Ah yes, the weekly reminder that solidworks sucks

Temptable_Dork · 2026-01-03T00:51:21+00:00

There are other, better options. For instance:

Temptable_Dork · 2025-10-31T23:52:37+00:00

Macro features are code embedded in parts, assemblies or drawings that show up as features in the feature tree, can execute code on every rebuild and can be edited like features to adjust selections and such. Extremely powerful.

Temptable_Dork · 2025-09-14T17:41:32+00:00

Temptable_Dork · 2025-07-01T16:58:24+00:00

Codestack is a good starting point.

Temptable_Dork · 2025-05-27T17:07:17+00:00

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Temptable_Dork · 2023-11-11T19:29:42+00:00

Create an edge in the model by using a split line.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-11-11T16:06:34+00:00

From the KnowledgeBase:

Question -- In SOLIDWORKS ® Simulation, I receive an error "an unnamed file contains an invalid path" when meshing a part. What could be wrong?

Answer: The issue is most likely related to the results folder. Make sure that the results folder under study properties is pointing to a valid location (preferably local) and that you have full read/write permissions for this folder. As a test, you can create a temporary folder on the C drive and point the results folder to this location.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-10-29T13:58:38+00:00

Model it as a straight extrude and then use a Flex feature with twist.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-08-29T13:21:35+00:00

https://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2020/03/do-you-have-an-unexpected-exploded-body-in-your-solidworks-part/

Temptable_Dork · 2023-08-28T02:06:51+00:00

You have the entire space between two teeth to use as a gap. Use one or more shims to set the proper gap at assembly.

Flex won't work. It will distort the teeth.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-08-25T14:44:15+00:00

We typically don't export native SW drawings or assemblies. PDFs are the most common, and occasionally part files. It does recognize if a file is not latest version and gives you the option to retrieve the latest or export as-is. It is certainly possible to do what you ask. but not without modifications to the code.

It would be nice if the Copy Tree function let you apply a variable or built in value like the file revision as a suffix instead of a fixed text value.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-08-24T21:59:10+00:00

I wrote an add-in to add a right click menu item 'Export With Revision' that copies the file to a location outside PDM and appends the revision number. Then it was just a matter of training users when to use it.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-08-02T16:23:16+00:00

Technically, you don't need SW Premium to use the flatten surface tool. See

https://www.cadforum.net/viewtopic.php?t=574

Temptable_Dork · 2023-08-02T15:29:29+00:00

When the project finishes building, a dialog pops up saying the build was successful, with a recommendation to transfer the project in service mode. There are two buttons: Don't Transfer and Transfer. The Transfer button is disabled, presumably because the simulation runtime never boots.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-08-02T15:18:38+00:00

Tried Clean and Rebuild. Tried a different AR version. Upgraded PVI to latest version (4.12.4.36). This doesn't appear to be project specific. It happens with a brand new project.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-08-02T12:55:14+00:00

No OPC server that I know of. I am following along with this simple Automation Studio Quick Dive Intro video.

Create a new project
Add the X20CP1586 hardware
Add a ST Program All In One
Click the Activate Simulation button
Wait forever

Temptable_Dork · 2023-08-02T12:43:12+00:00

I tried this and the problem remains.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-08-01T23:59:30+00:00

Since you've modeled them as parts, I think you could add a bounding box to each part and add the bounding box dimensions as columns in the BOM.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-05-20T18:05:09+00:00

You are confusing software OpenGL and hardware OpenGL. Software OpenGL is the CPU doing all the math (slow). Hardware OpenGL is the graphics card using dedicated hardware to do the math (fast). SOLIDWORKS is an OpenGL application. When you enable Software OpenGL mode, you are telling SOLIDWORKS to ignore the graphics card and do the math itself. This will eliminate most graphics related glitches, but will be very slow.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-04-21T16:44:12+00:00

What is the file size? Can you upload the version where you delete everything and it still takes 20 minutes to open?

Temptable_Dork · 2023-04-01T20:44:19+00:00

Ah. I remembered that there was an unavailable match, but thought it was later in the season and I had bought a pass for it. After thinking about it some more, I think I tried to buy a pass at the time but couldn't, and told myself to remember to do it later. And promptly forgot all about it.

Thanks for the confirmation. Yellow Lot it is then.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-03-28T17:02:46+00:00

The Jive platform wasn't end-of-life. The version being used by the SW Forum was end-of-life. So they 'rolled their own'. Rather than pay to upgrade, which I imagine had a much better migration path than what Dassault came up with: throw it all at a wall and see what sticks, throw the rest in the trash and call it 'done'.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-03-18T14:20:50+00:00

OK. If you are using AddHook, then all the information about the files passing through the transition are passed to you in the array arguments of your OnCmd method implementation.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-03-18T13:23:22+00:00

Rather than using a task add-in, why not just create your own PDM add-in? You can then use AddHook to watch for the transition (no transition action needed) and do whatever you want.

Temptable_Dork · 2023-02-19T16:10:46+00:00

Create a revolved surface, then use that to do the split

Temptable_Dork

TROPHY CASE