How to quickly create a SOLIDWORKS Sketch Normal to Curve

Here is a quick method to create SOLIDWORKS Sketch Normal to Curve without having to create a plane first, and then sketch on that plane.First, select the curve or edge, as shown in the sheet metal example below, then click Sketch from either the Insert menu or the Sketch CommandManager.This will

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Import and Export Hole Wizard Data with Excel (SOLIDWORKS 2018)

How import and export Hole Wizard data with Excel files in the Configuration tool with SOLIDWORKS. Formerly this could only be done with SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Hardware. This is an easier way to add custom Hole Wizard sizes within the Excel interface. Do one of the following: In SOLIDWORKS, click Tool

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How to resolve the ‘Toolbox is currently in use’ issue when installing SOLIDWORKS

The ‘Toolbox is currently in use’ issue can occur if users are accessing Toolbox during a SOLIDWORKS installation, but it can also be the result of a file that normally gets deleted, not being deleted.  The file is called SWBrowser.ldb and by default resides in the lang\english sub-folder of your

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Create Custom Part from SOLIDWORKS Toolbox

Have you ever wondered how SOLIDWORKS knows which part belongs to Toolbox and which one does not?  Or did you ever want to take a Toolbox part and modify it to create a custom part?When you save a SOLIDWORKS Toolbox part as a copy, it will still have a Toolbox flag icon? Indicating it’s still goi

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Linking Toolbox Custom Property to SOLIDWORKS Materials

A Toolbox custom property can be linked to SolidWorks materials library using the list option.  The material selected in the Toolbox configurator gets applied to the Toolbox part and the custom property can be displayed in the BOM. Only one Toolbox property can be linked to SolidWorks materials

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Schedule Macros Using the Solidworks Task Scheduler

Have a macro that you’d like to run on all models in a directory while out of the office? Create Custom Task Enter the Task Scheduler. Located in the SolidWorks Tools directory in your Start Menu, this program allows you to schedule batch operation tasks like updating the versions of your files

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How To Run A Macro Without the Run Button

How do you run your macros right now?  Tools–>Macro–>Run? By clicking Run on the macro toolbar? If macros are even a small part of your workflow, you can do much better. In this post, I want to increase your versatility by showing you four ways you can run a macro without having to use the

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Hole Wizard Database File is not the Expected Version

The Problem: A question we often get on the support line is in regards to this error message: SolidWorks Hole Wizard Database File Error Message It reads: “Error: The database file ‘C:\SolidWorks Data\lang\english\swbrowser.mdb’ is not the expected version (16.02)” The file path and the number

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You appear to have experienced problems the last time you loaded the SOLIDWORKS Toolbox add-in

Sometimes when you launch SOLIDWORKS and try to load SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Library or Utilities add-in, SOLIDWORKS delivers a message stating “You appear to have experienced problems the last time you loaded the SOLIDWORKS Toolbox add-in”. SOLIDWORKS Message If you pick yes, continue to load Toolbox

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SOLIDWORKS Database is Missing! Complete functionality will not be available?

Have you ever seen these messages before launching SOLIDWORKS? There is no SolidWorks database. Full functionality is not available. SolidWorks Database is missing error message There is no error message in the SolidWorks database Or what about the SOLIDWORKS error message? Failed to initiali

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How to set Windows User Account Controls (UAC) for SOLIDWORKS

Windows 7, 8.1 and 10, include a feature called User Account Controls (UAC) which prevents access to the Windows registry files. However SOLIDWORKS requires access to the Windows registry during installation and even when running. Issues when installing SOLIDWORKS During installation, many i

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SOLIDWORKS 2018 Hole Wizard Update

Much like when SOLIDWORKS made your first sketch dimension auto scale your whole part back in 2014, with the release of SOLIDWORKS 2018, they have added another feature that users have asked for which makes modeling your designs easier even if it seems like a minor update at first glance. If you cha

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SOLIDWORKS 2018 Hexalobular (Torx) Toolbox Hardware

SOLIDWORKS 2018 adds SOLIDWORKS Toolbox hexalobular fasteners, commonly known as Torx.  The 6-point star shaped drive can be found in automobiles, power equipment, computers, electronicsm, etc . As the hexalobular profile has been standardized under ISO 10664, you can find these fasteners under

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Error Solidworks Toolbox

Error Solidworks Toolbox: Failed to get writable document Unable to open read-only file Failed to  save Toolbox library: Access to the path is denied You appear to have experienced problems the last time you loaded the Solidworks Toolbox add-in Failed to get writable document In thi

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How to change the default SOLIDWORKS Smart Fastener

SOLIDWORKS Smart fasteners have their own page in the SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Settings: Step 5 – Configure Smart Fasteners. This is where washer size and fastener length are set and a default fastener is specified for the holes created without Hole Wizard. Smart Fasteners Options (adsbygoogle

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Repairing SOLIDWORKS with the Installation Manager Step-by-step Guide

If you encounter problems with an installed SOLIDWORKS product (e.g. SOLIDWORKS Premium, Simulation, PDM, Inspection, Electrical etc.), you can use the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager to repair the installation.  However, to repair an installation, your machine must have all the source files fr

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