Auto Define is a powerful feature in SolidWorks that allows you to automatically define the dimensions and relations of sketch entities. It can save you a significant amount of time by eliminating the need to manually add dimensions and relations to your sketches. In this tutorial, we will learn how to use the Auto Define feature effectively.
Enabling Auto Define
To start using Auto Define, you need to ensure that the feature is enabled in your SolidWorks settings. To do this, go to Tools > Options, then select the System Options tab.
Under the Sketch category, make sure that the “Enable on-screen numeric input on entity creation” option is checked. This will allow you to use Auto Define while sketching.
Using Auto Define While Sketching
To demonstrate how Auto Define works, let’s create a simple sketch of a rectangle. Start by selecting the desired sketch plane and choose the Rectangle tool from the Sketch toolbar. Click and drag in the graphics area to specify two opposite corners of the rectangle.
Note: Auto Define works best when your sketch entities are fully defined without any under-defined or over-defined conditions.
You will notice that as you drag your mouse, SolidWorks automatically adds dimensions and relations to define your sketch entities. The dimensions are displayed dynamically as you move your cursor, making it easy for you to visualize and adjust them on-the-fly.
Dynamically Adjusting Dimensions
If you want to adjust a dimension while creating a sketch entity, simply click on it and enter a new value. SolidWorks will update the sketch entity accordingly. This can be especially useful when you have specific dimension requirements or need to maintain design constraints.
Controlling Auto Dimensioning
SolidWorks provides several options to control the behavior of Auto Define. You can access these options by going to Tools > Options, then selecting the Sketch category and clicking on the Auto Dimensioning tab.
You can choose whether to display dimensions as you sketch, enable or disable automatic relations, and control the type of dimensions that are added by default (horizontal, vertical, or aligned).
Conclusion
The Auto Define feature in SolidWorks is a powerful tool that can greatly enhance your sketching workflow. By automatically adding dimensions and relations, it saves you time and ensures that your sketches are fully defined. Remember to enable Auto Define in your SolidWorks settings and experiment with its various options for optimal results.
I hope you found this tutorial helpful! Happy sketching!