Design Tables in SolidWorks are powered using Microsoft Excel. With Design Tables and Excel, it is possible to drive the size of parts (and assemblies) creating different configurations. The example in the video below shows how a washer can be controlled and driven using a Design Table and Excel. It is also possible to add [...]

From following some of the SolidWorks blogs, it led me to watch Mark Bissotti’s SolidWorks World Presentation on Advanced Modeling with some really excellent strategies and modeling approaches. The most noteable technique I came across in the presentation was the innovative use the deform feature.

In the example below the deform feature is used with the “Curve to Curve” option. The SolidWorks Advanced [...]

A lot of people use the Measure Tool, under Evaluate, however I find it quicker and easier just to use the status bar. Believe it or not, many people don’t look down at it. Below is a video showing how to get quick measurements from your parts or assemblies. Note also I have “Instant 3D” [...]

The following time-saver video by SolidWorks shows how to setup part and drawing templates, so that the information in the titleblock gets filled in automatically. Such properties as Material, Revision, Mass etc. can be linked automatically in the titleblock. If any of these properties change, the titleblock is immediately up-to-date eliminating mistakes. For anyone who has done [...]

Since SP2 it is now possible to disable the dimension pop-up palette which is new in SolidWorks 2010. Although there is no option available in Tools -> Options yet, the dimension palette can be disabled in the registry using the following key:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2010\Dimensions]
“14504″=dword:00000001
To make things easier, below are registry files to enable and disable the [...]

When sketching on a face, it is common to use convert entities to convert the model edge to a sketch segment. This ensures good design intent.
Selecting every edge to convert can take some time.
Selecting the face and clicking “Convert Entities” converts the outer loop of edges.
However if you select the face and 1 inside edge, [...]

Pretty fast you might say. Well how about creating a Compression spring with flattened ends, or an Extension, Torsion, or Spiral Spring?

There is a SolidWorks Macro which can do all this. You can download this macro from 3dContentCentral here. (If you are having difficulty getting the macro, just drop us an email to support@solidsolutions.ie )
How [...]