SolidWorks® 2013

BIBLE

SolidWorks® 2013

BIBLEMatt Lombard

SolidWorks® 2013 Bible

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 10475 Crosspoint Boulevard Indianapolis, IN 46256 www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

ISBN: 978-1-118-50840-4

Manufactured in the United States of America

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Wiley publishes in a variety of print and electronic formats and by print-on-demand. Some material included with standard print versions of this book may not be included in e-books or in print-on-demand. If this book refers to media such as a CD or DVD that is not included in the version you purchased, you may download this material at http://booksupport.wiley.com. For more information about Wiley products, visit www.wiley.com.

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CreditsSenior Acquisitions EditorStephanie McComb

Project EditorMartin V. Minner

Technical EditorEdward L. Cyganik

Copy EditorGwenette Gaddis

Editorial DirectorRobyn Siesky

Business ManagerAmy Knies

Senior Marketing ManagerSandy Smith

Vice President and Executive Group PublisherRichard Swadley

Vice President and Executive PublisherBarry Pruett

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IndexingBIM Indexing & Proofreading Services

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Media Development Associate ProducersJosh Frank Shawn Patrick Doug Kuhn Marilyn Hummel

About the AuthorMatt Lombard is an independent engineering consultant specializing in plastic parts and complex shapes. He also writes a blog on SolidWorks, which you can find at www.dezignstuff.com/blog. Matt lives in the picturesque Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, where he enjoys reading the classics and fishing.

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I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the staff at Wiley for their dedication in editing the text of these books. It can be a difficult job making sure that a technical subject is treated properly. I’d also like to thank Eddie Cyganik, the technical editor, for taking the time out of his schedule to make sure the material is accurate. Thanks also to Kim and Zoey, who help with the details in life allowing me to do this kind of work.

Acknowledgments

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Part I: Introducing SolidWorks Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Chapter 1: Introducing SolidWorks ................................................................................ 3Chapter 2: Navigating the SolidWorks Interface ............................................................ 27Chapter 3: Working with Sketches ............................................................................... 69Chapter 4: Creating Simple Parts and Drawings ...........................................................121Chapter 5: Using Visualization Techniques ..................................................................157

Part II: Building Intelligence into Your Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197Chapter 6: Getting More from Your Sketches ...............................................................199Chapter 7 Modeling with Primary Features ..................................................................235Chapter 8: Selecting Secondary Features ......................................................................297Chapter 9: Patterning and Mirroring ............................................................................325Chapter 10: Using Equations .......................................................................................357Chapter 11: Working with Part Configurations .............................................................375Chapter 12: Editing, Evaluating, and Troubleshooting ..................................................415

Part III: Working with Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 457Chapter 13: Building Efficient Assemblies ....................................................................459Chapter 14: Getting More from Mates ..........................................................................495Chapter 15: Patterning and Mirroring Components.......................................................525Chapter 16: Working with Assembly Sketches and Layouts ..........................................539Chapter 17: Using Assembly Tools ..............................................................................557Chapter 18: Using Libraries, Assembly Features, and Hole Wizard ................................581Chapter 19: Controlling Assembly Configurations and Display States ............................637Chapter 20: Modeling in Context .................................................................................655Chapter 21: Editing, Evaluating, and Troubleshooting Assemblies.................................691Chapter 22: Working with Large Scale Design ..............................................................711Chapter 23: Animating with the MotionManager ..........................................................725

Part IV: Creating Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 761Chapter 24: Automating Drawings: The Basics .............................................................763Chapter 25: Working with Drawing Views ...................................................................789Chapter 26: Using Annotations and Symbols ...............................................................827Chapter 27: Dimensioning and Tolerancing .................................................................847Chapter 28: Using Layers, Line Fonts, and Colors ........................................................873Chapter 29: Working with Tables and Drawings ..........................................................885Chapter 30: Creating Assembly Drawings ....................................................................911

Contents at a Glance

Part V: Using Advanced and Specialized Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 935Chapter 31: Modeling Multi-Bodies .............................................................................937Chapter 32: Working with Surfaces .............................................................................973Chapter 33: Employing Master Model Techniques ......................................................1001Chapter 34: Using SolidWorks Sheet Metal Tools .......................................................1015Chapter 35: Creating Sheet Metal Drawings ...............................................................1069Chapter 36: Creating Weldments and Weldment Drawings .........................................1081Chapter 37: Using Imported Geometry and Direct Editing Techniques .........................1115Chapter 38: Using Plastic Features ............................................................................1141Chapter 39: Using Mold Tools ...................................................................................1173

Appendix A: Finding Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1195

Appendix B: What’s on the Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1201

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1205

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Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xli

