Page 56 - Mastering SolidWorks

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24 CHAPTER 1 IntroduCIng SolIdWorkS

Working with Associativity
In SolidWorks, associativity refers to links between documents, such as a part that has an associa-
tive link to a drawing. If the part changes, the drawing updates as well. Bidirectional associativity
means that the part can be changed from the part or the drawing document window. One of the
implications of this is that you do not edit a SolidWorks drawing by simply moving lines on
the drawing; you must change the 3D model, which causes all drawing views of the part or
assembly to update correctly.
Other associative links include using inserted parts (also called base or derived parts), where
one part is inserted as the first feature in another part. This might be the case when you build a
casting. If the part is designed in its “as cast” state, it is then inserted into another part where
machining operations are performed by cut features and the part is transformed into its “as
machined” state. This technique is also used for plastic parts where a single shape spans multiple
plastic pieces. A “master part” is created and split into multiple parts. An example would be a
mouse cover and buttons.
One of the most important aspects of associativity is file management. Associated files stay
connected by filenames. If a document name is changed and one of the associated files is not
updated appropriately, the association between the files can become broken. For this reason, you
should use either SolidWorks or SolidWorks Explorer to change the names of associated files.

Best Practice

It is considered best practice to use SolidWorks or SolidWorks explorer to rename associated parts.
avoid using Windows explorer.

The Bottom Line

Easy access to your tools cuts just seconds out of your work time every day, but a good
habit will cut minutes, and several good habits can cut hours.
Master It After SolidWorks has been installed as shown in this chapter, find the desktop
icon, and put it on your taskbar or other easy-to-access interface element.
File organization is one of the keys to a successful SolidWorks implementation. While I
don’t expect you to have everything figured out at this stage in your learning, you need to
start thinking about how to manage your SolidWorks libraries of templates and key
features as well as your project data.
Master It Make sure you know where the settings in Tools ➢ Options are located for
identifying the locations for templates, and change this location if necessary.
One of the key concepts of managing SolidWorks is associativity. Data created in one file
can be shown in another file. For example, part data is shown in both assemblies
and drawings.
Master It Open a SolidWorks drawing (*.slddrw) and drag a SolidWorks part
(*.sldprt) onto it. Make a change to the part and watch it update on the drawing.