Part I: SolidWorks Basics
l (^) Diameter. You can create the dimension by selecting a complete circle and placing the
dimension. If you want a diameter dimension for an arc, use the RMB menu or Dimension
Properties dialog box and select the Diameter Dimension option.
Note
Along with the Radial and Diameter dimensions, you may also want to dimension between arcs or circles,
from tangent or nearest points. To do this, press the Shift key and select the Smart Dimension tool to select
the arcs near the tangent points. Alternatively, to change a dimension from a center-to-center dimension to
a max-to-max dimension, you can drag dimension attachment points to tangent points or use the dimension
properties. n
l Angle. You can create the angle dimension one of two ways. If the angle to be driven is
between two straight lines, simply select the two straight lines and place the dimension. If
you are creating an included angle dimension for an arc where there are not necessarily
any straight lines drawn, then with the Smart Dimension tool active, first select the vertex
of the angle, and then the two outlying points, as shown in Figure 3.3.
FIGURE 3.3
Creating an included angle dimension
Order
unimportant
Click first
l (^) Arc Length. You can create the dimension by selecting an arc and its endpoints with the
Smart Dimension tool.
Line creates straight lines using one of two methods:
l Click+Click. Used for drawing multiple connected end-to-end lines. Click and release the
left-mouse button to start the line; each click and release ends the previous line and starts
a new one. Double-click, press Esc, or deselect the Line tool to end.
l (^) Click and Drag. Used to draw individual or unconnected lines. Click, drag, and drop.
The first click initiates the line, and the drop ends it.