Part I: Introducing SolidWorks Basics 1

Chapter 1: Introducing SolidWorks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 3Installing SolidWorks for the First Time ................................................................. 3Starting SolidWorks for the First Time ................................................................... 5

Examining the SolidWorks license agreement ................................................ 5Viewing the Welcome to SolidWorks screen .................................................. 5

Using Quick Tips ................................................................................. 6Using Interactive What’s New .............................................................. 6Customizing Workflow ........................................................................ 6

Creating a new document ............................................................................. 7Exploring SolidWorks documentation ........................................................... 9

Accessing tutorials .............................................................................. 9Keeping up with what’s new .............................................................. 10Moving from 2D to 3D ....................................................................... 10Checking out the Tip of the Day ......................................................... 10

Identifying SolidWorks Documents ...................................................................... 10Saving your setup ...................................................................................... 12Using templates ......................................................................................... 12

Having multiple document templates available ................................... 13Sharing templates .............................................................................. 16

Understanding Feature-Based Modeling ............................................................... 16Understanding History-Based Modeling ............................................................... 18Sketching with Parametrics ................................................................................. 20Understanding Design Intent ............................................................................... 23Editing Design Intent .......................................................................................... 24

Choosing sketch relations ........................................................................... 24Selecting display/delete relations ................................................................ 24Using suppressed sketch relations ............................................................... 25

Working with Associativity ................................................................................. 26Summary ........................................................................................................... 26

Contents

Contents

Chapter 2: Navigating the SolidWorks Interface . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 27Identifying Elements of the SolidWorks Interface .................................................. 29

Using the CommandManager and toolbars .................................................. 29Exploring the CommandManager ....................................................... 29Using toolbars ................................................................................... 32Using Tool tips .................................................................................. 37Managing toolbars ............................................................................. 38Customizing your workflow ............................................................... 40

Controlling menus ..................................................................................... 40Changing cursors ....................................................................................... 43Working with models in the FeatureManager and PropertyManager windows .....43

Using the FeatureManager ................................................................. 43Using the PropertyManager ................................................................ 46Introducing the DisplayManager ......................................................... 49

Getting around the Task pane ..................................................................... 49Getting familiar with the status bar ............................................................. 51

Assigning tags ................................................................................... 51Making use of Quick Tips .................................................................. 51

Using SolidWorks Search ............................................................................ 52Searching for files .............................................................................. 52Searching for help ............................................................................. 52

Using the 2D Command Line Emulator........................................................ 52Making the Interface Work for You ..................................................................... 53

Customizing colors .................................................................................... 54Exploring default selection colors ....................................................... 54Selecting background options wisely .................................................. 55

Customizing strategies ............................................................................... 56Considering hotkey approaches .......................................................... 56Organizing hotkeys ............................................................................ 56Using mouse gestures ........................................................................ 58Using the keyboard ........................................................................... 58Minimizing icons ............................................................................... 59Contemplating device approaches ...................................................... 59Using touch and multi-touch support .................................................. 60Accessing macros .............................................................................. 61Saving custom interface settings ......................................................... 61

Working with multiple document windows ................................................. 62Getting the most from the Open command .......................................... 62Managing open files .......................................................................... 64Managing recent documents .............................................................. 65Managing windows ........................................................................... 65Spanning multiple monitors ............................................................... 66

Summary ........................................................................................................... 67

Chapter 3: Working with Sketches. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 69Opening a Sketch ............................................................................................... 70Identifying Sketch Entities ................................................................................... 71

Using the Sketch toolbar............................................................................. 71Using the Dimensions/Relations toolbar ...................................................... 96

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Contents

Inferencing in Sketch .......................................................................................... 99Exploring Sketch Settings ...................................................................................101Using Sketch Blocks ..........................................................................................103Working with Reference Geometry .....................................................................104

Creating planes .........................................................................................105Working with axes ....................................................................................106Using Coordinate Systems .........................................................................107Using points as reference geometry ............................................................108

Tutorial: Learning to Use Sketch Relations ..........................................................109Tutorial: Using Blocks and Belts .........................................................................112Tutorial: Creating Reference Geometry ...............................................................115Summary ..........................................................................................................119

Chapter 4: Creating Simple Parts and Drawings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  121Discovering Design Intent ..................................................................................121

Using symmetry ........................................................................................122Determining primary or functional features ................................................122Predicting change .....................................................................................122Determining the manufacturing method .....................................................123Identifying secondary operations ...............................................................123Creating multiple versions .........................................................................123

Creating a Simple Part .......................................................................................123Deciding where to start .............................................................................124Building in symmetry ................................................................................127Making it solid ..........................................................................................128Using Instant 3D .......................................................................................133Making the first extrude feature .................................................................135

