SOLIDWORKS Configuration

Learn more about SOLIDWORKS Configurations for creating different versions of parts and assemblies

How to Suppress/Disable Equations in different SOLIDWORKS Configurations

The ability to configure equations was introduced in SOLIDWORKS 2014.  This change removed the previous simplified functionality of only suppress/unsuppress equations in different configurations.  SOLIDWORKS 2017 introduced disable/enable equations, however this can only be applied to all configurations at once.  So the question is how…

Read More...

Changing Reference Configuration in Inserted Parts and Mirrored or Patterned Instances

In SOLIDWORKS, instances of mirrored or patterned assembly components are not limited to the current configuration of the original part or sub-assembly.  As for any other component, the SOLIDWORKS Reference Configuration of a patterned or mirrored instance can be changed using the Quick Configurations toolbar or…

Read More...

SOLIDWORKS PDM 2019 Selecting a Configuration in the Preview Tab

SOLIDWORKS PDM Configuration Preview

SOLIDWORKS PDM 2019 now gives users the ability to preview a different configuration of a file other than the one that was active when the file was last saved by using an updated SOLIDWORKS PDM Configuration Preview. This new functionality can allow users to quickly view…

Read More...

Protect your SOLIDWORKS Configurations from unwanted features

There is a SOLIDWORKS Configuration Suppress Features checkbox in the advanced options of the Configuration Properties, and it is checked by default.  What is the purpose of the Suppress Features option? If Suppress Features were unchecked, then any features added in other configurations will be…

Read More...

Generating all SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Sizes in One Step when using a Customized Toolbox

The SOLIDWORKS Toolbox add-in uses a database to store information on available SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Sizes and Properties of hardware.  The database is linked to a master part file for each type of hardware. In a new Toolbox, master part files will start with only a Default…

Read More...

A Rebuild Renaissance in SOLIDWORKS 2018

SOLIDWORKS 2018 Rebuild

As you might expect, the rebuild tool in SOLIDWORKS is one of the most frequently used tools in the suite. The frequency of this tool is due to the necessity to regenerate our models into a current state as the physical shape of the model…

Read More...

Improve your SOLIDWORKS Weldments with Configurations!

Using a combination of SOLIDWORKS Weldments and part configurations, you can easily generate and update cutlists for various frame sizes. In this case we’ll look at an example using a basic wooden pallet. In the picture on the left, the base for a wooden pallet…

Read More...

How to Configure a SOLIDWORKS Material

Configure Material

Long-time users of SOLIDWORKS and long-time followers of our blog are no doubt aware that you can configure SOLIDWORKS Dimensions, Features, Custom Properties, and Components in a handy table. However, another advantage with this function is you can also configure SOLIDWORKS material. NOTE: To show the appropriate…

Read More...

Driving Assembly Component with Configured Assembly Dimension

Once in awhile SOLIDWORKS users report that a part driven by a configured assembly dimension will display the same way if different assembly configurations are used in the same higher-level assembly or a drawing.  This is expected. In the example below, there are three parts…

Read More...