How to Automate Your Dimension in SolidWorks

by Josh on May 17, 2007 · Comments

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solidworks tips So, it’s really lame when you have to make sure to update notes and properties that have dimensions entered in manually. Well, there’s a way to grab a dimension property so you can use it in different places. Nice thing is, if the dimension changes you don’t have to remember where you put it to update it.

This would be for cases where you have a dimension referenced in a note, a design table or…even a BOM. Yeah, that got your attention, feel the excitment ’bout BOM’s… Today is a good day.

Here’s how to do it.

Open your model in a very loud and excited way!

Something you have a BOM for or just create one real quick.

Slap a dimension on what you want to reference and make a whip sound with your mouth – whi-pish!!

I got a little crazy and picked an edge.

add dimension property in solidworks

Add a note and click on the dimension

This adds the dimensions name to the note. You can edit the Note Properties to copy the name that is entered. It looks something like this. “RD1@Annotations@your assembly.moAssembly_c”

add dimension property in solidworks

This is it… if you just want to reference the dimension in a note. You can do the same in a drawing. BUT, if you want it in a BOM or design table keep on readin’.

Proceed to the nearest Custom Property!

This is important, because Custom Properties can be pulled in just about anywhere… BOMs, Drawing Formats, Design Tables, Programs…you get the idea.

If you’re not using custom properties… well, that is just a shame. But, if you are wise and using them, go to File, Properties. The Summary Information pops up. Select the Custom Tab. where your custom properties are.

Click your mouse where you want that crazy dimension to show up

And then click with absolute delight on the dimension, just like above where we added it to a note. The dimension name goes into the custom property and you worries are OVER.

add dimension property in solidworks

That’s it! Now go check out your BOM and sit back as you don’t receive anymore calls from your manager saying a dimension was not updated.

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Comments

Oleg

Can you do something similar in the dimensions text area in a drawing?
Example: I have a slot that goes into a part a certain depth. I want to call out the thickness of the slot and the depth in the same dimension text.

-Thank you

Josh

Good idea! yes you can Oleg. All you would have to do is get the dim name like in the others and add that to the annotation. follow the same process to get the depth dimension name.

Oleg

By dim name do you mean something like RD1@Drawing ViewX? I tried doing that but it did not work. Do I have to put it in brackets or parenthesis or anything like that?
Thanks a lot for the help

Mike

Yes, that's right - it does not work if you try to add it to a dimension. Does anyone have the correct answer? I think the answer is actually "NO, you can't do that"

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Justin

I recently linked some notes to dimensions in a drawing and it worked great. But then I discovered if you delete the original dimension you linked to, the note still keeps the dimension. I was assuming the link would be broke and the dimension lost in the note, so I would know if I deleted a dimension that was linked or not. The worst part about this is if you update your model, your note will no longer update since the orginal dimension is gone.
Any suggestions?

Rod_Uding

Make a sketch and place your dimension into it. Then name the sketch to something that relates to the dimension, like Overall Length and Width. Also, fill in the Description field from the Features Properties to add more information about it and a note not to delete the sketch.

Josh M

Great idea to add the 'Do Not Delete'

I always add this to dims or put instruction, like Modify Here, Overall Length. I want whoever is working on the model to know exactly what to do.

Rod_Uding

Maybe this could be an enhancement request. Since we can add symbols from the dimension manager, maybe they can add a text modifier section that could have a few preset options and be able to add more like the custom properties.