solidworks- 99

Overview of New Functionality in SolidWorks 99

Overview of New Functionality in SolidWorks 99

This section has been designed to give you quick access to all the new features and improvements in this version of the SolidWorks software. Click a subject you are interested in to learn about how it has been improved for SolidWorks 99.

Assemblies

Drawings

Detailing

Features

General

Import/Export

Library Features and the Feature Palette

Reference Geometry

Sheet Metal

Sketching

Look for the marker throughout the online help. It highlights new and improved functionality.

Assemblies

Assembly PropertyManager. As you move and rotate components in the assembly, you can use the tools on this tab to detect collisions between components. You can also use this tab to switch between Move Component mode and SmartMates mode.

Assembly structure editing. You can modify the structure of an assembly while working in the top-level assembly. This makes it easy to create and redefine sub-assemblies, without having to leave the top-level assembly. You can:

Move components from one sub-assembly to another.

Create a new, empty sub-assembly, then move components into it.

Select exisiting components to form a sub-assembly.

Dissolve a sub-assembly to move the components up one level in the hierarchy.

You can change the order of components in the FeatureManager design tree.

When you drag a part with a Mate Reference into an assembly either from the Feature Palette window or from Windows Explorer, you can infer mates automatically.

Curvature display. You can display assemblies with the surfaces rendered in different colors according to their local radius of curvature.

You can create many types of SmartMates between components by simply clicking or dragging the components in the graphics area.

You can now insert some types of curves in assemblies. You can insert a curve through free points or from a file or a curve through reference points.

For many assembly operations,you must fully resolve all the components. See Loading Additional Model Data.

Detailing

Bill of materials. You can now select a custom, user-defined template when you create a BOM. You can also edit the BOM properties to control which items are shown, how item numbers are assigned, how to split a long BOM table, and so on. See Editing a Bill of Materials.

The FeatureManager design tree now has a Bill of Materials feature under the drawing view from which you created the BOM. You can use this feature to hide or show the BOM on the sheet.

Dimensions. You can set an option (under Tools, Options, Detailing) to override the default alignment of dimension text with respect to the leaders. You can also change the text alignment of an individual dimension by editing its properties.

Ordinate dimensions automatically jog to prevent overlapping text.

You can display dimensions as Inspection dimensions.

You can dimension to the midpoint of a linear model edge in a drawing view.

Block. You can create, save, and insert blocks for drawing items that you use frequently. In the previous version of SolidWorks, the term custom symbol was used to describe blocks. The functionality is the same; only the name has changed. See Block .

Drawings

Performance. Drawing performance has been improved, especially for detail views and section views of assemblies. Performance is also better when loading large drawings, activating views, and editing sketches.

Layers. You can create layers in a SolidWorks drawing document. You assign a line color, line thickness, and line style for new entities created on each layer. You can hide or show individual layers, and move entities from one layer to another. If a drawing template has layers, the layers are copied into any new drawing you create with that template.

You can print drawings in color.

Section views. A new option lets you automatically scale the crosshatch pattern in detail views created from section views. See Drawings Options.

Detail views. When you drag the detail circle, either to move it or to resize it, the detail view updates dynamically.

There are new ways to select a model for creating a Standard 3 View, a Named View, or a Relative View.

You can insert the model from a file (without opening the model document).

You can select an individual part in an assembly document to create views of that part.

You can select a drawing view that contains the part or assembly model, either in the same drawing document or in another drawing window.

Rulers. You can turn the display of rulers on and off in the drawing window.

Design tables. If a model document uses a design table to generate multiple configurations, you can display the table in a drawing of that model.

When aligning drawing views to each other, the model origins are aligned, instead of the view centers.

You can rotate drawing views at any angle.

You can dimension to the midpoint of a linear model edge in a drawing view.

You can hide or show model sketches in individual drawing views.

Automatic inferencing lines. To improve sketching performance in a complex sketch or drawing, you can now turn off automatic inferencing lines. You can wake up only those entities from which you want to use inferencing lines.

Features

New Features toolbar buttons. The Features toolbar now includes the following toolbar buttons:

Loft (Use to insert a base or boss loft.)

Sweep (Use to insert a base or boss sweep.)

Circular Pattern

Linear Pattern

Mirror Feature

Variable radius fillet. You can set a default radius value for vertices that are not assigned radius values, or your can let the software calculate the radii of the vertices that are not assigned values. See Variable Radius Fillet .

Edit seed feature of a pattern. You can edit the definition of the original feature of a pattern or a mirrored feature. See Edit Seed Feature .

Equal spacing in circular patterns. You can specify the Total angle in which to create the pattern when you select the Equal spacing check box. See Circular Pattern.

Shape. You can use a feature handle to adjust a Shape feature constrained by a vertex in a 3D sketch. See Shape Feature .

Dynamic Feature Editing. Using the Move/Size Features tool, you can see a dynamic feature preview when you drag the entities of a sketch. See Dynamic Feature Editing.

General

Lighting. There have been many improvements in the ways that you create and modify lights. The FeatureManager design tree now includes a Lighting folder that contains the light sources.

Color. You can edit the color of a part, a feature, or a face more easily, using the Edit Color tool on the Standard toolbar.

You can scale the image of part and assembly documents, as well as drawing documents. See Page Setup.

There is a new Tools toolbar that includes buttons for Equations, Measure, and Mass Properties.

You can display the results of Measure, Mass Properties, and Section Properties in scientific notation.

Sheet Metal

Rips. You can create sheet metal parts with rips. See Creating Sheet Metal Parts Using Rips.

Conical faces. You can create sheet metal parts with conical faces. See Creating Sheet Metal Parts Using Cylindrical or Conical Faces.

Auto reliefs. You can automatically add Rectangular or Tear relief cuts when inserting bends. You can edit all auto reliefs or edit a single auto relief after inserting bends. See Auto Relief , Edit All Auto Reliefs, and Edit a Single Auto Relief.

Sheet metal drawings. You can automatically create a flat pattern configuration of a sheet metal part when you create a drawing. Multiple collinear edges in the flat pattern configuration are merged into a single linear edge in the drawing. See Creating Drawings of Sheet Metal Parts .

Sketching

3D Sketching. Now you can create a 3-dimensional sketch to use as a sweep path, as a guide curve for a loft or sweep, or a centerline for a loft.

The new PropertyManager functionality provides a new way of sketching. You can select a sketch entity and then directly edit its property values for size, coordinates, angle, and so on.

Sketch Patterns. There are two new tools on the Sketch Tools toolbar for creating sketched patterns. See Linear Sketch Step and Repeat and Circular Sketch Step and Repeat .

Offset sketch entities. You can now use Offset Entities to create sketch offsets from one or more selected sketch entities.

Dynamic Feature Editing. Using the Move/Size Features tool, you can see a dynamic feature preview when you drag the entities of a sketch. See Dynamic Feature Editing.

Curvature of sketch entities in a closed sketch. You can display the curvature value of sketch segments and curves. See. Curvature Display .

Automatic inferencing lines. To improve sketching performance in a complex sketch or drawing, you can now turn off automatic inferencing lines. You can wake up only those entities from which you want to use inferencing lines.

Customize Toolbars

Customizes, displays, or hides toolbars:

Annotations ToolbarSketch Toolbar

Assembly ToolbarSketch Relations Toolbar

Drawing Toolbar Sketch Tools Toolbar

Features ToolbarStandard Toolbar

Font ToolbarStandard Views Toolbar

Line Format ToolbarTools Toolbar

Macro ToolbarView Toolbar

Reference Geometry ToolbarWeb Toolbar

Selection Filter Toolbar

To make toolbars visible:

1Click Tools, Customize.

2On the Toolbars page, click the checkboxes to select each toolbar you want to display; uncheck the toolbars you want to hide.

Options:

To display large size toolbar buttons, select Large Icons.

To show tooltips, select Show Tooltips. When checked, a small note pops up to identify each tool icon that you pause your cursor over.

To automatically display the toolbars related to the specific type of document that is active, select Auto-activate document toolbars. This is the default

Click the Reset button to reverse the changes made during this session.

3Click OK to make the changes and close the dialog; or click Cancel.

To move a toolbar:

Toolbars can be either "docked" (attached to one of the edges of the SolidWorks window) or "floating."

1Point at the space between the buttons on the toolbar and drag the toolbar to the desired location. If you drag it to an edge of the SolidWorks window, the toolbar docks to that edge automatically.

2To change a toolbars orientation (from horizontal to vertical), drag the toolbar near a horizontal or vertical edge of the window before placing it in the desired location.

Note:The Font, Web, and Selection Filter toolbars must be docked horizontally.

