Custom properties in SolidWorks allow users to add specific information or attributes to various entities within a design. These properties can be used to store and display data related to parts, assemblies, and drawings. In this tutorial, we will explore the concept of custom properties in SolidWorks and learn how to use them effectively.
Understanding Custom Properties
Custom properties are user-defined attributes that can be associated with SolidWorks files. They are extremely useful for adding additional information, such as part numbers, descriptions, material specifications, or any other relevant data to your designs.
When you create a custom property, it becomes available for use across the entire SolidWorks file set. This means that you can associate the same property with multiple parts, assemblies, or drawings. Custom properties simplify the process of managing and updating information throughout your design project.
Creating Custom Properties
To create a custom property in SolidWorks:
- Select the desired entity (part, assembly, or drawing) where you want to add the custom property.
- Go to File > Properties.
- In the Properties dialog box, click on the Custom tab.
- You will see a list of existing custom properties (if any). To add a new property, click on Add..
- In the Name field, enter a name for your custom property (e.g., Part Number).
- In the Type field, select an appropriate data type for your property (e., Text).
- In the Value / Expression field, enter the desired value or expression for your property.
- Click OK to save the new custom property.
You can repeat these steps to create multiple custom properties for a single entity or across multiple entities within your SolidWorks project.
Using Custom Properties
Once you have created custom properties, you can utilize them in several ways:
- In Part Files: Custom properties can be used to define parameters like part numbers, material specifications, and supplier information. These properties can be displayed in BOM tables, title blocks, and other areas of your part files.
- In Assembly Files: Custom properties can help organize and manage assembly-level data.
They can be used to define attributes like descriptions, revision numbers, or quantities. These properties are particularly useful for generating accurate BOMs and tracking changes in complex assemblies.
- In Drawing Files: Custom properties can be linked to drawing views, annotations, and dimensions. This allows you to automatically populate information such as part names, dimensions, and tolerances from the associated part or assembly files.
The ability to link custom properties across different file types ensures that your design data remains consistent throughout the entire product development process.
Conclusion
Custom properties in SolidWorks provide a powerful way to add specific information and attributes to various entities within your design project. By using custom properties effectively, you can streamline data management, improve documentation accuracy, and enhance collaboration with other team members.
In this tutorial, we explored the concept of custom properties in SolidWorks and learned how to create and utilize them in different file types. Now it’s time for you to apply this knowledge to your own projects and leverage the full potential of custom properties in SolidWorks.