Editing/Referencing Extruded Text

[Sparweb]

I just wrapped up my introductory course in Solidworks - I have to say "WOW" guys, great stuff (I'm coming from an AutoCAD background).

My question is: Can the text in a sketch be controlled beyond the text object in the sketch? For example, if I want to draw a keyboard, where every button is the same shape, but the text is different on each button, can a button part be fashioned that is easily changed for every instance it appears in the assembly? I want the text to be embossed, but I'm trying to avoid making a specific configuration for EVERY letter, number, character...


STF

 

[murugansubham]

if u want to extrude some text in any base object , follow these concepts.
draw base object- select face on base object - sketch-tools -sketch entity-text-click face of the base object
here u can select which font type( deselect use document's font- click font -select font type, size)
and u can change its scale also.
then go for extrude.

if u want to edit the extruded font type, select the text extrude feature in feature tree- edit sketch -right click the mouse -select properties -select fonts.

thanks,

regards,
Murugan. S
Design Engineer,
GlobalSoft Pvt Ltd,
New Delhi - INDIA
murugan_subham@yahoo.com

 

[rockguy]

Sparweb,

You would want to create a blank button and have that be (1) configuration. Then create other configurations for each button containing text. In each configuration add the text you would like and supress the text of other configurations. This will give you one part file that has x amount of configurations. When you use the part file in an assembly refrence different configurations for different letters.

 

[Arlin]

SparWeb,
The answer to your question, is NO, you will need a different config for each letter if you are to re-use the keys.

You could potentially make only one key, assemble it in your assembly, then add assembly cuts to each key to emboss the letters, but I still think configs are the best option.

 

[ShaggyPE]

You may be able to use a design table to control your configurations. Although I'll bet you cannot control the actual text from the design table, but you may want to look into that. If possible, you would be able to create all your configurations in the time it takes to fill in a spreadsheet.

 

[Sparweb]

For me to control it from a design table, or as a feature, the text would need a name, like the dimensions have (Text1@Sketch1?). Do text strings get "names" that can be controlled manually? Another possibility is a pattern, where I enter the digit as I insert the pattern, but you still need the same "name" to control.

It does look like it must be done rockguy's way...

Thanks so far, guys


STF

 

[MadMango]

Also, you don't have to extrude the letters, you could just leave them as sketches... but you still have to use configs and supressions.


Ray Reynolds
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
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[ShaggyPE]

Adding text makes models extremely large. Make sure you really want to model this keyboard as an assembly. If this keyboard is a standard purchase part you may not want to go into all this detail. But I think you know your situation best, just beware that these files could get pretty large.

 

[Theophilus]

Here's something I've done in the past to reduce file/rebuild size for text logos, etc:

Model each key cut/boss feature with the text tool in the sketcher. This can be on a separate part with only a single feature if you like--you only need the text information from this part. Open a sketch on a parallel (or same) surface and convert the entities of your text. Exit, then copy the sketch.

Past your reduced sketch into a new configuration of your desired key part. I think you'll still need configurations in the same part unless you can save each sketch as a feature (library?) and somehow call it up for each config with a spreadsheet or something. The idea is to reduce your file size and rebuild time and reduce the complexity of each sketch in your multiple-configuration final part.

May simplify the switching between each config, but will take time to do all the set-up.




Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com