Top-Down Modeling in

Solidworks
David Schoon
dave@bostondevice.com
What is Top-Down Modeling?
A method of
driving multiple
part designs
using a single
parent part
Parent
Part
sketches,
surfaces,
solids
Child Parts
Driven
features from
Parent Part
Why Use Top-Down Design?
Maintains key relationships between parts
Clearance and interface design details
Proper positioning in assemblies
Rapid modifications
One change to master part can propagate to multiple
derived parts
Multi-User assemblies
Can be used to define interfaces in between
subassemblies
Avoids circular references within assemblies
Parent Sketching | Front Profile
Start new part
Sketch on front plane
Use symmetric and equal
constraints
Add dimensions
Close sketch and save part
Parent Sketching | Main Cross-Section
Create new sketch on top plane
Sketch middle profile (below)
Constrain middle profile to Front
Profile
Sketch top and bottom profiles
Add dimensions
Close sketch and save part
Parent Sketching | Front Details
Create new sketch on Front
Plane
Draw LCD, button, speaker
and camera outlines
Close sketch and save part
Embed Parent into Child Parts
Insert > Part
Find the parent part
that you saved and
allow part to drop to
default location.
Save Front Part
You will now have all
of the base geometry
of the parent part to
build from in your
Front Part.
Repeat for Base Part
& Middle Part
Build Front Part Features
Create reference plane coincident with
upper line in cross-section sketch
Create new sketch on reference
plane, and convert entities of main
front perimeter profile
Make converted entities construction
geometry
Offset converted entities (select
chain), and delete dimension
afterward
Constrain offset profile to appropriate
vertex on cross-section view
Complete similar process for cut on
underside
Use split-line curves to define LCD,
button, speaker and camera profiles
Ribbon & Base Features
Complete similar processes
for metal ribbon and base
features
Cross-sections of parts
should be identical to
cross-section sketch in
master
Use sketch constraints
whenever possible (and
minimize dimensions)
Assemble Parts
Create new assembly
Drag parts to default coordinate
system
Parts should automatically be
placed properly
Check cross-section to
ensure clearances are
consistent with parent part
Other things to try:
What happens when you
change the dimensions in the
parent model?
How would you break out the
button part?