SolidWorks

A Brief
Description

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SolidWorks
The purpose of the laboratory in ME152 is to be able to apply topics learned in the lecture
section of the course as well as ME151 in a CAD environment. The purpose of ME153 is to
expand on the skills learned in ME152. This course goal is not to teach the program, but to
present enough of it so that the student can present well documented engineering drawings which
utilize proper views and dimensions. The CAD platform, SolidWorks, is the program which will
be utilized to this end. Warning: Do not use shortcuts! Whenever learning a new platform strict
adherence to proper protocols and procedures is essential for establishing a firm foundation of
good habits. This also eases a transition to any other CAD platform.
Types of files:
In SolidWorks there are several types of files used. The most common is the Part File which has
an extension SLDPRT. (SolidWorks automatically appends the extension so you do not have to
worry about it.) This type of file is where all the components are constructed. Each part must be
one contiguous piece and there may be only one component in each part file. In advanced
workings, there may be several different configurations of a part in a file, but it is still essentially
one part in the file.
An Assembly File (extension SLDASM) is where parts or sub-assemblies are joined together to
create a machine. The assembly may be static or dynamic. In the dynamic assembly the parts are
allowed to move as they would in the actual assembled part. The assembly may be exploded to
show how all the parts go together. Section views of the assembly are also possible. A bill of
materials (parts lists) is included in the assembly file.
The Drawing File (extension SLDDRW) is where the actual engineering drawings are produced.
Multiple views of a part, section views, detail views and auxiliary views are all included.
Coordinate dimensions and geometric dimension tolerancing are included in the proper views.
The drawing will have a title block where all pertinent information about the part in the drawing
is listed. There will be special title blocks for ME152 and ME153 which will be available to the
student. Assemblies are also put into drawings.
All the files are related. Once a part is placed into an assembly or a drawing, the file name may
not be changed arbitrarily. Get in the habit of giving the files the proper names when they are
created. All of your files will be named yourlastnameXX where the XX represents the
particular lab, i.e. ludin5A. If multiple parts are needed label them ludin5A1, ludin5A2 etc. A
part, assembly and drawing may have the same name as they have different extensions applied to
them. A drawing may not be opened if the part file from which it was created cannot be located.
This often happens if a file name is changed. When you submit an electronic copy of a drawing,
be sure all supporting part and assembly files are included as well. If a part is changed (made
longer or thicker for example), then the drawing or assembly which contains that part will also
be changed.

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Template files are used to save set up time. The most common template will be the drawing sheet
format which will contain the title block for the course. These templates are regular drawing files
and have the extension SLDDRW. The course templates will have names such as
TBLAND.slddrw or TBPOR.slddrw, as both portrait and landscape views will be used. These
may be found on the server in 20-150. To get to the server follow the steps: Start : My Computer
: My Network Places : Entire Network : Microsoft Windows Network : pclab : MELAB02 :
ME152 or ME153. All files needed for the course will be here.
On all the department computers there is a hard drive section called Thawspace. This is a
working file for student use. Create a new folder with your name on it and place your work in the
folder. Save all your work here as you develop your parts and drawings. When you are done drag
the files to your flash drive or other storage medium for permanent storage. Save your work
often (ctrl-S) as you develop a part. Saving to the hard drive takes almost no time. When your
system crashes which happens often enough to be concerned, your work will be recoverable.
Before leaving the lab delete the folder you created. Thawspace size is limited.
File management is critical with SolidWorks. Most assignments in the course require multiple
files. Make sure that they are kept together in one place since if a file is misplaced, all the files
that depend on that one will not open. In the simplest cases there might be a part file and drawing
file. Later there may be several part files, an assembly file, and a drawing file. One missing file
can prevent the use of the others. If a file is going to be used in another drawing use Save As
and then Save as a Copy to create another file.
Creating a Part and Drawing
When SolidWorks is first opened, you have to open a part, assembly or drawing. When a new
part is opened, there is a blank work area on the right and a column on the left called the Feature
Manager. In the Feature Manager, there are the three main planes listed front, top and right. To
begin a sketch, a plane to draw on must be selected. Right click on the desired plane and select
the sketch icon in the fly-out menu. For the first sketch the view will rotate so that you are
looking perpendicular to the plane you selected.
The first feature sketched is called the base feature. Added on features are called boss or cut
features. These add or subtract material to create the part. It is best to keep the geometry of each
feature as simple as possible. Create a part with a large number of simple features rather than a
few complex ones. Your work will be much easier to perform and less prone to errors in the long
run.
Plan how the part is going to be used before beginning the sketch. Which faces do you want for
the front, top and right views? Where do you want the origin to be? It is easier to take a few
minutes and plan ahead than to have to redo a part because the wrong orientation was used. A
quick hand sketch on a sheet of paper to determine the final appearance can save a lot of effort
and time. A good habit to get into is to place the origin on a plane of symmetry if there is one.
This will save you a lot of work in creating a part.

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When you start sketching the base, rough out what the base face will look like. It does not have
to be exactly to dimensions. When you finish your rough sketch most lines will be blue. This
means that you have an under-defined sketch. At this point you add geometric relations or
constraints and dimensions to the drawing to get it completely defined. A fully defined sketch
has all black lines. You will also see near the bottom right of the screen a note Fully Defined.
If it says u\Under Defined you will need more dimensions or relations before extruding. If you
try to define it too much the sketch turns red meaning that it is over-defined. At this point you
will have to remove some relations or dimensions to get back to completely defined. Once you
have a fully defined sketch, then you can extrude it or revolve it to create the base. Get in the
habit of extruding and cutting with fully defined features only as it will save time and effort later
on.
After the base feature is created, additional features may be added. Again the new features must
be sketched on a plane. This plane can be one of the three primary planes, one of the faces of the
base or any boss, or on a user defined plane. Right click on the plane desired, then select the
sketch icon. In the transparent view menu o at the top of the work area select the view orientation
to do the sketch. Try to use the geometric relations as much as possible to orient a new feature to
a previous feature. Thus if the first feature is changed, the second feature will follow along with
it rather than having to be redimensioned. SolidWorks is a parametric program, which means that
the dimensions drive the size and shape of the part rather than the reverse. The benefit of this is
that a parts size and shape can be altered by just changing the appropriate dimension rather than
having to redraw the part. Careful selection of the geometric relations and dimensions can
simplify the task.
A drawing is where the various views of a part are made. You may select which views to
include. The standard three view also called the third angle view, inserts the front, top and right
view. Named views, such as left, bottom, back, isometric, etc., may be added. Section views and
auxiliary views may be created from any view present. Each view may be dimensioned.
SolidWorks will automatically dimension the drawing. However it does not do a perfect job. It is
up to the user to place the dimensions in the proper places and on the proper view. If a dimension
is not needed use the hide feature to eliminate it rather than deleting it. That way the dimension
may be recalled if necessary. On all drawings the title block should be present and filled out. It
should contain at least your name, lecture section number, lab section number, date, drawing
name and drawing number. In detail drawings include also the scale and units. These are not
necessary in assembly drawings, but are preferred. If requested also add the material, next
assembly and tolerance default to the part drawing. It is the drawing that will be printed up and
turned in as a hard copy.
When an assembly is put into a drawing, balloons should be added to each part. They will be
numbered according to the order the parts were added to the assembly so be careful in the
insertion ordering when assembling the parts. A bill of materials will then be added to the
drawing. This should include at least the balloon number, part number, part name and quantity.
As with parts, the drawing should have Course Title Block as well.

