SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
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CONTENTS
Dynamic Feature Editing
2
Odd dimension errors
3
No planes show
4
How to change existing SKETCH PLANE
5
Sketching on previous feature & need lines from previous work?
6
Problems with extruding a subsequent sketch
7
How to Change to ANSI (ISO) Standard and METRIC units
8
”FUNNEL SYMBOL” attached to mouse
9
Check for / find errors in sketch
10
Sketch is NOT FULLY DEFINED
11
How to Write Equations in Dimensions
12
Dimension to circular entities
13
SolidWorks on your laptop
14
To see centers and/or axis use VIEW TEMPORARY AXIS
15
CAMWORKS ERROR / “Demonstration” note
16
SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
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Dynamic Dimension Editing
Cannot be done while editing a sketch or
feature.
To test your model:
++on FEATURE to show dimensions:
Dims with “BLUE DOT” can be dragged –
the dot
Linked dims: ++Dimension and change
value
by
Use this to link or create equations for the
extrude distance
IF
no blue dots:
click Instant3D
(on Features toolbar)
SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
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Odd dimension errors
Go to dimension a sketch and then cannot ++on a dimension to be able to change the number, LINK, or Use
and EQUATION – instead it automatically jumps into DIMEXPERT
++ on a feature to view it’s dimensions - unable to drag any dimension. The “blue dot” (on any dimension that
is not linked and has no equation) does not show - cannot drag the dimension.
Make sure that the "INSTANT 3D" button at the right end of the FEATURES bar is SELECTED (indented)
IF no blue dots for Dynamic Dimension Editing:
click Instant3D (on Features toolbar)
SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
No Planes Show
When you start a sketch
but no planes show
+
CLICK on at start of “FEATURE DESIGN TREE” in drawing window
(opens list)
CHOOSE PLANE
“FEATURE DESIGN TREE” appears in drawing window when a tool covers the left panel
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SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
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How to change existing SKETCH PLANE
Right-click on sketch in FeatureManager design tree, and select EDIT SKETCH PLANE
Choose a new sketch plane:
TOP / FRONT / RIGHT from FeatureManager design tree
–or- Choose a face of the sketch
-or- FIRST: Define a new plane using: FEATURES >REFERENCE GEOMETRY >PLANE – can use three
points, another plane and a point, or another plane and a distance
SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
Sketching on previous feature & need outline?
>SKETCH >CONVERT ENTITIES
choose edges of feature to “traces”
Lines are create and part of your sketch
Optional: can choose SELECT CHAIN and then
TRIM –or- DELETE any lines not needed (leaves “points” – ignore)
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SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
PROBLEMS WITH EXTRUDING A SUBSEQUENT SKETCH
Possible causes:
1. MERGE RESULTS was UNCHECKED - This would create a second body.
2.
3.
It should be checked.
THIN FEATURE in extrude was activated – close it
Sketch was not closed – options to correct:
 draw missing line(s)
 convert entities SEE BELOW (and trim?) to get missing lines
 use SELECTED CONTOURS to choose
the shape you want to extrude
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SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
HOW TO CHANGE UNITS
>TOOLS >OPTIONS (at bottom)
-or-
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SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
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”FUNNEL SYMBOL” attached to mouse
symbol appears next to cursor
Toggle Selection Filters. Turns selected filters on or off. You can also press F6 AND THEN MOUSE BUTTOM.
Selection Filter
Selection Filters help select specific types of items in the graphics area or drawing sheet. For example, choose
the filter for faces so only faces can be selected.
To toggle the display of the Selection Filter toolbar, click Toggle Selection Filter Toolbar (Standard toolbar), or
press F5.
The following buttons on the Selection Filter toolbar allow you to specify the behavior of the Selection Filter:
Toggle Selection Filters. Turns selected filters on or off. You can also press F6.
Clear All Filters. Clears all selected filters.
Select All Filters. Selects all filters.
Invert Selection. All other items similar to the selected items (faces, edges, vertices, for example) are selected
and the original selections are canceled.
SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
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CHECK FOR / FIND ERRORS IN SKETCH:
>Tools >Sketch Tools >Check Sketch for Feature
 CHECK
PORTION OF SKETCH WITH ERROR WILL TURN CYAN (BLUE)
ZOOM IN TO FIND
ERROR
SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
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Sketch is NOT FULLY DEFINED
First, make sure the sketch is constrained (has a
relation to) the origin
Then, grab any endpoint of a “blue” line, arc, entity and
drag it around. It will show you what is missing.
SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
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How to Write Equations in Dimensions
Note: cannot be inside SMART DIMENSIONS command
LINK VALUES allows you to name a
dimension to be used in equations
RT-click ON dimension
4.00
LINK VALUES (from list)
type name (your choice)
EQUATION
++ ON dimension
to get dialog box
type “=“
+ in line GLOBAL VARIABLES
to see existing ones
type formula (see note)
eg =SIDE*2
NOTE: can choose existing linked dimension from list –or- type name
To edit / delete links and equations:
Rt Click: EQUATIONS
(near top of Design Tree list)
Manage Equations
Click on: add global Variable to create your own
Click on: your Global Variable to EDIT
Rt Click on:
your Global Variable to DELETE
Also: Rt Click on dimension with LINK in sketch > “UNLINK VALUE”
SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
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Dimension to circular entities
Dimension to center of circle
SoildWorks automatically chooses the center – just pick
the circle itself circle
Dimension to edge of circle ONLY in special cases
Since SoildWorks automatically chooses the center – you must force it to take the edge
Use the SHIFT key when you choose the circle
SHIFT
Dimension DIAMETERS of cylindrical object in a profile view (eg REVOLVE)
Choose the two lines:
center and edge of the circular shape
and DRAG the dimension  to the lines
It will switch to the diameter
NOTE: the “center line” does not need to be a construction line for this to work.
The center line DOES NEED to be a construction line for a REVOLVE to work.
SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
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SolidWorks on your laptop
I.
Software
SolidWorks 2012
Only students in specific courses in the Engineering & Technology Department
ASK5000 HELPDESK - basement Millennium Hall
Your laptop MUST have a 64bit processor
NOTE: To use your SolidWorks license (and access your M:drive) OFF CAMPUS you must use
VPN
II.
Access to M: drive
NOTE: your M: drive should be available to you on all department lab computers – for the
semester
Download software:
UWStout “logins”
Resources: “Ask5000”
>Campus Download
>Campus Tools
choose: Drive Mapper for Windows
>Download Drive mapper
>RUN
To activate:
>Start >Programs >Map bluedrive H:
username & password
(stop BEFORE @)
Choose STEM OPTION
NOTE: To use your M: drive OFF CAMPUS you must use VPN
III.
VPN
to access the Key Server (and SolidWorks) OFF CAMPUS
UWStout “logins”
Resources: “Ask5000”
“How do I use VPN?” (move down page)
“If you are using 64 bit Windows Vista or Windows 7, click here”
Follow prompts
Type in username and password
your username = email, but stop BEFORE @
For future use go to:
Start
Connect to
UW-Stout VPN SSTP
Let me know if there are any errors – I cannot test it.
SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
To see centers and/or axis use VIEW TEMPORARY AXIS
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SolidWorks PROBLEMS - SOLUTIONS
CAMWORKS ERROR
TOOL >Add-Ins
MAKE 6 (SIX) CORRECTIONS:
4 TOOLBOX (ADD)
2 CAMWORKS (DELETE)
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