Solidworks

[Welderpaul]

A bit of help?

I need to plot some co-ordinate positions on Solidworks. I have a series of easting and northing points, but i'm struggling to find a grid? system to enable me to plot them.

Anyone helllpppp?

 

[rkde]

In 2D sketch? the grid is under view grid, but the grid needs to be setup in the options for spacing and not the way to put points down, best way is to arrange them in a sketch with constrained dimensions.

I am not fully sure what you are trying to do... I sit on SW all day everyday so if you can describe it a bit better I am sure I can help you out

 

[Welderpaul]

In 2D sketch, i am trying to plot a number of co-ordinated points (Eastings and Northings) which will then enable me to draw a number of beams in between the points.
The points follow a shallow radius, with facetted beams drawn inbetween.
No regular spacing in between.

 

[rkde]

I'd say the best way to do it is to dimension the points from either a centre point on the axis or a dimension from the axis.

I presume you have the dimensions for the points?

Or try going

tool > options > document properties > grid/snap
* Once there setup your grid distance then click on (go to system snaps) and tell SW to snap to the grid. Once in the sketcher you will need to go view grid and that should get you going. It May help you layout but you will still need driving dimensions.

Sorry if I have got the wrong end of the stick too

Or if you know the radius draw a circle and make it for construction then you will be able to place points on it to constrain them. then hold the ctrl key on the point and construction line this will bring up a constraint option on the LH

 

[Welderpaul]

Thats the problem, we don't know the radius of the circle, i suppose the best way is to set a grid and work out the dims from the e and n co ords to 'manually' position each point.
We only have the dims between each point.

That might be what you are saying!

 

[rkde]

O I see well that's going to make it tricky then... You will have to grid out the points as you say, use the method I have put above and that should work for you.

I suppose the only other way is point in 3 points and then work the radius back off them which will then help to get all the other points

Don't know what else you can do...

 

[alanrob]

Cant you put in a north/south and an east/west construction line and constraint the points as distances from them?

 

[Welderpaul]

Cant you put in a north/south and an east/west construction line and constraint the points as distances from them?

Yeah, that might work. E and N baseline, then offset the E/N dims from that.

 

[Welderpaul]

Thanks fellas. A bit longhand, but just worked out running differences in eastings and northings and just kept offsetting lines.
Check dims all tied in, so tis right.

 

[graffian]

I set out bolt patterns by putting the coordinates in a file[simple space delimited .txt file], then create a pattern using the file. Look it up in the help file, I can do it automatically when a sketch is open but can't remember off the top of my head.