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Some Particulars about Parts, Drawings, Printing and Saving

As all the computers are used by many people, they will eventually have changed defaults. When
opening a new part, assembly or drawing, the first thing to do is to check the units. They should
be ANSI and inches or millimeters, depending on the unit system. Go to the menu bar on top,
open Tools and click on Options at the bottom of the list. Click on the Document Properties
Tab. Under Detailing select ANSI in the pull down menu. Some computers will be already set to
ANSI, some to ISO. Make it ANSI. Then pick Units in the white selection tree on the left, and
set the units to inches or millimeters in that pull down menu. This should be done whenever a
new document is opened. Even if you import a part created with metric units, you will still have
to select metric units in the drawing; otherwise the dimensions will be in inches the default.
The latest version of SolidWorks has all the commands in the Command Manager near the top of
the screen. These are grouped into sketch, assembly, feature and drawing tool bars, each
selectable from a tab at the bottom of the command manager. Only the tabs for useable tool bars
are shown. The tab for the drawing tools will not be visible when you are creating a part as none
of those tools may be used. Likewise the assembly tab will be absent. The sketch and feature tabs
will be present as both sets of tools are needed for creating parts.
All sketching must be done in a sketch. If you look at the upper right corner of the work area
you should see a purple arrow with a pencil and a red X. This is called the sketch confirmation
box. This signifies that you are in a sketch. If it is not there you are not in an active sketch and
cannot add or change anything. Each feature has its own sketch. (That is why each feature should
be given a unique name for identification.) You must be in the correct sketch to change anything
in that feature. To reenter a sketch, right click on the desired feature in the feature manager and
select Edit Sketch from the selection. To change an extrusion, right click on the feature in the
feature manager and select Edit Definition.
If you have a part with a plane of symmetry, keep the origin on the plane of symmetry or on the
axis of symmetry. You can maintain the symmetry plane as a primary plane by using the MidPlane extrusion rather than a blind extrusion. Adding new features will be simplified with this
simple step. If you dont do this you will find that you have to define a new plane on the
symmetry plane later in the drawing to add features to the part.
If a sketch you are working on ever turns red, do not proceed. You have over-defined your
feature and should correct the over-definition right then. It could mean that you have included
some unwanted relations or have doubled dimensioned a part. Remember that red is bad in
SolidWorks. Likewise a yellow line means that you have created an impossible drawing. You
may have tried to make two parallel lines collinear or something like that. Again resolve the
problem before proceeding. SolidWorks will now warn you when these occur and will make it
difficult to proceed without fixing the problem.
To see what relations exist in the drawing, make sure nothing is selected and click on the
Display/Delete Relations Icon In the Sketch Toolbar. Over-defined relations are marked in red.
Look for a relation that you did not put in. That may be the culprit. Try deleting it and see what
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happens. Often SolidWorks adds relations it thinks should be there or are implied by your
drawing the sketch.
Before doing any extrusion, all your features lines should be black, indicating that you have a
completely defined feature. If a line is blue you still need more dimensions or geometrical
relations to fully define your feature.
If a feature is going to be created by revolving around a centerline, make all lateral dimensions
from the centerline. Before setting the dimension drag it to the other side of the center line and it
will become a diameter. Do not use the origin in place of the center line. Use symmetries
whenever possible as well. This reduces the drawing time and the amount of dimensioning. If the
dimensions of a symmetric feature are changed the symmetric features are also changed.
There is a lot of confusion with using center lines and temporary axes. If you are in a sketch
creating a feature you use a center line. Center lines are used for sketch mirrors, part alignment
and for revolved cuts and extrusions. If you are using feature toolbar tools such as circular
pattern, a temporary axis (activated under views temporary axes) is the axis of revolution.
Center lines will not work here. Also temporary axes are use in mating circular features in
assemblies. Do not create a special sketch just for drawing center lines. If you have to, you are
probably doing something wrong.
If your cursor turns into what looks like a vacuum cleaner head and you cannot select anything,
it means that the selection filter has turned on. Click on the toggle Selection Filter Toolbar which
is seen below the Feature Manager and Work Area. Click on the first item to deselect the
selection manager.
Changing Views. It is best to carefully consider the presentation of what face goes with what
view before beginning a part. However if you have selected wrong and discover this well into the
part constructions, may be possible to redefine the standard views. Do this change before
entering any dimensions in the drawing. With the part showing and all sketches closed, select the
view orientation tool on the Feature Tab, or Insert Modify View Orientation, or just press the
space bar. The icon looks like a telescope. An orientation dialogue box will appear. Click on the
push pin to keep the box open. Double click on the view name in the box which you wish to
change. Then single click on the view you wish it to be. Finally, click on the update standard
views, the center icon on the top of the box. You will get a warning message which states
Changing the standard view will change the orientation of any standard orthogonal, named and
child views in the drawings of this model. Select yes to make the change. You may reset the
standard views you first selected by clicking on the right icon Reset Standard Views, or by just
redefining the standard views again. Click the X in the upper right corner to close the dialogue
box when you are done.
When setting a scale for a drawing choose a standard setting 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 1:10, 2:1, 4:1 etc.
Do not use 1:3 or 2:3 settings. Three is a poor number to work with and should be avoided.

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With the views in the drawings you should have hidden lines visible in the standard three views,
but hidden lines should not be shown for isometric, section views or auxiliary views. Tangent
edges should not be visible except in isometric views with major curved edges that disappear.
When this is the case use tangent edges with font or phantom lines. This will give a display with
the dashed phantom line for the tangent edges hence distinguishing these edges from part edges.
When you are in a drawing, you should always create a special layer for dimensions and another
layer for geometrical dimensional tolerances. The layers should be different colors for quick
identification of each item. This also allows each particular layer to be turned off if not needed.
When dimensions are added to a drawing they will very often become cramped. There are
several things you may do to alleviate this cramping. The default length of arrows is .5 inches or
12 mm. If you change these to .2 inches or 5 mm the smaller arrow size will give more room for
dimensions. The default font size is about 13 points. A font of 10 to 12 points is appropriate for a
size A drawing (8 by 11). Go to Tools Options Document Properties. The Arrow menu
will allow you to set the arrow size under length. The Annotations font Dimensions allows the
font size to be changed. Do not change the Notes/Balloon font size as that will change the title
block size. If a note has to be changed do that in the Property Manager for the particular note
under text format.
To dimension a hole created by Hole Wizard use the hole callout tool. This tool icon (vn) is
found in the annotation tool bar. If the call out gives a THRU or THRU ALL, you will have to
delete these notations in the Property Manager. The rest of the callouts for counterbore
countersink, depths and angles will be correct. If you are having a callout for a tapped hole, you
will also have to delete the pilot hole line.
When you are in the edit sheet format entering items into the title block, be very careful when
double clicking on an item. If you move the mouse during the clicks you will drag the item out of
alignment and need to realign the item.
Save your parts and drawings often to the ThawSpace drive on the hard drive. If you
experience a crash, you will find the last save you made still on that drive. It is the only nonvolatile section of the computer. When you are done Drag and Drop your files to own drive.
You should erase the files on the ThawSpace drive after you are sure that you have good copies.
To save your files to a memory device other than ThawSpace, dont use the save as function in
the file menu. You should have been saving your file to the hard drive. Go to the desk top and
drag the file to the proper drive. You should be using flash memory, which are fairly reliable, but
it is always wise to keep a back up copy of your work. In transferring your work to the server
again use the drag and drop. Saving to the server locks those files as long as your SolidWorks is
open. A major part of your lab grade is from your electronic copy and lost files count against
you. You should retain a copy of all your work for the quarter in case there are any questions
later on.

