Notice the dimension preview as you click each entity. The
preview shows you where the witness lines are attached, and
that you have selected the correct entities for the dimension.
When you add a locating dimension to a circle, the witness
line is attached to the center point by default.
3 Click Select, double-click the dimension, then enter 60mm as
the new value in the Modify dialog box.
4 Repeat the process to dimension the circle to the side edge of
the face. Set this value to 60mm also.
5 Still using the Dimension tool , click the circle to
dimension its diameter. Move the pointer around to see the
preview for the dimension.
When the dimension is aligned horizontally or vertically, it
appears as a linear dimension; if it is at an angle, it appears as
a diameter dimension.
6 Click a location for the diameter dimension. Set the
diameter to 70mm.
The circle turns black, and the status bar indicates that the
sketch is fully defined.
7 Click Extruded Boss/Base on the Features toolbar, or
click Insert, Boss, Extrude.
The Boss-Extrude PropertyManager appears.
8 Under Direction 1, set the Depth of the extrusion to
25mm, leave the other items at the defaults, and
click OK to extrude the boss feature.
Boss-Extrude1 appears in the FeatureManager design tree.
3-10
Chapter 3 The 40-Minute Running Start
In this section you round the four corner edges of the part. Because the rounds all have the
same radius (10mm), you can create them as a single feature.
1 Click Hidden In Gray . This makes it easier to
select the hidden edges.
2 Click the first corner edge to select it.
Notice how the faces, edges, and vertices highlight
as you move the pointer over them, identifying
selectable objects. Also, notice the changing
pointer shape:
Edge
Face
Vertex
3 Click Rotate View on the View toolbar, or click View, Modify, Rotate, and drag to
rotate the part approximately as shown.
4 Click Select , then hold down the Ctrl key and Select these
click the four corner edges. four edges
3-12
Chapter 3 The 40-Minute Running Start
Now add fillets and rounds to other sharp edges of the part. You can select faces and edges
either before or after opening the Fillet PropertyManager.
1 Click Hidden Lines Removed .
2 Click Fillet .
The Fillet PropertyManager appears.
3 Click the front face of the base to select it.
A preview of the fillet appears on the outside edge of the
base-extrude and the boss.
The Edges, Faces, Features, and Loops list shows that
one face is selected. The callout indicates the Radius .
4 Under Items to Fillet, change the Radius to 5mm, and
click OK .
The inside edge is filleted and the outside edge is rounded in
a single step.
5 Click Fillet again.
Next, you shell the part. Shelling hollows out the part by removing material from the
selected face, leaving a thin-walled part.
1 Click Back on the Standard Views toolbar.
The back of the part now faces towards you.
2 Click Shell on the Features toolbar, or click
Insert, Features, Shell.
The Shell1 PropertyManager appears.
3 Click the back face to select it.
The selected face appears under Parameters in the
Faces to Remove list.
4 Under Parameters, set the Thickness to 2mm
and click OK .
The shell operation removes the selected face.
5 To see the results, click Rotate View
and rotate the part.
You may need to drag parts to different areas
of a window.
1 Click Pan on the View toolbar, or
click View, Modify, Pan, then click the
part, drag it to a new location, and release
the mouse button.
2 Click Pan again to turn off the Pan
tool.
3-14
Chapter 3 The 40-Minute Running Start
This section illustrates a way to change the dimension of an extruded feature using feature
handles.
1 Click Rotate View on the View toolbar and drag to rotate the part approximately as
shown. Click Rotate View again to turn it off.
2 Double-click Base-Extrude in the FeatureManager design tree.
The Base-Extrude feature expands to show the sketch it was based on.
The feature dimensions appear in the graphics area.
3 Click Move/size features on the Features toolbar.
The feature handles for the extruded feature Resize
appear. Feature handles allow you to move, (depth)
rotate, and resize some types of features.
4 Drag the Resize handle to increase
the depth of the extrusion from 30mm to Rotate
50mm.
Watch the pointer for feedback about the
dimension you are changing. When you
release the pointer, the part rebuilds using
Move
the new dimension.
5 Click Move/size features to turn off the
features handle display.
6 Click anywhere outside the part in the
graphics area to hide the dimensions.
7 Click Save to save the part.
For more information about feature handles, see the
SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s Guide.
You can display a 3D section view of the model at any time. You use model faces or
planes to specify the section cutting planes. In this example, you use the Right plane to cut
the model view.
1 Click Isometric , then click Shaded view mode.
2 Click Right in the FeatureManager design tree.
The Right plane becomes highlighted.
3 Click Section View on the View toolbar, or click View, Display, Section View.
The Section View dialog box appears.
4 Select the Preview check box.
A section cut arrow appears.
6 Select the Flip the Side to View check box to flip the direction of the section cut arrow.
7 Click OK.
The section view of the part is displayed. Only the display
of the part is cut, not the model itself. The section display is
maintained if you change the view mode, orientation, or
zoom.
8 Click to clear Section View .
You return to a complete display of the part.
3-16
4
Assembly Basics
In this chapter, you build a simple assembly. This chapter discusses the following:
q Adding parts to an assembly
q Specifying the assembly mating relations that make the parts fit together
Assembly Overview
An assembly is a combination of two or more parts, also called components, within one
SolidWorks document. You position and orient components using mates. Mates form
relations between faces and edges of components.
In this chapter, you create a new base part and mate it to the part you created in the
40-Minute Running Start chapter, to create an assembly.
For more information about assemblies, see the Working with Assemblies section in this
guide.
You can use the same methods you learned in Chapter 3 to create the base for a new part.
1 Open a new part from the Tutorial tab.
2 Click Sketch , and sketch a rectangle beginning at the origin.
3 Click Dimension , and dimension the rectangle to 120mm x
120mm.
4 Click Extruded Boss/Base , and extrude the rectangle, with an
End Condition of Blind, to a Depth of 90mm.
5 Click Fillet , and fillet the four edges shown with a radius of
10mm.
6 Click Shell . Select the front face of the model as the face to
remove, and set the Thickness to 4mm.
7 Save the part as Tutor2. (The .sldprt extension is added to the file
name.)
4-2
Chapter 4 Assembly Basics
In this section, you use the Convert Entities and Offset Entities tools to create sketch
geometry. Then a cut creates a lip to mate with the part from the previous chapter.
TIP: Use the Selection Filter to make selecting the faces in this section
easier. See Chapter 7, More About Basic Functionality, for more
information.
You can change the color and appearance of a part or its features.
1 Click the Tutor2 icon at the top of the FeatureManager design tree.
2 Click Shaded .
3 Click Edit Color on the Standard toolbar.
The Edit Color dialog box appears.
4 Click the desired color on the palette, then click OK.
5 Save the part.
4-4
Chapter 4 Assembly Basics
6 Drag the Tutor2 icon from Tutor2.sldprt, and drop it in the graphics area of the
assembly window, beside the Tutor1 part.
Notice that as you move the pointer into the graphics area, the pointer changes to .
7 Save the assembly as Tutor. (The .sldasm extension is added to the file name.) If you
see a message about saving referenced documents, click Yes.
8 Drag a corner of the assembly window to enlarge it, or click Maximize in the
upper-right corner to make the window full size. You no longer need to have the
Tutor1.sldprt and Tutor2.sldprt windows in view.
9 Click Zoom to Fit .
In this section, you define assembly mating relations between the components, making
them align and fit together.
1 Click Isometric on the Standard Views toolbar.
2 Click Mate on the Assembly toolbar, or click Insert, Mate.
3 Click the top edge of Tutor1, then click the Select these edges
outside edge of the lip on the top of Tutor2.
The edges appear in the Entities to Mate
list.
4 Under Mate Settings, do the following:
• Click Coincident as the mate type.
• Click Closest as the Mate Alignment.
Tutor1 Tutor2
5 Click Preview to preview the mate.
The selected edges of the two components are
made coincident.
6 Click OK .
The position of the Tutor2 component in the assembly is not fully defined, as shown by
the (-) prefix in the FeatureManager design tree. Tutor2 still has some degrees of freedom
to move in directions that are not yet constrained by mating relations.
1 Click Move Component .
2 Click the Tutor2 component and hold
down the left mouse button.
The pointer changes to .
3 Drag the component from side to side to
observe the available degrees of
freedom, then release the left mouse
button.
4 Click Move Component again to exit move mode.
4-6
Chapter 4 Assembly Basics
4-8
5
Drawing Basics
In this chapter, you create a multi-sheet drawing of the parts and assembly from the
previous chapters. This chapter includes:
q Opening a drawing template and editing a sheet format
NOTE: If the Font toolbar is not visible, click View, Toolbars, Font.
8 Right-click in the graphics area, and select Edit Sheet to exit the edit sheet format
mode.
Next you save the updated drawing sheet format.
1 To replace this format as the standard A-Landscape format, click File, Save Sheet
Format.
The Save Sheet Format dialog box appears.
2 Click OK.
5-2
Chapter 5 Drawing Basics
3 Click Yes to confirm that you want to overwrite the existing sheet format. When you
choose this format for your own drawings, you will not need to perform these edits
again.
NOTE: To save the sheet format with a new name and to not overwrite the standard
sheet format, click File, Save Sheet Format, Custom sheet format. Click
Browse and navigate to the directory where you want to save the format.
Type a name and click Save. Click OK to close the dialog box.
Next, set the default dimension font, and the style of dimensions, arrows, and other
detailing options. For this chapter, use the settings described below. Later, you can set the
detailing options to match your company’s standards.
1 Click Tools, Options.
2 On the Document Properties tab, click Detailing. In the Dimensioning standard
section, in the Trailing zeroes box, select Remove.
3 Under Detailing, click Dimensions. Click Font.
The Choose Font dialog box appears.
4 In the Height box, click Points, and type or select 16.
5 Click OK.
6 Under Detailing, click Arrows, and review the default sizes and styles.
Notice the different attachment styles for edges, faces, and unattached items.
7 Click OK to close the dialog box.
For more information about these options, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s
Guide.
5-4
Chapter 5 Drawing Basics
Drawings contain 2D views of models. You can choose to display dimensions specified in
the model in all of the drawing views.
1 With nothing selected, click Insert, Model Items.
The Insert Model Items dialog box appears. You can select which types of dimensions,
annotations, and reference geometry to import from the model.
2 Make sure that Dimensions and Import items into all views are selected, and click
OK.
Dimensions are imported into the view where the feature they describe is most visible.
Only one copy of each dimension is imported because the Eliminate duplicate model
dimensions check box is selected.
3 Drag the dimensions to position them.
TIP: Select a drawing view, then click Zoom to Selection to zoom the
view to fill the screen. Click Zoom to Fit to see the entire
drawing sheet.
4 Click Save , and save the drawing document as Tutor1. The default extension is
.slddrw.
Modifying Dimensions
When you change a model dimension in the drawing view, the model is automatically
updated to reflect the change, and vice versa.
1 In Drawing View2, double-click the
dimension for the depth of the boss
extrusion.
The Modify dialog box appears.
2 Change the value from 25mm to
40mm, and press Enter.
3 Click Rebuild on the Standard
toolbar, or click Edit, Rebuild.
The part rebuilds using the modified
dimension. Both the drawing and the
Double-click this dimension
part model are updated.
4 Click Window, and select the
Tutor1.sldprt window.
5 Double-click Boss-Extrude1 in the
FeatureManager design tree to display the
dimensions of the feature.
Notice that the depth dimension is 40mm.
6 Return to the drawing window, and save the
drawing.
The system notifies you that the model
referenced in the drawing has been modified,
and asks if you want to save it.
7 Click Yes to save both the drawing and the
updated model.
Now rebuild the assembly that contains the
modified part.
1 Open Tutor.sldasm if it is not still open.
If a message appears asking you if you want to rebuild the assembly, click Yes.
The assembly rebuilds with the new dimensions.
2 Return to the drawing window.
5-6
Chapter 5 Drawing Basics
Now you create an additional drawing sheet for the assembly. You then use the Insert
From File command to insert an assembly document into the drawing.
1 Click Insert, Sheet.
The Sheet Setup dialog box appears.
2 Under both Paper size and Sheet Format, select B-Landscape, and click OK.
Sheet2 opens and is added to the drawing document.
3 Click Standard 3 View , right-click in the graphics area, and select Insert From
File.
The Insert Component dialog box appears.
4 Set Files of type to Assembly Files (*.asm, *.sldasm), navigate to Tutor.sldasm, and
click Open.
The Standard 3 Views of the assembly appear on the drawing sheet.
5 Reposition the views on
the sheet if needed.
You can add named views to drawings, showing the model in different orientations. You
can use:
• A standard view (Front, Top, Isometric, and so on)
• A named view orientation that you defined in the part or assembly
• The current view in the part or assembly document
Zoom levels are ignored, however, and the entire model is always displayed in the selected
orientation.
In this section you add an isometric view of the assembly.
1 Click Named View , or Insert, Drawing View, Named View.
The Named View PropertyManager appears.
The pointer indicates that you may select a model to display in the drawing.
2 Select one of the existing drawing views to use.
The Named View PropertyManager appears. Note its similarity to the Orientation
dialog box.
The pointer indicates that you may select a location in the drawing to place the
named view.
3 Double-click *Isometric from the list to switch to an isometric view.
4 Click where you want to place the view.
5-8
Chapter 5 Drawing Basics
5-10
6
Design Tables
In this chapter you use a design table to create several variations of the part you designed
in Chapter 3, “The 40-Minute Running Start.” To use a design table, you must have
Microsoft Excel on your computer. For more information, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus
Read This First.
This exercise demonstrates the following:
q Renaming features and dimensions
Renaming Features
It is a good practice to give meaningful names to the features in your parts, especially
when you plan to use a design table. This can save confusion in complex parts, and it is
helpful to other people who use the parts later.
1 Open Tutor1.sldprt that you created in Chapter 3.
2 Change the generic name Base-Extrude to something more meaningful.
TIP: To give descriptive names to features as you create them, click Tools,
Options. On the System Options tab, click FeatureManager, then select
the Name feature on creation check box. Each time you create a new
feature, the name of the new feature in the FeatureManager design tree is
automatically highlighted, and ready for you to type a new name.
Displaying Dimensions
You can display or hide all the dimensions for all the features of the part. Then you can
turn the display of dimensions on and off, either individually, or on a feature-by-feature
basis.
1 Right-click the Annotations folder in the FeatureManager design tree, and select
Show Feature Dimensions.
All the dimensions for the part appear. Notice that the dimensions that are part of a
feature’s definition (such as the depth of an extruded feature) are blue.
2 Right-click the Fillet2, Fillet3, and Shell1 features in the FeatureManager design tree
or in the graphics area, and select Hide All Dimensions.
All the dimensions for these features are hidden.
6-2
Chapter 6 Design Tables
4 Click Tools, Options. On the System Options tab, click General, then select the
Show dimension names check box, and click OK.
The dimension names appear below the values in the model.
Dimension names appear with default names. You can rename dimensions, similar to
renaming features. You will rename dimensions later in this chapter.
Linking Values
Linking values is a way to control values that are not part of a sketch, such as the depth of
two extruded features.
You link dimensions by assigning them the same variable name. Then you can modify the
value of any of the linked dimensions, and all of the other dimensions with the same
variable name change accordingly.
You can unlink any of the dimensions without affecting the ones that you want to remain
linked.
For this example, you set the extrusion depth of the Box and the Knob to be equal:
1 Right-click the dimension for the extruded depth (50mm) of the Box, and select Link
Values.
The Shared Values dialog box appears.
2 Type depth in the Name box, and click OK.
3 Right-click the dimension for the depth (40mm) of the Knob, and select Link Values.
4 Click the arrow beside the Name box, select depth from the list, and click OK. (Each
time you define a new Name variable, it is added to this list.)
Notice that the two dimensions now have the same name, depth. They use the
dimension value of the first dimension you clicked (50mm).
5 Click Rebuild to rebuild the part.
The Knob changes to 50mm depth.
Renaming Dimensions
You can change individual dimension names. Renaming dimensions is a good practice,
and it is especially useful when you plan to use a design table. You use the dimension
names to identify the elements you plan to change, and as headings in the design table
worksheet.
1 Change the name of the knob diameter dimension:
a) Right-click the Knob diameter dimension
(70mm), and select Properties.
The Dimension Properties dialog box appears.
b) Select the text in the Name box and type in a
new name, knob_dia.
Notice that the Full name box is updated as you
type.
c) Click OK.
2 Rename the height of the box (120mm) to box_height.
3 Rename the width of the box (120mm) to box_width.
4 Rename the diameter of the hole in the knob (50mm) to hole_dia.
5 Rename the radius of the outside corners (10mm) to fillet_radius.
6 Save the part.
6-4
Chapter 6 Design Tables
Verifying Relations
Before you proceed, you should define some geometric relations that ensure that the knob
is positioned correctly with respect to the center of the box, regardless of the size.
Relations add to the integrity of the design, and they are often the most effective way to
convey the design intent accurately.
1 In the FeatureManager design tree or the model, right-click the Knob feature, and
select Edit Sketch.
2 Click Hidden Lines Removed , and click Normal To .
The front of the model now faces towards you.
3 Delete the dimensions (60mm) between the circle and the sides of the box.
4 Click the center point of the circle, and drag the circle to one side.
5 Click Centerline , or Tools, Sketch Entity,
Centerline, and sketch a diagonal centerline as
shown. Press Esc to exit the Centerline tool.
6 Add a midpoint relation between the centerline
and the center point of the circle:
a) Click Add Relation , or click Tools,
Relations, Add.
The Properties PropertyManager appears.
b) Click the centerline and the center point of
the circle.
c) Click Midpoint .
The circle turns black, indicating the sketch is now fully defined.
d) Click OK .
Now verify the relations in this sketch:
1 Click Display/Delete Relations , or Tools, Relations, Display/Delete.
The Sketch Relations PropertyManager appears.
2 Under Edit External References, click each relation.
The entities are highlighted in the graphics area. More information about each relation
is shown under Entities.
NOTE: If a sketch entity is selected when you click Display/Delete Relations, only
the relations on the selected entity are listed. Click a different entity to
display its relations. You can change the criteria in the Edit External
References list to specify the types of relations that are displayed.
3 Click OK .
4 Click Sketch to close the sketch.
5 Save the part.
If you have Microsoft Excel on your computer, you can use it to embed a new design table
directly in the part document. A design table allows you to build several different
configurations of a part by applying the values in the table to the dimensions of the part.
First you should prepare to insert the design table.
1 Click Tools, Options. On the System Options tab, click General.
2 Make sure that the Edit design tables in a separate window check box is not
selected, and click OK.
3 Click Isometric .
4 Press Z to zoom out or Shift+Z to zoom in and resize the part so you can see all of the
part’s dimensions in the graphics area. Use the Pan tool , if necessary, to move the
part to the lower right corner of the window.
5 Click Select to deselect any active View tool.
Now you are ready to insert a new design table.
NOTE: If you accidentally click outside the worksheet before entering all the
values, click Edit, Design Table, Edit to redisplay the design table.
TIP: To uncover dimensions hidden by the design table, point at the Excel
worksheet’s outer dashed border and drag the worksheet to another location
in the graphics area. To resize the worksheet, drag the handles at the
corners or sides.
6-6
Chapter 6 Design Tables
3 Double-click each dimension value in the graphics area to insert the rest of the
dimension names and values, as shown in the illustrations in steps 4 and 5. Do not
include depth@Box (50mm).
