Primary Value 1

[difficultone]

Can someone explain in plain language what Primary Value, Override Value and Reverse direction actually do/mean. I read the Solidworks help and I didn't find it very helpful.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Primary Value = The actual main/real value of the dimension ... as opposed to the tolerance or dual dimension values.If you used the Insert > Model Items method to place the dimension in a drawing view, changing the Primary value will change the model size.

Override Value = A manually entered value which replaces the real Primary value to a "pretend" value. Creates a "not to scale" dimension. It will not change the model size. (IMO, this option should not exist)

Reverse Direction = Exactly that. It changes the direction by 180°.


Create a simple rectangular plate
Create a drawing of the plate
Use the Insert > Model Items method to insert the dimensions
Select a dimension
Experiment with the options

 

[Shenanigans]

the override value should only be used as a quick fix in a drawing where for some reason you messed up and it came out 12.999 instead of 13. You really should go back and change the dimension and make sure nothing is effected by the update.

 

[KirbyWan]

Would another use of the override value be to put a letter in place of the value so a table can reference the value such as for fastener grip lengths?

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[difficultone]

Thanks for the clear explanation CorBlimeyLimey