Ricky Jordan's Blog - Latest Comments in The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

John — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:40:02 -0000

Any other options? I want to emboss/deboss a logo onto a curved (revolved), sort of spherical surface. An extrude ends up really warping the extremities of the logo because the size size/diameter of the revolve is small compared to the size of the logo . The decal won't help me as I will be using the cad to create either an SLA model or a CNC'd model, so the geometry has to be in the CAD file. Any ideas?

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

Solovee — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:34:30 -0000

Newbie here
Interesting - thanks for that.
Rick, can you model a book (like a manual) for me with a coil binding spring as a single part.

Thanks

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

erichunt — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:23:04 -0000

Any suggestions on why when I'm using the wrap feature certain radiuses are not able to be wrapped? For example I was modeling a .07 mm hole (yes I know that's small) and Solidworks would not be able to build the wrap feature, but if I increased the hole size to .078 it would work. Also I was trying to wrap a sketch with a .02 mm hole and the wrap would just ignore the hole and make it solid. This time if I shrank the hole to .0148 mm (nothing larger) then the wrap would build with the hole.

thanks

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

Duane — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:09:54 -0000

Ricky

Hoping you could take a minute and help me out. I have a question on LinkedIn Freelance that I would like you to take a look at. I want to put a logo (text) on a surface by using annotations (lettering) I need it on a rad and to size it to suit the part.
The sketched letters jump around on me and I am lost at getting the letters on a suitable rad.
I suppose there is a first time for everything?
Thanks
Duane
duanecooley@ezlink.ca

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

rickyjordan — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:26:42 -0000

Natasha,

LOL! I'm glad you are finding the information useful. This site was started so that we can all share information on SolidWorks. Keep us posted on your progress.

Ricky

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

rickyjordan — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:25:20 -0000

Alex,

I'm not familiar with CATIA so unfortunately I cannot help with the Wrap tool in that software. Try searching the net and see what you can find. There are some users who post a lot of CATIA videos on YouTube. You can try contacting one of those individuals and see if they can help.

Ricky

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

Natasha P. — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:46:38 -0000

Thank you so very much for this amazing tip.. have been looking everywhere for more than a week on how to drat logos on parts in Solidworks - (I'm new to the program), but have to do it for my work! - and the paycheck!:).. - Thanks so much.. Very useful info - I feel I should have to pay you for it!!:))) Thanks!!!!

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

Alex — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:12:11 -0000

How can I do "Wrap" in CATIA like solidworks?

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

csonon — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:15:44 -0000

You would use the "Decal" tool available in Photoworks; this is the easiest way to wrap a company logo onto any surface.

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

sy — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:29:30 -0000

how can i add a company logo picture on a cylinderical shape surface any idea

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

rickyjordan — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:42:54 -0000

Yes...I have seen this too. For planar surfaces Extrude is probably better since you have the option to add draft during creation. If you need to just split faces on a planar face, I like the Wrap tool better though since it can handle multiple closed loops much easier vs. the Split Line too.

Ricky

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

steve — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:41:44 -0000

its a shame that the wrap tool is three times slower than an extrude on a planer face.

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

rickyjordan — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:10:49 -0000

Richie,

Glad to help. Let us know how it goes for you! :-)

Ricky

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

rickyjordan — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:10:03 -0000

GREAT! It's good to explore features we don't use much. I try to do it as often as possible. Let us know how your experiences with it go!

Ricky

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

rickyjordan — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:08:33 -0000

Yes, I'm sure that there would be some mathematical challenges in expanding this tool in future versions....but SolidWorks does have some really talented programmers....so we will wait and see. :-)

You raise some great points. It's not the best tool for all jobs...but one that is often forgotten. My hope is that when we raise discussions like this we can help generate some ideas for SolidWorks to use in future versions. Thanks for you inputs! :-)

Ricky

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

rickyjordan — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:04:07 -0000

Hi Rod! I'm glad you liked the post. I'm going to try to zero in on some tools like this that really are handy but don't often get much press, so look for more in the future!

Ricky

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

weewilly — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:04:15 -0000

I for one Rick, will use this now. Haven't had a reason before but it seems so easy according to how you taught it here that I'm ready to kick the tires. Thanks Ricky

Richie

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

cadcamstuff — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:53:15 -0000

"Eye twitching", thought we where talking about Christmas present for a moment.
Really cool post, I'm defiantly going to play around with this feature, thanks Ricky

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

ecirwin — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:51:53 -0000

Just thought I would add a comment about the idea of using this type of feature on something other than planar, cylindrical, or conical faces. This feature is based on actually "wrapping" the geometry onto the surface. That translates into the real world as being able to lay a sheet of paper or maybe a sticker onto a surface without wrinkling it, or stretching it. Which means that spherical and organic surfaces are off the list.

I understand the desire for this kind of feature, but I also understand the mathematical limitations. When you consider how the geometry would have to distort to make this possible, then you have to ask where would the distortion happen. Things like graphics and text don't do well when you start to distort them. It doesn't take much to make them look like you are seeing them in a carnival mirror. I don't think that is the desired effect.

Re: The SolidWorks Secret Weapon: The Wrap Tool

Rod_Uding — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:53:38 -0000

This is an excellent tool for those who need it. In my line of work, I have never needed to use it and it appears I never will :(. However, it is always good to be reminded of lesser used tools. I may be able to recommend a a solution to someone based on the posts like this one even if I do not have the need to use it. Thanks for reminding us about it Ricky and pointing out the plus/minus of the tool.