NOTE: If you see $STATE@ followed by a feature name in a column header cell,
you selected a face instead of a dimension value in the graphics area. To
replace a feature name with a dimension name, click the cell in the
worksheet, then double-click the correct dimension value in the graphics
area.
4 Name the rows (cells A4:A6) blk2 through blk4. These are the names of the
configurations that the design table produces.
6-8
Chapter 6 Design Tables
TIP: When using this or any other OLE object, you may need to click
Zoom to Fit when returning to the SolidWorks window.
To delete the design table, click Edit, Design Table, Delete. Deleting a design table does
not delete the configurations associated with it.
6-10
7999
The Mastering the Basics chapters introduce you to many functions available in
SolidWorks 2001Plus. The following pages highlight some additional SolidWorks
functionality. For more information, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s Guide.
This chapter briefly describes SolidWorks functionality in the following areas:
n SolidWorks Fundamentals
n Selection
n Viewing Documents
n Customizing SolidWorks
n Sketching
n Dimensions
n System Options
SolidWorks Fundamentals
7-2
More about Basic Functionality
Part Sub-assembly
Assembly
• Multiple Views of the Same Document - you can open additional views of the
same document. Selecting an item in one view selects it in all views. For example,
when creating a fillet you can select edges on the front of the model in one view and
edges on the back in another view.
• Split Window View - you can use split controls to split the window into two or four
panes. You can zoom, rotate, and set the view mode for each of these views
independently.
Vertical
Window size control Horizontal Split control Split
control
7-4
More about Basic Functionality
PropertyManager
Many functions use the PropertyManager instead of dialog boxes, so your graphics are
displayed instead of hidden by dialog boxes. You can use the PropertyManager to set all of
the options. You can also apply a color scheme or skins as background images to the
PropertyManager.
Customizing Toolbars
You can customize your toolbar display.
• Moving toolbar buttons - you can move toolbar buttons to different toolbars,
change menus, or reset shortcut keys.
• Rearranging toolbars - you can rearrange toolbars in the SolidWorks window. You
can dock them at the edge of the window, or make them floating palettes.
Shortcut Menus
Whether you are working with a sketch, a part, an assembly, or a drawing, you have access
to a wide variety of tools and commands from the shortcut menu by pressing the right
mouse button.
As you move the pointer over geometry in the model or over items in the FeatureManager
design tree, right-clicking pops up a shortcut menu of commands that are appropriate for
whatever you clicked on.
For example, with the shortcut menu, you can:
• Select a sketch tool
• Open and close sketches
• Change or view the properties of an item
• Give a new name to a feature or dimension using the Properties dialog box
• Hide or show a sketch, plane, axis, or assembly component
• Open an assembly component for editing
• Access the dimension tools and annotations menu when in a drawing
• Find an item in the FeatureManager design tree
7-6
More about Basic Functionality
Accepting Features
You have several streamlined ways to accept features you create. After creating a preview
of a feature, you can do the following:
• Right-click and select from the shortcut menu
• Click icons in the Confirmation Corner of the SolidWorks graphics area
OK Exit Sketch
Cancel Cancel
What’s Wrong?
The SolidWorks application offers a “What’s Wrong” functionality. With this function,
you can view information about any errors that occur when rebuilding a part or assembly.
A red circle with a down-pointing arrow next to the part
or assembly name at the top of the FeatureManager
design tree alerts you that there is a problem. An
exclamation mark (!) indicates the item responsible for
the error.
Some common errors in rebuilding include:
• Dangling dimensions or relations – dimensions or
relations to a non-existent entity
• Features that cannot be rebuilt, such as a fillet that
is too large
Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcut keys are available for many
menu items. Look for the underlined letters in
the main menu bar.
Also, look for the underlined letter for each of the menu
items. When the menu is pulled down, pressing an
underlined letter activates the related command.
Some commands also have shortcut keys that are
displayed on the menu beside the command. For
example, the combination Ctrl + N opens a new file.
You can customize the keyboard shortcut keys to suit
your style of working.
The following table lists some of the frequently used
default keyboard shortcuts.
Print Background
You have the option to print the window background, which can consist of viewport
colors, gradient colors, or a TIFF image. The Print Background option in the Print dialog
box is disabled by default.
7-8
More about Basic Functionality
The FeatureManager design tree and the graphics display window are dynamically linked.
You can select features, sketches, drawing views, and construction geometry in either
pane.
Rollback bar
q Moving and copying features - you can move features by dragging them in the
model. For example, you can move a hole to a different face. You can also copy or
move a fixed-radius fillet or a chamfer using drag-and-drop.
q Dragging and dropping between open documents - you can drag a part or assembly
name from the FeatureManager design tree to a drawing document.
q Suppress/Unsuppress - suppress or unsuppress selected features.
q Dimensions - display and control the dimensions of a feature.
q Annotations - filter, scale, and control the display of annotations using the
Annotations folder.
q Lighting - adjust the kind and amount of lighting that illuminates a shaded part or
assembly using the Lighting folder.
q Rollback bar - temporarily roll the model or assembly back to an earlier state using
the rollback bar.
q Equations - add a new equation, edit, or delete an equation using the Equations
folder.
q Tabs - use the tabs at the bottom of the FeatureManager design tree to show you the
current FeatureManager function.
q Flyout PropertyManager
FeatureManager Title
design tree - you
can click the
PropertyManager
title or the
FeatureManager
design tree tab to
view the
FeatureManager
design tree and the
PropertyManager at
the same time.
7-10
More about Basic Functionality
Document Templates
Templates are documents (parts, drawings, and assemblies) that include user-defined
parameters. Templates allow you to maintain as many different documents for parts,
drawings, or assemblies as you need. A template can be a blank document, or it can be a
part, drawing, or assembly that you saved as a template. For example, you can create:
• A document template using millimeters and another template using inches
• A document template using ANSI and another template using ISO dimensioning
standard
• A base part in a document that you use for mold design
When you open a new part, drawing, or assembly, the New SolidWorks Document dialog
box appears. The dialog box has tabs for you to organize templates, shows you a preview
of templates, and allows you to configure the display of templates for any of the tabs. You
can also create additional tabs.
Web Folders
Web folders is a tool that allows multiple users to share and work on SolidWorks part,
assembly, or drawing documents, as well as other file formats, across the Internet. You can
save files to a web folder and open files from a web folder.
Selection
Selection Filter
To make it easier to select specific items, you can set the Selection Filter to the kind of
item that you want to select. The Selection Filter toolbar offers many selection options.
For example, when you are working with parts, you can set the
Face
filter to select only faces, edges, or vertices. Selection
You can also set the Selection Filter for reference geometry,
sketch entities, or dimensions and annotations. Edge
Selection
With the filter set, the kinds of items that you specified are
identified when you pass the pointer over them. Sometimes they Vertex
are highlighted, and sometimes the pointer changes shape. This Selection
makes it easy for you to select only the items that you intend to
select.
Selection Methods
You can select entities using the following methods:
• Box Selection - you can select all entity types in parts, assemblies, and drawings by
dragging a selection box.
• Loop and Tangent Selection - you can select a group of tangent curves, edges, or
faces, or a loop of connecting edges, using the right mouse button.
• Open Loop and Open Tangency Selection - you can propagate a selection along
the edges of a surface model where there is a gap to one side of the selected edge,
using the right mouse button.
Highlighting Selections
Items that you select are highlighted using a solid style font. Edges that you select
highlight as thick solid lines; edges of faces that you select highlight as thin solid lines.
Viewing Documents
7-12
More about Basic Functionality
Popup tooltips
Pop-up tooltips help guide you in building
models. The pop-up tooltips appear with an
informational message, then disappear after
a few seconds. They replace message boxes
that require you to click OK to close them.
Pop-up tooltip
NOTE: In an active drawing, to pan you can use the middle mouse button
with or without holding down Ctrl.
If you use a three-button mouse, you may need to install the
appropriate software or configure the device through Windows
Program Manager. Consult the documentation included with your
mouse.
Customizing SolidWorks
7-14
More about Basic Functionality
Skins
You can apply skins as background images to the
PropertyManager. Skins are bitmap images that appear behind
the PropertyManager data. You can also create your own
PropertyManager buttons.
SolidWorks contains a selection of skins, or you can use your
own bitmap images to create skins.
Sketching
In the Mastering the Basics section, you sketched rectangles and circles. In subsequent
chapters, you will sketch lines, arcs, and ellipses. The examples also use geometric
relations, 3D sketching, and the sketch tools Fillet, Mirror, Convert Entities, Offset
Entities, Extend, and Trim. Additional sketch modes, entities, and tools are described
below.
Sketch Modes
• You can sketch in either click-drag or click-click mode. If you click the first point
and drag, you are in click-drag mode. If you click the first point and release the
pointer, you are in click-click mode. The software recognizes the mode
automatically from your first action.
• You can transition between lines and tangent arcs automatically, assisted by tangent
arc intent zones (only in click-click mode).
• You can sketch in a grid and snap to grid lines and points.
Sketch Entities
• Parabola - specify the focus and drag to define the extent
• Parallelogram - specify one corner, drag two sides
• Point - click in the graphics area to specify position
• Polygon - specify number of sides, coordinates of center, diameter of inscribed
or circumscribed circle, and angle of rotation
• Spline - create a spline by specifying control points and specifying if it is
proportional; modify a spline by specifying geometric relations for the points or by
using the shortcut menu tools Moving Frame, Insert Spline Point, Simplify Spline,
or Inspect Curvature.
• Text - open a sketch on a model face to add text (parts only)
Sketch Tools
• Circular Step Sketch and Repeat - creates a circular array of sketch entities
• Construction Geometry - converts sketched entities to construction geometry,
and construction geometry to sketched entities
• Face Curves - extracts 3D iso-parametric curves from faces or surfaces
• Intersection Curve - creates a sketched curve at the intersection of two
surfaces, a plane and a surface or face, a surface and a face, a plane and a part, or a
surface and a part
• Linear Step Sketch and Repeat - creates a linear array of sketch entities
• Sketch Chamfer - bevels the intersections of sketched lines
• Split Curve - splits a curve to create two sketch entities
Many other sketch tools support creating, editing, and analyzing sketches, including the
following:
• Check sketches for errors
• Automatically solve the sketch geometry as you create a part
• Align the sketch grid with a selected model edge
• Automatically create relations as you add sketch entities
• Show automatic inferencing lines
• Detach a sketch segment from other entities when you drag the segment
• Override dimensions when dragging sketch entities
• Close an open profile sketch using existing model edges
• Display and create lines and arcs with equal lengths or radii
7-16
More about Basic Functionality
Dimensions
q Modifying leaders, text, and arrows - you can modify the appearance of leaders, text,
and arrows.
q Creating ordinate dimensions - you can create
ordinate dimensions in sketches and drawings.
7-18
Working with Features and Parts
Loft Features
Pattern Features
Fillet Features
In this chapter, you create the candlestick shown here. This chapter demonstrates:
q Creating a revolved feature
q Using relations
TIP: Watch the pointer for feedback and for inferencing. As you sketch,
inferencing pointers and lines help you align the pointer with existing
sketch entities and model geometry. For more information about
inferencing, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s Guide.
8-2
Chapter 8 Revolve and Sweep Features
8-4
Chapter 8 Revolve and Sweep Features
A sweep is a base, boss, or cut created by moving a section along a path. In this example,
you create the candlestick handle by using a sweep.
First, you sketch the sweep path. The path can be an open curve, or a closed,
non-intersecting curve. Neither the path nor the resulting sweep may self-intersect.
1 Click the Front plane in the FeatureManager design tree, then click Sketch to open
a new sketch.
2 Click Front on the Standard Views toolbar, and click Hidden Lines
Removed on the View toolbar.
3 Click View, Temporary Axes. Notice that the temporary axis of the revolved base
appears.
4 Right-click and select Line. Point at the temporary axis.
The pointer changes to indicating that the pointer is exactly on the temporary axis.
5 Sketch a horizontal line as shown, and dimension
the line to 60mm.
6 Select Tangent Arc from the shortcut menu, and
sketch an arc. Dimension the arc to a radius of
150mm.
TIP: If the center point of a radial dimension is out of view, right-click the
dimension, and select Properties. Select the Foreshortened radius
check box, then click OK.
TIP: As you move the pointer, the dimension snaps to the closest
orientation. When the preview indicates the dimension type and
location you want, right-click to lock the dimension type. Click to
place the dimension.
8 Select Tangent Arc from the shortcut menu, and sketch another arc as shown.
Dimension it to a radius of 20mm.
9 Click the endpoints of the tangent arc you just sketched. In the Properties
PropertyManager do the following:
a) Under Add Relations, click Horizontal .
b) Click OK .
The dimensions and relations prevent the sweep path from changing size and shape
when moved.
10 Click Display/Delete Relations or Tools, Relations, Display/Delete.
The Sketch Relations PropertyManager appears. It lists all the relations in the current
sketch, including both relations that are added automatically as you sketch and
relations that you add manually. For example, the coincident relation between the
sweep path and the revolved base was added automatically. You control the type of
relation you want to see with the Criteria option.
11 Make sure that All in this sketch is displayed in the Criteria box.
12 Select each relation in the Relations list.
As you select each relation, its entities are highlighted in the graphics area.
13 Click OK .
8-6
Chapter 8 Revolve and Sweep Features
Next, dimension the sweep path with respect to the revolved base.
1 Dimension the
horizontal line of the
sweep path and the
bottom edge of the
revolved feature to
10mm.
The sweep path is fully
defined.
2 Close the sketch.
1 Select the Right plane from the FeatureManager design tree, then click Sketch to
open a new sketch.
2 Click Normal To on the Standard Views Toolbar.
3 Click Ellipse or Tools, Sketch Entity, Ellipse, and sketch an ellipse anywhere.
TIP: To sketch an ellipse, drag horizontally from the center point of the
ellipse to set the width of the ellipse, release the pointer, then drag
vertically to set the height.
7 Click the center point of the ellipse and the endpoint of the horizontal line of the sweep
path. Under Add Relations, click Coincident , and click OK .
This coincident relation ensures that the center point of the sweep section lies on the
plane of the sweep path.
8 Click View, Temporary Axes to hide the temporary axis.
9 Click OK and close the sketch.
8-8
Chapter 8 Revolve and Sweep Features
TIP: Use the Selection Filter to make selecting the edges in this section
easier.
6 Click OK .
Fillets are added to each of the selected edges.
7 Click View Orientation , and double-click
*Trimetric in the Orientation dialog box.
8 Click Shaded .
9 Save the part.
8-10
9
Loft Features
To create a loft, you begin by sketching the profiles on faces or planes. You can use
existing faces and planes, or create new planes.
1 Click New , select the Tutorial tab, and double-click the Part icon to open a new
part.
By default, the planes in a SolidWorks model are not visible. However, you can display
them. For this example, displaying the Front plane is helpful.
2 Click View, make sure Planes is selected, then right-click the Front plane in the
FeatureManager design tree. Select Show from the shortcut menu.
TIP: To make it easier to see the planes as you add them, click View
Orientation , and double-click *Trimetric.
3 With the Front plane still selected, click Plane on the Reference Geometry toolbar,
or click Insert, Reference Geometry, Plane.
The Plane PropertyManager appears. Under Selections, Front is listed in the
Reference Entities box.
4 Set Distance to 25mm and click OK .
A new plane, Plane1, is created in front of
the Front plane.
The planes used in a loft do not have to be
parallel, but for this example they are.
5 With Plane1 still selected, click Plane
again, and add another offset plane at a
distance of 25mm (this is Plane2).
9-2
Chapter 9 Loft Features
You create the chisel handle by lofting between simple profile sketches.
1 Click the Front plane either in the FeatureManager design tree or the graphics area,
and click Sketch . Change the view orientation to Front .
2 Sketch and dimension a 60mm square as shown.
Copying a Sketch
9-4
Chapter 9 Loft Features
Now use the Loft command to create a solid feature based on the profiles.
1 Click Loft or Insert, Base, Loft.
2 Under Options, click to clear the Show preview check box.
This prevents a shaded preview of the loft, but displays how the profiles will be
connected.
3 In the graphics area, select each sketch.
Click near the same place on each profile
(the upper-right side, for example), and
select the sketches in the order you want to
connect them.
A preview shows you how the profiles will
be connected. The system connects the
points or vertices closest to where you click.
4 Examine the preview of how the profiles
will be connected.
• If the sketches appear to be connected in
the wrong order, you can use the Move
Up or Move Down buttons in the Preview shows how profiles
PropertyManager to rearrange the order. will be connected
For the pointed end of the chisel, you create another loft.
1 If the Front plane is not displayed in the graphics area, click the Front plane in the
FeatureManager design tree. Hold down Ctrl, and drag the Front plane to create an
offset plane behind the original Front plane.
2 Right-click the new plane, Plane4, and select Edit Definition. In the Plane4
PropertyManager, set the Distance to 200mm.
3 Make sure that Reverse direction is selected, and click OK .
4 Change the Orientation to Normal to,
and open a sketch on Plane4. Sketch and
dimension a narrow rectangle as shown.
5 Exit the sketch.
9-6
10
Pattern Features
In this chapter, you learn how to create a linear pattern and a circular pattern. A linear
pattern is a one- or two-dimensional array of features. A circular pattern is a circular array
of features.
The steps include:
q Creating a revolved base feature
In this example you create a housing for a microphone. Because the housing is cylindrical,
you can create the housing as a revolved feature.
1 Click New , select the Tutorial tab, and double-click the Part icon to open a new
part.
2 Open a sketch on the Front plane.
3 Sketch and dimension the profile as shown.
4 Click Fillet on the Sketch Tools toolbar.
a) Set Radius to 30mm.
b) Leave Keep constrained corners
selected so that the corner dimensions and
relations are retained to a virtual
intersection point.
c) Select the endpoint of the 50mm vertical
line that is coincident with the endpoint of
the diagonal line.
d) Click OK .
10-2
Chapter 10 Pattern Features
10-4
Chapter 10 Pattern Features
Hollow out the part by removing the top and bottom faces.
1 Click Hidden In Gray .
2 Click Shell or Insert, Features, Shell.
3 Under Parameters, do the following:
a) Set Thickness to 3mm.
Select
b) Click Faces to Remove , then click the top these
and bottom faces as shown. Use Select Other faces
from the shortcut menu to select the lower face.
4 Click OK .
5 To see the shelled part better, click Shaded and
rotate the part.
Next you create a profile of an oblong on a reference plane. Use mirroring to take
advantage of symmetry and to decrease the number of relations needed to fully define the
sketch.
1 Click Hidden Lines Removed .
2 Open a sketch on the Front plane, and click Normal To .
3 Click Centerline , and sketch a vertical
centerline through the origin.
4 Click Line , and sketch two horizontal lines
of equal length, beginning at the centerline.
Watch for the on-curve pointer that indicates
when you are exactly on the centerline.
10-6
Chapter 10 Pattern Features
Next create a linear pattern of the oblong cut. You use a vertical dimension to specify the
direction in which to create the linear pattern.
1 Double-click Cut-Extrude1 in the FeatureManager design tree.
The dimensions of the Cut-Extrude1 feature appear in the graphics area.
2 Click Linear Pattern on the Features toolbar, or click Insert, Pattern/Mirror,
Linear Pattern.
3 Under Direction 1, set the following:
a) In the graphics area, click the 60mm dimension as the Pattern Direction.
b) If necessary, click Reverse Direction so the arrow in the graphics area points
up.
c) Set Spacing to 10mm. This value is the distance from a point on one instance
of the patterned feature to the corresponding point on the next instance.
d) Set the Number of instances to 4. This value includes the original cut-extrude
feature.
