SolidWorks Legion

Any and all SolidWorks topics!

Foreshortening a radius dimension on a drawing is easy.  The option to foreshorten a radius is found when the radius dimension is highlighted by looking under the heading of Display Options in the PropertiesManager pane.  (Note: this foreshortening option will not be available if dimensioning a full diameter within the view current view, even if the dimension is shown as a radius.)    Once this option is chosen, the radius dimension will appear foreshortened with a zigzag radial line.  The user can then adjust the shape and location of the zigzags, as desired.

This is easy enough.  I am covering this basic how-to tip as a lead-in for the more complicated task of foreshortening diameter dimension in an upcoming article.

Filed under: Drawing, How-To | 1 Comment »

SolidWorks provides for the foreshortening of diameters and radii dimensions.  It does not allow for the foreshortening of linear dimensions (or “clipped dimensions”), except in break views where both ends of the dimension are visible.  When I first encountered this “limitation” years ago, I was concerned that SolidWorks programmers just simply overlooked this functionality.  After all, if one can foreshorten a radius, then why not a linear dimension?  I was even sure I could find examples of this already being done on other drawings in detail views.  I was trying to use an open ended dimension line with double arrows on the open end.  I may have actually used this method a couple of times back in my AutoCAD days.

The lack of foreshortened linear dimensions can be understood by reading ASME Y14.5M-1994 paragraph 1.8.2.2.  This paragraph established the foreshortening of radii.  Its title “Foreshortened Radii” seems to preclude these methods for linear dimensions.  But why?

The clue is the intent.  1.8.2.2. states that if the center of a radius is outside the drawing or interferes with another view, the radius dimension may be foreshortened.  Strangely enough, paragraph 1.8.2.2 does not specifically describe the just how foreshortening is demonstrated, other than to say the dimension line is radial to the arc.  It does reference a figure that shows radii centers repositioned with zigzagged radial and coordinate dimension lines.  The key is that the center of the radius is still within view.  The dimensions have known termination at both ends.

There is a problem with using this methodology on any dimensions where the termination of both ends is not clearly shown.  Without both ends of the dimension in view (or known through some other way), there is no established way to determine where the dimension’s open end terminates.  It is an incomplete specification.  In other words, if I have a detail view and attempt to dimension to a feature not in that detail, the fabricator does not know the location of the other end of that dimension.  SolidWorks’ “limitation” is not really a limitation after all.  It follows the drafting standards in a very logical way.

One thing SolidWorks does allow is the foreshortening of diameters.  Although this is not directly supported by the standards, it is common practice.  Unlike the foreshortening of linear dimensions, foreshortened diameters make sense since the other end of the dimension is known, even if it is not shown.  I’ll address foreshortened diameters in more detail a future article.

Filed under: ASME Standards, Drawing | No Comments »

A couple days ago I write a little article about one particular bit of strange behavior by my VAR.  I must recant part of my original post.  Granted, I knowingly did exaggerate (as stated), but there are other details that need clarification.

I previously stated that my account manager at my VAR contacted me via email to keep in tough and ask if I needed anything.  This part is true.  I also stated that I responded via email with a list of three open items.  That is also true.  What is not true is when I stated the VAR did not bother replying.  It turns out that even though I and my VAR have frequent email communications, his email that day was singled out and spamdropped.  Also, I exaggerated about the time frame.  It wasn’t three weeks ago, but 5 business days. 

Anyway, the account manager did call me back an hour or so after I called him.  We sorted out the details, found out his email was lost and that solutions to my issues were to be had.  All of my open issues ended up being resolved with 24 hours.  The happy ending doesn’t make for an exciting story, but it is the truth.  I still say VARs are a funny breed, though.

Filed under: Complaints, VAR | No Comments »

In case anyone is in doubt, but not over finances, right now is a GREAT time to buy a car.  I cannot overstate this fact.  With the economic woes causing our system to collapse all around us, there are many opportunities for which to take advantage.  Stock market is one, if you don’t mind the rollercoaster ride.  Another way is in using one’s buying power for the big ticket items (cars in particular, but yeah, I’m sure boats and such are going for huge discounts too).

