centerline question

Discussion in 'SolidWorks' started by dlevy, Feb 22, 2006.

  1. dlevy

    dlevy Guest

    I want to create a cylinder and smart dimension the o.d. My process ends up
    with an error on revolving.

    I draw a centerline and a rectangle. I revolve the rectangle. I get an
    error because the contour is open.

    How can I use the "centerline" feature and revolve?
     
    dlevy, Feb 22, 2006
    #1
  2. dlevy

    SW-Mike Guest

    It sounds to me like you need to add one more line on top of the
    centerline to close the profile. I may be missing something, but why
    don't you extrude a circle? It would be easier/quicker and you get the
    same results.

    Mike
     
    SW-Mike, Feb 22, 2006
    #2
  3. dlevy

    dlevy Guest

    I don't extrude a circle because there are generally steps in the o.d. of my
    parts. It's easier for me to sketch a rough profile of what I want and then
    smart dimension.

    Thanks.
     
    dlevy, Feb 22, 2006
    #3
  4. dlevy

    SW-Mike Guest

    OK makes sence. If you are getting an open profile error, then
    something is wrong with you rectangle, it is either open or it may
    cross the centerline. It can only lay on top of but cannot cross,
    because as it revolves it will intersect itself, which is not allowed.
     
    SW-Mike, Feb 22, 2006
    #4
  5. dlevy

    dlevy Guest

    I cannot draw both a centerline and a line. I understand "open profile".

    The isssue is that I want to display a diameter smart dimension. The only
    way to get a diameter smart dimension is to use a centerline however the
    centerline will not let you revolve!

    Am I missing something here?
     
    dlevy, Feb 22, 2006
    #5
  6. dlevy

    SW-Mike Guest

    I guess I don't follow what you are doing. If you want, e-mail me the
    file at . I will look at exactly what you are
    doing and try to help.

    Mike
     
    SW-Mike, Feb 22, 2006
    #6
  7. dlevy

    dlevy Guest

    Yes! I know I can't do it but how can I have both a smart diameter
    dimension..... and revolve?
    Yes, but my diameter smart dimension becomes a radius smart dimension.
     
    dlevy, Feb 22, 2006
    #7
  8. dlevy

    matt Guest


    You sound really confused, and you're dragging folks who otherwise know
    what they're doing with you. What you're saying doesn't make any sense,
    at least as I read it.

    You can revolve around a centerline, but you should have it selected
    before starting the revolve command. However, you don't *have to* have
    a c-line. If you don't have a c-line, you can revolve around a solid
    line by selecting it before hitting the revolve button.

    I think you're confusing a "warning" for an "error". If you read the
    warning message, it might be helpful. It probably asks if you want to
    close the profile automatically, to which you should probably say yes
    and be done with it.

    Are you actually drawing a rectangle and then setting one side of it to
    a centerline? This would cause an open profile, simply drawing a
    centerline and a rectangle wouldn't. You are using the rectangle tool
    to draw the rectangle, right? (rather than just drawing 4 lines)

    Anyway, here's a tip for you:

    - draw the rectangle with one side of it located at the center of the
    revolution.

    - turn the line that will act as the center of revolution into a
    centerline

    - dimension to it, getting the doubled dim (what you seem to be calling
    a diameter smart dim)

    - turn the centerline back to a regular line (doubled dimension
    remains!), and leave the line selected

    - create the revolve feature.



    best of luck to you,

    matt
     
    matt, Feb 22, 2006
    #8
  9. dlevy

    Diego Guest

    Or, create the revolved, double click on the part, select the dim,
    right click, display options, display as diameter.

    If you make a design table, it uses the diameter dimension. That sounds
    smart.

    peace, Diego
     
    Diego, Feb 22, 2006
    #9
  10. dlevy

    dlevy Guest

    Matt, if my question aggravates you, feel free to ignore it. I do, however,
    appreciate your effort.

    The answer I was looking for is to draw a centerline outside the profile
    centerline. That allows me to smart dimesion the diameter.
     
    dlevy, Feb 23, 2006
    #10
  11. dlevy

    matt Guest

    Your question didn't aggravate me. Everyone was struggling to answer
    your question because it wasn't very clear. I was just guessing at what
    you were really asking, and trying to offer an understandable answer.

    The method you mention above works, but there are faster and more
    efficient ways to do it. Still, if you're satisfied, that's all that
    matters.
     
    matt, Feb 23, 2006
    #11
  12. dlevy

    dlevy Guest

    I'd love to know a better way. Thanks!
     
    dlevy, Feb 23, 2006
    #12
  13. dlevy

    matt Guest

    matt, Feb 23, 2006
    #13
  14. dlevy

    matt Guest

  15. dlevy

    dlevy Guest

    Thanks Matt! I owe you a beer.
     
    dlevy, Feb 24, 2006
    #15
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