4 Under Features to Pattern , make sure that
Cut-Extrude1 is listed.
5 Under Options, select the Geometry pattern check box.
The Geometry pattern option speeds up the creation
and rebuilding of the pattern. Individual instances of
the feature are copied, but not solved.
For more information about Geometry pattern, see
the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s Guide.
10-8
Chapter 10 Pattern Features
Now create a circular pattern of the linear pattern, using a temporary axis as the axis of
revolution.
1 Click View, Temporary Axes.
2 Click Circular Pattern on the Features
toolbar, or click Insert, Pattern/Mirror, Circular
Pattern.
The Circular Pattern PropertyManager appears.
3 Under Parameters, set the following:
a) In the graphics area, click the temporary axis
that passes through the center of the revolved
feature.
Axis <1> appears in the Pattern Axis box. If
necessary, click Reverse Direction so the
arrow in the graphics area points up.
b) Set Angle to 120°.
c) Set Number of Instances to 3.
d) If necessary, click to clear the Equal Spacing
check box.
4 Under Features to Pattern , make sure that
LPattern1 is listed.
5 Under Options, select the Geometry pattern check box.
6 Click OK to create the circular pattern.
A circular pattern of the linear pattern is created
around the part’s axis of revolution.
7 Click View, Temporary Axes to turn off the
display of axes, then click Shaded .
NOTE: If you need to use a circular pattern in a part that does not have a temporary
axis in the desired place, you can create an axis, or you can use a linear edge
as an axis. For more information about creating an axis, see “Reference
Geometry,” in the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s Guide.
You can use an equation to drive the circular pattern. In this example, the equation
calculates the spacing angle by dividing 360° by the number of instances desired. This
creates a full circle of equally spaced patterns.
1 In the FeatureManager design tree, double-click CirPattern1.
Two values appear on the part: 3 (total instances) and 120° (spacing angle).
2 Click Equations on the Tools toolbar, or click Tools, Equations.
3 Click Add in the Equations dialog box.
4 Click the spacing angle value (120) on the part. (You may have to move the dialog
boxes to uncover the dimension.)
The name of the value, D2@CirPattern1 (the second dimension in the circular pattern),
is entered the New Equation dialog box.
5 Using the calculator buttons in the New Equation box, enter = 360 / (or type =360/).
6 Click the total instances value (3). D1@CirPattern1 is added to the equation.
The equation should look as follows:
“D2@CirPattern1” = 360 / “D1@CirPattern1”
7 Click OK to complete the equation, and click OK again to close the Equations dialog
box.
An Equations folder is added to the FeatureManager design tree. To add, delete,
or edit an equation, right-click the folder, and select the desired operation.
Now test the equation.
1 Increase the total instances of the circular pattern from three to four.
a) Double-click the total instances value (3).
b) Set the value in the Modify dialog box to 4.
2 Click in the Modify dialog box to rebuild the model,
then click to save the current value and to close the
Modify dialog box.
– or –
Press Enter, then click Rebuild on the Standard
toolbar, or click Edit, Rebuild.
3 Save the part.
10-10
11
Fillet Features
This chapter describes how to use different types of fillets. In this example, you create a
knob by:
q Using relations in your sketches
q Adding fillets
• face blend
• constant radius
• variable radius
q Using mirroring to assure symmetry
You can capture the symmetry of the knob in the design intent of the part. You build one
half of the part, then mirror the model to create the other half. Any changes you make to
the original half are reflected in the other half.
When you relate features to the origin and the planes, you need fewer dimensions and
construction entities. You can more easily modify the part when you build it this way.
1 Click New , select the Tutorial tab, and double-click the Part icon to open a new
part.
2 Open a sketch on the Front plane.
3 Sketch a centerpoint arc.
a) Click Centerpoint Arc on the Sketch Tools toolbar, or click Tools, Sketch
Entity, Centerpoint Arc.
b) Drag downward from the origin. A circumference guideline appears.
c) Drag an arc 180° counterclockwise around the origin.
11-2
Chapter 11 Fillet Features
Collinear
5 Dimension as shown.
6 Click Extruded Boss/Base or Insert, Boss,
Extrude.
7 Under Direction 1 do the following:
a) Leave End Condition as Blind.
b) Set Depth to 5mm.
8 Click OK to create the extrude.
Next, blend some of the faces using a face blend fillet with a hold line. This type of fillet
removes the faces that share an edge with the hold line. The distance between the hold line
and the selected edges determines the radius of the fillet.
1 Click Fillet or Insert, Features, Fillet/Round.
2 Under Fillet Type select Face fillet.
3 Under Items to Fillet, do the following:
a) Click Face Set 1, and select the face labeled
Face set 1.
Face
b) Click Face Set 2, and select the face labeled Set 1
Face set 2.
4 Under Fillet Options, click Hold line, and select the
edge labeled Hold line.
5 Click OK . Face Set 2
Hold line
6 Save the part as Knob.sldprt.
11-4
Chapter 11 Fillet Features
Now, round some of the edges using a series of constant radius fillets.
1 Click Fillet or Insert, Features,
Fillet/Round.
a) Under Fillet Type leave as Constant
5mm
radius.
b) Select the edge of the grip labeled 5mm.
c) Under Items to Fillet, set Radius to 2mm
5mm.
d) Click OK . 0.5mm
11-6
Chapter 11 Fillet Features
To take advantage of the part’s symmetry and to finish the part, mirror the part about the
planar face that is coincident with the Right plane.
1 Change the view orientation to Left .
2 Click Insert, Pattern/Mirror, Mirror All.
3 Select the planar face shown.
4 Click OK .
Select
A mirror image of the original part is joined to this
the part at the selected face to make a complete, face
symmetrical part.
When you mirrored the drafted grip, it created a parting line along the top of the grip.
Smooth the parting line by adding a constant radius fillet.
1 Change the view orientation to *Dimetric.
Select
2 Click Fillet or Insert, Features, this
Fillet/Round. edge
a) Select the edge shown.
b) Under Fillet Type leave as Constant
radius.
c) Under Items To Fillet, set Radius to
5mm.
Now remove material from the round base of the knob to create a thin-walled body.
1 Change the view orientation to Back .
2 Select the back face of the knob, and open a
sketch.
3 With the back face still selected, click Offset
Entities or Tools, Sketch Tools, Offset Select
Entities. this
4 Under Parameters, set Offset Distance to face
1mm, and select Reverse to offset the edge to
the inside.
5 Click OK .
11-8
Chapter 11 Fillet Features
To add a pattern of bosses inside the knob, use a circular pattern with equal spacing. With
the equal spacing option, you specify the number of instances and the total angle, and the
software calculates the spacing.
1 Change the view orientation to Back and open a sketch on the narrow circular
face.
2 Sketch a horizontal centerline through the left side of the narrow circular face and the
origin, and click Mirror or Tools, Sketch Tools, Mirror.
3 Sketch a line from the inner edge of the narrow
circular face towards the origin, at a slight
angle, as shown.
4 Click Mirror to turn mirroring off, and
sketch a vertical line to connect the two
endpoints closest to the origin.
5 Click the inside edge of the circular face and
click Convert Entities or Tools, Sketch
Tools, Convert Entities.
6 Click Trim , or Tools, Sketch Tools, Trim
and select the large arc to trim the circle.
7 Dimension as shown.
8 Extrude the sketch as a boss using the Boss-
Extrude PropertyManager.
9 Under Direction 1, do the following:
a) Set End Condition to Up to Surface.
b) Click Face/Plane , and click the inner circular face in the graphics area.
10 Click OK .
11 Click Rotate View to slightly rotate the part to see the extrusion.
12 Click View, Temporary Axes.
13 Make sure the boss is selected and click Circular Pattern , or Insert, Pattern/
Mirror, Circular Pattern.
14 Under Parameters, do the following:
a) Click the Pattern Axis box, then click the
axis through the origin in the graphics area.
b) If necessary, click the Equal spacing check
box.
The Total Angle changes to 360°.
c) Set Number of Instances to 7.
Under Features to Pattern , make sure
Boss-Extrude2 is displayed.
Under Options, click to clear Geometry pattern,
if necessary.
15 Click OK and save the part.
For more information about Geometry pattern, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online
User’s Guide.
11-10
12
The section “Working with Features and Parts” introduces you to many functions
available with SolidWorks 2001Plus. The following pages highlight some additional
SolidWorks functionality. For more information, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online
User’s Guide.
This chapter briefly describes SolidWorks functionality in the following areas:
n Derived parts
n Check entity
n Mass properties
n Section views
n Lighting
n Reference geometry
n Lofts
n Sweeps
n Chamfers
n Ribs
n Patterns
n Scaling
n Hole Wizard
n Surfaces
Parts
Parts are the basic building blocks of the SolidWorks mechanical design software. This
section highlights some ways to work with parts.
Derived Parts
You can select which configuration of the original part to use for a derived part. The three
types of derived parts are: Base Part, Mirror Part, and Derived Component Part.
Check Entity
The check entity function allows you to verify the integrity of a part.
• Check All - choose to check the entire body, only the solid model, or only the
surface bodies
• Check Selected items - select to check more than one entity (face, edge, or surface
body) at the same time
• Maximum edge gap and Maximum vertex gap - report the maximum tolerance
between the edges and vertices in the selected items.
The Found column displays the number of items found with the specified error, and the
Result list box displays the items that are either invalid or too short.
Mass Properties
Displays the density, mass, volume, surface area, center of mass, inertia tensor, and
principal axes of inertia of a part or assembly model. Capabilities include:
• Density - change the density of a part from the Measurement Options dialog box.
• Units - enter the value using any units, and the software converts the value to the
document’s units.
• Updates - update the mass properties information when you save a document.
• Coordinate Systems - calculate mass properties using a coordinate system. The
moments of inertia are calculated at the origin of the coordinate system, using its
axes.
You can add dimensions and mass property parameters into values of custom properties.
Changes to the dimensions in the part are associative, so values in the Bill of Materials
(BOM) are updated.
You can also insert system-defined, configuration-specific mass properties as custom
properties.
12-2
More about Features and Parts
Lighting
With Lighting (in the FeatureManager design tree), you can adjust the direction, intensity,
and color of the light in the shaded view of the model. As you change the properties of
light, a graphical representation of the light source is displayed and the model is updated.
The available light properties depend on the type of light source. Light sources include:
q Ambient
q Directional
q Point
q Spot
The sample below displays how you can manipulate Intensity properties for a Directional
light source. Brightness controls the amount of light. Specularity controls the extent to
which shiny surfaces exhibit bright highlights where the light strikes them.
Higher values Higher value for
for Ambient Specularity
and
Brightness
Reference Geometry
Reference geometry defines the shape or form of a surface or solid. Reference geometry
includes planes, axes, coordinate systems, and 3D curves.
Planes
You can create any of the following types of planes to facilitate your design intent:
• Offset - a plane parallel to a plane or face, offset by a specified distance
• At Angle - a plane through an edge, axis, or sketch geometry at an angle to a face or
a plane
• Three Point Plane - a plane through three points (vertices, points, or midpoints)
• Parallel Plane at Point - a plane through a point parallel to a plane or face
• Line and Point - a plane through a line, axis, or sketch line and a point
• Perpendicular to Curve at Point - a plane through a point and perpendicular to an
edge, axis, or sketch curve
• On Surface - a plane on a non-planar surface
Coordinate System
You can define a coordinate system for a part or assembly. You can also edit the definition
or move the coordinate system to a new location. Use a coordinate system as follows:
• Measure - enables you to measure the size of, or the distance between, entities.
• Mass Properties - displays density, mass, volume, surface area, center of mass,
inertia tensor, and principal axes of inertia of a part or assembly model.
Curves
A curve is a type of geometry. Using various methods, you can create several types of 3D
curves. One method is the Projection . The example below displays how you can
create a projected curve using sketches on intersecting planes.
1 2
Create sketches on two intersecting planes Align sketch profiles projected normal to their
sketch planes and create projected curve
3 4
12-4
More about Features and Parts
Features
Features are the individual shapes that, when combined, make up the part. This section
describes several SolidWorks features.
q Using additional functionality to some familiar features (such as Loft or Chamfer)
q Creating patterns that are table driven, sketch driven, and irregular by skipping pattern
instances
q Applying more complex fillets including, multiple radius fillets, round corner fillets,
and setback fillets
q Using uniform and non-uniform scaling to edit models
Loft
You can create lofts using various options. For example, you can create a loft using:
• Planar or non-planar profiles
• Tangency options to control the tangency at the starting and ending profiles, as well
as the magnitude of the tangency.
• Thin features.
Loft with solid
feature
Sweeps
Among the multiple sweep capabilities, you can create sweeps using thin features and
multiple contours.
12-6
More about Features and Parts
Chamfer
Chamfer creates a beveled edge on the selected edges, faces, or both. You can select from
several chamfer types (as shown below), and specify the necessary parameters.
Rib
Rib is a special type of extruded feature created from an open sketched contour. It adds
material of a specified thickness in a specified direction between the contour and an
existing part.You can create a rib using either closed or open sketch elements.
Closed contour
Open contour
Fillets
There are many different types of fillets. Some of the fillet features not covered in the
section “Working with Features and Parts” include:
• Multiple radius fillets
• Setback fillets
• Round corner fillets
Multi-radius Round
corner
Setback
radius
• With Constant radius fillets, you can retain the Keep features default option. This
keeps cuts and extrudes intact when large radius fillets are applied to edges.
Keep features option cleared
Large radius fillet eliminates the extrude
features
12-8
More about Features and Parts
Completed pattern
Pattern Instances
You can select particular pattern instances to skip while building a linear or circular
pattern. This allows you to create irregular pattern instances without needing to create the
feature pattern and then delete pattern instances.
12-10
More about Features and Parts
Scaling
You can select to scale using a coordinate system, the origins or the centroid. You can also
select a non-uniform scaling factor by entering X-Y-Z coordinates. For example, you can
apply non-uniform scaling by specifying the X-Y-Z coordinates to vary the cavity in a
mold.
Results of
Uniform Scaling
Normal Part
Results of Non-uniform
Scaling
Hole Wizard
The Hole Wizard allows you to create and position different hole types such as
counterbore, countersink, and tap.
The hole type you select determines the capabilities, available selections, and graphic
previews. After you select a hole type, you determine the appropriate fastener. The
fastener dynamically updates the appropriate parameters.
In addition to the dynamic graphic preview based on the end condition and depth, graphics
in the parameter columns show specific details as they apply to the type of hole you select.
When you create a hole using the Hole Wizard, the type and size of the hole, based on the
Description, appears in the FeatureManager design tree.
Creating Holes
With Hole Wizard, you can create holes on planar surfaces and on a plane. By adapting the
Hole Wizard to non-planar faces, you can create holes at an angle to the feature.
Favorite Name
For each hole type (except Legacy), you can create, save, update, or delete hole types to
include your parameters. This allows you to apply any saved hole types to a SolidWorks
document.
12-12
More about Features and Parts
Surfaces
Surfaces are a type of geometry. You can create surfaces, use surfaces to manipulate
features, or manipulate the surfaces themselves.
Creating Surfaces
You create surfaces with many of the same tools and principles used to create solids,
including:
• Extruded Surface - extrude sketch profile
• Lofted Surface - use multiple, parallel or non-parallel planes, with or without
guide curves (see the example below)
• Swept Surface - create planes to sketch a sweep profile, sweep path, and guide
curves
• Offset Surface - offset surface from a lofted model surface (see the example
below)
Offset Surface
Manipulate Surfaces
You can also manipulate surfaces. Some ways of manipulating surfaces include:
• Trimmed Surface - use a surface to trim another surface where they intersect,
or use multiple surfaces as mutual trim tools.
Surface trim
Surface using
mutual trim
12-14
More about Features and Parts
Surfaces before
adding the face
blend fillet
Surfaces after
adding the face
blend fillet
• Delete hole - select any closed profile hole on a surface, and click Delete.
12-16
Working with Assemblies
Assembly Mates
Introduction
This assembly uses the following parts and assembly, located in the installation
directory\samples\tutorial\universal_joint folder.
yoke_male.sldprt
crank-assy.sldasm
u-joint_pin1.sldprt
spider.sldprt
bracket.sldprt
u-joint_pin2.sldprt yoke_female.sldprt
13-2
Chapter 13 Assembly Mates
You can load an assembly with its active components fully resolved or lightweight.
• Fully resolved. All model information is loaded in memory.
• Lightweight. A subset of model information is loaded in memory. The remaining
model information is loaded if the component is selected or if the component is
affected by changes that you make in the current editing session.
You can improve the performance of large assemblies significantly by using lightweight
components.
The assembly you build in this chapter includes a sub-assembly whose parts could be
loaded lightweight. However, there are no significant benefits in using lightweight parts
for these reasons:
• The sub-assembly is small, consisting of only three simple components.
• You select two of the three components as you build the assembly, thereby
resolving them.
1 Before you open the assembly document, click Tools, Options. On the System
Options tab, click Performance.
2 Under Assemblies, click to clear the Automatically load parts lightweight check
box, then click OK.
For more information about lightweight parts, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s
Guide.
NOTE: You can create this type of inference with any component as you add
it to the assembly. You can also create the inference to the assembly
origin by dropping the component in the FeatureManager design tree
of the assembly window.
13-4
Chapter 13 Assembly Mates
Another way to add components to the assembly is to drag them in from Windows
Explorer.
1 Start Windows Explorer (if it is not already running).
2 Navigate to the \installation directory\samples\tutorial\universal_joint folder.
3 Click each of the items listed below
individually, and drag it into the graphics yoke_male spider yoke_female
area of Assem1. Place them approximately
as shown.
• yoke_male.sldprt
• yoke_female.sldprt
• spider.sldprt
4 Examine the FeatureManager design tree,
and expand each item to see the features
used to make the components.
Notice that each of the new components has
the prefix (-) before its name, indicating that
bracket
its location is under defined. You can move
and rotate these components.
5 To collapse the entire FeatureManager design tree in one step, right-click Assem1 in
the FeatureManager design tree and select Collapse Items.
6 Practice moving and rotating the individual components using the following tools on
the Assembly toolbar:
Click Move Component, click one of the component’s faces, then move
the component.
Click Rotate Component, click one of the component’s faces, then rotate
the component.
Both the Move Component and Rotate Component tools remain active
so that you can move other non-fixed components in succession.
7 Save the assembly as U-joint.sldasm.
The following pages describe how to add various types of assembly mating relations.
First, mate the bracket and the male yoke.
1 Click Mate or Insert, Mate.
The Mate PropertyManager appears.
2 Click the cylindrical face of the boss on the
male yoke and the cylindrical inside face of
the top hole in the bracket.
13-6
Chapter 13 Assembly Mates
7 Click the top inside face of the bracket and the top
face of the male yoke.
Select
these faces
3 Select the flat spider face that contains the hole you
selected in Step 1 and the inside face of the male yoke.
Use Select Other or rotate the assembly if necessary.
13-8
Chapter 13 Assembly Mates
1 Select the bottom face of the female yoke and the top slanted face of the bracket.
2 Click Parallel , and click Preview.
The female yoke is aligned to the bracket.
3 If the female yoke is upside down, change the Mate
Alignment, and click Preview again.
• Aligned means that the normal vectors for the
selected faces point in the same direction.
