Following the release of SOLIDWORKS, users can now import third-party files as graphical 3D meshes rather than solid or surface bodies. Previous releases were limited to the mesh file types *.stl, *.obj, *.off, *.ply, *.ply2. Changes for 2019 also include the addition of a ‘Graphical Body’ check box from the ‘Open’ dialog.
Importing as a graphics body can be very useful for manual remodeling or taking specific measurements. Additionally, importing as a graphics body utilizes significantly fewer resources when opening large or complex files.
To access this feature, follow the steps below.
Import as a Graphical Body can be accessed with File > Open (Ctrl + O) or Insert > Component > Existing Part/Assembly within an assembly.
Using the file format drop list, select any third-party format such as Autodesk Inventor (*.ipt) or ProE/Creo (*.prt)
Unlike importing mesh files, users are no longer required to enable the Graphics Body through the options menu. SOLIDWORKS now includes an “as Graphical Body” check box below the file explorer. Select the check box and click ‘Open’.
The Inventor Part (*.ipt) is now imported as a Graphical Body. Notice the feature tree displays the part not as a surface body or solid body – but as a Graphic Body.
By Ghyslain Lacombe – Application Specialist at SolidXperts
When creating a toolpath, the result can sometimes not be the one you want. In the following example shown in video and screen captures, there is a steel island in the center of a cutting.
How to correct the default toolpath in order to remove the steel island left by the initial toolpath?
1- Region to be machined:
As you can see, the customer wants to machine this region:
2- Result of the initial toolpath:
The result of the toolpath leaves an undesirable steel island: How to correct this?
3- Edit the function: Z Level:
The operation parameters are as follows:
4- In this case, you must change the method from constant to scallop to be able to eliminate material that cannot be machined with the other process.
5- The result still leaves an unmachined region because it is necessary to increase the precision:
6- It is then necessary to reduce the scallop and the minimum cut amount to be able to remove all the material.
7- The result shows that the machining is now complete:
Therefore, depending on the kind of workpiece, you must determine the machining method to use and adjust the number of passes and the scallop for machining to be complete.
SOLIDWORKS keyboard shortcuts are one of the easiest ways to improve productivity and speed up your design workflow. While many users rely on menus and toolbars, simple key combinations can help you sketch faster, model parts more efficiently, and navigate assemblies with fewer clicks. In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the most useful SOLIDWORKS keyboard shortcuts for sketches, parts, assemblies, and drawings.
SKETCHES:
Dimension (min/max) condition of an arc – Hold down SHIFT
Snap to the grid – Hold down SHIFT while drawing entities
Turn off automatic relations – Hold down CTRL while drawing entities
Change spline controls symmetrically – Hold down the ALT key while dragging spline controls
Change XYZ direction in a 3D sketch – Click the TAB key while drawing entities in a 3D sketch
Zoom to the center of the screen – Hold down the SHIFT key and the middle mouse button while moving the mouse up and down
Copy a series of entities – Hold down CTRL and drag the selected entities to another location
Move a series of entities – Hold down SHIFT and drag the selected entities to another location
PART DOCUMENTS:
Copy Features – Hold down CTRL and drag a feature to another location
Move Features – Hold down SHIFT and drag a feature to another location
Switch to another open document – Hold down CTRL, then click TAB between each one
Flip the direction of a formed feature (Sheet metal) – Click the TAB key while dragging the feature to a face
Select transparent items – Hold down SHIFT when attempting to choose a transparent face on a part, or vise-versa when “Select through transparent items” is turned off
Change advanced settings of an appearance or scene – Hold down the ALT key when dragging an appearance or scene from the appearance tab in the task pane
Create a plane – Hold down CTRL and drag an existing plane
Rotate in 90-degree increments – Hold down SHIFT plus your arrow keys
Rotate clockwise/counterclockwise – Hold down ALT plus your arrow keys
Pan – Hold down CTRL plus your arrow keys
