Have you ever opened somebody else’s SOLIDWORKS model and received a warning stating, “This sketch contains dimensions or relations to model geometry which no longer exists”? This warning message means that SOLIDWORKS is unable to find a reference that was used to define a sketch. This is quite common as parts evolve in the design process (e.g., Features that were once flat are now curved.).
While many users leverage weldments inside of SOLIDWORKS, one of the main challenges is the creation of 3D sketches needed for the layout of structural members. In this tutorial, learn how to use a solid model in SOLIDWORKS to generate and parametrically drive 3D sketches, foregoing the hassle of creating them manually.
SOLIDWORKS allows users to create multi-radius fillets that terminate with a zero radius, smoothly transitioning into the model’s edge. However, a vertex needs to be selected to create a zero radius fillet, and sometimes a model doesn’t have a vertex where we want the radius to reach zero. Here is where an a-typical use of the Split Line comes into play.
In many cases, it is desirable to have a SOLIDWORKS Drawing Template with one Sheet Format for the first page and another Sheet Format for all additional sheets added to the drawing. To accomplish this, one must take advantage of the fact that the Drawing Template brings in the first sheet’s Sheet Format without looking up the .slddrt format file referenced by that template.
SOLIDWORKS Weldments is a powerful tool to create structural framework quickly and effectively. In order to keep download file size as small as possible during installation, SOLIDWORKS initially comes with very few weldment profiles to work with. Fortunately, more complete profile packs are available for download from SOLIDWORKS Content. This guide will go over how to download and set up these weldment profile packs.
In SOLIDWORKS, Variable Size Fillets have different radii at different points along the selected edges. The user can specify the radius at the edges' endpoints and at control points along the edges' length. If you've used this feature before, you may have noticed that, while it's possible to set the radius to zero at the end-points of an edge, it isn't possible to specify a zero radius at any of the intermediate control points.
Creating splines in SOLIDWORKS is not as easy as creating lines, arcs, and circles. Splines have more controls and settings to help define the desired shape. In this guide, we look at various ways in which we can manipulate spline geometry in SOLIDWORKS.
Fill Pattern is a useful tool in SOLIDWORKS used to create patterns covering desired faces and surfaces. In this guide, we will introduce how to use Fill Pattern and the different settings and parameters that can be used. Fill Pattern uses different parameters and relations than a linear pattern, allowing changes and adjustments to be made without breaking the pattern. A Fill Pattern can be applied to a specific face or Surface Body.
SOLIDWORKS Envelope Mode dramatically improves Top Down design performance. Envelopes are used in SOLIDWORKS assemblies as reference components and selection tools. Envelopes (part or assembly) are ignored in the bill of materials and mass properties.