For more information see Customize Commands , Customize Menus , and Customize Keyboard .

Toolbars

Displays, or hides toolbars. See Standard, View, Annotations, Assembly, Drawing, Features, Font

, Line Format , Macro, Selection Filter , Sketch, Sketch Relations, Sketch Tools, and Web toolbars.


1Click View, Toolbars.

2On the Toolbars dialog, click the checkboxes to select each toolbar you want to display; uncheck the toolbars you want to hide.3Click Customize to change your toolbars, commands, menus, and keyboard to suit your style of working.Note:You can also access the Toolbars menu by right-mouse clicking on the borders around the SolidWorks window. See also Customize Toolbars , Customize Commands , Customize Menus , and Customize Keyboard .

Annotations ToolbarThe Annotations toolbar provides tools for adding notes and symbols to a drawing, part, or assembly document. Only those annotations that are appropriate for the active document are available; the other tools are displayed in gray.

Note

Surface Finish Symbol

Geometric Tolerance

Balloon

Center Mark

Datum Feature Symbol

Hole Callout

Weld Symbols

Datum Target

Cosmetic Threads Assembly ToolbarThe Assembly toolbar controls the management, movement, and mating of components. Show Components

Change Suppression State

Rotate Component Around Centerpoint

Rotate Component Around Axis

Move Component

SmartMates

Edit Part

Mate

Drawing Toolbar

The Drawing toolbar provides tools for aligning dimensions and creating drawing views.

Align Collinear/Radial

Align Parallel/Concentric

Detail

Section

Aligned Section

Projection

Standard 3 View

Auxiliary

Named View

Relative to Model

Drawing View Update

Features Toolbar

The Features toolbar provides tools for creating model features. The set of features icons is very extensive so not all of them are included on the default Features toolbar. You can customize this toolbar by adding and removing icons to suit your working style and frequent tasks. See Customize Toolbars for more information.

Extruded Boss/Base

Revolved Boss/Base

Extruded Cut

Revolved Cut

Fillet

Chamfer

Rib

Scale

Shell

Draft

Simple Hole

Hole Wizard

Dome

Shape

Insert Bends

Flattened

No Bends

Insert Rip

Move/Size Features

Suppress

Unsuppress

Unsuppress with Dependents

Linear Pattern

Circular Pattern

Mirror Feature

Sweep Feature

Loft Feature

Font Toolbar

Lets you specify the font, font style, and size for selected text, dimensions and geometric tolerances.

To specify a font:

1Click View, Toolbars and select Font.

The Font toolbar is displayed when the Font option is checked. You can change the location of the toolbar by dragging it to any horizontal position in the SolidWorks window.

2Select text, dimensions, or symbols for which you want to apply a new font. Hold the Ctrl key to make multiple selections.

3Make selections from the following options:

Font. Use the scroll arrows to select from a variety of type faces available on your system.

Font Size. Use the arrows to scroll to the point size to use. The corresponding size in millimeters is displayed in the next box. You can also change the font size by selecting the value in the millimeter display box and entering a value. The font size updates when you click in the graphics area. (The metric value is interpreted as the actual height of the tallest character in the font set.)

Font Style. Click the symbols for Bold, Italic, or Underlining, or a combination of these.

The Font toolbar becomes inactive when you click on space in the graphics area.

Line Format Toolbar

The Line Format toolbar provides tools for changing the appearance of individual lines, edges, and sketch entities in a drawing.

Line Color

Line Thickness

Line Style

Layer Properties

Color Display Mode

Macro Toolbar

The Macro toolbar controls macro recording, playback, and editing.

Run Macro

Stop Macro

Record Macro

Edit Macro

Custom Macro

Reference Geometry Toolbar

The Reference Geometry toolbar provides tools for creating and using reference geometry.

Plane

Axis

Coordinate System

3D Curve

Composite Curve 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: faces, edges, and vertices, reference geometry, sketch entities, or dimensions and annotations. With the filter set, the kinds of items that you specify are identified when you pass your cursor over them, making it easy for you to select only those items.

To toggle the display of the Selection Filter toolbar, click on the Standard toolbar, or press F5.

The first three buttons on the Selection Filter toolbar allow you to specify the behavior of the Selection Filter:

Turn all the selected filters on or off. You can also press F6.

Clear all selected filters.

Select all of the filters.

The rest of the buttons on the Selection Filter toolbar are filters. Select the filters that match the items you want to select in the graphics area.

NOTE: You can customize the Selection Filter toolbar by removing (or replacing) filter buttons. See Customize Commands.

As a reminder to you, while a Selection Filter is active, the selection cursor has a small filter icon attached to it.

See also Selection Filter Hot Keys .

Sketch Toolbar

The Sketch toolbar controls selection, sketch creation, sketch modification, and the sketch grid.

Insert/Edit Sketch

3D Sketch

Grid/Units

Select

Modify

No Solve Move

Sketch Relations

The Sketch Relations toolbar controls dimensions and other geometric relations.

If any Sketch Relations icons are not included on your default toolbar, you can customize the toolbar by adding any of the icons below. See Customize Toolbars for more information.

Dimension

Add Relation

Display/Delete Relations

Scan Equal

Sketch Tools Toolbar

The Sketch Tools toolbar provides sketch entities and sketch tools to use in a sketch or a drawing.

Note that the Convert Entities and Offset Entities tools are not available in drawings.

Line

Centerpoint Arc

Tangent Arc

3 Point Arc

Circle

Ellipse

Parabola

Spline

Rectangle

Parallelogram

Point

Centerline

Convert Entities

Mirror

Fillet

Offset Entities

Trim

Extend

Split Curve

Linear Sketch Step and Repeat

Circular Sketch Step and Repeat

Standard Toolbar

The Standard toolbar controls file management and model regeneration.

New

Open

Save

Print

Print Preview

Cut

Copy

Paste

Undo

Rebuild

Redraw

Edit Color

Toggle Selection Filter Toolbar

Web Toolbar

Standard Views Toolbar

Rotates the model, assembly, or sketch to one of the preset standard views.

Front

Back

Left

Right

Top

Bottom

Isometric

Normal To -- Select a plane or planar face

Tools Toolbar

The Tools toolbar provides tools for measuring and defining the mass properties of models and for creating equations.

Measure

Equations

Mass Properties

View Toolbar

The View toolbar controls your view of the model.

If any View icons are not included on your default View toolbar, you can customize the toolbar by adding any of the icons below. See Customize Toolbars for more information.

View Orientation

Previous View

Zoom to Fit

Zoom to Area

Zoom In/Out

Zoom to Selection

Rotate View

Pan

Wireframe

Hidden in Gray

Hidden Lines Removed

Shaded

Section View

Perspective

. Web Toolbar

The Web toolbar provides support for working over the Internet.

Stop Current Jump

Reload/Replace

Insert Hyperlink

Open Internet Address

FeatureManager Design Tree

The FeatureManager design tree on the left side of the SolidWorks window provides an outline view of the active part, assembly, or drawing. This makes it easy to see how the model or assembly was constructed or to examine the various sheets and views in a drawing.

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.

The FeatureManager design tree makes it easy to:

Select items in the model or assembly by name.

Identify and change the order in which features are created. You can drag and drop items in the FeatureManager design tree list to reorder them. This changes the order in which features are regenerated when the model is rebuilt.

Display the dimensions of a feature by double-clicking the features name.

Rename items by slowly clicking two times on a name to select it and then entering a new name.

Temporarily roll the model back to an earlier state using the rollback bar .

Suppress or Unsuppress model features.

View parent/child relations by right-clicking a feature in the list, then selecting Parent/Child.

Move between the FeatureManager design tree the PropertyManager, and the ConfigurationManager by selecting the tabs at the bottom of the left pane

Add a new equation, edit, or delete an equation by right-clicking the Equations folder , and selecting the action you want. (The Equations folder appears when you add the first equation to model document.)

Control the display of dimensions and annotations by right-clicking the Annotations folder .

Add or modify light sources in the Lighting folder .

See also, FeatureManager Design Tree Conventions .

For information about selecting FeatureManager options, see General Options .

FeatureManager Design Tree Conventions

The FeatureManager design tree uses the following conventions:

A symbol to the left of an items icon indicates that it contains associated items, such as sketches. Click to expand the item and display its contents.

To collapse all expanded items at once, right-click the document name at the top of the tree, and select Collapse Items.

Sketches in the FeatureManager design tree are preceded by (+) if they are over defined; they are preceded by () if they are under defined; they are preceded by (?) if the sketch could not be solved. (There is no prefix if the sketch is fully defined.) For information about sketch status, see Fully Defined Sketches .

