Problem

This article will go over the Force Rebuild Tool, which is a diagnostic tool used to ensure that no errors have been introduced into earlier features by more recent ones. It is not intended to be used on a regular basis. Its purpose is for troubleshooting the model to determine if a newer version of the file was not able to read an older feature previously used. It is also intended to find, somewhere within the feature history, if there is a "bad feature" introduced/created.

Solution

Force Rebuild is activated by pressing the CTRL + Q keys on the keyboard. With the different file types (parts/assemblies/drawings), Force Rebuild behaves slightly differently.

In Part Files, there are two rebuild behaviors:

1. Pressing the CTRL+Q keys causes a complete rebuild of all the features in the model starting from the top in the Feature Manager Tree.
2. Pressing the CTRL+B keys only rebuilds new or changed features and their associated child features.

In Assemblies, pressing the CTRL+Q keys will only rebuild assembly-level features and mates. Any additional rebuild flags on any items will also be rebuilt.

In Drawings, pressing the CTRL+Q keys will rebuild any view that is based on a sketched line, such as a Detail View or Section View. Any additional rebuild flags on any items will also be rebuilt.

SOLIDWORKS possesses several additional tools capable of running checks to determine if the geometry created is stable, functional, or will not create any additional complications, which include:

• Verification on Rebuild: Using Verification on Rebuild for Geometry Checks – Hawk Ridge Systems
• Check Entity: Using Check Entity to check for Geometry Issues – Hawk Ridge Systems
• Geometry Analysis: Using Geometry Analysis to check for Issues before Exporting to other Tools – Hawk Ridge Systems

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