Adding balloons in SolidWorks is a great way to enhance your technical drawings and make them more visually appealing. Balloons are used to call out specific parts or components in an assembly, making it easier for others to identify and locate them. In this tutorial, we will learn how to add balloons in SolidWorks and explore some of the key features and options available.
Step 1: Accessing the Balloon Tool
To begin, open your assembly file in SolidWorks. Once you have your assembly open, navigate to the “Annotations” tab in the Command Manager at the top of the screen. Within this tab, you will find the “Balloon” tool.
Step 2: Placing Balloons
Click on the “Balloon” tool to activate it. With the tool activated, move your cursor over the desired component or part that you want to add a balloon to. Left-click on the component, and SolidWorks will automatically generate a balloon with a number corresponding to that component.
Note: You can also customize the appearance of balloons by right-clicking on them and selecting “Properties.” In the properties window, you can change various settings such as balloon shape, size, and text formatting.
Adding Text within Balloons
If you want to add specific text within a balloon instead of just using numbers, you can do so by double-clicking on any existing balloon or by selecting one from scratch using the “Balloon” tool as mentioned earlier. Once you have selected or double-clicked on a balloon, simply start typing your desired text within it.
Formatting Text within Balloons
To format text within balloons:
- Double-click on the balloon to activate the text editing mode.
- Select the desired text within the balloon.
- Use the formatting options available in the SolidWorks toolbar to apply bold, italic, underline, or other formatting styles to the selected text.
Step 3: Balloon Options
SolidWorks provides several options to customize balloons according to your specific needs. To access these options, right-click on any balloon and select “Properties.” The properties window will appear, allowing you to modify various aspects of balloons:
- Balloon Style: Choose from different balloon styles, such as circle or cloud.
- Balloon Scale: Adjust the size of balloons for better visibility.
- Leader Attachment: Specify where the leader line should attach to the component (e.g., center, edge).
- Show Quantity: Toggle on/off to display a quantity count next to each balloon.
Step 4: Rearranging Balloons
If you need to rearrange balloons or change their order, simply click and drag them to different locations within your assembly drawing. This flexibility allows you to optimize the arrangement of balloons for clarity and organization.
Note: You can also use alignment tools available in SolidWorks to align multiple balloons vertically or horizontally for a clean and professional look.
Congratulations! You have now learned how to add and customize balloons in SolidWorks.
Balloons are a powerful tool for improving communication and clarity in technical drawings. Experiment with different styles and settings to find what works best for your specific projects.
I hope this tutorial has been helpful in enhancing your understanding of adding balloons in SolidWorks. Start incorporating balloons in your assembly drawings to make them more engaging and informative!