SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [198]
23. In the Save To pane, make sure that you select the correct folder, then fill in a filename and click OK. Figure 13.26 shows the completed PropertyManager interface for this function.
Tip
You may notice that there are two library entries in the window. This is because an additional path has been added in Tools⇒Options⇒File Locations⇒Design Library.
Figure 13.26
Saving the library feature
24. If the new library feature does not appear in the Design Library, then click in the Design Library and press F5. If you do not like the way that it displays, then right-click in a blank space inside the lower library window and select one of the other three options.
25. To edit the preview image of the feature, right-click the feature in the Design Library window, select Open, reposition or zoom the view, and save it. Click in the Design Library and press F5 again.
Tip
It is recommended that when placing a library feature, you should close the original library feature window. The workflow proceeds much more smoothly if the part is closed before you use it.
26. Open the part from the DVD called Chapter 13 Tutorial Blank.sldprt. If you would like to examine the version of the SpecialHole part that I created, it is saved as Chapter 13 – SpecialHole.sldlfp. Notice that this is a library feature part file, not a regular SolidWorks part file.
27. Drag the SpecialHole library feature from the Design Library onto the face of the blank part. Place the feature near the squared-off end. Select a configuration from the list in the PropertyManager.
Tip
Although there is no prompt, when the Library Feature interface hesitates and there are configurations in the library feature, it is waiting for you to select a configuration. A prompt actually does exist, but it appears in the lower-left corner of the screen on the status bar in a tiny font and most users probably do not notice it.
28. Try to orient the part in the same way that it appears in the preview window, as shown in Figure 13.27.
Figure 13.27
Orienting the part and selecting references
29. Select edges on the Blank part that correspond to the preview window. Click OK to accept the placement of the feature.
30. Double-click the SpecialHole feature and change the X and Y placement dimensions to place it 1 inch from the edges in both directions.
Note
You may remember from Chapter 11 that library feature configurations cannot be controlled by part configurations. In order to show different library feature configurations in different part configurations, you need to suppress one library feature and insert another. This is the best available workaround. It may be time to visit that enhancement request site again.
31. Place another library feature onto the blank part. Select a configuration, and click the green check mark icon without selecting edges for the references.
32. Notice that the feature in the FeatureManager appears with an exclamation mark. If you investigate the cause of this, then you can see that the two dimensions that should be attached to edges are dangling because you did not select the references while placing the library feature. This was done on purpose to show a different technique.
33. Expand the library feature and the SpecialHole feature, and edit the first sketch in the Special Hole. This is the placement sketch. Delete the two dimensions that appear in dangling colors.
34. Add a concentric sketch relation between the placement point and the arc edge of the Blank part. Exit the sketch. The error message should now be gone and the hole should now be placed in the center of the arc.
35. Right-click the second library feature and select Dissolve Library Feature. Figure 13.28 shows the finished part and FeatureManager. Good job!
Figure 13.28
The finished part
Note
When you dissolve a library feature, you lose any access to any configurations. Some users insist on dissolving every library feature so that they can see regular features in the FeatureManager. This technique