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If you are in a drawing and have to change the name of a part file, you may use save as on
the part file to create the new name. Be sure that both the part, the drawing and possibly the
assembly are open before using Save AS. You will get a dialogue box which will allow you to
say that you want the line to follow the file. If you just change the name of a part file in
Windows, you will break the link and the corresponding drawing file will not be able to open
because it will be looking for the old file name.
In printing the file, color should not be used. In the printer dialogue box somewhere,
depending on the printer and OS, will be a selection to print only in black and white. Select this
option before printing. Do not select gray scale as this will result in very light lines. If your
printer does not have this feature, then print on the lab computers as light lines will result in
grade deductions. Even on a laser printer which prints in black only, select this option and avoid
printing in gray scale.
The title blocks were designed for the labs laser printers. Many ink jet printers have different
print areas and cut off part of the title block. If this happens you will have to modify the title
block or print on the lab computers. Also the SolidWorks watermark may cover up part of the
title block information. If this occurs you must add a note (not handwritten) to the drawing
listing the covered up information. If parts of the drawing or dimensions are covered by the
watermark move the drawing around to clear the information. The printed title blocks must have
a complete border around them. Do not change the printers scale to get the border onto the
page as this will result in a drawing with an incorrect altered scale. If you cannot change the title
blocks to fit your printer use the lab printers.
All the files, title blocks and check points you will need will be placed on the server for Lab 20150. You should retrieve the days files at the beginning of the lab session. To get to the server
for ME152 or ME153:
Start : My Computer : My Network Places : Entire Network : Microsoft Windows Network :
pclab : MELAB02 : ME152 or ME153. Drag files needed over to a folder in the ThawSpace
drive to use. If you cannot find pclab in MSNetwork windows, pick Search on the top bar
and type in MELAB02.
The naming of electronic files is done for my identification of your files. There are hundreds of
files turned in each week and they are put into a common folder. The only way your files may be
identified is if you use the designated naming procedures. Use only your last name followed by
one or two characters a digit and letter for lab identification.
If your drawing tools act oddly (big + sign cursors) look to see if there is a command line at the
bottom of the screen. To get rid of this got to Tools: Add-ins: and deselect SolidWorks 2D
Editor. This editor allows SolidWorks to emulate AutoCAD drawing methods and is something
you do not want on.

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Student Copies of SolidWorks

SolidWorks supplies copies of the current student version of SolidWorks free of charge for
students to load into their home computers. The link to the download is available at the ME
website: me.calpoly.edu Student Resources - Free and Low Cost Software or
me.calpoly.edu/resources/software. This is a 2.1 GB download so a broadband connection is
desirous. This version has a 150 day license. After this time SolidWorks will not run and may
not be reloaded. The license will also expire on November 30, 2009 even if the 150 days have
not expired.
This version is nearly the same as the version in lab. However all pages created with the student
versions will have a watermark SolidWorks Student License, Academic Use Only. This will
appear on every page printed and cannot be removed. It is the students responsibility to make
sure that no vital information is covered up by the watermark. If in information is covered, it
must be placed in a note somewhere on the drawing. Also, if printing at home make sure that the
printer is set to print in black and white only. Do not print in colors or gray scale. If the borders
do not print out as heavy block lines, the printer is in gray scale mode. If that is the case the
printers in lab must be used.
When SolidWorks is started at home, it will come up with the factory set defaults which are
different from those in the lab. The defaults may be set as you wish by going to the menu bar
Tools Options. You are encouraged to experiment to get a set of defaults you like. Some of the
defaults may be obtained by loading in the templates of the parts and assembly from the lab.
To have the same templates on your home computer as are on the lab computer, you may copy
the templates in the lab and place them in your hard drive. Open a new part or assembly in the
lab. Save it untouched to your own drive. Then on your computer open the file, Save as, and then
change the file type to template, and finally save it as a template. It will be placed in the right
folder by SolidWorks. The templates contain many of the defaults found in lab. These are the
files that are available when you open a new part, assembly or drawing (ctrl n).
Student editions of SolidWorks with a two year license may be purchased online from
www.academicsuperstore.com. Straight SolidWorks runs about $90 while SolidWorks with
COSMOS is about $140. These are still student editions but have all the features found on the lab
computers.
Note that SolidWorks is a forward compatible software which is updated each year. That means
that files created in SolidWorks 2008, for example, may not be opened in SolidWorks 2007, but
the reverse is true. SolidWorks 2007 files may be opened in SolidWorks 2008. The industrial
version is always a year ahead which means that it may not be used for the course as none of the
files it creates may be opened in lab.

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Geometric Relations:
The geometric relations or constraints are a new feature to the first time users of parametric
programs. There are several common constraints utilized in fixing features. Note that arcs
include full circles.

Relation

Sketch Entity

Changes Undergone

Coincident

A point and a line or arc

Point lies on the arc or line

Colinear

Two or more lines

Lines line on the same theoretical infinite

line

Concentric

Two or more arcs

Arcs share the same centerpoint

Coradial

Two or more arcs

Items share the same centerpoint and have

equal radii

Equal

Two or more lines or two

or more arcs

Line lengths and arc radii stay equal

Horizontal or
Vertical

One or more lines or two

or more points.

Lines become horizontal or vertical;

points are aligned horizontally or
vertically.

Intersection

Two lines and one point

Point remains at the intersection of the

lines. This can be a projected intersection

Midpoint

A point and a line

Point remains at the midpoint of the line.

Parallel

Two or more lines

Lines become parallel

Perpendicular

Two lines

Lines become perpendicular

Pierce

A sketch point and an

axis, edge, line, arc or
spline

Sketch point becomes coincident to where

the axis et. al. pierces the plane of the
sketch.

Symmetric

A centerline and two

points. Lines, arcs or
splines

Items remain symmetrical about the

centerline

Tangent

An arc or spline and a

line, arc, or spline

Items remain tangent.

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Hole Wizard Tool

these to fully define a holes position. When
it is fully defined click OK twice to add the
feature.

