SOLIDWORKS Electrical uses libraries to keep data in a centralized area for access during the design process. It will assist with keeping data organized and aids designers when searching for a specific piece of data. One of the great things about this software is that SOLIDWORKS has a database of over half a million manufacturing parts for you to use when designing so you can shrink development time by reusing many common circuits and symbols without having to add them from scratch each time. In part one of this new series, we go over how to set up your libraries and classifications to hold all this data.
Creating a Library in SOLIDWORKS Electrical
To create a library, click on the Library tab in the ribbon menu. Next, you will click on the icon labeled Libraries manager.
When the Libraries manager window opens, click on the New icon. The Library properties window will open, and you can assign a name and description for the library you are about to create. You will see a section labeled Options. By keeping the Apply to all objects box checked you will see this library in all library managers.
Click OK twice to confirm this entry. Now, if you go into any library manager and click on the filters tab under the general section, there is a filter for library. If you click the drop-down arrow you can see the library has been added to this list and you can now keep data in this location.
You may have noticed next to the Filter tab there is a Classification tab. You can also create a classification as well to help manage data. To do this, you are going to click on the Library tab in the ribbon menu. Then, you will click on the Classification manager icon.
Click New class icon in the Classification manager window. You are then able to enter in the name of your classification in the description field. By clicking OK you will add the classification you just defined to the list. Now this classification has been added to your components list which includes symbols, 2D footprints and manufacturing parts.
You can also add a classification to cable references, macros or title blocks. To do this, look above the list and you will see an arrow pointing down next to Components. Click on this arrow and specify what library manger you want to add a classification to and repeat the process above for adding a classification to components.
When you have a large database it is important to be able to find the right piece of information fast. Setting up libraries and classifications enables you to find what data you need whenever you need it. Instead of searching for components and symbols by their name or any other various properties, you can easily sort via libraries or classifications. Using the methods discussed you can easily manage your data which will lead to shorter design time.
Watch our on-demand webinar for a more detailed walk through of the various ways to build your library as explained throughout this article.
>> Part two of this series- Building Your Electrical Parts Library: Importing Data
>> Part three of this series- Building Your Electrical Parts Library: Organization