Reference Triad – Use the CTRL, SHIFT, and ALT keys while clicking on the reference triad to change the orientation of your component
ASSEMBLY DOCUMENTS
Smart Mate – Hold down ALT, click and drag an edge or face to another component to mate
Smart Mate + Copy – Hold down CTRL and ALT, click and drag an edge or face to another component
Copy a part – Hold down CTRL and drag a component to another location
Select multiple components – Hold down the SHIFT key when window selecting components
Invert selection – Hold down the CTRL key when window selecting components. Components that are already selected will become deselected
Select a transparent face – Hold down SHIFT when attempting to pick a transparent face, or vise-versa when “Select through transparent items” is turned off
Change direction of an explode step – Hold down the ALT key while dragging the yellow sphere to a face or an edge
Change the direction of the move function when using Move with Triad – Hold down the ALT key and move the triad to an edge to change the direction
Change from reorganizing to re-order while moving parts in the feature manager – Hold down ALT while re-ordering parts in the feature manager so you don’t accidentally add a part to a sub-assembly
Copy a part from one assembly to another – Hold down CTRL while dragging the part
Change the direction of Routing components – Hold down SHIFT plus your arrow keys to change the orientation of a routing component upon insertion
Mouse gestures – Right click drag over a component rotates it, so hold down ALT if you meant to use mouse gestures
Create parts instead of configurations when using Toolbox – Hold down the CTL key when dragging a part into your assembly
Camera Views – Use CTRL, SHIFT, and ALT keys plus your middle mouse button to manipulate camera views
Walkthrough – Use CTRL, SHIFT, and ALT keys to change the orientation of your camera while using the walkthrough function
Motion Manager – Use the CTRL and ALT keys to copy and move multiple keys in the motion manager
Whether you’re new to SOLIDWORKS or an experienced user, mastering these keyboard shortcuts is a simple way to optimize your daily CAD workflow. Start by incorporating a few of your favorites into your routine, then continue building your productivity over time.
Looking to take your SOLIDWORKS skills even further? From certified training and technical support to implementation and consulting, the Solidxperts team is here to help you get the most out of your SOLIDWORKS investment. Contact us today to learn more.
Any questions? Need help? Ask one of our experts.
Whether you’re ready to get started or just have a few more questions, you can contact us toll-free:
SOLIDWORKS PDM licenses must be released by SOLIDWORKS in order to be activated on a server.
Contact SolidXperts Technical Support to have your PDM Standard license released.
-Telephone: 1-877-824-3379 or 1-877-876-5434, ext. 150
-Email: support@solidxperts.com
The installation files for PDM Standard can be found on the DVD or in the SOLIDWORKS Portal.
Software Installation
2.1. Run ‘Setup.exe’ as an Administrator
2.2. Choose which Server Products to install
Install SOLIDWORKS PDM Server Components
Install SolidNetWork Licensed Manager
2.3. SNL Server Options
Enter your license numbers into SolidNetWork License Manager
SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard licenses are floating. The available number(s) must be entered in this field, separated by a comma.
2.4. Component Installation Summary
SOLIDWORKS PDM server – Edit
Validate and/or edit the options for:
Server Product: Choose SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
Features to install:
Archive Server
Server Database
Client
SQL Server:
Choose the previously installed SQL Express instance
Enter the SA username and password, chosen when installing SQL Express
2.5. Validate the information – Install now
Archive Server Configuration
Once the server component installation is complete, the Archive Server Configuration tool starts automatically to continue configuration.
3.1. You must change the location of the archive server files so that they are located on the disk intended for the data (as prepared in the first section “Server Preparation”).
3.2. Choose a password for the default Admin user
3.3. Choose a password the SA user will need to connect to SQL.
3.4. Keep administrators only for “Administrative access” and keep the default options for “Attach access”.
The Archive Server configuration is complete.
