Now, with SOLIDWORKS 2021, the Custom Properties tool got a welcomed extension of functionality to include the use of equations. This tool has been a fan favorite for many years because it is incredibly useful as a way to reuse information about your design. Custom properties are a huge part of any power user’s toolbox and in this article we’re going to look at what’s new in SOLDIWORKS 2021.

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Above: Properties Summary Information Dialogue showing where Property Equations are available

Define Custom Properties Using an Expression

You now have the ability to calculate a value to be used as a Custom Property. First, pick the property you want to define and then click equation under type. This makes it possible to define the custom property using an expression. Now you have all the global variables and properties at your fingertips, to be used as you define the new custom property.

Let’s look at an example

We want to set up 2 equations to manage material quantity and cost on a welded frame.

Going to File > Configuration Specific Properties we will add a new property or select from the drop down list.  Here we add Material Cost as the new property.  Change the type to Equation.

In the Value/Text Expression we are going to choose Global Variables for cost calculation.  From the drop down, list we select the cost per pound variable.

Then, we multiply the cost variable with frame mass.

The asterisk * symbol is used to multiply the cost per pound related to mass of the frame which returns $429.88 for the final materials cost.

To see this functionality in action, be sure to check out the video below where you can see exactly how you can extend the capabilities of Custom Properties by instantly calculating the information you need, when you need it.