SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part IV: Creating and Using Libraries

That said, you have two options regarding how you create different sizes. The default option is that

sizes are created as configurations within a single part. The other option is that sizes are created as

individual files.

The best time to make this choice is before you install SolidWorks. Unfortunately, before you install

SolidWorks, you probably do not have any idea that these issues exist. The reason for making this

decision not just early, but immediately, is that if you start using the default setting (configurations),

and make a few configurations for some parts and then switch to using the Save Parts setting, the

parts that are saved out will all have the pre-existing configurations and thus different sizes.

If you find yourself in this situation, it is better to reinstall Toolbox or simply to copy over a new

default set of parts with no configurations.

You can access the Create Configurations and Create Parts options by choosing Toolbox ➪

Configure ➪ Define User Settings, as shown in Figure 17.14. I discuss the other settings in this

dialog box later in this chapter.

FIGURE 17.14

Toolbox settings for the Create Configurations and Create Parts options

Which is better?

The following list contains some pros and cons for each option.