Copy/Paste Sketch Based Features in SolidWorks

Have you ever tried to save time by copying an existing
sketched based cut extrude only to find out that when you pasted this new copy
that the orientation was flipped around 180 degrees from the original?  If so, I have the background information on
why this happens and how to keep this from happening in the future.

Let’s start with a simple cut extrude feature
and notice that this seed component has been sketched on this outside surface
on my sample part.

Next, simply click on the cut extrude feature in the
SolidWorks Feature Manager Design Tree. 
Choosing to Copy or CTRL-C, you can then paste this onto another planar
or flat surface as well as any plane in your model.  For example, I will select on the inside or
opposite face of my sample part.

Notice how the copied cut extrude feature has been randomly
placed with the orientation flipped 180 degrees from the original.  This is because SolidWorks is controlling
this based on how the original sketch was made on the original face.  Since we are putting this on the back face,
but it was sketched on the front face first, the orientation is backwards.

If we try this again and place the copy on the same side of
the face as the original sketch, then the result is predictable in that it
stays in the same orientation.

So if you are not sure why your copied sketches might be
flipping around on you, just take a quick second to see how the original sketch
was created and on what side of the surface, and you can help predict this
situation in the future.  Thank you.

Brian Reel

Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

 

Sketch Option: Add Dimension

Here's a quick tip for adding dimensions to your sketches. When inserting a sketch you have these options by default.

If you go to tools, options, sketches, you will find another setting that can expand these options.

Checking this box gives you these options for sketching:

This option allows you to type a dimension on the fly or it will tie a dimention to the sketch entity so you don't have to do it later.

Some of you may already have known about this, yes it was there in 2012. But you may not know that it was modified in 2013 as seen here:

Which now gives you the ability to skip a dimension. If you do not give it a value and press enter. It will not place the dimension and allow you to keep placing lines like normal.

John Van Engen
CATI Tech Support
CSWE

SolidWorks Exploded Views

Assembly Exploded Views have been a part of SolidWorks for many releases now.  One new trick that I recently stumbled upon is that from time to time you may need to add a jog in your Exploded Line Sketches to avoid some other exploded parts.  This process is pretty straight forward but there may be a time when you want to jog following a different axis rather than the one it defaults to. For example, in screen shot 1, I show a default Axis of -X, -Y:

In image 2, I show a different axis of -Y, +Z:

And in image 3, I show yet another solution of axis +X, -Y:

This was achieved by pressing and releasing the Tab key just like in any other 3D Sketch mode inside of SolidWorks.  Pretty cool huh?  So this allows you to achieve different directions for this Jog to match your desired intent:

Or

In either case, the jog is following the axis during the creation, and you can even press and release Tab while sketching the Jog and it will cycle through options as well in 2013. So hopefully this little trick can help you make some fantastic exploded views in SolidWorks 2013. Thank you.

Brian Reel
CATI 

Rapidly dimension multiple radial dimensions in sketches

2012 has added many shortcuts that allow us to get our jobs done faster and more efficiently.  Here is a new function that you may find useful if you create a lot of revolved features.   2012 now gives us the function to add multiple radial or diametric dimensions at one time without having to select the centerline every time.   There is nothing special to activiate this function.  Dimenison between a centerline and a line or point.  Place your dimension to create either a radial dimension or a diametric dimension.  Now just select the next line or point you want to dimension.   Solidworks will automatically use the same centerline as the previous dimension.  Your pointer will also change to  for a radial dimension  and   for a diameter dimension.

 

Sweep Solid vs. Sweep Thin.

Thin sweep features can be a little deceiving.  A swept thin does not behave the same as an extruded thin. With an extruded thin, you can have open contours in the sketch. With a swept thin, the profile must remain closed. 

Note: For all these examples, the “pink” sketch will be used as the path, the “green” as the profile.

This first example might be what you would expect a swept thin to be used for. 

 
With the sketches set up something like so...

 
Unfortunately, this is not the case.

 

 

 

In order to create a sweep like this, the profile must be closed...

 

So what is a swept thin used for?  Basically, it is nothing more than a shell.  It just happens to be built into the sweep feature.

  Solid Sweep...                           Thin Sweep...

 

 

 

Nathan Brunner, CSWP

Technical Analyst

Computer Aided Technology, Inc.