Animation basics in Solidworks - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Animation basics

Dashboard Goal

Understand the basics of animation in SolidWorks by analyzing key animation metrics and visualizing animation steps.

Sample Data: Animation Steps

Step	Action	Duration (seconds)	Rotation Angle (degrees)	Translation Distance (mm)
1	Rotate Part A	5	90	0
2	Translate Part B	3	0	50
3	Rotate Part C	4	45	0
4	Translate Part D	6	0	100
5	Rotate Part E	2	30	0

Dashboard Components

• Total Animation Duration (KPI Card): Sum of all durations.
  Formula: Total Duration = SUM(Duration)
  Result: 20 seconds
• Total Rotation Angle (KPI Card): Sum of all rotation angles.
  Formula: Total Rotation = SUM(Rotation Angle)
  Result: 165 degrees
• Total Translation Distance (KPI Card): Sum of all translation distances.
  Formula: Total Translation = SUM(Translation Distance)
  Result: 150 mm
• Animation Duration by Step (Bar Chart): Shows duration per step.
  X-axis: Step number
  Y-axis: Duration (seconds)
• Rotation Angle by Step (Line Chart): Shows rotation angle per step.
  X-axis: Step number
  Y-axis: Rotation Angle (degrees)
• Animation Steps Table: Displays all data rows for detailed review.

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+----------------------+
| Total Duration (KPI) | Total Rotation (KPI) | Total Translation (KPI) |
+----------------------+----------------------+----------------------+
|                      Animation Duration by Step (Bar Chart)                      |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                      Rotation Angle by Step (Line Chart)                        |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                              Animation Steps Table                              |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

A filter to select specific steps (e.g., Step 1 to 3) updates all components:

• KPI cards recalculate totals for selected steps.
• Bar and line charts update to show only selected steps.
• Table filters to display only selected steps.

This helps focus on parts of the animation sequence.

Self Check

If you add a filter to show only steps 2 to 4, which components update and what are their new values?

• Total Duration: 3 + 4 + 6 = 13 seconds
• Total Rotation: 0 + 45 + 0 = 45 degrees
• Total Translation: 50 + 0 + 100 = 150 mm
• Bar and line charts show data only for steps 2, 3, and 4.
• Table shows only rows for steps 2, 3, and 4.

Key Result

Dashboard showing total animation duration, rotation, translation, and step-wise animation metrics in SolidWorks animation basics.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of animation in SolidWorks?
Animation helps to:

easy

A. Create static 2D drawings

B. Calculate part weight automatically

C. Show how parts move or fit together over time

D. Generate manufacturing cost reports

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand animation purpose

   Animation in SolidWorks is used to demonstrate movement or assembly of parts over time.

2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated options

   Options about static drawings, weight calculation, or cost reports do not relate to animation.

3. Final Answer:

   Show how parts move or fit together over time -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Animation = Show movement [OK]

Hint: Animation = parts moving or assembling over time [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing animation with static drawing creation
• Thinking animation calculates physical properties
• Assuming animation generates reports

2. Which of the following is the correct way to add a keyframe in SolidWorks animation?

easy

A. Use the 'Export Animation' button

B. Right-click timeline and select 'Add Key Point'

C. Drag parts directly without timeline interaction

D. Click the timeline at desired time and press 'Add Keyframe'

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall keyframe addition method

   In SolidWorks animation, you add keyframes by clicking the timeline at the desired time and selecting 'Add Keyframe'.

2. Step 2: Identify incorrect options

   Options about 'Add Key Point' or dragging parts without timeline are incorrect. Exporting animation is unrelated.

3. Final Answer:

   Click the timeline at desired time and press 'Add Keyframe' -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Add keyframe = timeline click + add [OK]

Hint: Add keyframe by clicking timeline at time [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing 'Add Key Point' with 'Add Keyframe'
• Trying to add keyframe without timeline
• Using export button to add keyframes

3. Given an animation timeline with keyframes at 0s (position A) and 5s (position B), what happens if you preview the animation at 3s?

medium

A. The part is at position A

B. The part is between position A and B

C. The animation shows an error

D. The part is at position B

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand keyframe interpolation

   Between keyframes, SolidWorks animates parts moving smoothly from one position to another.

2. Step 2: Apply to 3s preview

   At 3 seconds, which is between 0s and 5s, the part will be in a position between A and B.

3. Final Answer:

   The part is between position A and B -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Between keyframes = smooth transition [OK]

Hint: Preview between keyframes shows in-between position [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming part stays at first keyframe until next
• Thinking part jumps instantly to next keyframe
• Expecting error without reason

4. You created an animation but the part does not move when previewing. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. No keyframes were added to the timeline

B. The part is hidden in the assembly

C. The animation was exported instead of previewed

D. The timeline is set to loop

Solution

1. Step 1: Check keyframe presence

   If no keyframes exist, SolidWorks has no instructions to move the part.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Hidden parts still can be animated if keyframes exist; exporting does not affect preview; looping affects repetition, not movement.

3. Final Answer:

   No keyframes were added to the timeline -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   No keyframes = no movement [OK]

Hint: No keyframes means no animation movement [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring missing keyframes
• Confusing export with preview
• Thinking loop disables movement

5. You want to create an animation showing a part rotating 90 degrees over 4 seconds and then moving 10 cm forward over 3 seconds. How should you set the keyframes?

hard

A. Add a rotation keyframe at 0s and 4s, then a translation keyframe at 4s and 7s

B. Add rotation and translation keyframes both at 0s and 7s only

C. Add translation keyframes at 0s and 3s, then rotation keyframes at 3s and 7s

D. Add a single keyframe at 7s with both rotation and translation

Solution

1. Step 1: Plan rotation timing

   Rotation happens over first 4 seconds, so keyframes at 0s (start) and 4s (end rotation).

2. Step 2: Plan translation timing

   Translation starts after rotation, from 4s to 7s, so keyframes at 4s (start move) and 7s (end move).

3. Step 3: Combine keyframes correctly

   Set rotation keyframes first, then translation keyframes sequentially to show smooth animation.

4. Final Answer:

   Add a rotation keyframe at 0s and 4s, then a translation keyframe at 4s and 7s -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Sequential keyframes = smooth staged animation [OK]

Hint: Set keyframes sequentially for each motion phase [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Overlapping keyframes causing simultaneous moves
• Missing intermediate keyframes
• Using single keyframe for multiple motions