SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [86]
Applying Color Automatically to Features
You can use the settings found at Tools⇒Options⇒Document Properties⇒Model Display to automatically color certain types of features with specific colors. For example, you can color all Shell features red as you create them.
This function has worked intermittently for many years. For example, you can assign Boss features to always be red, and that works. You can assign surface features to always be yellow, and it works for Extrude, Revolve, Planar, Offset, Loft, and Sweep surfaces, but not for Boundary, Fill, or Ruled.
Using Edge Display Settings
Earlier in this chapter, I discussed the Shaded with Edges display style. Some people think that this makes the parts look “cartoony.” I agree, especially when the default black edges are used, but the display improves when the edge color matches the shaded part color. In any case, sometimes this method is necessary to see the breaks between faces, especially fillets. Cartoony or not, it is also useful.
Taking this one step further, you can also make use of the tangent edge settings. These settings are found in the View⇒Display menu. The settings are
• Tangent Edges Visible. Displays tangent edges as solid lines, just like all other edges.
• Tangent Edges as Phantom. Displays tangent edges in a phantom line font.
• Tangent Edges Removed. Displays only non-tangent edges.
The tangent edges removed setting leaves parts looking like a silhouette. I prefer the phantom setting because I can easily distinguish between edges that will actually look like edges on the actual part and edges that only serve to break up faces on the model. The tangent edges visible setting conveys no additional information and is the default setting. Figure 5.36 shows a sample part with all three settings.
FIGURE 5.36
Samples of the tangent edge settings
Tutorial: Applying Visualization Techniques
Visualization is a key factor when working with SolidWorks software. Whether it is for a presentation of your design to customers or management or simply checking the design, it is important to be able to see the model in various ways. This tutorial guides you through using several tools and techniques.
1. If the part named Chapter5Sample.sldprt is not already open, open it from the DVD. If it is open and changes have been made to it, choose File⇒Reload⇒OK.
2. Practice using some of the controls for rotating and zooming the part. In addition to the View toolbar buttons, you should also use Z and Shift+Z (Zoom Out and In, respectively), the arrow keys, and the Ctrl+, Shift+, and Alt+arrow combinations.
3. Use the MMB to select a straight edge on the part, and then drag it with the MMB. This rotates the part about the selected entity. Also, apply this technique when selecting a vertex and a flat face.
4. Select the name of the part at the top of the FeatureManager.
5. Click the Appearance button from the Heads-up View toolbar at the top of the graphics window.
6. Click the color you want in the Favorite panel. The model should change color. If you click and drag the cursor over the colors, the model changes color as you drag over each new color. You can also drag appearances from the Task Pane. Figure 5.37 shows interfaces for both methods.
Figure 5.37
Use the Appearances PropertyManager to change color and material.
7. If the Color panel is not expanded, click the double arrows to the right to expand it. Select the colors you want from the continuous color map. Again, click and drag the cursor to watch the part change color continuously.
8. Create a swatch. In the Favorite panel, select the Create New Swatch button and call the new swatch color file BibleColors.
9. Select a color from the Color Properties continuous map; the Add Selected Color button becomes active. Clicking the button adds the color to the swatch palette. You can add several colors to the palette to use as favorites later on.
Tip
You will be able to access these colors again later by selecting BibleColors from