cosmetic Thread Meaning

[prephil]

Can someone also tell me what exactly is a cosmetic thread used for? On Inventor it puts in what looks like a thread but is just an image but it makes it very clear that the hole is tapped or cylinder is threaded. Is this option not available on SW?

God bless,

Phil.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Go to Help > SolidWorks Help Topics > Index and type in cosmetic, then select the cosmetic threads option.

Basically it places a dashed geometry to represent the threaded portion of a hole or shaft indicating the ID or OD and length of the thread. Also, if you have a "certified" video card, a thread texture should be placed on the threaded surface.

The dashed circle will show in drawing views, but the texture will not.

 

[prephil]

Using an NVidia Quadro4 900 XGL but it doesn't display textures. This is a certified card? Any ideas as to how to display them?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

You can check your card here;

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/VideoCardTesting.html

See also;
How do I set the Software OpenGL option in SW and turn the Hardware Acceleration to "None"? faq559-1058

 

[SBaugh]

A Cosmetic thread is a simplified way of expressing threads on a part. This is used a lot in drawings and makes it easier and a faster way of creating threads.

That Card is certified, but what you really need to know is the driver you are using certified or not.

Make sure you have annotations turned on or you might not see the texture either.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[prephil]

Thanks Scott and co. Will try that on Mon.