• Anti-Aligned (On) means that the normal vectors
for the selected faces point in opposite directions.
• Closest means that the selected faces may be
either aligned or anti-aligned, depending on the
positions they occupy when selected.
13-10
Chapter 13 Assembly Mates
For some mates, you can create mating relationships automatically using SmartMates.
You can inference the geometry of existing components as you drag and drop new
components into the assembly.
In this section, you create a concentric mate automatically. For more information about
SmartMates, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s Guide.
1 Click File, Open, and open u-joint_pin1.sldprt.
2 Tile the windows so that you can see the part and the assembly windows.
3 Change the view orientation of the part to Isometric , if necessary.
4 Change the view mode in the assembly window to Shaded , and change the view
orientation to Isometric . Zoom in on the pin hole in the male yoke.
Shaded mode allows you to see the preview of SmartMates better.
5 Select the cylindrical face of the pin, and Preview of pin
drag the pin into the assembly. Point at an
inside face of the pin hole on the male yoke
in the assembly window. (The pin may
disappear behind the assembly.)
When the pointer is over the pin hole, the
pointer changes to . This pointer
indicates that a concentric mate will result
if the pin is dropped at this location. A
preview of the pin snaps into place.
If the preview indicates that you need to
flip the alignment condition, press the Tab
key to toggle the alignment
(aligned/anti-aligned).
6 Drop the pin.
A concentric mate is added automatically.
7 Close the u-joint_pin1.sldprt window, and
maximize the assembly window.
13-12
Chapter 13 Assembly Mates
9 Select the flat face of the male yoke boss and the
flat face on the inside of the crankshaft. Use
Select Other to more easily select any hidden
faces.
10 Add a Parallel mate.
13-14
Chapter 13 Assembly Mates
You can turn the crank of the assembly by selecting the sub-assembly, and moving the
handle.
1 Click Move Component . rotate crank
2 Click a face on one of the components
of the crank sub-assembly.
3 Drag the pointer vertically in the
graphics area.
The crank turns and rotates the male
and female yokes. All of the mating
relationships are maintained.
13-16
Chapter 13 Assembly Mates
You can create an exploded view of the assembly. An exploded view consists of one or
more explode steps. In this section, you define the first step in an exploded view.
1 Click Insert, Exploded View.
2 In the Assembly Exploder dialog box, in the Step
editing tools box, click New .
The Assembly Exploder dialog box expands.
3 Click a vertical edge on the bracket to set the Direction
to explode along.
If the preview arrow is pointing down, select the
Reverse direction check box.
4 Click a face of a component of the crank assembly in the
graphics area, or click the crank-assy component in the
FeatureManager design tree for the Components to
explode box.
5 Examine the contents of the boxes under Step
parameters. Make sure that the Entire sub-assembly option is selected. If you need
to make any other changes:
• Select and delete the contents of the Components to explode box.
– or –
• Click the Components to explode box, right-click in the graphics area, select Clear
Selections, and select again.
6 Click Apply .
Notice the arrow-shaped handle in the graphics area.
7 Drag the handle up and down until the crank assembly is positioned at a reasonable
distance from the bracket. (You can specify the position by using the Distance box if
you prefer.)
8 Click Apply again to confirm the new distance value in the step.
Do not click OK yet. Leave the Assembly Exploder dialog box open, so you can
continue adding steps to the exploded view. You click OK only when all the steps in the
view are completed.
13-18
Chapter 13 Assembly Mates
You can edit the explode steps, or add new ones if needed. You access the exploded view
from the ConfigurationManager tree.
1 Click the ConfigurationManager tab to change to the configuration view.
2 Double-click Default, or click the to expand the view.
If you are asked to confirm showing the configuration, click OK.
3 Double-click ExplView1 to explode the assembly again (or right-click ExplView1, and
select Explode).
4 Right-click ExplView1, and select Edit Definition.
5 Using the Previous Step and Next Step buttons
, or the Explode steps list, review each of the
steps in the exploded view. Edit any step as desired,
then click Apply before editing or adding another
step.
6 Click New to create a new explode step, then
practice exploding more of the assembly. Remember to
click Apply each time you complete a step.
7 When you are satisfied with the entire exploded view,
click OK.
8 To collapse the entire assembly, right-click the
assembly name at the top of the ConfigurationManager
tree, and select Collapse.
9 Save the assembly. You will use this assembly later in
Chapter 17, “Bill of Materials.”
13-20
14
Advanced Design Techniques
Suppose that you want to design a hinge assembly that you can modify easily to make
similar assemblies. You need an efficient way to create two matching hinge pieces and a
pin for a variety of hinge assembly sizes.
Some analysis and planning can help you develop a design that is flexible, efficient, and
well defined. You can then adjust the size as needed, and the hinge assembly will still
satisfy the design intent.
This chapter discusses:
q Analyzing the assembly to determine the
best approach
q Using a layout sketch
Successful customers tell us that the key to using the SolidWorks software effectively is
planning. By performing a careful analysis, you can design better, more flexible, and more
functional models. Before you begin an assembly, consider the following:
q Consider dependencies between the components of an assembly. This will help you
decide on the best approach:
• Using bottom-up design, you build the parts independently, then insert them into the
assembly.
• Using top-down design, you may begin with some ready-made parts. Then you
create other components in the context of the assembly. You reference the features of
some components of the assembly to drive the dimensions of the other components.
q Identify the features that make up each individual part. Understand the dependencies
between the features of each part. Look for patterns, and take advantage of symmetry
whenever possible.
q Consider the order in which the features are created, and keep in mind the
manufacturing processes that will be used to make the parts.
14-2
Chapter 14 Advanced Design Techniques
q Configure. The method that you use for this example is to make two different
configurations of the same part. This is the best way to ensure that you always have
matching pieces, because a single part document is used to create the two pieces. The
part document contains all the possible features to be used. Then you create
configurations by suppressing selected features, removing them from the active
configuration.
The pin
You need to know the dimensions of the barrel to create a pin that is exactly the right size
for the assembly. By creating the pin in the context of the assembly, you can accomplish
this for any size hinge.
Conclusion
For this assembly, it makes sense to use a combination of design methodologies. First,
design the hinge pieces, including the necessary configurations, and insert them in an
assembly (bottom-up design). Then design the pin in the context of the assembly
(top-down design), referencing the model geometry of the hinge pieces as necessary.
The pin
The pin is dependent on the hinge pieces for its length and diameter dimensions. The
domed head of the pin should match the outer diameter of the barrel.
Construction Order
Outline your construction plan, including the features you will use and the order in which
to create them.
1 Base feature – extrude as a thin feature. Because the part has symmetric features, use a
mid-plane extrusion. Then you can use the mid-plane as a plane of symmetry for
mirroring other features.
2 Barrel – sweep a circular profile along the long model edge. Then extrude a cut,
concentric with the boss.
3 Countersunk holes – use the Hole Wizard to create a complex hole profile, then use
equations and mirroring to position several copies.
4 Cuts for tabs – create a layout sketch, referencing the dimensions of the base. Use the
sketch to extrude two different cut features, one with three tabs, one with two tabs.
5 Configurations – define the two configurations used in the assembly by suppressing
one cut feature in each configuration.
6 Assembly – insert and mate the hinge pieces (one of each configuration).
7 Pin – insert a new part while in the assembly. Reference the geometry of the hinge
piece to sketch a profile and a path. Then use a sweep to create the base feature.
8 Pin head – convert the barrel profile to create a sketch, then extrude it. Finally, add a
dome to the flat surface of the head.
A Final Word
This may seem like a great deal of planning to develop a simple assembly. However, it is a
worthwhile exercise if it helps you discover the best approach to building the parts before
you start designing them. By thoroughly analyzing the issues before you begin, you can
create a flexible, fully parametric model. When you change any of its parameters, the
others update accordingly.
For more examples that showcase design intent and implementation, view the SolidWorks
Design Portfolio by clicking Help, Design Portfolio.
14-4
Chapter 14 Advanced Design Techniques
1 Open a new part from the Tutorial tab and open a sketch on the Front plane.
2 Sketch a vertical line and dimension it to 60mm in length.
3 Click Extruded Boss/Base or Insert, Base, Extrude to extrude the sketch:
a) Under Direction 1, do the following:
• Set End Condition to Mid Plane.
• Set Depth to 120mm.
b) Under Thin Feature, do the following:
• Leave Type as One-Direction.
• Set Direction 1 Thickness to 5mm.
c) Click OK .
4 Open a sketch on the narrow vertical face. Sketch a circle at
the upper edge, with its center at the front vertex.
5 Add a coincident relation between the edge of the circle and
the back vertex to fully define the sketch. Close the sketch.
In this section, you add holes for screws. To position each hole, one dimension is fixed,
and the other is driven by an equation.
1 Click the large model face, then click Hole Wizard on the Features toolbar, or click
Insert, Features, Hole, Wizard.
2 On the Countersink tab of the Hole Definition dialog box, set the following values:
• Standard to Ansi Metric.
• Size to M8.
• End Condition & Depth to Through All.
3 Click Next, then click on the large model face to add the Hole1 Hole2
center point for a second hole.
4 Click Select and drag the points to the approximate
location on the face shown here. Click Finish.
14-6
Chapter 14 Advanced Design Techniques
The layout sketch you create in this section divides the length of the hinge into five equal
parts. Using equations and mirroring ensures that the five parts remain equal when you
change the overall length of the hinge. You use this layout as a guide for making the cuts
in the sections that follow.
1 Open a sketch on the large model face, and name it layout
for cuts.
2 Click the lower edge of the sweep feature and click Offset
Entities .
a) Set Offset Distance to 1mm.
b) Select the Reverse check box if necessary to offset
below the selected edge
c) Click to clear the Select chain check box if
necessary.
d) Click OK .
3 Select the edges shown, then click Convert Click these edges
Entities .
14-8
Chapter 14 Advanced Design Techniques
Now you can reference the layout for cuts sketch to create the first set of cuts. Because
each cut should be slightly wider than the corresponding tab on the other half of the hinge,
you use offsets from the layout sketch entities.
1 Open a sketch on the large model face.
2 Click the bottom line in the layout sketch, and click Convert Entities . In the
Resolve Ambiguity box, click closed contour, and click OK. This copies the entire
outside contour into the current sketch.
3 Click one of the vertical lines near the
edge of the part, click Offset
Entities and do the following:
a) Set Offset Distance to 1mm.
b) Select the Reverse check box if
necessary to offset the line towards
the middle of the part.
c) Make sure that Select chain is not selected, and click OK .
4 Repeat for the vertical line near the opposite edge of the part.
5 Click one of the vertical lines near the
center of the part, and offset the line by
1mm toward the outside of the part
(making the center cut wider). Repeat for
the remaining vertical line.
Segments in current sketch
6 Click Trim , then trim the horizontal
lines as indicated, leaving three closed
rectangles.
Now you use the same methods to create the cuts for the other half of the hinge.
1 Roll back the design to the 3Cuts feature Rollback bar
by dragging the rollback bar to just below
the layout for cuts sketch.
2 Repeat Steps 1 and 2 from the previous
section.
14-10
Chapter 14 Advanced Design Techniques
Roll the design forward by dragging the rollback bar all the way to the bottom of the
FeatureManager design tree.
The part now has the entire barrel removed by the two cut features. This is the default
configuration, which includes all the features. In this section, you make two more
configurations of the part by suppressing selected features.
14-12
Chapter 14 Advanced Design Techniques
Now you add the pin. The pin references the inner diameter of the barrel and the overall
length of the hinge pieces. Once you reference an entity of one part (the barrel) to create
an entity in another part (the pin), you create a reference in the context of the assembly. If
you modify the referenced entity, the new entity updates to reflect that change.
1 Click Insert, Component, New Part. Select a new part from the Tutorial tab. Enter a
name for the new component, such as Pin.sldprt, and click Save.
The pointer changes to .
2 Click the narrow model face on the front of the
assembly. The new part will be positioned on this face,
with its location fully defined by an InPlace mate.
A sketch is opened automatically on the selected face.
Notice that Edit Part in the Assembly toolbar is
selected, and that the pin component is displayed in pink
in the FeatureManager design tree.
14-14
Chapter 14 Advanced Design Techniques
Now reference the barrel of the hinge to create the head of the pin.
1 Open a sketch on the flat end of the pin, and sketch a circle anywhere.
2 Select the circle and the outer circular edge of the barrel,
and add a Coradial relation.
6 Right-click in the graphics area, and select Edit Assembly: Hinge. Alternatively, you
can click Edit Part on the Assembly toolbar to return to editing the assembly.
7 Save the assembly.
For easier viewing, you can change the color of assembly components.
1 Click one of the assembly components in either the
FeatureManager design tree or in the graphics area,
then click Edit Color .
2 Choose a color from the palette, then click OK.
Now you can make this same hinge assembly in a different size.
1 In the FeatureManager design tree, expand the hinge component that uses the
InnerCuts configuration. Double-click the Base-Extrude-Thin feature to display its
dimensions.
2 Double-click any of the dimensions. The Modify dialog box appears.
3 Change the dimension value, and make sure that All configurations is selected.
4 Click to close the Modify dialog box.
If desired, repeat Steps 2 through 4 to change another value.
5 Click Rebuild or Edit, Rebuild.
All of the components in the assembly update automatically. (If you see a message
indicating that the pin has rebuild errors, click Rebuild again.)
14-16
15
You can do more with assemblies than what is shown in the examples in this guide. The
following pages highlight some additional SolidWorks functionality in assemblies. For
more information, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s Guide.
This chapter briefly describes SolidWorks functionality in the following areas:
n Additional Mate Types
n Sub-assemblies
n Assembly Simplification
n Interference Detection
Arranging Components
SmartMates
In addition to the SmartMates you added in Chapter 13, “Assembly Mates,” you can add
other types of SmartMates. You can add feature-based mates between conical or
cylindrical features. You can add a pattern-based mate to align two components using the
circular patterns in the components.
Symmetry Mates
A symmetry mate forces two similar entities to be
symmetric about a plane or planar face of a component.
In the illustration, the two highlighted faces are
symmetric about the highlighted plane. Notice the two
components are upside down with respect to one
another. That is because the highlighted faces only are
symmetric, not all of the faces of both components.
Cam-Follower Mates
A cam-follower mate is a type of tangent or coincident mate. It allows you to mate a
cylinder, plane, or point to a series of tangent extruded surfaces, such as you would find on
a cam.
15-2
More about Assemblies
Mirror Components
You can create new components by mirroring existing part or sub-assembly components.
The new components can be either a copy or a mirror of the original components. If the
original component changes, so does the copied or mirrored component.
Copy Mirror
No new part or assembly document is A new document is created.
created.
The geometry of the new component The geometry of the new component
is identical to the original is mirrored; thus it is different from
component; only the orientation of the original component.
the component is different.
Modifying Sub-assemblies
q You can dissolve a sub-assembly into individual components, thereby moving the
components into the parent assembly.
q You can move components into or out of sub-assemblies.
Flexible Sub-assemblies
Sub-assemblies can be flexible. This allows movement of the individual components of a
sub-assembly in the parent assembly.
An example of the benefit of this function is when you want to move the components of a
piston sub-assembly in a motor assembly. You can move the individual components of the
piston while still grouping the components as a sub-assembly.
Component Patterns
You can define a pattern for placing components in an assembly in much the same way as
you define a feature pattern in a part. You can also place a pattern of components in an
assembly based on a feature pattern of the assembly or of an existing component. For
example, you can place a number of brackets matching a pattern of holes on an object.
Assembly Features
While in an assembly, you can create cut or hole features that exist in the assembly only.
You determine which of the assembly components you want the feature to affect. This is
useful for creating cuts or holes that are added after the components are assembled.
Smart Fasteners
With a single command, you can insert bolts and screws from an existing library of
hardware into holes in your assembly. The program determines the appropriate type, size,
and length of the fastener for each series of holes. It also allows you to add washers and
nuts as needed.
15-4
More about Assemblies
Layout Sketches
You can design an assembly from the top-down using layout sketches. You can construct
one or more sketches showing where each assembly component belongs. Then, you can
create and modify the design before you create any parts. In addition, you can use the
layout sketch to make changes in the assembly at any time.
Joining Parts
You can join two or more parts to create a new part. The join operation removes surfaces
that intrude into each other’s space, and merges the part bodies into a single solid volume.
Weld Beads
You can add a variety of weld types to an
assembly. The software prompts you for the
weld type, the surface type, and the surfaces
you want to weld together. When you create a
weld, a weld symbol is automatically attached
to the weld bead component in the assembly.
Simplifying Assemblies
Assembly Envelopes
You can select components based on their positions with respect to an assembly envelope.
An assembly envelope is a reference component, and it is ignored in global assembly
operations (Bill of Materials, Mass Properties, and so on.) You can perform various
editing operations (hide, suppress, copy, or delete) on components that are inside, outside,
or crossing the assembly envelope.
Assembly Configurations
You can create configurations in assemblies to do the following:
q Toggle the visibility or suppression state of components.
15-6
Working with Drawings and Detailing
Bill of Materials
Drawing Basics (Chapter 5) introduced the Standard 3 Views and Named Views. In this
chapter, you learn about using SolidWorks software to create the following:
q Section View
q Detail View
q Ordinate Dimensions
q Annotations
q Exploded View
q Notes
NOTE: You can change the view orientation at any time by selecting the view
and double-clicking a different item from the View Orientation list.
If not all the lines appear as in the figure below, right-click the view
and select Tangent Edge, Tangent Edges Visible.
16-2
Chapter 16 Advanced Drawings and Detailing
2 Click Section View on the Drawing toolbar, or click Insert, Drawing View,
Section.
The Section View PropertyManager appears, and the pointer changes to ,
indicating that the Line tool is active.
NOTE: To sketch the section line with the Centerline tool, or to create a
multi-line section view, sketch the section line before selecting the
Section View command.
3 Hold the pointer over the center of the part until the pointer changes to indicating
that the pointer is exactly on the temporary axis. Sketch a line vertically through the
part.
As you move the pointer, a preview of
the view position is displayed. By
default, the view is aligned in the
direction of the cut.
4 Click in the graphics area to place the
view to the right of the original view.
Notice the arrows indicating the
direction of the cut. You can double-
click the section line, or select the
Change direction check box in the
PropertyManager, to reverse the
direction of the arrows, if necessary.
TIP: If you reverse the direction of the section line arrows, the Section
View is marked with a crosshatch pattern. This crosshatch indicates
that the view is out of date. Right-click the view and select Update
View to update the view only, or click Rebuild to rebuild the
entire drawing.
NOTE: The view label letter increments automatically. To set the label letter
for the next view, right-click the graphics area (outside the drawing
views) and select Properties. Edit the text in Next view label.
To edit the current view label, select the Detail View or its circle. In
the Detail View PropertyManager, you can edit the label text and
other properties of the label, profile, and view.
16-4
Chapter 16 Advanced Drawings and Detailing
NOTE: The dimensions that you add to drawings are reference dimensions.
They are gray and appear in parentheses. You cannot edit the values.
However, the values of reference dimensions change when the model
dimensions change.
Adding Annotations
16-6
Chapter 16 Advanced Drawings and Detailing
• In the first row of the Feature control frames section, click GCS (Geometric
Characteristic Symbol). In the Symbols dialog box, under Symbol library, select
Perpendicularity. Click OK.
• Enter a tolerance value of 0.005 in the Tolerance 1 box.
• Enter A in the Primary field.
6 Click on the centerline of the Section View to place the arrow, then click again to place
the symbol.
