SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [196]
Tip
After a library feature has been edited, or folders or documents have been added to the library using Windows Explorer, you can press F5 in either the lower or the upper window to update the display for that window or use the Refresh icon located at the top of the Task Pane.
Locating and Internal dimensions
When you create a library feature, SolidWorks adds two folders to the FeatureManager: the References folder and the Dimensions folder. In turn, the Dimensions folder has two more folders: Locating Dimensions and Internal Dimensions. All these folders are shown in Figure 13.21.
The References folder shows the entities you used to reference the library feature. These are the features you are prompted to select upon placing the library feature in a new part. No additional work on your part is required with this folder.
The Dimensions folder lists all the dimensions in the library feature. Some of these dimensions are used to locate the feature to the dummy block and some are meant to size the feature itself. When you make a library feature, it is recommended that you separate the locating features from internal features by dragging the dimensions into the separate folders. The Locating Dimensions can be changed while placing the library feature, but the Internal Dimensions cannot be accessed. You might want to limit user access to some dimensions if you have standard tooling for the library feature that you are creating.
FIGURE 13.21
References, Locating Dimensions, and Internal Dimensions in a library feature
Understanding Dissection
Dissection is a process that SolidWorks goes through by which it examines all the parts on your computer and makes Design Clipart of the sketches and features. People who might get some use from this function are those who have not modeled a lot of parts and will tend to reuse the same features over and over again. The types of data it will try to recycle for you are extrudes and cuts, sketches, blocks, and tables from drawings.
The first interaction most people have with this function is learning how to turn it off. If you notice your computer starting to run small SolidWorks windows in the background starting at about 11 pm daily, you may have Dissection turned on. To select or deselect Dissection, choose Tools⇒Options⇒Search. Dissection is connected to SolidWorks Search, another function many users prefer to deselect.
Tutorial: Working with Library Features
This tutorial guides you through customizing a Hole Wizard hole to use as a specialty library feature, then storing it in the library, editing it, and placing it in a part. Follow these steps:
1. Open a new part, and create a rectangular base feature, about 3 inches high by 3 inches wide and 3 inches deep.
2. Pre-select a flat face and start the Hole Wizard.
3. Create a counterbored hole for a Heavy Hex Bolt, 1⁄2-inch, Normal Fit, Blind, 1.2 inches deep. Locate the hole with dimensions from two perpendicular edges, as shown in Figure 13.22. Click the green check mark icon twice to accept the hole settings.
Figure 13.22
Placing a hole
4. Turn on the setting at View⇒Dimension Names.
5. Double-click the counterbored hole feature in the FeatureManager to show the dimensions. Make sure Instant3D is unselected for the next step.
6. Click one of the dimensions that you created to locate the center of the hole and rename the dimension in the Dimension PropertyManager (Primary Value panel) using names that will have meaning when you place the dimension, such as XDir, or YDir. Do this for both dimensions.
7. Edit the second sketch of the hole. Figure 13.23 shows what the sketch should look like before and after the edit.
Caution
Do not delete any of the named dimensions in a normal or revised Hole Wizard hole. SolidWorks has a checking mechanism that looks for these names and will display an error if any of the named dimensions is not there. If there is no use for the dimension, it still has to be there, although it does not need to be used for its original use. You