SOLIDWORKS 2019 What’s New – Slicing BREP Bodies Using Linear and Point Entities – #SW2019

In a previous post, I showed you how to use the Slicing Tool to create 2D cross sectional geometry using a planar face as a reference.

In this example, I will show you how you can use the Slicing Tool on Standard SOLIDWORKS BREP geometry using Linear and Point Entities.

Tech Tip: The Slicing Tool works on Standard SOLIDWORKS BREP geometry, Mesh BREP geometry and Graphics Bodies.

We can begin by selecting both the Line and a Vertex as shown by holding down the Ctrl key while selecting.

With both the Line and the Vertex selected, click Insert > Slicing.

You can also select the Line and Vertex inside the Slicing Tool as shown below.

Use the Reverse Direction Arrow to make sure your Slicing Sections are going in the correct direction and set the Number of planes to create and Offset between sections. You can also use the Bounding Box arrows to resize your Slicing area to encompass the entire part as shown.

Dragging this arrow will increase the size of the Bounding Box.

Once you have the desired number of Slicing Sections and the Bounding Box is encompassing the part, you can select Preview in the Property Manager to see the result before completing the command.

Additional Options Settings in the Property Manager for the Slicing Tool include:

Add slicing planes and sketches to a folder; which creates a Folder in the Feature Manager that contains each individual Plane and Sketch generated by the Slicing Tool for easier organization.

Preview slices; provides capabilities to show the result before completing the command.

And under Slices to Generate:

Intersection; when used with standard BREP geometry will create an identical result to the Intersection Curve Tool, and for Mesh BREP and Graphics Bodies, will create Splines.

Exact; when checked, will create an exact intersection of the Mesh BREP and Graphics Body that results in Polylines or group of continuous line segments as opposed to Splines.

Circle; which will create a Sketch Circle centered at the intersection of the source geometry and the slicing plane, and whose diameter is the average of the length and width of the rectangle that encloses the sketch entities.

Rectangle; which creates a Sketch Rectangle that encloses the sketch entities and is also located at the intersection of the source geometry and the slicing plane.

Once you are happy with your settings, selecting the OK button will generate the desired Slicing Sections. Shown below is the result of the Slicing Tool with the Folder and Intersection options checked.

I hope this part of the What’s New series gives you a better understanding of the new features and functions of SOLIDWORKS 2019. Please check back to the CATI Blog as the CATI Application Engineers will continue to break down many of the new items in SOLIDWORKS 2019. All these articles will be stored in the category of “SOLIDWORKS What’s New.”

Jordan Puentes
Application Engineer
Computer Aided Technology, LLC

Design Innovation Month – October 2018
What is DI MONTH?

CATI is declaring October Design Innovation MONTH.  We’ve created a month-long series of events and activities around design innovation especially for our customers.  Attend a SOLIDWORKS 2019 event, enter our rendering contest, and learn about some cool tips and tricks at the daily online events. Plan your month at www.cati.com/design-innovation-month