Apply a setback fillet to vertices where three or more edges meet. Setback fillets can model cleaner looking blends at the vertices. Add setback values to vertices where three or more edges meet.
Locate and diagnose problems in geometry imported from other CAD software. Then, use surface tools to repair the damaged geometry. Diagnose problems in a model with verification on rebuild, import diagnostics, and check entity. Heal faulty faces using the import diagnostics tool. Delete faulty faces and use various surface tools to re-create the geometry. Display curvature and check the minimum radius of curvature. Delete and replace fillets to create smoother blends. Extend, trim, and knit surfaces.
Specify, identify, and locate features based on selection criteria so you can modify all of the features, simplify the model by suppressing the features, and create a simplified configuration. Locate and identify features based on specified criteria. Modify selected features in one operation. Create a simplified configuration.
Manually create a 3D-sketched route using angled guides, lines, elbows, and the merge command for a case where Auto Route is ineffective. Use angled guides, lines, elbows, and the merge command to create a 3D sketch. Use a 3D sketch to manually create a route.
Create 3D sketches using the default coordinate system of the model to orient the sketch entities. Add relations and dimensions to constrain the size of the sketch entities. Use the on-screen feedback when sketching. Use planes to orient 3D sketch entities. Change the sketch plane by pressing the Tab key or by using a plane or planar face. Display multiple viewports to modify 3D sketch entities.
Use the Shut-off surfaces tool to close open molding areas in a part to cut the tooling block into two pieces. Identify open molding areas in the part. Utilize the Shut-off Surfaces tool to close open molding areas. Understand when shut-off surfaces are required.
Create 2D or 3D sketches where faces of a model intersect the sketch plane or each other. You can use the sketches to determine draft angles, evaluate curvature, as a sweep path, and more. Create 2D sketch entities where selected faces intersect the sketch plane. Create 3D sketch entities where selected faces intersect each other.
Learn to use modeling techniques that allow for efficient transition between part design and delivery of the finished castings. Create a motorcycle gear case by designing the production tooling for the part. Start by designing the core, or the negative space, of the gear case. Design the pattern, or outside faces, of the gear case as a separate solid body. Save the tooling bodies as new part files. Combine the solid bodies, subtracting the core from the pattern. Apply machining features to finish the model.
Learn properties specific to sheet metal. Use the Sheet Metal feature to control sheet metal gauges, bend allowances, and Auto Relief options. Use the Sheet Metal feature to control sheet metal properties. Use a gauge table to control sheet metal gauges. Understand and use the 5 options to control the bend allowance. Use the Auto Relief feature to contol the type and location of relief cuts.
SOLIDWORKS includes many tools for evaluating part geometry. By analyzing the curvature of a parts curves and surfaces, you can evaluate the quality of transitions between features and the surfaces themselves. Understand what curvature is. Display Curvature to use colors to evaluate the surfaces of a model. Use Curvature Combs to evaluate sketch curves. Learn how to display the minimum radius and inflection points of a curve. Use zebra stripes to simulate reflections on faces of a model. Understand how to use evaluate tools to recognize tangency and curvature continuous conditions.
Insert and manipulate dimensions in existing drawing views. You import dimensions from the model, create custom driven dimension, and move dimensions between views. Insert and manipulate driving dimensions. Create driven dimensions. Edit the properties of a dimension.
Create a weldment frame from a series of layout sketches. The weldment environment uses standard weldment profiles to define the type of structural members in the weldment. Members of the same type and size are created in one feature. Create a weldment frame. Insert structural members. Relocate the profile sketch. Change corner treatments.
Project a sketch onto another sketch to create a curve that represents the cage for a water bottle. Create sketches that represent the overall shape of the water bottle. Project one sketch onto another to create the 3D curve. Create a sweep feature using the 3D curve as the path.
Create a pipe coupling using the Routing Component Wizard. Create a fitting with the Routing Component Wizard. Select and create C-points and R-points. Use design tables to configure fittings. Save created fittings to the Design Library.
Set the options of a sweep feature to control the orientation and twist of the profile along the path. Use curvature combs to evaluate the curvature of paths and guide curves. Control the twist of the profile along the path of a sweep.
Explore the Edge Flange feature, including edge selection, bend direction, and other pertinent options. Create an edge flange. Learn and understand the different options for edge flange.
Create a variable pitch helix that you use as the path for a sweep feature. Learn about the options you have to define the shape of the variable pitch helix. Create a variable pitch helix. Position the profile and path sketches properly for a sweep feature. Create a plane normal to a curve at a point.
Large Design Review mode offers faster performance and enhanced visual features while limiting access to details of constituent parts and subassemblies. Large Design Review mode is ideal for visual presentations, rough measurements, and section views. Open an assembly in Large Design Review mode. Review the available tools and features in Large Design Review mode. Explore the limitations of Large Design Review mode.
By looking at the transitions between spiral surfaces and adjacent surfaces, you can understand the three types of continuity present in CAD systems. Identify C0 (contact), C1 (tangent), and C2 (curvature) continuity.
Wrap a flat sketch around a cylindrical or conical surface. A wrap feature can be an embossing type, which adds material, a debossing type, which removes material, or a scribing type, which splits the faces. Locate the sketch plane for a wrap feature. Define the length of a sketch using an equation. Remove material using the deboss option of the wrap feature.
Create a curve through a series of X, Y, and Z points that you type into a dialog box or import from an ASCII text file. Create a curve by typing X, Y, and Z coordinates for the curve\'s through points. Import a set of X, Y, and Z points for a curve\'s through points. Convert a curve into sketch entities.
The Hole Series feature adds holes to multiple components in an assembly. Unlike a typical assembly feature, the Hole Series adds part-level features to the individual components. Create a Hole Series feature in an assembly. Create a Hole Series feature from an existing hole feature. Understand the difference between the Hole Series feature and a typical assembly feature.
Learn about the sweep options that control the orientation and twist of the sweep profile along the sweep path. Set the orientation/twist options to control the sweep profile. Understand the difference between "follow path" and "keep normal constant." Use curvature combs to observe the twist in the sweep profile.
When the internal cut features of a model are of most importance in a design, one approach is to create solid features that represent the negative space of a part. Once the negative space is complete, the Combine command can be used to subtract the volume from another solid body. Use solid geometry representing the interior space of a manifold to create the negative space of the part. Create a separate solid body surrounding the geometry as the main body of the manifold. Combine the solid bodies in the part using a subtract operation.
