Editing a broken view in SolidWorks is a common task that every user encounters at some point. Broken views occur when there are missing or conflicting references in the model, resulting in a view that cannot be updated or manipulated as desired. Fortunately, SolidWorks provides several tools and techniques to edit and fix broken views effectively.
Identifying the Broken View
Before diving into the editing process, it’s important to identify which view is broken. In SolidWorks, broken views are indicated by a dashed border around the view. Additionally, a warning symbol may appear next to the view name in the FeatureManager Design Tree.
Using the Edit View Dialogue
The first method of editing a broken view is by using the Edit View dialogue. To access this dialogue, simply right-click on the broken view and select “Edit View” from the context menu. This opens up a window where you can make changes to various aspects of the view, including its scale, position, and display style.
Note: The Edit View dialogue is only available for drawing views that have already been placed on the sheet.
Updating References
If your broken view is caused by missing or conflicting references, you can update them manually to fix the issue. To do this:
- Select the broken view by clicking on it.
- In the PropertyManager or FeatureManager Design Tree, locate and expand the “Drawing View” section.
- Under “Drawing View,” you will find options to update or replace references.
- Select “Update Model” if there are missing references that can be resolved automatically.
- Select “Replace Model” if there are conflicts that require selecting new references manually.
Recreating the View
If the broken view cannot be fixed using the above methods, you may need to recreate the view entirely. Follow these steps to recreate a broken view:
- Delete the broken view by right-clicking on it and selecting “Delete” from the context menu.
- Re-insert the desired view by selecting “Insert,” then “Drawing View,” and choosing the appropriate option (e.g., “Model View” or “Section View”).
- Position and scale the newly inserted view as needed.
- If necessary, update any annotations or dimensions associated with the previous broken view.
Troubleshooting Tips
While editing a broken view, you may encounter certain challenges along the way. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you overcome them:
- Check for unresolved external references: If your model contains external references that haven’t been resolved, it can lead to broken views. Use SolidWorks’ External References dialogue to resolve these issues.
- Verify sketch entities and features: Ensure that all sketch entities and features used in your views are properly defined and not suppressed or deleted.
- Consider design changes: If your broken views persist despite following all troubleshooting steps, it might be worth revisiting your model’s design. Look for potential conflicts or inconsistencies that could be causing the issue.
In conclusion, editing a broken view in SolidWorks is a straightforward process when armed with the right knowledge and tools. By identifying the broken view, using tools like Edit View dialogue and updating references, as well as resorting to recreating views if necessary, you can effectively resolve any issues that arise.
Remember to troubleshoot common problems and don’t hesitate to seek further assistance if needed. Happy editing!