Chapter 10: Working with Part Configurations
Note
If a window appears with the name Add Rows and Columns, just click OK for now. This window lists parame-
ters that have changed in its lower pane, and it is asking you if you would like to add any of the changed
parameters to the design table. If you would like to add them, just select the parameter in the lower pane and
click OK. If not, just click OK. n
If the design table displays on top of your model, you can either move the model or move the
design table. Moving the design table is a bit tricky and involves dragging the striped-line border of
the Excel window; remember not to grab it at the corners or midpoints, because this will simply
resize it. If you click inside the border, nothing happens. If you click outside of the border, the
Excel window closes. Moving the model may be easier. To do this, Ctrl+drag in blank space in the
graphics window; it pans the display so that you can see the part dimensions.With cell C2 selected, or whatever the next available cell is in the second row, double-click the
OverallLength dimension in the graphics window. SolidWorks adds the proper syntax to the
design table, along with the current value for the first configuration in the list. Fill in values for the
rest of the configurations. You can then calculate these values in Excel using any of the available
techniques.Exit the design table and toggle through the various configurations to see their different lengths.
These examples should get you started on more complex configurations and design tables. Any
dimensions that are controlled by the design table (and that are therefore locked) display in pink
on the screen.Design table settings
Figure 10.19 shows the PropertyManager for design tables. After you have created the table, you
can edit the table settings by right-clicking the table and then selecting Edit Feature. Edit Feature
enables you to edit the settings for the table only; it does not enable you to edit values within the
table.Linked design table
By selecting the From File source option, you can create a design table from an external file; you
can also link the table to the external file. When you use the other two options, Blank and Auto-
Create, SolidWorks stores the Excel file within the SolidWorks document. Linking to an external
file may be useful if you have a non-SolidWorks user who is entering data into the design table, or
if a single table controls multiple parts.Edit control
The Edit Control panel has two options, which act as a toggle. The Allow model edits to update the
design table option is self explanatory, as is its opposite, the Block model edits that would update
the design table option. If the Allow model edits option is selected, and you make a manual change
to the model, the next time you open the design table, SolidWorks warns you about the change
and that it will update the design table. Likewise, if you try to make a manual change and the
Block model edits option is selected, you receive a warning that the value cannot be changed.