Creating Defeature Rule Sets

You can use a defeature rule set to simplify your model.

To create a defeature rule set:
  1. Open a model, and click Defeature (Tools toolbar) or Tools > Defeature.
  2. In the PropertyManager, select Silhouette .
  3. Click Next .
  4. Under Apply Defeature Rules to Assembly, click Edit Rules.
  5. In the Defeature Rules Editor dialog box, under Name, enter a name.

  6. Under Selection Criteria, click Define selection criteria.
  7. In the Advanced Component Selection dialog box, select search criteria.

    For example, search for fasteners where the filename contains bolt.

  8. In the Defeature Rules Editor dialog box, specify the Defeature Type and Defeature Orientation.
    For each rule, Name, Selection Criteria, Defeature Type, and Defeature Orientation must be populated.

  9. Optional: Click Save to save the rules as a defeature rule set, .slddrs.
  10. In the Defeature Rules Editor dialog box, click OK to return to the PropertyManager.

    Under Apply Defeature Rules to Assembly, the rule status is Pending.

  11. Click Apply.

    After SOLIDWORKS® applies the rule to the model, the status changes to Done (x of y bodies OK).

  12. Optional: Click Save log to save the results to a log file.

    When you open the log file, you see a list of the defeatured components and the defeatured status. 

    Log for defeature silhouette rules applied to C:\Lifts\LIFT.SLDASM

### Rule: Fasteners - bolts ###
Hex@12mm NOM x 70mm LG, METRIC SHOULDER BOLT-3@4545: OK
Hex@12mm NOM x 70mm LG, METRIC SHOULDER BOLT-2@4545: OK
Hex@12mm NOM x 70mm LG, METRIC SHOULDER BOLT-1@4545: OK
Hex@12mm NOM x 70mm LG, METRIC SHOULDER BOLT-2@4568: OK
Hex@12mm NOM x 70mm LG, METRIC SHOULDER BOLT-3@4568: OK
Hex@12mm NOM x 70mm LG, METRIC SHOULDER BOLT-1@4568: OK
Rule complete: 6 OK, 0 Failed