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IN FOCUS
Tips & Tricks
Tips & Tricks
January 2012
- Shift-select dimension text in a drawing to move a dimension from one view to another. Ctrl-select Dimension text in a drawing to copy a dimension from one view to another.
- You can change a Break Line look by right clicking on the Break line and choose the type from the menu. Choose from Straight, Curved, Zig Zag and Small Zig Zag.
- You can override dimensions when dragging sketch entities by clicking tools, sketch settings, override dims on drag. You can make this the default behaviour by setting the option under Tools , Options, system Options, Sketch.
- Place Predefined Views on a template so that when a part or assembly is put onto the drawing, it populates all the views with predefined orientations. Insert, Drawing View, Predefined
- Bills of Materials (BOMs) for parts and assemblies have enhanced support in eDrawings. Select individual rows to highlight, hide, or show the corresponding components or to make them transparent. In earlier releases, you could view BOMs created in SolidWorks assemblies. Now, you can hide, show, and reposition them.(From SolidWorks 2010)
Decmber 2011
- Cut Across Bends
You can unfold a part that has cuts across bends when the cuts do not go through the entire part. This is helpful when making flat patterns for manufacturing.
- Flat Patterns
You can exclude faces from flat patterns, which is helpful when faces interfere with bends. In the FeatureManager design tree, right-click Flat-Pattern and click Edit Feature . In the graphics area, for Faces To Exclude select faces that you do not want in the flat pattern. You must select the front and back of each face that you want to exclude.
- Over Defined Sketches
When you sketch the last entity to create a closed-profile sketch, it may clash with inferred relations from the other sketch entities. In this case, the dimension for the last sketch entity causes the sketch to be over defined. In SolidWorks 2012, the clashing dimension is changed to a driven dimension.
- Sketch Rotation
You can set an option to automatically rotate 2D sketches to be normal to the sketch plane. Click Tools > Options > System Options > Sketch and select Auto-rotate view normal to sketch plane on sketch creation. Whenever you open a sketch on a plane, the view rotates so it is normal to the plane. - Recent Documents and Open Documents
The Recent Documents list can now hold up to 16 items, and you can pin favorite documents to the list. You can close open documents from the Open Documents list.
You can open the folder that contains an item from either the Recent Documents or the Open Documents list. Items that you highlight from the keyboard are distinct from those you highlight with the mouse in the Recent Documents and Open Documents browsers. In this illustration, the item on the left is selected with the keyboard and opens if you press Enter. The item on the right is selected with the mouse by hovering over the item, and opens if you click the item.
November 2011
- Align Balloons with Magnetic Lines
You can use magnetic lines to align balloons. You attach balloons to magnetic lines, choose to space the balloons equally or not, and move the lines freely at any angle. The balloons maintain their alignment when the magnetic lines are not visible. You can insert magnetic lines automatically when you use the Auto Balloon command. You can also insert balloons before or after inserting magnetic lines. Click Magnetic Line (Annotation toolbar) or Insert > Annotations > Magnetic Line. - Automatically Insert Center Marks
You can automatically insert center marks for all holes, fillets, and slots in drawing views. Linear and circular patterns are recognized. In a drawing, click Center Mark (Annotation toolbar) or right-click and click Annotations > Center Mark. - Highlighting Changed Dimensions
When opening a drawing, if dimensions have changed since the last time the drawing was saved, the changed dimensions are highlighted. To see changed dimensions, you must first save the part or assembly and the drawing in SolidWorks 2012. After you save
the drawing with the changed dimensions, the changed dimensions highlighting is reset. To turn on highlighting for changed dimensions:
1. Click Options (Standard toolbar) or Tools > Options.
2. On the System Options tab, click Colors.
3. Select Use specified color for changed drawing dimensions on open.
4. Click OK. - Exploded Drawing Views
For assemblies and multibody parts that contain an exploded view, the View Palette now automatically contains an Isometric Exploded view. To conveniently show any drawing view in an exploded state:
• In a drawing view, right-click and select Show in Exploded State.