When drilling holes for fasteners using Hole

Wizard, first select (left click) where on the
part you want the hole placed before
opening Hole Wizard. You cannot be in a
sketch to use Hole Wizard. Once in the HW
menu determine what type of hole you are
drilling and pick the proper icon on top
counterbore, countersink, hole (regular and
clearance) or tapped hole. The standard for
all the holes used in this course is ANSI
Inch (ANSI metric).

The same steps are followed for a

countersink. (Figure 2.) Select the second
icon in the top row. The usual inch screw
type is a flat head 82. A wide head is 100
and a metric is 90. Placing the hole is done
the same way as for a counter bore.
When a callout is assigned in the drawings
you will have to delete the thru in the
callout as thru is now the default. Also any
placement location dimensions used in Hole
Wizard will have to be added by hand in the
drawing.

If you have more than one hole to add it is

best to use Hole Wizard to insert the first
hole and then use either a Linear Pattern or
Circular Pattern to locate the other holes.
To insert a counterbore, first select the
proper screw type. (See figure 1 below.)
When you make your selection, SolidWorks
will then offer a list of available screw sizes
for that particular screw. If you cannot find
the right size (major diameter) check if you
have the correct screw type. The end
condition will almost always be through all.
To check on the counter bore dimensions
open the Custom Sizing Box at the bottom
of the Property Manager. You should not
change any of the default settings unless
absolutely sure that you have to over-ride
the defaults. Do not change the defaults as a
shortcut. If they are not the correct values,
go back and select another screw size. The
thru hole will be larger than the major
diameter as SolidWorks computes the
necessary clearance.

When selecting holes, there are two types to

consider, a straight hole and a clearance
hole. (Figures 3 and 4.) These are selected
under screw type the third icon in the top
row. A straight hole is one where you pick
the drill size to use on the hole. It is best to
select Fractional Drill Sizes for screw type
so the size menu will be shorter. For all drill
sizes you will have to scroll through all
numbered and lettered drill sizes to find the
correct size. The sizes are listed from
smallest to largest where the numbered and
letter drills are usually the smallest. Scroll
down to find the size you need. Again check
the hole size in the Custom Sizing box. You
should not change the dimensions in the
Custom Sizing Box. If the dimension is not
correct pick the correct drill size in the upper
box. The end condition and depth may have
to be changed to meet your needs, however.

To locate the hole select the Positions tab on

the top of the manager. Be careful that you
do not click any where on the drawing or
part as the cursor is by default a point tool
and every time you click you add another
fixed hole to the part. After picking
Positions first select either Add Relations or
Smart Dimensions to begin placing the hole.
It will usually take a combination of two of

If you need a clearance hole, select Screw

Clearance in the pull down menu for screw
type. When you pick the size pick the size
screw for which you want the clearance
hole, SolidWorks will compute the proper
clearance size for the screw. For example a
clearance hole for a 7/16 inch screw as

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then label this feature as a bad feature in the

Feature manager.

shown in Figure 4 will be .4687 inches in

diameter for a normal fit (.0312 larger then
7/16 inch) . Most holes will be a normal fit.
You should only have to change the End
Condition and Depth settings.

The next box down is the Options box.

Check Cosmetic thread and in the pull
down menu below, select Without thread
callout. Then check thread class the
default is 2B. Change this if you have a
loose or tight fit. To locate the hole, follow
the Positions instructions for the counter
bore above.

To locate the hole, follow the Positions

instructions for the counter bore above.
If you need a toleranced hole for a fit such
as RC or FN, do not use Hole Wizard. Just
do an extruded cut and tolerance the hole in
the property manager.

When you use the hole callout icon to

dimension a tapped hole in a drawing, there
will be a two line callout. The first line is the
pilot hole callout. Current practice is to
eliminate this line and only have the thread
callout. Any good machinist will know
which pilot drill to use and the correct depth
for a given tapped hole.

If a hole has threads you must use the Tap

icon - first icon second row - to get a tapped
hole. For type select tapped hole. Only
select a bottom tapped hole when the piece
you are working with is too thin and a
normal tapped hole will have the pilot drill
pierce the opposite side. Then find the
proper thread size in the pull down menu.

With a little searching just about any hole

for a standard fastener may be found in Hole
Wizard, so use the proper hole. Only use
Custom Sizing to change the defaults if you
know your hole is non-standard.

Next select the proper end condition. If it is

through all you do not have to worry.
However if it is a blind hole you will have
two conditions. The first is the pilot hole. Do
not change this depth. The second condition
is the thread depth. This is the value to
change if necessary. When this value is
changed the pilot hole depth will adjust
accordingly. Changing the pilot hole depth
manually may result in a situation where the
pilot hole is shallower than the thread depth
an impossible situation. SolidWorks may

For all of the types of holes after clicking on

Positions, do not click in the drawing or
anywhere on the part as that will add
random holes. First click in the sketch tool
bar on Add Relations or Smart Dimensions
and then locate the hole to get it fully
defined. It usually takes two dimensions and
or relations to locate a hole.

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2:13

2:14

Standard Steps for Hole Wizard

1. Click near where the hole is to be located.

2. Select Hole Wizard
3. Select type of hole icon, type of screw,
screw size, hole depth and type.
4. Click on Positions Tab; do not click in
drawing.
5. Select either Add Relations or Smart
dimension and locate the hole. It will
usually take two dimensions or relations
or one of each to fully define the hole.
6. Select OK twice.
7. To edit either the hole or its position, right
click on the name of the part in the
Feature Manager and select Edit
Feature.

2:15

Style Sheet for Drawings

There are many different valid ways of
presenting drawings. Usually a company
will pick one particular set of rules to
use for all their drawings. This style
sheet is to set out the rules that will be
used in this course for drawing
presentation, and for various SolidWorks
applications. There are always
exceptions, but in most cases with a bit
of forethought the rules may be
followed.

Thru Holes: Old dimensioning always

included THRU or THRU ALL for
through holes. Current practice has
eliminated these words. In the absence
of any depth markings a hole is assumed
to be through. When using SolidWorks,
be sure to eliminate these words or a
specified depth when the hole is through.
Scales: For all drawings, both metric and
English, use a colon (:) separator in the
scale notation rather than an = sign, or a
designation like half or full scale. Thus
the scale would be given as 1:4, for
example. When selecting a scale, do not
use any number which is a multiple of 3.
Use only 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 10.

Hidden Lines: Hidden lines shall be

present in any standard view (front, top,
right, back, bottom and left. ) They will
not be visible in other views (sections,
isometrics, auxiliaries.)
GDT: A geometric dimension
tolerancing control box should be
attached to the edge of a body using a
bent leader. Attaching them to extension
lines should be avoided. The leaders
should not go to a face, but, rather an
edge. Only one leader per control box is
to be used. If there is more than one
control box referencing a given edge, the
boxes should be stacked using a single
dialog box. The datum boxs triangles
should also be attached directly to the
edge to which they refer. Again
extension lines should be avoided if at
all possible. The boxes are not to be
attached to a control box.

