The Top 5 Tools in SolidWorks You Didn’t Know You Needed

SolidWorks is a comprehensive and versatile software that offers a wide range of tools and features to help designers and engineers create 3D models and assemblies. While many users are familiar with the basic tools and functionalities of SolidWorks, some features are often overlooked or underused but can significantly improve productivity and efficiency.

Here are the top 5 most underused tools in SolidWorks:

Custom Property Tab Builder:

In SolidWorks, Custom Property Tab Builder is a built-in tool that allows users to create custom property tabs within the software. Custom property tabs are user interfaces that provide quick access to custom properties for parts, assemblies, and drawings.

To create a custom property tab in SolidWorks, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the Custom Property Tab Builder by going to Tools > Customize > Custom Property Tab Builder.
2. In the Custom Property Tab Builder, select the type of document you want to create the custom property tab for (part, assembly, or drawing).
3. Click the “Add Tab” button to create a new tab.
4. Add properties to the tab by clicking the “Add Property” button and filling out the necessary information, such as the name and type of the property.
5. Organize the properties into categories by dragging and dropping them into the desired category.
6. Customize the appearance of the custom property tab by selecting the tab or property and using the formatting options in the “Properties” pane.
7. Save the custom property tab by clicking the “Save” button.

Once you have created a custom property tab, you can use it in SolidWorks by opening the document type it was created for and selecting the tab from the “Custom Properties” dialog box. This can help you streamline your workflow and improve productivity by allowing you to access and modify important custom properties easily.

Part Reviewer:

Part Reviewer is a tool that allows users to review and analyze the geometry, mass properties, and annotations of parts and compare them with the original design intent. This tool can help identify errors or discrepancies in the model and ensure that the model meets all design requirements. Despite its usefulness, many users do not use Part Reviewer, instead relying on visual inspection or other methods to review parts.

Here’s how to use the Part Reviewer tool:

1. Open the part you want to review in SolidWorks.
2. Click on the “Evaluate” tab at the top of the screen.
3. In the “Evaluate” dropdown menu, click on “Part Reviewer”.
4. The Part Reviewer panel will appear on the left-hand side of the screen. The panel has three tabs: “Geometry”, “Mass Properties”, and “Annotations”.
5. Click on the “Geometry” tab to review the geometry of the part. The panel will display information such as the number of features, the number of bodies, and the size of the part.
6. Click on the “Mass Properties” tab to review the mass properties of the part. The panel will display information such as the part’s mass, volume, and center of gravity.
7. Click on the “Annotations” tab to review the annotations of the part. The panel will display information such as the dimension values and tolerances.
8. To compare the part with the original design intent, click on the “Compare” button at the bottom of the Part Reviewer panel.
9. The “Compare with Original” dialog box will appear. Select the original file or configuration you want to compare the part with and click “OK.”
10. The Part Reviewer panel will display the comparison results, highlighting any differences between the part and the original design.

Task Scheduler:

Task Scheduler is a tool that allows users to schedule tasks, such as creating PDF files or performing backups, to run at a specific time or on a regular basis. This tool can help automate repetitive tasks and free up time for more important tasks, yet many users do not take advantage of it.

Here’s how to use the Task Scheduler tool:

1. Open the Task Scheduler tool by clicking on the “Start” menu and searching for “Task Scheduler” in the SolidWorks folder.
2. Once the Task Scheduler tool is open, click on the “Create Task” button.
3. In the “Task Name” field, enter a name for the task.
4. In the “Task Type” section, select the type of task you want to perform from the dropdown menu. For example, you can create a task to save a part as a PDF file or to perform a backup of a file.
5. Depending on the task you selected, additional fields may appear. For example, if you selected “Save As PDF”, you will need to specify the part or assembly you want to save and the location where you want to save the file.
6. In the “Options” section, select the date and time you want the task to run. You can also specify whether you want the task to run once or on a recurring schedule.
7. Click the “Create” button to save the task.
8. To view or edit existing tasks, click on the “View Tasks” button in the Task Scheduler tool.
9. To run a task immediately, select the task from the list and click on the “Run” button.

Design Checker:

Design Checker is a tool that allows users to check their models and drawings against predefined standards and requirements, such as company standards or regulatory requirements. This tool can help ensure that models and drawings are accurate, complete, and meet all necessary standards. Despite its usefulness, many users do not use Design Checker, instead relying on manual checks or other methods to ensure compliance.

Here’s how to use the Design Checker tool:

1. Open the file you want to check in SolidWorks.
2. Click on the “Tools” menu at the top of the screen.
3. In the “Tools” dropdown menu, click on “Check”.
4. The Design Checker panel will appear on the right-hand side of the screen. The panel has three tabs: “Rules”, “Results”, and “Options”.
5. Click on the “Rules” tab to select the rules you want to check. You can choose from a list of predefined rules or create custom rules based on your specific design requirements.
6. Once you have selected the rules you want to check, click on the “Check” button at the bottom of the panel.
7. The Design Checker tool will scan your file and display the results in the “Results” tab. The results will show any errors or warnings that were found, along with information on how to fix them.
8. You can double-click on an error or warning in the results list to highlight the location of the problem in the file.
9. If you want to change the settings for the Design Checker tool, click on the “Options” tab. Here you can adjust the settings for the rules, such as the severity level of the checks or the files to be checked.
10. Once you have made any necessary changes, click on the “Apply” button to save the changes.

Smart Dimension:

Smart Dimension is a tool that allows users to quickly and easily add dimensions and constraints to sketches and features. This tool can help ensure that parts and assemblies are accurately dimensioned and can also be used to create parametric models that can be easily modified.

Final Thoughts on the Underused Tools Within SolidWorks

In conclusion, SolidWorks offers a wide range of powerful tools and features, but some are often overlooked or underused. Users can significantly improve productivity, efficiency, and accuracy in their design and modeling work by taking advantage of these tools. Custom Property Tab Builder, Part Reviewer, Task Scheduler, Design Checker, and Smart Dimension are just a few of the tools in SolidWorks that can help users work smarter and more efficiently.

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