Sketch Text Convert Entities in SOLIDWORKS Workaround

If you are reading this article then you have most likely tried to use Convert Entities on SOLIDWORKS  Sketch text and was not able to?!

Although we cannot use Convert Entities on Sketch text (at least for now…SPR shown at end of article) we can use a clever workaround.

Do not use Dissolve Sketch Text

We will not be using the “Dissolve Sketch Text” to convert the Sketch Text into sketch geometry (lines, arcs and splines). This will indeed allow you to convert the Sketch Text but you will lose all links to the original Sketch Text and won’t be able to make simple changes like changing the font size.

If you are interested in seeing a Dissolve Sketch Text example, please take a look at this article: Magic 8 ball blog article using Dissolve Sketch Entities

Project Curve Solution / Workaround

What we will doing is actually creating a Projected Curve feature that will capture the Sketch Text outline first and then we will use Convert Entities on the Curve. See below for the steps!

Start with a Sketch with Sketch Text:

Sketch Text

Next preselect the Sketch and the Plane to which it should be Projected on, then select the Project Curve command.

Preselect and Choose Project Curve

With “Sketch on faces” selected, click the green checkmark to confirm.

Confirm “Sketch on Faces” is selected and Click Ok

Create a new Sketch on the same plane where the Sketch Text was created. Select the Convert Entities command and then choose any edge of the Curve that was created.

HELPFUL NOTE: Hiding the sketch with the Sketch Text will allow you to choose the curve entities easily. You can also use select other.

Create New Sketch > Convert Entities > Select Edge on Curve Created

NOTE: Make sure to start the Convert Entities command first before selecting the edge of the Curve.

Make any changes to sketch geometry, if required.

Make any required changes to the text

Use the sketch where desired, such as a wrap feature.

Sketch with Converted Entities used for Wrap Feature

NEXT let’s make a small change to the original Sketch Text like changing the width factor of the font from 100% to 80%:

Sketch Text changed to 80% Font Width Factor

Warning: Changing the original Sketch Text that results in Geometry change, other than size, may not be captured completely (such as changing the font style). If you do then you will have to delete the converted sketch entities and reuse the convert entities on the updated Curve.

Below we see the updated model after the 80% change to the Font Width Factor where the Sketch Text updated the Curve which updated the Converted Entities in the new sketch being used for the wrap feature.

Model at 80% Font Width Factor

The solution found in this article is a workaround for not being able to directly convert Sketch Text. That being said, there is a reported enhancement request (shown below) in which you can go vote for a future update.

SPR 828902: Ability to convert sketch text lines to sketch entities without first dissolving sketch text.