You can place as many symbols as you wish without closing the dialog box.
7 Click OK to close the Geometric Tolerance dialog box.
8 Click Save to save the drawing.
Adding Notes
A note can be free floating or placed with a leader. You can create multiple notes while in
the Note PropertyManager. You change font properties with tools on the Font toolbar.
TIP: To edit note text, double-click the note and edit in place.
16-8
17
Bill of Materials
In this chapter, you add a Bill of Materials (BOM) and balloons to a drawing of the
universal joint assembly.
NOTE: You must have the Microsoft Excel 97 or later spreadsheet program
installed on your computer to insert a Bill of Materials into a drawing.
Starting a Drawing
The universal joint assembly that you created in the “Assembly Mates” chapter is the basis
for working with the Bill of Materials in this chapter.
1 Open \universal_joint\u-joint.sldasm.
2 Open a new drawing from the Tutorial tab.
3 Right-click anywhere on the drawing sheet and select Properties. Set Scale to 1:2,
then click OK.
4 Insert a Named View of the
isometric view of the
U-joint.sldasm assembly.
5 Save the drawing as
U-joint.slddrw.
17-2
Chapter 17 Bill of Materials
Because a drawing can contain views of different parts and assemblies, you must
pre-select the view for which you want to create a Bill of Materials.
1 Select the drawing view.
2 Click Insert, Bill of Materials.
The Select BOM Template dialog box appears.
3 Click Open to use the default Bill of Materials template, bomtemp.xls.
The Bill of Materials Properties dialog box appears with the Configuration tab
selected.
4 Set the following items:
• Clear the Use the document’s note font when creating the table check box. The
table uses the font in the template.
• Select Show assemblies and parts in an indented list. Both the sub-assembly and
its components appear in the Bill of Materials. The other choices are:
Show parts only - parts and sub-assembly components are listed, but not the sub-
assemblies
Show top level subassemblies and parts only - the parts and sub-assemblies are
listed, but not the sub-assembly components
• In the Anchor Point section, make sure that the following are selected:
Use table anchor point check box
Top Left from the Anchor point coincident to list
5 Click OK to close the Bill of Materials Properties dialog box.
A Bill of Materials is displayed. It lists the parts and sub-assembly in the universal
joint assembly.
An anchor point is a point in the sheet format that you can set and to which you anchor a
Bill of Materials. In the Bill of Materials, you can select which corner of the Bill of
Materials is to be coincident with the anchor point.
1 Right-click the BOM, and select Anchor, Top Right.
The BOM moves so that the top-right corner coincides with the anchor.
2 In the FeatureManager design tree, expand Sheet Format1 .
3 Right-click Bill of Materials Anchor1 and select Set Anchor.
4 Click the top left corner of the inside border of the drawing sheet format, to set the
anchor.
The anchor point is highlighted. You are in the Edit Sheet Format mode.
5 Right-click the graphics area, and select Edit Sheet.
The BOM is anchored at the inside border.
6 Right-click the BOM, and select Anchor, Top Left.
You can unlock the BOM from the anchor point and then move it to a new location.
1 Right-click the Bill of Materials and select Anchor, Unlock from Anchor.
2 Move the pointer over the Bill of Materials.
The pointer changes to the move shape .
3 Drag the table to a new location.
4 Right-click the Bill of Materials and select Anchor, Lock to Anchor.
The Bill of Materials returns to the anchor.
17-4
Chapter 17 Bill of Materials
Inserting Balloons
Balloon callouts label the parts in an assembly drawing and relate them to item numbers
on the Bill of Materials.
1 Click Balloon on the Annotations toolbar, or click Insert, Annotations, Balloon.
The Balloon PropertyManager appears.
2 Click a component in the drawing view.
A balloon attaches to the component. The numbers correspond to the item number
(upper) and quantity (lower) in the Bill of Materials.
3 Continue to click components to add balloons.
4 Click OK .
To move the balloon or leader
arrow, select and drag the balloon,
or drag the leader by the handle.
To edit properties of the balloons,
select a balloon or multiple balloons
and change properties in the
PropertyManager.
You can save the Bill of Materials as an Excel file for use with other applications.
1 Select the Bill of Materials.
2 Click File, Save As.
The Save Bill of Materials Table dialog box is displayed. Notice that the Save as type
is set to Excel Files (*.xls) by default.
3 Type Ujoint_BOM in File name box and click Save.
The extension .xls is added to the filename, and the file is saved to the current
directory. If you wish, you can navigate to a different directory, then save the file.
NOTE: The Excel file is not linked to the Bill of Materials in the drawing. If
assembly components change, the Bill of Materials automatically
updates, but the Excel file does not.
For more information about adding a Bill of Materials, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus
Online User’s Guide.
17-6
18
You can do more with drawings than what is shown in the examples in this guide. The
following pages highlight some additional SolidWorks functionality in drawings and
detailing. For more information, see the SolidWorks 2001Plus Online User’s Guide.
This chapter briefly describes SolidWorks functionality in the following areas:
n Drawings Options
n Drawing Views
n Show/Hide Components
n 2D Sketching in Drawings
n Layers
n RapidDraft Drawings
n Detailing Options
n Dimensions
n Annotations
Drawings
Drawing Views
The chapters on drawings in this guide introduced the Standard 3 View, Named View,
Section View, and Detail View. Other possible views include the following:
Projection view
Auxiliary view
18-2
More about Drawings and Detailing
Broken view
Section views
of a section
Crop view
• Detail View - The profile for a Detail View can be any closed sketch. You can
choose to display either the profile or its circle in the parent view. If you select
Circle, you can choose a style (Per Standard, Broken Circle, With Leader, No
Leader, or Connected) for the detail circle label.
18-4
More about Drawings and Detailing
Show/Hide
You can show or hide views, components, and hidden edges in
components.
• When you hide or show a view that has related views
(Auxiliary, Detail, and so on), you are given the option of
hiding or showing those related views also. Complete assembly
2D Sketching in Drawings
Sketch tools and sketch relations work the same way in a drawing document as they do in
a part or assembly document.
Layers
Layers in drawings assign line color, thickness, and style for entities in the layers. You can
hide or show individual layers. New entities are automatically added to the active layer.
You can add dimensions, annotations, and sketch entities to layers. You can add
components to layers, in both part and assembly drawings. Many dialog boxes
(Component Display Properties, Note Properties, Geometric Tolerance Properties,
and so on) include a Layer list for selecting a named layer for the entity.
Layer information is included when importing or exporting files in .dxf or .dwg format.
RapidDraft Drawings
RapidDraft™ drawings have a format designed so you can open and work in drawing files
without the model files being loaded into memory.
• When you open a new drawing document, a Create RapidDraft Drawing check box
appears in the New SolidWorks Document dialog box.
• When you open an existing drawing that is not a RapidDraft drawing, a Convert to
RapidDraft check box appears in the Open dialog box.
• Once a drawing is converted to RapidDraft format, it cannot be converted back.
When you convert a drawing to RapidDraft, the drawing and model are both loaded into
memory. When the conversion is complete, save the drawing. Close the drawing, which
also closes the model, then open the drawing again. The drawing is in RapidDraft mode.
• View borders in RapidDraft drawings are blue.
• If a part or assembly is needed for an operation in a RapidDraft drawing, you are
prompted to load the model file. You can also load the model manually by right-
clicking a view and selecting Load Model.
• Some changes, such as changes to a section line or detail profile, require a view
update. When a drawing view requires an update, the view is displayed with a
crosshatch pattern.
You can send RapidDraft drawings to other SolidWorks users without sending the model
files. Other advantages include the following:
• Some engineers can work on the model while others add details and annotations to
the drawing. When the drawing and model are synchronized, all the details and
dimensions added to the drawing update to any geometric or topological changes in
the model.
18-6
More about Drawings and Detailing
Detailing
You can include items such as dimensions, notes, and symbols in part and assembly
documents, and then import these dimensions and annotations from the model into a
drawing. Once in the drawing, you can add other annotations and reference dimensions.
Dimensions in Drawings
You can import dimensions from the model into all the drawing
views at once, or into selected drawing views. The dimensions are
imported only once for a part. In the drawing, you can add parallel,
concentric, horizontal, vertical, baseline, and ordinate reference
dimensions in the same way as in model sketches. Silhouette edges
and midpoints of linear edges are available for dimensioning.
Either an edge or a vertex can be the baseline for dimensions. Vertex as baseline
Annotations
You can add many types of annotations to drawings. Functionality includes:
• Multiple annotations and multiple leaders
• Alignment tools, snap to grid, and inferencing for alignment
• Double-click to edit in place
• Link notes to document and custom properties and embed hyperlinks in notes
• Hide/Show dimensions and cosmetic threads
• Part number, quantity, or custom text in balloons and stacked balloons
In addition to the surface finish symbol, geometric tolerancing symbols, notes, Bill of
Materials, and balloons discussed in the “Advanced Drawings and Detailing” and “Bill of
Materials” chapters, you can insert the following types of annotations into drawings:
• Center Mark - to silhouette edges as well as circles and arcs
• Hole Callout - dimensions update if the model changes
• Datum Target - with targets as points, circles, or rectangles
• Area Hatch - on faces or in closed profiles
• Weld Symbol - including secondary weld fillets
• Cosmetic Thread - including conical threads and thread callouts
• Stacked Balloon - with one leader for the set
• Block - create custom blocks with text, sketch items, and area hatch
18-8
More about Drawings and Detailing
Properties of a Bill of Materials available for editing include the configurations specified
at the time of creation, which items to include in the table, how row numbers are assigned,
and split tables. You can edit and format the text, specify how to list component
configurations, add custom columns (including dimensions and mass property
parameters), and edit the item number in a balloon.
18-10
Special Topics
Mold Design
3D Sketching
SolidWorks Animator
In this chapter, you create the sheet metal part shown here. This chapter demonstrates:
q Creating a base flange
q Adding a miter flange
When developing a sheet metal part, you generally design the part in the folded state. This
allows you to capture the design intent and the dimensions of the finished part.
To create a sheet metal part of uniform thickness, sketch an open profile and use the base
flange feature to create the thin feature and the bends.
1 Open a new part from the Tutorial tab and open a sketch on the Front plane.
2 Placing the lower left corner of the sketch on the origin,
sketch and dimension the profile as shown. Add an Equal
relation between the two vertical lines.
3 Click Base-Flange/Tab on the Sheet Metal toolbar, or
click Insert, Sheet Metal, Base Flange.
A base flange feature creates three new features in the FeatureManager design tree. The
following are the three new features:
Sheet-Metal1. The Sheet-Metal feature contains the default bend parameters. To edit
the default bend radius, bend allowance, or default relief type, right-click the Sheet-
Metal feature and select Edit Definition.
Base-Flange. The Base-Flange feature is the first solid feature of the sheet metal part.
Flat-Pattern1. The Flat-Pattern feature flattens the sheet metal part. Notice it is
suppressed by default as the part is in its bent state. Unsuppress the feature to flatten
the sheet metal part.
When the Flat-Pattern feature is suppressed, all new features that you add to the part
are automatically inserted above the Flat-Pattern feature in the FeatureManager design
tree. When the Flat-Pattern feature is unsuppressed, new features go below it in the
FeatureManager design tree and are not shown in the folded part.
19-2
Chapter 19 Sheet Metal Part
You can add flanges to your sheet metal part with corners that are automatically mitered.
1 Select the inside vertical edge approximately as
shown and click Sketch to open a new sketch. Vertex
When you mirror a sheet metal part, many of the bends are mirrored as well. The only
bends that are not mirrored are those that are normal to and coincident to the mirror plane;
those bends are extended.
1 Click Hidden in Gray .
2 Click Insert, Pattern/Mirror, Mirror All.
The Mirror All PropertyManager appears.
3 Under Mirror Plane1, select one of the back planar faces as
the mirror plane. Use Select Other from the shortcut menu
if necessary.
Adding a Tab
The sketch should look like this when you are done.
4 Click Base-Flange/Tab .
The tab is added to the part. You do not need to specify a
depth because the SolidWorks software links the
thickness of the tab to the thickness of the base flange.
19-4
Chapter 19 Sheet Metal Part
Once you add a tab, you must specify how to bend it.
1 Select the same vertical face from the previous section and open a sketch.
2 Sketch a horizontal line of any length. Dimension it to 30mm
below the top of the tab as shown.
The bend line for a Sketched Bend does not have to be the
exact length of the faces you are bending.
3 Click Sketched Bend on the Sheet Metal toolbar, or click
Insert, Sheet Metal, Sketched Bend.
The Sketched Bend PropertyManager appears.
4 Under Bend Parameters, do the following:
• Select the vertical face below the bend line as the Fixed
face.
• Set Bend position to Bend Outside .
• Make sure Bend Angle is set to 90° and the Use
default radius check box is selected.
5 Click OK .
6 Save the part.
To cut across a bend, you start by unfolding only the bend that you want to cut across.
1 Click Unfold on the Sheet Metal toolbar, or
click Insert, Sheet Metal, Unfold.
The Unfold PropertyManager appears.
2 Select the face shown as the Fixed face and the
bend shown as the Bends to unfold.
Face
Notice that you can only select bends when the
Bend
Bends to unfold box is active.
3 Click OK .
The selected bend only is unfolded.
Now that you made your cut, fold the bend back to its bent
state.
1 Click Fold on the Sheet Metal toolbar, or click
Insert, Sheet Metal, Fold.
The Fold PropertyManager appears.
2 Select the bottom face of the sheet metal part as the
Fixed face.
3 Click Collect All Bends to collect all the unfolded
bends.
The unfolded bend appears in the Bends to fold box.
4 Click OK .
The part returns to its fully bent state with the cut across
the bends.
19-6
Chapter 19 Sheet Metal Part
You can flatten all the bends of your sheet metal part at once.
1 Select the Flat-Pattern1 feature in the
FeatureManager design tree and click
Flattened on the Sheet Metal
toolbar.
The flattened sheet metal part appears
with all of the bend lines shown.
2 To fold the part back up, select the
Flat-Pattern1 feature again and click
Flattened again.
3 Save the part.
Now create a drawing of the cover. Start with a view of the folded model, and then add a
view of the unfolded model.
1 Open a new drawing from the Tutorial tab.
2 Click Named View , or click Insert, Drawing View, Named View.
The Named View PropertyManager appears.
The pointer indicates that you may select a model to display in the drawing.
3 Tile the windows so you can see the cover and the drawing.
4 Click anywhere in the Cover.sldprt graphics window.
5 Maximize the drawing window.
The Named View PropertyManager
appears. Note its similarity to the
Orientation dialog box.
6 Select *Isometric from the View
Orientation list to switch to an isometric
view.
The pointer indicates that you may
select a location in the drawing to place
the named view.
7 Click where you want to place the view
in the drawing.
Next, add the view of the unfolded model. A flat pattern view is automatically added when
you create a sheet metal part.
1 Click Named View again.
2 Select the isometric view as the model you want to use.
3 In the Named View PropertyManager, do the following:
a) Select Flat pattern from the View Orientation list.
b) Select the Custom Scale check box and set the scale to 1:3.
4 Click where you want to place the view
in the drawing.
5 Save the drawing as Cover.slddrw.
19-8
20
Mold Design
In this chapter, you create a design part, then you develop a mold from which the part can
be formed. This chapter discusses the following topics:
q Linking dimension values
q Creating an interim assembly from a design part and a mold base part
The first step is to create the part for which you want to make a mold. You create it as a
solid model, just as you do any other part.
1 Open a new part from the Tutorial tab and
open a sketch.
2 Sketch a horizontal centerline through the
origin.
3 Click Mirror or Tools, Sketch Tools,
Mirror.
4 Sketch a sloping line on one side of the
centerline as shown.
5 Click Mirror again to turn mirroring off.
6 Click Tangent Arc or Tools, Sketch
Entity, Tangent Arc.
7 Sketch and dimension the two arcs as
shown. To dimension the distance between
the arcs, select anywhere on the arcs.
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Chapter 20 Mold Design
Adding Bosses
1 Open a new sketch on the front face of the part, and click Normal To .
2 Sketch two circles approximately as shown.
3 Add a coradial relation to align the center
points of the large circle and the large arc,
making them the same size:
a) Click Add Relation or Tools,
Relations, Add.
b) Select the circle and the inside edge of the
larger arc (the drafted edge).
c) Select Coradial.
d) Click OK .
4 Add a coradial relation between the smaller
circle and arc.
Coradial relation
You can make the draft angles of the boss and the base equal by linking the dimension
values. Then, if you change the value of either draft angle, the other draft angle updates
accordingly.
1 In the FeatureManager design tree, right-click the
Annotations folder , and select Show Feature
Dimensions.
2 Right-click the dimension of the draft angle of the base
(10°), and select Link Values.
3 Type draft in the Name box, then click OK.
4 Right-click the dimension of the draft angle of the boss
(30°), and select Link Values.
5 Click the arrow beside the Name box, select draft from
the list, and click OK.
Each time you create a new Name variable, it is added
to this list.
6 Click Tools, Options. On the System Options tab,
click General.
7 Select the Show dimension names check box, then
click OK. Notice that the draft angles have the same
name.
8 Click Rebuild or Edit, Rebuild. The part rebuilds
with the boss extrusion at the same draft angle as the base.
9 Double-click the draft angle of either the base or boss, and change it to 5°.
10 Click Rebuild . The draft angle
changes on both the base and the boss.
11 To turn off the visibility of the
dimensions, right-click the Annotations
folder , and deselect Show Feature
Dimensions.
12 Save this part as Widget.sldprt.
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Chapter 20 Mold Design
5 Click OK .
6 Save the part.
The next step is to create the mold base part, a solid block large enough to accommodate
the design part (the part to be molded).
1 Open a new part from the Tutorial tab and open a sketch.
2 Sketch a rectangle starting at the origin and dimension it to 300mm x 200mm.
3 Click Extruded Boss/Base or Insert, Base, Extrude. Extrude the rectangle with
End Condition as Blind and Depth of 200mm.
4 Save the part as Box.sldprt.
This section describes how to create an interim assembly, bringing together the design part
and the mold base.
1 Open a new assembly from the Tutorial tab and click View, Origins to show the
origins.
2 Tile the windows. (Click Window, Tile Horizontally or Tile Vertically.)
There should be three windows open: Widget.sldprt, Box.sldprt, and Assem1. (Close
any other windows.)
3 In the Box.sldprt window, click on the part name Box in the FeatureManager design
tree, drag it into the Assem1 window, and drop it on the origin in the graphics area.
Watch for the pointer. The planes of the box are aligned to the planes of the
assembly, and the component is fixed in place.
4 Drag the widget from the graphics area of the
Widget.sldprt window, and drop it in the
assembly window beside the box in the graphics
area.
5 Maximize the assembly window, and change the
view orientation to Isometric .
6 In the FeatureManager design tree, click the
beside each component to expand the view of the
features.
Now you need to position the design part to center it within the mold base. You can place
the widget roughly where you want it by dragging. Position the part more precisely by
using distance mates between the planes of the components.
To see the widget inside the box, use Hidden In Gray or Wireframe display mode. Or, you
can make the box transparent to see the widget inside, even in Shaded mode.
1 Right-click the Box component in the FeatureManager design tree, and select
Component Properties. Click Color, then click Advanced.
2 In the Advanced Properties dialog box, drag the slider for Transparency to the right,
a little less than halfway. Click OK to close each of the dialog boxes.