Assembly components in the FeatureManager design tree are preceded by (+) if their position is over defined; they are preceded by () if their position is under defined; they are preceded by (?) if their position could not be solved; they are preceded by (f) if their position is fixed (locked in place).

Assembly mates are preceded by (+) if they are involved in over defining the position of components in the assembly; they are preceded by (?) if they could not be solved.

In an assembly, each instance of the component is followed by a number in angle brackets that increments with each occurrence.

If a part or feature has an external reference, its name is followed by >.

See also FeatureManager Design Tree .

FeatureManager Design Tree Display

Provides alternate ways to view the information in the FeatureManager design tree in an assembly document.

To display features or dependencies in an assembly:

Click View, FeatureManager Tree, By Features/By Dependencies.

By Features, displays all components, features, planes, and mategroups.

By Dependencies, displays only the top level components and mategroups.

Open

Opens an existing part, drawing, or assembly document. Also used to import files from other applications.

To open an existing file:

1Click or File, Open, or press Ctrl-O.

2In the Open dialog box, browse to find the part, drawing, or assembly document, or the file from another application, that you want to open.

3Click Open as read-only if you do not want to change or save the part.

4Click Preview if you want to view the SolidWorks part, assembly, or drawing document without opening it.

5Click Configure to open a specific configuration of a part or assembly.

6Click References to see a list of the part and/or assembly documents referenced by the currently selected part, assembly or drawing. You can edit the locations of the listed files.

7Click View-Only to open the part document only for viewing. (Only documents saved in SolidWorks 98 and later may be opened in View-Only mode.) If you are in a part or assembly document, you can change to editing mode by pressing the right-mouse button in the graphics area and selecting Edit.

8Click Open to open the document; click Cancel to exit without opening a file.

Note:If you have changed the file extensions of part or assembly files referenced by assembly or drawing documents, the SolidWorks Open function will search for the renamed files when opening the assemblies or drawings. Part and assembly files changed from .prt or .asm to .sldprt or .sldasm respectively will open automatically without prompting.

Note that the software will not search for files renamed to .prt or .asm extensions if .sldprt or .sldasm files are referenced by the assembly or drawing documents.

You can open existing SolidWorks files or you can select other file types to import into SolidWorks.

See also:

Import File TypesOpen DXF/DWG File

ACIS FilesDXF/DWG Files

IGES FilesParasolid Files

STEP FilesSTL Files

TIFF FilesVDAFS Files

VRML Files

New

Creates a new document.

To create a new part, drawing, or assembly document:

1Click or File, New, or press Ctrl-N.

2Select either Part, Drawing, or Assembly from the list and click OK.

3If you selected Drawing, select the template you want to use (or None) and click OK.

Open File

This command is available from within an assembly or a drawing; it does the following:

Opens the part file or sub-assembly file of the selected component in an active assembly.

Opens the part file or assembly file of the selected part or assembly in a drawing.

To open a part or assembly file:

1Right-click a part or assembly, or its name in the FeatureManager design tree.

2Select Open File from the menu.

The part or assembly file opens for editing.

Open DXF/DWG File

Opens a DXF or DWG file for import. You can import the DXF or DWG file to either a Drawing or a Part.

To open a DXF or DWG file:

1Click File, Open.

2In the Open dialog box, set Files of type to list DXF files (*.dxf) or DWG files (*.dwg).

3Browse to the desired file, and click Open.

The Open DXF/DWG File dialog box appears.

SolidWorks derives information from the incoming file and reports the sheet size and the units of the imported drawing.

4If you select Import to Drawing, modify the following options:

Sheet Size list. Select the correct sheet size from the list.

Units list. Select the correct units of measure.

Move entities onto sheet. Select this option to move the lower-left corner of the imported drawing to the origin of the SolidWorks drawing sheet. Note: This option is only available if SolidWorks detects that either the X or Y coordinate of the lower left-hand corner of the imported drawing is a negative value.

Import to template. Select this option to place all geometry in the template instead of on the sheet. You can edit the geometry in the template. See Customize Drawing Template.

The layer information (names, properties, and entity locations) that was specified in the system where the .dxf or .dwg file originated, is retained.

After the drawing is imported, you can click Tools, Sketch Tools, Modify and use Translate to move the drawing to a new position. See Modify Sketch for more information about Translate.

- OR -

If you select Import to Part, select the correct units of measure from the Units box.

The imported data opens as 3D reference curves in a new part document.

Select from FeatureManager Design Tree

You can select items directly from the FeatureManager design tree:

You can select features, sketches, planes, and axes in the model by clicking on their names in the FeatureManager design tree

You can select multiple consecutive items in the FeatureManager design tree by holding the Shift key while you select.

You can select multiple non-consecutive items in the FeatureManager design tree by holding the Ctrl key while you select.

Select

Lets you select items in the graphics area.

To select items:

1Click .

2Click the item that you want to select.

To select multiple items:

Hold down the Ctrl key while you click the items that you want to select.

- or -

If a dialog box is active, you can click in the selection box before you select the items. In this case, you do not have to hold down the Ctrl key.

To drag-select:

In a sketch or drawing, you can drag a selection rectangle around the items you want to select.

Notice that items change color as the cursor passes over them. This dynamic highlighting helps you locate the item to select.

For information about turning dynamic highlighting off or on, see Edges Options .

See Also:

Selection Filter

Select Other

Select Loop

Select Loop

You can fillet a single loop on a face.

To fillet a single loop:

1Click on a face. When you select a face, all loops on a face are selected.

2Hold the Ctrl key and select the loop you want to fillet.

3Click or Insert, Features, Fillet/Round.

4Specify the fillet Radius, and click OK.

Customize Commands

Adds and removes command buttons to customize your toolbars.

You can,

rearrange the command buttons on toolbars,

move buttons from one toolbar to another,

duplicate buttons and place them on more than one toolbar,

delete buttons that you never use.

To customize your toolbars:


2Click the Commands tab.

3Make your changes and click OK.

Customization options:

Categories. Scroll through the list of toolbars to locate the button(s) you want to move.

Buttons. Click and drag a button from the dialog box to a new location on a toolbar, or to a different toolbar.

To delete a button from a toolbar, click and drag the button from the toolbar to the graphics area and release the mouse button.

Description. Click a button to see the description of the buttons purpose.

Note:The Web, and Font, toolbars can be moved but they are not customizable.

Customize Keyboard

Customizes your keyboard to suite your style of working with SolidWorks.

To customize your keyboard:


2Click the Keyboard tab.

3Click the appropriate buttons to Assign a new shortcut key, Remove a shortcut key, or Reset All shortcut keys to their original state.


Customization Options:

Categories. Displays the list of available menus. Select the menu that contains the command you want.

Commands. Displays the list of available commands. Select the command for which you want to assign or remove a shortcut key.

Press New Shortcut Key. Enter a single key or a combination of keys.

Current Key. Displays the current shortcut key for the selected command.

Description. Displays the command description for the selected command.

Customize Menus

Customizes the SolidWorks menus to suite your style of working.

To customize your menus:


2Click the Menus tab.

3Click the appropriate buttons to Rename a menu item, Remove or Add a menu item, or Reset All menus to their original state.


Customization options:

Categories. Displays the list of available menus. Select the menu that you want to change.

Commands. Displays the list of available commands on the selected menu. Select the command that you want to rename, relocate, or remove.

Change What Menu. Displays the code name of the menu that is selected.

Position on Menu. Lets you select a position from Auto, At Top, At Bottom, or Add Below one of the listed commands.

Name of Command. Displays the code name of the command that is selected.

Description. Displays the description of the selected command.

Customize Toolbars

Customizes, displays, or hides toolbars:

Annotations ToolbarSketch Toolbar

Assembly ToolbarSketch Relations Toolbar

Drawing Toolbar Sketch Tools Toolbar

Features ToolbarStandard Toolbar

Font ToolbarStandard Views Toolbar

Line Format ToolbarTools Toolbar

Macro ToolbarView Toolbar

Reference Geometry ToolbarWeb Toolbar

Selection Filter Toolbar



2On the Toolbars page, click the checkboxes to select each toolbar you want to display; uncheck the toolbars you want to hide.

Options:

To display large size toolbar buttons, select Large Icons.

To show tooltips, select Show Tooltips. When checked, a small note pops up to identify each tool icon that you pause your cursor over.

To automatically display the toolbars related to the specific type of document that is active, select Auto-activate document toolbars. This is the default

Click the Reset button to reverse the changes made during this session.

3Click OK to make the changes and close the dialog; or click Cancel.

To move a toolbar:

Toolbars can be either "docked" (attached to one of the edges of the SolidWorks window) or "floating."

