How to Add Text in SolidWorks?

Introduction to Adding Text in SolidWorks

Adding text to your designs in SolidWorks enhances their clarity and detail. Whether you are labeling components, creating annotations, or incorporating designs featuring text, SolidWorks offers various tools to facilitate this process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Text

1. Selecting the Face:

   • Begin by choosing the face of the part where you want to add the text. You can do this by simply clicking on the desired face.

2. Accessing the Text Tool:

   • Navigate to the Sketch toolbar and find the text tool. Alternatively, you can reach it by clicking on Tools > Sketch Entities > Text.

3. Creating a Sketch Profile:

   • To ensure your text is placed accurately, create a sketch profile. This can be a circle or any continuous profile composed of lines, arcs, or splines. Sketch the desired shape, then close the sketch.

4. Opening a New Sketch for Text:

   • After closing your profile sketch, open a new sketch by selecting the face of the part again. This new sketch is where you will place your text.

5. Inserting Text:

   • With the new sketch active, click on the Text tool once again. A text box will appear where you can input the desired text. Enter the content as needed.
6. Adjusting Text Properties:
   • Modify properties such as font style, size, and orientation from the Text Property Manager. This allows for customization to suit your design needs.

Editing and Positioning Text

1. Flipping or Rotating Text:

   • If you need to change the orientation of your text, select it in the Text box. You can click the Rotate button to rotate the text 30 degrees counterclockwise. For precise adjustments, input specific rotation angles.

2. Centering Text:

   • To achieve centered text, first sketch a centerline in the area of your text. Select this centerline using the curve selection box, input your text, and then utilize the center align option to ensure it is positioned correctly.
3. Deleting Text:
   • If adjustments are needed, you can delete text by selecting it and pressing the Delete key. Alternatively, select it and drag it to a new location if you prefer moving it instead of deleting it.

Color Customization for Text

1. Changing Text Color:

   • To enhance visual clarity, change the text color by accessing the Options menu. Click on Tools > Options, then select Colors. Here, you can adjust the settings to set your desired colors.
2. Making Dimensions Red or Modifying Font Color:
   • Dimensions often appear in default colors. To customize their appearance, navigate to System Options and modify the color settings for dimensions. Use the Line Color icon to select any dimension and change its color as preferred.

Troubleshooting Text Issues

• Text Appearing Upside Down:

  • If your text is inverted, it is usually due to the direction of the line you created for reference. Ensure you draw the lines correctly, following the intended direction for the text placement.
• Understanding Grey Dimensions:
  • Grey dimensions indicate driven dimensions that are not controlling the geometry. Adjust your settings under the dimension properties to change this color if necessary.

FAQ

Q1: Can I extrude text in SolidWorks?
Yes, you can extrude the text by sketching it on the face of a part and then using the extrude or cut features. This allows for creating raised or recessed text in your design.

Q2: How do I remove unwanted text from my design?
To delete unwanted text, simply select it and press the Delete key. If you prefer to move the text, click and drag it to the new location.

Q3: What should I do if my text is not aligned properly?
If alignment appears off, check that you’re using the centerline selection to position your text correctly. You can utilize the align options in the Text Property Manager for adjustments.