Controlling relative size or direct dimensions .....................................136Creating the offset ............................................................................137

Creating a Simple Assembly ...............................................................................137Populating the assembly ............................................................................138Examining mates ......................................................................................138

Creating a Simple Drawing .................................................................................139Tutorial: Creating a Simple Part ..........................................................................140

Using sketch techniques ...................................................................141Using the Hole Wizard ......................................................................144Cutting a slot ...................................................................................146Creating fillets and chamfers .............................................................148

Tutorial: Making a Simple Drawing ....................................................................150Summary ..........................................................................................................156

Chapter 5: Using Visualization Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  157Manipulating the View.......................................................................................157

Using arrow keys ......................................................................................158Using the middle mouse button .................................................................159Using mouse gestures ................................................................................160Using the View toolbar ..............................................................................161Adding scrollbars and splitters ...................................................................162Using the Magnifying Glass .......................................................................163Clicking the Triad axes ..............................................................................164

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Contents

Using the View Tools .........................................................................................164Zebra Stripes ............................................................................................167View Orientation.......................................................................................169The Standard Views toolbar.......................................................................170Annotation views ......................................................................................171

Using the DisplayManager .................................................................................172Applying appearances ...............................................................................172

Differentiating appearances and materials ..........................................174Understanding appearances ..............................................................175Understanding overrides ...................................................................176Using appearances with Display States ..............................................177Removing appearances .....................................................................178

Using decals .............................................................................................180Using scenes, lights, and cameras ..............................................................181

Controlling scenes ............................................................................182Turning on the lights ........................................................................184Working with cameras ......................................................................186Using RealView ................................................................................188

The Display Pane ..............................................................................................189Applying Color Automatically to Features ...........................................................189Using Edge Display Settings ...............................................................................190Tutorial: Applying Visualization Techniques .......................................................191Summary ..........................................................................................................196

Part II: Building Intelligence into Your Parts 197

Chapter 6: Getting More from Your Sketches . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 199Editing Sketch Relations.....................................................................................199

Using Display/Delete Relations ..................................................................200Using SketchXpert .....................................................................................202

Getting More from Dimensions ...........................................................................203Dimensioning from centerlines ..................................................................203Sketching with numeric input ....................................................................203

Working with Sketch Entities .............................................................................204Moving entities .........................................................................................204Rotating entities ........................................................................................205Copying entities ........................................................................................205Scaling entities..........................................................................................205Modifying sketch ......................................................................................206Copying and pasting sketch entities ...........................................................207Dragging entities .......................................................................................208Creating a derived sketch ..........................................................................208

Using Sketch Pictures ........................................................................................208Using three views .....................................................................................210Compensating for perspective ....................................................................210Estimating sharp edges ..............................................................................211Using Auto Trace ......................................................................................211

Using Sketch Text ..............................................................................................212

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Contents

Using Colors and Line Styles with Sketches .........................................................213Working in Color Display mode .................................................................213Assigning line color...................................................................................214Using the Edit Sketch Or Curve Color tool ..................................................214Assigning line thickness and line style .......................................................214

Using Other Sketch Tools ...................................................................................215Working with RapidSketch ........................................................................215Adding Sensors .........................................................................................215Using metadata for sketches ......................................................................216Creating construction geometry .................................................................217

Sketching in 3D .................................................................................................217Navigating in space ...................................................................................218Exploring sketch relations in 3D sketches ...................................................219Using planes in space ................................................................................220Using planar path segments .......................................................................222Defining dimensions .................................................................................222Using 3D sketch summary .........................................................................222

Tutorial: Editing and Copying ............................................................................222Tutorial: Controlling Pictures, Text, Colors, and Styles ........................................227Tutorial: Using Metadata ....................................................................................230Tutorial: Sketching Calculator ............................................................................231Summary ..........................................................................................................234

Chapter 7: Modeling with Primary Features . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 235Identifying When to Use Which Tool ..................................................................235

Using the Extrude feature ..........................................................................235Creating a solid feature .....................................................................236Creating a thin feature ......................................................................237Exploring sketch types ......................................................................238Understanding the workflow .............................................................241

Understanding Instant 3D ..........................................................................242Creating extrudes with Instant 3D .....................................................242Editing geometry with Instant 3D ......................................................244

Working with the Revolve feature ..............................................................245Understanding end conditions ...........................................................245Workflow ........................................................................................246Using contour selection ....................................................................246