1Point at the space between the buttons on the toolbar and drag the toolbar to the desired location. If you drag it to an edge of the SolidWorks window, the toolbar docks to that edge automatically.

2To change a toolbars orientation (from horizontal to vertical), drag the toolbar near a horizontal or vertical edge of the window before placing it in the desired location.

Note:The Font, Web, and Selection Filter toolbars must be docked horizontally.

For more information see Customize Commands , Customize Menus , and Customize Keyboard .

Options

Allows you to customize SolidWorks options and set default values.

To set options:

1Click Tools, Options.

2Click on the appropriate tab for the settings you want to change.

ColorGeneral

CrosshatchGrid/Units

DetailingLine Font

DrawingsMaterial Properties

EdgesPerformance

External ReferencesReference Geometry

3Change the settings and click OK.

For information about copying options selections to other users, see Registry Copy Tool .

Customize Macros

Lets you assign your own macros to buttons on the Macros toolbar.

To assign a macro to a toolbar button:

1Click Tools, Customize, and click the Macros tab.

2Click Add. Browse to the macro file (.swb) you want, select it, and click Open.

3Under Macro details, enter the Name that you want to display in the tooltip for the button.

4Click Apply. Notice the number in the first column.

5Click the Commands tab, and under Categories, select Macro.

6Drag the toolbar button with the appropriate number from the Buttons box, and drop it on a toolbar.

7Click OK to close the Customize dialog box.

To edit a customized toolbar button:

1In the first column, select the number of the button you want to edit.

2Click Edit.

3Modify the Name or Path as needed.

4Click Apply to accept, or Abort to cancel.

To remove the macro assigned to a button:

In the first column, select the number of the button whose macro you want to remove, then click Remove. If the button is displayed on a toolbar, it becomes unavailable (gray) when a macro is no longer assigned to it.

To change the order of the macro buttons:

In the first column, select the number of the button you want to move, then click Move Up or Move Down to rearrange the order as needed.

Record Macro

Creates a macro that records your mouse clicks, menu choices, and keystrokes to play back later.

To record a macro:

1Click or Tools, Macro, Record.

2Perform the steps you want to record.

3When you are done, click or Tools, Macro, Stop.

4Type a name for the macro and click OK to save it. (SolidWorks automatically adds the extension to the filename.)

- or -

Press Cancel in the Save Macro dialog to cancel the macro.

See also Edit Macro , Run Macro , and Stop Macro .

SolidWorks API

The SolidWorks API is an OLE programming interface to SolidWorks. The API contains hundreds of functions that can be called from Visual Basic, VBA (Excel, Access, and so forth), C, C++, or SolidWorks macro files. These functions provide the programmer with direct access to SolidWorks functionality such as creating a line, extruding a boss, or verifying the parameters of a surface.

For a detailed description of the API and the syntax used to call each function, please refer to the API online help file. This help file, API_HELP.HLP is located in the ..\SAMPLES\APPCOMM\ subdirectory of your SolidWorks installation. Also included in the ..\SAMPLES subdirectory are several Visual Basic and C++ example projects. Feel free to use these projects as a reference or as a starting point for your own applications.

You can also find a detailed description of the API functions on the SolidWorks web page (www.solidworks.com) under the Technical Support area.

Print

Prints the active part, drawing, or assembly document.

To print the current document:

1Click , or File, Print.

2Review the information in the Print dialog, and make changes as appropriate.

3Click OK.

Printer

Name. Select the printers name from the drop-down list.

The system provides read-only information about the printers status, type, and location.

Print to file. Check this box to send this print to a file instead of the printer. A dialog box appears that lets you name the file to print to.

Print Range

All. Prints all pages of the document.

Pages. Prints a range of pages in your document. Enter the first and last page that you want to print. This option is only available for drawings with more than one sheet.

Selection (Drawings only). Prints a selected area of a drawing sheet at scale you specify.

Scale

In a drawing document: To print the entire drawing sheet on the page, select the Scale to Fit check box. To scale the drawing when printing, clear the check box, and enter the Scale value (in percent).

In a part or assembly document: To print the graphics area of the SolidWorks window on the page, select the Print window check box. To scale the window when printing, clear the check box, and enter the Scale value (in percent).

Copies

Number of copies. Select the number of copies to print from the spin box.

Page Setup

Lets you control the appearance of printed documents and provides access to the Print Setup dialog. Also lets you create a header and/or footer for the active document before printing.

To set the print options of a document:

1Click File, Page Setup.

2From the Printer tab,

Paper Margins. To set paper margins, you can either

Specify margin widths in the appropriate margin boxes (Top, Bottom, Left, or Right).

- or -

Use the default margins by clicking the Use printers margins check box.

Line weights. Specify the line weight in the appropriate line style boxes (Thin, Normal, Thick, and five additional line thickness settings).

Page Orientation. Select either Portrait (vertical page orientation) or Landscape (horizontal page orientation).

Scale.

Drawings: To print the entire drawing sheet on the page, select the Scale to Fit check box. To scale the drawing when printing, clear the check box, and enter the Scale value (in percent).

Part/Assemblies: To print the graphics area of the SolidWorks window on the page, select the Print window check box. To scale the window when printing, clear the check box, and enter the Scale value (in percent).

Print drawings in color. When selected, any drawing entities that have a color assigned are printed in color (if a color printer is specified in the Print Setup dialog box). See also Printing a Drawing in Color.

Print Setup. Click this button to access the Print Setup dialog box. This lets you choose your printer, paper size and set other printer properties.

3Click OK.

To create a header and footer for the current document:

1Click File, Page Setup.

2From the Header/Footer tab,

Scroll the Header and Footer boxes to select predefined headers and/or footers, and view your selection in the Preview boxes.

Click Custom Header or Custom Footer to define your own headers and/or footers.

3Click OK.

To view the changes before printing the document, click Print Preview .

Custom Header and Footer

Creates a custom header or footer for every document page that you send to the printer.

To create a page header or footer:

1Place the insertion point in an edit box: Left Section, Center Section, or Right Section.

2Click the appropriate button to insert the information that you want to appear in that section.

3If appropriate, enter spaces or text between the selections. For example, Page &[pagenum] of &[pages] would print as Page 1 of 7 on the first page of a seven-sheet drawing.

4Click the Font button to choose from a variety of font styles and sizes.

5Click OK and view the result in the Header Preview and Footer Preview boxes.

6Click Apply to accept the change. You can continue to make changes and then click OK to close the dialog.

or

Click OK to accept the change and close the dialog.

Page number

Total number of pages in the document

Date of the print

Time of the print

Name of the file

Print Preview

Previews the image of the active Part, Drawing, or Assembly before you send it to the printer.

To preview a print job:

Click , or File, Print Preview.

Print Selection

Lets you specify an area of the drawing sheet to print.

To select an area to print:

1Click , or File, Print. In the Print dialog box, under Print range, click Selection, and click OK.

The Print Selection dialog box appears, and a selection frame is displayed on the drawing sheet. The frame reflects the current printer settings (page size, orientation, etc.) as defined in File, Page Setup.

2Select a scale factor to apply to the selected area. When you change the scale factor, the selection frame size changes accordingly.

Model scale (1:1). The selected area is printed at actual size; a model dimension of 100mm is printed at 100mm. The default sheet scale is used to calculate the correct print size; therefore, for areas that use a scale different than the default sheet scale, you may need to use a custom scale to get the desired result.

Sheet scale (n:n). The selected area is printed as it appears on the full sheet. If the drawing size and the paper size are the same, the entire sheet is printed. Otherwise, only the selected area is printed.

Custom scale. The selected area is printed at a scale factor you define. Enter the values you want in the boxes, then click Apply scale.

3Drag the selection frame to position it over the area you want to print. You can pan or zoom the view, or change the sheet while the selection frame is displayed.

4Click OK to print the selected area.

Sketch

Toggles in and out of sketch mode.

To create a new sketch:

1Select a face or a plane.

2Click or Insert, Sketch. The sketch grid appears (unless you have turned it off) and EDITING SKETCH appears in the status bar at the bottom of the SolidWorks window.

3Use the tools on the Sketch Tools and Sketch Relations toolbars to draw and dimension the sketch.

4When you are finished, click or Insert, Sketch to close the sketch (for use in the creation of a loft or sweep, for instance), or click one of the sketch-based feature commands (e.g., Insert, Boss, Extrude

) to create a feature from the sketch.

To edit a sketch:

1Right-mouse click the sketch you want to edit or a feature built from the sketch, either in the model or in the FeatureManager design tree.

NoteFor features built from multiple sketches, (lofts and sweeps), right-click on the sketch name in the FeatureManager design tree.