• Alternatively, in the Drawing View PropertyManager, under Reference Configuration, select Show in exploded state - Insert Bills of Materials in Non-active Sheets
You can insert a bill of materials (BOM) in a different sheet than the sheet where the BOM is defined. After selecting the BOM command, you can switch drawing sheets and:
• While the pointer is attached to the BOM, place the BOM on the newly selected sheet.
• Click in a drawing view to activate the Bill of Materials PropertyManager, and click OK.
October 2011
- Renaming files
Don't rename files from Windows Explorer unless it is a document with no references (part not used in an assembly, assembly not used in another assembly or a drawing), or you know in advance how you're going to solve the problem you're about to create. - Multiple copies of files with the same name
In the SolidWorks Help, look up "Search file locations for external references", and Notice that there are 13 places where SolidWorks looks for parts when you open an assembly. If you have multiple copies of files with the same names, be aware that you may not get the ones you are looking for- Use File, Find References to see which versions you got. - File naming conventions
SolidWorks can only have one part with a given name open at a time The second part with the same name as another open part will use the first opened part it is best practice to use sequential part numbers in such a way that you can Guarantee that there will not be any duplicate file names - Explorer Inside SolidWorks
You can always explore files from the 'FILE explorer' as we do in windows explorer from your SolidWorks TASK PANE, the preview window of the file can also be generated by RMB on the SolidWorks file 'preview window' - SolidWorks Explorer- Standalone Free license
SolidWorks explorer is standalone free license it can initialized without SolidWorks installed on that machine, drives shared on network can always be mapped( RMB on 'my computer' in SolidWorks explorer- map network drive) and the files can be managed using SolidWorks explorer.
September 2011
- In 2d sketch, you can stretch multiple sketch entities as a single group, rather than having to modify each individual length. Click Stretch Entities (sketch toolbar; under Move Entities) or Tools > sketch tools > stretch entities.
- you can configure the Measure tool to display results using two different units of measure. For example, you can specify both millimetres and inches for display in the Measure dialog box, measurement callouts, and the status bar.
- You can convert a solid or surface body into a sheet metal part using the convert to sheet metal command. The solid body can be an imported sheet metal body. Click Convert Sheet Metal (sheet metal toolbar) or Insert > Sheet Metal > Convert To Sheet Metal.
- The Format Painter tool has been moved from Solidworks Utilities into core Solidworks. All Current functionality from Solidworks Utilities (available only in professional and premium flavours) is supported. Use Format Painter to paint the properties or styles used in one annotation to another. Format painter supports: 1. All annotation properties, such as font, leader line style, line thickness, and layer, 2. Component line fonts in drawings, 3. Crosshatch.
- You can create bills of materials (BOMs) in assembly files. You no longer need to create a drawing first. Create a BOM in an assembly or part by clicking Insert > Tables > Bill of Materials. After setting parameters in the PropertyManager, click in the graphics area to place the BOM.
August 2011
- You can create an opposite-hand version as a derived configuration of the component you are mirroring.
- The Create PropertyManager dialog box has been renamed to Configuration Publisher. In addition to its previous functionality, you can now use the dialog box to prepare models for uploading to 3D ContentCentral. You can now use rules to define the configurations of a model.
- SolidWorks multibody part functionality has been extended to sheet metal to allow you to create complex sheet metal designs. Multibody sheet metal parts can consist of multiple sheet metal bodies or a combination of sheet metal and other bodies such as weldment bodies.
- The new Copy option in the Move Face PropertyManager uses Instant3D functionality to edit copied faces. You cannot create disjoint bodies using the Copy option.
- The CircuitWorks user interface has been enhanced to better integrate with SolidWorks. The CircuitWorks feature tree is now available in SolidWorks.
July 2011
- SolidWorks Sustainability express evaluates the environmental impact of a design throughout the life cycle of a product. You can compare results from different designs to ensure a sustainable solution for the product and the environment.(SW 2010)
- You can insert a picture and sketch to trace on it( Tools-sketch tools-sketch picture).
- The Rollback tool is useful when editing large parts to limit rebuilding. Rollback to the position just after the feature that you are editing. When editing is completed, the part is rebuilt only upto the rollback bar.
