SolidWorks Cutaway Animation

Hi All, sorry for being too late in posting this one. So before putting any further delay here are the steps by steps on doing “SolidWorks Cutaway Animation”. Please note that you should have SolidWorks Professional OR Premium installed in order to access the animation/motion manager.

If you’re reading this for first time do check this completed animation

Download the files you would need for this animation here. The files are in SW2013 version.

1. Open the assembly SolidWorks Cutaway Animation.

2. Set the three default assembly planes to show (optional, but make it easier in selection).

3. Insert a part named Cutting Plate and drop it anywhere in assembly.

4. Select the top face of Cutting Plate and add a distance mate for 140 mm between assembly top plane and top face of the Cutting Plate.

5. Rotate the view and go on the back side.

6. Select the face shown and add a coincident mate with Right plane (important).

7. Select the face shown and add a coincident mate with Front plane (important).

8. You may now set the three assembly plane to hidden state (in case you’ve set them to show).

9. Select the top face of Cutting Plate and start a new sketch (important).

10. Now click on the convert entities to get the sketch we need for this animation (I’ve set the Cutting Plate to hidden state for clarity).

11. With the sketch active, go to Insert > Assembly Features > Cut > Extrude.

12. Set End condition as thru all. Under Feature Scope uncheck “Auto Select” and then select the components you want to cut thru.

13. Click OK to exit the sketch/cut feature mode. Test the set up by changing the distance mate from 140mm to 5mm. You should see the cut feature in the assembly. Keep the distance as 5mm only (optional).

14. In case you don’t see the cut, then please change the cut-extrude direction.

15. Once you set it up, then switch to motion study tab. Please note that you should have the MotionManager selected under View menu.

16. In the motion study tab, drag the slider to any time (in this I’ve set it to 6 sec).

17. Expand the mates folder.

18. Double click on the distance mate we have set between the top plane and cutting plane. Set the value back to 140mm. Click OK to set the distance.

19. Now you should see the blue lines in the motion manager which represent change in the vale.

20. Finally click on calculate button and enjoy the animation.

You can add motors to the shaft to get more realistic animation. I’ve used PhotoView360 to process this animation shown below.

SolidWorks World 2014 Proceedings are available now!

I hope every enjoyed their time at SolidWorks World 2014  at the San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA. It was great to be a part of the event and meet lot of people.

This year also there were lot of interesting presentations and hands on sessions were conducted by various professionals including SolidWorks employees, SolidWorks Users and SolidWorks VARs. And like everyone, I was also waiting for them to get these presentation and videos upload for access to everyone.

So the wait is over now and the SolidWorks World 2014 proceedings site is now available.

Visit http://www.solidworks.com/sww/proceedings/ to acceess the proceedings information.

Be sure to take full advantage of this year’s proceedings site. Watch breakout session videos, download breakout session PowerPoints and check out photos from this year’s event. Also, view the 2014 highlights video and videos from general session each day.

Hope to see you at SolidWorks World 2015 in San Diego, CA!

P.S. The copyrights of the video content on this web site are owned by DS SolidWorks. Unless otherwise specified, DS SolidWorks only grants you the right to view the video content on this website

Tow Truck and The Rope Animation – 1

This has been long over due and now I finally got the time to do it.  Many of my reader and viewers has been asking for it and I really feel sorry for not able to deliver it in time. But finally it is here. Check the video below and if you feel you need to know “How to do it” (I can assure you that this is a simple animation), then proceed on.

OK to make this spicy dish (oh I mean animation), you need following ingredients (made in SW2012). You can download them here. You can also your make your own ingredients and use them.

1. Tow Truck Assy (we’ll use this as the base for the final animation)
2. Pulley
3. Winch Drum
4. Rope
5. Wooden pallet
6. Steel Hook
7. PhotoWorks pr PhotoView 360 (either of one is required to make more realistic animation). I’ve used PhotoView 360.
8. A secret Spice (this is the main ingredient of this dish).

I’ve made very basic shapes and did a quick modelling. So please pardon me for any mistakes and not following the design intent, colors and other recommended tools/options.

I’ll be updating further soon.