2Select Edit, Sketch from the right mouse menu.

3When you are finished editing, click or Edit, Rebuild, or right-click anywhere in the sketch and select Exit Sketch from the right-mouse menu.

See also Fully Defined Sketches .

Edit Sketch

Opens an existing sketch so you can edit it.

To edit a sketch:

1Right-click one of the following:

the name of sketch you want to edit in the FeatureManager design tree,

a feature built from the sketch, either in the model or in the FeatureManager design tree, or

a sketch entity in an inactive sketch.

Note For features built from multiple sketches (lofts and sweeps), right-click on the sketch in the FeatureManager design tree.)

2Click Edit Sketch.

3To close the sketch when you are finished editing, right-click anywhere in the sketch and click Edit Sketch or click ,

- or -

to exit the sketch and rebuild, click .

Check Sketch for Feature Usage

Lets you check your sketch for errors that would prevent it from being used successfully in creating a feature.

For each Feature Usage type its required Contour Type is displayed. If you select a new Feature Usage type from the pull-down list, the corresponding Contour Type changes dynamically. Each Contour Type forces a different set of checks on the sketch in addition to the general checks that are common to all contour types. See also Legal Contour Types .

To check a sketch:

1With a sketch open, click Tools, Sketch Tools, Check Sketch For Feature.

The Check Sketch For Feature Usage dialog appears. It has a Feature Usage pull-down list of all the ways to use a sketch in a feature.

If the sketch has been successfully used to create a feature, the feature type is displayed in the Feature Usage box.

If the sketch has not been used to create a feature, is displayed in the Feature Usage

box and the contour is checked for errors that are common to all contour types.

2Click the Check button.

The sketch is checked according to the contour type required by the feature type listed in the Feature Usage box. If the sketch passes the checks, a No problems found message is displayed. If there is an error, a message describing the error is displayed and, if appropriate, the area of the sketch containing the error is highlighted. It finds one error for each check.

3To check your sketch for possible use in other feature types, you can select a new Feature Usage

type from the pull-down list and click Check.

The corresponding Contour Type changes and a new check is forced on the sketch.

4Click Reset to return to the original Feature Usage type.

5Click the Close button to close the dialog.

Also, the dialog closes automatically when you exit the sketch, rebuild, change to a new document, etc.

Cut and Paste Sketch Entities

You can cut and paste, or copy and paste, multiple sketch entities from one sketch to another or within the same sketch.

Select the sketch entities and drag while using the following modifier keys:

To copy within the same document or different documents, press the Ctrl key while dragging.

To move within the same sketch, press the Shift key.

To move between different documents, press the Ctrl key and drag the sketch into the second document. Then, release the Ctrl key, hold down the Shift key and drop the sketch.

Note: A new sketch has to be open in the target document to do the drag and drop operation.

Grid/Units

To specify the grid and units settings for documents:


2Click on the Grid/Units tab.

3Change the settings and click OK.

Grid

Properties

Display Grid

Dash

Automatic Scaling

Major Grid Spacing

Minor Lines Per Major

Snap Behavior

Snap to Points

Snap Points Per Minor

Snap to Angle

Snap Only When Grid is Displayed

Units

Length Unit

Units Type

Decimal Places

Fractions Denominator

Round to Nearest Fraction

Angular Unit

UnitsType

Decimal Places

Spin Box Increments

Length

Angle

View System Defaults. When checked, the system default for each of the options is displayed; when not checked the option selections used by the active document are displayed.

Apply To: Select an option from the pull-down list, as follows:

System Defaults. Applies the selections that you made to all new documents that you create.

Active Document. Applies the selections that you made to only the currently active document.

All Possible. Applies the selections that you made to both the system defaults and currently active document.

Edit Sketch Plane

Changes the sketch plane.

To change the plane of a sketch:

1Right-mouse click the sketch in the FeatureManager design tree, and select Edit Sketch Plane.

2Select a new plane by clicking a plane in the FeatureManager design tree or select a new face by clicking a different model face in the sketch.

3Click Apply or click Cancel to exit without making a change.

Fillet (Sketched)

Creates a tangent arc at the intersection of two sketch elements, trimming away the corner.

You can select sketch entities to be filleted in the following ways:

Hold the Ctrl key and click two intersecting sketch entities.

Click on a corner.

You can also select non-intersecting entities to fillet if they are not dimensioned. The selected entities are extended and then the corner is filleted away.

Note:You can either pre-select sketch entities or a corner, or you can select after the dialog box appears.

To create a fillet in a sketch:

1Click or Tools, Sketch Tools, Fillet.

A Sketch Fillet dialog box appears.

2In the Radius box, enter a fillet radius value or use the arrows to scroll to a new value.

3If the corner has dimensions or relations, and you want to keep the virtual intersection point, click the Keep constrained corners checkbox.

4If you pre-selected sketch entities, click Apply to create the fillet.

- or -

If you did not pre-select, click the sketch entities or corner that you want to fillet, or select two sketch elements that would form a corner if extended.

The dialog box stays open so you can continue selecting corners/sketch elements to make other fillets.

Note:Consecutive fillets with the same radius are not dimensioned individually; they have an automatic Equal relation with the first fillet in the series.

5Click Undo to cancel the last fillet,

- or -

to remove a fillet from a corner, click the fillet and then click Undo.

6Click Close to close the dialog box.

With Keep constrained corners checked:

Modify Sketch

Allows you to move, rotate, or scale a sketch.

To move or rotate a sketch:

1Open a sketch or select a sketch in the FeatureManager design tree, and click or Tools, Sketch Tools, Modify.

2To move the sketch geometry incrementally: In the Translate region of the Modify Sketch dialog, type incremental values in the X value and Y value boxes, and then press Enter.

To move a specified point of the sketch to a specific location: In the Translate region, click Position Selected Point, and select a point on the sketch. Then type the sketch coordinates in the X value and Y value boxes, and press Enter.

Note The Modify Sketch command translates the entire sketch geometry in relation to the model (including the sketch origin). The sketch geometry does not move relative to the origin of the sketch.

3In the Rotate region of the Modify Sketch dialog, you can enter a specific rotation value, and then press Enter.

- or -

You can use the mouse cursor to move and rotate, as follows:

Press the left mouse button to move the sketch.

Press the right mouse button to rotate the sketch around the black origin symbol.

Point at the end points or center of the black origin symbol to display one of three flip symbols on the right mouse button. Press the flip symbol to flip the sketch on the X axis, the Y axis, or both.

Point at the center point of the black origin symbol, to display a point symbol on the left mouse button. Press the left button to move the center of rotation independently of the sketch.

Note You cannot move a sketch if it has multiple external references. (The mouse cursor has a ? on the left button.) If the sketch has only one external point, you can rotate the sketch around this point.

4Click Close to exit the dialog box.

To scale a sketch:

1In the Scale About box select one of the following:

Sketch origin - Applies a uniform scale about the origin of the sketch.

- or

Moveable origin Scales the sketch about the moveable origin.

2Type a decimal value in the Factor box, and press Enter.

NoteYou cannot scale a sketch if it has external references.

3Click Close to exit the dialog box.

Aligning Views to Each Other

You can change the alignment of views that are not aligned by default, or whose alignment you have broken.

To align one drawing view to another:

1Select a drawing view, and click Tools, Align Drawing View, Horizontal to Another View or Vertical to Another View.

or

Right-click a drawing view, and select Alignment, Align Horizontal or Align Vertical.

The pointer changes to .

2Select the view to which you want to align.

The model origins are aligned along the chosen direction. The alignment is maintained if you move the reference view.

To break an alignment created this way, right-click the view and select Alignment, Break Alignment

, or click Tools, Align Drawing View, Break Alignment.

See also Breaking and Restoring View Alignment.

Reference Geometry Options

To set reference geometry options:


2Select the Reference Geometry tab.

Display filters. The display filter manages the default display of the following: Planes, Axes, Temporary Axes, Origins, Coordinate Systems, and Points.

To display a reference geometry item, click the items checkbox to add a check. To hide an item, make sure the items checkbox does not have a check.

Note: Use the options under the View menu to set the visibility of reference geometry in the current document only.

Plane default names. Lets you specify default plane names for parts and assemblies. For example, you may want to name the planes Front, Top, and Right, instead of Plane1, Plane2, and Plane3.

Enter the new names in the boxes that correspond to the original plane names.

To return to the original names, click Reset A

Axis

Creates an axis in a part or assembly.

To create an axis:

1Click or Insert, Reference Geometry, Axis.

2Select from the Options to make an axis box.

