How to Edit Imported Assemblies in SolidWorks

To edit an imported assembly in SolidWorks, you primarily use direct editing techniques on the individual parts within the assembly, or you can edit the main "Imported" feature itself, as suggested by the provided reference. SolidWorks treats imported geometry differently than native parametric models, often requiring specific tools for modification.

When you import an assembly into SolidWorks (e.g., from STEP, IGES, or Parasolid files), it typically arrives as a collection of solid bodies or features, not with parametric history. This means traditional feature-based editing might not be directly available. However, SolidWorks offers powerful tools to modify these imported models.

Understanding Imported Models

Imported models often appear as "Imported" features or "Solid Body" folders in the FeatureManager Design Tree. They lack the native SolidWorks features (like extrudes, cuts, fillets) that define their geometry, making direct editing of the underlying features impossible. Instead, you'll work directly on the geometry (faces, edges, vertices).

Method 1: Direct Editing of Parts within the Assembly Context

This is the most common approach if your imported assembly retains its structure as separate components within SolidWorks.

1. Open the Imported Assembly: Load your .SLDASM file (or the imported file directly if it's recognized as an assembly).
2. Identify the Part to Edit: In the FeatureManager Design Tree or the graphics area, locate the specific part component you need to modify.
3. Edit the Part:
   • Right-click on the part in the FeatureManager Design Tree or the graphics area.
   • Select "Edit Part" (to edit within the assembly context) or "Open Part" (to open the part in a new window for isolated editing).
4. Apply Direct Editing Tools: Once in part editing mode, you can use SolidWorks' direct editing features:
   • Move Face: Translates or rotates selected faces. (Insert > Face > Move)
   • Delete Face: Removes selected faces, often to simplify geometry or create new features. (Insert > Face > Delete)
   • Offset Face: Creates a new face parallel to the original, changing the thickness or size. (Insert > Face > Offset)
   • Replace Face: Substitutes one face with another. (Insert > Face > Replace)
   • Fill Hole: Closes holes in a surface. (Insert > Face > Fill Hole)
   • Combine: Merges multiple solid bodies into one. (Insert > Features > Combine)

Method 2: Editing the Imported Feature (As Referenced)

As demonstrated in the video titled "Edit Imported Models in SOLIDWORKS - YouTube", a common method involves directly interacting with the imported feature itself. This approach is particularly useful if an entire imported assembly or a complex part within it is treated as a single "Imported" feature rather than a collection of editable native features.

1. Locate the "Imported" Feature: In the FeatureManager Design Tree, expand the part or assembly until you find the "Imported" feature. This feature represents the entire geometry brought in from the external file.
2. Right-Click and Edit Feature:
   • Right-click on the "Imported" feature (e.g., "Imported (1)", "Parasolid1", "STEP1") in the FeatureManager Design Tree.
   • Select "Edit Feature".
   • Reference Insight: The video snippet directly shows "I'm just going to right click select it edit the feature and it's doing some thaning." This action prompts SolidWorks to analyze the imported geometry and often brings up options related to feature recognition or direct editing tools, allowing you to modify the geometry represented by that imported feature.
3. Utilize Direct Editing or FeatureWorks Options: Depending on the SolidWorks version and type of import, "Edit Feature" might activate a PropertyManager for:
   • Direct Editing: Providing options to manipulate faces, edges, and vertices.
   • FeatureWorks: Suggesting potential SolidWorks features (like extrudes, cuts, fillets) that can be recognized from the imported geometry.

Method 3: Utilizing FeatureWorks for Feature Recognition

FeatureWorks is a powerful add-in that converts imported solid models into native SolidWorks parametric features, allowing for more traditional editing.

1. Open the Part File: It's often best to perform FeatureWorks on individual parts rather than the assembly directly. Open the desired imported part in a new window.
2. Activate FeatureWorks: Go to Insert > FeatureWorks > Recognize Features.
3. Choose Recognition Type:
   • Automatic Recognition: SolidWorks attempts to recognize common features (e.g., extrudes, cuts, fillets, holes) automatically.
   • Interactive Recognition: Allows you to manually select geometry and define the feature type.
4. Run Recognition: Follow the prompts to complete the recognition process. SolidWorks will build a feature tree from the imported geometry.
5. Edit Native Features: Once features are recognized, you can edit them just like any other SolidWorks feature by right-clicking on them in the FeatureManager Design Tree and selecting "Edit Feature" or "Edit Sketch."

Practical Insights and Best Practices

• Save as SolidWorks: Always save your imported assemblies and parts as native SolidWorks .SLDASM and .SLDPRT files immediately after importing. This preserves any changes you make and optimizes performance.
• Non-Parametric Nature: Remember that direct editing modifies the geometry directly and does not create a design history in the same way parametric features do. If you need to revert changes, you might need to use Undo or re-import the original.
• Performance: Large imported assemblies can be resource-intensive. Consider using Lightweight mode, Large Assembly Mode, or SpeedPak if performance issues arise.
• Configurations: If you need to create variations of the imported assembly, utilize SolidWorks configurations instead of creating multiple separate files.
• Referencing Original Files: Keep the original imported files (STEP, IGES, etc.) in a safe location for reference or re-import if necessary.

By leveraging these methods, particularly direct editing and the "Edit Feature" option for imported features, you can effectively modify and adapt imported assemblies in SolidWorks to suit your design needs.