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Does anybody know how to get the dimensions from a bounding rectangle around the current piece on the screen?

Question asked by Chris Petersen on Dec 3, 2014
Latest reply on Dec 8, 2014 by Chris Petersen

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I need to get the length and width from the piece that I am working on so I was looking for bounding rectangle information. This is all free-form surface geometry so I don't have any dimensions associated with the length and width. I am trying to create a quick formula to grade up a size run of insoles for a boot. I am tired of doing it manually all the time. I would really like to automate the process. I would need the dimensions from the bounding rectangle to have a variable assigned to them in SW somewhere.

Chris

Steve Rauenbuehler Dec 3, 2014 12:30 PM

Correct Answer

Chris -

I think, if you insert a Weldment Feature (Insert -> Weldments -> Weldment), then, in the Feature Tree, RMB "Cutlist" and click "Update". If you RMB "Cut List Item" under Cutlist, there's a "Create Bounding Box" menu selection. I don't use it much myself, so I'm not positive of all it's uses, but I think the Bounding Box automatically creates Configuration specific Properties that could be accessed for the info you're trying to compile.

Steve R.

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Kevin Pymm Dec 3, 2014 10:43 AM

Chris,

Try the Macro posted on the following thread & see if it does what you need.

https://forum.solidworks.com/message/405805#405805

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Chris Petersen @ Kevin Pymm on Dec 3, 2014 11:00 AM

Thanks Kevin.

Unfortunately, it is looking for three perpendicular edges for the first selection. I don't have any flat edges on this piece. I would upload the pic but I have a NDA with the company that I am doing this for.

Chris

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Kevin Pymm @ Chris Petersen on Dec 3, 2014 11:20 AM

I think it only requires two edges to orient the bounding box but that still could be a problem for you. You might be able to put in a sketch with two lines on a plane to start the macro off in the right direction. Not sure as I've not been able to get this one to run but there are several other macros around on the forum if you do a search.

I've also had some luck using the Costing Tool to create a bounding box for parts. Again not sure how well it would work on free flowing shapes.

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Chris Petersen @ Kevin Pymm on Dec 3, 2014 11:41 AM

Hi Kevin.

It didn't play nice with my machine either. I had to run it from the compiler to get the input window to open. After it wouldn't let me select any geometry I closed the window and thought that it was done. I couldn't get out of SW without going to the task manager and shutting down the process.

Good times. I will check those out a little later. I am running behind on this project so I wrote a spreadsheet in Excel to at least give me the percentages that I need to put in the scale function for the size run.

Chris

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Glenn Schroeder Dec 3, 2014 11:20 AM

Would something like the attached work? I created a separate sketch that's linked to the part geometry, and set custom properties linked to the sketch's driven dimensions.

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insole.SLDPRT.zip54.3 KB

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Steve Rauenbuehler Dec 3, 2014 12:30 PM

Chris -

Steve R.

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Paul Cullen @ Steve Rauenbuehler on Dec 6, 2014 5:19 PM

Steve is correct

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Chris Petersen Dec 8, 2014 10:30 AM

Thanks everybody for all your help. It works well.

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Chris Petersen Dec 8, 2014 10:36 AM

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9 Replies

Kevin Pymm Dec 3, 2014 10:43 AM
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Chris,

Try the Macro posted on the following thread & see if it does what you need.

https://forum.solidworks.com/message/405805#405805
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- Chris Petersen @ Kevin Pymm on Dec 3, 2014 11:00 AM
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  Thanks Kevin.
  Unfortunately, it is looking for three perpendicular edges for the first selection. I don't have any flat edges on this piece. I would upload the pic but I have a NDA with the company that I am doing this for.
  
  Chris
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  - Kevin Pymm @ Chris Petersen on Dec 3, 2014 11:20 AM
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    I think it only requires two edges to orient the bounding box but that still could be a problem for you. You might be able to put in a sketch with two lines on a plane to start the macro off in the right direction. Not sure as I've not been able to get this one to run but there are several other macros around on the forum if you do a search.
    
    I've also had some luck using the Costing Tool to create a bounding box for parts. Again not sure how well it would work on free flowing shapes.
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    - Chris Petersen @ Kevin Pymm on Dec 3, 2014 11:41 AM
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      Hi Kevin.
      
      It didn't play nice with my machine either. I had to run it from the compiler to get the input window to open. After it wouldn't let me select any geometry I closed the window and thought that it was done. I couldn't get out of SW without going to the task manager and shutting down the process.
      Good times. I will check those out a little later. I am running behind on this project so I wrote a spreadsheet in Excel to at least give me the percentages that I need to put in the scale function for the size run.
      
      Chris
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Glenn Schroeder Dec 3, 2014 11:20 AM
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Would something like the attached work? I created a separate sketch that's linked to the part geometry, and set custom properties linked to the sketch's driven dimensions.
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- insole.SLDPRT.zip54.3 KB
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Steve Rauenbuehler Dec 3, 2014 12:30 PM
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Chris -

I think, if you insert a Weldment Feature (Insert -> Weldments -> Weldment), then, in the Feature Tree, RMB "Cutlist" and click "Update". If you RMB "Cut List Item" under Cutlist, there's a "Create Bounding Box" menu selection. I don't use it much myself, so I'm not positive of all it's uses, but I think the Bounding Box automatically creates Configuration specific Properties that could be accessed for the info you're trying to compile.

Steve R.
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- Paul Cullen @ Steve Rauenbuehler on Dec 6, 2014 5:19 PM
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  Steve is correct
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Chris Petersen Dec 8, 2014 10:30 AM
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Thanks everybody for all your help. It works well.
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Chris Petersen Dec 8, 2014 10:36 AM
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Does anybody know how to get the dimensions from a bounding rectangle around the current piece on the screen?

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