Weld Symbols in a Block

[TateJ]

I'm trying to create some SolidWorks Blocks for my typical weld details.
I drew the lines etc. in AutoCad - 'cause SolidWorks ain't much of a drafting tool.
... then COPY/PASTEd them into a new SolidWorks drawing.
I added my Notes & Weld Symbols.
Then I did exactly this (from the help menu):

To create a new block from entities in a drawing:
In a drawing, sketch the entities that make up the block. To add text, use the Note tool.
Box-select all the entities.
Click Tools, Block, Make.
Click OK .

Apparently I can't use Weld Symbols in a SolidWorks Block, because thay all go away.
This is funny since all I wanted to do is make some standard weld details!

How can I make this happen?

We'll raise up our glases against evil forces.
Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses!
T.K.
tatejATusfilter.com​

 

[TheTick]

I, too, get annoyed with the limitations of the block tool. My gripe is that I would like to be able to use GDT symbols.

Anyhoo, one course of action would be to actually construct the weld symbols from sketched lines.

-OR-

You could use SW weld symbols. Perhaps you could write a macro to write common settings.

There's no double-lock defense; there's no chain on my door.
And I'm available for consultation,
but remember your way in is also my way out

 

[TheTick]

If you drew some lines in AutoCAD, can you drawi the entire symbol block in AutoCAD and import to SW as text and curves?

 

[SBaugh]

If you made them in AutoCAD why don't you import the DXF or DWG into SW. Then Highlight the geometry and do a Tools\Blocks\Make

I just tried it on a file that I made in SW using the weld symbol. I exported it out as a DXF and imported it back in to SW. Then I Highlighted all the geometry and did a Tools\Blocks\Make and it worked fine.

Don't copy and paste just import the file in or make it in SW and save it as a DXF and import it back in and modify.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help

 

[TateJ]

I did get it to work by creating the entire BLOCK in ACAD - EXPLODING everything down to simple lines and arcs.
Then I can COPY/PASTE into a SWX drawing and do my MAKE BLOCK voodoo.
The only thing is to get all the text and arrows the right size whle still in ACAD.
I spent only a few minutes with the IMPORTing - didn't work so well.
I think I could get it to work now - but COPY/PASTE works well enough.
I got to get back in here more often - been having too much work to do, bummer.
This is fun...

We'll raise up our glases against evil forces.
Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses!
T.K.
tatejATusfilter.com​

 

[rocheey]

Or you could try the in-betweenie thing ... export your symbols as a dxf, and save to disk. Then use "Tools", "Block", New", then click the "Link to File"... you'll have your block in the dwg, or dwgs, and, if you update the dxf file (custom symbol) you saved on disk, you can just reclick on the block to update.

Kind of an inbetween of the slow-loading, auto-updating parametric views, and the fast-loading, never-updating dumb geometry.

 

[CadAndy]

Whats wrong with using the Weld Symbol
Dialog Block in Solidworks?

 

[TateJ]

As a basement is to the Alamo...
so is a Weld Symbol to a SolidWorks Block.

We'll raise up our glases against evil forces.
Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses!
T.K.
tatejATusfilter.com​

 

[SBaugh]

Instead of using a block why don't you just use a weld symbol in the SW drawing? And what was the reason you don't use SW drawings, when in fact you build the models in SW.

Best Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help

 

[TateJ]

I do use SolidWorks drawings.
But I'm creating standard weld details - as blocks - that I can drop in where applicable without creating new sections or details every time I do a new project - like a rubber stamp with a leader & arrow.
I like rocheey's suggestion to link the block to the file, this way I can continue to tewak them - the text ain't coming across as readable as it needs to be... but I'm almost there.

We'll raise up our glases against evil forces.
Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses!
T.K.
tatejATusfilter.com​

 

[Olid]

I always use the Solidworks weld symbols and they work fine for me. It is certainly easier and faster than having to create your own symbols and turning them into blocks.

 

[TateJ]

Then someone please 'splain to me why mine don't work - SolidWorks 2003 SP0.0.

I can't even insert a weld symbol in the Block Editor.
And when I insert one in the drawing, it dissappears when I MAKE BLOCK.

We'll raise up our glases against evil forces.
Whiskey for my men, beer for my horses!
T.K.
tatejATusfilter.com​

 

[Olid]

Ooops. I misunderstood your question. I thought you just wanted a weld symbol on your drawing.

 

[SBaugh]

That's the problem your in SP0.0 there was a problem in SP0.0 and I think it has been repaired in SP3.1. I tried making weld symbols (Not using a block) and they worked fine for me and I'm using SP3.1.

Best Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help