Troubleshooting Resources
Resources within SolidWorks
SolidWorks tools help you find and fix errors in sketches, features,
parts, assemblies, and imported models.
What's Wrong?
A dialog box lists all errors and warnings in the model (parts, features, sketches), along with descriptions
of the errors, previews, and links to help. The icons also appear in the
FeatureManager design tree.
Display/Delete
Relations. Displays sketch relations
by category (such as Dangling,
Broken, Over Defined/Not
Solved). See example in Error Message - Over Defined Sketch.
SketchXpert.
Resolves conflicts in over defined sketches and proposes possible solution
sets.
Check
Sketch for Feature. Checks the validity of a sketch for use in a feature.
If a sketch is not used to create a feature, the contour is checked for
errors that are common to all contour types. See example in Error Message - Check Sketch for Feature.
Repair
Sketch. Repairs sketch errors such as small gaps, overlapping geometry,
and multiple short segments.
Check
Entity. Checks model geometry to identify undesirable geometry such
as invalid faces, invalid edges, short edges, minimum radius of curvature,
edge gaps, and vertex gaps.
Import
Diagnostics. For imported files, repairs faulty surfaces, knits repaired
surfaces into closed bodies, and makes closed bodies into solids.
MateXpert.
Identifies mating problems in assemblies, including mates that are not
satisfied and groups that over define the assembly.
Missing
Reference Ghosting. When an entity used as a reference in a
feature is missing, a ghost of the missing reference appears in the graphics
area, and a warning message appears in the PropertyManager.
Additional tools help determine the validity
of model designs.
FilletXpert. Manages, organizes,
and reorders constant radius fillets for you so you can concentrate on
your design intent.
DraftXpert. Manages the creation
and modification of neutral plane drafts.
AssemblyXpert. Analyzes
performance of assemblies and suggests possible action you can take to
improve performance.
Mass
properties. Displays properties such as density, mass, volume, surface
area, center of mass, and moments of inertia.
Interference
Detection. Finds interferences between static components in an assembly.
Collision
Detection. Detects collisions with other components in an assembly
when moving or rotating a component.
Physical
Dynamics. Allows one object to act on another, moving according to
the available degrees of freedom. (Characteristics such as momentum, friction,
and elasticity are not considered.)
Physical
Simulation. Simulates the effects of motors, springs, and gravity
in assemblies.
SolidWorks
SimulationXpress. Analyzes stress in solid, single-body parts with
specified material properties, restraints, and loads.
Mold
Design Tools. Helps analyze mold designs with tools such as Draft
Analysis, Heal Edges, and Undercut Detection.
SolidWorks
Design Checker (add-in). Verifies design elements such as dimensioning
standards, fonts, materials, and sketches to ensure that the document
meets the design criteria that you designate.
Resources at the SolidWorks web site
The SolidWorks web site provides
information on solving problems and contacting Technical Support. Log
in with your SolidWorks serial number.
Search SolidWorks
Technical Information. On the Customer
Portal, select a section under Self
Service, then search by word or phrase for technical articles and
information.
SPR (Software
Performance Report). Search for specific reports or the problems
and enhancements that have been addressed in SolidWorks service packs.
On the Customer Portal, look under
My Support.
Graphics and
Hardware. Check hardware system requirements and certified graphics
cards and drivers. On the Customer Portal,
under Self Service, click Graphics and Hardware.
Discussion Forum.
Discuss issues with other SolidWorks customers. On the Customer
Portal, under Self Service,
click Discussion Forum.
Contacting Technical
Support. After attempting to solve problems through resources on
the web site, collect information about your system and the problem, then
contact your Value-Added Reseller (VAR). SolidWorks Rx can help you collect
the information you need (see below).
SolidWorks Rx
SolidWorks Rx analyzes your system, suggests possible solutions, and
captures data that can help technical support personnel diagnose problems.
In Microsoft Windows, click Start,
SolidWorks <version>,
SolidWorks Tools, SolidWorks
Rx .