SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 18: Working with Library Features

Tip
When saving assemblies to the library, it is recommended that you put the parts in a separate folder to segre-
gate the parts of different assemblies. n

Routing

Routing is a separately purchased add-in that is included with SolidWorks Office Premium. It

includes piping, tubing (rigid and flexible), and wiring. Routing makes extensive use of libraries

and automation, but is not part of the scope of this book. The documentation on Routing at this

time is rather sparse, but SolidWorks offers a reseller training class, and at this time, it’s your best

bet for information on this add-in.

Smart Components

Smart Components are components that resize by automatically selecting configurations, depend-

ing on the size of the geometry onto which they are being dropped. They do this from a design

table–like interface that you set up to enable it to automatically select part configurations based on

mating part sizes. For example, a clamp with many sizes driven by configurations would select the

correct config when dropped onto different sizes of cylinders. This is a very useful tool. Smart

Components are discussed in depth in Chapter 19.

Creating Library Features

When you save library features to the library, they use the file extension *.sldlfp (library feature

part). They must contain some base geometry, which simulates the part onto which the feature will

be dropped. The base geometry is not transferred to the new part; only features that are marked

with the “L” in the FeatureManager (for Library) are transferred to the new part. Figure 18.7 shows

the FeatureManager of a library feature part.

FIGURE 18.7

The FeatureManager of a library feature part