2D 'Model Space'

[m4rc]

Hi,

So I need to produce a drawing that I would traditionally create in model space and then bring across into the paper space as required... I don't seem to be able to do this in SW. Odd.

Cheers,

M

 

[Eltron]

Are you talking about importing 2d into SW, or are you trying to bring a sketch created in a part into a drawing? If it's the latter then be sure the view of sketches is turned on in the drawing environment.

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[m4rc]

Hi,

Many thanks for the quick reply. What I need to create is a set of 2D drawings during a transition stage within the company.

Within SolidEdge, which we used at my last company you could create a 3D part, then create a drawing based on that part (nothing different there). You were then able to enter the 2D Model Space of the drawing, create something then return to the paper space and include it alongside the 3D item...

Cheers,

M

 

[Eltron]

I see. It seems for some reason you want to add a 2d sketch to the drawing then have it show up on the 3d part. That's not how it works in SW. I'm not exactly sure why you'd want to do that, either. I would create views in the part where you add the sketches then import them into your drawing.

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[m4rc]

Nope... [change of description/package]

In AutoCAD 2D, drawing would take place within the model space, then you create viewports for the paper space... This is what I would like to do in SW.


Cheers,

M

 

[ctopher]

I suggest training for SolidWorks. Different world from ACAD.

Chris
SolidWorks 09, CATIA V5
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

But not that different from Solid Edge.

Within SolidEdge, which we used at my last company you could create a 3D part, then create a drawing based on that part (nothing different there). You were then able to enter the 2D Model Space of the drawing, create something then return to the paper space and include it alongside the 3D item...

Sorry but I've used ACAD, SE and SW and I'm still not understanding what you are trying to do.

If all you want to do is add a sketch to a drawing view, then just click in the view of choice and start sketching. No need to switch spaces.

 

[smcadman]

In ACAD, you create a model in model space then when you go to a drawing layout and in paper space create an mview. While in the drawing layout, you can double-click the viewport and you are now in model space (while still on the layout tab). You can now draw or whatever in model space. Then you double-click outside the viewport and you are now in paper space.

Thank God Solidworks doesn't work like that. In Solidworks, there are 2 ways that I can think of to manipulate your 3D model. First is if you import your dimensions into the drawing via Insert > Model Items. After importing your dimensions, you can change the dims and the model will update accordingly.

The second way to manipulate your 3D model while in a drawing only rotates the model, but doesn't change it. Pick the view in the drawing then View > Modify > 3D Drawing View and now you can rotate the model or whatever.

All that said, you cannot draw lines or add features to a 3D model while on a drawing layout.

 

[m4rc]

Okay... lets try this one then.

I do know CAD, I've used it for the last 16 years with a range of software. I last used AutoCAD in 2002. In my last company I completed 3 weeks worth of off site training for SolidEdge to enable myself and a colleage to integrate 3D CAD into the company... So my two approaches to try to explain what I'm aiming for was to increase the chances that someone might know what I'm talking about...

So... Ignoring the 3D side of SolidWorks altogether as, here's another go.

Within the drawing sheet of AutoCAD or SolidEdge, there is an ability to view a model space (infinite drawing space) that is not part of the drawing sheet. In that environment you can draw to your hearts content in 2D (this is what I want to do, as I need to create some diagrams). Returning to the drawing sheet, you have the ability to add viewports of sections of 2D drawings in that environment. Creating a drawing.

How's that?

M

 

[ShaggyPE]

You can do all that right on the sheet within solidworks. I suggest you create an empty view and draw on that (insert>empty view). This will allow you to drag your entire diagram as if it were grouped.

The other option is to right click on the sheet and go to edit sheet format. This is traditionally where your titleblock is located. But you can draw there all you want to.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist
Certified SolidWorks Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist

 

[ctopher]

On the drawing sheet, insert an empty view, then draw sketches.
You may also try MS Visio...or one of these apps

http://labs.solidworks.com/Products/

Chris
SolidWorks 09, CATIA V5
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Taken from

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/overview/drafting.shtml

And, unlike other 3D-only products, Solid Edge lets you create 2D drawings from scratch or continue to make full use of your existing 2D legacy data. Intuitive wizards provide robust translation of existing 2D files such as AutoCAD, while 2D drafting tools not only emulate the workflows you already know but offer additional capabilities as well. Solid Edge also provides a familiar process for generating detail drawings from 2D layouts. Similar in concept to the model and paper space methodology in other 2D products, you develop 2D layouts at 1:1 scale and then create multiple detail views of the layout on separate drawing sheets. Each view can be scaled as required, while still maintaining correct dimensions and annotations. Any changes to the original 2D layout are automatically reflected in the detail views.

SW does not have that function. I can imagine scenarios where that would be useful, but never having had it, I don't miss it. If it were available I'm sure it would be used, and (as you are experiencing now) would miss it when not available.

 

[kellnerp]

So I need to produce a drawing that I would traditionally create in model space and then bring across into the paper space as required... I don't seem to be able to do this in SW. Odd.

There is nothing odd here. It is a matter of your terminology which is constraining your thinking.

I will try to translate what SolidWorks does into your way of thinking:

If you must, consider the solid model (.sldprt) and the assembly (.sldasm) as being in the model space. The drawing (.slddrw) is the paper space. SolidWorks can then take one or more parts or assemblies in the model space and put them in one or more paper spaces (drawings). In addition you can detail more than one part or assembly (model space) in a single paper space.

Further you can do a lot of the drafting work in the model space and import it automatically into the paper space including GD&T, surface finish, weld symbols, etc.

Hope this helps.

TOP
CSWP, BSSE

http://www.engtran.com

http://www.niswug.org

"Node news is good news."

 

[smcadman]

If all you are trying to accomplish is making diagrams in Solidworks, simply insert your model into the drawing and start using your sketch tools and annotations.

If you dimension a line drawn on the model view, it will automatically be scaled to the drawing sheet scale.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

After a bit of digging around, I found this;

http://www.ingenea.com/Downloads/Brochures/SE.highlights.Bro.17.pdf

Page 11 explains that SE has created a function very similar to AutoCAD within the drawing (draft or paper space) mode.
So it can be used to create views (crops, clips, details, etc) from 2D sketches or layouts.

 

[kellnerp]

You were then able to enter the 2D Model Space of the drawing, create something then return to the paper space and include it alongside the 3D item... [

This is doable in SW. You can:

a. Create an empty sketch (INSERT/VIEW/EMPTY SKETCH)
b. Lock focus on an existing view and sketch within the view.
c. Create a sketch in the model and make it visible in the drawing or convert edges to make it visible.
d. Lock focus on the sheet and make the sketch.

Lotsa possibilities. It's up to you to figure out which suits your purposes.

TOP
CSWP, BSSE

http://www.engtran.com

http://www.niswug.org

"Node news is good news."

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

m4rc ... If you don't have AutoCAD you can use DWGeditor instead, and then insert to SW.

 

[m4rc]

Hey,

Many thanks to all of you for the help and suggestions. I'll look into the various methods that are available to me. It's a shame there is not the exact feature I'd like to use, but you cannot have it all!

Cheers,

M

 

[ShaggyPE]

The "exact feature" you want to use appears to be a crutch that SolidEdge created to passivate its users who were transitioning from AutoCad.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist
Certified SolidWorks Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist