【转帖】equation for extrusion depth

yang686526

equation for extrusion depth?
i like how you can set dimensions in a sketch to equations, but how do you do it for the depth of a feature?  say i want to link the depth of an extrusion to one of the dimensions of the profile sketch.  solidworks only seems to accept a number in the "depth" text box.
sw 2008 office professional sp 4.0
intel xeon 3.40ghz
3 gb ram
windows xp sp 2
check out our whitepaper library.
create the extrusion with a blind depth.  after completing the feature, double click it in the feature tree and you will see the depth dimension.  rmb the dimension to get properties or for selecting when in equation editor.
conversely, you can create the extrusion with a set depth, then apply an equation. the depth will update accordingly.   
jeff mirisola, cswp, certified driveworks ae
wait, where is there an equation option?  i've selecet the feature in the property manager and right clicked on the dimension.  i don't see anything in the pop-up menu that relates to an equation.  here's what i get:
select other
invert selection
--------------------
zoom/pan/rotate
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recent commands
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dimension
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link values
mark for drawing
configure dimension
display options
smart dimension
annotations
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selected entities
--------------------
change annotation view (*top)
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customize menu
sw 2008 office professional sp 4.0
intel xeon 3.40ghz
3 gb ram
windows xp sp 2
click on the feature to bring up the dimensions. double click on the extrusion dimension as though you were going to edit it. click on the drop-down arrow, then select 'add equation'.   
jeff mirisola, cswp, certified driveworks ae
um, i don't get a regular dimension box like that.  i just get a bare white text box with the dimension value, no buttons.
sw 2008 office professional sp 4.0
intel xeon 3.40ghz
3 gb ram
windows xp sp 2
aaaah!  it came up once and i clicked away, and then i got the white box again.  now i can get the right box 1 out of 5 times.  is there some very specific part of the dimension you have to aim for?
sw 2008 office professional sp 4.0
intel xeon 3.40ghz
3 gb ram
windows xp sp 2
not that i've found. i think it just has to do with how fast you click. completely aggravating...
jeff mirisola, cswp, certified driveworks ae
adam and jeff,
a  for both of you for making me look to find out what the hell you were talking about. i did not know of that shortcut to the equation editor. thank you both.
i have tried clicking slow and fast (and even half-fast ), and on all points of a dimension, but i cannot force a dimension edit box to open without the other icons.
adam,
which vc and driver are you using?

new trick.  thanks and star.
cbl,
see attached...most of the time i get the edit box you see in the top pic. occasionally, if i'm lucky, i get the normal 'modify' box you see in the bottom pic.
jeff mirisola, cswp, certified driveworks ae