SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [163]
You can now add a dimension to the design table. To add a dimension, it is most convenient to display the dimensions on the screen at all times. To show all the dimensions in the part, right-click the Annotations folder in the FeatureManager and select Display Annotations. If the dimensions do not display, you may have to go back and select Show Feature Dimensions. Arrange the dimensions so that you can clearly see them all, as shown in Figure 11.28.
To display the design table again, locate it in the ConfigurationManager, right-click it, and select Edit Table. Editing the feature changes the settings used for the design table. Edit Table in New Window is an option that you will use later because it simplifies many things; however, for now, the Edit Table option makes it easiest to add new items to the design table.
FIGURE 11.28
Dimension and annotation display settings
Note
If a window appears with the name Add Rows and Columns, just click OK for now. This window lists parameters that have changed in its lower pane, and it is asking you if you would like to add any of the changed parameters to the design table. If you would like to add them, just select the parameter in the lower pane and click OK. If not, just click OK.
If the design table displays on top of your model, you can either move the model or move the design table. Moving the design table is a bit tricky and involves dragging the striped-line border of the Excel window; remember not to grab it at the corners or midpoints, because this will simply resize it. If you click inside the border, nothing happens. If you click outside of the border, the Excel window closes. Moving the model may be easier. To do this, Ctrl+drag in blank space in the graphics window; it pans the display so that you can see the part dimensions.
With cell C2 selected, or whatever the next available cell is in the second row, double-click the OverallLength dimension in the graphics window. SolidWorks adds the proper syntax to the design table, along with the current value for the first configuration in the list. Fill in values for the rest of the configurations. You can then calculate these values in Excel using any of the available techniques.
Exit the design table and toggle through the various configurations to see their different lengths. These examples should get you started on more complex configurations and design tables. Any dimensions that are controlled by the design table (and that are therefore locked) display in pink on the screen.
Editing design table settings
Figure 11.29 shows the PropertyManager for design tables. After you have created the table, you can edit the table settings by right-clicking the table and then selecting Edit Feature. Edit Feature enables you to edit the settings for the table only; it does not enable you to edit values within the table.
Linked design table
By selecting the From File source option, you can create a design table from an external file; you can also link the table to the external file. When you use the other two options, Blank and Auto-Create, SolidWorks stores the Excel file within the SolidWorks document. Linking to an external file may be useful if you have a non-SolidWorks user who is entering data into the design table, or if a single table controls multiple parts.
Edit control
The Edit Control panel has two options, which act as a toggle. The Allow model edits to update the design table option is self-explanatory, as is its opposite, the Block model edits that would update the design table option. If the Allow model edits option is selected, and you make a manual change to the model, the next time you open the design table SolidWorks warns you about the change and that it will update the design table. Likewise, if you try to make a manual change and the Block model edits option is selected, you receive a warning that the value cannot be changed.
Options
The Options settings determine the behavior when you are using the Allow model edits option and a new item has been configured. For example,