SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part II: Building Intelligence into Your Parts

To link several dimensions to the same value at the same time, you can Ctrl+select multiple

dimensions and then right-click one of them and select Link Value. It will link all the dimensions

selected at once. (Thanks to Brian McElyea for this suggestion!)

Tip
One link value name has a special significance. If you use the name thickness, then a Link To Thickness option
appears in all extrude dialog boxes. This is intended to reflect sheet metal functionality, but it is useful for
models of various manufacturing techniques.

To take this one step further, you can save a part template with a thickness link value; all your new parts will
also have this functionality right from the start. To save the template with a link value, you must create at least
one dimension to assign the link value, and then delete the geometry (and the dimension); however, the link
value will remain. n

Link values of different types are not necessarily interchangeable. You cannot use angular

dimension link values on radius, diameter, or linear dimensions. You can use linear and diameter

link values interchangeably, but not angle link values.

Using Global Variables

Global variables are assigned in the Equations dialog box as simply the variable name equaling the

value. Figure 9.11 shows a list of equations, link values, and global variables. When you type in a

variable name, you do not need to add the quotation marks; they are added automatically.

FIGURE 9.11

Equations, link values, and global variables

Despite the word variable in the name global variable, the values are not variable. They are fixed,

and only changeable through the Equations dialog box. The only place you can use global variables

is in equations. You cannot directly enter them into dialog boxes for dimension values, or use them

like Link Values.