Markup! Measure! Section! eDrawings® Pro for iPad

This was the big announcement made by Dassault Systemes SolidWorks on 1st May 2012. This is first of its kind mobile platform app by Dassault Systemes SolidWorks.  But the story doesn’t end here.  Here is next step by Dassault Systemes SolidWorks: eDrawings® Pro for iPad

eDrawings® Pro for iPad is the professional 2D and 3D CAD collaboration app for the iPad that can view native SolidWorks® files (part, assembly, drawings), eDrawings files, and DraftSight® (DWG™, DXF™) files. You can easily view models and access configurations, drawing sheets, and exploded views for eDrawings files published from SolidWorks and all other supported CAD software.

Markup! Measure! Section!  eDrawings® Pro for iPad takes you to the next level of 2D and 3D collaboration with more functionality, including dynamic cross section views, measurements, markups and annotations, and the unique ability to share it all by email!

With a brand new intuitive user interface and improved performance, eDrawings® Pro for iPad enables you to dynamically view cross sections of your models in XY, YZ, or ZX directions from both sides and easily drag the cross section plane on screen or with a convenient slider. You can also measure distances in your designs, with easy-to-use selection filters for faces, edges, vertices, and holes.

With eDrawings® Pro for iPad you can create markups on your drawings, including text notes, freehand notations, dimensions, cross-section views, photos, and camera snapshots.

You can share your marked up eDrawings files with others for review and further comments. All markups with history are saved within the eDrawings file.

Features:

* New intuitive and easy-to-use user interface

* Significant performance improvements for opening, viewing, and interacting with all types of models

* Open 3D (EASM, EPRT, SLDASM, SLDPRT), 2D (EDRW, SLDDRW, DWG, DXF), and associated files from any source: email attachments, cloud storage services (Dropbox™, Google Drive™, SkyDrive®, YouSendIt®, and others), email, web and FTP sites, networks, and iTunes® File Sharing

* Zoom, pan, and rotate your 3D and 2D CAD data using multi-touch

* Browse your assembly components tree, model configurations and drawing sheets

* Hide, show, or make components transparent

* Select View mode: standard orthogonal views, shaded with edges, perspective view

* Play animated 3D standard views as well as 2D drawing views

* View your designs in full screen and double tap to fit it on screen

* Double tap zooms to drawing views

* Markup your designs and send to others, and read others’ markups

* Measure your design data

* View cross sections of your 3D designs

* Sample files included

eDrawings Pro is available now for download on the Apple App Store.  Get your copy only  for $4.99. But this offer is for the first 90 30 days, and it will be $9.99 after that. For more information, visit: http://www.edrawingsviewer.com

Carry your eDrawings in iPad

This was the big announcement made by Dassault Systemes SolidWorks on 1st May 2012. This is first of it kind mobile platform app by Dassault Systemes SolidWorks. 

CAD users and specially SolidWorks users have been asking for a CAD file viewer which can be taken anywhere to present their stuff to others. And with the availability of eDrawings for iPad, an application that lets you bring your 2D and 3D files to a customer’s site, or to a sales meeting,  sharing the design concepts will be easy and more quicker.

eDrawings for iPad is the only CAD viewer on the iPad that allows you to view native eDrawings files, DraftSight files, and SolidWorks parts, assemblies and drawings files. Since its launch, eDrawings software has become a successful and much-loved collaboration product. In the last year alone, more than 2 million customers downloaded the eDrawings Viewer. With multi-touch gestures, eDrawings for iPad lets you pan, zoom and rotate 2D and 3D models; animate and explode your 3D views; and view and animate drawings from:

• SolidWorks 3D design software
• DraftSight free CAD software
• AutoCAD^® software
• DWG and DXF files

eDrawings is the email-enabled communication tool that dramatically eases sharing of product design information. You can load and send files via email to collaborate more effectively with everyone involved in product development, including people who are not regular CAD software users to interpret and understand 2D and 3D designs.

What are the key features and benefits of eDrawings for iPad?

Available for just $1.99, the capabilities of eDrawings for iPad include:

• Open files from email, Apple^®  iTunes^® File Sharing, or other online file sharing service (e.g. Dropbox, Box, and others)
• Zoom, pan, and rotate 2D or 3D CAD data with the touch of a finger
• View 3D animations, 3D standard views, and 2D drawing views
• Browse assembly components tree, configurations, and drawing sheets
• View designs in full screen – just double tap to expand it on the screen
• Store files on your iPad through iTunes File Sharing
• Intuitive and easy-to-use user interface
• Sample files included

How will eDrawings for iPad be supported?

3DS SolidWorks will provide the same level of support offered to the desktop users of eDrawings.

For any support inquiry, send an email to the eDrawings Support team at the following email: support@edrawingsviewer.com. For more information, please visit http://www.edrawingsviewer.com.

