Design
Every time a cavity is stretched or connect cavity command is used, SolidWorks opens the System Options, File Locations setting. How to fix this?
To resolve: 1. Click on Edit All and from "Edit All File Locations" change "hole callout format file" location path to "C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\lang\english" 2. Now, restart SolidWorks.
How do I make MDTools dialog boxes completely visible? Some content is cut off.
This can occur if you have the Display setting to Medium or Large. Go to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization and select Display. Then, select the Smaller - 100% (default) option. Log off or Restart your system and reopen MDTools.
When trying to click on the MDTools options and adjust settings, the error “Object reference not set to an instance of an object” appears. No changes made to settings get saved?
This error can occur if the user profile does not have full permissions to following folder: C:\ProgramData\VEST\MDTools <version> or C:\ProgramData\VEST\MDTools <version> or Provide full permissions to that folder and then relaunch MDTools. If issue ...
How do I fix exclamation marks in SOLIDWORKS Feature Manager Design tree?
The exclamation marks in the SOLIDWORKS Feature Manager Design tree are the result of unresolved sketch profiles; planes etc. that might have been created during the design process and need to be edited. To find out what these errors are: Make sure ...
When I convert block from Virtual to Feature some cavities get relocated or corrupted. How can I fix the issue?
After converting a block from Virtual to Feature, do some of your cavities look like the image above? Then, you may need to change one of the settings before converting. Go to SOLIDWORKS Options > Sketch and uncheck “Auto-rotate view normal to sketch ...
When I try to insert a cavity I get an unhandled error? How do I resolve the issue?
If you see the following error message when inserting a cavity, it is most likely you do not have full permissions to the settings folder of MDTools. Provide full permissions to the user profile for the following folder. C:\ProgramData\VEST\MDTools ...
Why does MDTools crash when inserting a cavity or when creating a new block?
This can occur if Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 present in Control Panel > Programs List is corrupted. To resolve this issue: Uninstall Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 from Control Panel > Programs List. Locate the MDTools setup on ...
When using SolidWorks measure, faces filter is automatically selected.
Sometimes, with MDTools loaded, the faces filter will be automatically selected and all other filter will be turned off when using the SOLIDWORKS measure tool. If this happens, please ensure that both MDTools and SOLIDWORKS are updated to their ...
Why can't I select a line/face/point/sketch etc?
The selection filter may be limiting what you may select. To check the selection filter, press F5. In the bottom of the screen you will see selection filter options. Check the first icon starting from the left and make sure it is not selected. This ...
"Error while updating block height" message appears when trying to modify the block size
This error can occur if inside SOLIDWORKS, the block dimensions are set to "driven state" for the block profile sketch. Due to some SOLIDWORKS setting the block profile sketch gets driven dimension. To resolve the issue in the new block, make sure ...
How to proceed if the MDTools browser is not visible and I cannot insert cavities from the library?
This occurs if the MDTools browser gets overlapped by the SOLIDWORKS browser, which results in hiding the MDTools browser. Drag the SOLIDWORKS browser down to show the MDTools browser.
Why won't dialog boxes disappear after a command has finished?
The bug has been reported to SOLIDWORKS with SPR-1049778. Additionally, check if you are using the latest/required graphics card/driver. https://www.SOLIDWORKS.com/sw/support/videocardtesting.html As a workaround, Turn off the setting as the given ...
How to link block dimensions in the model to the title block in the drawing?
To link the block dimensions in the drawing so that they automatically update, Set up a SolidWorks Part file as a template with properties that reference the dimensions (with block drawn so you will need one for both units) and a drawing template ...
Why does a cavity disappear when it is placed very close to another cavity?
If any point of the cavity being inserted lies exactly on the Periphery of Step 0 of an adjacent cavity, then the newly inserted cavity disappears from display. This is a limitation of SOLIDWORKS . In such cases, the affected cavity may be deleted ...
Why you cannot constrain cavities that were added prior to other cavities in the design?
This is a limitation of SOLIDWORKS , features cannot be made dependent on other features lower in the model tree.
What are the list of commands that can and cannot be used in Virtual Design mode?
The attached document lists the various commands that can and cannot be used in the Virtual Design Mode. MDTools_Virtual_Mode.pdf
What is the difference between Virtual Cavity mode and Feature Cavity mode?
Virtual Cavity mode: Virtual cavity mode was created to enhance performance as all CAD applications tends to slow down exponentially with the number of features. In Virtual Cavity mode no feature is created, temporary Graphics are used to display ...
How to reset the Net Colors to see only a specific Net?
Click Net display on the ribbon menu, first select Hide all then select Show all. Consequently, in the Net Browser, the Show selected net option will work properly.
What to do if the center marks appear on the opposite faces when views are created?
Selecting High Quality option will prevent the new drawings from displaying these center marks in the opposite faces. To resolve: Go to System Options Drawings > Display Style > Edge quality for wireframe and hidden views Select High quality For ...
How do I turn on the port or cavity ID display for when you hover over a feature with the mouse pointer? (Applicability MDTools 965 and higher)
Please check the option shown below and see if that resolves the issue inside Tools > Options > Display.
When inserting or editing a cavity, does some cavities disappear? (Applicability MDTools 965 and higher)
Feature failure issue is due to zero-thickness geometry limitation of SolidWorks and is resolved by deselecting the highlighted setting from the SolidWorks settings. Go to System Options > Performance, then deselect the highlighted option as shown ...
Solidworks crashes on selecting Design Check and clicking on Save a file options (Applicability MDTools 900 series)
With the regional language settings, if we do not save the Part File and Run the Design Check command, SolidWorks crashes. Customer is requested to save the Part file before running the Design Check command.
How to resolve Feature failing errors if Precision Depth is set to a very low value?
Using low precision for Drill Depth can result in specific cavities failing upon insertion. This is due to the overall depth of the cavity (at Step 12) being rounded down to the same or lower depth than one of the previous Steps. This results in ...
How to fix the constraint errors after shrink wrapping the file in the Assembly environment?
Upon completion of shrink-wrapping an assembly, certain cavities may encounter constraint errors. This type of error can be easily fixed by simply clicking Assembly Interface > Update. This should reapply the constraints and fix any errors present.
When cavities overlap, why does it result in Features failing?
Throughout MDTools 900 series, it is possible to encounter errors in which overlapping cavities on opposite faces cause one of these cavities to fail. This failure results from Solidworks being unable to handle certain overlapping geometries ...
Are files created in previous version of MDTools compatible with MDTools 975 and vice versa?
Files created in MDTools 975 are not directly compatible with the previous versions of the MDTools 900 series and vice versa. This issue can be avoided by exporting manifold designs to the MBXML format then importing them into the previous version. ...
Need to manually define planes to define single body CAD models to set Assembly Constraints
Unable to directly set constraints for single body CAD models by using MDTools the Assembly Constraints command. It displays the following message. How to fix this? To constrain the single body: Define the axis, Manually define the plane, click ...
Every time cavity is inserted or edited Solidworks opens the System Options,File Locations setting.How to fix this?
To resolve: Click the Reset button at the bottom left of the window. Select the required option.
How can I find the volume of my manifold after designing?
Solidworks has a built-in command to find properties of your design , including the volume. In the toolbar, select the Evaluate tab. Then, select Match Properties. Solidworks will launch the Mass Properties dialog box, which displays useful ...
SolidWorks crashes on Connect Cavity
1. Trying to connect a cavity (even from Insert Cavity) will cause SolidWorks to crash if the Auto-Connect, Use Diameter from Tool Library setting is checked. Uncheck it and try. 2. Microsoft Office 365 may also need to be ...