SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 3: Working with Sketches

Note
The interface for the Axis feature has not been changed to match the Plane interface as of pre-release
SolidWorks 2010. Notice that the methods for creating an axis are spelled out clearly in the interface itself. I
expect to see a change to Axis to make it match the Plane interface. n

FIGURE 3.36

Using axes to establish direction

Using coordinate systems

Coordinate Systems in SolidWorks are primarily used for import and export, but can also be used
for mating, mass properties, and other purposes. Coordinate Systems are usually located by a point
to determine location or a set of edges to determine direction. Figure 3.37 shows the
PropertyManager for assigning a coordinate system, along with the Export Options dialog box,
which you can access from the Save As dialog box when the Files of Type drop down is set to an
export format.

To use the coordinate system when saving as a translated file type such as IGES or Parasolid, click

the Options button, as shown in Figure 3.37; at the bottom of the Export Options dialog box, a

selection box for Output coordinate system appears.

To use the coordinate system with mass properties, choose Tools ➪ Mass Properties from the

menu, and then select the Output coordinate system, as shown in Figure 3.38.