In a drawing, if a balloon displays a question mark "?" it is due to the leader not being attached to the part or component:
However, if it displays an asterisk symbol (*), there are several possible causes.
1. The BOM for the view does not match the assembly.
Right-click the drawing view > select Properties > under the 'Balloons' section, ensure the BOM for the view matches the correct BOM:
2. The assembly or part is in a different configuration than that of the BOM.
Check if the part is suppressed in the configuration or if the part is in a different representation (i.e. an open or closed position) than the one in the assembly configuration in which the BOM was created.
3. Balloons are attached to solid bodies that were not grouped as weldment cut-list items
From QA00000118978:
To determine if this is the case, open the weldment part file that the drawing references, and expand the cut list. If the list contains solid bodies, select them and then either create cut list items or edit the cut list to update the balloons.
4. The balloon shows an asterisk after performing a forced rebuild (Ctrl + Q)
From QA00000121967:
To resolve this issue, follow these steps:
1. Open the drawing.
2. Go to 'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Document Properties'.
3. Go to 'Tables' > 'Bill of Materials'.
4. Activate the 'Automatic update of BOM' option > 'OK'.
5. Rebuild the drawing and confirm that the balloons are updated.
6. Save and close the drawing.
7. Reopen the drawing.
Excel-based BOMs:
1. The view is of a configuration with fewer components than another configuration
The Excel-based BOM is linked to the configuration in that view. If that configuration has components suppressed compared to a different configuration, its BOM will be numbered differently than another view of a different configuration.
The best troubleshooting method is to create a BOM of the view to ensure the numbers are the same as the other view in question.
The workaround here is to use hidden parts instead of suppressed parts. Otherwise, use the SolidWorks Bill of Materials so you can use the "link to BOM" option.
2. The BOM that is being referenced is set to a different option, e.g. "Parts only" versus "Top-level Assembly"
There may exist two views of the same configuration and therefore, we would expect a balloon for either one of the views to show the same balloons. This is not always the case if you have selected an option such as "top assembly and parts" for the BOM on one view. The other view will default to "parts only" even if a BOM has not been created. Therefore, the balloons may show different numbering.
The workaround here is to add a BOM to the view in question and set it to the option of the other view. if you delete the BOM, it should stay in the option that was chosen rather than defaulting back to parts only. However, it is recommended to leave the BOM on the drawing just off the printed page.
Another aspect to consider is that balloons added with the "parts only" option will not update when the BOM is changed to the "top-level assembly and parts" until the drawing is closed and opened.
3. Balloons are added while another view is locked
If a view of a configuration is locked and balloons are added to a different view of a different configuration, the balloons may follow the BOM of the original view rather than the BOM of that view.
The balloons must be deleted followed by activating the correct view and lastly recreating the balloons.
For further assistance, please contact our HawkSupport team at 877-266-4469(US) or 866-587-6803(Canada) and support@hawkridgesys.com.
Comments
If the balloon comes up with a "?" then you just missed the part. But if it comes up with a "*" there are a couple of reasons for this.
1: The BOM for the view doesn't match the assembly, you can check this by right clicking the view and making sure the BOM for the view (in the right corner) matches the BOM you want.
2: The assembly is in a different configuration then the BOM, this can be caused by the part being suppressed in the configuration OR the part being in a different congiguration (i.e. an open or closed position) then the one in the assembly configuration the BOM was created with
Additionally
that definately applies for most of the cases with solidworks BOMs.
for excel based BOM's there are 2 things.
1.the view is of a configuration with less components than another
2.the BOM that is being referenced is set to an different option...for example "parts only vs top level assembly and parts".
3.balloons are added while another view is locked
for #1.
the excel based BOM is linked to the configuration in that view. if that configuration has components suppresed compared to a different configuration, it's BOM will be numbered differently than another view of a different config.
the best troubleshooting method for this is to create a BOM of that view, to make sure the numbers are the same as the other view in question.
the workaround here is to use hidden parts instead of suppressed parts. otherwise use the solidworks bill of materials so you can use the "link to BOM" option.
for #2
you may have 2 views of the same configuration and therefore would expect if you balloon either one for the views to show the same balloons. this is not always the case if you have selected an option such as "top assembly and parts" for the BOM on one view. the other view will default to "parts only" even if a BOM has not been created. therefore there may be different balloon numbering.
the workaround here is to add a BOM to the view in question and set it to the option of the other view. if you delete the BOM, it should stay in the option that was chosen rather tahn defaulting back to parts only. however, I would recommend leaving the BOM on the drawing just off the printed page.
another aspect of this that I have seen is that balloons added with the "parts only" option won't update when the BOM is changed to "top level assembly and parts" until the drawing is closed and opened.
for #3
I haven't run into this but saw it on the knowledgebase. if a view of a configuration is locked and balloons are added to a different view of a different configuration, the balloons may follow the BOM of the original view rather than the BOM of that view.
this may be intended behavior but if not, the balloons must be deleted, the correct view activated and then the balloons recreated.
it might be cautious to always recommend locking the view focus when creating excel based BOM balloons.
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