SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 33: Animating with MotionManager

When you have added the physical simulation items, the MotionManager design tree looks like

Figure 33.22. Editing items such as contact and gravity does not use the interface options that have

been available in the rest of the SolidWorks software starting in the 2008 release. Left-click (select)

does not bring up a context toolbar; you have to right-click and access the full RMB menu.

Because this example goes by so quickly, you may wish to use the Playback Speed drop-down

menu to get a better look at it. You can also set playback looping options with the drop-down

menu to the right of the Playback Speed.

FIGURE 33.22

The MotionManager design tree with added items

Using motors and springs

The use of motors does not necessarily require Basic Motion, but if you include springs, or contact

or gravity problems, it does. Torsion springs require Motion Analysis, but linear springs only

require Basic Motion. This example (on the CD-ROM as Chapter 33 ratchet.SLDASM) shows

a motor driving a gear with a ratchet held to the gear teeth by a spring. I’ve added a swinging ball

on a spring to show this isn’t simple 2D functionality.

FIGURE 33.23

A motor, gear, and ratchet assembly driven by Basic Motion