When working with SolidWorks, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the geometry and coordinate system used in your models. One helpful tool for visualizing this information is the axes display. The axes, consisting of the X, Y, and Z axes, provide a reference point for positioning and orienting your objects.
By default, SolidWorks only displays the axes of an object when it is selected. However, there are times when it can be beneficial to have the axes constantly visible, especially when working with complex assemblies or when coordinating multiple parts. Fortunately, there is a simple way to achieve this.
To constantly show the axes on SolidWorks, you can go to the “View” menu and select “Hide/Show.” In the drop-down menu, check the option for “View Axes.” This will enable the constant display of axes for all objects in your workspace.
Tip: If you want to show the axes for only a specific object, you can select the object and go to the “FeatureManager Design Tree” on the left side of the screen. Right-click on the object’s name and select “Hide/Show Annotations.” In the pop-up menu, check the option for “Axis.” This will display the axes for the selected object only.
With the axes constantly visible, you can easily determine the orientation and position of your objects at all times. This can be particularly useful when designing complex parts or assembling intricate structures. You can also use the axes as a reference point for creating sketches or designing features.
In conclusion, displaying the axes on SolidWorks can greatly enhance your modeling experience by providing a constant frame of reference. Whether you are working on a simple part or a complex assembly, having the axes always visible can help you stay organized and make more accurate design decisions.
Step 1: Opening Solidworks and creating a new part
To constantly show your axes on Solidworks, you’ll first need to open the software and create a new part. Follow these steps:
- Launch Solidworks by clicking on the program icon on your computer’s desktop or by searching for it in the Start menu.
- Once Solidworks is open, select “New” from the “File” menu at the top of the screen. This will open the “New Solidworks Document” dialog box.
- In the dialog box, select “Part” under the Templates section. This will create a new part document in Solidworks.
- Choose the desired part template from the available options or customize your template settings as per your requirements. Click “OK” when you’re done.
- You will now see a blank part document on your screen, where you can start designing your part.
Congratulations! You have successfully opened Solidworks and created a new part. Next, you can proceed to the next steps to constantly show your axes on Solidworks.
Step 2: Changing the view settings to display axes
Once you have opened your SolidWorks project, follow these steps to change the view settings:
- Click on the “View” tab at the top of the screen.
- In the “Display” section, click on the “Display/Delete” button.
- A dialog box will appear. Make sure the “Annotations” tab is selected.
- In the “Drawing Views” section, check the box next to “Axes”.
- Click “OK” to apply the changes.
By following these steps, you will be able to display the axes in your SolidWorks project at all times. This can be helpful for reference and precision when working with your models.
Step 3: Using the “Axes” command to create axes in your design
Once you have your design in SolidWorks, you can use the “Axes” command to create axes that will help you visually understand the different dimensions and orientations of your model.
To use the “Axes” command, follow these simple steps:
- Go to the “Insert” tab in the SolidWorks menu and click on the “Reference Geometry” option.
- From the drop-down menu, select the “Axis” option. This will activate the “Axes” command.
- Click on two points or existing lines on your model where you want to create an axis.
- Repeat the process to create multiple axes, if needed.
By creating axes in your design, you will have a clear representation of key reference points that you can use for measuring distances, angles, and aligning other components.
Remember, the “Axes” command is a great tool to enhance your understanding of the dimensions and orientations of your model in SolidWorks.
Step 4: Adjusting the visibility settings to constantly show axes
To constantly show the axes on SolidWorks, you need to adjust the visibility settings in the software. Here’s how:
1. Open your SolidWorks project and go to the top menu.
2. Click on “View” and then select “Hide/Show” from the drop-down menu.
3. In the “Hide/Show” menu, click on “Axis” to toggle the visibility of the axes.
4. By default, the axes might only show when you select a sketch or a feature. To change this, click on “Hide/Show” again and select “Axis” once more.
5. In the “Hide/Show” dialog box that appears, click on the checkbox next to “Always display” to enable this setting.
6. Click on “OK” to save the changes.
Now, the axes will always be visible in your SolidWorks project, even when you are not working on a specific sketch or feature. This can be very helpful for referencing and aligning objects in your design.
Step 5: Saving and viewing your design with constant axes display
Once you have successfully set up your SolidWorks design to constantly show axes, you will want to save your work and view it with the axes display enabled. Follow these simple steps to accomplish this:
Saving your design
1. Click on the File tab located at the top left corner of the SolidWorks window.
2. From the drop-down menu, select Save As.
3. Choose a destination folder on your computer where you want to save your design.
4. Enter a name for your design in the File name field.
5. Select the appropriate file format from the Save as type drop-down menu. SolidWorks offers various file formats that are compatible with other CAD software, such as STEP, IGES, and Parasolid.
6. Click the Save button to save your design.
Viewing your design with constant axes display
1. In the SolidWorks window, click on the File tab and select Open from the drop-down menu.
2. Navigate to the folder where you saved your design and select the file.
3. Click the Open button to open your design.
4. Once the design is loaded, the constant axes display will automatically be enabled, and you will see the X, Y, and Z-axes displayed in your workspace.
5. You can now rotate, zoom, and interact with your design while constantly being able to view the axes.
By following these steps, you can save and view your design with constant axes display enabled in SolidWorks. This can be especially useful when trying to visualize the orientation and alignment of your model in relation to the coordinate system. Enjoy working with your axes always visible!
