Hi Everyone,
I’m doing some research on sketch blocks and wanted to put some questions out there. I realize that blocks can be used in both the part/assembly sketch environments, as well as in drawings. I’m interested to hear your thoughts no matter what environment you use them in.
1. What do you use sketch blocks for (schematics, layouts, custom symbols etc)? Models and images are welcome here.
2. Is there anything they currently don’t do that you wish they could do?
3. How about workflow? Do you feel the creation and usage process could be improved? How?
All other feedback is also welcome. Even if you don’t use blocks (but could), please let me know why.
Thanks,
Rob
SolidWorks Product Definition
Hello Robert,
Thank you this thread, I'm sure lots of posts will come rolling in.
1. I use them for any standard profiles that I do not want to make smart components, or features for. This can be as simple as a "standardized" slot that I may extrude cut or as complex as studying kinematics. Sometimes they are imported from legacy AutoCAD libraries. Sometimes they are a profile that I will use often within a single component or perhaps I will externally reference them throughout an assembly. Very useful things, these sketch blocks are... they are also all over my drawings too.
2. I wish linked sketch blocks didn't lose their relations when updated. Here's a nice thread:
https://forum.solidworks.com/message/158642
3. The workflow isn't bad and doesn't appear to leave anything major to be desired other than the issue of losing sketch relations when updated. One minor annoyance when creating blocks is where the default origin may be, but typically it doesn't matter and is just annoying. Sometimes placing blocks within blocks can be a bit of a hassle, but again, nothing critical that otherwise cannot be done differently.