Part Labels in an Assembly

[EngAP]

I have an assembly that requires the parts to be labelled with their names.

The label must be fixed to a surface of the part so that it moves and rotates with the part as the part is moved around the screen.

The labels should also be shown on any dwgs created from the assembly.

I have tried various annotations but cannot get them to be directly fixed to the part. The annotations move with the part but are not fixed directly. The only other way I could do it was by creating an extrude feature on the part itself with the sketch created as text (the part name).

There must be a better way of creating these labels. Any suggestions, even guesses, will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

If you have PhotoWorks use a Decal.

 

[cadcoke5]

I have similar needs. But, I was concerned about creating a feature that requires Photoworks. While some of our stations have photoworks, others may not. It is definitely not installed on any at the moment, even if it is available for them.

What happens if you don't have photoworks, and open an assembly with a decal? Does it display at all?

Joe Dunfee

 

[EngAP]

I have half-solved the problem.

I created the label in MS Paint (reason for Paint will be explained) using the text tool on white background with black text (important). Make the font as large as possible.

Save as monocrome bmp, has to be this file type for clarity of the edges.

Insert into SW sketch using 'sketch tools', 'sketch' picture.

In the sketch picture menu, select the 'User defined' setting under 'Transparency'. Select the white background of the imported bmp using the dropler tool then set transparency to 1.00. This removes the white background leaving only the text.

If a file type other than Monocrome Bitmap is used then the edges of the text have a slight fade effect to improve how it looks. However when removing the white background in SW the faded edges remain. Saving as monocrome prevents bitmap this.

I guess you could use another program to create the label but I needed to do this quick so didn't have time to experiment.

 

[EngAP]

The problem now is that this works for the parts but to show the sketch in the assembly the assembly has to be opened and then each part has to be opened and closed individually to show the labels.

Any solution to this?

 

[dgowans]

Could you simply insert a sketch that contained the required text on one face of your part?

 

[EngAP]

That may be the only solution but I was looking for something more 'elegant'.

 

[fcsuper]

Another similar solution is to place the labels on sketchs on the surface of the parts at the assembly level.

If you want these labels to look clean, turn them into split line features and change the surface color within the splitline surface.

Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
sw.fcsuper.com
Co-moderator of Solidworks Yahoo! Group