One Line/Edge/Axis. Select a sketched line, a model edge, or select View, Temporary Axes , and then select the axis that is displayed.

Two Planes. Select View, Planes, and then select two intersecting construction planes.

Two points/vertices. Select two sketched points, two vertices, or a point and a vertex.

Cylindrical/Conical Surface. Select a cylindrical or conical surface.

Point and Surface. Select a plane or planar surface and a sketched point or a vertex. The axis must be normal to the selected planar surface on the model.

3Verify that the items listed in the Selected items box correspond to your selection(s).

4Click OK.

NOTE:Axis display must be turned on (see Axes) to see the new axis.

Coordinate System

You can define a coordinate system for a part or assembly. Use this coordinate system with the Measure and Mass Properties tools, and for exporting SolidWorks documents to IGES, STL, ACIS, STEP, Parasolid, and VDA.

To create a coordinate system:

1Click Coordinate System or Insert, Reference Geometry, Coordinate System.

2Select a vertex, sketched point, midpoint of an edge, or the default point of origin on a part (or component, in an assembly). The name of the entity is listed in the Origin box.

3Click in the box for the X, Y, or Z axis, and then click an edge, face, or vertex on the part, or a sketch segment to indicate the direction of the selected axis.

4Click another box in the Axes section and select another edge, face, or vertex to define this axis.

5If you need to change your selections, right-mouse click in the graphics area and select Clear Selections.

6If you need to reverse the direction of an axis, click the Flip check box under its definition.

7When the coordinate system is defined, click OK.

To change the coordinate system definition:

Right-click the coordinate systems name in the FeatureManager design tree and select Edit Definition.

To translate a coordinate system to a new location:

You may need to locate a coordinate system where there are no edges, vertices, or points available to control the definition of the angle or direction of an axis. In this case, you can define a coordinate system someplace on the part that does provide the entities you need. Then you can move the new origin to the desired location.

1Click Coordinate System or Insert, Reference Geometry, Coordinate System.

2Define the coordinate system at a location on the part that provides the entities you need to control the angle and direction of each axis.

3Click the Origin box and then click the location to which you want to translate the origin.

4Click OK. The new origin moves to the location that you selected.

NOTE: When you create a coordinate system, it is a good idea to give it a meaningful name to explain its purpose. Click-pause-click the coordinate systems name in the FeatureManager design tree and enter a new name.

See also Default Coordinate System .

Construction Geometry

Converts sketched curves on a sketch or drawing to construction geometry. Construction geometry is used only to assist in creating the sketch entities and geometry that is ultimately incorporated into the part. Construction geometry is ignored when the sketch is used to create a feature.

To convert lines, arcs, or circles in a drawing to construction geometry:

1Select a sketched line, arc, ellipse, spline or circle in a drawing.

- or -

Box-select several sketch entities (a rectangle or parallelogram) in a drawing.

2Select the For construction check box on the PropertyManager tab.

- or

Click Tools, Sketch Entity, Construction Geometry.

To convert lines, arcs, circles, ellipses or splines in a sketch or drawing to construction geometry:

If you have the sketch PropertyManager enabled:

1Select a sketch entity.


If you do not have the sketch PropertyManager enabled:

1Right-click a sketched line, arc, ellipse, spline, or circle in a sketch or drawing.

2Select Properties, and select the For construction check box on the PropertyManager tab.

To convert multiple sketch entities, or a rectangle or parallelogram, in a sketch or drawing to construction geometry:

1Box-select the entities.

2Right-click and select Properties.


Plane

Creates a construction plane in a part or assembly.

To create a construction plane:

1Click or Insert, Reference Geometry, Plane.

2Select the type of plane you want to create and click Next.

3Select the appropriate number of vertices, faces, or edges for the type of plane you want to create.

4Enter the required distance or angle, if any, and click Reverse Direction, if necessary.

5Click Finish.

See also:

Plane at Angle

Offset Plane

On Surface Plane

Parallel Plane at Point

Perpendicular to Curve at Point Plane

Line and Point Plane

Three Point Plane

Planes

Toggles the display of planes on or off.

To turn plane display on or off:

Click View, Planes. A check mark next to the menu item means planes are visible (except for planes you have hidden individually).

To hide or show individual planes:

1Right-click on the plane or on its name in the FeatureManager design tree.

2Click Hide or Show.

Note:Individual planes always appear when you select them.

Midpoint Selection for Planes

You can select the midpoint of an entity for use within the Plane Wizard for the following plane types: Three Point, Line and Point, and Parallel to Plane at Point.

To select the midpoint:

1Right-mouse click an edge on which you want to select a midpoint.

2Click Select Midpoint in the menu.

The midpoint appears as a plus sign (+) on the edge.

Move, Resize, or Copy Planes

You can move, resize, and copy construction planes using the plane handles and edges.

To display the planes handles:

Click on the planes name in the FeatureManager design tree or in the graphics area, or

Click on the edge of the plane.

Using the planes handles and edges, you can do the following:

Resize the plane by dragging a corner or edge handle.

Move the plane by dragging the edge of the plane.

Copy the plane by selecting a plane in the graphics area. Then hold the Ctrl key and, using the edge, drag to a new location.

To set the offset distance, angle, or distance between planes:

Double-click the plane to display the offset distance or angle.

Double-click the dimension or angle and enter a new value in the Modify box.

- or -

Right-mouse click the name of the plane in the FeatureManager design tree.

Select Edit Definition.

Enter new values to define the plane, and click Finish.

Curve Through Reference Points

Creates a simple 3D spline curve through points or vertices located on one or more planes. You can use this curve as a path for a sweep or as a guide curve for a loft or sweep.

To create a simple curve through points:

1With a sketch active, use (the point tool) to place points to guide the curve, or use existing vertices.

2Close the sketch.

3Select a different plane and open a new sketch.

4Place additional points on the second plane and close the sketch.

5Click or Insert, Curve, Curve Through Reference Points.

The Curve dialog box opens.

6Click the Spline Points box, then select the points and/or vertices in the order in which you want to create the curve. You can use the arrow keys to rotate the view to assist in selecting the points.

As you select, the sketch items and/or vertices are listed in the Spline Points box.

7If you want to close the curve, click the Closed Curve box.

8Click OK to create the curve.

Projected Curve onto a Face or Faces

You can project a curve onto a face (or faces) to create a path or guide curve for a swept feature or the guide curve for a lofted feature.

To project a curve onto a face:

1Create a sketch that contains a single curve (either open or closed) on a face or faces.

2Click to close the sketch.

3Select the sketch.

4Hold down the Ctrl key and select the face where you want to project the curve.

5Click Insert, Curve, Projected. The curve now appears in the FeatureManager design tree and on the selected face.

You can Reverse the direction in which the curve is projected when the extruded face wraps around the plane of the curve.

Right-click the curve icon in the FeatureManager design tree and select Edit Definition. Click Reverse to reverse the placement of the curve on the face.

See also Sweep and Loft Feature

Creating a 3D Curve by Projecting one Sketch onto Another

You can create a 3D curve generated by curves sketched on two intersecting planes.

To create a projected curve using sketches on two intersecting planes:

1Create a sketch on each of two intersecting planes, closing each sketch when you are done. Each sketch must contain a single open curve.

Be sure to align the sketches such that when they are projected normal to their sketch plane the implied surfaces will intersect, creating the desired result.

2Click to select each sketch.

3Click Insert, Curve, Projected.

The curve appears. (Note: In another step, a profile sketch was added for a sweep.)

The following is an example of using the 3D curve to create a swept feature.

To replace one of the projected curve sketches with a new sketch, see Replacing a Projected Curve Sketch .

See also Sweep and Loft Feature .

Split Line

Projects a sketched curve onto selected model faces. It divides a selected face into multiple separate faces so that each can be selected and modified individually.

The split line may be created using a sketch that is either open or closed.

Split line is used:

with the Parting Line option in the Draft feature

to create a hold line for a Face Blend

to create a Dome that rises from inside the boundary of a planar surface

To project a split line onto a planar face:

1Open a sketch on the face of part and sketch a line to project as your split line.

2Exit the sketch.

3Click Insert, Curve, Split Line.

4On the Split Lines dialog box, select Projection and click Next.

5On the Project Split Line dialog, click the Sketch to Project box and select the sketched line in the FeatureManager design tree. The sketch item should appear in the box.

6Click the Faces to Split box and select all the faces around the perimeter of the part that you want the split line to pass through. The number of faces should appear in the Faces to Split box.

7If there is an interruption in the selected face (for example, if the sketch plane of the Sketch to Project lies in the area of a cut), click Single Direction to project the curve in one direction only. Click Reverse Direction if the preview indicates that the curve projects the wrong way.

