Often when I am defining a model in 3D that has multiple coaxial holes I create a Section View to expose the internal geometry. I then take a snapshot using the Capture 3D View tool, a feature exclusive to SOLIDWORKS Model Based Definition (MBD) software. 3D Views are visually rich and enable the user to include multiple Configurations, Display States, Model Break Views, Section Views, and zooming scale in one master 3D document. To set the stage, I will add a few size dimensions to this bearing housing-flange, a part used in an underwater camera assembly, using the SOLIDWORKS DimXpert tool. By default, size dimensions applied to a cylinder or hole are set to orient perpendicular to the hole’s axis. For an organized composition it is best to orient hole callouts parallel with the holes’ axis rather than the perpendicular. In this case, setting the dimensions parallel with the axis will also set them parallel with the Section plane, which is ideal for capturing a 3D View. Once I am pleased with the dimensions I can publish to a 3D PDF to be shared with the manufacturer. The manufacturer can open the 3D PDF using a free version of Adobe Reader.
To adjust the leader style it is important to be familiar with the Witness/ Leader section of the Property Manager. From here, one can choose a leader display to accommodate any Annotation View. Take note, before changing the leader display it is best practice to activate the Annotation View that you want assign annotations to. Simply, right-click on the Annotation View and choose, “Activate”.
Once a new display is chosen the leader will snap to the Annotation View that is currently active. Next, invoke the Property Manager by clicking anywhere on the size dimension. Choose the Linear option from the Property Manager.
In order to orient the diameter dimension parallel to the hole’s axis, choose the Parallel to Axis button, found directly below the Linear button.
We can clean up identical dimensions by Ctrl selecting both dimensions and right-clicking one of them. Choose, “Combine Dimensions”.
Hope you find this introduction helpful. To learn more about SOLIDWORKS MBD, please visit its product page.
Originally posted in the SOLIDWORKS Tech Blog by Thomas Palmer.
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