Datasheet

30
Part I: Introducing SolidWorks Basics
FIGURE 1.28
Drawing a line and applying a dimension
26. Press Esc to exit the Dimension tool and click the RMB on the displayed dimension
and select Link Value.
27. Type thickness in the Name box, and click OK.
28. Press Ctrl+B (rebuild) to exit the sketch, select the sketch from the FeatureManager,
and press Delete on the keyboard.
Note
You do the exercise of creating the sketch and deleting it only to get the link value “thickness” entered into the
template. Once you’ve done it, every part made from this template that uses an Extrude feature will have an
option box for Link to Thickness, which enables you to establish a thickness variable automatically for each part
you create. This is typically a sheet metal part feature, but you can use it in all types of parts.
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29. Choose File ➪ Save As and then select Part Template from the drop-down list. Ensure it
is going into your template folder by giving it an appropriate name reflecting the inch units
and 1060 material, and then click Save.
30. Edit the material applied to change it from 1060 Alloy to Plain Carbon Steel, and save
it as another template with a different name.
31. Change the primary units to millimeters with two places, and save as a third template
file.
32. Exit the file.
Tutorial: Using Parametrics in Sketches
What separates parametric CAD tools from simple 2D drawing programs is the intelligence that you
can build in to a parametric sketch. In this tutorial, you learn some of the power that parametrics can
provide in both structured (using actual dimensions) and unstructured (just dragging the geometry
with the mouse) changes.
1. Open a new SolidWorks document by clicking the New toolbar button or by choosing
File ➪ New.
2. From the list of templates, select a new part template, either inch or millimeter.
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