Page 289 - Mastering SolidWorks

Chapter 8

Selecting Secondary Features

When you need to create features that are somewhat outside the mainstream, you may need to
reach deeper into SolidWorks. SolidWorks has lots of functionality that lies out of the public eye
that may be just what you are looking for in certain situations. You probably will not use the
tools you find in this chapter every day, but knowing about them may mean the difference
between having the capability and not having it.

IN THIS CHAPTER, YOU WILL LEARN TO:

◆ Define and create curves in SolidWorks
◆ Choose an occasional specialty feature

Creating Curve Features

Curves in SolidWorks are often used to help define sweeps and lofts, as well as other features.
Curves differ from sketches in that curves are defined using sketches or a dialog box, and you
cannot manipulate them directly or dimension them in the same way that you can sketches.
Functions that you are accustomed to using with sketches often do not work on curves.
These curve features are covered in this chapter:

◆ Projected Curve
◆ Helix and Spiral
◆ Curve Through XYZ Points
◆ Curve Through Reference Points
◆ Composite Curve
◆ Imported Curve
Several features that carry the curve name are actually sketch-based features:

◆ 3D Sketch
◆ Equation-Driven Curve
◆ Intersection Curve
◆ Face Curve

Mastering SolidWorks, First Edition. Matt Lombard.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.