Adding a Properties Sheet ($Prpsheet) in SolidWorks can be a useful way to organize and manage important design information. The $Prpsheet allows you to add custom properties to your SolidWorks parts, assemblies, and drawings. In this tutorial, we will explore how to add a $Prpsheet in SolidWorks and make the most of its features.
Step 1: Opening the Custom Properties Window
Before we begin adding a $Prpsheet, we need to open the Custom Properties window. To do this, go to the File menu at the top of the SolidWorks interface and select Properties.
Step 2: Adding Custom Properties
In the Custom Properties window, you will see various tabs such as Summary Information, Custom, and Configuration Specific. Click on the Custom tab.
To add a new custom property, click on the Add.. button. A dialog box will appear where you can enter the name and value for your custom property.
Note: The name of your custom property should start with a dollar sign ($). For example, $Material or $PartNumber.
Tips for Adding Custom Properties:
- Name: Choose a descriptive name for your custom property that reflects its purpose.
- Type: Select the appropriate data type for your custom property (Text, Number, Date).
- Value: Enter the desired value for your custom property.
- Status: Choose whether your custom property is Editable or Read-only.
- Link to Property: You can link your custom property to other properties in SolidWorks, such as the file name or configuration name.
Step 3: Using the $Prpsheet in Drawings
Once you have added custom properties to your SolidWorks parts or assemblies, you can utilize the $Prpsheet in drawings. This allows you to automatically populate drawing title blocks and other annotations with the custom property values.
To add a $Prpsheet in a drawing:
- Create a new drawing or open an existing one.
- Go to the Insert menu and select Annotations, then choose $PRPSHEET.
- A dialog box will appear where you can select the custom properties you want to include in the $Prpsheet. Choose the desired properties and click OK.
- The $Prpsheet will be added to your drawing. You can resize and reposition it as needed.
Step 4: Editing Custom Properties and Updating the $Prpsheet
If you need to edit a custom property or update the $Prpsheet in your drawings, simply follow these steps:
- Select the part or assembly that contains the custom property you want to edit.
- In the Custom Properties window, go to the Custom tab.
- Edit the value of the desired custom property.
- To update the $Prpsheet in your drawings, right-click on the $Prpsheet annotation and select Update $PRPSHEET.
Additional Tips:
- You can also add custom properties to configurations in SolidWorks. Simply switch to the desired configuration in the Custom Properties window and add the custom properties.
- The $Prpsheet is a dynamic feature, meaning it will update automatically when you make changes to custom properties.
By utilizing the $Prpsheet in SolidWorks, you can streamline your design process and ensure accurate documentation. Custom properties provide a flexible way to store and display important information about your parts, assemblies, and drawings. Remember to save your work regularly to preserve the changes made to custom properties.
Now that you know how to add a $Prpsheet in SolidWorks, try implementing it in your own projects for improved organization and efficiency!