Components with Multiple Instances

The Equations dialog displays components that are referred by unique instance numbers. You can apply equations to specific instances. This ensures there is no ambiguity about the instance referenced in each equation.

For example, the following equations refer to the same part BigAndSmall, which has instances <1> and <2>. In the Equations dialog, you can select which instance to apply to an equation.

"HoleWidth@Sketch1" = "Width@Sketch1@BigAndSmall<2>.Part"
"HoleDepth@Cut-Extrude1" = "Depth@Boss-Extrude1@BigAndSmall<1>.Part" / 2.0
"HoleWidthOffset@Sketch1" = ("Width@Sketch1@BigAndSmall<1>.Part" / 2) - ("Width@Sketch1@BigAndSmall<2>.Part" / 2)
The instance number is always enclosed in < > angle brackets.

In previous releases, the software did not display the instance number. Instead, it selected the latest instance and action that was available in memory.

Displaying Equations with Multiple Instances

If you are working with equations from SOLIDWORKS 2011, you might encounter errors in the Equations dialog box if both of the following conditions apply:

  • A part or component referenced by the equations has multiple instances in the model.
  • The equations are linked to an external file.

The instance numbers are not initially reflected in the external file. To resolve this discrepancy, update the external file by exporting the equations to the external file and rebuilding the model.

Resolving Multiple Instance Issues

To resolve multiple instance issues:

  1. In any of the views of the Equations dialog box, click Export.

    The Export Equations dialog box appears. This dialog box includes two columns. The first column indicates the equations that will be exported to a text file. The second column indicates the equations that will be linked between the model and the text file, so that changes are replicated in both. By default, all equations are exported and linked.

  2. In the Export Equations dialog box, leave all the check boxes selected and click Export.
    Link to external file is selected in the Equations dialog box. The file path for the text file also appears.
  3. Click Rebuild Tool_Rebuild_Standard.png and then click Open .
The instance numbers display in the text file as intended.