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Chapter 20 Mold Design
In this section, you edit the mold base component Box in the context of the assembly. You
change the box from a solid block to a block with a cavity in the middle, shaped like the
design component Widget.
1 Click Hidden in Gray .
2 Click the Box component in the FeatureManager design tree or the graphics area, and
click Edit Part on the Assembly toolbar.
The Box component changes to pink in the graphics area and in the FeatureManager
design tree. The status bar in the lower-right corner displays “Editing Part.”
NOTE: It is important to be aware that you are editing the part, not the assembly,
because the changes you make are reflected in the original part document,
Box.sldprt.
3 Click Cavity on the Mold Tools toolbar, or click Insert, Features, Cavity.
The Cavity dialog box appears.
4 Select Widget in the FeatureManager design tree.
The name of the part appears in the Design component box.
5 Set Type to Component Centroids, Scaling factor in % to 2, and make sure the
Uniform check box is selected.
These settings control how the cavity is enlarged to compensate for material shrinkage.
6 Click OK to create a cavity in the shape of the Widget part.
7 Return to assembly editing mode by clicking Edit Part .
8 Save the assembly.
Examine the FeatureManager design tree. The (f)Box<1> -> External References
component contains a Cavity1 -> feature. The -> arrow
indicates an external reference. This occurs when you
reference one part (or feature) to create a feature in another
part. The new feature is dependent on the referenced feature
of the other part.
A cavity has an external reference to the design part on
which it is based. Therefore, if you modify Widget, the
Cavity1 feature of Box updates to reflect that change. Notice
the Update Cavity1 in Box feature at the bottom of the
design tree.
To list the external references, right-click the part or feature
with the arrow, and select List External Refs.
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Chapter 20 Mold Design
The last step is to cut the box in half to make the pieces of the mold. You derive the parts
of the mold from the edited Box component.
1 Select the Box component, either in the graphics area or the FeatureManager design
tree, and click File, Derive Component Part.
A part window appears for the derived part. A derived part always has another part as
its first feature. The first feature has an arrow -> after the name, because it has an
external reference to the part from which you derived it. You can list the external
references as described in the previous section.
2 Click Isometric , then click either Hidden in Gray or Wireframe to see the
cavity inside the box.
3 Select the narrow face of the box closest to you, Select this edge
and open a new sketch.
4 Select the edge of the cavity closest to the end of
the box.
This edge is on the plane where you want to
separate the mold.
8 Click OK .
9 Click Shaded , and rotate the part to see the cavity.
10 Save this half of the mold as Top_mold.sldprt.
11 To create the other half of the mold, return to the Mold
assembly window and repeat steps 1 through 7.
Reverse the direction of the cut by selecting the Flip side
to cut check box in the Cut-Extrude PropertyManager.
12 Save this half of the mold as Bottom_mold.sldprt.
20-10
21
3D Sketching
Using SolidWorks 2001Plus, you can create 3D sketches. You can use a 3D sketch as a
sweep path, as a guide curve for a loft or sweep, a centerline for a loft, or as one of the key
entities in a piping system. (For more information about the SolidWorks Piping add-in,
see Building Piping Systems on page 25-9.)
This chapter introduces you to 3D sketching and describes the following concepts:
q Sketching relative to coordinate systems
q Dimensioning in 3D space
3D Sketching
3D sketching consists of lines and arcs in series. You use Line for sketched lines, and
use Fillet to round the intersections of sketched lines. To create an arc, select the Fillet
tool and click two intersecting line segments, or click their common point.
You can use Centerline and Point for construction geometry.
q The coordinate system. By default, you sketch relative to the default coordinate
system in the model.
• To switch to one of the other two default planes, click the desired sketch tool, and
press the Tab key. The origin of the current sketch plane is displayed.
• To change the coordinate system for your 3D sketch, click the desired sketch tool,
hold down the Ctrl key, and click a plane, a planar face, or a user-defined coordinate
system.
• If you select a plane or a planar face, the 3D sketch planes rotate so that the XY
sketch plane is aligned with the selected item.
• If you select a coordinate system, the 3D sketch planes rotate so that the XY sketch
plane is parallel to the XY plane of the coordinate system.
q Space Handle. A graphical assistant helps you maintain orientation
while you sketch on several planes. This assistant is called a space
handle. The space handle appears when the first point of a line is defined
on a selected plane. Using the space handle, you can select the axis along
which you want to sketch.
q Dimensioning. You can sketch lines to the approximate length, and then
dimension them exactly.
• Create a length dimension by selecting two points, a line, or two parallel lines.
• Create an angular dimension by selecting either three points or two lines.
q Geometric Relations. You can add relations to points and lines in a 3D sketch. Also,
some relations are added automatically for 3D sketch lines.
• As you sketch a line, the line snaps to one of the major directions, X, Y, or Z, if
applicable, and is constrained as Horizontal, Vertical, or Along Z, respectively. The
relations are added with respect to the current coordinate system for the 3D sketch.
• You are not restricted to drawing lines along one of the three major directions. You
can sketch in the current sketch plane at an angle to one of the major directions, or
you can sketch out-of-plane if the endpoint of the line snaps to existing model
geometry.
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Chapter 21 3D Sketching
q Line snap. During the creation of a line, you can snap the line to geometry that already
exists in the part, such as model surfaces or vertices, and sketch points.
• Snap is not enabled if you are sketching in one of the major coordinate directions.
• If you are sketching on a plane, and the system infers a snap to a non-planar point, a
temporary 3D graphics box is displayed to indicate an off-planar snap.
q Virtual sharps. When you create an arc with the Fillet tool, the original common point
of the lines is displayed as a virtual sharp. To change the display of the virtual sharp,
click Tools, Options, Document Settings. Under Detailing, select Virtual Sharps.
Choose one of the styles that are depicted.
• You can add dimensions and relations to virtual sharps in a 3D sketch.
• If you delete an arc, the lines extend to meet at the virtual sharp.
• If you delete a line used to create a fillet, any arc it was joined with remains. The
virtual sharp becomes a sketch point.
The outer frame of a wire oven rack is built by sweeping a circle along a 3D sketch.
After you complete half of the rack, then Outer frame
you can take advantage of the part’s
symmetry and use the Mirror All function to
finish the model.
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Chapter 21 3D Sketching
To complete the base feature, one half of the outer frame, you sweep a 5mm diameter
circle along the 3D sketch path.
Make a linear pattern of extrusions that extend from one side of the frame to the other.
1 Open a 2D sketch on the Front plane and
sketch a circle on what appears to be the face of
the frame. (The Front plane is actually in the
center of the frame wire.)
2 Dimension the center of the circle 11mm from
the origin.
3 Dimension the diameter of the circle to 4mm.
21-6
22
Importing Files / Using FeatureWorks Software
This chapter guides you through the import of a gasket and a company logo, and
demonstrates the following:
q Importing an IGES file
You can import surfaces from IGES files and use them to create a base feature if the
surfaces form a closed volume.
1 Click File, Open.
The Open dialog box appears.
2 In the Files of type list, click IGES Files (*.igs, *.iges).
3 Click Options to set the import options.
4 Make sure Knitting and Try forming solid(s) are selected, then click OK.
When these two options are selected, the SolidWorks software attempts to knit the
surfaces from an imported file into a solid model.
5 Browse to the path \installation
directory\samples\tutorial, select gasket.igs, and
click Open.
Once the SolidWorks software finishes knitting the
surfaces into a base feature, the dialog box
disappears and the imported body appears in the
graphics area.
6 If a message appears asking if you want to proceed
with feature recognition, click No.
Notice the new feature, Imported1, in the
FeatureManager design tree. You cannot edit the
sketches, dimensions, or features of an imported
solid model.
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Chapter 22 Importing Files / Using FeatureWorks Software
1 If FeatureWorks does not appear on the SolidWorks main menu bar, click Tools,
Add-Ins, select FeatureWorks, and click OK.
2 Click FeatureWorks Options on the toolbar, or click FeatureWorks, Options.
Make sure the Overwrite existing part and the Basic features check boxes are
selected, then click OK.
Selecting the Basic features check box enables the FeatureWorks software to
recognize extrusions and revolves during Automatic Feature Recognition.
3 Click Recognize Features on the toolbar, or click FeatureWorks, Recognize
Features.
The FeatureWorks PropertyManager appears.
4 To recognize a single feature:
a) Under Recognition Mode, click Interactive.
b) Under Interactive Features, set Feature Type
to Cut Extrude.
c) Select the circular edge of the cut as shown.
Edge <1> appears in the Selected Entities box.
d) Click Recognize.
The selected edge is recognized as the sketch for a
Cut-Extrude feature. The recognized feature
disappears from the solid body. Any geometry not
Select this
yet recognized still appears in the graphics area. edge
5 Under Recognition Mode, click Automatic, then
click Recognize to perform Automatic Feature
Recognition.
FeatureWorks attempts to recognize as many features as possible from the remaining
geometry.
Now, you can change the size of one of the holes in the gasket.
1 Right-click Cut-Extrude1 in the
FeatureManager design tree and
select Edit Sketch.
2 Add a Concentric relation
between the sketched circle and
the circular edge as shown.
Sketched Circular
3 Add a 10mm dimension to the circle edge
sketched circle, then exit the
sketch.
The hole changes size.
4 Save the part as Gasket.sldprt.
You can import a DXF file to a drawing document. The DXF file that you import in this
exercise contains the company logo for a fictitious company, Rainbow Corporation.
1 Click File, Open.
The Open dialog box appears.
2 In the Files of type list, click Dxf Files (*.dxf).
3 Browse to the path \installation directory\samples\tutorial, select rainbow.dxf, and
click Open.
The DXF/DWG Import Wizard starts.
The DXF/DWG Import - Document Type dialog box appears.
4 Click Import to a new drawing, then click Next.
The DXF/DWG Import - Document Settings dialog box appears.
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Chapter 22 Importing Files / Using FeatureWorks Software
5 Do the following:
a) Select the Show preview check box.
b) Select A-Landscape as the Paper size.
c) Click Position, then set X and Y to 0 (zero).
d) Under Document template, browse to the path \installation
directory\lang\<your_language>\tutorial\, select draw.drwdot, and click Open.
6 Click Next.
The DXF/DWG Import - Drawing Layer Mapping dialog box appears.
7 Click Import all data to the sheet, then click Finish.
A new drawing document is created containing the
entities in the DXF file. The imported company logo
consists of lines, arcs, and dimensions.
Before you copy imported DXF entities from a drawing to a sketch in a part, you must
prepare the entities. The imported sketch entities are unconstrained; there are no relations
between the entities. Also, the dimensions in the imported DXF file are not attached to any
sketch entities.
1 Click Tools, Relations, Constrain All.
The SolidWorks software adds all the apparent relations and reports the number of
relations that are added.
2 Click OK in the message box.
3 Click Display/Delete Relations or Tools, Relations, Display/Delete.
The Sketch Relations PropertyManager appears.
4 Under Edit External References, scroll through the relations listed in the Relations
box.
Notice that the SolidWorks software added many Coincident, Collinear, and
Horizontal relations.
5 Click OK to close the Sketch Relations PropertyManager.
6 Click Tools, Dimensions, Attach Dimensions.
Each dimension in the imported DXF file is attached to the appropriate arc.
7 Click OK in the message box.
8 Click Rebuild on the Standard toolbar.
You can copy entities from a drawing to a sketch of a part. The software creates a new
sketch in the part once you paste the entities.
1 Drag-select the entities on the drawing, including the dimensions.
2 Click Copy or press Ctrl+C.
3 Click Window, gasket to switch to the part.
4 Select the front face of the gasket, then click
Paste or press Ctrl+V.
A new sketch is created in the part
containing the company logo.
5 Right-click Sketch3 and select Edit Sketch.
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Chapter 22 Importing Files / Using FeatureWorks Software
1 With the sketch still open from the previous section, click Extruded Cut or Insert,
Cut, Extrude.
The Cut-Extrude PropertyManager appears.
2 Under Direction 1, do the following:
• Set End Condition to Blind
• Set Depth to 1mm
3 Click OK .
Now, change the color of the new extrusion so it
appears more easily.
4 Select Cut-Extrude2 in the FeatureManager design
tree.
5 Click Edit Color on the Standard toolbar.
The Edit Color dialog box appears.
6 Click the desired color on the palette, then click OK.
You can save a SolidWorks part document as an STL file. STL format is intended for
transfer to rapid prototyping machines.
1 Click File, Save As.
The Save As dialog box appears.
2 In the Save as type list, click STL Files (*.stl), then click Options to set the export
options.
The STL Export Options dialog box appears.
3 Make sure the Quality is set to Fine and the Show STL info before file saving check
box is selected, then click OK.
TIP: You can experiment with the Quality settings to determine the best
settings for your own rapid prototyping machines.
4 Click Save to save the file with the default name, gasket.stl.
A message box appears displaying the number of Triangles, File Size, and File
Format.
5 Click Yes to complete the save operation.
22-8
23
Learning to use PhotoWorks
This chapter teaches you how to use the PhotoWorks software to create photo-realistic
images of SolidWorks models. This chapter covers the following topics:
q PhotoWorks fundamentals
q Rendering a sub-image
Before you begin, there are a few things you need to know about the PhotoWorks
software.
q PhotoWorks software creates realistic images directly from SolidWorks models.
The PhotoWorks software interacts with the 3D geometry that you create with
SolidWorks software. All changes to SolidWorks models are accurately represented in
PhotoWorks images.
q PhotoWorks software is for use with 3D SolidWorks parts and assemblies. It
cannot be used with SolidWorks drawings.
q PhotoWorks software is fully integrated with SolidWorks. The PhotoWorks
software is supplied as a SolidWorks dynamic link library (.dll) add-in. You access all
the controls for the PhotoWorks rendering interface from the PhotoWorks item on the
main SolidWorks menu bar, or from the PhotoWorks toolbar. This menu bar is
displayed whenever a SolidWorks part or assembly document is open.
q PhotoWorks materials give you control over the appearance of SolidWorks
models. Materials are used in the PhotoWorks software to specify model surface
properties such as color, texture, reflectance, and transparency. Material selection and
composition are performed using the PhotoWorks material editor. The PhotoWorks
software is supplied with a number of archives of pre-defined materials, (metals,
plastics, woods, stones, and so on), which can be attached to, and stored with,
individual SolidWorks parts and faces. Texture mapping is also supported, enabling
you to attach 2D textures such as scanned images and logos, to the surfaces of your
models. You can also create your own material archives in which to organize your own
collections of materials.
q PhotoWorks scenes add photo-realism to your designs. Each SolidWorks model is
associated with a PhotoWorks scene, for which you can specify properties such as
lighting, shadows, and backgrounds. Scene selection and composition are performed
using the PhotoWorks scene editor. The PhotoWorks software is supplied with a
number of archives of pre-defined scenes. You can also create your own scene
archives. Once you are happy with the look of your scene, you can save it to an image
file. You can then incorporate the image in design proposals, technical documentation,
product presentations, and so on.
23-2
Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
This section guides you through your first rendering session with the PhotoWorks
software.
1 Click Open on the Standard toolbar, and open the SolidWorks file:
\installation directory\samples\tutorial\photoworks\candlestick\cstick.sldprt
Notice that there is a PhotoWorks Help Topics option available on the main Help
menu, and that a PhotoWorks toolbar has been added to the SolidWorks window,
beneath the Standard toolbar. Context-sensitive, online help is also available for most
PhotoWorks features by clicking the Help button in the dialog box or by pressing the
F1 key.
2 Set the view orientation to *Trimetric, then click the Shaded view mode icon from
the View toolbar. Your screen should look like this:
Before you begin, make sure that your SolidWorks settings match the ones used in this
example so that your results will be the same.
1 Click Tools, Options, and select the Document Properties tab.
2 Under Units, in the Linear units section, make sure that Millimeters is selected and
that Decimal places is set to 2.
3 Under Image Quality, make sure that High Quality is selected in the Shaded section.
4 Click OK.
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Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
q Select and edit materials and decals associated with the model.
Rendering an Image
23-6
Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
The PhotoWorks Render Wizard guides you through the basic steps involved in creating a
photo-realistic image. Key steps include the selection of PhotoWorks material and scene
properties.
A material defines how the surface of a part reacts to light. Each material consists of
properties that determine various aspects of its appearance, such as surface color and
texture, reflectance, and transparency.
A scene consists of properties additional to those directly associated with the SolidWorks
model. These include lighting, shadows, foreground and background effects, and scenery.
1 Click Render Wizard on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Render
Wizard.
2 After reading the Welcome note, click Next to learn about the PhotoWorks material
editor.
The Manager tab on the PhotoWorks - Material Editor dialog box has two display
panels:
• A Material Archive tree, which lists all the material archives currently available
• A material selection area, in which to view and select materials
3 Click the Show me buttons for an animated demonstration of how to select a material.
4 In the Stock Procedural material archive, click the Metals class to display the
materials it contains.
5 Click the Antique Brass material to select it, then click Apply.
NOTE: You can also select and apply a material in one operation by
double-clicking the image in the material selection area.
6 On the Wizard dialog, click Next to learn about the PhotoWorks scene editor.
The Manager tab on the PhotoWorks - Scene Editor dialog box has two display
panels:
• A Scene Archive tree, which lists all the scene archives currently available
• A scene selection area, in which to view and select scene templates
7 Click the Show me buttons for an animated demonstration of how to select a scene.
8 Click Next to proceed to the final dialog box of the Render Wizard, then click Finish.
The PhotoWorks software renders the candlestick with an antique brass finish.
Selecting a Material
Now add more realism to the candlestick by selecting a different material for it.
Notice that the PhotoWorksManager has been updated by the addition of an Antique
Brass material icon to indicate the material currently associated with the candlestick.
The candlestick is rendered with a polished brass appearance. Notice how the base of
the candlestick reflects its stem and the surrounding background.
5 Change the view orientation, then render again.
Notice how the reflections change on the curved surfaces of the candlestick.
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Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
Previewing a Material
You can use the Preview window on the PhotoWorks - Material Editor dialog box to
preview materials and material edits rapidly, before committing to a full-size render.
Various controls are provided to manipulate the behavior of the Preview window.
1 Double-click Polished Brass in the PhotoWorksManager (or right-click and
select Edit).
Now take a look at the Preview window.
In the Rendering area just below the preview image, you have the following options
for rendering the preview:
• In Automatic mode , each time you change a material property, the preview
is rendered again.
• In Manual mode , you can change as many properties as you want, then
render the preview once to incorporate all the changes. To render the preview in
Manual mode, click Automatic mode . Click again to return to Manual mode.
• In Full mode , the PhotoWorks software uses photo-realistic rendering for the
preview.
• In Interactive mode , the PhotoWorks software uses OpenGL rendering for
the preview.
NOTE: You can also use PhotoWorks OpenGL rendering in the active
SolidWorks document window. Click Interactive Rendering on
the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Interactive
Rendering.
• In the Display components area, you can choose to display the Model, or you can
choose a simpler geometric shape. Preview rendering is faster with a simpler shape
that approximates that of the model, such as a Cylinder. For certain types of change,
you may need to see the details on the model.
• Click Zoom to Fit to display the part full size in
the Preview window.
• Click Zoom to Area to zoom in on a particular
area of the Preview window by positioning the pointer
over it, then clicking and dragging a bounding box to
enclose the selected area.
• Click Rotate View to rotate the part by clicking
and dragging in the Preview window.
• You can also choose to disable various material properties temporarily, such as
reflectance and transparency, to further accelerate preview rendering.
