Create dimensioning in a snap with automated assistance and custom templates.
This year, we’re taking a deep dive into everything that’s new in the Solid Edge 2024 release in a series of blog posts focused on the most noteworthy new features and enhancements. In this post, we’ll cover the Model-Based Definition (MBD) improvements in Solid Edge 2024.
The new MBD and Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) features get us closer to going completely paperless. We spend up to 15% of our time printing and organizing drawings, and Solid Edge 2024 could help us eliminate that completely.
Daniel Schulz, KAESER
MBD Creation
With new Model Based Definition capabilities in Solid Edge, lower the 3D communication barrier and better convey design intent for downstream manufacturing processes.
You can intelligently define and annotate 3D models with automated assistance and improved capabilities in Solid Edge Model Based Definition to deliver consistent model dimensioning and annotations while reducing ambiguity.
Improved “Auto Dimension” tool: Enhanced and customizable location and size dimension placement results in clean, easy-to-read model dimensions. Users can automatically dimension location and size callouts for created slot and oval cutouts, saving time and energy by instantaneously counting the total of radial, fillet and chamfer dimensions in the model with the “Total Count” command. Improved support enables users to define one or two datums for automatic dimensioning of turn parts.
“Arrange Dimensions” command now supports coordinate dimensions: Locate coordinate dimensions as a regular part of workflows alongside other dimension types in both the 3D and draft environments. Coordinate dimensions are automatically arranged first with other dimensions arranged around them, resulting in improved model views.
New “Dimension Checker” command: Quickly and easily identify the constraint status of features and parts with the new “Dimension Checker” command for improved speed of creation. The model is automatically color-coded to indicate the constraint status, and feature IDs are immediately populated and cross highlighted from the dialog for instant identification of various constraint statuses, including dimensions with no tolerances.
Angular Jogs on Coordinate Dimensions (Draft and PMI): The Dimension Style/Dimension Properties dialog now includes an option to ‘Enable angular jogs’ to instantly display jog lines as parallel, improving readability and organization on designs.
Model views of standard view orientations: Save time and energy by automatically creating common model views with the new “Common Model Views” command. Utilize the “Common Model Views” command alongside “Auto Dimension” to accelerate creation of standard view orientations. Previously created common model views intelligently display the PMI information relevant to the selected model view, allowing users to switch between views quickly and easily.
Update of model views: The new “Update Model Views” command automatically updates all model views when the model changes or PMI is added or removed, reducing the need to manually update each model view.
Improved Model View Vertical Command Bars: Improved Model View Vertical Command Bars simplify the model view process and eliminate hidden options in the dialogue, reducing the number of mouse clicks and errors. Users can easily apply desired section views to model views with sections highlighted graphically, eliminating the need to navigate to the Pathfinder. Include the recently created
model view by default in 3D Publish PDF with the new option in the Model View Vertical Command Bar to ensure automatic creation and save time.
Auxiliary Plane Indicators for Feature Control Frames: New “Auxiliary Plane Indicators for Feature Control Frames” capability allows users to create auxiliary plane indicators displayed next to the tolerance indicator to provide improved ISO standard support.
Weld symbol enhancements: Compound weld symbols can now have Root Openings and Groove Angles placed inside the symbol, automatically shifting the other weld specifications mentioned and simplifying the workflow
MBD Publish
With improved MBD publishing tools, intelligently deliver design information through easily customized templates and better convey design intent for downstream manufacturing processes.
Section views: To streamline the delivery of relevant design information, users can now export PMI views with sections to 3D PDF, including those created with single planes in the “Section by Plane” command.
PMI face association in 3D PDF: Boost part inspection and manufacturing processes with new PMI face association, highlighting parent faces and section views automatically when they are selected in the 3D PDF.
Parts list customization: Have full control over the customization of column sizes, fonts, and styles with the “Parts List” command in the template editor environment. Define standard and custom properties from the assembly as columns with options to add exploded and atomic Parts Lists. Parity with the “Parts List command” in Solid Edge 2D drafting enables users to utilize everything from the 2D drafting environment in the template editor environment.
3D PDF display quality: Select from various render modes to export to the 3D PDF for newly created model views, enabling quality customization to better fit customer needs.
All of these new features and enhancements in Solid Edge 2024.