In SolidWorks, display states are an essential feature that allows users to control the visibility and appearance of components within a model. They provide a convenient way to show or hide specific parts, change their colors, and apply different configurations without altering the original design. Display states help streamline the design process by allowing designers to create multiple representations of a model for different purposes, such as assembly instructions, visual presentations, or technical drawings.
Creating Display States
To create display states in SolidWorks, follow these steps:
- Accessing the Display State Manager: Go to the Configuration tab in the FeatureManager Design Tree and expand the Display Pane. Right-click on Display States and select “Add Display State” from the context menu.
- Naming the Display State: After clicking on “Add Display State,” enter a name for the new state in the pop-up window. Choose a descriptive name that reflects its purpose or intended use.
- Modifying Component Visibility: In the newly created display state, you can modify component visibility by selecting components and choosing options like “Hide,” “Show,” or “Isolate” from the right-click context menu.
- Applying Appearance Changes: To change colors or appearances of components within a display state, select them individually or collectively and apply desired changes through SolidWorks’ Appearance Editor.
Managing Multiple Display States
SolidWorks allows users to create multiple display states for a single model. This feature proves particularly useful when different representations are required for various design scenarios. To manage multiple display states:
- Duplicating Display States: Right-click on an existing display state and select “Duplicate Display State” to create a copy. This allows you to make minor modifications while keeping the original intact.
- Renaming Display States: Right-click on a display state and choose “Rename” to give it a new name that better reflects its updated purpose or appearance.
- Deleting Display States: To remove a display state, right-click on it and select “Delete.” Be cautious when deleting display states as it can’t be undone, and all associated changes will be lost.
Working with Display States in Assemblies
The power of display states becomes even more apparent when working with assemblies in SolidWorks. With display states, designers can create customized views of an assembly by controlling visibility at the component level. This allows for more effective communication of design intent and simplifies the process of creating assembly instructions or exploded views.
Creating Exploded Views
To create an exploded view using display states:
- Create an Exploded Configuration: Duplicate the default configuration and rename it as “Exploded View. “
- Edit the Exploded Configuration: Modify component positions by dragging them along specified directions. Use the Mate Controller or other available tools to define relationships between components in their exploded positions.
- Create a New Display State: Right-click on the newly created exploded configuration and select “Add Display State.”
Rename this state according to its purpose, such as “Exploded View. “
- Show/Hide Components: In the exploded view display state, show or hide components selectively to achieve desired visual representation. Use options like “Hide,” “Show,” or “Isolate” for individual components or groups.
By utilizing display states effectively, designers can easily switch between different representations of a model, greatly enhancing the efficiency of design reviews, documentation creation, and collaboration with colleagues or clients.