Using equations in a DWG file

Hi all,

I'm using Solidworks drawings to design flat composite structures that
are laser-cut, and through integration with flexible polymer film can
be folded up into small articulated structures.

The process is probably too complicated to explain thoroughly here,
but here's my problem: I'd like to link feature dimensions in the DWG
(because it's the file I send to the laser), but I can't figure out
how to use equations in a drawing file. Is it even possible to do
this? I've done it before in a 3D SLDPRT file, so I know how it's done
there, but the same option doesn't seem to be available from the
little dimension window in a drawing file.

Any help or suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

It seems like one work-around would be to make your sketch in a part. That
allows you to use your equations. Then make a drawing of the part, which is
just the sketch.

Jerry Steiger

 

Aaron,

If I read this right, you want to use info embedded in the dwg file for
some purpose in the laser.

Without further info, it's hard to be sure but, you may want to look at
handling your requirements with LISP routines. You can definitely handle
them with a third party (custom) application.

You may be able to do something with assigning/extracting attributes in
the dwg file itself.

If you already know how to do this in SWX, why don't you use that method
and have the dwg as the leftover legacy?

In any case, I would drop a post over at comp.cad.autocad. They would be
better suited to answer this question.

Hope this helps

 

alt.cad.autocad may be better
crickets in c.c.a