SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part III: Working with Assemblies

made. This could take the form of a layout sketch, or a skeleton. These concepts are discussed in

Chapters 11, 12, and 13. I discuss the Layout feature, which is different from the layout sketch,

later in this chapter as an additional in-context tool.

Remember that the layout sketch consists of a single or even multiple sketches that control the

overall layout of the assembly, as well as all the relationships between parts. When you refer all the

relations to a single entity that does not change with part configurations, or lose or gain filleted

edges, the intra-part parametrics become much stronger and more stable.

When you are building a mold for plastic injection molding, a single sketch can control the size

and position of the plates, pins, and so on. If all the 3D parts are mated to the 2D sketch, or use

the 2D sketch by converted entities, then the parts will move with the sketch. This same technique

is important and useful for any type of die or punch design, along with many other types of design.

In-context and libraries

Library parts should never contain in-context references, especially if the in-context references are

out of context. Small library assemblies may have in-context references between the parts, but a

single part should not have features created in-context. External references may be unavoidable in

the form of mirrored or inserted parts, but in-context references are completely avoidable.

Removing relations

The correct way to remove in-context sketch relations is by using the Display/Delete Relations tool.
You can sort the relations by selecting the Defined in Context option, as shown in Figure 16.14.

FIGURE 16.14

Sorting sketch relations by type