Using CircuitWorks from SOLIDWORKS When you enable the CircuitWorks add-in, SOLIDWORKS provides a CircuitWorks menu from which you can start CircuitWorks, interact with the ECAD data in an assembly, and export models to CircuitWorks. Contents Enabling the CircuitWorks Add-in CircuitWorks is installed with SOLIDWORKS Professional and 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. If the CircuitWorks menu is not visible, ensure that the CircuitWorks add-in is enabled. 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. Building Model as a Part in CircuitWorks You can open ECAD files directly in CircuitWorks using an option in the SOLIDWORKS software. Opening the Component Library from SOLIDWORKS You can open the CircuitWorks Component Library from SOLIDWORKS. Editing Reference Designators of Multiple Components You can edit Reference Designators of multiple components simultaneously in 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 You can 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. Using the CircuitWorks Export Wizard You can use the CircuitWorks Export Wizard to identify the circuit board features that make the resulting CircuitWorks model useful for export to an ECAD system. 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. Parent topicBasic Operations Starting CircuitWorks Opening an ECAD File from CircuitWorks CircuitWorks Setup Wizard Comparing ECAD Files Saving an ECAD File Printing the Preview Image Exiting CircuitWorks