Editing a Material
Now try editing the reflectance properties of the polished brass material that you applied
previously to the candlestick.
1 Click the Reflectance tab on the PhotoWorks - Material Editor dialog box.
The reflectance of a material defines its ‘finish’, and determines how it behaves in the
presence of light. Notice that the Style is set to Conductor. The PhotoWorks software
supports several reflectance styles.
2 Change the Style to Metal.
Notice that the preview retains the brass color but is now rendered with a specular
metallic appearance.
3 Change the Style to Glass.
4 Click Apply, then click Close.
5 Click Render or PhotoWorks, Render.
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Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
Rendering a Sub-image
You can use sub-image rendering to constrain the PhotoWorks software to render a
selected area or selected geometry within the active SolidWorks document window.
1 Change the view orientation.
2 Click Render Area on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Render
Area.
3 Drag a window over the area to render.
The PhotoWorks software renders only the area you selected.
4 Now edit the material again:
a) Double-click Polished Brass in the PhotoWorksManager (or right-click and
select Edit).
b) On the Reflectance tab, set Mirror to 0.5, to make the surface of the material
appear more reflective.
c) Click Apply, then click Close.
5 Click Render Last on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Render
Last.
The PhotoWorks software re-renders the sub-image that you selected previously. This
is a useful facility for when you want to edit the properties of a single material but do
not want to render the whole model. The last sub-image remains valid until you select
a new sub-image.
6 Click Boss-Sweep1 in the FeatureManager design tree.
7 Click Render Selection on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks,
Render Selection.
The PhotoWorks software renders a sub-image of the selected geometry.
8 Change the view orientation again, then click Render Last or PhotoWorks,
Render Last.
The PhotoWorks software re-renders the Boss-Sweep1 feature. Again, this is a useful
facility for when you want to ‘fine-tune’ the appearance of a particular feature, without
having to render the whole model.
You can save a PhotoWorks image to a file for use in design proposals, technical
documentation, product presentations, and so on. The PhotoWorks software supports
Bitmap (.bmp), TIFF (.tif), Targa (.tga), and JPEG (.jpg) formats, as well as PostScript
(.ps) and the PhotoWorks image format (.lwi).
1 First, change the candlestick material once again:
a) Double-click Polished Brass in the PhotoWorksManager (or right-click and
select Edit).
b) Use the scroll bar in the material selection area to locate Silver Plate, then double-
click it to select and apply the material.
2 Set view orientation to *Trimetric.
3 Click Render Image to File on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks,
Render Image to File, to display a Save As dialog box.
The PhotoWorks software suggests an image file name based on the name of the part,
along with the extension appropriate to the selected image format. By default, the
image will be stored in the same directory as the part.
4 (Optional.) Select a different file name, file type, or storage location for the image.
5 (Optional.) Set the Image Size, by specifying the Width and Height.
By default, the PhotoWorks software sets the resolution of the image in Pixels,
according to the width and height of the active SolidWorks document window. You
can specify the Width and Height of the image in Centimeters or Inches if you find
these units more convenient. If you want the image to retain its original proportions
when you alter the Width or Height, select the Fixed aspect ratio check box.
6 (Optional.) Click Options to set options appropriate to the selected image format.
7 (Optional.) Select the Prompt when render complete check box if you want the
PhotoWorks software to notify you when the image has been rendered to file.
8 Click Save.
The PhotoWorks software renders the image to file.
23-12
Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
You can view previously saved images using the PhotoWorks image viewer. All the image
formats available in the PhotoWorks software (except PostScript) are supported by this
utility.
1 Click View Image File on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, View
Image File.
2 Locate the image file that you saved from Saving an Image to File on page 23-12.
NOTE: Select the Preview check box on the file browser if you want to
preview the image file before opening. This is useful if you have
several image files.
3 Click Open.
The PhotoWorks software loads the image file and displays it in a separate window.
SolidWorks is disabled temporarily while viewing an image file
4 Close the PhotoWorks - Image Viewer window.
5 Save and close the part.
The PhotoWorks software provides an intuitive and flexible interface to material selection
and editing, enabling you quickly and easily to specify surface properties such as color,
texture, reflectance, and transparency for your SolidWorks models. This section teaches
you more about applying PhotoWorks materials to SolidWorks parts, features, and faces.
The PhotoWorks software is supplied with a number of archives of pre-defined materials.
This section also demonstrates how to create and manage your own material archives and
how to organize your own collections of materials.
Finally, this section shows how to link materials to an archive via instancing. This facility
enables you to edit material properties across multiple items of geometry simultaneously.
1 Click Open and open the file:
\installation directory\samples\tutorial\universal_joint\ujoint.sldasm
2 Split the FeatureManager design tree.
3 Select the PhotoWorksManager tab.
4 Set view orientation to *Isometric, and set view mode to Shaded. Your screen should
look like this:
23-14
Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
Start by creating a knurled plastic finish for the knob on the crank handle.
1 Click crank-knob in the FeatureManager design tree.
2 Click Edit Part on the Assembly toolbar.
NOTE: If you get a write permissions error at this point copy the tutorial files
to a temporary dir and edit them in there.
You can use PhotoWorks interactive rendering to preview the effects of editing a
material.
In this mode, the PhotoWorks software uses OpenGL rendering in the active SolidWorks
document window. Although interactive rendering does not support all the advanced
effects available within the PhotoWorks software, it does provide for rapid previewing of
material edits.
1 Click Interactive Rendering on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks,
Interactive Rendering.
2 Click bracket in the FeatureManager design tree.
3 Click Edit Part .
4 Click Materials on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Materials.
5 Move the PhotoWorks - Material Editor dialog box so that it does not obscure the
SolidWorks window.
6 Expand the Stock Procedural material archive, click the Metals class, then click the
Steel material to select it.
The Preview window is updated to show how the part will appear when it is rendered.
7 Click Apply.
The PhotoWorks software updates the main window to show the application of the
material.
8 In the material selection area, click Stainless Steel, then click Apply.
The PhotoWorks software updates the main window to show the change of material.
9 Expand the Metal Textures
archive, click Brushed, then
double-click Galvanized to
select and apply it.
Notice that the bracket
feature in the
PhotoWorksManager has
been updated by the addition
of a (p) Galvanized
material icon.
10 Click Render or
PhotoWorks, Render.
23-16
Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
You can use the PhotoWorks material editor to apply different materials to individual
features and faces. You can also use the PhotoWorksManager to cut, copy, and paste
materials between selected features and faces.
1 Hold down Ctrl and select Boss-Extrude1 and Fillet1 of the bracket in the
FeatureManager design tree.
2 Click Materials on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Materials.
NOTE: When you edit the material on selected features or faces, the Preview
window displays the selected geometry only, rather than the whole
part or assembly.
3 Expand the Stock Procedural archive, click Metals, then locate and double-click
Machined Aluminum to select and apply it.
Notice that the Boss-Extrude1 and Fillet1 features in the PhotoWorksManager have
been updated by the addition of Machined Aluminum material icons.
4 Now edit the material associated with Boss-Extrude1, then copy and paste the change
to Fillet1, via the PhotoWorksManager:
a) Double-click the Machined Aluminum icon beneath Boss-Extrude1 in the
PhotoWorksManager.
b) Locate and double-click Chrome Plate to select and apply it. Close the materials
editor.
c) Right-click Chrome Plate in the PhotoWorksManager and select Copy.
d) Right-click the Machined Aluminum icon beneath Fillet1 in the
PhotoWorksManager and select Paste.
5 Now edit the material on a single face:
a) Select the flat face on the top of the bracket.
b) Click Materials on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Materials.
c) Expand the Metal Textures archive, click Brushed, then double-click Brushed 1
to select and apply it.
Notice that the Shell1 feature in the PhotoWorksManager has been updated by the
addition of a <Face> icon, with an associated Brushed 1 material icon.
6 Now copy the Brushed 1 material and paste it onto another face:
a) Right-click the Brushed 1 icon and select Copy.
b) Select another face of the bracket.
c) Click Paste Material on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks,
Paste Material.
7 Click Edit Part again.
8 Click Render or PhotoWorks, Render.
9 Save the assembly.
With the PhotoWorks Material Manager you can create your own material archives.
You can archive both procedurally defined (solid) and texture-mapped (wrapped)
materials, and you are free to organize the contents of each archive to suit your needs. For
example, you may want to create material classes that classify materials according to their
inherent properties (metal, plastic, stone, fabric, and so on). Alternatively, you may want
to store all the materials that relate to a particular project or model in a class of their own.
1 Click Materials on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Materials.
2 Click Create Archive to display the Create Archive dialog box.
3 Type My Materials in the File name box, choose the location of the .pma file in which
to store the archive, then click Save.
NOTE: By default, the PhotoWorks software uses the root directory on your
drive to store your material archives. You may want to create a new
directory in which to store material archives.
23-18
Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
Although it is not possible to edit the pre-defined material archives supplied with the
PhotoWorks software, it is possible to add a copy of any pre-defined material to a material
archive of your own. You can then edit the properties of your copy of the material to suit
the needs of a particular project or model.
1 Click Materials on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Materials.
2 Expand the My Materials archive.
3 Now expand the Stock Procedural archive, then click Metals.
4 Drag the Polished Brass material and drop it on the Universal Joint class when the
class is highlighted.
The PhotoWorks software appends a copy of the Polished Brass material to the
Universal Joint class.
5 Click-pause-click Polished Brass, and rename it to Yoke.
6 Click the My Materials archive to select it, then click Save Archive .
7 Click Close.
The PhotoWorks software notifies you that the current material selection has changed,
and asks whether you want to apply this material.
8 Click No. (You will apply this material, and edit its definition, later in this tutorial.)
You can archive your own texture-mapped materials. For example, these may include
scanned bitmaps of paint swatches, metal finishes, decals, labels, and company logos.
1 Click Materials on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Materials.
2 Expand the My Materials archive, and click the Universal Joint class.
3 Click Create Material (from Image File) in Archive to display the PhotoWorks –
Add Texture Materials dialog box.
4 Locate the file:
\installation directory\samples\tutorial\photoworks\textures\tex_tile.bmp
5 Click Add, then click Close.
The PhotoWorks software appends a new texture-mapped material to the class, based
on the image file. The material is given the image filename, minus the three-letter
filename extension.
6 Click the My Materials archive to select it, then click Save Archive .
7 Click Close.
The PhotoWorks software notifies you that the current material selection has changed,
and asks whether you want to apply this material.
8 Click No.
9 Close the assembly.
23-20
Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
You can use instancing to apply identical copies of any PhotoWorks material to multiple
items of SolidWorks geometry. All instances of a given material share the same material
definition, which is recorded in the material archive to which they are linked.
In this exercise, you apply the Yoke material that you created previously to two separate
parts within the Universal Joint assembly.
1 Open the file:
\installation directory\samples\tutorial\universal_joint\yoke_male.sldprt
2 Click Materials on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Materials.
3 Expand the My Materials material archive, click the Universal Joint class, then click
the Yoke material to select it.
4 (Optional.) Press F3.
The PhotoWorks software re-renders the thumbnail image in the archive to match the
image displayed in the Preview window.
5 Select the Link to Archive check box.
The PhotoWorks software notifies you that instancing the material will apply the
properties from the shared material definition in the linked material archive.
6 Click Yes to proceed with the instanced material.
7 Click Apply, then click Close.
8 Save the part, then close it.
9 Open the file:
\installation directory\samples\tutorial\universal_joint\yoke_female.sldprt
10 Repeat steps 2 through 8, above.
Both the yoke_male and yoke_female parts now share identical instances of the Yoke
material.
Any edits that you make to a shared material instance definition are applied automatically
to all instances of the material. This feature enables you to alter material properties across
multiple items of geometry simultaneously.
Try editing the definition of the Yoke material that you applied in the previous exercise.
1 Open the file:
\installation directory\samples\tutorial\universal _joint\ujoint.sldasm
2 Click Render or PhotoWorks, Render.
Notice that the yoke_male and yoke_female parts are rendered with the polished brass
Yoke material that you created previously.
3 Click yoke_male in the FeatureManager design tree.
4 Click Edit Part on the Assembly toolbar.
5 Click Materials on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Materials.
6 In the Apply to list, select Archive.
7 Click the Color tab.
8 Under Colors, click Edit, select a color from the palette, then click OK.
9 Click Apply.
10 Click Yes to update the existing shared material definition.
11 Click Close.
12 Click Edit Part again.
13 Click Render or
PhotoWorks, Render.
Notice that the appearance of
the Yoke material has
changed on both the
yoke_male and yoke_female
parts.
14 Save and close the assembly.
23-22
Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
This section shows you how to use the PhotoWorks software to attach custom labels or
artwork (such as company logos or part numbers) to SolidWorks models.
The PhotoWorks Decal Wizard guides you through the steps involved in creating and
adding a decal to a SolidWorks model.
Once you have added a decal, you can control its size and position, and overlay multiple
decals, in any order, over any material type, including texture-mapped materials, using the
PhotoWorks decal editor.
1 Open the file:
\installation directory\samples\tutorial\photoworks\housing\housing.sldprt
2 Split the FeatureManager design tree.
3 Select the PhotoWorksManager tab. Your screen should look like this:
23-24
Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
Now use the PhotoWorks decal editor to fine-tune the scale and orientation of the decal on
the face.
1 With Decal1 still selected in the Decal Manager tree, click the Mapping tab.
Notice that the PhotoWorks software has created a Cylindrical mapping for the decal,
with reference to the Selected face. However, the scale and orientation of the decal
require some adjustment to position it correctly.
2 Under Scaling, drag the Around axis slider to a position halfway between Small and
Large.
3 Set Along axis to 14.00mm.
4 Under Orientation, set Rotation about axis to 85°.
The Preview window shows the decal correctly sized and centered on the face.
5 Click Close.
The PhotoWorks software notifies you that the decal has changed, and asks whether
you want to apply the change.
6 Click Yes.
Notice that the PhotoWorksManager has been updated by the addition of a Decal1
decal icon, associated with the selected face.
7 Click Render on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Render.
The PhotoWorks software scales the decal and offsets it to the specified position on the
face.
Composing a scene can improve visual realism by giving your model a more solid, 3D
appearance. Rather than leaving the model floating in space, you can use shadows to
anchor it against a simple geometric backdrop. You can apply PhotoWorks materials to
the backdrop for added realism.
1 Set view orientation to *Top, and rotate the part
to approximately the orientation shown.
2 Click Scene on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or
click PhotoWorks, Scene.
The PhotoWorks - Scene Editor dialog box is
displayed. It includes a scene Manager tab,
from which to access scene archives, plus
separate tabs for specific scene properties, and a
Preview window with which to preview edits to
these properties before rendering.
The scene Manager tab has two display panels:
• A Scene Archive tree, which lists all the scene archives currently available
• A scene selection area, in which to view and select scene templates
Notice that the icon representing the scene currently associated with the part – in this
example, the Default scene in the Basic class of the Stock Combinations archive – is
highlighted in the scene selection area on the Manager tab whenever you open the
scene editor.
3 Click the Lighting tab.
4 Select the Display shadows check box.
The PhotoWorks software generates shadows for all SolidWorks directional lights,
point lights, and spotlights in the scene.
NOTE: You can also specify shadow properties for individual SolidWorks
lights, using the PhotoWorks properties on the appropriate
SolidWorks Light properties dialog boxes.
23-26
Chapter 23 Learning to use PhotoWorks
Areas of the image not covered by parts of the SolidWorks model are known as image
background. You can fill these areas with various patterns or images, thereby adding
further visual interest and appeal to your PhotoWorks images.
1 Click the Background tab on the PhotoWorks - Scene Editor dialog box.
Notice that the Style is set to Graduated. The PhotoWorks software supports several
background styles.
2 Under Parameters, make sure that Top Color is selected, then click Edit.
3 Select a color from the palette, then click OK.
The Preview window is updated to show the change.
4 Modify the Bottom Color, if desired, observing the effect in the Preview window.
5 Now change the Style to Clouds.
6 Under Parameters, make sure that Scale is selected, then set Number to 2.
7 Modify the Sky Color, Cloud Color, and Detail parameters, if desired, observing the
effect in the Preview window.
Other background options include scaled or tiled images, or plain colors.
The PhotoWorks - Scene Editor dialog box also includes a Foreground tab, from
which you can select various styles of attenuation, to simulate atmospheric
phenomena, such as fog and depth-cueing.
8 Click OK.
9 Click Render on the PhotoWorks toolbar, or click PhotoWorks, Render.
The visual effectiveness of your presentation can be improved still further by setting the
part against a geometric backdrop, rather than simply leaving it suspended in space.
With the PhotoWorks software, you can create simple background scenery consisting of a
horizontal base plane and vertical sides surrounding the part. You can control the size and
position of the scenery relative to the part, and select materials for the base and sides.
The scenery dimensions are calculated from the bounding box of the SolidWorks model.
The scenery will never obscure the part. Only those planes visible behind the part will be
displayed. Any reflective materials attached to the part will pick up and reflect color and
texture from the background scenery.
1 Click Scene or PhotoWorks, Scene, then click the Scenery tab.
2 Under Base, do the following:
a) Select the Display check box.
Notice that the default material, Polished Plastic, has been selected for the base.
b) Click Edit.
The PhotoWorks - Material Editor dialog box appears.
c) Expand the Stone Textures material archive, click the Stone class, then click the
Pink Marble material to select it.
d) Click the Mapping tab.
e) Under Scaling, set both Width and Height to 65.00mm.
f) Click OK.
3 Under Sides, do the following:
a) Select the Display check box.
Notice that the default material, Polished Plastic, has been selected for the sides.
b) Click Edit.
The PhotoWorks - Material Editor dialog box appears.
c) Expand the Wood Textures material archive, click the Wood class, then click the
Mahogany material to select it.
d) Click the Mapping tab.
e) Under Scaling, set both Width and Height to 50.00mm.
f) Click OK.
4 Under Base size, set both Base width and Base height to 125.00mm, to reduce the
size of the base relative to the model.
5 Set Base offset to -25.00mm, to move the base closer to the model.
6 Set Sides height to 75.00mm.
7 Click OK.
8 Click Render or PhotoWorks, Render.
23-28
24
SolidWorks Animator
In this chapter, you create animations and animation files of the claw model using
SolidWorks Animator tools. This chapter discusses the following topics:
q Viewing the SolidWorks AnimationManager tab
q Scheduling motion
q Recording an animation
SolidWorks Animator is an add-in product, and it has its own AnimationManager tab.
1 Click Open and open Claw-Mechanism.sldasm, found in the directory
\installation directory\samples\tutorial\animator.
2 If Animator does not appear on the SolidWorks main menu bar, click Tools, Add-Ins.
The Add-ins dialog box appears.
3 Select SolidWorks Animator and click OK.
The following Animator tools are now available:
• The Animator menu appears in the menu bar.
• A SolidWorks Animator Help Topics item appears in the Help menu.
• The Animator Controller toolbar appears above the graphics area.
Animation Wizard
Create Path
Traverse Path
Edit Path
First
Previous Frame
Stop
Play
Next Frame
Last
Loop
Record Animation
24-2
Chapter 24 SolidWorks Animator
The Animation Wizard helps you animate a rotation of the model through 360 degrees.
4 Click Next.
5 On the Animation Control Options screen, select the following.
• Duration (seconds) - 10
• Start Time (seconds) - 0
• At the close of the AnimationWizard - Play animation
NOTE: The setting for Duration is the time of replay from an .avi file, which
may vary from the play time in SolidWorks.
