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SolidWorks part rotate 90 degrees?

SolidWorks part rotate 90 degrees?

SolidWorks part rotate 90 degrees?

(OP)
Question #1: I modeled a part and now wish to permanently rotate it 90 degrees so the standard view "Top" is really the top. How can I rotate it exactly 90 degrees relative to the coordinate system and lock it in permanently?  
Question #2: If this part is a base, or fixed, component in an assembly, will the assembly also be rotated?
I know how to do this in Mechanical Desktop but I'm new to SolidWorks and couldn't find this previously discussed.

RE: SolidWorks part rotate 90 degrees?

This is a semi-permanent fix.  Hit spacebar to bring up the view orientation box.  Rotate the model using shift-cursor.  When you hold down shift and use the arrow keys, the model rotates in exactly 90 degree increments.  Get the model to show the view that you want to be the top.  Now in the view orientation box, single click on top view.  Lastly, in the view orientation box, hit the icon called "update standard views".  This will accomplish what you are looking for.  The only way to un-do it is to "reset standard views" or go throught the entire process to create new standard views again.

You will have to do this in the part and assembly model.  I use this technique all the time to get the front view of the model to be the one I want as the front for the drawings.

RE: SolidWorks part rotate 90 degrees?

Here's a cheezy fix...
Jusr rename the primary planes in your part - unless you need your part to show up in the proper orientation when you plop it in an assembly. Depending on how complex the part is - you can reassign your sketches to other planes & that might do what you want. Your only other option I know of is the one Shaggy mentioned.

tatej usfilter.com

RE: SolidWorks part rotate 90 degrees?

To expand a bit on Shaggy's method; you could also use the view orientation box to switch the part around until it depicts the desired "top" view and then highlight "top" in the orientation dialog befor clicking the "update standard views" button.

Another method is to right click the sketch for the base feature in the feature manager and then select "edit sketch plane". Click on the plane that would orient the part as desired. This may (and I stress may!) do what you want. If subsequent features have plane based sketches your part may immediately blow up!

RE: SolidWorks part rotate 90 degrees?

Quote:

Question #1: I modeled a part and now wish to permanently rotate it 90 degrees so the standard view "Top" is really the top. How can I rotate it exactly 90 degrees relative to the coordinate system and lock it in permanently?

You will have to adjust all your sketches to new planes. You can't rotate a model one you made it. The origin is unmoveable. This why SW recommends you that you think out your design before starting it. Design Intent

Quote:

Question #2: If this part is a base, or fixed, component in an assembly, will the assembly also be rotated? I know how to do this in Mechanical Desktop but I'm new to SolidWorks and couldn't find this previously discussed.

Maybe! It's going to vary on how all the components are associated and mated to that part in the assembly.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
http://www.3dvisiontech.com
http://www.scottjbaugh.com

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RE: SolidWorks part rotate 90 degrees?

I less invasive approach...

after you have finished modeling the part you could use INSERT/ FEATURES/ "Move-copy"  this command allows you to translate and rotate a body.  so select the model as the body, and rotate it about the appropriate axis.  Use this if you care about your xyz orientation.  That way you dont have to re-model things...

Just a thought

Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

RE: SolidWorks part rotate 90 degrees?

Nice - APPENG - I just tried that.
I assume if I do this to a part that's attached to an assembly - I may have to redefine a few mates, but that's usually not a deal-breaker for me.
I have to vote for this one as the best solution.

tatej usfilter.com

RE: SolidWorks part rotate 90 degrees?

Well that depends a bit on how the part is mated... If its mated by its faces you most likely will not have to do anything.. if the part is mated to the origin and the system planes... you will have to redifine your mate scheme for sure

good luck & happy hunting!

Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

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