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the References panel shown in Figure 13.10, there is an Edge entry with a question mark, which becomes a check mark after you select the edge. This means that the library feature needs a circular edge to locate it. Notice that a small window appears, displaying the library feature. You may not be able to distinguish it in Figure 13.10, but the circular edge around the face that the library feature is on is highlighted in green. This indicates that you need to select an edge that has the same relation to the library feature as the highlighted edge. Pick the circular edge of the part on the end of the cylinder where you want to place the library feature.

FIGURE 13.10

Locating the library feature

Next, use a rectangular part where the library feature is located by using dimensions rather than sketch relations. Create a rectangle 1.5 inches by 2 inches and extrude it to about 2 inches in depth.

In the Design Library, browse to features, then inch, and then the fluid power ports folder and drag the sae j1926-1 feature onto the end of the extruded rectangle. Select the 38-24 size from the configurations list. A window appears, prompting you for reference selections, as shown in Figure 13.11.

FIGURE 13.11

Placing a library feature with dimensions

Tip

It is often helpful to orient the part that is receiving the library feature in the same way as the part shown in the preview window. This helps you to visualize which edges to select.

After the locating edges have been identified, the Locating Dimensions box becomes active and you can change the values of the dimensions to locate the feature. Further, in the Size Dimensions pane at the bottom of the PropertyManager, selecting the Override dimension values option enables you to change dimensions of the feature itself.

When you use a library feature with a design table, the design table is not brought into the part with the library feature. If the part already had a design table, this would cause multiple tables, which is not currently possible in SolidWorks. The configurations in the design table are brought forward, however.

If you override the feature dimensions using the Override Dimension Values option in the Size Dimensions panel of the Library Feature PropertyManager when feature configurations already exist, then a new configuration called Custom Configuration is created in the list of feature configurations. It appears that multiple custom configurations are not allowed, and so if you have to make changes, then you must ensure that they are right before you use the library feature in a part.

Exploring other Design Library functions

The Design Library has other functions besides library features. For example, you can use it as a repository for other items that you use frequently.

Storing annotations

You can store commonly used annotations in the Design Library. If you look at the Annotations folder with the default sample annotations, you see a combination of symbols and blocks. You can use symbols and notes in 3D models, but you can only use blocks in sketches or 2D drawings. Keep in mind that not all annotation types can be used in all places.

Annotations can be stored in the library as favorites or blocks. Many file extensions are used for different types of favorites, but they typically begin with *.sld and end with fvt, as in *.sldweldfvt. Figure 13.12 shows the default location of the Design Library and the Thumbnail view of the favorites and blocks in the Annotations folder.

FIGURE 13.12

The Annotations folder in Windows Explorer

Note

The screen capture with the thumbnails displayed was taken in Windows XP. The capture of the folders was taken in Windows 7. I am not able to get thumbnail images of the favorites to display in Windows 7 with SolidWorks 2011 sp0.0 installed, but thumbnails for the blocks appear to work okay. This issue is not resolved as of this writing.

Location of the Design Library folder

If you frequently work with different types of annotations, then you should organize the library into subfolders to separate symbols,