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Layering and Sheet Metal

Layering and Sheet Metal

Layering and Sheet Metal

(OP)
SW2009 SP4.0

We start out making a sheet metal part.  Then we make a drawing for said part, with a separate sheet for the flat pattern so we can export it as a DXF.  I know you can do that from the part itself, but to do it from the drawing gives us a little more control over the DXF and any additional work it needs.

Our parts get cut on a laser, and there are different layers for different cutting conditions, such as etching.  Is there a way to change the layer of geometry, either directly in the part, or in the drawing?

The only way I've been able to do it, is to hide the edge I want to "change" then select it while hidden, and use "Convert Entities" to make a line on that edge.  I can then change the layer of that line.  This works fine for a few lines, but if we have a pattern of 200 holes, it is pretty ridiculous to go through and do that for every one.

The way we do something like that is to save the DXF, then open it up and change the layers.  The problem here is when someone changes the part, and makes the new DXF, they have to remember to go in and change those.  Or worse, whoever is doing the change has no idea that any edges should be on certain layers.

Sorry this is a bit long, but this has been a slight issue for a while, that I've been trying to solve, but a "trigger happy" intern caused this to be a widespread problem, so now is the perfect time to find a solution, if there is one.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

RE: Layering and Sheet Metal

Right click on the part within the drawing view.  Select component line font.  Within this dialog, you can put the edges of the part on a different layer.  There is a check box to for "this view" or "all views".

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks

RE: Layering and Sheet Metal

(OP)
Shaggy,

That seems to change the entire part, unless I'm doing something wrong.  I need to be able to change only certain lines/features to specific layers.  For instance, if we had a rectangle piece of sheet metal with a hole cut right in the center, we may need just the hole on a different layer, while the rest of it is on the default layer.

Your suggestion works, but so far I can only get it to change the entire part within the view.

RE: Layering and Sheet Metal

Gotcha... now I understand.  The method I described is the entire part.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks

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