Drawing Zones- New in SolidWorks 2015

In SolidWorks 2015, you can define drawing sheet zones on a sheet format for the purpose of providing locations where drawing views and annotations reside on the drawing.

Defining Drawing Sheet Zones

To define drawing sheet zones in the sheet format:

1. In a drawing, do one of the following:

·  Click Edit > Sheet Format.

·  Right-click any blank area on the drawing sheet and click Edit Sheet Format.

· Right-click the sheet icon in the FeatureManager design tree and select Edit    Sheet Format.

2. Right-click the sheet format icon in the FeatureManager design tree, any blank area of the drawing sheet, or the sheet tab at the bottom of the drawing window, and select Properties.

3. In the Sheet Properties dialog box, click the Zone Parameters tab.

4. Set the options.

5. Click OK.

To show or hide drawing zone lines, click View > Zone Lines

Adding Zones to Annotations

You can use annotation notes and balloons to identify which drawing zone they are in. As you move an annotation in the graphics area, the drawing zone updates to the current zone.

To add zone information to an annotation note or balloon:

1. Create an annotation note or balloon and place it on the drawing sheet. If you create a balloon, the Balloon text must be set to Text.

2. In the annotation note or balloon, double-clicking the text to edit it.

3. In the text field, move the insertion point to the location where you want to insert the zone in the text.

4. In the Note PropertyManager, under Text Format, click Add Zone.

5. In the Add Zone dialog box, select one:

·         Zone Inserts column and row

·         Zone Column Inserts only column

·         Zone Row Inserts only row

·         Drawing View Inserts selected drawing view row and column

6. Click OK.

Location Labels for Views

You can place location labels on detail, section, and auxiliary drawings views to provide the sheet and zone location for the parent view. Additionally, you can place location labels on detail circles, section cutting lines, and auxiliary view arrows to provide the location of the corresponding child view.

In this section view example, it shows the parent view and the child view. The zone is determined by the centroid of the view. The location label on the parent view shows where the child view is located, Zone A1. The location label on the child view shows where the parent is located, Zone A2.

Setting Options for Location Labels

To set document properties for Location Labels:

1. Click Options (Standard toolbar) or Tools > Options.

2. On the Document Properties tab, click Annotations > Location Label.

3. Set the properties.

4. Click OK.

Using Location Labels

Adding a Location Label to a Child View

To add a location label to a child view in a section, detail, or auxiliary view:

1. In a drawing, create the view. You can also move the child view to a sheet that is different than the parent view.

2. Click Insert > Annotations > Location Label.

3. In the Location Label PropertyManager, set the options.

4. Click the child view.

5. Click OK.

Adding a Location Label to a Parent View

To add a location label to a section cutting line, detail circle, or view arrow in a parent view:

1. In a drawing, create a section, detail, or auxiliary view.

2. Click Insert > Annotations > Location Label.

3. In the Location Label PropertyManager, set the options.

4. In the parent view, click on the section cutting line, detail circle, or view arrow.

5. Click OK.