Dimension Auto-Text

[SWISGR8]

Is there a way to change dimensioning auto-text?

i.e. Change the callout for holes made with a "Through All" definition to say "THRU" instead of "THRU ALL" when dimensioning in drawing (as it does when you create the hole using "Up to Next")

 

[SBaugh]

Change or edit C:\Program Files\SolidWorks\lang\english\calloutformat.txt

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[SWISGR8]

Thanks Scott,

I know you are very knowledgable with this stuff, but as best I can tell it appears that in the calloutformat.txt file there are only variable driven formats. I am wondering if the variables themselves look for values in the hole features. Is there a database or something that defines the hole features that would contain values to assign to these variables?

I'll keep looking where you said, and maybe I am missing something, but I thought I would throw that out there initially.

Thanks again
Mike

 

[SBaugh]

YOu just want to change the text for "Thru All"?

This is controlled globally in tools\options as dimension font (I believe) you can't just control the text for a portion of the dimension is either all or nothing.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[MadMango]

"THRU" or THRU ALL" is no longer used with ASME Y14.5M-1994. You might want to reconsider this if sticking to standards is important to your company. Preferred method is calling out "2X" or "12X", etc.

[green]"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."[/green]
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[rgrayclamps]

Hi, SWISGR8:

"THRU" AND "THRU ALL" are different things. If you need a through hole, you model a "THRU" hole using "Hole Wizard" on your model. If you need a through-all hole, you model a "THRU ALL" hole using "Hole Wizard" on your model.

There is no reason for you to change this hole callout. When you see a "THRU" hole, that is because you modelled it as a "THRU" hole. Likewise, when you see a "THRU ALL" hole, that is because you modelled it as a "THRU ALL" hole.

Alex

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

rgrayclamps ... what SW version are you using?

The options I get using the SW05 & earlier Hole Wizard are:-
Blind
Through All
Up to Next
Up to Vertex
Up to Surface
Offset from Surface


Helpful SW websites faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[wgchere]

MadMango,

You're thinking of "TYP" or"TYPICAL."

ASME Y14.5M-1994, para 1.8.9 refers to "THRU:"
"Where it is not clear that a hole goes through, the abbreviation THRU follows a dimension."

 

[rgrayclamps]

I am using SW2005 sp2.0 on WinXP 1.0. I have the same options as you see. If you want to have a "THRU" hole which is different from a "THRU ALL" hole, you need to use "Up to Next" option. My understanding is that "THRU ALL" holes goes multiple walls which can belong to single or multiple bodies.

Alex

 

[SWISGR8]

Wow, lot of stuff there. Yeah, I'm not worried about # of instances of a hole. rgrayclamps, I get the same End Condition options that you list. When I look at those options, I dont understand what you are saying about modelling as "THRU" and "THRU ALL". The only way I have seen to get "THRU" to show up in the hole callout is by giving "Up to Next" as the End Condition. If that is what you mean as "THRU", then I would hope to be able to control it another way.

For example, if I have a tube and I want to put a hole thru both walls, for ease, I give the "Through All" End Condition. That will give me a "Thru All" callout. But I want "Thru" callout. To get "Thru" callout, I have to use "Up to Next" as End Condition which will stop the hole after the first wall; not what I want. Now I am no draftsmen and do not know all the rules and maybe in that situation it is the correct way to call things out, but not all companies need to follow all drafting standards strictly. I would rather have the "Thru" show up as a default and add any clarifiers from there, such as "All", "Near and Far Walls", etc, whether correct drafting or not.

Basically what I want to know is if I can access the area that assigns "THRU ALL" to the <hw-thru> code/variable.

I appreciate all help, the long reply is to try to clarify what I am trying to do and explain our specific paradigm here.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[rgrayclamps]

Hi, SWISGR8:

When you use SW, it is better to use SW way (SW software design intent), rather than force it to do your way. "THRU" is through a single wall, while "THRU ALL" is through multiple walls (including single wall).

But that is wrong way, according my humble oppinion. If you REALLY REALLY want to do it, then just do as SBaugh mentioned above. Open "C:\Program Files\SolidWorks\lang\english\calloutformat.txt
" (assuming you are using English version) and edit this huge script file. This file controls your hole callout format in addition to other stuff.

Good Luck!

Alex

 

[SWISGR8]

Thanks, I hear you with the SW stuff, but as far as changing it, and maybe I am too much a beginner to follow what to do, but the area in the calloutformat.txt that addresses a hole .........

** PLAIN HOLES **
HOLE-BLIND=;<MOD-DIAM> <hw-diam> <HOLE-DEPTH> <hw-depth>
*with nearside csink*
HOLE-BLIND(csns)=;<MOD-DIAM> <hw-diam> <HOLE-DEPTH> <hw-depth>;\
<HOLE-SINK><MOD-DIAM> <hw-nscsdia> X <hw-nscsang>, <hw-msgnearside>
HOLE-THRU=;<MOD-DIAM> <hw-diam> <hw-thru>
*with farside csink*
HOLE-THRU(csfs)=;<MOD-DIAM> <hw-diam> <hw-thru>;\
<HOLE-SINK><MOD-DIAM> <hw-fscsdia> X <hw-fscsang>, <hw-msgfarside>
*with nearside csink*
HOLE-THRU(csns)=;<MOD-DIAM> <hw-diam> <hw-thru>;\
<HOLE-SINK><MOD-DIAM> <hw-nscsdia> X <hw-nscsang>, <hw-msgnearside>
*with both csinks*
HOLE-THRU(csnf)=;<MOD-DIAM> <hw-diam> <hw-thru>;\
<HOLE-SINK><MOD-DIAM> <hw-nscsdia> X <hw-nscsang>, <hw-msgnearside>;\
<HOLE-SINK><MOD-DIAM> <hw-fscsdia> X <hw-fscsang>, <hw-msgfarside>



........ does not show any code that might individually address "Up to Next" holes or "Through All" holes. It's either <hw-thru> or <hw-depth>.

When I do a search, I don't find the strings "Thru All" and "Thru" anyhere in this file which makes me think there is something in the hole feature itself that defines <hw-thru> as "Thru" or "Thru All" whether is is an "Up to Next" or "Through All" hole respectively.

Please let me know if I am missing something here.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[smcadman]

The options I get using the SW05 & earlier Hole Wizard are:-
Blind
Through All
Up to Next
Up to Vertex
Up to Surface
Offset from Surface

That's all I get in the hole wizard also, and it would be confusing to have it any other way. THRU would be through all walls; otherwise I use "Near Side" or "Far Side" in dimension favorites.

Flores
SW06 SP1.0

 

[SBaugh]

Here is something for you to get all available Varaibles.

open a drawing that has a Callout already in it. Highlight it and in the Property Manager under "Dimension Text" select Varaibles. There you will get a list of all available Varaibles.

I hope that helps,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[rgrayclamps]

SWISGR8:

If you replace <hw-thru> with "THRU" (excluding quotation marks), you will see "THRU" on a "THRU ALL" hole.

Alex

 

[SWISGR8]

That's exactly what I am looking for Alex. I guess that never occurred to me that you could actually enter text instead of some variable, don't ask, it's been a rough day ... Thanks everyone for your input. This is a great forum and I pass the link on to everyone.

Thanks,
Mike