Introducing loft and boundary ...................................................................246Comparing the Loft and Boundary features ........................................249Using entities in a loft .......................................................................250Comparing lofts and splines ..............................................................250Understanding the need for surfaces ..................................................250Exploring loft end constraints ............................................................251Displaying isoparameter U-V lines .....................................................252Using guide curves ...........................................................................253Using centerline lofts ........................................................................255Using the SelectionManager ..............................................................255Choosing loft options ........................................................................256Workflow ........................................................................................257

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Contents

Controlling Sweep features ........................................................................257Using a simple sweep .......................................................................257Using a sweep with guide curves .......................................................257Using a Pierce relation ......................................................................259Using a cut sweep with a solid profile ...............................................261Workflow ........................................................................................262

Understanding Fillet Types .................................................................................263Creating a constant radius fillet .................................................................264

Selecting entities to fillet ...................................................................264Using tangent propagation ................................................................266Dealing with a large number of fillets ................................................267Making multiple fillet sizes ...............................................................270Rounding corners .............................................................................271Using the Keep edge/Keep surface toggle ...........................................271Using the Keep Feature option ..........................................................272

Creating variable radius fillets ...................................................................273Applying the values ..........................................................................274Using straight versus smooth transitions ............................................276Recognizing other uses for the variable radius fillet ............................276

Using face fillets .......................................................................................277Using continuous curvature face fillets ..............................................277Using face fillets with the Help Point .................................................280Applying a single hold line fillet ........................................................281Using a double hold line fillet ...........................................................282Using a constant width fillet ..............................................................284

Applying a full round fillet ........................................................................285Building a setback fillet .............................................................................286

Using Chamfers .................................................................................................289Tutorial: Bracket Casting ....................................................................................291Summary ..........................................................................................................296

Chapter 8: Selecting Secondary Features .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 297Creating Curve Features .....................................................................................297

Working with Helix curve features .............................................................298Using the Tapered Helix panel ..........................................................298Using the Variable Pitch helix ...........................................................299Workflow ........................................................................................300Using the Spiral ................................................................................300

Creating projected curves ..........................................................................300Using Sketch On Faces ......................................................................301Using Sketch Onto Sketch .................................................................301

Using the Curve Through XYZ Points feature ..............................................303Using the Curve Through Reference Points feature......................................303Putting together a composite curve ............................................................304Using Split lines ........................................................................................304Using the equation driven curve ................................................................305

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Contents

Selecting a Specialty Feature ..............................................................................305Using Scale ...............................................................................................305Using the Dome feature .............................................................................307Using the Wrap feature .............................................................................309

Using Scribe .....................................................................................310Using Emboss ..................................................................................310Using Deboss ...................................................................................311

Using the Flex feature ...............................................................................312Applying the Deform feature .....................................................................314

Looking at Point deform ...................................................................316Looking at Curve to curve deform .....................................................316Looking at Surface push deform ........................................................317

Using the Indent feature ............................................................................317Using Intersect ..........................................................................................318

Tutorial: Creating a Wire-Formed Part ................................................................321Summary ..........................................................................................................324

Chapter 9: Patterning and Mirroring .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 325Patterning in a Sketch ........................................................................................325

Debunking more sketch myths ..................................................................328Patterning a sketch ...................................................................................328

Using the Linear Sketch Pattern .........................................................329Using the Circular Sketch Pattern ......................................................330

Mirroring in a Sketch .........................................................................................330Using Mirror Entities .................................................................................330Using Dynamic Mirror ...............................................................................331Using Symmetry sketch relation .................................................................332Using Mirroring in 3D sketches ..................................................................333

Exploring the Geometry Pattern Option ...............................................................333Patterning Bodies ..............................................................................................334Patterning Faces ................................................................................................335Patterning Fillets ...............................................................................................337Understanding Pattern Types .............................................................................337

Using the Linear Pattern ............................................................................337Using the Circular Pattern .........................................................................340Using the Curve Driven Pattern .................................................................341Using the Sketch Driven Pattern ................................................................344Using the Table Driven Pattern ..................................................................345Using the Fill Pattern.................................................................................346

Cosmetic Patterns ..............................................................................................347Mirroring 3D Solids ...........................................................................................348

Mirroring bodies .......................................................................................349Mirroring features .....................................................................................349Mirroring entire parts ................................................................................349

Tutorial: Creating a Circular Pattern ...................................................................351Tutorial: Mirroring Features ...............................................................................352Tutorial: Applying a Cosmetic Pattern.................................................................354Summary ..........................................................................................................356

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Contents

Chapter 10: Using Equations. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 357Understanding Equations ...................................................................................357

Creating equations ....................................................................................358Naming dimensions ..........................................................................358Building the equation .......................................................................360Using comments ...............................................................................362

