Working with LARGE Models.
SPECIAL CASE: Sweep Display dialog-box in MotionDesigner :
If the model cycles very slowly, make sure the MotionDesigner Sweep-Display dialog-box is not active.
This tool is found here: .
Use Briefcase FBs
Use Briefcase FBs to manage large numbers of FBs that are in the graphic-area. Please try to learn how they can help you.
Edit menu > Machine Settings > Number-of-steps :
Make sure the number-of-steps in MechDesigner and MotionDesigner are not too high.
MechDesigner
| • | Edit menu > Machine Settings > Number-of-Steps |
| • | For large files, make the Number-of-Steps ≤ 90. |
There are not many occasions when you must make the Number-of-Steps ≥ 360.
MotionDesigner
| • | Make the Number-of-Steps = 360. |
Click the Graphic-Area to update :
| • | 'Click the graphic-area' to complete a command if it does not complete correctly. |
| • | 'Click the graphic-area' after you open a large model. |
| • | 'Click the graphic-area' after you click a different Mechanism-Editor |
'Rebuild Traffic-Light' and 'Rebuild Castle'
There is a Traffic-Light tool in MechDesigner AND MotionDesigner. The default Traffic-Light setting is Green. In this case, the model is rebuilt after each command or edit of a parameter. When the model is large, editing can be become slow.
To increase modelling speed:
Make the Traffic-Lights Red, to model more easily and faster.
| • | to select elements - for example, as you add new elements to the model |
| • | to edit parameters - for example, a dimension |
| • | to open dialog-boxes - for example to open a Function-Block dialog-box |
| • | to edit a motion [make the Traffic-Light in MotionDesigner Red] |
| • | to Add Ball-Joint if the model has many elements and you cannot select a Point. |
Make the Traffic-Light Green again and then Red again, if:
| • | The model does not complete a command. |
| • | When there are 'motion-dependencies'. A motion-dependency is when a motion of a Motion-Part is a function of a different Motion-Part. You may need to click the Traffic-Light two times. |
| • | If the Model does not seem to be update to include the last command, then 'Edit a Part 'and immediately 'Exit the Part-Editor '. |
SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS Parts may have cosmetic detail that you do not need in the MechDesigner model. The cosmetic details can make the graphics in MechDesigner slow to respond. For example, if you want to pan the model across your screen, with CTRL+Drag.
To increase the speed, and to reduce the time to open a model with SOLIDWORKS Parts and Assemblies:
| • | Save all SOLIDWORKS Parts or Assemblies to the same path, or sub-path, or the MechDesigner model path. |
Before you save SOLIDWORKS Part, add a new configuration to the SOLIDWORKS Part. In the new configuration:
| • | Suppress small fillets on all parts |
| • | Use chamfers and not 'rounds' [internal fillets] |
Before you import a SolidWorks Assembly, add a new configuration to the SOLIDWORKS Assembly. In the new configuration:
| • | Suppress washers, bolts... - unless important. [Use the 'Fix Mate' if the assembly needs the parts that you suppress]. |
| • | Optionally, save the Assembly as a Part. |
