How Do You Fix a Driven Dimension in SolidWorks?

by

How Do You Fix a Driven Dimension in SolidWorks?

In SolidWorks, driven dimensions are used to display the size or location of a feature, but they do not control the geometry. They are usually displayed in gray color to indicate that they are not editable.

However, there may be instances when you need to fix or change a driven dimension. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to fix a driven dimension in SolidWorks.

Method 1: Convert Driven Dimension to Driving Dimension

If you want to make a driven dimension editable and control the geometry, you can convert it into a driving dimension. Here’s how:

  1. Select the driven dimension by clicking on it.
  2. Right-click and choose “Display as Driven” from the context menu.
  3. The driven dimension will now appear editable and will control the geometry.

This method allows you to change a driven dimension into a driving dimension without deleting and recreating it.

Method 2: Delete and Recreate the Driven Dimension

If you prefer to start fresh or if converting the driven dimension is not an option for some reason, you can delete and recreate it as a driving dimension. Follow these steps:

  1. Select the driven dimension by clicking on it.
  2. Press the Delete key on your keyboard or right-click and choose “Delete” from the context menu.
  3. To create a new driving dimension, select the appropriate sketch entity or feature.
  4. Click on the Smart Dimension tool from the Sketch toolbar or Features toolbar.
  5. Select the desired edges, vertices, or reference geometry for your dimension.
  6. Enter the value for the dimension in the Dimension box.
  7. Press Enter or click on the green checkmark to create the driving dimension.

This method gives you complete control over creating a new driving dimension, allowing you to specify the exact value and location as needed.

Method 3: Change Driven Dimension to a Reference Dimension

If you want to keep the driven dimension but remove it from controlling the geometry, you can change it into a reference dimension. This means that it will still be displayed but will not affect any changes made to the model.

  • Right-click and choose “Change to Reference” from the context menu.

    • The driven dimension will now be converted into a reference dimension and will no longer control the geometry. It will still be visible for reference purposes, but any changes made to it will not affect the model.

    Conclusion

    In SolidWorks, fixing a driven dimension can be done by converting it into a driving dimension, deleting and recreating it, or changing it into a reference dimension. Each method has its advantages depending on your specific requirements. By following these steps, you can effectively fix driven dimensions and have more control over your SolidWorks models.