License Activation
4.1. Start SolidNetWork License Manager
4.2. In the “Server Administrator” tab, choose “Edit”
4.3. Choose “Select All”
4.4. Choose “Activate/Reactivate” your product licenses
4.5. Validate the information of your License Server
The ports are: 25734 and 25735
Create a Safe
5.1. Start the PDM Administration tool
5.2. Right click on the server name – Create a new safe
5.3. Enter a name for the safe
5.4. Keep the default values for the location of the archive files.
5.5. Select the SQL instance created for PDM Standard installation, leave the suggested name for the database.
5.6. Add the License Server: Enter Port 25734@”name of your server”
5.7. Choose a default language
5.8. Check the default password (the password used will be the one set when installing the PDM Archive Server).
(Uncheck the option and choose a new password if you do not want to use the default password)
How to Install SQL Express in Preparation for Installing SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
*Your windows and menus may vary slightly depending on the server operating system.
1. Server Preparation 1.1. Make sure the server meets the technical requirements: View SOLIDWORKS and SW PDM System Requirements
Make sure that .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.0 are installed, if necessary, configure the “Application Server” role on the server: 1.2. Prepare file structure
– If possible, create 2 partitions. Reserve the C: drive for applications and another for the data.
– Create a folder structure in the disk to receive the data as specified below:
Suggested file structure
*SQL cannot save its data to an external disk or hard disk storage (NAS or SAN).
2. SQL Server Express Installation
The installation of SQL Server Express is done by following the instructions in the PDM installation guide. Here are the steps followed for a typical SolidXperts installation.
– SQL Express can be found on the DVD or in SOLIDWORKS downloaded files.
4. Instance Configuration
– If it is a new installation, choose Default instance.
– If SQL is already installed, choose Named Instance and enter a name.
4.1. Server Configuration: Leave default values for service account names.
4.2. Database Engine Configuration
– Select Mixed Mode.
– Create a password for the SQL System Administrator.
– Specify the SQL Administrator à Click Add Current User and add the Domain Administrators group (domain admin) and/or the local Administrators group.
– Change the following directories to conform to the file structure created in the server preparation step.
– In IPAll, clear the value in Dynamic TCP Ports.
– Set the TCP Port to the static port number that you want the SQL Server Express instance to follow:
If SQL Express is the only SQL Server instance on the system, set the port to 1433.
If there are other SQL Server instances on the system, set the port to a single value, for example 1440.
– Restart the SQL Server Service for the new instance.
With 25 years of experience and more than 250 certifications, SolidXperts teams can help you become true 3D experts! An additional question? Need information?
When creating a broken-out section view of a drawing, it is possible to set the depth of the cut according to a numerical value. But did you know that it’s possible to select an edge on another view to define the depth? Or that you can put your 3D drawing in temporary 3D view mode and select the depth on this one? Continue reading “Broken-Out Section View in a Drawing”
Just do a search: Using the built-in search in the SOLIDWORKS PDM file explorer, search from the root of the vault or according to your needs.
In the left menu of the SOLIDWORKS PDM File Explorer window, you have two new options (previously only available in the SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional search tool).
a) Option 1: Open search result
The results open in Microsoft Excel in a .tmp file.
From Microsoft Excel, you can (Save As) in the format of your choice.
b) Option 2: Export search result
This will export to a .csv file (Type: Comma-Separated Files).
The .csv file will open by default in Microsoft Excel.
It is possible to open the .cvs file with Microsoft Bloc-Notes or any other note editor.
With 25 years of experience and more than 250 certifications, SolidXperts teams can help you become true 3D experts! An additional question? Need information?
by Steven Murphy – Application Specialist at SolidXperts
Engineers are always looking for faster and more efficient means of providing manufacturing information for their models. SOLIDWORKS 2019 expansion of Model-Based Definition to sheet metal components allows for designers to integrate the necessary product manufacturing information (PMI) directly into their sheet metal parts.
