What’s New in SolidWorks Education Edition 2014-2015: Path Dimension

 SOLIDWORKS Education Edition 2014-2015 has some great new features. I will be sharing some of my favorites over the next few weeks.  The Path Dimension is a great sketch feature for robot and FSAE teams that need to design with chains and belts.

The Path Length Dimension is an entirely new dimension available in sketches. It allows the creation of a path in a sketch to define the exact length of an item like a chain or belt. Like all dimensions in SolidWorks, its value can be parametrically controlled in a variety of ways including equations.  Click Smart Dimension from the Sketch toolbar.  Select Path Dimension.  Select the sketch entities that make up the chain or belt.

Path Length Dimension

This provides you with completely new ways for getting the exact geometry you want without the need for complex equations or calculations. Using the Path Length Dimension tool also reduces the number of steps to define a Sketch Path during the creation of the dimension.

You can join in at a local user group and network with your peers, share valuable tips and tricks, or check out our education Facebook page and YouTube channel for more tutorials and features.Qualified schools on subscription have access to free Student Licensing for home use.  With over 100,000 certified SolidWorks users, qualified schools can also apply to become a Certified SolidWorks Academic Exam Provider.  Passing CSWA Exam helps  prove to employers that your students have the fundamental engineering graphics skills sets needed to succeed in a competitive job market.

Please take some time to explore our SOLIDWORKS Education 2014-2015 Launch site and discover how SolidWorks gives you and your students the tools to manage every aspect of your design process, from initial layout, to detail design, simulation, communication and collaboration.  Marie

 

Marie Planchard

Marie Planchard

Senior Director, Early Engagement, 3DEXPERIENCE Works at Dassault Systemes
Marie Planchard is an education and engineering advocate. As Senior Director of Education & Early Engagement, SOLIDWORKS, she is responsible for global development of content and social outreach for the 3DEXPERIENCE Works products across all levels of learning including educational institutions, Fab Labs, and entrepreneurship.
Marie Planchard