- You can measure the shortest distance between edges, faces, sketch entities and components. Click measure (Tools toolbar) or tools, Measure, and select the pair of entities
- Sensors monitor selected properties of parts and assemblies and alert you when values deviate from the limits you specify. Find it in Tools>sensors (SolidWorks 2009).
June 2011
- SolidWorks SimulationXpress is redesigned to reduce screen clutter, provide better guidance to new users, and allow experienced users to create simulations more quickly. The new wizard uses elements of the full Simulation Professional and Premium interface to make the transition to Simulation easier.
- Simulation now supports edge weld connectors between two faces. This easy-to- use connector estimates the appropriate size of a weld needed to attach two metal components.The program calculates the size of a weld at each node location along the welding edge.
- The Mesh Progress and Solver Status windows now include memory usage information. A new, minimized Simulation study tooltip allows you to track the solver status without having to show a separate solver window.
- You can now create the Design Study to evaluate or optimize models. The new Design Study interface consolidates the earlier interfaces for optimization studies and design scenarios. You can plot the updated bodies and the calculated results for different iterations or scenarios by clicking their columns on the Results View tab. To create a study, click Design Study (Tools toolbar) or Insert > Design Study > Add. A Design Study tab appears at the bottom of the graphics area.
- New National Agency for Finite Element Methods and Standards (NAFEMS) benchmarks are added for Static, Thermal, Nonlinear, Frequency, and Linear Dynamic studies. To access the benchmarks, in the Help menu, click SolidWorks Simulation > Validation> NAFEMS Benchmarks.
May 2011
- The design checker- Drafting standards (ANSI, ISO, DIN, JIS, BSI, GOST and GB) are provided with a set of built-in drafting standard files. Validation using these files ensures that the SolidWorks document conforms to the corresponding drafting standard.
- One-Button Push to Correct All Errors-A new tool, Auto Correct All, lets you correct all of the errors shown in Design Checker.
- Sketch pictures applied to SolidWorks drawing sheets and parts are now visible in eDrawings
- PhotoWorks decals applied to SolidWorks models are now visible in eDrawings. eDrawings displays decals in SolidWorks parts and assemblies, and also in eDrawings files saved from SolidWorks. The decal must be visible when the model is saved to an eDrawings file.
- You can assign different materials to individual bodies in a multibody part. The material assignments are used by mass properties, drawing section views, and SolidWorks Simulation.
- You can look at two or more views of the same model simultaneously by using the view splitter bars located at the bottom of the window.
- When opening a drawing or an assembly, you can change the part being referenced by using the references button in the File Open dialog box.
- If the display in Hidden Line view mode is too coarse, you can adjust it using Tools, options,Document Properties, Image Quality, Wireframe.
- You can make the selection of entities easier by using the filters on the Selection Filter toolbar (shortcut ‘F5’),
- You can create copies of fillets, chamfers, and holes. Hold CTRL while dragging the icon from the FeatureManager design tree onto another edge or face.
- SolidWorks Sustainability express evaluates the environmental impact of a design throughout the life cycle of a product. You can compare results from different designs to ensure a sustainable solution for the product and the environment.(SW 2010)
- You can insert a picture and sketch to trace on it( Tools-sketch tools-sketch picture).
- The Rollback tool is useful when editing large parts to limit rebuilding. Rollback to the position just after the feature that you are editing. When editing is completed, the part is rebuilt only upto the rollback bar.
- You can measure the shortest distance between edges, faces, sketch entities and components. Click measure (Tools toolbar) or tools, Measure, and select the pair of entities.
- Sensors monitor selected properties of parts and assemblies and alert you when values deviate from the limits you specify. Find it in Tools>sensors (SolidWorks 2009).
April 2011
- Shift-select dimension text in a drawing to move a dimension from one view to another. Ctrl-select Dimension text in a drawing to copy a dimension from one view to another.
- You can change a Break Line look by right clicking on the Break line and choose the type from the menu. Choose from Straight, Curved, Zig Zag and Small Zig Zag.
- You can override dimensions when dragging sketch entities by clicking tools, sketch settings, override dims on drag. You can make this the default behavior by setting the option under Tools , Options, system Options, Sketch.