In any sheet metal part, right-click on the flattened pattern and select ‘Insert bend notes.’ The flattened pattern includes all of the bend notes on the flattened view. This includes the bounding box in the 2D view for easy reference.
Once the bend notes have been created, simply add a bend table from the tables drop-down menu. The bend table can be used to consolidate all of the directions, radii, and bend angles into one location. As with any SOLIDWORKS table, the bend table can be exported as a separate table.
After creating the bend table, the final step of the process is to generate a 3D view with the derived flattened pattern configuration. This 3D view can be used to export to a 3D PDF, Edrawings, or just saved in SOLIDWORKSfor anyone to access.
And just like that, SOLIDWORKSMBD has removed an extra step from the design to fabrication workflow. Even if the 3D views are used in conventional 2D engineering drawings, all of the PMI is localized within the SOLIDWORKS part model.
With 25 years of experience and more than 250 certifications, SolidXperts teams can help you become true 3D experts! An additional question? Need information?
By Elene Teolis – PDM Application Specialist at SolidXperts
To establish a connection between the different components of a PDM installation, it must be ensured that communication is possible via the following ports:
PDMWorks Enterprise Archive Server Uses TCP and UDP 3030 Ports
SQL Server uses TCP port 1433 and UDP port 1434
Web server uses HTTP port 80 and HTTPS port 443
SolidNetWork License Server Uses TCP Port 25734
1- Start Windows Firewall
2- Select Inbound Rules and click New Rule
2.1. – Rule type
– Select Port ˃ Next
2.2. – Protocol and ports
– Choose TCP – Enter the ports to allow ˃ Next
2.3. – Action
– Allow the connection ˃ Next
2.4. – Profile
– Check Domain and Private ˃ Next
2.5. – Name
– Enter a descriptive name for the rule ˃ Next
PDM – TCP IN
PDM – TCP OUT
PDM – UDP IN
PDM – UDP OUT
3- Select Outbound Rules and click on New Rule
3.1. – Rule type
– Select Port ˃ Next
3.2. – Protocol and ports
– Choose TCP – Enter the ports to allow ˃ Next
3.3. – Action
– Allow the connection ˃ Next
3.4. – Profile
– Check Domain and Private ˃ Next
3.5. – Name
– Enter a descriptive name for the rule ˃ Next
PDM – TCP IN
PDM – TCP OUT
PDM – UDP IN
PDM – UDP OUT
4- Define the Incoming Traffic Rule for the UDP protocol by following the steps in point 2.
– Protocol and ports: choose UDP
5- Define the Outgoing Traffic Rule for the UDP protocol by following the steps in point 3.
– Protocol and ports: choose UDP
You have now successfully opened Windows Firewall ports for SOLIDWORKS PDM! If you want to learn more about new features in SOLIDWORKS from 2015 to 2019, download our White Paper.
SolidXperts teams can help you become true 3D experts! An additional question? Need information?
Whether you’re ready to get started or just have a few more questions, you can contact us toll-free:
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If your license has been expired for over a year, we understand the urgency to get back in the game. With this option, you can secure SOLIDWORKS CAD ALC w/Cloud Services.
Promotion Perks:
Our team is here to support your reintegration process, and we’ll waive backdating and penalties for a smooth transition.
Take advantage of the comprehensive SOLIDWORKS suite and unleash your creativity with the latest tools and features.
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Opt for SOLIDWORKS TERM with Cloud Services, a flexible and convenient option that combines the power of SOLIDWORKS with the benefits of cloud-based solutions. Say goodbye to traditional licensing hassles and welcome easy deployment and automatic updates for a seamless design experience.
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Take advantage of the promotion price and add as many new licenses (3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS or SOLIDWORKS TERM w/Cloud Services) as you need on the same Purchase Order, with no limit on extra seats.
Enjoy the promotion discount for 3 years, whether purchased annually or upfront.
Even after the promotion period, you’ll continue to benefit with a 25% discount on successive years.
5.11. Click on “Finish” to create the safe.