Hole Locations: When a hole is placed

using Hole Wizard, the locating
dimensions are often not included in the
drawing. You will have to put them in
manually. Check every hole and see if it
is properly dimensioned. It will usually
require two dimensions to do this, unless
a hole is aligned with another hole or a
definite symmetry is clear.
Clearance Holes: If a standard fastener
is to pass through a hole a clearance hole
will be used. This hole is usually .01 to
.05 larger than the fastener depending on
size. Using a clearance hole feature in
Hole Wizard, the clearance will
automatically be computed.

Tapped Holes: When callouts for

tapped holes are given, the pilot hole
dimensions should be deleted.
SolidWorks includes them, but current
practice is to let the machinist select the
proper drill.

Tolerances: When adding a default

tolerance to a drawing, .01 inches or
0.1 mm are the standards. Selecting too
large a tolerance will lead to interference
of pieces which have to fit together.
Selecting too small a tolerance will drive
up the cost of a piece. Whatever
2:16

are clearer. The only concentric circle

which should be dimensioned in the end
view is the B.C. (bore center) circle
which is used to locate the centers of
holes.

tolerance you select, the dimensions

should have the same number of decimal
places as the tolerance. Thus if a .01
inch tolerance is used all dimensions
should only have two decimal places. If
a dimension has to override the default
and have more decimals, there should be
a tolerance attached to the dimension
itself. This occurs often when RC and
FN fits are applied.

Cutting Lines: When adding a section

line in a drawing, make sure that you
have the none layer active. Placing a
section line in a layer causes the line to
turn off when the layer is turned off. The
same holds true when adding center
lines. The layer of a cutting line or a
center line may not be changed once the
line has been drawn.

Standard Views: When the standard

third angle views are used (Front, Top,
Right) they do not have to be labeled,
but should be in the proper orientation
with each other, i.e. the top view above
the front and the right view to the right
of the front. In complicated pieces it is
often necessary to include a left, back or
bottom view to show all the details.
These views should be clearly labeled as
to what they are even if they are in the
proper orientation with the standard
views. This applies to the various section
views and auxiliary views as well.

Hole Wizard Points: When drilling

holes with Hole Wizard, select a point
near where the hole is to be located,
before entering Hole Wizard. You will
have more flexibility locating the hole. If
you select the point first, Hole Wizard
will create a two dimensional sketch. If
the point is not picked first, a three
dimensional sketch will be created,
causing a more involved feature and
possible resulting in a fixed point.

Tangent Edges: Tangent edges are not

to be used in standard drawing views.
These are the lines where a flat edge
begins to go into a curve. SolidWorks
often tries to put these lines in, it is up to
you to eliminate them. In an isometric
view where there are rounded edges, it is
sometimes helpful to include the tangent
edges for clarity. If they are included, do
not use solid lines, but rather use
tangent edges with font. This shows
the edges with phantom lines which are
clearly discernable fro the regular edges.

When inserting a Bill of Materials

(BOM) into an assembly drawing, do not
accept the default font; it is too large.
Change the font size to 8 points (Tools
Options Document Properties Annotations Font Tables) and
manually make the rows and columns as
narrow as possible. Attach the BOM to
one of the title block corners. When
using a lower corner, change the BOM
so that the heading is at the bottom and
the items read up.

Concentric Circles: If you have a

drawing with several concentric circles,
do not dimension then in an end view
using leader lines. Put the dimensions in
a side view or a lateral section view
where the features being dimensioned
2:17

Style Sheet for Parts

there are free standing sketches you part
was not constructed properly.

When creating parts plan ahead before

doing any drawing. Decide if there are
any planes of symmetry or nearly
symmetry. Your origin should be on any
plane of symmetry or the intersections of
planes of symmetry if there is more than
one. Also decide how the part should be
oriented what are the front, top and
right faces. This will determine the
planes to be used for the initial
extrusions.

All planes, temporary axes and

dimensions should be turned off on a
completed part. For the planes and axes,
go the view menu in the menu bar and
turn each off. Leave the origin on in the
part. To hide the dimensions, right click
on Annotations in the Feature Manager
and select Show Feature Dimensions to
turn them off. If any dimensions are still
visible, click on them and delete them as
they are dimensions that were added
when not in the sketch mode and do
nothing for the part.

A sketch should consist of a closed loops

which do not intersect. Each loop should
have only one line to follow if you trace
it with a pencil. Loops with more than
one path, a dangling edge or an open
path are called open sketches and should
be avoided. These do not extrude
properly and can cause problems in the
part. Also each sketch should be fully
defined before extruding. With the first
sketch this will necessitate fixing the
sketch to the origin in some way, either
through relations or dimensions. If you
use dimensions, you will have to make
sure that those dimensions are
eliminated from the drawing dimensions
as they are meaningless for the creation
of a part.

When doing a rotational extrude, make

sure all diameter dimensions are done
utilizing the center line and that there are
no radius dimensions in the sketch.
When using the fillet tool to round
corners or add fillets, do this operation
last, so the corners will be available for
construction purposes. If two or more
fillets or rounds have the same
dimensions place them in the same fillet
command. When using the shell
command, the fillet command has to
precede the shell command.

After extruding, get into the habit of

renaming each feature so that it may be
quickly identified at a later time for
editing. This is documenting your part so
that if someone else has to work with
your part and possibly modify it, the
various features will be easily
identifiable.

When dimensioning angles in features,

always use acute angles rather than
obtuse angles. That way the acute angle
comes into the drawing dimension
properly. Also, do not dimension the
length of a sloped line, use the angle or
two linear dimensions.

When your part is completed there

should be no free standing sketches
sketches that are not part of a feature. If
2:18

SolidWorks Terms - Glossary

To use this glossary most effectively, read through it each week after lab and check each item
covered. Also note the lab demo in which it was used so that you can go back and see an example of
the operations involving it.
Add Relations Used to connect related geometry. (Concentric, Colinear, Midpoint, Tangent,
Parallel, etc.
Assembly - An assembly consists of two or more parts mated together. The different parts are called
components
Auxiliary View Displays a plane parallel to an existing edge on a part with true dimensions.
Usually tied to one of the principle views.
Axis A straight line used for creating model geometry, features or patterns.
Balloons Balloons are numbers in circles used to identify components in an assembly layout. They
are connected to the component by a bent leader.
Base Feature The first feature created. Serves as the foundation for the part. Usually kept simple.
Bill Of Materials A parts list. In an assembly drawing it is a table that relates the components
depicted by balloons to the part name, part or drawing number and quantity of the part.
Boss Feature Any feature added to a base.
Center Marks Two perpendicular intersecting centerlines used to show the center of a hole.
Centerline A working line used for mirroring geometries or for setting certain features. Centerlines
do not appear in the final model.
Chamfer - Removes sharp edges or corners from a feature or part by angling the edge with a flat
face.
Circular Pattern Creates a circular pattern of a seed diagram in a feature or a sketch. A temporary
axis is required to create the pattern.
Clearance Hole A nontapped hole for a screw to pass through. The hole is slightly larger thant the
screws major diameter.
Collapse The opposite of explode. Returns an exploded assembly view back to its normal state.
Component A part or subassembly within an assembly.
Conformation Corner: When in a sketch the upper right corner becomes a purple arrow and red X
designating that a sketch is open.
Construction Line To create a construction line (other than a centerline) in a sketch, draw the
entity. In the property manager check the For Construction box and it will change into a
construction line which will not be included in the object.
2:19