Using driven dimensions ...........................................................................363Using equation tricks ................................................................................365

IF ...................................................................................................365Using Global Variables .......................................................................................366Using the Modify Box ........................................................................................368Using Expressions .............................................................................................369Controlling Suppression States of Features ..........................................................370Linking to External Equations ............................................................................370Tutorial: Using Equations ...................................................................................371Summary ..........................................................................................................373

Chapter 11: Working with Part Configurations . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 375Controlling Items with Configurations ................................................................376

Finding configurations ..............................................................................376Deleting configs ...............................................................................377Sorting configs .................................................................................378

Activating configurations ...........................................................................379Creating configurations .............................................................................381

Creating a new config .......................................................................381Using Configuration properties and options .......................................382Using Advanced options ...................................................................382Using the Modify dialog box .............................................................383Using negative dimensions ................................................................384

Using the Modify Configurations dialog box ...............................................384Using Table Views ............................................................................386Adding custom properties with the Modify Configurations dialog box ....386

Using custom property managers ...............................................................387Using derived configurations .....................................................................388Understanding how file size affects speed ..................................................389Controlling dimensions .............................................................................391Controlling suppression .............................................................................392Controlling custom properties ....................................................................394Controlling sketch relations .......................................................................395Controlling sketch planes ..........................................................................395Controlling configurations of inserted parts ................................................396Using Library features ...............................................................................398Identifying unconfigurable items ................................................................398

Using Design Tables ..........................................................................................398Identifying what can be driven by a design table ........................................399

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Contents

Creating a Simple Design Table ..........................................................................400Editing design table settings ......................................................................406

Linked design table ..........................................................................406Edit control ......................................................................................406Options ............................................................................................406

Editing the design table .............................................................................408Using the Configuration Publisher ......................................................................408Tutorial: Working with Configurations and Design Tables ...................................410Summary ..........................................................................................................414

Chapter 12: Editing, Evaluating, and Troubleshooting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 415Using Rollback ..................................................................................................415

Using the Rollback bar ..............................................................................416Understanding consumed features .....................................................416Examining the parent-child relationship .............................................417Rolling back features with multiple parents .......................................418Viewing consumed features in their original order ..............................418Showing the Flat Tree View .............................................................420

Using other Rollback techniques ................................................................421Reordering Features ...........................................................................................422Reordering Folders ............................................................................................423Using the Flyout and Detachable FeatureManagers ..............................................424Summarizing Part Modeling Best Practice ...........................................................425Using Evaluation Techniques .............................................................................429

Using Verification on rebuild .....................................................................429Using the Check tool .................................................................................430Evaluating geometry with reflective techniques ..........................................431

Using Zebra Stripes ..........................................................................431Using RealView ................................................................................433Using Curvature display ....................................................................433Using Deviation Analysis ..................................................................433Using the Tangent Edges as Phantom setting .....................................434Using Geometry Analysis ..................................................................435Using Feature Statistics .....................................................................435Using the Curvature Comb ................................................................437

Troubleshooting Errors ......................................................................................437Interpreting rebuild errors .........................................................................438Using SolidWorks RX and Performance Benchmark ....................................440

Using SolidWorks RX ........................................................................441Using Performance Benchmark .........................................................444

Tutorial: Making Use of Editing and Evaluation Techniques .................................448Summary ..........................................................................................................455

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Contents

Part III: Working with Assemblies 457

Chapter 13: Building Efficient Assemblies . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 459Understanding the Purpose of Assemblies ...........................................................459

Identifying types of assemblies ..................................................................460Driving an assembly with a base part and mates

(bottom-up with mates) ................................................................460Driving an assembly with sketches and planes

(bottom-up with skeleton) ............................................................462Modeling parts in place (in-context design) ........................................463Modeling parts as multi-bodies ..........................................................464Inserting a master model ..................................................................466Excluding some parts .......................................................................466

Creating an alternative to multiple assemblies ............................................467Identifying the Elements of an Assembly ............................................................467

Working with assembly equations .............................................................468Solving external references ...............................................................469Understanding global variables .........................................................469Renaming ........................................................................................470Recommendations ............................................................................470

Using an assembly layout sketch ...............................................................470Working with virtual components ..............................................................472Creating assembly reference geometry .......................................................472Comparing history-based and non-history-based portions

of the assembly tree ..............................................................................472Understanding parts and subassemblies .....................................................473Organizing mates ......................................................................................474Applying assembly features .......................................................................474Using component patterns and mirror components .....................................474

Using SpeedPaks ...............................................................................................474Using ghosts .............................................................................................476Sharing self-contained data ........................................................................476Using SpeedPaks with drawings .................................................................476

