SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part I: SolidWorks Basics

FIGURE 5.20

Display States in an assembly

Using Edge Settings

Earlier in this chapter, I discussed the Shaded with Edges display style. Some people think that this

makes the parts look “cartoony.” I agree, especially when the default black edges are used, but the

display improves when the edge color matches the shaded part color. In any case, sometimes this

method is necessary to see the breaks between faces, especially fillets. Cartoony or not, it is also

useful.

Taking this one step further, you can also make use of the tangent edge settings. These settings are

found in the View ➪ Display menu. The settings are

l Tangent Edges Visible. Displays tangent edges as solid lines, just like all other edges

l (^) Tangent Edges as Phantom. Displays tangent edges in a phantom line font
l Tangent Edges Removed. Displays only non-tangent edges
The tangent edges removed setting leaves parts looking like a silhouette. I prefer the phantom
setting because I can easily distinguish between edges that will actually look like edges on the
actual part and edges that only serve to break up faces on the model. The tangent edges visible
setting conveys no additional information, and is the default setting. Figure 5.21 shows a sample
part with all three settings.