What platforms does eDrawings for iPad support?

eDrawings for iPad is currently available for iPad devices (running iOS 4.3 or later).

In what languages will eDrawings for iPad be available?

Although eDrawings for iPad is available worldwide, the application user interface will initially be available in English only. However, it will support eDrawings files in all languages created with eDrawings publishers, SolidWorks and DraftSight.

You can download eDrawings® for iPad today from the Apple store , and you can learn more about the features and functionality on the SolidWorks website.

If you feel you need more than this, please express your wishes here: The official eDrawings mobile wish list

You can also read more about eDrawings for iPad on following blogs:

Matthew Lorono’s Blog

Mike Puckett’s Blog

Jason Raak’s Blog

Lou Gallo’s Blog

Deelip’s Blog

Time to Study and Learn with SolidWorks

I’ve been quite a busy these days after I’ve returned from SolidWorks World 2012 in San Diego. I’ve been working on many things and don’t get much time to write. And to add to this I’ll be busy for next few weeks. This would not be only because of my ongoing projects but also something different, I’m getting back to my school days.

I’m not going to join any school though but will be doing a self learning. I’ll be doing my favorite stuffs in SolidWorks which are Rendering, Animation and API. I’ll be studying and learning via following books in next couple of weeks.

Photorealistic Rendering Using SolidWorks and PhotoView 360

(Courtesy of Rob Rodriguez)

Creating Animations with SolidWorks Step-by-Step

(Courtesy of SolidWorks)

SolidWorks API – Programming & Automation

(Courtesy of Luke Malpass)

SolidWorks API – Advanced Product Development

(Courtesy of Luke Malpass)

I’ll be posting my learning experience with these books soon.

SolidWorks “Back to School” Offer

Are you looking to improve your SolidWorks Skills in following areas:

• Animations
• Large Assembly Design
• Photorealistic Rendering
• SolidWorks Productivity Tools (Design Tables, FeatureWorks©, SolidWorks Utilities, SolidWorks Toolbox©)

If yes, then it is good time to do so as SolidWorks is offering 30% off on the following “Step-By-Step” training books:

Hurry up! Place your order today and get:

Animating Geneva Mechanism in SolidWorks

I’have been seeing lot of people talking on Geneva Mechanism over various forums and even I have been wondering myself on animating a Geneva Mechanism in SolidWorks. In the past I had used many different tricks to achieve it like gear mates or using surfaces etc.

Here is an animated view of what I have done few days back. I have been modelling some simple file to put up for this post but I recently came across SolidWorks Geneva-Device files on GrabCAD by Bobby Dyer. I would like to thank him for allowing me to use his files to create this tutorial.

Based on the requirements Geneva Mechanism can be external or Internal:

     

You can download the files used for this tutorial here: SolidWorks Geneva-Device files.  The important ingredient are Contact and Motion Study Properties

1. Open the “Geneva Device” assembly from the downloaded files.

2. Switch to Motion study and set the model orientation as required.

3. Change the Motion study type to “Basic Animation“.

4. Click on “Contact“.

5. Now in the Contact property manager click on the pin to keep it visible as we need to use it twice.

6. Now under components selection box, select “Index Wheel” and “Advance stop” parts.

7. You can select them from graphic area OR from feature manager tree OR motion study tree.

8. Click OK to apply the contact.

9. With Contact property manager visible, select “Index Wheel” and “Indexer” parts and click OK to apply the contact. You can now close the Contact property manager.

10. Click on “Motor“.

11. Set the motor type to “Rotary motor“. Select the cylindrical face or circular edge of “Index Wheel” or “Indexer” parts to define the direction of ( I have selected the cylindrical face of the Indexer). Set the motion function to “Constant Speed” and RPM to 30.

12. Click OK and apply the motor.

13. Now click on “Motion Study Properties“.

14. In the Motion Study Properties property manager under basic motion, set the frames per second to 30 (the larger number the more smoother motion) and set the Geometry Accuracy and 3D Contact Resolution settings to high side (move the sliders to right). This will make collision simulation more accurate and smoother motion, but requires more time to compute.

15. Click OK to set the properties.

16. Finally click on “Calculate“.

17. And now is the show time. Hit play to enjoy the show.

You can change and experiments with the settings to get a better animation. Click on save if you want to export the animation as AVI or series of pictures. You can change other settings in the save window.

SolidWorks World here I come..

