Opening the Part and Creating Mid-Surfaces

  1. Browse to drive letter:\Users\Public\Public Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS version\samples\Simulation Examples\Shovel.SLDPRT and open the file.
    The part has two bodies: scoop and handle. You convert the solid bodies to surface geometries by creating surfaces positioned at the middle section of each body's geometry. Use the Offset Surface tool to create mid-surfaces for both handle and scoop bodies.
    You can use the Mid-Surface tool to create mid-surfaces. Suitable face pairs are offset from each other and belong to the same body. For this particular model, the Mid-Surface tool fails to generate mid-surfaces because of certain Fillet features and face pairs that are not offset.
  2. Click Offset Surface (Surfaces toolbar).
  3. Set the view orientation to Isometric (Standard Views toolbar).
  4. Right-click the inner face of the handle, and choose Select Tangency for Surface or Faces to Offset .

    Selected faces appear in Surface or Faces to Offset .

  5. For Offset Distance, type 0.0625 (in), half the thickness of the handle.
  6. Click Flip Offset Direction to change the direction of the offset, and click .
    The inner faces are offset outward at the middle section of the body.

  7. Click .