- One of the most powerful things you can do inside of SolidWorks is to link features from one part to another. In this case here, I'd like to have this cap automatically adjust its size to the size of this base down here. If you take a look at the parts themselves, so click on this one this here, click on "Open the Part", and you can see I've got a basic revolve here and it's defined by this three-inch diameter. If I then go over to the other part and click on "Tile" and look at the assembly, I can take a look at this part here, you can see I've got a very similar sketch.
This one is also defined by that three-inch diameter. Go ahead and exit out of that sketch, and let's go back to the assembly. Now what I would like to do is I would like to link these together by separating that dimension from the individual part and linking it to the base part. So, to do that, I need to edit a part in context, and what that means is clicking on this part here, and instead of clicking on "Open Part", go over to the next one over here, you can click on "Open Part in Position", you can say "Open Drawing", you can say "Edit Part". That's the one I'm looking for is "Edit Part".
You can see the other part is now transparent, and I can now jump into the tree for the original part here, and link it together. So, notice I have sketch number one, I'm going to go ahead and edit that sketch. Click "Normal To" so you're looking straight at that sketch. Now what I'd like to do is delete this dimension here, so now I have the ability to drag this in and out, and then I'd like to link this diameter to the diameter of this outside of the base part here. So, to do that, I'm going to click on this line here, and hold down control and pick the outside edge there.
I'm going to say these are co-linear. Notice everything becomes fully defined again, and then exit out of that sketch, and then exit out of the part, and now I have those two linked together. Now, it looks exactly the same, but here's where things get interesting. Let's click on this part here, come over here and edit that part, go to the original sketch, which is right up here, and instead of three inches, let's go ahead and change that value here to six inches.
It will automatically update, and notice the cap automatically resizes the same amount. You can add in-context features all over your part, linking to all types of different features, dimensions, and sizes, and this is just a very simple example, showing you just one linked variable, but you can add hundreds, and you can have one part as the driving part, and you can have multiple other parts all referencing it and adjusting as that part changes. It's a very powerful feature inside of SolidWorks, and allows you to make a lot of edits and changes, all based upon one master part.
Author
Released
11/11/2015Author Gabriel Corbett first shows how to create 2D sketches and use the Extrude and Revolve tools to turn those sketches into 3D parts. Then he shows how to create more complex geometry with sweeps, lofts, and cuts. Then we jump into lessons covering modifier tools such as Fillet, Chamfer, Draft, and Shell. Then you learn how to create uniform standard holes with the Hole Wizard, and use the pattern and mirror features to reuse geometry. Next we combine parts into assemblies and create a moving assembly from parts and subassemblies. Finally, we create accurately annotated drawings, ready to hand off to a manufacturer.
- Creating your first 3D part
- Creating sketches
- Modeling with the Extrude and Revolve features
- Applying materials, colors, and backgrounds
- Sketching basic shapes and polygons
- Creating offset geometry
- Moving, copying, and rotating elements
- Working with planes, axes, and the coordinate system
- Creating smooth and angled corners with fillets and chamfers
- Advanced part modeling with the Loft and Sweep features
- Using the Hole Wizard
- Designing with blocks
- Building assemblies and subassemblies
- Mating parts
- Using design tables
- Adding parts and assemblies to drawings
- Adding dimension notations to a drawing
Skill Level Beginner
Duration
Views
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Introduction
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Welcome1m 3s
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1. Introduction to SOLIDWORKS
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SOLIDWORKS templates3m 11s
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2. SOLIDWORKS Quick Start
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Creating your first 3D part3m 12s
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Basic steps for 3D modeling3m 21s
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3. Basic Part Modeling
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Creating sketches6m 23s
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Using the Extrude feature3m 48s
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Creating revolved features4m 25s
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Making revolved cuts3m 31s
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Finding mass properties2m 23s
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4. Sketch Tools
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Line and Centerline tools4m 47s
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Using the Rectangle tool4m 8s
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Circles and arcs2m 20s
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Slots and ellipses3m 29s
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Sketching polygons2m 8s
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Creating text2m 56s
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Using the Spline tool3m 42s
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5. Modifying Sketches
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Creating offset geometry3m 17s
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Using the Mirror tools1m 21s
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6. Reference Geometry
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Working with planes4m 46s
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Making an axis1m 37s
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Creating a coordinate system2m 35s
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7. Part Modifications
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Adding fillets to a part3m 5s
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Chamfering edges1m 3s
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Using the Shell command1m 37s
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Using the Mirror command4m 15s
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Creating linear patterns1m 51s
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8. Advanced Part Modeling
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Loft tool9m 37s
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Making lofted cuts1m 34s
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Creating swept shapes2m 38s
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Making swept cuts2m 38s
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Using the Wrap command2m 42s
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Boundary boss and base2m 7s
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Intersect tool1m 23s
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Working with configurations3m 51s
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9. Hole Wizard
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Positioning holes in 3D2m 32s
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10. Blocks
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Creating blocks2m 39s
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11. Building Assemblies
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Starting an assembly2m 53s
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Working with subassemblies3m 54s
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Making linear patterns5m 15s
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Creating circular patterns1m 56s
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Using the Toolbox2m 53s
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12. Advanced Mates
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Working with mate types2m 58s
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Mating parts with Path Mate2m 13s
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Mechanical mates3m 54s
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13. In-Context Modeling
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Linking to layout sketches2m 49s
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14. Using Design Tables
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Using design tables5m 19s
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15. Part Drawings
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16. Dimensioning
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Creating ordinate dimensions2m 17s
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17. Adding General Annotations
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Adding annotations12m 33s
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Adding custom properties5m 8s
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18. Assembly Drawings
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Conclusion
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Next steps1m 16s
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Video: Linking sketches to other parts