Solidworks 2013 Bible

Chapter 28: Using Layers, Line Fonts, and Colors

IN THIS CHAPTER

Using layers

Specifying line format settings

Hiding edges in drawing views

This chapter addresses AutoCAD-like functions in the SolidWorks drawing environment. The goal isn't to make the functions look or work or compare in any way to AutoCAD, but to simply make them useful in the context of the SolidWorks software. It's never productive to try to use SolidWorks as if it were AutoCAD. If you're making the transition, you will be much further ahead if you just embrace SolidWorks for what it is and accept that it doesn't work like AutoCAD. You will be even further ahead if you don't assume that AutoCAD functionality is universal.

Controlling Layers

Layers are available only in SolidWorks drawing documents, not in 3D modeling or even sketching at all. Even in drawings, layers don't see lots of use. This is not to say that they serve no purpose, just that the software doesn't depend on them.

Working with layers in imported 2D data

When you import data through DXF or DWG format files, the layers that exist in the original data are brought forward into SolidWorks, and you can use them in a similar way to the original AutoCAD usage. For example, you can turn layers on or off (visible or hidden), and you can change layer names, descriptions, color, line thickness, and line style.

The way you intend to use the imported data ...