Control-Drag Holding down the control key while dragging an object. Used to copy a feature or a
dimension.
Control Tab When several windows are open at once use control-tab (hold down the control key
and press the tab key) to cycle through them. Keep holding the control key down and you can
select the part, assembly or drawing you wish from the selection window which appears.
Cosmetic Threads This is the simplified threads representation in SolidWorks. It is found through
the menu Insert/Annotations/Cosmetic Threads.
Detailed View An enlarged area of an existing view. Used to show fine details in a part.
Diameter Dimension When you have a part which is created by a revolution about an axis, do all
dimensions across the center line. After rotation they will become diameter dimensions.
Dimensions Used to completely define a sketch before extruding or cutting.
Dimension Tool Used to enter dimensions into a sketch.
Dome Creates a dome on top of a plane end. It may be elliptical, circular, non-elliptical, convex or
concave.
Drawing One of the three types of files for SolidWorks. This is used to present the working
presentations of a part or an assembly. Parts are usually displayed as three view drawings on a
title block.
Draft Angle The degree of taper applied to a face. Applied to parts which are molded or cast.
Drawing Template Contains the title block for each type of layout used. For this course, they will
be size A (letter) in either portrait or landscape layouts.
Edit Sheet Format Mode In a drawing, this is used to update and add features to the title block.
Note: Any drawings are suppressed (disappear) when this mode is active. They will reappear
when you exit this mode.
Edit Sheet Mode In a drawing used to add and modify the views of a part, add dimensions,
geometric dimensions, notes and special views.
Edit Sketch To amend a sketch of a feature, right click on the feature in the Feature Manager and
select edit sketch.
Exploded View An assembled set of components may be exploded to show how all the parts fit
together.
Extruded Base First 3-D part of any part using a sketch.
Extruded Boss Adding material to a part using a sketch.
Extruded Cut Removing material from a part using a sketch.
Face A selectable area of a model or feature. A 2-D surface.
2:20

Feature Manager The tree on the left side of the screen which shows all the individual features in
the order they were created. It allows one to select and revise any detail of the part or assembly.
Features Building blocks of any part. Features add or remove material to a part. They are created
from either a 2-D sketch or from existing geometry.
Fillet Removes sharp edges from a feature or part by rounding the edge. Cosmetic fillets are
usually done at the end of the drawing. Make the fillets with the larger radii first. Include all
multiple fillets with the same radii in the same command. Both fillets and rounds are created
through the fillet command.
Fill Screen Typing an f forces the object to fill the screen.
First Angle View This is the primary three view mode in Europe. It consists of the bottom, front
and left views.
Geometric Relations To force certain behaviors or restrictions on the sketch element. Some
available relations are: Horizontal, Vertical, Perpendicular, Parallel, Tangent, Intersection,
Coincident, Midpoint, Concentric
Graphics Area The area where parts, assemblies or drawings appear.
Helix/Spiral Curve A helix is a curve with a pitch. The curve is created about an axis.
Hole Callout Automatically creates the proper note to dimension a hole created with the hole
wizard with the proper symbology and dimensions.
Hole Wizard Used to create specialized holes in an object. Can produce simple, clearance,
counterbored, countersunk and tapped holes.
Instance An item in a pattern or component that appears more than once in an assembly.
Layers Layers may be defined in drawings only. They allow one to place different entities in
different layers which may be turned off at will.
Leader Line A line connecting a dimension or note to its particular feature. Usually a leader line is
constructed of a bent line headed by an arrow.
Linear Pattern- Creates a linear 2 dimensional array of a seed diagram in a feature or a sketch. The
array is made parallel to one or two sides of a feature.
Loft Feature A Loft creates transitions between two or more profiles, each on a different plane. A
loft boss/base adds material while a loft cut removes material.
Mates Geometric relationships that define how various parts are aligned and fit together in an
assembly.
Mirror A copy of a selected feature reflected about a plane or planar face. In a sketch it is a copy of
a sketch entity reflected about a centerline.
Model The 3-D solid geometry in a part or assembly document.
2:21

Model View This is used to include another view besides the standard three. It may be isometric,
back, bottom, left, etc.
Modify Dimension Double click on a dimension while editing a part sketch to modify a dimension.
Mouse Center Wheel To zoom in or out roll the center wheel. To pan hold down the control key
with the center button. To rotate a part or assembly, push down the mouse wheel and move the
mouse. To pan hold down both the control key and the mouse wheel and then move the mouse.
Notes Adds text to a drawing. May be used with leaders or as just plane text. If an edge, face or
vertex was selected prior to adding the note, the leader will be attached to the selected feature.
Open Profile A sketch or sketch entity with endpoints exposed.
Options: Tool Menu Sets all the parameters for the part or drawing. Things such as units, number
of decimals, fonts, tolerances, etc.
Origin Represents the 0,0,0 point in a model. In a active sketch, it represents the 0,0,0 point of that
sketch.
Part One of the three main files of SolidWorks. It is here where each individual item is created.
Only one solid contiguous object is allowed in a part file.
Pattern Creating a linear pattern or a circular pattern in two or three dimensions.
Plane Used to define the flat surface on which to sketch. The three default planes are Front, Top or
Right. Other planes may be defined using the plane tool.
Property Manager The tree on the left side of the SolidWorks window used for editing sketches
and definitions of entities.
Rebuild After any changes in a sketch or definition, the part must be rebuilt before proceeding.
Relation A geometric constraint between entities in a sketch or with axes, edges or vertices..
Revolved Base/Boss Adds material to a feature by means of revolution. It requires a centerline and
a sketch on a sketch plane. This may be a complete revolution or any angle defined.
Revolved Cut - Removes material to a feature by means of revolution. It requires a centerline and a
sketch on a sketch plane. This may be a complete revolution or any angle defined.
Rib Adds material between contours of existing geometry. Ribs add structural integrity to a part
without adding much mass.
Section View Shows the internal cross section of a part, component or assembly and shows an
interior feature. These may be done anywhere in a component.
Seed Diagram A feature or group of features which are used as input to a feature tool such as linear
patterns, circular patterns or a feature mirror.
Selection Tool An arrow used to select individual parts of a feature for mating or geometrical
relations. Hit the escape key to enter the select mode or click on the select icon.
2:22

