The Combine feature in SOLIDWORKS is a great tool used most often in surface modeling as it allows you to take molds of created parts for mold operations. It is also useful when creating negative spaces for a part to fit into to show where an item might reside in an assembly.
When creating an assembly, there are times when we need to show the individual parts or how the assembly is put together. To do this, we can use Exploded Views in SOLIDWORKS. The Exploded View function is located on the CommandManager in the Assembly tab.
When dimensioning a part in a SOLIDWORKS Drawing, the standard method is to select the Annotations tab and use the Smart Dimension tool. This method gives us the gray dimension we are commonly used to. However, if we used fully defined sketches creating the part, these dimensions already exist. The Insert Model Items tool allows us to bring those existing dimensions into our SOLIDWORKS Drawings. This guide will go over how to use this tool and the options available to bring in your desired dimensions.
From time to time, SOLIDWORKS users may need to apply a scale to a part. Scaling can be done at any point in the tree but may negatively affect downstream features and sketches and doesn’t change the upstream features and sketches, so the sooner the better. A Design Table can also be used to keep it all parametric and may be a better option. In this guide, we cover both methods of scaling a part in SOLIDWORKS and visualize the differences.
In SOLIDWORKS, the Path Mate is useful when trying to constrain a selected point on an assembly component to a path. It offers control over the pitch, yaw, and roll of the component as it treks through the path. In SOLIDWORKS, Path Mate is located in the Mate (Assembly toolbar) > Advanced tab > Path Mate. When using Path Mate, the first mate selection is for the component vertex; this is the point in the component that will pierce and travel along the path.
In this guide, we'll show how to mirror parts in SOLIDWORKS using two different methods. The first method stores a mirrored version of the same part. The second method creates a derived part, using the mirror part command. With the SOLIDWORKS part you want to mirror open, create a configuration and give it a name. In this instance, we will call it LH (Left Hand).
If you need to display the threads on a hole in SOLIDWORKS, what is the best way? Cosmetic Threads! Cosmetic Threads is an annotation that allows thread location to be displayed without taxing your graphics card. Rather than render all of the surfaces of the thread profile, a graphical image of the thread is applied instead. In this article, learn where Cosmetic Threads in SOLIDWORKS are located, when and where to use them, and how to display them.
Are you having issues upgrading your SOLIDWORKS service pack due to a previous toolbox error? If you see the error message shown in Figure 1 when upgrading, this article offers some solutions to an issue that may prevent a SOLIDWORKS CAD service pack update from completing.
The SOLIDWORKS Wrap feature allows you to remove or add material to a part by projecting a sketch around a surface. The Wrap feature is located in the Features toolbar next to the rib and intersect tools. You can also find the wrap tool under Insert > Features > Wrap in the drop-down menu.