How do YOU make Brackets on your drawings?

[Tobin1]

Howdy All!

If you regularly need to make Brackets to indicate items are grouped together - How are YOU creating them?

I'm trying to find a way that's quicker than sketching them each time.

SolidWorks Blocks or Symbols don't seem to be made for this type of thing.

Attached is an example showing what I mean by Brackets.

How do you create your Brackets?

Thanks

Tobin Sparks

http://www.nov.com

 

[drawoh]

Tobin1,

How badly do you need to be able to do this?

Do you really need to do this on your parts list?

Your parts are grouped on the drawing by the string of item balloons. A carefully prepared exploded view can group parts as well.

What happens if I update your assembly by adding a 5/8" cap screw and some more 5/8" washers?

JHG

 

[Tobin1]

Howdy drawoh,

Thank you for responding.

1) How badly do you need to be able to do this? 2) Do you really need to do this on your parts list?

1) Well - I end up using this on most of my large Assy DWR's. I was just wondering if there is an easy way to do this that I'm not aware of.

2) The graphics file is just for an example - not a very good one . If I do use it on the BOM it's usually used to group a revision indicator, not a note - OOPS.

Also the shape of the Brackets isn't necessary - I've noticed some of us using some really fancy ones with radius in stead of just sharp corners. I'm trying to find the quickest way .

It's not really really important - just wondering if I'm missing something.

Thanks Again for your reply

Tobin Sparks

http://www.nov.com

 

[fcsuper]

For items close together, I'll just use the { and blow it up to some huge size. Other than that, just draw it in. in either case, it's no more than once a year (prolly once every 3 years).

Matt Lorono
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources
Co-moderator of Solidworks Yahoo! Group
and Mechnical.Engineering Yahoo! Group

 

[Tobin1]

Howdy Matt,

I should have mentioned I've used the "{" and changed the font size before. It works good for small ones.

Thanks for your reply

Tobin Sparks

http://www.nov.com

 

[drawoh]

Tobin1,

Sometimes, you need the step back and take in the big picture. Back in my drafting board days, I did quite a few brackets just like the ones you show in your example. Sometimes, I did it in AutoCAD too. SolidWorks does not support the technique very well.

Semantically, you are trying to group components. SolidWorks does not provide a parametric curly bracket. There are other resources available that will group components. You can fiddle with your exploded views. You can add a detail view. You can write a note next to the relevant view.

I would not bother with curly brackets in SolidWorks. I would look for SolidWorks features that allow you to communicate your information.

JHG

 

[Tobin1]

Howdy JHG,

UUUTTTOOOHHH!!! We seem to have a fundamental difference in philosophy .

But, something we do share is the past experience of using Brackets on the board and in AutoCAD. Probably where I got the idea from.

However, I would like to consider the Brackets to be a part of the way I communicate. Apparently there are at least a few here that are attempting to do the same.

I would look for SolidWorks features that allow you to communicate your information.

I'm looking for the way to be able to communicate freely, not conform to a programs limitations.

Thanks - With all due respect

Tobin Sparks

http://www.nov.com

 

[ctopher]

This bracket symbol is old school, it is not needed.
For the balloons, show the symbol once. For the PL/BOM, show for each item or preferably use a note.

Chris
SolidWorks 08, CATIA V5
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

 

[Tobin1]

Howdy Chris,

Thanks for your response.
WELL! - "old school" - I'd be offended, but, that's a good thing around here .

I feel I have the answer to my question though .

Thanks All

Tobin Sparks

http://www.nov.com