Using CircuitWorks from SolidWorks

Contents

• Enabling the CircuitWorks Add-in
  

  CircuitWorks is installed with SolidWorks Premium. To use CircuitWorks, you must enable the CircuitWorks add-in.

• CircuitWorks Menu from SolidWorks
  

  Use the CircuitWorks menu and CommandManager toolbar to access CircuitWorks features from SolidWorks.

• Using the CircuitWorks Feature Tree
  

  You can use the CircuitWorks feature tree to locate and edit CircuitWorks features.

• Opening an ECAD File from SolidWorks
  

  From SolidWorks, you can open an ECAD file in CircuitWorks.

• Opening the Component Library from SolidWorks
  

  You can open the CircuitWorks Component Library from SolidWorks.

• User-Defined Coordinates for Component Orientation
  

  You can add a SolidWorks® user-defined coordinate system to a component that is not modeled with the SolidWorks origin. You might obtain such components from a manufacturer website or from other CAD systems.

• Setting CircuitWorks Options from SolidWorks
  

  You can set CircuitWorks options from SolidWorks.

• Viewing and Editing ECAD Properties from SolidWorks
  

  You can view and edit component ECAD properties that are stored in assemblies generated by CircuitWorks. For assemblies not created by CircuitWorks, you can add ECAD data. If you export the assembly from SolidWorks into CircuitWorks, the ECAD data is also exported.

• Annotating Components
  

  You can annotate an assembly with ECAD properties (names, part numbers, and reference designators). Use the resulting annotated assembly for sales visualization or to create an annotated assembly drawing.

• Annotate Components PropertyManager
  

  Annotate an assembly with ECAD properties, such as reference designators.

• Exporting Models
  

  You can export a SolidWorks assembly from SolidWorks into CircuitWorks. Once in CircuitWorks, manipulate the assembly as needed, and then save it as an IDF file. Use this capability to bring SolidWorks changes back into your ECAD software.

• Creating Circuit Boards with Noncircular Cut-outs
  

  You can create a circuit board with noncircular cut-outs in SolidWorks by adding the noncircular cut-outs to the outline sketch for the board. You can export the board to CircuitWorks.