Hi,

Is the Rib feature used very common?

First, in Matt Lombard’s SolidWorks 2010 Bible, the section “Rib feature” is arranged in the very late “Part Vi: Using Advanced Techniques, Chapter 26: Modeling Multi-Bodies” of the book. Usually the most important features comes at first, and less important features later.

Second, I have found that much of what Rib could do, no matter the extrusion direction is

1. Parallel to the sketch
2. Normal to the sketch

can be accomplished by the basic extrusion function.

I have also checked the history of Solidworks function (Ricky Jordan http://www.rickyjordan.com/whats-new-guides) and found that the rib feature comes as early as in Solidworks 97 plus. This historical fact seems to suggest that the feature is actually quite essential so the early versions have already included it.

Could someone tell me where is Rib feature best suited?

Qi