I have a surprise for my readers. I’ve been invited to attend SolidWorks World 2011 next January as a member of the international press. Starting January 23, I’ll be reporting back from San Antonio, Texas along with all of the other journalists and bloggers. I’ll have access to the press room, and will even have a chance to interview some of the leaders at SolidWorks, so if there’s anything you want to know, send me your questions.

I will also be doing a hands-on presentation on SolidWorks Animation and will present some on my recently done animations. There’s a good story to share behind this. Last year I got the mail for submitting your presentation proposal for consideration at SolidWorks World. I did send in but was rejected because that was not sounding valuable to the users. Again this year I got the call and with guidance from Richard Doyle, I made a bit good presentation proposal and it was approved. Though my area of presentation was same i.e. animation which is best thing I like in SolidWorks but this year I added more interesting stuff rather than just simple animation. Craig Therrien and me had some discussion about how should I go for it and then finally it went though.  And another happiest moment was that the presentation slot is already book.

I would like to thank the entire SolidWorks team for giving me opportunity for being at SolidWorks World as both a presenter and member of the press.

Thanks you SolidWorks 🙂

If you haven’t registered yet then hurry up before the last seat has been filled up !!

Please take this poll (Are you going to SWW 2011) and do leave a comment. Thanks

Meet you at SolidWorks World 2011 in San Antonio TX

Please note:  All individuals will be required to show proof of identification prior to collecting their badge and registration materials. Attendees must be 21 years or older to attend SolidWorks World 2011.

 

Animating a Cylinder Grow

Do you need to show animating cylinder i.e. increasing or decreasing height of a cylinder. Then here is a quick and easy way of doing that. Please note that you can use any unit system (metric or inches) for this tutorial.

1. Start a new part and save it without creating any features or sketch in it. I would call this part as Dummy part.

2. Start a new assembly and save it as Animating Cylinder.

3. Insert the part into this new assembly using Insert Component option (Insert > Component > Existing Part/Assembly)

4. Browse to the part location and drop the part anywhere in the assembly or simply click on OK.

5. If you notice a (f) part name in the assembly in front of manager tree, then right click (RMB) on it and select float from the list. The (f) indicates that part is fixed which means it can make any movement. But as we need to move the part, we need to make it free. Hence we selected float. Now the part can move in any direction.

6. The (-) in front of part name indicates that part is free to move/rotate anywhere.

7. Now select Front planes of the assembly and of the dummy part and add a coincident mate.

8. Select Right planes of the assembly and of the dummy part and add a coincident mate.

9. Add a distance mate of any value (say 10 mm) between the Top planes of the assembly and of the dummy part. You may have to set the position of Top plane of Dummy part as required. Use Flip dimension to set to the position.

10. Start a new part within the assembly (i.e. in context modeling). With the options coming up in new versions, you can save the file internally in the assembly itself. Insert > Component > New part.

11. Click or select Assembly Top plane to start the sketching for new part. You’ll notice a change in the pointer.

12. Now you’ll be the part edit mode and further in the sketching mode. Create a circle with center at the origin and of any diameter.

13. If you feel/require, you can dimension the circle. As a best practice and good habit, it’s always better to use a fully defined sketch. I have given a diameter of 80 mm.

14. Now click on Extrude Boss/Base or Insert > Boss/Base > Extrude.

15. You’ll a see a preview of the extruded cylinder. Click on Direction 1 and then select “Up to Surface” from the drop down list for extrude end condition.

16. Now click in the Face/Plane selection box to define the face/plane for the extrude condition.

17. Expand the feature manager tree by clicking on the plus sign next to assembly name.

18. From the list, select Top plane of the Dummy part.

19. You’ll see the Top plane (Dummy part) in the Face/Plane box of extrude command. Click OK to exit the command.

20. Click on Edit component to exit part editing and move back to assembly editing.

21. This is how the screen will look like.

22. Now switch to Motion Study.

23. Drag the time to any time level/distance. I have set it to 6 sec.

24. Expand the Mate folder by clicking on the plus sign.

25. From the list, double click on Distance mate.

26. You’ll see dimension edit dialog box. Change the value to any value. I have set it to 50mm.

27. Click OK to save the current value and exit the dialog box.

28. You’ll now see the time bar (blue color) in front of Distance mate indicating the change in mate dimension.

29. Click on calculate. And then once calculation is over, you can see the cylinder growing. Use play button to play the animation.

30. You can set Playback mode to Reciprocate to see cylinder increasing and decreasing in size.