SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 7: Selecting Features

Applying the values .......................................................................................

When you first select an edge for the variable radius fillet, the endpoints are identified by callout

flags with the value unassigned. A preview does not display until at least one of the points has a

radius value in the box. You can also apply radius values in the PropertyManager, but they are eas-

ier to keep track of using the callouts. Figure 7.38 shows a variable radius fillet after the edge selec-

tion, after one value has been applied, and after three values have been applied. To apply a radius

value that is not at the endpoint of an edge, you can select one of the three colored dots along the

selected edge. The preview should show you how the fillet will look in wireframe display.

FIGURE 7.38

Assigning values to a variable radius fillet

By default, the variable radius fillet puts five points on an edge, one at each endpoint, one at the

midpoint, and one each halfway between the ends and middle. If you want to create an additional

control point, there are three ways to do it:

l (^) Ctrl+drag an existing point
l Select the callout of an existing point and change the P (percentage) value
l (^) Change the Number of Instances value in the Variable Radius Parameters panel of the
PropertyManager