Using SOLIDWORKS’ Smart Dimension Tool When Sketching Arcs & Circles

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This helpful #TechTip is brought to you by our Training Manager John Setzer, and covers using the smart dimension tool when sketching arcs and circles. Find more options available to you, when you want to create a dimension and don’t want the dimension location to be the center of the arc or circle. Use the circumference!

The full video transcript is also available below the video, or in the description of the YouTube video. If interested in more Tech Tips, view our SOLIDWORKS Tips and Tricks YouTube playlist.

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Video Transcript

Hello and welcome to another GSC Tech Tip. Today we’re going to be talking about some options using the smart dimension tool when you’re sketching. There may be times when you want to create a dimension to an arc or to a circle, and you don’t want the dimension location to be the center of that arc or circle.

Dimensions & Conditions

Well, when you choose to dimension to the arc or circle, pick the circumference of the arc or circle, and while SOLIDWORKS will automatically snap that to the center of that arc or circle, you will have options if you select this dimension and go to leaders, you will see our conditions. The default is always going to be center.

Min & Max

So I always select the circumference of an arc or circle to dimension its location. Knowing it’s going to go to center, and that’s what I want, and that’s what I get. But because I picked an arc instead of the point directly, I have options for min or in my case max, so that the dimension goes from the line to the farthest point across that arc center on the arc. Min – we go to the theoretical insight if this was a full circle.

Center is the default, but min and max are options when you do dimension to an arc by picking its circumference. If you’re dimensioning the location of two arcs or two circles, then you’ll have our conditions for both sides. For example, picking the circumference of each of these circles, it gives me of course a dimension center to center that is again the default, but if I go to leaders.

I’ll see our conditions for both sides, so I can say I want min to min or max to max or min to center. Or center to max and basically mix and match to get different options as I wish. Something else to note is that after you’ve created this dimension, if you select on the dimension, little squares or handles will appear at the end of the extension lines.

You grab on that little handle, a little symbol comes up, looks like a dimension. That means you can actually grab that dimensional handle and drag it to another position, max or min condition on the circle. Like, so. Something else to note is that as you’re dimensioning, if you know ahead of time, do you want to go to the min or max condition of an arc or circle?

Shift-Select

Hold down what I call in SOLIDWORKS, the magic key, which is shift. I’ll hold the shift key down then select the circle toward the inside that I want to snap to. Then same thing on the other circle. Shift-Select that to the inside. I got min and min based on where I selected.

This blog is authored by John Setzer, GSC’s Training Product Manager. John discovered his love of teaching early in life. He worked his way through college as a youth coach, umpire, and referee before earning his bachelor’s degree in education. As Training Manager at GSC, he has been sharing his SOLIDWORKS wisdom with GSC customers ever since – over 20 years! John is a Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert (CSWE), a Certified SOLIDWORKS Instructor, and a Certified SOLIDWORKS Technician. As the only CSWE with a state certification in teaching, John is well-versed is teaching all types of learning styles. John is a regular contributor to the GSC blog, available at www.gsc-3d.com/blog.

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GSC fuels customer success with 3D engineering solutions for design, simulation, data management, electrical schematics, PCB, technical documentation, and 3D printing, as well as the most comprehensive consulting, technical support, and training in the industry. As a leading provider of SOLIDWORKS solutions, HP, and Markforged 3D printing technologies, GSC’s world-class team of dedicated professionals have helped numerous companies innovate and increase productivity by leveraging advanced technologies to drive 3D business success. Founded in 1989, GSC is headquartered in Germantown, WI. For more information about GSC, please visit www.gsc-3d.com.
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