Line Weights 1

[Truan]

Does anyone know of way to amend the thickness of lines, including dimensions, when creating a drawing? I am aware of the line thickness command in the line format toolbar, but is there any way of amending these predefined weights?

Ideally I would like to find a command option similar to the line weight option found in the print command box.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Tools > Options > Document Properties > Line Font
Tools > Options > Document Properties > Line Style


SW07-SP3.1
SW06-SP5.1

 

[Theophilus]

Out of curiosity, did you type in "line" in the Help section of SolidWorks? Unlike many programs I've used (like MS Office stuff, where a Google search provides quicker access to useful answers), the Help files in SolidWorks are well-documented and generally quite informative.

However, it probably won't do comparisons with other 2D drawing applications--such as can be had here at this forum.



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe transcends reason.

 

[meintsi]

When we set our systems up here, two of the 8 line weights were set to thin when compared to the ANSI Y14.1 standard.

Open any solidworks document, then
FILE - PRINT - SYSTEM OPTIONS - LINE WEIGHTS

We had manually change the THICK & THICK(2) line weights on every machine to match the Drawing Sheet Size and Format Standard.

Remember...
[navy]"If you don't use your head,[/navy]
[navy]your going to have to use your feet."[/navy]

 

[Truan]

Thanks for your post so far, sorry I have not had a chance to reply sooner.

"CorBlimeyLimey

Tools > Options > Document Properties > Line Font
Tools > Options > Document Properties > Line Style”

As far as I can see this provides me with the same options as the line format toolbar.

“Theophilus

Out of curiosity, did you type in "line" in the Help section of SolidWorks? Unlike many programs I've used (like MS Office stuff, where a Google search provides quicker access to useful answers), the Help files in SolidWorks are well-documented and generally quite informative.

However, it probably won't do comparisons with other 2D drawing applications--such as can be had here at this forum.”

Natural my first port of call was the SolidWorks help section, but I couldn’t really find anything of use.

“meintsi

When we set our systems up here, two of the 8 line weights were set to thin when compared to the ANSI Y14.1 standard.

Open any solidworks document, then
FILE - PRINT - SYSTEM OPTIONS - LINE WEIGHTS

We had manually change the THICK & THICK(2) line weights on every machine to match the Drawing Sheet Size and Format Standard.”

As noted in my original post, I am aware of the line weights option in the print command box. What I need to do is be able to amend the predefined line weights on the electronic file, rather than just the printed output.

Thanks for all your comments.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Truan ...
I should have been more explicit;
Open a new drawing document and then use the options I listed to set the lines as required. Then save the document template (drwdot format).
New drawings should then adopt your preferences.

The Line Font toolbar only affects the active drawing document.


SW07-SP3.1
SW06-SP5.1

 

[Truan]

"CorBlimeyLimey (Mechanical) 16 Apr 07 9:35
Truan ...
I should have been more explicit;
Open a new drawing document and then use the options I listed to set the lines as required. Then save the document template (drwdot format).
New drawings should then adopt your preferences.

The Line Font toolbar only affects the active drawing document."

I understand what you’re suggesting, as this will allow you to globally set the line weights. However, what I want to do is manual adjust the thickness of these predefined line weights on the electronic file, like you can when printing.

Thanks for your comments


Thanks for your comments

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

The nearest SW has to the print dialogue settings are the 8 thicknesses offered in the Options/Line Fonts settings. Do none of them work for you?


SW07-SP3.1
SW06-SP5.1

 

[engAlright]

There is also a "Line Weights" button that appears on the print dialogue box, from here you can tweak the actual physical width of each line type...just look up "Line Weights" in the SW help...

Guess it's like pen settings for a plotter...

 

[Truan]

"The nearest SW has to the print dialogue settings are the 8 thicknesses offered in the Options/Line Fonts settings. Do none of them work for you?"

I afraid not, thus the reason for this post.

"There is also a "Line Weights" button that appears on the print dialogue box, from here you can tweak the actual physical width of each line type...just look up "Line Weights" in the SW help...

Guess it's like pen settings for a plotter..."

Again, as already stated,

"As noted in my original post, I am aware of the line weights option in the print command box. What I need to do is be able to amend the predefined line weights on the electronic file, rather than just the printed output."

Thanks for all your comments.

 

[Theophilus]

So, you edit the line font in your document, to no avail. Does the line thickness at least change on-screen (before printing)? If so, that would seem to indicate a problem between the computer and plotter--perhaps a driver issue or some other incompatibility. If not, perhaps this is a graphics card issue (or similar) within SolidWorks that happens before printing--and the solution should therefore be found in the pre-printing environment.



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe transcends reason.

 

[EEnd]

I am guessing that the reason people are having such a hard time helping you with your question is that you are trying to use line weights in a manner different than intended. Please bear with me as I believe that you already understand the following.

The line weight system in SolidWorks is geared towards printed output where the thickness of a line is used as a visual clue as to the nature of the line. Eight line weights are provided and you can control their printed weights through the print dialogue. Eight weights should be enough for distinguishing between the different types of lines encountered in a drawing. In the electronic version of the document the thickness of a line remains constant as you zoom in and out, so their absolute widths are undefined and their relative widths serve only as an indication of which weight they will have in the printed document.

Now the question is why do you want to amend the predefined list of 8 line weights used in the electronic document? Is it because you want to create lines that have a given absolute width in the drawing? I could see wanting to do this if you were creating a logo or a printed circuit board layout.

Eric

 

[J-C]

Perhaps thats what he's after...something like a polyline in Autocad where you can set the line thickness. No way to do that in Solidworks.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
UG NX4.01.0 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2007 SP3.1 on WinXP SP2