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In the PropertyManager, you select a base plane, which acts as a floor. You then establish a camera height to simulate the height of your eyes off the floor. If you intend to drive the walk-through using a sketch, you can select the sketch elements in the Motion Constraints selection box. For the most fluid motion, it is recommended that you use splines. You can use 2D or 3D sketches.

FIGURE 22.2

Using the Walk-through PropertyManager for initial setup

When you begin to capture the walk-through, a Map View window appears. When this window is active, it significantly slows down the performance of the walk-through. Capturing the walk-through requires an interface (shown in Figure 22.3) that is significantly different from other SolidWorks tools. While the interface and documentation refer to an “avatar,” you will not see any sort of virtual manikin walking through the model, except in SolidWorks sales demonstrations.

FIGURE 22.3

Using the special Walk-through interface

Once you are in this mode, the scroll wheel on your mouse works backwards from standard SolidWorks functionality for zooming, (in SolidWorks with default settings, when you scroll the top of the wheel away from you, the screen zooms out, so in Walk-through, when you scroll the top of the wheel away from you, the screen zooms closer to you).

Walk-through is in its initial stages and is usable for simple animations. The workflow to create a walk-through goes like this:

1. Select a suitable model, preferably one with an interior that you want to virtually wander around inside. This works best with models on the scale of buildings.

2. Click the DisplayManager tab in the FeatureManager area.

3. Click the Scene, Lights, and Cameras button.

4. Right-click the Walk-through entry in the list, and select Add Walk-through.

5. Establish a floor or vertical direction and literally tell it which end is up (by selecting a plane or axis). Also, establish the height of your eyes above the floor.

6. If you are using a sketch path, select the sketch segments in the Motion Constraints selection box.

7. Begin Capture of Walk-through by clicking the Capture Walk-through button in the Walk0through PropertyManager. If you are using sketches to drive the motion, just click the Forward button on the interface, and the camera walks along the path. If you are not using sketches, use the arrows on the interface to make the camera (called an avatar in this interface) move.

8. Generate and save the video. Use the red dot to record, and the green arrows to move.

On the DVD

The Dump Truck files used for this example are on the DVD as Dump Truck.sldasm. This is a good model for practice.

Creating a GridSystem

In SolidWorks, a GridSystem is a 3D sketch that repeats a 2D sketch on every level of a structure. It is intended to speed construction of multi-level 3D reference geometry to help plan your machine, system, weldment, or structure. The grid can range from very large (industrial facilities) to very small (desktop tubing kits).

Intended applications include providing paths for weldment member or piping placement, and mating for large equipment to the grid for placement. Grids are typically rectangular but can also be circular. In circular grids, labeling of the grid is not supported, nor are radial lines in the circular grid.

You start by creating a 2D sketch where lines represent structural members for that level. SolidWorks uses derived sketches on planes. The actual 3D sketch only contains columns. For example, the structure could be bolted together from fabricated I-beams, a welded tubing structure, or an assembled scaffolding.

As a component of the Large Scale Design initiative, the Grid System is still in its early phases, so it may have some limitations. The GridSystem can help you identify interior and exterior walls, structural columns, and beams. Figure 22.4 shows a complete GridSystem.

FIGURE 22.4

Building a GridSystem in SolidWorks

Here is the basic workflow for creating a GridSystem:

1. Click the GridSystem