SolidWorks® Surfacing and Complex Shape Modeling Bible

Chapter 22. Using Master Model Techniques

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Differentiating multi–body parts and assemblies

• Using push type master model tools

• Using pull type master model tools

• Tutorial

The term master model typically refers to a single model that drives other models. You might choose to do this kind of modeling for one of several reasons. One of the most common reasons is that you are working on a product that has a complex shape that spans several actual parts, and you want to have a single location to make global shape changes. So, for example, changes to the shape of an alarm clock top that encompasses five or six individual plastic parts is all done in the master model, but detail changes to features like mounting bosses or reveal edge effects between parts are done at the lower–level part document.

In this chapter, I use an alarm clock as an example. The clock has a nice shape to it, and the various buttons, top and bottom covers, and the front bezel all blend in with the overall shape.

Understanding Master Model Tools

You can use master models in several ways, and SolidWorks provides several tools to make this happen. In SolidWorks 2008, SolidWorks has reworked some of these tools to avoid some of the serious shortcomings of the tools in previous versions of the software so you can control them more completely.

A fair amount of confusion tends to follow these tools, first because they are not among the most widely used tools in the software, and second because four tools exist that ...