Automatic Relations when Drawing Circles

[bsj0526]

I have been trying to find a way how to do this for a while now. If anyone has used Pro/E before, they know that they can draw two circles as close to horizontal as possible and a horizontal constraint will be automatically added. The same is true for symmetric, equal, and many others. Does any know if Solidworks has this ability. I have gone through the options and don't see anything that will do it.

I am using SW 2008.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Check the Help > Index for inferencing.

Actual constraints will not be created unless they are manually set, or other constrained geometry elements are snapped to.

 

[bsj0526]

So, what I am seeing, is that it is not possible to have an automatic equal diameter relation, or similar automatically added while sketching. Only some of the relations like horizontal and tangent can be automatically added. This seems like a big weak spot in the SW sketcher tat could stand some enhancements.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

A weak spot, yes. Whether it's a big weak is debatable, and dependent on how often that function is needed (rarely for me) for a users sketch creation methods.

I'm sure many others would use that function if it were available, but if it were that big I'm sure those same others would have submitted an ER or complained about it here or in the other SW forums.

It would be useful, and make sense, to be able to copy existing dimensioned sketch elements and have them retain the dimensions. Adding single or multiple relations is so easy though.

I suggest you submit an ER if it is important to you, and hope that others will follow suit.

 

[rustynissan]

You could always use the Dynamic Mirror sketch tool. Anything you do on one side of the mirror line will be replicated on the other side of the line (sizes, lengths, positions, etc.)

 

[bsj0526]

Yes, over my years of usage, I have found many work arounds. But, that always requires more operations, hence more time to complete a task.

 

[mjcole]

Why do you need this it is nice on Pro/E but if You have a sketch with 5 different Diameters and want to sketch a circle equal to one of these SolidWorks would have to compare the current diameter property to every other size in the sketch.

If you sketch a Circle and want to sketch another of the same size you can use CTRL+Drag to copy it around the sketch to different locations and Use Fully Define Sketch with just Relations option checked to detect the Equal Radius relations.

Even better if you select to also create dims with Fully Define you'll get a ##X Dia dimension showing the count of entities with that size.

Michael

 

[ctopher]

I prefer not to have constraints happen automagically.
I like to have control what is/is not constrained. Sometimes I just want to draw sketches, like a drawn sketch, then constrain as needed.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
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