SOLIDWORKS: Reorienting Imported Parts

Learn how to reorient imported parts in SOLIDWORKS using the Move/Copy Bodies command. Also useful for orienting a part prior to export.
The Move/Copy body command can accomplish rotation and translation (in separate features), or it can be used to "Mate" a body within a part file by placing constraints between edges and faces to planes and other reference geometry.
For more information on SOLIDWORKS: hawkridgesys.com/solidworks
Technical Support Knowledgebase: support.hawkridgesys.com/

[@anantgupta9406]

Really very useful tip...love ur channel 👍❤

[@seimela]

thanks

[@QwertyCanada]

Hi, unrelated question, what is that Unit Conversion macro that you had in your command bar? Would you mind sharing it?

[@taavikoppel1769]

I would like to see a method to create a deep cavity that matches the shape of a STEP file... but with a 1mm clearance. We use SolidWorks 2018 so I do not have "project silhouette" available. I have Combine tool available when I have two bodies inside a part. I can add a Part to a single part but only SolidWorks parts... never STEP files.
Very often you get STEP files and need to create gripper fingers or cavities that matches the part.

[@hawkridgesystems]

This sounds like a great idea for us to show in a future video.
For now though to do this in a part workflow, you could open the .STEP file on its own and save it as a new .SLDPRT.
Then insert the new (converted/imported) .SLDPRT into your fixture file. Position it using the techniques in this video and use the Combine tool to subtract it out.
As far as scaling up the imported body you could do this in either the "imported" SLDPRT or after inserting it into your fixture part file, but before doing the combine.
You could use the Scale feature to scale up the imported body by a certain percentage (easiest way).
To grow the part by specific distance like the 1mm you mentioned, then you could use a technique similar to this video :
th-cam.com/video/UhWBWn29ypI/w-d-xo.html
Alternatively try out Shell feature with "Shell outward", which adds thickness to the outside of a body.

[@taavikoppel1769]

@@hawkridgesystems Thank you for the great tips.
On some parts the importing of a SLDPRT into another did not work. It shows the preview but does not import anything.. or just the origin planes if I choose to import these. I guess the problem is that the part to be imported is not "water tight" ... it has problems with faces, holes or surfaces.
Therefor no combining operation would result in anything useful.
Is there a way to fix a body like that? To make it a solid piece of material?

[@cheedu100]

Do you have suggestions for reorienting parts that do not have flat faces or straight edges?

[@taavikoppel1769]

Create an assembly. Use the cordinate system of the assembly (planes) and the cordinate system of the part (planes) to define the relationships between them. Save it out to a new STEP file. Import this STEP file again.... now the origin is where your assembly origin was.

[@monsterjesse]

@@taavikoppel1769 interesting 🧐 thnx too

[@steffenblomberg718]

I wish it would be possible to do this to scan data ie. .STL and Graphics Body.

[@hawkridgesystems]

You can use the Move/Copy body command on Graphics bodies, as of SOLIDWORKS 2018.
Shown in this video:
th-cam.com/video/ZL3JMlUcUOs/w-d-xo.html
Also many more things you can do to the mesh / STL now - snapping sketch references, measuring, mass properties and basic modifications.
Mesh modeling:
th-cam.com/video/nlFMAY71rbs/w-d-xo.html

[@steffenblomberg718]

Awesome, thank you very much for taking the time to educate me👍. Love your videos, keep up the good work.