Making Magnetic Mates even Snappier
What is Magnetic Mates?
Introduced to SOLIDWORKS in 2017, Magnetic mates were one of the best new features, but as the Beatles put it: “It’s getting better all the time!”. With SOLIDWORKS 2018, things are not only getting better, snapping objects together is getting easier too.
Frustratingly, when using Magnetic Mates in 2017 there was often a struggle aligning connection points whilst ensuring the orientation was correct.
However, good news awaits you as you read on! Basically, now it’s just:
Snap, snap, snap, snap, giving you ‘The Power’ to do build awesome facility layouts in few click of the mouse.
So, new to SOLIDWORKS 2018, three pretty awesome Magnetic Mate enhancements make an appearance, making snapping more user-friendly, intuitive and fun:
Number 1: The ability to alternate between the active connection points
When using a magnetic mate to insert components, using the square bracket keys, ‘[‘, ‘]’.
- ‘[‘ cycles between the connecting points on the moving component
- ‘]’ does the same but on the static component
This allows us to design our Slot Car racing tracks with a breeze!
Number 2: The new Lock symbol has come to greet you
In SOLIDWORKS 2017, locking the mates was a bit of a chore; searching for the mate in the Feature Tree, right clicking and selecting Lock… In 2018, the Lock symbol pops up upon Snapping, greeting you and begging for a click. Just one click and the mates are locked in position.
Number 3: Multiple Ground Planes (Yes, you can now mate directly to floors and walls!)
Now, in 2018, you can define multiple Ground Planes, allowing users to create multi-story layouts with multiple planes or floors. Imagine a giant 3D Jigsaw in the real world. This is now replicable in SOLIDWORKS’ virtual world by just dropping the pieces of your jigsaw, automatically snapping into place.
SOLIDWORKS 2018’s new Magnetic Mates make large layouts a quick simple task. What you will notice is super-fast placement of components; getting it right the first time; increasing your efficiency, accuracy and productivity.
Tailored towards facility layout, Magnetic mates can be used for many other applications, just like with our slot car track model – in fact, any assembly. Magnetic mates are a fantastic tool for increasing productivity and in 2018, they are now even more user-friendly.
Latest posts by Cadtek Systems UK - Elite SOLIDWORKS Training & Support (see all)
- Exploring XR Part 5 – Extended Reality for eDrawings Mobile - June 30, 2019
- Exploring XR Part 4 – Direct VR in eDrawings Professional - June 9, 2019
- Exploring XR Part 2 – SOLIDWORKS XR Exporter - May 14, 2019