Solidworks 2009: Negative Value Dimensions

Further changes to sketching in Solidworks 2009 now includes the ability to utilize negative value dimensions.  Lets take a look:

We start with a slot sketch on a face.  Dimensioning it to the edge produces the 1.5981 value.  I want that slot to actually hang off that edge by .500

By editing the dimension, and typing in -.5, the slot will now move to the following location:

Another option to flip that alignment is to click the reverse direction button in the property manager of the .500 dimension which is under the primary dimension header:

Clicking the arrow will reverse the direction of the .500 dimension:

While were on the topic of dimensioning changes, it is now also possible to use zero value dimensions.  The vertical line on the right side of this sketch is shown at .100:

By changing that dimension to 0, it basically makes that line collinear with the edge, but  makes it a little more clear:

Certainly a very basic new function, but so is the slot tool, and how much of a time saver is that going to be?

The overall functionality of this new feature has quite a bit of room to grow.  Based on the feedback of beta testers in the beta forums, I would be surprised if this feature didn't see some enhancements this year.

Comments

[Adrian Dunevein]

The zero and negative dimension feature will be useful in configurations, where you have a feature thats collinear in one configuration but off to either side in other configurations. I run in to this situation frequently

Actually Inventor and even Mechanical Desktop have had this capability for years, so its hardly anything new but it is a welcome addition.

Adrian D.

[john r.]

Any info on when is SWx 2009 due to be released? or at least estimate?

[Phil]

Wow finally! That's good news. This has been a major pain for me coming from unigraphics, since ug did this since the begining of time.