Modifiying smart dimensions
Modifiying smart dimensions
(OP)
I have a real newbie question here:
Where/how do I setup solidworks to automatically give me the change dimension dialog box immediately after I create a dimension,instead of having to double click the dimension to change it?
Having a brian block, thanks for the help...
Where/how do I setup solidworks to automatically give me the change dimension dialog box immediately after I create a dimension,instead of having to double click the dimension to change it?
Having a brian block, thanks for the help...






RE: Modifiying smart dimensions
Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2MB RAM, nVidia 2500M
RE: Modifiying smart dimensions
How about turning off the grid so it doesn't appear when you start a sketch...
RE: Modifiying smart dimensions
Sometimes I find it hard to make sure the dimension ends up as the total distance (unless I use a construction circle instead)--especially if the line or whatnot is close to vertical/horizontal.
Side question: is there a hotkey when dimensioning a circle to make it a radius instead of a diameter?
RE: Modifiying smart dimensions
Your diameter question, right click on the dimension, and you have the option to change it from radius to diameter, to linear...
RE: Modifiying smart dimensions
Thanks, though I understood that already.. for a "true" dimension I was meaning something more like the horizontal/vertical/baseline/ordinate dimension like on the dimension toolbar to ensure that it is measured point to point as opposed to projected to an axis (x/y).
I was aware of that display as radius tool but I was hoping for something involving less clicks--especially if dimensioning repeatedly. Like a hotkey.. hold a button and it defaults to radius or something.
Thanks anyway!
RE: Modifiying smart dimensions
Here is a macro out of the SolidWorks API help section:
Change Radial to Diametric Style Example (VB)
This example shows how to change radial style to diametric style.
'-------------------------------------
'
' Preconditions: Radial dimension is selected in the model.
'
' Postconditions: Selected radial dimension is changed to
' a diametric dimension.
'
'-------------------------------------
Option Explicit
Sub main()
Dim swApp As SldWorks.SldWorks
Dim swModel As SldWorks.ModelDoc2
Dim swSelMgr As SldWorks.SelectionMgr
Dim swDispDim As SldWorks.DisplayDimension
Dim bRet As Boolean
Set swApp = Application.SldWorks
Set swModel = swApp.ActiveDoc
Set swSelMgr = swModel.SelectionManager
Set swDispDim = swSelMgr.GetSelectedObject5(1)
' Toggle between radial and diametric styles
If swDispDim.Diametric Then
swDispDim.Diametric = False
Else
swDispDim.Diametric = True
End If
' Redraw to see changes
swModel.GraphicsRedraw2
End Sub
RE: Modifiying smart dimensions
To get your "true" dimension, just use the smart-dimension tool outside of a sketch, and select the two points you want to measure between or alternately just use the measure tool if your are just needing to know for your curiosity.
RE: Modifiying smart dimensions
Here is a quick macro that you can map to a button. If you select a line or two points and then run the macro it will create an aligned, linear dimension between endpoints or selected points.
CODE
Dim swDoc As SldWorks.ModelDoc2
Dim swSelMgr As SldWorks.SelectionMgr
Dim swDim As SldWorks.Dimension
Dim swDispDim As SldWorks.DisplayDimension
Dim i As Long
Dim selpt As Variant
Sub main()
Set swApp = Application.SldWorks
Set swDoc = swApp.ActiveDoc
Set swSelMgr = swDoc.SelectionManager
If swSelMgr.GetSelectedObjectCount2(-1) > 0 Then
'For i = 1 To swselmgr.GetSelectedObjectCount2(-1)
'Next i
selpt = swSelMgr.GetSelectionPoint2(swSelMgr.GetSelectedObjectCount2(-1), -1)
Set swDispDim = swDoc.AddDimension2(selpt(0), selpt(1), selpt(2))
Else
MsgBox "failed"
End If
End Sub