Frequent question: What does the minus mean in Solidworks?

What does the minus sign mean next to sketch in SOLIDWORKS?

26. A sketch has a minus sign in front of its name in the FeatureManager design tree if it is under defined, and a plus sign if it is over defined.

Why is my sketch under defined?

In this tech tip we’ll answer the common question: Why is my SOLIDWORKS Sketch Pattern Under Defined? The reason is because the sketch instances can rotate. You could previously Fully Define the instances by adding a Horizontal or Vertical relation on one of the construction lines tied to the instances.

How do you define a point in SOLIDWORKS?

To fully define a sketch:

1. Edit a sketch.
2. Click Fully Define Sketch. (Dimensions/Relations toolbar) or Tools > Dimensions > Fully Define Sketch.
3. Set the options for relations and dimensions in the Fully Define Sketch PropertyManager.
4. Click .

What is FeatureManager design tree SOLIDWORKS?

The FeatureManager design tree on the left side of the SOLIDWORKS window provides an outline view of the active part, assembly, or drawing. This makes it easy to see how the model or assembly was constructed or to examine the various sheets and views in a drawing.

What is a contour in Solidworks?

A Contour is simply an enclosed shape. We see them all the time in circles, rectangles, and squares. The more closed contours we add into our sketch, the more complex it becomes. These multiple Contours create regions in our sketches as seen below.

How do you Unfix a component in Solidworks?

To fix or float an assembly component:

1. Right-click the component in the graphics area or the component’s name in the FeatureManager design tree.
2. Select Fix or Float.
3. In assemblies with multiple configurations, select This Configuration, All Configurations, or Specified Configurations.

Why are some lines blue and some black in SolidWorks?

As you begin a sketch, you can drag the entities to change their shape or position. In this rectangle, the black left and bottom lines are fixed to the origin, but you can drag the top and right lines. Blue indicates that the entity is not fixed, and light blue indicates that the entity is selected.

How do you fully define a mate in SolidWorks?

Adding Mates

1. Click Mate (Assembly toolbar), or click Insert > Mate.
2. In the PropertyManager, under Mate Selections, select the entities that you want to mate together for Entities to Mate . …
3. Click to close the PropertyManager, or click before you click to create a new mate.

What does fully defined mean in Solidworks?

Fully defines the sketch by applying combinations of relations and dimensions. Selected entities. Applies relations and dimensions only to specific sketch entities that you select for Entities to Fully Define. Calculate. Analyzes the sketch and generates the appropriate relations and dimensions.

What is a sketch in Solidworks?

The sketch is the basis for a 3D model. You can create a sketch on any of the default planes (Front Plane, Top Plane, and Right Plane), or a created plane. You can start by selecting: Sketch entity tools (line, circle, and so on) Sketch tool.

How do I know if undefined in Solidworks?

Method 2 – Go To



Use the “Go To” option to quickly find those under defined sketches. Right click on the feature manager and select “Go to” click start from the top. Type (-) and hit “Find Next.” Keep clicking Find Next to find all the under defined sketches.

What are parents in SOLIDWORKS?

In the model or in the FeatureManager design tree, right-click an entity and select Parent/Child. Parents. Lists the parent features of the selected entity. A parent feature is an existing feature upon which others depend. For example, an extrude is the parent feature to a fillet that rounds its edges.

How do you use property managers in SOLIDWORKS?

The PropertyManager appears on the PropertyManager tab in the panel to the left of the graphics area. It opens when you select entities or commands defined in the PropertyManager. You can choose whether it opens in other cases in Tools > Options > System Options > General .

What is SOLIDWORKS treehouse?

SOLIDWORKS Treehouse is a standalone application designed to build and manage assembly structures before you even start modeling in SOLIDWORKS.