Using Subassemblies .........................................................................................476Creating subassemblies from existing parts.................................................477

Inserting a new subassembly ............................................................478Dissolving subassemblies ..................................................................478

Organizing for performance .......................................................................478Solving mates ...................................................................................478Using flexible subassemblies .............................................................478

Organizing for the Bill of Materials ............................................................479Grouping subassemblies by relative motion ................................................480Organizing groups of purchased components..............................................481Depicting an assembly process ..................................................................481

Influencing item numbering ..............................................................481Separating steps ...............................................................................482

Patterning considerations ..........................................................................482

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Contents

Using Folders ....................................................................................................482Creating folders in the FeatureManager ......................................................483

Using Add To New Folder .................................................................483Using Create New Folder ..................................................................483

Adding items to existing folders .................................................................483Reordering items in the tree.......................................................................484

Working with Tree Display Options ....................................................................485Showing feature names and descriptions ....................................................485Showing component and config names and descriptions .............................485Using names other than the part filename in the assembly FeatureManager ..... 486Using Component Reference per Instance ...................................................487Viewing features, mates, and dependencies ................................................487

Tutorial: Arranging Assemblies ..........................................................................489Tutorial: Managing the FeatureManager ..............................................................492Summary ..........................................................................................................493

Chapter 14: Getting More from Mates . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 495Applying Mates .................................................................................................495

Mating through the Mate PropertyManager ................................................496Understanding the mate workflow .....................................................496Changing the view and model position ..............................................497Applying the Select Other command ..................................................498Using Multiple Mate mode ................................................................498

Taking advantage of SmartMates ...............................................................499Alt+dragging a SmartMate ...............................................................499Dragging between windows ..............................................................501Using Mate references ......................................................................501

Mating with macros ..................................................................................501Mating for Motion .............................................................................................502

Analyzing degree of freedom .....................................................................503Setting up successful motion .....................................................................504

Working with Advanced and Mechanical Mate Types ..........................................506Symmetric mate ........................................................................................506Cam mate .................................................................................................507Width mate ..............................................................................................508Gear mate .................................................................................................508Rack and Pinion mate ...............................................................................509Limit mates ..............................................................................................510Screw mate ...............................................................................................510Path mate .................................................................................................512Linear Coupler mate ..................................................................................513Hinge mate ...............................................................................................514Belt/Chain ................................................................................................514

Editing and Troubleshooting ..............................................................................515Editing existing mates ...............................................................................515Troubleshooting assembly mates ...............................................................516Troubleshooting warnings and errors .........................................................517

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Contents

Examining Mate Options ....................................................................................518Reviewing Mate Best Practices ...........................................................................519Tutorial: Mating for Success ...............................................................................520Summary ..........................................................................................................524

Chapter 15: Patterning and Mirroring Components .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 525Using Local Component Patterns ........................................................................525

Creating local pattern references ................................................................526Patterning the seed only ...................................................................527Using the Instances to Skip option .....................................................528

Using Mirror Components .........................................................................529Setting the orientation ......................................................................531Creating opposite-hand versions ........................................................531Completing the task ..........................................................................531

Using Feature-Driven Component Patterns ..........................................................532Understanding Other Pattern Options .................................................................533Tutorial: Creating Component Patterns ...............................................................535Summary ..........................................................................................................537

Chapter 16: Working with Assembly Sketches and Layouts .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 539Looking at the Techniques .................................................................................539

Using the assembly layout sketch ..............................................................540Using master model ..................................................................................544

Using the Layout Feature ...................................................................................545Using the Layout workflow........................................................................546Working with virtual components ..............................................................548Balancing advantages and limitations .........................................................548

Tutorial: Working with a Layout ........................................................................549Summary ..........................................................................................................555

Chapter 17: Using Assembly Tools. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 557Placing Parts without Mates ...............................................................................557

Using the Move Component options ...........................................................558Using Free Drag ...............................................................................559Moving Along Assembly XYZ ............................................................560Moving Along Entity .........................................................................560Moving By Delta XYZ .......................................................................560Using To XYZ Position ......................................................................561

Using the For Positioning Only option ........................................................562Building parts in place ..............................................................................563

Using Proximity Tools .......................................................................................563Using Interference Detection ......................................................................564

Displaying the results .......................................................................564Ignoring interferences .......................................................................565Using Component View ....................................................................565Selecting Options ..............................................................................566Display options for non-interfering Components .................................566

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Using Clearance Verification ......................................................................566Using Dynamic Clearance ..........................................................................567Using Collision Detection ..........................................................................568Using Physical Dynamics ...........................................................................569Using Sensors ...........................................................................................570

