For this blog, we wanted to create an animation of a model surrounded by lighting rigs so that we could lights on and off at different intervals to show off different features of a product. We have used 2 really useful tools that come with SOLIDWORKS Visualize Professional, the Formation Tool and Model Sets.

The Formation Tool

The formation tool within Visualize Professional takes advantage of designs that need patterns of models. Rather than having to align models linearly by eye, Visualize has this tool that will do this for you.

The formation tool can be activated by selecting multiple model with either Ctrl or box selection. Then within the Models toolbar,  ‘Formation’ box will show, here we have a number of selections we can make from the ‘Type’ dropdown – for example: Line, Vee, Circle & Semi Circle.

Once selected, spacing and orientation can be edited to the desired design.

Model Sets

Next, we’re going to look at Model Sets. Model sets within SOLIDWORKS Visualize Professional gives you the flexibility to manage not just one set of files but multiple in the same Visualize project.

Multiple model sets are available only in SOLIDWORKS Visualize Professional. These can contain identical geometry or unique geometry.

Some geometric operations you perform on a model that is present; in identical model sets apply to all instances of that model across all model sets in which it is used. This includes part splitting, animation, grouping of parts, and decals.

In this case we decided to work on the model of the car and the lighting rig separately. We did this so it would be easy to edit and manage the car model without the lighting rigs getting in the way.

In the animation video below you can see that we have used the formation tool (as well as model sets whilst we were creating it) to form a lighting rig around the model of a car then using the animation tools to show off different aspects – much like they do on Top Gear when showing off the car central to an episode.

*For the full experience please turn on your speakers!*

Once created, we then pulled this into some video editing software to finish off the final tweaks and add the audio.

For more information SOLIDWORKS Visualize information including the Why Go Pro blogs please follow our Blog or MySolidSolutions.

By Olly Smith

Elite SOLIDWORKS Applications Engineer

Solid Solutions Technical Team

Solid Solutions Management Ltd was founded in 1998, originally as a SOLIDWORKS training and support provider. Now a Group with over 20 offices across the UK and Ireland, Solid Solutions is not only the leading SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD reseller in both regions, it also offers expert professional design solutions and consultancy services to more than 15,000+ customers. With over 200 employees and the largest SOLIDWORKS technical team in the world, Solid Solutions is focused on growth and on its customers’ development and success.