Select Other If you cannot get the right entity to select, right click on one, choose other and right
click until the correct entity is selected, then left click.
Shaded View Displays the model as a colored solid.
Sheet Format In a drawing the sheet format includes the title block, page size orientation, standard
text, borders and so on.
Shell A shell tool takes a solid object and makes it into a thin-walled object.
Sketch A 2-D profile of a feature. Sketches are created on a flat plane or face within a model.
Sketch Colors The lines of a sketch change colors to show how well the feature is defined. Blue
implies under defined, black means fully defined, red means it is over defined and yellow
means impossible geometry.
Sketch Mirroring Used with a centerline while producing a symmetrical sketch. When invoked
anything drawn on one side of the centerline can be mirrored to the other side. Only half the
object needs to be dimensioned as the mirrored objects will reflect any changes in the original.
Smart Mates Mates that are automatically invoked when a component is placed into an assembly.
These are concentric or coincident mates.
Sub-assemblies An assembly which is used in a higher assembly just like another part.
Suppressed When a feature or component is suppressed, it is not shown on the screen. This gets the
feature out of the way during an operation. The feature or component may be unsuppressed at
any time and it will reappear.
Surface A zero thickness planar or 3-D entity with edge boundaries often used to create solid
features.
Sweep Adds or removes material along a predefined line. A sweep needs at least a profile sketch
and a path sketch.
System Feedback While drawing or positioning objects, the cursor changes its look, giving
feedback on what it is pointing at or details about what is being drawn.
Third Angle View The standard three view mode in the USA. It consists of the Front, Top and
Right views. This is the default for SolidWorks.
Three View Standard front, top and right views in a drawing.
Title Block Each company has its own unique title block. On drawings, this gives all the relevant
information about the part, i.e. name, part number, date, tolerance, name of drawer, scale,
material, revisions, etc.
Tolerance The difference between the maximum and minimum variation in a dimension.
Transparent Tool Bar The icons found at the top of the work area which may be used to control the
views and shadings of the part of assembly.
2:23

Trim Used to cut away extra parts of lines.

Under Defined A sketch is under defined when there are not enough dimensions or relations to
prevent entities from moving or changing size.
Vertex A point where two or more lines or edges intersect.
Wireframe View A view where all edges are visible. The model is transparent.
Sketch Tools The common tools used in creating a sketch. They may be used in any combination
to complete a sketch.
Arc A circular segment.
Center Point Click on the center of the circle, drag out to the start of the arc and then drag
the arc.
Tangent Used after drawing a line. Click on the end of the line and drag the arc to the other
side. A dotted line shows when the arc makes a 180 angle.
Three Point Pick three points (the two end points and then a point in the center) on the arc
to define it.
Circle Draws a complete circle, by clicking on the center and dragging out to the required
radius.
Convert Entities Used to take existing geometries from one sketch and bring it into the current
sketch. The geometries are related so if the dimensions of the original geometry are changed,
the converted entities will change as well.
Extend Extends a line to meet a certain point.
Line Draws a series of straight lines by clicking on the start point and dragging to the end
point.
Offset Allows certain geometry to be offset a given amount to duplicate the geometry with
different dimensions.
Parallelograms similar to the rectangle except that the sides do not have to perpendicular. If
the control key is held down when dragging, a rectangle at an angle may be drawn.
Point Allows points to be defined to which other geometry may be attached.
Polygon Is used to create inscribed or circumscribed polygons by defining the number of
sides, the center and radius of the defining circle.
Rectangle Creates a rectangle with the necessary geometrical relations included. Can be a
corner rectangle, center rectangle, 3 point corner rectangle, 3 point center rectangle or
parallelogram.
Spline A complex curve made up of three or more defining points.
Trim Used to cut away extra parts of lines
2:24

Laboratory Electronic Grading Shorthand Notation

These abbreviations will be used in the grading of the electronic copies of your labs. They
delineate the various common mistakes being made.

CB

Notation Meaning
nD
Use a diameter dimension
with a leader and not a linear
dimension for a circle, or use
a diameter rather than a
radius.
nDS
Put all diameter dimensions
for concentric circles in the
section view.
x
Remove the depth part from
the though hole in a hole call
out or add a depth to a
dimension.
AA
Use acute angles for
dimensions. Do not use
obtuse angles.
AL
Angle leader line, do not
have it vertical or horizontal
ALFA
Datums should be in
alphabetical order with no
letters skipped
AR
Section Arrows are
backwards for section
presented.
BF
Bad Feature
BMF
Bill of Material Font. Font
size should be 8 or 9 points,
and table reduced to as
narrow as possible.
BMJ
Justify BOM columns
BMO
Bill of Material order. Either
the order of importance is
wrong or the list should read
from the bottom up if
attached at the bottom of the
title block.
BTH
Do not use a bottoming
tapped hole. Use a standard
tapped hole.

CD
CL
CLS

CONS
CP

CT
CTEX

DC
DCL

DCM

DD
DES
DFB
DM
DOB
DPP
DTH
DTV
DWL
2:25

Undefined or poorly defined

counterbore or countersink
callout
Center dimensions between
extension lines
Include centerlines in the
holes in the section views.
Cutting line for section too
short. Move the arrows away
from the body.
Awkward construction
methods used to build a part.
Use one circular pattern.
Combine features into one
pattern command.
No cosmetic threads
Do not perform a cut and
extrusion in the same sketch.
Use at least two sketches.
Dimensions crammed
together or overlapping
Do original dimension as a
diameter from centerline for a
rotated figure
Dimension to the center mark
of an arc or slot, not to the
edge.
Double or Duplicate
Dimensions
The part description is
missing in the BOM
Dimensions too far from the
body
Dimension Missing
Dimensions on body - Move
them off.
Dimensions poorly placed
Dimension to Hidden Line or
Feature
The drawing needs a detailed
view.
Dimensions in Wrong Layer

DWV
ED
EL
EP
ES

ETL

ETS

EXD
EXM
FC

FF
FL
FNC

GDTC
GDTL
GDTOB

GDTTH

HC

HW

Dimension in the Wrong

View
Extra dimensions in a part,
not part of a sketch
Extra line in part not part of a
sketch
Extra plane or redundant
plane - unnecessary
Extra sketch in a part which
is not used in creating a
feature
Extension lines too long in
drawing dimensions across
edges of part.
Extension lines too short.
Extend them to be close to
the feature
Extra Datums placed in GDT.
Delete them.
Extra Mates, more than
required for desired effect
Put all rounds and fillets with
the same radii in the same
fillet command.
Fillet first, before shell
command
Fillet last on standard part
A parts file name was
changer after it was imported
into a drawing so the drawing
will not load
GDT crowded, spread out the
leaders on body.
Use leaders to attach GDT
Place GDT Datum on body,
not on extension line or
control box.
Do not have a GDT leader or
datum attached to a hidden
line.
Improper Hole Callout. Use
the hole callout tool to get the
callout if the hole was done
by Hole Wizards and then
modify as needed.
Use Hole Wizard

HWW
LC
LFSK

LH

LNS

LP
LPP

LS

LTE
NCL
NDL
NGDTL
NHL
NFM
NTH

NXAS
ODF
OPS
ORIG
OS

2:26

The wrong setting was used

in Hole Wizard
Locate center mark with two
dimensions.
A loft feature needs at least
two sketches to be properly
defined.
Locate Holes Insufficient
dimensions given to properly
place holes.
Label all non-standard views,
i.e. all views not front, right
of top.
Use Linear Pattern to
duplicate features.
Poor leader placement,
placed on a corner, parallel to
a face or crowding other
leaders.
You have a sketch which is
just a line. Always used
closed loop figures for
sketches.
GDT leaders are to point to
an edge not a face.
You need a clearance hole
rather than a drill size hole.
No Dimension Layer
No GDT Layer
No hidden lines in isometric,
auxiliary or section view
Not fully mated
A non-tapped hole was used
when a tapped hole was
needed. Use Hole Wizard to
get the proper tapped hole.
Next Assembly missing or
the wrong number.
Over defined feature
Place origin on plane of
symmetry
Turn off origins in drawing
Open sketch there are
double intersecting loops or a
dangling line

