SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [142]
The fact that this feature is still in a floating dialog box points to its relatively low usage and priority on the SolidWorks upgrade schedule. The interface for the feature is rather crude in comparison to some of the more high-usage features. This interface is shown in Figure 9.22.
FIGURE 9.22
The Table Driven Pattern dialog box
Using the Fill Pattern
The Fill Pattern feature fills a face or area enclosed by a sketch with a pattern of a selected feature. The type of pattern used to fill the area is limited to one of four preset patterns that are commonly used in gratings and electronics ventilation in plastics and sheet metal. These patterns and other options for the Fill Pattern are shown in Figure 9.23.
The Pattern Layout panel enables you to control spacing and other geometrical aspects of the selected pattern layout, as well as the minimum gap from the fill boundary. This is most useful for patterns of regularly spaced features with an irregular boundary.
FIGURE 9.23
Using the Fill Pattern feature
Using Cosmetic Patterns to Create an Appearance
Cosmetic Patterns are not patterns in the same sense as all the other pattern types in SolidWorks. Cosmetic Patterns do not actually create any geometry, just the appearance of geometry. They are applied using RealView functionality, which may or may not be available to you depending on your hardware, in particular your video card.
Note
More information is available on RealView-capable video cards from the SolidWorks corporate Web site, at www.solidworks.com/sw/support/videocardtesting.html.
Cosmetic Patterns are appropriate if your manufacturing method does not require actual geometry. For example, rapid prototyping requires explicit geometry in order to build a part, but a perforated sheet metal panel or a knurled cylindrical handle may require only a note on a drawing for the shop to set up a manufacturing process to create the geometry.
To apply a Cosmetic Pattern to a face, feature, body, or entire part, click the Appearances, Scenes, and Decals tab from the Task pane, and choose Appearances⇒Miscellaneous⇒Pattern or Appearances⇒Miscellaneous⇒RealView Only Appearances. Drag and drop the desired pattern onto the model, and use the popup menu to apply it to a face, feature, body, or the entire part. Figure 9.24 shows the Appearances, Scenes, and Decals tab of the Task Manager with some of the Cosmetic Pattern options.
Cross-Reference
You can find more details about appearances in Chapter 5.
FIGURE 9.24
Cosmetic Pattern options in the Appearances, Scenes, and Decals tab of the Task Manager
Mirroring 3D Solids
Because symmetry is an important aspect of modeling parts in SolidWorks, mirror functions are a commonly used feature. This is true whether you work on machine parts, sheet metal, injection-molded, cast, or forged parts. I discussed sketch-mirroring techniques earlier in this chapter, and now I will discuss 3D mirroring techniques.
Mirroring bodies
Earlier in this chapter, I discussed patterning bodies. I mentioned that the patterning and mirroring tools in SolidWorks do not have adequate functionality when it comes to body management (specifically the merge options). Neither tool allows the patterned or mirrored bodies to be merged with the main body if the main body is not being patterned or mirrored. Figure 9.25 shows the Options panels for both the Linear Pattern (on the left) and the Mirror (on the right) features. Here you can see that the pattern function has no provision whatsoever for merging bodies. The Mirror appears to have the functionality, but it applies only to bodies that are used or created by the Mirror feature and ignores any other bodies that may exist in the part.
FIGURE 9.25
Options panels from the Linear Pattern and Mirror PropertyManagers
Best Practice
Mirroring bodies is the fastest and simplest method when a part has complete symmetry. However, this may not be an option if the part is not completely symmetrical.