[Cammotion]

Does anyone have a work around for the view set-up? If I model something, I have to use the front view to get the part to come out in the top view in my cam software. In other words, the Z axis is normal to the front view in Solidworks. This seems strange to me.

[X00013]

I'm a SW newbie with a solid manual machinist back ground and the default xyz is driving me nuts and i cant figure out how to change this. I find it extremely odd that the z axis is not considered the top view for default reasons, this kind of tells me the SW programmers nevered machined anything old school on a manual 3 axis mill. Thanks for any help!

[High Seas]

Does anyone have a work around for the view set-up? If I model something, I have to use the front view to get the part to come out in the top view in my cam software. In other words, the Z axis is normal to the front view in Solidworks. This seems strange to me.

A mate has a version on board and we tried this from the HELP section:

You control the visibility of reference geometry and the names of the default planes in the document templates.
To update the document templates:
Click Open or File, Open.
Select Template (*.prtdot; *.asmdot; *.drwdot) from the Files of type list.
Browse to the desired file, and click Open.
Make the necessary changes to the document template including the following:
Rename the planes
Toggle the visibility of the reference geometry (for example, click View, Origins.)
Click Save or File, Save to update the existing document template. Click File, Save As to update the name of the document template as well.

The attachment - If I get it loaded [WIFI DROPOUTS ] shows renaming the FRONT as Z AXIS etc: Not elegant - but you have a start!

[JerryFlyGuy]

You can also re-orientate the part to the UCS but I've got to go and figure out how its done.. It's been a while since I needed it.. I'll post when I figure it out again.. something to do with standard views [hit the spacebar] I think ..

Jerry

[Kiwi]

Just change the Labels to what suits.

[DareBee]

Right from HELP

"To change the orientation of the standard model views in the Orientation dialog box:

In the Orientation dialog box, double-click one of the named views to select the new orientation. For example, if you want what is currently the Left view to become the front view, double-click Left.

Select the name of the standard view you want to assign to the current orientation of the model. For example, select Front if you want the current view to become the front.

Click Update Standard Views . This updates all of the standard views so they are relative to the selected view.

Click Yes to confirm the update" end quote


This is a function I use frequently, especially when making prints from parts made using "top-down-design" methods.

Having said that - I don't know if this actually changes the UCS of the part.
It really has nothing to do with SW as to which way the CAM system imports it's geometry, SW engineers didn't produce SW as machining software. I would say it is the CAM systems fault for not importing the correct orientation.

Anyway - When I import into my CAM software it takes TWO CLICKS to set the part to whatever orientation I want.

[JerryFlyGuy]

I tried that last night, unfortunatly I couldn't seem to make it change the UCS as "Z" still pointed the same way as when I started.. This does change the "standard Views" but.. I think that the "top" plane is still orientated the same way as before.

If you want to know how your orientated to the UCS, you can turn it on under the View/cordinate system. I'm starting to think that you may be best served by doing as High Seas stated and changing your part template around so its not an issue in the future.. This won't solve the issue for the parts that are already drawn and having to re-orientate them..

Jerry

[X00013]

I would like to thank everyone for there help!

[Cammotion]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I followed High Sea's recommendations and things seemed to work. Of course, prior files were still the same, but I made a new one, and it was right.

Regarding the CAM program, I've imported models from other programs like Solid Edge and UG NX, and the Z axis points toward the top. I don't know why SW is different. Oh well, thanks again!