OK, I'm a former Inventor user & just took the SW essentials class. I'll be posting alot of questions as I try to get stuff set up to do what I want when I can't figure out how to make SW do what I did via Inv, so please be patient & I'll try not to whine too much along the way.

User Settings
1. Mouse Settings
The mice in class were all set to dynamically "Rotate View" (orbit in Inv lingo) when the mouse wheel was depressed & exit when undepressed.
( I REALLY miss my space pilot!!!)

I am trying to set my mouse to do the same w/o success.
Logitech MX1000 Laser Mouse, Driver 3.30.165
SW2007 SP0

Templates
I am setting up templates and want to do so with future functioning in mind. Fewer Templates to maintain, File properties and Title Blocks all driven from the model, eventual use of PDMWork Workgroup, etc.

So...
2. Property Management (w/o Vault)
Is there any documentation or free add-on available for property management & mapping? At 1st glance, it seems there are very few pre-defined properties. Do they all have to be set up as Custom Properties in all of the templates prior to part/assy/dwg creation? Can the drw be preset to inherit properties(& update) from the 1st model inserted?

3. Dimension Settings
Am I missing something? Can you only have one dimension style in any drawing or template?? Can I have one template w/ multiple styles? ie. dual dims v. single or horizontal text on dims v. aligned.

Best Practices/Opinions
Use Model Dims in DRWs or not? Is there any downside to NOT using the model dims in the drw?
The instructor really pushed for using the model dims in the drawings.
While I think model dims in the drw are more trouble than they are worth, relocating & attaching, etc. and that the model should be created & constrained & dimensioned per the design intent, I need to know what cost I might incur by not using them.

Thanks for any help.

Squeezer

2: I set up all my custom properties in template.

3: You can save Favorite Styles but I've never use them.

4: Never used model dim due to relocating. The idea from SW is to have tolerance when you design the model. So when someone, anyone do the drawing, it can be brought in.

Mouse settings with Logitech can be annoying. Make sure you have Setpoint software set up with the correct options. Let me know if this FAQ works for you: http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php?name=FAQ&id_cat=4#q11



There's lots of macros out there that can help in this area. Check out http://sw.fcsuper.com, http://www.lennyworks.com/solidworks, and http://mysite.verizon.net/mjlombard (and look at the sites in our weblink areas too). Each of those sites also have advice you may find useful in this task.



It's funny that I just did a FAQ on this: http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php?name=FAQ&id_cat=3#q15



Only use model dims if you have a very good plan on how you wish to dim the part on the drawing long before you make the drawing. Otherwise, just dim on the drawing itself.

I hope this helps!

_________________
Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
sw.fcsuper.com
SolidWorks Legion
Co-moderator of SolidWorks Yahoo! Group

Thanks for the help.

1. I tried using the info supplied to get the mouse to middle button orbit but Setting hot keys etc. still did not work with the mouse.

2. I downloaded a couple of macros and will test them as soon as I can. In the meantime, I am adding the sites listed to my "favorites" for future reference.

Can the drw be set up to inherit (automatically) the properties of the 1st model inserted?

3. I have to test this, but can I assume that if I apply the favorites in a template, they will always be pre-loaded in a drawng created from the template?

Thanks Again..

Make template of part/assm with custom properties.
Make drawing template by using referencing part template for properties.

I haven't used favorites, so don't know how they wprks.

1. For your mouse, you may need to use the ubersoptions software then. This is up to you though, as that software is a hack on the SetPoint.

2. Yes, drawings can pick up properties from the 1st and only model inserted. If you use this method, you'll need to either use Design Tables and configurations, and/or limit drawings to one model per drawing (which is what most people do in SW).

3. Yup.

_________________
Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
sw.fcsuper.com
SolidWorks Legion
Co-moderator of SolidWorks Yahoo! Group

Do you have a download link for this? Every link I find doesn't work.

_________________
MechMan

<Jedi Mind Trick> You want to go home and re-think your life.

This Download link worked for me.

I have not installed or tested it yet tho.

http://www.mstarmetro.net/~rlowens/uberOptions/

Sue

Hi all,
I'm also coming on to SW with an Inventor background. My question is how can I get my SpaceBall to work with SW?

Tom

I just got a Space Explorer and it is working OK with SW straight out of the box. My Old Space Pilot also worked with Inv & SW straight out of the box so I guess I'd need to ask what is not working?

Try updating or re-installing your driver. The Space Controllers in general should recognize what app is running. Check in Programs>3D Connexions for a list of the add-ins. Solidworks should be listed. If it is there but not working, in SW goto Menu>Tools>Add-Ins and check the box for 3D Control (Both Active & Start Up)

You need to have the SpaceBall driver running before you start SolidWorks. Inventor didn't care, it would just launch if for you. As stated by others, the easiest is to reinstall the SpaceWare drivers. Note of caution: When installing it, use "Custom" otherwise it will shovel itself into applications you might not want it running in.