I recently traded in my old 2003 Acura TL Type-S for a 2009 Pontiac G8 GT.  As I began on this strange move months ago, I got asked “trade in an Acura for a Pontiac?”.  Yes, without reservation.  I waited to make this exchange until the end of Sept, and I’m glad I did because I got great pricing.  (OK, the reasons why I readily dumped my Acura for a Pontiac are best covered some other time.  I’ll just say that no one asks why once they see my G8 GT and ride in it.)  Anyway, the point is, right now is a great time to get some really great deals on the cars.

This isn’t a message to tell people “Hey, go out and support the American economy.”  This is a message saying “Now is the time to strike; to get the really great bargains.”  The consumer advantage is not limited to GM.  All the car companies are in pain right now.  As I shopped around in recent months, many of the dealers put on a brave face, but there is an air of desperation.  I guess a better way to put is that they are willing to actually deal.  No more dealer mark-ups.  I’ve actually seen quite the opposite.  Some brands are selling 2008’s for WAY under even the invoice price (prolly close to what is actually paid by the dealer).

Of course, if you invest your money, you might score a 3.0% yield CD, which is running at about 1/2 the current inflation rate.  You can try to time the stock market, but much bigger money is likely timing you instead.  If you are going to lose money, you might as well enjoy the ride (literally).

Filed under: Editorial, News | 3 Comments »

Happy American Election Day!  No matter one’s politics, it’s always nice to at least pretend like we have a say in our government.  I pretended via early absentee ballot a month ago.  There is no segue from this topic into SolidWorks, so I’ll just change the topic now.

VARs are a funny breed.  It’s funny I used the word breed because they aren’t really bred.  More to the opposite, they tend to merge quite frequently (making less of them, not more).  They also tend to be quirky.  I recently was contacted by my account manager at my VAR via email.  He stated that he was keeping in touch, and asked if there was anything where I needed assistance.

I responded via email with a list of three open items that need attention, nothing terribly urgent.  Well, after three weeks, I still have not received a reply.  Maybe there is a chance the email got lost in spam folder or somewhere else in cyberspace.  It happens.   Though, I doubt my email was tagged as spam since I have multiple communications with the VAR without any issues.  It is possible the internet just forgot to forward my email on to my account manager’s email address too.  Not likely, but possible.  However, the pattern I’ve seen suggests more that my email was filed in some buried to-do Outlook folder by the receiver, and then forgotten about by him.

So, I called him today.  The issues still aren’t urgent.  I’d just like to be validated by his acknowledgement.  It’s lunch time, so I left a message.  To be continued…

(It should be noted that I’ve made a couple of exaggerations in this article for entertainment value.  Follow-up article will have details.)

Filed under: Complaints, VAR | 3 Comments »

If interested, I encourage everyone to check out the SolidWorks World 2009 website.  Included are details about SolidWorks World 2009 (SWW09), of course.  Yes, it’s that time of year already.  Time flies by, doesn’t it?  The first announcement of Breakout Sessions and Hands-on Sessions is now available for viewing too.  This is useful for planning attendance and maybe even in justifying the trip to one’s boss. 

As usual, there are diverse topics covering the basics to advanced ideas, and the abstract to the very specific.  There is already a large selection to choose from.  Here’s the list of the categories.

	CAD Administration
	Data Management
	Design Automation
	Design Validation
	Education
	Modeling Essentials
	Productivity Tools
	Customer Success/Designing Better Products
	Tips and Tricks
	Design Communication

And, here’s a quick snap shot of just a few of the actual sessions:

1. Surfacing for Beginners
2. Using SolidWorks to create a greener World
3. Connecting SolidWorks Enterprise PDM to your ERP system
4. Saving time using Smart Components

From the looks of what scheduled so far, this promises to be a very educational conference.

Filed under: News, SWW09 | No Comments »