How Do You Change the Dimension of a Drawing in SolidWorks?

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In SolidWorks, changing the dimension of a drawing is a fundamental skill that every user should possess. By adjusting the dimensions, you can accurately represent the size and proportions of your model in a 2D drawing. In this tutorial, we will explore the various methods to change dimensions in SolidWorks.

Method 1: Using Smart Dimension

Smart Dimension is a powerful tool in SolidWorks that allows you to add and modify dimensions easily. To change the dimension of a drawing using Smart Dimension:

  1. Select the desired sketch entity or feature.
  2. Go to the Annotations tab and click on Smart Dimension.
  3. Click on two points or edges to define the dimension line.
  4. Type in the desired dimension value and press Enter.

You can also use Smart Dimension to modify existing dimensions by selecting them and dragging their reference points.

Method 2: Using Modify Dimensions

If you already have dimensions added to your drawing but need to change their values, you can use the Modify Dimensions tool. Follow these steps:

  1. Select one or multiple dimensions that you want to modify.
  2. Right-click on any selected dimension and choose Modify.
  3. Type in the new value for the dimension(s) and click OK.

This method is particularly useful when you need to make changes to multiple dimensions simultaneously.

Method 3: Using Equations

In some cases, you may want to create parametric drawings where various dimensions are linked together through equations. This ensures that changing one dimension automatically adjusts others. To change dimensions using equations:

  1. Go to the Equations tab.
  2. Click on Add Equation.
  3. Select the dimension you want to change and define its new value with an equation.
  4. Click OK to apply the equation.

This method is useful for maintaining design intent and making quick changes to multiple dimensions without individually modifying each one.

Method 4: Using Configurations

If you have multiple configurations of your model, you can change the dimension of a specific configuration in the drawing. Here’s how:

  1. Select the desired configuration from the Configuration Manager.
  2. Edit the dimension as described in Method 1 or Method 2.

This allows you to create drawings that showcase different variations of your model without having to create separate files for each configuration.

Conclusion:

In SolidWorks, changing dimensions in a drawing is a straightforward process. Whether you need to modify individual dimensions, link them through equations, or work with different configurations, SolidWorks provides versatile tools that make it easy to achieve accurate and precise results. Remember to leverage Smart Dimension, Modify Dimensions, Equations, and Configurations based on your specific requirements.