Two Simple Solidworks questions 3

[CSEM2004]

These might be pretty basic questions, but I just can't seem to find a way around them.

First of all, is there a way to add a label to a standard view (not a section, detail or auxiallary view) that includes the view scale? For instance if you were to want the front view at 4:1 while the right or tip views were at the sheet scale of 1:1. Could you list the view scale? I've tried to add a note linked to view properties, but Solidworks does not provide a definative list of avaiable properties.

Secondly, is there an easy way to include dimension counts (i.e. the dimension occurs five times) on a part drawing. I know Solidworks can automatically do this, but it seems unpredictable if it will or won't. Sometimes I'd like to go back and add the count. Parametrically I struggle with properties like this.

 

[Sporkman]

I personally know of no solution to your two questions. AFAIK both of these things will need to be accomplished manually in a drawing. The unpredictability you mention, however, is likely more to do with how you dimension sketches or define features than with SolidWorks' lack of automation. An example . . . naturally, if you use the hole wizard for defining holes SolidWorks is usually pretty consistent with including the number of identical holes by number in any particular view (use Annotation > Hole Callout to create callouts if the callout doesn't come in automatically from Insert > Model Items). But if you create round holes as Extruded Cuts via sketches your callouts may not seem consistent unless you tagged all the diameters in the sketch as Equal (Sketch Relations). If you insert multiple equal diameter dimensions SolidWorks won't know how many holes are the same diameter.
HTH


Mark Stapleton
Watermark Design, LLC
Charlotte, NC

http://www.h2omarkdesign.com

 

[ctopher]

2nd question:
The same dim is shown multiple times? If so, it is not good drafting practice. It should only be shown once, other times shown as ref.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[Jabberwocky]

I think the OP may mean something like "2X" where the same dimension applies to multiple instances of a feature. I don't know of a way to automate that.

For the first question, if every view were a detail view, there is a standard view size label which is linked.

You could place your normal orthoganl views off of the drawing page and then place the detail views into the printable space.

 

[smcadman]

You can add the sheet scale in a note, but not the view scale for each view:

SCALE:$PRP:"SW-Sheet Scale"

I would have to question the practice of having a 3-view drawing with different scales. Maybe have all three views the same scale and have a detail view of the front view.

Flores
SW06 SP4.1

 

[SoilentG]

What he wants to do in question one is pretty standard for ISO views. You have your basic three view and want the ISO view at a different scale and in good drafting practice you should put the scale by the different scale view. Pro/E could do this no problem. Come on SW... catch up!

 

[handleman]

With regard to view labels, I think this is quite a big hole in the software. A view label that is linked to the scale or section/detail label can only be created by creating a section/detail view. If that label is deleted it cannot be re-created by any means (SW user interface or API.) I can't find anything in the API reference regarding view labels being different from standard notes. There is an API function that returns the property link string from a linked note. When used on a linked note the function returns the link definition. When used on a non-linked note it returns the string as displayed. When used on a true "linked" view label, this function returns only the text as displayed, with no link information.

Not sure if this would be an ER or if it should be considered a bug...

 

[CSEM2004]

Mark aka Sporkman, I agree with your comments on 'unpredictable' behaviour often being linked to the sketches and feature selections themselves. I just can't always get it to work if I have a pattern of the same feature to get SW to count the occurences. From some of the other posts, perhaps counts are archaic. I know its good practice to not use the same dimension over and over. There are just instances, where I'm not satisfied that a REF or TYP annotation adequately defines a particular part.

I've considered Jabberwocky's suggestion. It just seems like alot of extra work and data on the drawing (even if it is hidden or disguised) that runs the risk of confusing other users.

You would think that since you specify the scale of a view that it has some property associated with it. SW mentions a $PRPVIEW:"<property name>" method of adding detail to a note (and I don't mind a manual note that is parametrically linked), but I can't find any listing of possible property names.

I agree that SW ability to link properties is good for drawing blocks and basic sheet information, but nearly insane to use otherwise.

 

[smcadman]

For instance if you were to want the front view at 4:1 while the right or tip views were at the sheet scale of 1:1.

SoilentG, you must be psychic because he didn't mention isometric views. However, he did mention front view AND a top or side view.

Mechanical Desktop 6 automatically put the view scale for isometric views 6 years ago.

(maybe I will get a star for that!)

Flores
SW06 SP4.1

 

[SoilentG]

smcadman, hehe, yep, I was just showing that what he wants to do isn't all that odd.

 

[J-C]

Why would you put scale on an iso...you shouldn't be measuring an iso anyway. I don't know...just seems unecessary to me.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2006 SP4.0 on WinXP SP2

 

[CSEM2004]

As a rule I try to avoid having views at different scales (especially since there is no way to label it!), except for this isometric view. We just have a few parts that are complex in one view and very simple in the other two. Also, we try to keep the sheet size to a minimum but that's a different story.

 

[Heckler]

SoilentG - you're correct Pro/e does this automatically when you change a views scale from the drawings base scale. It is good drawing practices to scale views that are different to the base drawing scale. Someone please submit a enhancement request otherwise this will be the one ding in SWx's armor that A-Desk will use against us.

Well, there is another a symbol to dictate Grain direction on a sheetmetal drawing. This should be a stand symbol, right?

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 5.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience every time.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I don't know if there is an official symbol for grain direction (there probably is) but I've always used something like <---Grain--->.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[smcadman]

CBL, I too have used basically what you did with text and leader lines. We powder-coat most material, but we use grain direction whenever brush-finishing stainless or brass to a #4 finish.

Flores
SW06 SP4.1

 

[fcsuper]

I'd just like to point out that Isometric views aren't really at a particular scale per se. Realistically, there's not perfect way to resolve a 3D view of an object on a 2D plane. Iso views are at a presumed scale following certain rules of projection. So, even if you state a scale for an Iso view, it's really only reference information regarding your method for deriving the view. If I do add scale to an Iso view, I also place it within parenthesis.

 

[ctopher]

No problem giving it scale using descriptive geometry.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)