Author: Jim Peltier, CSWE – Javelin Technologies
Let’s say you’ve created a feature in SOLIDWORKS that you really like. If you really like something, you want more of it; so rather than re-creating it, we are going to copy and paste it. Copying SOLIDWORKS features is as easy as copying text in a document or files in Windows Explorer. Let’s take a simple example:
Behold the result:
I should point out that they are not parametrically linked. If I make a change to the original feature it has no effect on the newly copied feature. This works for Boss-Extrudes, Cut-Extrudes, Fillets and Chamfers,Revolves, and Hole Wizard Holes.
But, perhaps more excitedly, I am not limited to using them in a single part file. I can copy them from one part file to another! If I want to use the CTRL+Drag method, I need to have both windows shown simultaneously (Window > Tile Horizontally, or Window > Tile Vertically):
In the screenshot I show CTRL+Drag, but you could also CTRL+C, then switch to the other part file, pick your target surface and CTRL+V.
Now you probably go to try this with assemblies, but realize that it doesn’t work exactly the same way, but it does still work, but with limited functionality:
Firstly, I can’t use CTRL+Drag to copy a feature in an assembly. CTRL+Drag already copies components within an assembly. I can, however, use CTRL+C and CTRL+V to copy certain features. I can’t copy a feature that adds material (such as Boss-Extrude), but I can do most of the other features. It adds them as Assembly Features, which is why it won’t allow Boss-Extrude. When it adds the assembly feature, by default it will not propagate to parts (although you can toggle the propagate feature to parts setting).
In addition to copying features, I can also move features using SHIFT+Drag & Drop or using CTRL+X, CTRL+V under the same circumstances as described above.
Categories: SOLIDWORKS 2016, Tips & Tricks