Selecting Components ........................................................................................572Selecting with a volume ............................................................................572Selecting suppressed components ..............................................................573Selecting hidden components ....................................................................574Selecting subassemblies ............................................................................574Selecting parts mated to another part .........................................................574Selecting internal components ...................................................................574Selecting Toolbox parts .............................................................................574Using the Advanced Select options .............................................................574

Reading AssemblyXpert Results ..........................................................................575Using Defeature .................................................................................................577Using the Hole Alignment Tool ..........................................................................578Summary ..........................................................................................................579

Chapter 18: Using Libraries, Assembly Features, and Hole Wizard .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 581Using Library Features .......................................................................................581

Getting started with library features ...........................................................582Applying the library feature interface .........................................................582

Using the Task Pane .........................................................................582Using Design Library ........................................................................583

Exploring other Design Library functions....................................................586Storing annotations ..........................................................................586Location of the Design Library folder .................................................587Storing library parts ..........................................................................587Using sheet metal forming tools ........................................................588Using assemblies ..............................................................................588Using routing ...................................................................................588Using Smart Components ..................................................................588

Creating Library Features ...................................................................................588Creating a library feature ...........................................................................589

Understanding library limitations ......................................................589Creating a new library feature ...........................................................589Saving the library feature ..................................................................591Changing the display of the library feature thumbnail ........................592

Creating a library feature from an existing part ...........................................594Adding folders to the library ......................................................................595Locating and Internal dimensions ..............................................................596

Creating Assembly Cuts .....................................................................................596Using the Feature Scope ............................................................................598Propagating features to parts .....................................................................598

Making Fillets and Chamfers in Assemblies .........................................................600

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Contents

Using the Hole Wizard .......................................................................................601Using the Hole Series ................................................................................602

Hole Series interface .........................................................................603Basic Hole Series steps ......................................................................604Hole Series quirks ............................................................................605

Creating Weld Beads .........................................................................................605Working with Envelopes ....................................................................................608Understanding Smart Components .....................................................................610Using Smart Components ...................................................................................611

Getting started with a simple Smart Component .........................................611Auto-sizing Smart Components ..................................................................614

Making Smart Components ................................................................................616Getting started with a simple Smart Component .........................................616Creating an auto-sizing Smart Component ..................................................619Managing files with Smart Components .....................................................623Editing Smart Components ........................................................................624

Tutorial: Working with Smart Components .........................................................625Tutorial: Working with Library Features .............................................................628Summary ..........................................................................................................635

Chapter 19: Controlling Assembly Configurations and Display States. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 637Using Display States ..........................................................................................637

Controlling display states and configurations ..............................................637Using display states with drawings ............................................................640Using part display states in parts ...............................................................640

Understanding Assembly Configurations .............................................................640Applying configurations for performance ....................................................640

Suppressing components and features ...............................................640Configuring SpeedPaks .....................................................................641Using part configurations for speed ...................................................641Getting familiar with the Advanced Component Selection ...................642Looking at the Isolate function ..........................................................642Finding features with the Simplify Assembly tool ...............................643Controlling display performance ........................................................643

Using configurations for positions ..............................................................645Positioning with mates .....................................................................646Positioning with sketches ..................................................................647

Applying configurations for product variations ...........................................648Using design tables for assembly configurations .........................................649Working with Modify Configurations and the Configuration Publisher .........649Looking at assembly configuration dos and don’ts ......................................650

Tutorial: Working with Assembly Configurations ................................................650Summary ..........................................................................................................654

Chapter 20: Modeling in Context. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 655Understanding In-Context Modeling ...................................................................655

Working through a simple in-context example ............................................656Starting a new assembly ...................................................................656Inserting a new part .........................................................................656

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Contents

Introducing virtual components ........................................................657Creating the part geometry ................................................................658Saving a virtual component ..............................................................658Creating an in-context part ................................................................659Editing the driving part of an in-context reference ..............................661

Weighing the advantages of in-context modeling ........................................663Anticipating problems with in-context modeling .........................................663Identifying alternatives to in-context modeling ...........................................664

Using Assembly layout modeling .......................................................665Using Multi-body modeling ...............................................................665

Dealing with the Practical Details of In-Context Modeling ....................................665Understanding the in-context process .........................................................666

Starting out in-context ......................................................................666Working in-context ...........................................................................667

Looking at in-context best practices ...........................................................674Working with multiple contexts ........................................................674Using in-context with configurations .................................................677Using in-context with motion ............................................................679Working with in-context with multiple instances ................................679Using in-context and file management ...............................................680Using in-context and mates ...............................................................680Identifying circular references ...........................................................680Using skeletons and layouts ..............................................................681Using in-context in libraries ..............................................................681Removing relations ...........................................................................681Deciding whether to use mating or in-context ....................................682Communicating design intent ............................................................682