- In PhotoView 360, you can now see PhotoWorks decals that were applied in SolidWorks and that were visible when the part or assembly was saved.( SolidWorks 2010)
- Bills of Materials (BOMs) for parts and assemblies have enhanced support in eDrawings. Select individual rows to highlight, hide, or show the corresponding components or to make them transparent. In earlier releases, you could view BOMs created in SolidWorks assemblies. Now, you can hide, show, and reposition them.(SolidWorks 2010)
March 2011
- Sketch Modify - When a sketch plane is redefined or when a sketch is copied and pasted onto a new face/plane, the sketch may get rotated or mirrored. To quickly reorient sketches that do not have external relations, Click Tools/Sketch Tools/Modify. Right-clicking the black ends of the cursor will flip a sketch along that axis. Right-click-drag anywhere on the screen will rotate the sketch, or you can enter a rotation value in the dialog box
- You can use a mouse gesture as a shortcut to execute a command, similar to a keyboard shortcut. Once you learn command mappings, you can use mouse gestures to invoke mapped commands quickly. To activate a mouse gesture, from the graphics area, right-drag in one of four directions: up, down, left or right. (sw 2010)
- The dimension palette appears when you insert or select a dimension so you can easily change the dimension's properties and formatting. You can change the tolerance, precision, style, text, and other formatting options in the palette without going to the PropertyManager.(sw 2010)
February 2011
- Link a hyperlink to you part/Assembly/Drawing:- While in part or assembly mode (can be used in drawing mode). Choose the note tool from Tools>Annotations>Note. Place the note (attached to a face, edge, or just in space). Type what you would like the user to click on (example: click here or click for material information). From the property manager choose the hyperlink button. Browse to a local, network, or type/paste a web address in the dialog that appears. Click OK. Test out your link to make sure it goes to the correct webpage or file. File and Places to link to examples: Test videos, Reliability Test Reports, Stress Calculations, Material Information etc. .
- Less Addins save memory:- Lot of memory being used on your computer just starting SolidWorks because one or more o Add-ins is left on, this may cause solidworks to open slowly. Only turn on certain Add-ins when you are using them. For example is you only use PhotoWorks a couple times a month or like many user a couple times a year, turn it off unless you are using it. . Solidworks takes up lot of memory for the Addins like simulation when it is not all used. To check on your current Add-in that may be on at this time, start SolidWorks and go to Tools --> Add-ins.
- “Zoom to fit” and the assembly disappears?:- This is typically caused by components a long way (1000s of KM) from the origin. A new function quietly appeared in SW2008 which automatically corrects the problem: Tools -> AssemblyXpert will detect components a long way from the origin, and can bring them back to the correct place automatically.
- You can drag a specific configuration of a part into an assembly by selecting the configuration from the FeatureManager design tree.
- You can display view arrow and labels on drawing views. Select a drawing view, and in the property manager, select ‘display view arrow’, and optionally, specify a label (one or two characters).
- To change the crosshatch pattern in a drawing section view, select the crosshatch region and specify the pattern in the Area Hatchfill PropertyManager.
- You can Ctrl-drag a reference plane to make a quick offset copy. Double-click the new plane to specify the offset dimension exactly.
- You can create patterns of features, and patterns of patterns in parts. In assemblies, you can create patterns of components and patterns of components and patterns of assembly level features.
January 2011
- You can change a Break Line look by right clicking on the Break line and choose the type from the menu. Choose from Straight, Curved, Zig Zag and Small Zig Zag.
- Beginning with Solidworks 2008, there is a search-filter field (shown above) at the very top of the Feature Manager in assembly files, part files, and drawing files. Simply type your character string within this field, and as you type it will dynamically filter away all features except those that match the field.
- In drawings, the type of projection can be changed from 1st angle to 3rd angle projection. RMB on the sheet go to properties toggle radio button 1st angle or third angle projection.
- Creating notes with multiple leader lines. First, click on the note to select it. When it highlights, you will see a square, green drag-handle at the end of the leader arrow. Place your cursor directly over this drag handle, hold down the Ctrl key, and drag-and-drop a copy of the leader to a new location. Repeat if you want more than two leaders.
- Extrude to direction vector. To correctly build features built on drafted faces, you can specify a direction vector for the extrusion
