Tips & Tricks
SolidWorks Modeling Methodology: Part 3
In my previous articles we started with the different items we need to consider before we start building our model such as the Manufacturing, Features, Assemblies and Drawings. For the second article we explored the first few features of our
... ContinuedSolidWorks Simulation: How to Get the Angle of Displacement
A common question we often get regarding post processing of a SolidWorks Simulation study is: Does SolidWorks Simulation have a way of displaying displacement plots as angles of displacement in the case of a torsional load? SolidWorks currently does not
... ContinuedSolidWorks Toolbox Browser: Adding Property Values with the Help of Excel
The SolidWorks Toolbox Browser is one of the most used add-ins by SolidWorks users, and supports international standards, including: ANSI and ISO. You can use the Toolbox Browser directly from the Toolbox Design Library task pane, in order to access
... ContinuedTractor Trailer Aerodynamics in SolidWorks Flow Simulation
As time progresses and fuel prices increase, you might have noticed some changes to the tractor trailers you see on the highway. Fairings on tractors have been common for quite a while; however, side skirts and extended “tails” on the
... ContinuedIf a picture tells a thousand words, an animation tells a million!
Recently, I had a discussion with several SolidWorks users about unique ways of exploring and showcasing SolidWorks models, and noticed a common hesitancy when the conversation turned to using animations. To my amazement, this hesitancy came from premonitions that creating
... ContinuedSolidWorks Modeling Methodology – Part 2
In my previous article we talked about all of the items we need to consider; Manufacturing, Features, Assemblies and Drawings. For our part that we are going to design we had some knowledge of the Manufacturing and Features of the
... ContinuedStandard Views without Zoom-to-fit
When using standard views in SolidWorks from the Orientation dialog via SPACEBAR, the resulting view of the model is normally Zoom to fit. This is regardless to the zoom level of the current view. So, if I’m zoomed in to
... ContinuedLarge Assemblies Made Easy with SolidWorks
Imagine this scenario: your manager has tasked you with a project to create a complex 3D model of your company’s product consisting of a variety of components, but you don’t have a tool that’s powerful enough to easily handle a
... ContinuedHow to Roll Back a Revision in SolidWorks Enterprise PDM
Workflows in SolidWorks Enterprise PDM (EPDM) are designed to be pretty linear. Files start in the initial state in your workflow, cycle through your company’s approval process and end up in the released/approved sate at the end, where they are
... ContinuedHow to Replace the Viewport Compass with your Company Logo
Have you ever wanted to replace the boring viewport compass with something else like your company logo? First import your 3D Company logo (if you have one) into Composer and then save it as a Project (.smgXml), this will create
... ContinuedSolidWorks Tech Tip: Symmetry Fixtures on Shell Elements
If you have ever used symmetry on a surface body or solid body on which shell elements are defined, you would have had to use a special technique using an advanced fixture. The Symmetry Fixture would not work, as it
... ContinuedHow to Get Speedy with SolidWorks Enterprise PDM
As summer sets in and vacation season begins, productivity and time management are two topics that cross an engineer’s mind. How much did your team get done this week? Were you able to manage your time well? Were you efficient
... Continued5 Steps to Create a SolidWorks Rx Capture
Ever have a problem that you wish you could show someone step-by-step occurrences but found it too cumbersome to document? You can record and capture your problem by using SolidWorks Rx. SolidWorks Rx analyzes your system, suggests possible solutions, and
... ContinuedSolidWorks Modeling Methodology: Before You Start Your Design
When we were taught SolidWorks it was in one of two ways–we were either self taught or we took a class through a local SolidWorks reseller, or maybe at a local college. In either case, when we learned SolidWorks we
... Continued