Part IV: Creating and Using Libraries
Getting started with library features
Library features are simple to use and only slightly less simple to set up. For that reason, in this chap-
ter I discuss using them first, so that you know what kind of behavior you are trying to create when
you go to make your own features. As a result, setting them up should make a little more sense.To use a library feature, you just drag-and-drop it from the Design Library onto the appropriate
geometry. You are then prompted to select references in the new part that match the base geometry
that the library feature is attached to. You can be fairly creative with references, but one of the
goals when creating the feature is to make it work with as few references as possible, in order to
make it easy, fast, and reliable to use.SolidWorks software installs with several sample library features in the Design Library. The follow-
ing demonstration uses some of these standard library features. Later, you can add library features
from the CD-ROM to your Design Library.Applying the Library Feature interface
Library features work best if they go from a certain type of geometry to a similar type of geometry;
for example, from rectangular to rectangular or from circular to circular. This is because the rela-
tions or dimensions that link the feature to the rest of the part tend to be dimensions from straight
edges or concentric sketch relations. Of course, there are other ways of applying library features, but
these are the most prevalent. Library features can be applied unconstrained and then constrained or
moved later, but the process is cleanest when it all just falls together correctly the first time.Task Pane
You do not have to save the part or do anything special before applying a library feature. All you
need to do is find the Task Pane. The Task Pane is the window that flies out from the right when
you open SolidWorks. You may have turned it off and forgotten about it, in which case you can
turn it back on by choosing View ➪ Task Pane from the menu.The Task Pane automatically closes when you click outside of it unless you pin it open using the
pushpin icon in the upper-right corner of the window. When you do this, any toolbars that
appeared on the right side of the Task Pane control tabs are moved out and positioned between the
graphics window and the Task Pane, which now remains open by default.You can also detach the Task Pane by dragging the bar at the top of the pane. Figure 18.1 shows
the Task Pane docked to the right side of the SolidWorks window.Tip
If you are using dual monitors, you can drag the detached Task Pane onto the second monitor, which enables
you to use the Task Pane and at the same time gives you more room in the graphics area. You must do this for
each session; the Task Pane does not remember positions on a second monitor. n