8Click Finish.

To project a split line onto a cylindrical surface:

1With a cylindrical part open, click Insert, Curve, Split Line.

2On the Split Lines dialog box, select Silhouette and click Next.

3Click the Direction of Pull box.

4In the FeatureManager design tree, click any plane that projects through the silhouette.

5Click the Faces to Split box and click on the cylinder wall(s) to split (not the circular end face).

6Click Finish.

. Helix

Creates a helix curve in a part. The helix can be used as a path or guide curve for a swept feature, or a guide curve for a lofted feature.

See also Spiral .

To create a helix:

1Open a sketch and sketch a circle. The diameter of this circle controls the diameter of the helix.

2Close the sketch.

3Select the circle.

4Click Insert, Curve, Helix/Spiral.

5Select a definition from the Defined by scroll box: Pitch and Revolution, Height and Revolution, or Height and Pitch. (To define a helix, you specify two values, and the third value is automatically calculated.)

6Depending on the definition, specify values for Height, Pitch, and number of Revolutions.

7To make a tapered helix, click the Taper Helix checkbox, specify the Angle of taper, and the direction of the taper (outward or inward).

8If necessary, specify a Starting Angle for the first turn of the helix.

9Click Reverse to make the helix extend backward from the point of origin.

10Click a radio button to choose the direction of the turns (Clockwise or Counterclockwise).

11Click OK.

Spiral

Creates a spiral curve.

To create a spiral:

1Open a sketch and sketch a circle. The radius of the sketched circle is the radius of the spiral at its start point.

2Close the sketch.

3Select the circle.

4Click Insert, Curve, Helix/Spiral.

5In the Defined by scroll box, select Spiral.

6Enter a value for the Pitch. In this context, pitch is the rate of change of the radius for each revolution.

Note: The Pitch value must be greater than 0.0 and not greater than 200000.

7Specify the number of Revolutions.

8Click the Reverse box to create an inward spiral.

9Specify a value in the Starting Angle box to indicate where to start the spiral.

10Click a radio button to choose the direction of the turns (Clockwise or Counterclockwise).

11Click OK.

Move/Size Features with Feature Handles

Provides handles so you can move, rotate, and size extruded and revolved features.

To display and use the feature handles:

1Click on the Features toolbar.

2Click the feature you want to work with, either in the FeatureManager design tree or in the graphics area. Double-click the feature to display both the handles and the dimensions of the feature.

3Drag the rotate handle or the resize handle , to rotate or resize the feature.

4To move a feature, you can either:

Drag the feature to a new location with the move handle.

If the feature has locating dimensions or relations that restrict its movement, a message asks you if you want to delete or keep the relations or dimensions.

- or -

Hold the Alt key as you drag to maintain the dimensions and relations on the feature. The feature is allowed to move, but only in the directions not already controlled by dimensions or relations.

5When you are finished, click again to disable the handle display.

Note:When you drag a feature with the move handle, any child feature moves with its parent. When you Shift-drag, an attempt is made to maintain the relative position of any child feature, based on the childs dimensions and relations. However, in some cases (for example, when the child feature is under defined, or dimensioned to something other than its parent), the child may not move with the parent as expected.

With the Move/size features tool disabled, you can still move a feature, by holding the Shift key and dragging one of its planar faces. See Move and Copy Features .

See also Dynamic Feature Editing.

Suppress

Suppresses a feature or component so you can work on the model or assembly with the selected feature or component temporarily omitted. Dependents of the selected feature or component are also suppressed.

To suppress a feature:

1Select a feature in the FeatureManager design tree.

2Click or Edit, Suppress.

The feature or component disappears from the view and its icon is grayed in the FeatureManager design tree.

Use Unsuppress or Unsuppress with Dependents to restore suppressed features or components.

See also Suppressing vs. Hiding Components .

Chamfer Feature

Creates a beveled feature on selected edges or a vertex.

To create a chamfer feature:

1Click or Insert, Features, Chamfer.

2On the model, select the edges, faces, loops, or vertex to chamfer. (You can also do this as the first step.)

3Look for an arrow at the selected edge; it indicates the direction of the chamfer. If the direction is not what you want, click Flip Direction.

Note:For better visibility of the arrow, deselect Shaded view mode.

4Examine the Items to Chamfer list to make certain that you have selected the entities that you intended.

If you selected an incorrect item, click it again to deselect it.

5Select a Chamfer Type, and specify the necessary parameters.

Distance-DistanceEnter values for both distances on either side of the selected chamfer edges, or click Equal Distance and specify a single value.

Angle-DistanceEnter values for distance and angle. An arrow appears that points in the direction in which the distance is measured. If necessary, select Flip Direction.

Vertex-ChamferEnter distance values for the three chamfer edges. When you enter a distance value, the arrow moves to the corresponding chamfer edge on the model and indicates the direction of the chamfer. - or -Click Equal Distance and specify a single value.

The vertex may be concave or convex.

6Click OK.

Hole Wizard

Creates complex holes (countersunk, counterbored, tapered, holes with drill angles, and so on) and simple hole features.

To create a hole:

1Select the planar face on the model where you want to create the hole.

2Click or Insert, Features, Hole, Wizard.

3From the Hole Type list, select the kind of hole to create.

4To change the dimensions in the Section dimensions box, slowly click a dimension two times to select it, then enter a new dimension value.

5Select the End Condition from the list:

6Specify the Face, Vertex, or Offset, if the end condition requires it.

7Click Next.

8Drag the hole center to the desired location or dimension the center point as required.

9Click Finish.

Cut Extrude

Creates a feature that removes material by extruding a profile for a specified distance.

To create a solid or thin feature cut:

1Create a sketch of the profile that you want to extrude, or select an existing sketch that contains a profile. The profile does not have to be closed.

2Click or Insert, Cut, Extrude.

3Select the Type.

4Specify the Depth.

5Click Reverse Direction, if necessary.

6Select Flip Side to Cut if you want to remove the material surrounding the profile.

Note that when extruding a cut to a non-planar face with Flip Side to Cut and Up to Next, Up to Surface, or Offset from Surface selected, all of the material outside the cut profile is removed.

7To add a Draft angle, check the Draft While Extruding box. Enter a draft Angle and check Draft Outward, if desired.

8If the Type you selected relies on the selection of a surface or vertex, select that item now in the graphics area. The selection displays in the Selected Items list.

9To extrude the feature in two directions from the sketch plane using a closed profile, select Both Directions, and specify settings for Direction 2 from the Settings for box. Repeat steps 3 through 8 for the other end.

To extrude the feature in two directions from the sketch plane using an open profile, you indicate the settings once because Both Directions is selected by default.

10Specify Solid Feature or Thin Feature in the Extrude as box.

If you are extruding the cut as a solid feature, skip ahead to Step 12. If you are extruding the cut as a thin feature, proceed to Step 11.

11Select the Thin Feature tab at the top of the dialog box, and

Select a Type.

Specify a Wall Thickness.

To extrude in the opposite direction, click Reverse.

12Click OK.

See also Loft Feature , Revolved Cut , Sweep Feature.

Dome Feature

You can add a dome feature to any planar model face.

Also, you can use a closed split line to create a dome on a planar face, instead of using the outer boundary of that planar face.

To create a dome on a planar face:

1Click or Insert, Features, Dome.

2Select a planar face in the graphics area.

3Specify the Height, and observe the preview. The height is measured from the centroid of the selected face.

4Click Reverse Direction to create a concave dome (default is convex).

5If you selected a circular or elliptical face, you can select Elliptical Dome. This creates a dome whose shape is a half ellipsoid, with a height equal to one of the ellipsoid radii.

6Click OK.

To create a dome using a split line:

1Insert a closed Split Line curve on a planar face of a model.

2Click or Insert, Features, Dome.

3Click within the closed split line in the graphics area.

4Specify the Height, and observe the preview.

5Click OK.

Draft

Creates a feature that tapers selected model faces by a specified angle, using either a neutral plane

or a parting line.

NoteYou can also apply a draft angle as part of an extruded base, boss, or cut. (See Extrude.)

To draft a model face to a neutral plane:

1Click or Insert, Features, Draft.

2In the Type of Draft box, select Neutral Plane.

3Set the Draft Angle.

4Click the Neutral Plane box, and select a face or plane to serve as the neutral plane. The draft angle is measured perpendicular to this plane.

Note:An arrow appears on the part. The arrow indicates the direction of pull away from the neutral plane, and indicates the direction of the draft angle.

5If you want the draft to slant in the opposite direction, click Reverse Direction.

6Click in the Faces to Draft box, and select the faces to draft in the graphics area.

