Week 3 Key Points

Remember there is the SolidWorks Help page if there are any questions on feature or
option definitions.
 Contour Sketch: sketch with multiple closed profiles; allows for sketch to be re-used in
multiple features.
 Selected Contours in the property manager options allow users to choose with sketch
contour/region to use for the feature.
 Feature Scope in the property manager allows user to define which bodies the feature
would affect.
 Rib feature: Rib is a special type of extruded feature created from open or closed
sketched contours. It adds material of a specified thickness in a specified direction
between the contour and an existing part. Rib feature will extrude up to the
walls/boundaries of the part. (check SW Help for examples)
 Linear pattern: “Up to Reference” option – allows user to choose a reference geometry
(edge, vertex, face) to pattern the seed up to.
 Combine (Common) – adds multiple solid bodies together and only keeps the
intersecting regions between all bodies as the result.
 Intersect – select solids, surfaces, or planes to modify existing geometry, or to create
new geometry. Creates different regions which user can choose which regions to keep or
exclude to change geometry of the part. Also can use this feature to determine internal
volume of part.
 Loft/Boundary: interpolates a surface between multiple profiles; guide curves can be
used to help shape the surface between the profiles
o Loft: allows for centerline control (centerline loft)
 Constraints can only be applied to start/end profiles
o Boundary: no centerline control
 Constraints can be applied to any profile including intermediate profiles
 Connector points: control points used as a reference for how the surface will behave
from profile to profile. Important for twisting.
 Segment: divides sketch entities into equidistant points or segments
 Split Entities: divides the sketch entity further creating more sketch entities. Split point
can have dimensions added to define its precise location on the sketch entity.