SolidWorks 2011 Assemblies Bible - Matt Lombard [148]
Figure 17.15 shows the Revision Table PropertyManager interface where you can create and control the settings for the table. You can find the default settings for Revision Tables by choosing Tools⇒Options⇒Document Properties⇒Drafting Standard⇒Tables⇒Revision.
FIGURE 17.15
The Revision Table PropertyManager interface
The upper-left image in Figure 17.15 is the PropertyManager interface that appears when you initially create the Revision Table. The upper-right image is the RMB menu for the Revision Table, and the bottom image shows the formatting toolbar that displays when you select the Revision Table.
You can initiate the Revision Table function through the menus or the Tables toolbar. However, this function simply creates the table; it does not populate it. You must set the table anchor in the drawing format in order for the Table Anchor to work. You can add or format additional columns to accept other data. Once you have created the columns or formatting, you can save the changes to a template, which is also available through the RMB menu.
You can add a revision to the table by right-clicking the table and choosing Revisions⇒Add Revision. This includes control over whether the revision uses numerical or alphabetical revision levels, but does not provide for more complex revisioning schemes.
Immediately after you have created the revision, if the option is enabled, you are prompted to place a balloon that contains the revision level to identify what has been changed. To finish placing symbols, you can press Esc. When you are finished placing the balloons, you can fill in the description of the revision by double-clicking in the Description cell where you want to add text. Figure 17.16 shows a Revision Table with balloon symbols placed on the drawing.
FIGURE 17.16
A Revision Table with balloon symbols
Revision Tables work by creating a Revision custom property in the drawing document, and by incrementing this revision each time a revision is added to the table. You can add more columns linked to custom properties to Revision Tables and Revision Table templates.
Cross-Reference
Gauge Tables and Bend Tables are specific to sheet metal parts and are covered in detail in Chapter 21. Weldment Cut Lists are a special type of table that closely resembles a BOM table in many ways. These are discussed in Chapter 20, which covers weldments.
Using General Tables
You can use General Tables for any type of tabulated data. Column headers can be filled with either text labels or custom property links. You can also use regular Excel OLE objects for the same purpose, and depending on the application, you may prefer to use them.
The General Table uses the filename extension *.sldtbt. You can create it without a template, as a simple block of four empty cells, or you can use a template that has a set of pre-created headers.
Working with Tables in Models
Proponents of solid modeling have been saying for years that 2D drawings are going to disappear. However, not everyone is convinced. Paper drawings will continue to be useful until all old manufacturing methods are abandoned, and this probably won't happen in your lifetime.
However, because some companies rely less on 2D and paper drawings, the industry is developing new ways to create 2D type documentation inside a 3D document. The ANSI Y14.41 standard deals primarily with this transition.
SolidWorks is responding to this type of requirement by adding features that enable you to document the 3D data. Placing BOMs in assembly files is one way of doing this. Placing 2D type data into 3D model documents can reduce the need for paper or even electronic 2D documentation. Figure