SOLIDWORKS composer
is a 3D tool which allows you to
re-purpose your CAD data to
create 2D and 3D graphical
content for use in publications
such as instruction manuals,
assembly guides, marketing
assets, sales configurations and
even training material.
SOLIDWORKS composer doesn't only
work with SOLIDWORKS files it
can actually open over 20
different types of 3D formats
including native inventor and
PTC files but also the more
common CAD neutral formats.
Such a step, IGES and PARASOLID
Importantly SOLIDWORKS composer
works concurrently with your CAD
files meaning your content is
always up to date with any
changes made with the original
source files. Every time there's
a change your SOLIDWORKS
composer document can update to
reflect those changes and as
you'd expect SOLIDWORKS composer
is seamlessly integrated within
a PDM environment meaning all
downstream documentation is then
also managed in a controlled
workflow. Once engineering has
provided the initial 3D CAD data
we can get to work creating some
new documentation.
In this example we'll create
some instructions for this v
twin engine. Importantly when we
import the CAD data into
SOLIDWORKS composer
not only is the original
assembly structure or hierarchy
maintained but also all of the
rich metadata including custom
properties are imported two,
part numbers materials process
and finish etc.
This means the author doesn't
need to cross-reference or
interrogate any other
documentation. Using the same
controls as SOLIDWORKS
we can manipulate the view to
get just the right angle or we
can use predefined or custom
defined cameras to create
consistency throughout the
document.
Once we're happy we can save
this as a view. Here
we want to illustrate how to
remove one of the covers of the
engine. By default the colors
and appearances of parts will be
the same as the original
SOLIDWORKS model but we're able
to change them in SOLIDWORKS
composer to allow us to easily
identify certain parts for
certain procedures.
First we'll change the entire
engine to be a neutral color
then highlight the engine cover
in green.
We can then use a tool which
allows us to create a detailed
view of the area in question and
save this as a new view.
Going back to the original view
we can use simple transformation
tools to illustrate removing the
bolts that secure the cover in
place.
We can also automatically add
path lines to show where they've
come from.
Then we'll remove the cover
itself.
And finally the gasket behind it
and we can then save this is a
new view. Just like in
PowerPoint or word we can
include additional images to
supplement our on screen
graphics.
Here will add a company logo and
also an icon of an Allen key
thus illustrating the procedure
further without the need for
text which could potentially
require translating if the
product were to be sold
overseas.
We can even import additional 3D
geometries to represent tools or
even jigs. Adding labels is
really easy to simply attach
them to a part or assembly and
decide which custom property you
want it to display.
In this instance will simply use
their file names.
These particular labels have
been created in a certain style
to match the color of the ACME
logo by using different styles
we can ensure that all content
created in SOLIDWORKS composer
always looks exactly the same
regardless of who created it.
For example the same fonts, the
same colors, and even the same
line weights. SOLIDWORKS
composer allows users to easily
create assets such as high
resolution images.
These are typically used in
third party applications such as
Microsoft Word, publisher or
PowerPoint. These images can be
created at up to 25K in
resolution meaning whether you
want to use them in a small A5
pamphlet or as large pieces of
artwork for an exhibition
SOLIDWORKS composure allows full
control including anti aliasing
and even a 360 degree capture
option.
Typical formats for these types
of files include JPEG, bitmap,
tiff, and even PNG including an
all important alpha channel for
transparent backgrounds.
Let's save all of these views
and publish them using word by
using the insert and link
function.
We can ensure that this word
document will always stay up to
date with any changes made in
our SOLIDWORKS composer file.
Now in a typical design process
change is inevitable but by
simply re importing the revised
CAD data into SOLIDWORKS
composer and re saving all of
the previously created views
our word document is now bang up
to date. We can also create
super high quality vector
graphics
these are different to high
resolution images in that they
are scalable and wont pixelate
when you resize them.
You also have far more control
on things like line rate, fill
color and even shadows allowing
us to create true technical
illustrations of our product.
Here
we'll create some illustrations
to show an exploded diagram of
one of the sub assemblies with a
full bill of materials.
SOLIDWORKS composer has some
great tools which allow us to
automatically explode
assemblies, create bills of
materials and even add balloons.
Using different combinations of
line weights and definition
we can create a user defined
style which means that every
time we create illustrations
they always look exactly the
same.
We can either publish these
files in CGM or EPS formats
using applications such as
InDesign or frame maker for
print or we can publish them
directly using SVG files which
can be viewed on all major web
browsers. The whole way that
people are consuming this type
of content is changing.
Traditional paper manuals which
are potentially out of date as
soon as they're printed are
increasingly being replaced with
content that consumers can view
online perhaps using a laptop or
even mobile phone or tablet.
Vector graphics created in
SOLIDWORKS composer can not only
be viewed online but can
actually be interacted with
allowing the viewer the power to
choose their own path whether
that be performing a certain
procedure or even identifying
spare parts
using the interactive bill of
materials. These online assets
can then be accessed as easily
as scanning a QR code on the
product.
We can even build links inside
SOLIDWORKS composer content
which directs us to other web
pages perhaps for spares PDF
documents of existing technical
drawings and even e drawings
where a full 3D model could be
interrogated.
Finally sometimes a movie is
worth a thousand pictures and
SOLIDWORKS composer allows users
to quickly and easily create
animations of their products. By
simply dragging still images
onto a timeline SOLIDWORKS
composer will animate between
them animations have never been
so easy. Save time save money
and improve the quality of your
documentation with SOLIDWORKS
composer.