Converting entities and intersection curves in Solidworks - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Converting entities and intersection curves

Goal

Understand how to use Converting Entities and Intersection Curves in SolidWorks to create new sketch geometry from existing model edges and intersecting surfaces.

Sample Data

Feature	Description	Sketch Geometry Created
Converting Entities	Projects edges of existing 3D features onto the active sketch plane.	Projected edges as sketch lines or arcs.
Intersection Curves	Creates sketch curves from the intersection of two or more surfaces or bodies.	Curves where surfaces intersect.
Example Model	Cylinder intersecting a cube.	Intersection curve is ellipse on sketch plane.
Use Case	Create cut or boss features based on projected edges or intersection curves.	Sketch ready for extrusion or cut.

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Number of projected edges using Converting Entities (e.g., 4 edges projected)
• KPI Card: Number of intersection curves created (e.g., 1 curve)
• Bar Chart: Count of sketch entities created by each method (Converting Entities vs Intersection Curves)
• Table: List of sketch entities with type (line, arc, curve), source feature, and method used
• Image Panel: Visual example of a cylinder intersecting a cube with highlighted intersection curve and projected edges

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+
| KPI: Projected Edges | KPI: Intersection Curves |
+----------------------+----------------------+
|                      Bar Chart                      |
+----------------------------------------------------+
|                    Sketch Entities Table           |
+----------------------------------------------------+
|                    Image Panel                      |
+----------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

User can filter the table and bar chart by method (Converting Entities or Intersection Curves). Selecting a sketch entity in the table highlights it in the image panel. Filters update KPI cards to show counts for selected method.

Self Check

If you add a filter to show only Intersection Curves, which components update?

• KPI card for Projected Edges shows zero or hides.
• KPI card for Intersection Curves updates to show count of intersection curves.
• Bar chart updates to show only intersection curves count.
• Table shows only sketch entities created by Intersection Curves.
• Image panel highlights only intersection curves.

Key Result

Dashboard showing counts and details of sketch entities created by Converting Entities and Intersection Curves in SolidWorks.