Custom Properties in Weldments

In a weldment part, the custom properties for the weldments feature and for the cut list represent a different list from the custom properties that are stored at the document level. The default location for the Weldment Property File is:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\SolidWorks\SolidWorks<version>\lang\<language>\weldments\weldmentproperties.txt

There is no Application Data folder in the Microsoft® Windows® 7 operating system.

You can change the location of the list in File Location Options.

The profile library parts may carry any commonly used custom properties. For example, profiles supplied with the SolidWorks application include the custom property Description.

In case of naming conflicts between the weldment feature and the weldment profile, the profile name takes precedence.

You can use Property Tab Builder to create custom tabs for weldments.

Assign Custom Properties

You can assign custom properties from three different sources:

• Profile sketch. Assign to the profile sketch any commonly used properties that are unique to the profile, and that you want inherited by the cut list item corresponding to a structural member feature. Description is such an example.

• Weldment feature. Properties assigned to the weldment feature are propagated to all cut list items. This capability enables you to assign a property with a default value, which you can later edit for each cut list item. For example, you can add the property Cost with a value in the appropriate monetary denomination.

• Cut-List-Items . Cut list items inherit custom properties from the profile sketch and from the weldment feature. You can assign new properties or you can edit existing properties. For example, you can add the property Weight, and link that property to the model's mass properties. Creating the link between the two enables the SolidWorks application to calculate the weight of the first solid body in the cut list item. The system also computes and adds the properties LENGTH, Angle1 , Angle2 , and Material for bodies generated by structural member features. The LENGTH, Angle1, and Angle2 properties are not editable.

Since the weight of only the first item in a Cut-List-Item folder is calculated, each Cut-List-Item folder should only include identical items. If two bodies are geometrically identical but have different materials applied to them, they are placed in separate folders in the cut list.

Custom Property Values

Values that you assign as custom properties can be

• System assigned. For example, LENGTH.

• User assigned. For example, the material assigned when creating the structural member profile.

• Linked to dimension values or mass properties.

Custom properties are required to generate a cut list with associative balloons for a multibody part.

To add custom properties:

1. In the Cut list folder , right-click a Cut-List-Item, and select Properties.

- or -

To assign custom properties at the highest propagation level, right-click the Weldment feature.

2. In the dialog box, on the Cut List Summary tab (or the Custom tab if you right-clicked the Weldment feature):

   1. Type or select a Property Name.

   2. Type text or a value in Value / Text Expression.

   3. Press Enter.

3. Repeat step 2 as necessary, then click OK.

The custom property is added.