7Choose an item from the Face Propagation list that describes how you want the draft to propagate across additional faces:

None - Draft only the selected face.

Along Tangent - Extend the draft to all faces that are tangent to the selected face. (The faces meet with filleted corners.)

All Faces - Draft all faces next to the neutral plane and extruded from the neutral plane.

Inner Faces - Draft all faces extruded from the neutral plane.

Outer Faces - Draft all faces next to the neutral plane.

8Click OK.

To draft to a parting line:

1With a part open that already has a split line , click or Insert, Features, Draft.

2In the Type of Draft box, select Parting Line.

3In the Draft Angle box specify the angle that you want.

4Click in the Direction of Pull box and click the face toward which you want the draft angle to go. A directional arrow displays; click Reverse Direction if the arrow is not pointing in the correct direction. Note: The arrow indicates the direction of pull.

5Click the Parting Lines box.

6Select the parting line on each face of the part. Right-click and choose Select Other as necessary. A directional arrow displays; click Other Face if the arrow is not pointing at the correct face. The list of selected line segments displays in the Parting Lines box.

7Choose an item from the list that describes how you want the draft to propagate across additional faces:

None - Draft only the selected face.

Along Tangent - Extend the draft to all faces that are tangent to the selected face.

8Click OK to complete the draft of the part.

See also Step Draft .

Extrude

Creates a feature that adds or removes material by extruding a profile for a specified distance.

You can extrude in one or two directions and add a draft while extruding.

An extrusion extends the sketched profile as a solid feature, a thin feature, or a surface.

To create an extruded base or boss:

1Create a sketch and draw the profile you want to extrude, or select an existing sketch that contains a profile. The profile must be closed and cannot intersect itself.

2Click or Insert, Base, Extrude, or Insert, Boss, Extrude.

3Select the Type, and specify the Depth if necessary.


5To add a Draft, select the Draft While Extruding box. Enter a draft Angle and select Draft Outward, if necessary.


7To extrude the feature in both directions from the sketch plane, select Both Directions, then in the Settings For box, click Direction 2 and repeat steps 3 through 5 for the other end.

8Set the Extrude As box to Solid Feature.

9Click OK.

To extrude a thin feature or surface:

1Sketch a profile for the extrusion. This does not have to be a closed profile.

2Click or Insert, Base, Extrude, or click Insert, Surface, Extrude.

3Select the Type, and specify the Depth.


5To add a Draft to a thin feature extrusion, select the Draft While Extruding box, and enter a draft Angle.


7To extrude the feature in both directions from the sketch plane, select Both Directions, then in the Settings For box, click Direction 2 and repeat the steps above.

If you are creating a surface, proceed to Step 12.

8If you are extruding a closed profile sketch, you must set the Extrude As box to Thin Feature.

9Click the Thin Feature tab at the top of the dialog box.

10Select the extrusion Type, and specify the Wall Thickness.

11If you created a closed profile you can select the following options:

Cap Ends. Specifies that the ends of the thin feature are capped. A capped thin feature must be extruded from a closed profile sketch. When the ends are capped, all walls of the feature are closed; the center is hollow.

Cap Thickness. Lets you specify the thickness of the cap. (Available only if Cap Ends is selected.)

- or -

If you created an open profile you can select the following options:

Auto Fillet. Automatically creates a round at the each edge where lines meet at an angle.

Fillet Radius. Specifies the inside radius of the round.

12Click OK.

See also Cut Extrude , Extruded Surface .

Fillet/Round

Creates a fillet or round feature on selected model edges.

Click here for information about creating a Face Blend fillet.

To create a fillet or round:

1Select the edges, loops , and faces you want to fillet.

2Click or Insert, Features, Fillet/Round.

3Specify the fillet Radius.

4The default setting Propagate To Tangent Faces will extend the fillet to all faces that are tangent to the selected faces. Deselect it, if necessary.

5Select the Overflow Type.

6View the Items to Fillet box to be certain that you have selected the edges, faces, or loops that you intended.

7Click OK.

See also Variable Radius Fillet .

Loft Feature

Creates a feature that adds or removes material by connecting multiple cross sections. You can also create a surface loft.

To create a loft feature:

1Set up the planes needed for the cross sections. (You can use existing faces and planes, or create new planes. The planes do not have to be parallel.)

2Sketch each section on a different face or plane.

3If you are creating an extruded loft, click or Insert, Base or Boss, Loft. Otherwise, click Insert, Cut, Loft or Insert, Surface, Loft.

4Select the sketches in order, picking a corresponding point on each cross section. You do not have to select the vertices precisely; the vertex closest to the selection point is used.

The sketches are listed in the Profiles box, and a preview curve connecting the selected entities is displayed.

5If the preview curve looks wrong:

Use the Up or Down buttons to rearrange the sketches if they are in the wrong order.

If the wrong vertices are connected, click the profile once to deselect it, then click again to select a different point on the profile.

To clear all selections and start over, right-click in the graphics area, select Clear Selections, and try again.

6Click Close Along Loft Direction to create a closed body along the loft direction. This connects the last sketch and the first sketch automatically.

7Click Maintain Tangency to cause the surfaces in the resulting loft to be tangent if the corresponding segments are tangent.

8Click Advanced Smoothing to obtain smoother surfaces. This option is available only if the loft sections have circular or elliptical arcs.

9If you want to select a different option for Start Tangency or End Tangency, or if you want to use a Center Line to guide the loft, click the Advanced tab.

10Click OK to create the loft, or click Cancel.

See also Guide Curve Loft , Center Line Loft , Split Line Loft, Loft Using Non-planar Profiles , Loft Tangency Options , Lofted Surface.

Revolve

Creates a feature that adds or removes material by revolving one or more profiles around a centerline. The feature may be either a solid, a thin wall, or a surface.

To create a revolved feature:

1Create a sketch containing one or more profiles and a centerline.

The sketch for a solid revolved feature can contain one or more closed, non-intersecting profiles. However, one profile must contain all of the other profiles for a base revolved feature containing multiple profiles.

The sketch for a thin or surface revolved feature can contain only one open, or closed, non-intersecting profile.

Profiles cannot cross the centerline. If the sketch contains more than one centerline, select the centerline you want to use as the axis of the revolution.

2Click one of the following:

or Insert, Base, Revolve, or Insert, Boss, Revolve

or Insert, Cut, Revolve

Insert, Surface, Revolve

3From the Revolve As box, select either Solid Feature or Thin Feature if creating a base, boss, or cut feature.

4If creating a Thin Feature, click the Thin Feature tab, choose a direction from the Type box, and specify a Wall Thickness.

- or -

If creating a Solid Feature, choose a direction from the Type box and set the desired rotation angle in the Angle box.

5The preview shows the direction of rotation. Select the Reverse check box if you want to rotate the feature in the opposite direction.

6Click OK.

See also Revolved Surface

Rib Feature

Adds a rib of a specified thickness and direction between the contour and the surrounding part.

To add a rib to a part:

1Insert a plane that intersects the part in the direction in which you want to create the rib.

2Sketch the contour to use for the rib.

3Click or Insert, Features, Rib.

4From the Rib dialog, select Mid Plane to extrude the rib equally in both directions from the sketch plane, or Single Side to extrude in one direction.

5If you chose Single Side, examine the preview and select Reverse if necessary to get the results you want.

Note:For better visibility of the preview, change to Isometric view and use Hidden Lines Removed , or Hidden in Gray view mode.

6Enter the thickness of the rib, and click Next >.

7In the Rib Options dialog, examine the preview arrow and, if necessary, select Flip side of material to reverse the direction in which material is added.

8To add a draft, select Enable Draft and enter the draft Angle. Select Draft Outward, if necessary.

9To create a rib with multiple contours using draft angles, click the Next Reference button until the arrow shows on the contour from which you want to start the draft angle.

10Click Finish.

Shape Feature

Creates a deformed surface from a face on a model. The deformed surface can be expanded, constrained, and tightened.

To create a deformed surface:

1Create a model and select a face to shape.

2Sketch one or more entities with which to constrain the shape. Create the constraining entities directly on the face or on a construction plane. Valid constraining entities are as follows:

Points (sketch points, endpoints, vertices, and so on.)

Sketches

Edges

Reference curves

3Click or Insert, Features, Shape.

4Select the face to shape; you can only select one face.

5Click the Constrain to box and select the entities you created to constrain the shape.

6If desired, deselect Maintain Boundary Tangents.

Maintain Boundary Tangents, selected

Maintain Boundary Tangent

solidworks- 99

Documents

toplevel assembly

assembly operations

assembly structure editing

order of components

exisiting components

rotate components

new features

overview of new functionality