P#
PDF
PPF

RF
SB
SHL
SOAP

SOD

SS

SZP

TA

TC
TD

A part number is missing in

the BOM
Poorly defined feature
Pick where you want your
hole to be before entering
Hole Wizard
Rename Features in Part File
Stack GDT control boxes
Show Hidden Lines in 3 view
Shut off axes, temporary axes
and planes after you finish
using them.
Go to Annotations and shut
off the part dimensions
before saving.
The standard views should be
in the same scale as the sheet,
not in a custom scale.
The size of one part is not in
proportion to a mating part.
One is too big or small.
Use a temporary axis as the
center of rotation for a
circular pattern
Check the thread class box in
Hole Wizard.
Set the thread depth in Hole
Wizard, not the pilot hole
depth.

TE(Font) Set Tangent Edges to Off, or

in certain isometrics set to on
with font.
TH
Need a tapped hole by Hole
Wizard
THRU
Remove THRU or THRU
ALL from hole callouts.
TOR
Tolerance over ride missing.
TORDEC The nominal figure should
have the same number of
decimals as the tolerance
override.
TSO
Tie first sketch to origin with
dimensions or relations to get
it fully defined.
UDF
Under defined feature
WD
A dimension value is
incorrect.
WFN
Wrong File Name
WOTC
Without thread callout.
Uncheck the with thread
callout box in Hole Wizard
WP
Wrong planes used for sketch
orientations
WV
Wrong view - Select proper
planes for correctly
orientation part when
beginning.

2:27

Sketch Tool Bar

Tools Available:
Edit Sketch: Sketch, 3D sketch and Edit Sketch
Smart Dimensions: Smart, Horizontal, Vertical, Ordinate, Horizontal Ordinate, Vertical
Ordinate Dimensions.
Sketch Tools:
Line Line, Center Line
Rectangles: Corner, Center, 3 Point Corner, 3 Point Center Parallelogram
Polygon
Circle: Circle, Perimeter Circle
Arc: 3 Point Arc, Centerpoint Arc, Tangent Arc
Fillet: Sketch Fillet, Sketch Chamfer
Spline
Ellipse: Ellipse, Partial Ellipse, Parabola
Point
Plane
Text
Trim Entities: Trim entities, Extend Entities
Convert Entities: Convert Entities, Intersection Curve
Offset Entities
Mirror Entities
Linear Sketch Pattern: Linear Sketch Pattern, Circular Sketch Pattern
Move Entities: Move, Copy, Rotate, Scale Entities
Display/Delete Relations: Display/Delete Relations, Add Relations
Quick Snaps: Point, Center Point, Midpoint, Quadrant, Intersection, Nearest, H/V Point,
Grid Snaps
Rapid Sketch
View Origins
View Planes
View Temporary Axes

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Feature Tool Bar & Transparent Tool Bar

Tools Available:
Extruded Boss/Base
Revolved Boss/Base
Swept Boss/Base
Lofted Boss/Base
Extruded Cut
Hole Wizard
Revolved Cut
Swept Cut
Lofted Cut
Fillet: Fillet, Chamfer
Linear Pattern: Linear Pattern, Circular Pattern, Mirror, Curve Driven Pattern, Sketch
Driven Pattern, Table Driven Pattern, Fill Pattern
Rib
Draft
Shell
Wrap
Dome
Mirror
Reference Geometry: Plane, Axis, Coordinate System, Point, Mate Reference
Curves: Split Line, Composite Curve, Curve Through XYZ Points, Curve Through
Reference Points, Helix and Spiral
Instant 3D
View Orientation
Transparent Tool Bar:
Previous View
Normal To
Section View
Front, Left, Right, Top, Bottom, Isometric Views
View Orientation: Top, Isometric, Trimetric, Dimetric, Left, Front, Right, Back, Bottom,
Normal To, Single View, Two View Horizontal, Two View Vertical, Four View,
Link Views
Display Style: Shaded With Edges, Shaded, Hidden Lines Removed, Hidden Lines
Visible, Wire Frame
Hide/Show Items: Plane, Origins, Axes, Temporary Axes, Coordinate System, Points,
Curves, Parting Lines, 3D Sketch Dimensions, All Annotations, Sketches, 3D Sketch
Plane, Sketch Relations, Grid, Lights, Cameras, Routing Points
RealView Graphics
Shadows in shaded Mode

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View Layout Tool Bar

Tools Available:
Standard 3 View
Model View
Projected View
Auxillary View
Section View: Section View, Aligned Section view
Detail View
Broken Out Section View
Break
Crop View
Alternate Position View
Annotation Tool Bar

Tools Available:
Smart Dimensions: Smart, Horizontal, Vertical, Baseline, Ordinate, Horizontal Ordinate,
Vertical Ordinate, Chamfer Dimensions.
Model Items
Spell Checker
Note
Balloon
Auto Balloon
Revision Symbol
Surface Finish
Weld Symbol
Hole Callout
Geometric Tolerance
Datum Feature
Datum Target
Area Hatch Fill
Blocks: Make Blocks, Insert Blocks
Center Mark
Centerline
Tables: General Table, Hole Table, Bill of Materials, Revision Table

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Evaluate Tool Bar

Tools Available:
Measure
Mass Properties
Section Properties
Statistics
Check
Import Diagnostics
Heal Edges
Deviation Analysis
Zebra Stripes
Curvature
Draft Analysis
Undercut Detection
Equations
COSMOSXpress Analysis Wizard
COSMOSFloXpress Analysis Wizard
DFMXpress Analysis Wizard
DriveWorksXpress Wizard
DimXpert Tool Bar

Tools Available:
Auto Dimension
Location Dimension
Size Dimension
Datum
Geometric Tolerance
Pattern Feature
Show Tolerances
TolAnalyst Study

2:31

Assembly Tool Bar

Tools Available:
Edit Component
Insert Components: Insert Components, New Part, New Assembly, Copy with Mates
Mates
Linear Component: Linear Component Pattern, Circular Component Pattern, Feature
Driven Component Pattern, Mirror Components
Smart Fasteners
Move Component: Move Component, Rotate Component
Show Hidden Components
Assembly Features: Hole Series, Hole Wizard, Simple Hole, Extruded Cut, Revolved
Cut, Belt/Chain, Weld Symbol
Reference Geometry: Plane, Axis, Coordinate System, Point, Mate Reference
New Motion Study
Exploded View
Exploded Line Sketch
View Origins
View Temporary Axes
Feature Manager

The Feature Manager Shows the Standard Planes and all the features that make up the
particular part.

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