Mirror Component creates opposite-hand, but otherwise identical, versions of parts or subassembies. Specify which components are mirrored and which are purely copied (i.e. fasteners, which should not be mirrored). The geometry of a mirrored component changes to create a truly mirrored version, known as an \"opposite-hand\" version. Mirror components about an assembly plane. Create mirrored versions of parts in an assembly. Create opposite-hand versions of parts.
Blocks group sketch entities and dimensions together so that they move as one in a sketch. Together with a layout sketch, you can go directly from an assembly sketch to the full assembly. Create, edit and save blocks. Create a layout sketch of an assembly using blocks. Build assembly components based on the existing blocks.
Create display states to control the visibility and display style of components. Display states can be linked to configurations of an assembly. Display states can control hide/show state, display mode, appearance, and transparency of components. Add display states to an assembly. Modify visual properties of components with display states. Explore component selection techniques. Use the display pane. Open an assembly to a specific configuration and display state. Link display states to configurations.
The linear coupler mate links the translation of one component to the translation of another component. The translation occurs along an axis you define relative to the assembly origin or a reference component. Select the faces and reference components to define a linear coupler mate. Set the ratio of motion of one component relative to another.
Constrain two similar entities (points, edges, faces, etc) to be symmetric about a plane or planar face. A symmetry mate does not force the components to be symmetric, just the entities you select. Understand the acceptable selections for a symmetry mate. Constrain two planar faces to be symmetric about a reference plane.
Use surfacing techniques to create custom blends where fillets produce undesireable results. Remove unwanted faces from a model using the Delete Face command. Use Face Curves and sketches to create a trimming boundaries. Trim faces to form a clean boundary for the blend. Use the Filled Surface command to create a surface tangent to all adjacent faces. Use Knit Surface to combine the surface bodies in the model. Use Thicken to transform the surfaces into solid geometry.
Use design tables to quickly create many configurations that change the suppression states of components, mates, and assembly features. Also, you can use design tables to configure the dimensions of mates and assembly features. Understand the options when creating a design table. Use data validation to restrict values entered in the design table. Set configuration properties to control new mates and components. Change the configuration of components in the assembly design table.
Create a variable radius fillet where you set the radius value at selected vertices and control points. Also, you can set the radius to zero to force the fillet to converge to a point. Create a fillet where the radius varies along the selected edge. Modify the radius value at vertices or control points. Create zero radius fillets where the fillet must converge to a point.
Loft creates a feature by making transitions between profiles. A loft can be a base, boss, cut, or surface. By specifying constraints and connection parameters, the desired result can be achieved. Create basic loft feature between two profiles. Refine the shape with a centerline curve, end constraints, and connection points. Select loft profiles and connection points correctly.
Learn the best practices for creating sweep profile sketches. Add relationships between the profile sketch entities and the guide curves. Create sketch relations that ensure the correct shape of the profile along the entire path. Set up the path and guide curves before creating the profile sketch. Add pierce relations between the guide curves and the profile sketch. Create a sweep feature with guide curves. Use perpendicular and parallel relations to define the sweep profile.
Connect existing components using orthogonal tubes and standard fittings from the library. Use the Auto Route feature to automatically generate routes Add standard fittings to assemblies. Create orthogonal routes between features.
Analyze different regions of a part to identify which portions of the part are at the target thickness, and assess which regions may lead to issues when creating a mold. Learn to use Thickness Analysis to display regions of a part are that are not at the target thickness. Save and view a Thickness Analysis report.
Add materials to parts for calculations of mass properties, for use with SOLIDWORKS Simulation, and to modify the appearance of the part. Define the material for a part. Add a custom material to a part. Use configurations to assign different materials to a part.
Use standard mates to constrain the degrees of freedom of components relative to other components or reference geometry such as planes or axes. Learn about standard mate types such as coincident, concentric, and more. Understand how selected entities such as faces, edges, vertices, planes, or axes determines the available mate types.
Create a pattern of one or more features or bodies in one or two circular directions. The circular direction is based on a cylindrical or conical face, a circular or linear edge, centerline or axis. Spacing of instances can be controlled in different ways. Create circular patterns of existing features. Vary spacing and range.
Insert a reducing outlet tee into an existing route and orient it using keyboard shortcuts and a triad. Use the Auto Route tool to connect the pipes resulting from the additional feature. Add in-line fittings to existing routes. Use keyboard shortcuts and the triad to orient and position an in-line fitting.
Create and use a custom route specification template using the Routing Library Manager. Specify size and schedule of pipe segments. Select pipes and elbows from the Piping and Tubing Database. Insert route components with route specification templates.
Create ellipses and slots as entities in a sketch. Learn about the variety of tools you can use to create ellipses and slots. Understand when you might choose the different ellipse and slot tools based on points in the center or along the perimeter of the ellipse or slot.
A From-To List is an Excel spreadsheet that defines electrical connection data for each wire routed in a cable assembly and components, such as connectors, terminal blocks, and ring terminals, to which the wires connect. From-To Lists allow the import of connection and component data into a route subassembly. Create a component library using the Component Library Wizard. Create a cable wire library using the Cable Wire Library Wizard. Use a component library and a cable wire library to create a From-To List with the From-To List Wizard. Place connectors to start routing. Use the \"Guidelines\" routing mode to create geometry for a route. Use the \"Re-route spline\" routing mode to modify a route to pass through pre-defined clips.
Use extruded, revolved, and swept surfaces to create geometry. Trim, extend, knit, and thicken the surfaces to finish the thin-walled model. Extrude a sketch to create a surface. Revolve a sketch about an axis to create a surface. Trim a surface using a sketch or another surface as the trim tool. Sweep an open profile along a path to create a surface. Combine multiple surfaces into a single body using knit surfaces. Thicken a surface body to create a solid body.
Create, edit and save custom routing assembly templates using an existing routing assembly template. Create and save a custom routing assembly template. Specify different drafting standards, units, and other document properties as the defaults that will be used when you create a new route with the custom template.