6 Click Finish.
The model rotates 360 degrees.
The assembly already contains an exploded configuration. You can animate this exploded
view using the Animation Wizard. You add the Explode animation at the end of the
Rotate animation.
NOTE: Since the Rotate path begins at 0 and ends at 10 seconds, you set the
Explode animation to begin (Start Time) at 10 seconds, after the
rotation is completed.
In the AnimationManager Schedule section, note that only one
motion path is created for Rotate. For Explode, each component has
a separate path, and each path has the same start time, as set in Start
Time.
4 Click Finish.
The model rotates 360 degrees, then explodes the view.
24-4
Chapter 24 SolidWorks Animator
Scheduling Motion
You can edit the Schedule motion paths manually and set the scheduled times so that the
components explode one at a time.
You can move through the animation using the Animator tools as follows:
Action Result
24-6
Chapter 24 SolidWorks Animator
You use the Move Component tool on the Assembly toolbar to specify a motion path for
animation.
Recording an Animation
You can record an existing animation to a file of type .avi that you can play later.
Use the part file Claw.sldprt to create an animation (.avi) file from screen captures.
24-8
25
n Collaboration
n eDrawings
n FeatureWorks
n PhotoWorks
n Sheet Metal
n SolidWorks Animator
n SolidWorks Explorer
n SolidWorks MoldBase
n SolidWorks Piping
n SolidWorks Toolbox
n SolidWorks Utilities
If you are familiar with 2D drafting with AutoCAD® using a command line interface, you
can continue sketching in the same way by using the SolidWorks 2D Command Emulator.
This is available as a standard add-in. To activate the 2D Command Emulator, click Tools,
Add-Ins and select SolidWorks 2D Emulator.
By default the command insertion window is docked at the bottom of the screen, but you
can move it to another position. To turn the visibility of the command line window on or
off, click 2D Command Emulator on the View menu. For more information about using
the 2D Command Emulator, refer to the 2D Command Emulator online help.
SolidWorks offers many tools that allow you to work in a multi-user environment or to
share your design with others. These tools include:
q SolidWorks 3D Meeting. SolidWorks 3D Meeting is a SolidWorks application that
interfaces with Microsoft Windows NetMeeting®. NetMeeting enables you to share
SolidWorks (or other applications on your system) with other users over the Internet.
q SolidWorks 3D Instant Website. SolidWorks 3D Instant Website allows you to create
a web page from your SolidWorks application. The web page can include an embedded
viewer and a comment section where multiple reviewers can offer opinions.
Additionally, you can create your web page on a password-protected secure site hosted
by SolidWorks. See Creating Web Sites on page 25-7 for more information.
25-2
More about SolidWorks Functionality
Examining eDrawings
eDrawings eliminates the communication barriers that designers and engineers deal with
daily. You can create eDrawing files from part, assembly, or drawing documents, then
email these eDrawing files to others for instant viewing.
eDrawing files are compact and self-viewing. They have the following features:
q Ultra Compact Files - Send eDrawings using email. Substantially smaller in size than
the original files, eDrawings make it practical to send files via email, even over slow
connections.
q Built-in Viewer - View eDrawings immediately. Anyone with a Windows-based
computer can view eDrawings. No additional CAD software or special viewers
required. The eDrawing Viewer comes bundled with the eDrawing as a single email
attachment.
eDrawings files are also significantly easier to understand than standard 2D drawings.
The following innovative features give you the capabilities that you need to overcome
common barriers to effective 2D drawing communication:
q Virtual Folding - Open individual views in a drawing and arrange them in any way
you desire, regardless of how the views were arranged in the original drawing. Virtual
Folding enables the eDrawings recipient to print and export any subset of a drawing.
q Hyperlinking - Navigate through views automatically, ending searches for views or
details. Simply click on the view annotation. That section view or detail is immediately
added to your layout.
q 3D Pointer - Identify and match geometry in multiple views. It is much easier to
interpret what you are looking at when comparing that same location in all other views.
q Animation - Demonstrate automatically how drawing views relate to each other.
25-4
More about SolidWorks Functionality
With the optional eDrawings Professional version, you have the following additional
capabilities:
q Cross Sections - Create cross section views using a variety of planes to fully examine
a model.
q Hide/Show - Hide or show assembly components.
q Markup - Markup files using clouds, text, or geometric elements. The markup
elements are inserted in comments that are contained in reviews.
q Measure - Measure the distance between two entities.
q Move Components - Move components in an assembly or drawing file.
You can import and export files using tools other than IGES, DXF, and STL shown in
Chapter 22, “Importing Files / Using FeatureWorks Software.” Also included with the
SolidWorks software are the following translation tools:
q Solid, Surface, or Wireframe Standards. ACIS®, DWG, STEP, and VDAFS
q Graphics Standards. CATIA® Graphics, Highly Compressed Graphics, HOOPS,
JPEG, TIFF, Viewpoint®, Virtue, VRML and ZGL
q Direct Translators. Autodesk Inventor™, DXF 3D, Mechanical Desktop®,
Parasolid™, Pro/ENGINEER®, Solid Edge™, and Unigraphics®
25-6
More about SolidWorks Functionality
There are several additional tools available to reduce the design time when creating
SolidWorks sheet metal documents. These tools include:
q Edge Flange - adds a flange to your sheet metal part at an edge that you select.
q Closed Corner - extends one face of a rip so it overlaps the other face of a rip.
This is used with the Miter Flange feature.
q Bend Tables - allows you to specify the bend allowance or bend deduction values for a
sheet metal part in a bend table. The bend table also contains values for bend radius,
bend angle, and part thickness. Bend tables can be in a text file or Excel spreadsheet
format.
For more information, see Chapter 19, “Sheet Metal Part.”
SolidWorks 3D Instant Website allows you to create a web page from your SolidWorks
application. The web page is based on a template and style that you can customize. The
default templates that come with SolidWorks 3D Instant Website include:
q Embedded viewers for parts, assemblies, and drawings
With the SolidWorks Animator add-in, you can animate and capture motion of
SolidWorks assemblies. The SolidWorks Animator application can generate Windows-
based animations (.avi files) that you can play on any Windows-based computer. In
conjunction with the PhotoWorks software, the SolidWorks Animator application can
output photo-realistic animations.
The SolidWorks Animator application allows you to create a fly-around animation, an
exploded view animation, or a collapsed view animation. Additionally, you can explicitly
create motion paths for various components in your SolidWorks assembly.
SolidWorks Explorer is a file management tool designed to help you easily perform such
tasks as renaming, replacing, and copying SolidWorks documents.
SolidWorks Explorer is accessible from within the SolidWorks 2001Plus application. You
can also open SolidWorks Explorer independently (by creating a shortcut on your
desktop), and then open any SolidWorks documents from within SolidWorks Explorer.
To open SolidWorks Explorer from within the SolidWorks 2001Plus application, click
Tools, SolidWorks Explorer. SolidWorks Explorer allows you to:
q View document dependencies for drawings, parts, and assemblies, using a tree
structure.
q Copy, rename, or replace referenced documents. You have the option to find and
update references to documents.
q View data and previews, or input data, according to the function you have active.
Use the following tools in SolidWorks Explorer to perform these tasks:
View any SolidWorks document on your system using the Preview tool. It is
similar to using the shortcut menu in Windows Explorer for a Quick View.
View and edit specific, custom, or configuration-specific properties using the
Properties tool. It also displays system data such as when the document was
created and when it was last saved.
List all external references for SolidWorks documents using the Edit References
tool.
Locate assemblies, drawings, or parts that reference a designated SolidWorks
document using the Where Used tool.
Search for SolidWorks documents that meet a specified criterion, such as a custom
property value, using the Properties Search tool.
List, rename, or delete configurations in an assembly or a part document using the
Edit Configurations tool.
List, edit, and open any existing hyperlinks in a SolidWorks document using the
Edit Hyperlinks tool.
25-8
More about SolidWorks Functionality
SolidWorks MoldBase helps create industry standard mold bases within SolidWorks. You
select the vendor, style, size, and plate thickness, and SolidWorks MoldBase creates the
mold base. Some of the features include:
q Components such as core pins, ejector pins, A and B plates, dowel pins, locating rings,
bushings, and so on, are created automatically.
q Supported vendors include DME, PCS, Progressive, Superior, and HASCO®.
q The mold bases are fully defined assemblies that contain standard SolidWorks
components with multiple configurations. You can edit the components like any other
SolidWorks part or assembly document.
SolidWorks Toolbox is a library of standard parts that is fully integrated with SolidWorks.
You can add industry standard bolts, screws, nuts, pins, washers, structural shapes,
bearings, PEM® inserts, and retaining rings to an assembly. Additionally, there are tools
such as a beam calculator and bearing life calculator to help you determine the correct part
size to insert into the assembly. SolidWorks Toolbox supports several industry standards
including ANSI, BSI, DIN, ISO, and JIS.
SolidWorks Utilities is a set of applications that allows you to examine and edit individual
parts, and compare the features and solid geometry of pairs of parts. The utilities include
the following tools:
q Geometry Analysis finds small faces, short edges, sliver faces, and so on.
q Compare Features compares the features of two similar parts, finding identical,
modified, and unique features.
q Compare Geometry compares two solid parts to find their common volumes.
25-10
Index
Index - 2
collaboration 25-2 lofts 9-5
collapse parts 3-2
animation 24-6 planes 9-2
assemblies 13-18 revolve features 8-2
FeatureManager design tree 13-5 rounds 3-12
Collision Detection 15-6 sweeps 8-5
color 4-4 thin features 10-4
compare geometry 25-10 variable radius fillets 11-6
compare parts 25-10 crop views 18-4
components crosshatch 16-3
add from another window 4-4, 13-4 curves 12-4
add from file 13-11 cuts
add from Windows Explorer 13-5 extrude 3-10, 8-9
copy 15-3 sheet metal 19-5
derived 20-9
lightweight 13-3 D
mirror 15-3 datum feature symbols 16-6
patterns 15-4 datum targets 18-8
properties 14-12 Decal Editor 23-24
resolved 13-3 Decal Wizard 23-24
ConfigurationManager 2-4, 6-8, 7-6 decals 23-23
configurations 6-1–6-9 define relations 6-5
assembly 15-6 delete
design tables 6-8 design tables 6-9
confirmation corner 7-7 holes in surfaces 12-16
constrain all 22-5 relations 6-5, 8-6
constraints. See relations derive component part 20-9
context 14-13 design portfolio 2-7
convert entities 4-3 design tables 6-1–6-9
coordinate systems 12-4, 21-2 close 6-7
copy configurations 6-8
component instances 13-11 control parameters 6-6
components 15-3 delete 6-9
sketch geometry 9-4, 22-6 edit 6-9
cosmetic threads 18-8 embed in document 6-7
countersunk hole 14-6 insert 6-6
create detail views 16-4, 18-4
assemblies 4-4 detailing 16-1–16-8, 17-1–17-6
base features 3-6 dialog box help 2-7
bosses 3-9 diameter dimensions 3-9
cavities 20-7 dimension-driven system 2-2
circular patterns 10-9 dimensions
constant radius fillets 11-5 3D sketches 21-2
cuts 3-10 attach 22-5
domes 14-15 chain 16-5
drawings 5-2 circles 3-9
face blend fillets 11-4 diameter 3-9
fillets 3-13 display 7-9
linear patterns 10-8 drawings 5-5, 5-6, 18-7
Index - 4
draft 20-2 file extensions
midplane 14-5 dxf 22-4
offset from surface 11-8 igs, iges 22-2
sldasm 4-7
F slddrw 5-5
faces sldprt 3-7
hidden 9-6 files
select 3-12 animation playback 24-8
fasteners 15-4 animation tutorial 24-2
feature handles 3-15 assemblies 4-7
FeatureManager design tree 7-9–7-10 assembly tutorial 13-2
assemblies 4-4 case sensitivity 3-7
collapse 13-5 drawings 5-5
definition 2-4 DXF tutorial 22-4
flyout 7-10 import tutorial 22-2
order of features 3-13 parts 3-7
sheet metal 19-2 PhotoWorks tutorial 23-3
symbols 7-10 fillets 3-13, 11-1–11-10
tabs 7-10 constant radius 8-10, 11-5
FeaturePalette window 25-3 face blend 11-4
features 8-1–8-10 sketch 10-2, 21-4
accept 7-7 variable radius 11-6
assembly 15-4 flanges 19-2, 19-3
chamfers 12-7 flyout FeatureManager design tree 7-10
circular patterns 10-1 fonts
copy 7-9 dimensions 5-3
defined 2-3 notes 16-8
display dimensions 6-2 foreshortened radius 8-5
domes 14-15 formats. See sheet formats
drafts 11-3 fully defined sketches 3-4
fillets 3-13, 11-1–11-10, 12-8
hide dimensions 6-2 G
hole wizard 14-6 geometric tolerance symbols 16-6
linear patterns 10-1 geometry analysis 25-10
lofts 9-5, 12-5 graphics area 2-4
mirror 14-7
mirror all 11-7 H
move 7-9 handles 2-5, 3-15, 21-2
names 3-13, 6-2 header/footer 7-14
order 3-13 help
properties 6-2 animation 24-2
rename 6-2 PhotoWorks 23-3
ribs 12-7 SolidWorks 2-7
shells 3-14 hidden in gray 3-12
suppress 7-9 hide
sweeps 8-5, 12-6 components in drawings 18-5
thin 10-4 feature dimensions 6-2
unsuppress 7-9 toolbars 2-6
FeatureWorks 22-3, 25-5 hide behind plane 18-5
Index - 6
mirror detailing 5-3, 18-7
all 11-7, 19-3, 21-6 dimensioning standards 5-3
components 15-3 dimensions 18-8
features 14-7 display dimension names 6-3, 20-4
multiple entities 10-7 drawings 16-4, 18-2
sheet metal bends 19-3 edit design tables in separate window 6-6
sketching 20-2 font, dimensions 5-3
modify name feature on creation 6-2
drawing dimensions 5-6 system 7-14
feature dimensions 3-15 ordinate dimensions 16-5
part dimensions 3-5, 3-15 orientation dialog box 7-13
molds 20-1–20-10 origins
create mold base part 20-5 3D sketches 21-4
cut 20-9 assemblies 13-4
insert model 20-6 sketches 3-3
mouse buttons 7-13 output to image file, PhotoWorks 23-12
move over defined sketches 3-4
bill of materials 17-4 overlay views 18-4
components 4-6
drawing views 5-4 P
multiple views 7-3 parts 3-1–3-16
create 3-2
N derived 12-2
name features 3-13, 6-2 open new documents 3-2
named views save 3-7
drawings 5-8, 16-2 paths, sweep 8-5
sheet metal 19-8 patterns 10-1–10-10
new circular 10-9
assemblies 4-4 component 15-4
drawings 5-2 definitions 10-1
parts 3-2 linear 10-8, 21-5
notes 16-8 mirror all 21-6
sketch-driven 12-9
O skip instances 12-10
object linking and embedding (OLE) 25-6 table-driven 12-10
offset entities 4-3 PhotoWorks 23-1–23-28, 25-6
online help 2-7 background scenery 23-27, 23-28
online tutorial 2-7 create a backdrop 23-28
open decals 23-23
drawing documents 5-2 fundamentals 23-2
loop selection 7-12 material selection 23-7, 23-28
new assembly documents 4-4 output to image file 23-12
new part documents 3-2 save image file 23-12
part documents 4-4 shaded rendering 23-4
tangency selection 7-12 view image file 23-13
options piping 25-9
automatically load lightweight 13-3 planes
balloons 17-2 3D sketches 21-2
bill of materials 17-2 copy 9-3
Index - 8
schedule, animation 24-2 defined 2-3
schematics 18-5 dimensions 3-4
section drawings 18-6
drawing views 16-3, 18-3 ellipses 8-7
parts 3-16 entities 7-16
sweeps 8-7 extend 14-8
select fillets 10-2
faces, edges, vertices 3-12 fully defined 3-4
hidden faces or edges 9-6 layout 14-7, 15-5
other 9-6 lines 8-2
tool 3-3 loft profiles 9-3
selection modes 7-15
box 7-12 over defined 3-4
filters 7-11 status 3-4
highlight 7-12 tangent arcs 8-3
loop 7-12 tools 7-16
open loop 7-12 trim 8-3
open tangency 7-12 under defined 3-4
tangent 7-12 skins 7-15
selection filter 4-3, 8-10 slice. See section views
serial numbers 1-2 Smart Fasteners 15-4
service packs 1-5 SmartMates 13-12, 15-2
setup 7-14 snap in 3D sketches 21-3
shaded previews 7-12 SolidWorks 2001Plus
shared values 6-3 customize 7-14
sheet formats 5-2, 18-2 service packs 1-5
sheet metal 19-1–19-8 web site 1-5
base flanges 19-2 SolidWorks 3D Instant Website 25-7
bend tables 25-7 SolidWorks 3D Meeting 25-2
bends 19-5 SolidWorks 3D PartStream 25-3
closed corners 25-7 SolidWorks Animator 24-1
cuts 19-5 SolidWorks Explorer 25-8
drawings 19-7 SolidWorks MoldBase 25-9
edge flanges 25-7 SolidWorks Piping 25-9
miter flanges 19-3 SolidWorks Toolbox 25-9
tabs 19-4 SolidWorks Utilities 25-10
sheets, drawing 5-7 space handles 21-2
shells 3-14, 10-5 split
shortcuts 7-6, 7-8 display 7-5
show window views 7-4
components in drawings 18-5 spot. See lighting
dimension names 20-4 stacked balloons 18-8
feature dimensions 6-2 standard
hidden edges in drawings 18-5 3 view drawings 5-4
sketches 7-15–7-16 views 7-13
3 point arcs 8-2 status bar 2-7, 3-4
3D 21-2 STL files 22-8
centerlines 8-4 sub-assemblies, flexible 15-3
centerpoint arcs 11-2 suppress features 7-9
SolidWorks 2001Plus Getting Started Index - 9
surface finish symbols 16-6 exploded 16-7
surfaces 12-13 labels 16-4
sweeps multiple 7-3
definition 8-5 named 5-8, 16-2, 16-7
multiple contours 12-6 part sections 3-16
paths 8-5 rotate 3-12
sections 8-7 split window 7-4
symmetry mates 15-2 update 16-3
system virtual sharps 21-3
options 7-14 Visio 18-5
requirements 1-2
W
T web
tabs folders 7-11
AnimationManager 24-2 site 1-5, 2-7, 25-7
ConfigurationManager 6-8 weld beads 15-5
FeatureManager design tree 2-4 weld symbols 18-8
sheet metal 19-4 what’s wrong 7-7
tangent Windows Explorer 7-2
arcs 8-3 wizards
selection 7-12 animation 24-3
templates DXF/DWG import 22-4
document 7-11 install 1-4
drawing 5-2, 18-2
temporary axes 8-5 Z
thin features 10-4 zoom 4-3, 4-5, 5-5
tip of the day 2-7
toolbars 2-6
animation 24-2
customize 7-5
display or hide 2-6
tooltips 2-7, 7-13
translation tools 25-5
transparency 20-6
trim 8-3
tutorials 2-7
U
under defined sketches 3-4
unsuppress features 7-9
update views 16-3
V
view image file, PhotoWorks 23-13
viewpoint, animation 24-2
views
drawing 5-4, 16-2
drawing section 16-3
Index - 10