Using Other Types of External References ...........................................................683Using inserted parts ..................................................................................683Working with split parts ............................................................................683Using mirror parts .....................................................................................684

Tutorial: Working In-Context .............................................................................684Summary ..........................................................................................................690

Chapter 21: Editing, Evaluating, and Troubleshooting Assemblies .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 691Working with Mates ..........................................................................................691

Listing mates in the Mates folder ...............................................................692Listing mates under the component ...........................................................693Replacing features with mates ...................................................................694Working with the View Mates tool .............................................................695Using the View Mate Errors window ..........................................................696Using the MateXpert .................................................................................696Editing mates ............................................................................................698

Editing File Management Issues .........................................................................700Using Save options and Pack and Go .........................................................700Replacing components ..............................................................................703Forming and dissolving subassemblies .......................................................704

Moving parts in and out of subassemblies .........................................705Moving mates from an assembly to a subassembly .............................705

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Contents

Evaluating Assemblies .......................................................................................706Using the AssemblyXpert...........................................................................706Identifying FeatureManager symbols ..........................................................707Using the Isolate function ..........................................................................708Using Reload ............................................................................................709

Summary ..........................................................................................................710

Chapter 22: Working with Large Scale Design .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 711Using Large Design Review ................................................................................711

Updating Large Design Review ..................................................................713Resolving components ..............................................................................714Taking Snapshots ......................................................................................714

Creating a Walk-through ....................................................................................714Creating a GridSystem .......................................................................................717

Starting the GridSystem feature ..................................................................718Creating the sketch ...................................................................................718Using the GridSystem PropertyManager .....................................................719Understanding the GridSystem output ........................................................720Viewing the Grid Components ...................................................................721

Transferring Data with the IFC File Type ............................................................722Summary ..........................................................................................................724

Chapter 23: Animating with the MotionManager .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 725Familiarizing Yourself with the MotionManager ..................................................726

Understanding the terminology ..................................................................726Driving an animation ................................................................................727Planning an animation ..............................................................................728Identifying elements of the MotionManager ................................................729Using display options ................................................................................729Using the MotionManager interface ............................................................730Formatting output .....................................................................................730

Using the Animation Wizard ..............................................................................731Creating a rotating animation ....................................................................731Creating an exploded view animation ........................................................733Animating an assembly .............................................................................734

Creating an explode ..........................................................................734Putting the rotate into an animation timeline .....................................736Adding the explode to the animation .................................................737Making a part look flexible ...............................................................738Collapsing the exploded assembly .....................................................738Animating a zoom ............................................................................738Animating a changing mate ..............................................................739

Animating the View ...........................................................................................740Driving the view with key points ...............................................................741

Using the Orientation and Camera Views feature ................................741Disabling playback of view keys ........................................................742Introducing the timebar ....................................................................742Creating key points ...........................................................................743

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Contents

Zooming and free view manipulation ................................................743Using Interpolation modes ................................................................745Correcting mistakes ..........................................................................745

Using paths to control cameras ..................................................................746Recalling the Walk-through feature ...................................................746Rotating the model using a path ........................................................746Going beyond 100 percent or 360 degrees ..........................................749

Animating with Key Points ................................................................................749Getting started ..........................................................................................750Using the timebar with key points..............................................................751Copying and mirroring motion ...................................................................752Adjusting the speed of actions ...................................................................753Outputting the animation ..........................................................................754

Looking at other options ...................................................................754Running test animations ...................................................................755Selecting a compressor .....................................................................755

Animating with Basic Motion .............................................................................755Using gravity and contact ..........................................................................755Using motors and springs ..........................................................................756Animating a chain and a spring using motors .............................................757

Summary ..........................................................................................................759

Part IV: Creating Drawings 761

Chapter 24: Automating Drawings: The Basics. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 763Comparing Templates and Formats ....................................................................763

Changing existing templates ......................................................................764Maintaining different templates or formats .................................................764Creating custom drafting standards ............................................................765

Creating Drawing Formats .................................................................................766Customizing an existing format .................................................................766

Using sample formats .......................................................................766Editing a format ...............................................................................767Managing text ..................................................................................769

Using custom properties ............................................................................769Entering custom property data ..........................................................769Displaying property links ..................................................................772Displaying errors and link variables ...................................................773Creating linked properties .................................................................773

Using the Title Block function ....................................................................774Creating a format from a blank screen ........................................................775Creating a format from an imported DWG/DXF file .....................................776Saving the format ......