Problem

An imported Body can sometimes be inserted in the wrong orientation and would need to be repositioned. This article shows how to reorient the part relative to the coordinate system.

Solution 1: Move/Copy Body

The first solution is to use the Move/Copy Body feature to reorient the part with the steps below:

1. Go to Insert > Features > Move/Copy. This feature allows users to translate, rotate, or add constraints.
2. Under "Bodies to Move", select the Body
3. Under Mate Settings, add coincident mates between faces of the body and the reference planes. Two should be sufficient. The example below is matting a face to the Right plane to rotate the part.
4. Flip the Mate alignments, if necessary.
5. Click "OK"
   
6. A Body-Move/Copy feature is created in the tree. Edit the feature to make changes as necessary.
   

Solution 2: New Coordinate System

The second solution is to create a new Coordinate System and report the part to bring back in using the new Coordinate System. Follow the steps below:

1.  Go to Insert > Reference Geometry > Coordinate System

2. Use faces/edges on the part to locate the new coordinate system.

   

3. Go to File > Save As.

4. Under Save as type, select Parasolid(*.x_t) and click "Options".

   

5. Change the Output Coordinate System from "--default--" to "Coordinate System1" and hit "OK".

   

6. Save the file

7. Import the new Parasolid file into SOLIDWORKS and save it as a Part file. The file will come in with the Coordinate System selected.

   

   For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.