Applying fillets

In this section, we will discuss how to apply the fillet feature. To show this, we will create the model shown as follows:

 As usual, we will start with planning, sketching, and then applying a feature:

• Planning: Here, we will create a triangular prism and then apply fillets to the top edges.
• Sketch: We will sketch and fully define a triangle, as shown by the Top View of the preceding diagram.
• Feature: We will apply the extruded boss feature so that it's 1.5 inches, as shown by the Back View in the preceding diagram. This will result in a triangular prism that looks as follows:

To apply the fillet feature, select the Fillet command, as shown in the following screenshot:

Select Edge<1> and Edge<2>, which have fillets applied to them. Adjust the Fillet options, as shown in the following screenshot showing the PropertyManager:

The following is a brief explanation of the options that we used in this exercise:

• Fillet Type: This specifies the type of fillet we're using. The first type is the constant size fillet, which we are using in this exercise. As we are only beginners, we will only use this type.
• Items to Fillet: This highlights where the fillet be applied. In our example, we're applying it to Edge <1> and Edge <2>. We can use this window to remove edges from the selection if we've added one by mistake. For the selection, we can select individual edges or faces. Selecting a face will apply the fillet to all the edges related to that face.
• Show selection toolbar: If this option is checked, then we can select an edge; a small selection toolbar will appear with some shortcuts we can use to select where we want to apply the fillet. The toolbar looks as follows. Since the selection toolbar only contains selection shortcuts, we can disregard it for now and start using it later, once we are comfortable with the different selections it provides:

• Tangent propagation: This only applies if there's more than one edge and they are tangible to each other; for example, two curved edges that have a tangible relationship with each other. In the case of our triangular prism, none of the edges are tangible to each other. Thus, selecting or deselecting this option will not make any difference.
• Full preview, Partial preview, and No preview: Those options decide on the type of fillet preview we can see when we are making the shape. Selecting Full preview will show us what the fillet looks like in its entirety, whereas selecting No preview won't show it at all.
• Fillet method: Here, we have two options; Symmetric and Asymmetric. A Symmetric fillet is a uniform fillet in which we only need to define one radius. An Asymmetric fillet, on the other hand, has different curvatures on each side and requires us to define the use of 2D.
• Radius: Here, we can input a numerical value for the fillet radius. In this exercise, it is 0.5 inches, as shown by View (1): Right View in the diagram at the beginning of this section.
• Multi Radius Fillet: Clicking this option will allow us to determine a different radius for different edges. For example, if we want the fillet radius for Edge 1 to be different to the fillet radius for Edge 2, we can use this option.
• Profile: This determines the profile of the fillet. The Circular profile option projects the fillet profile as a quarter of a circle. Other options including Conic Rho, Conic Radius, and Curvature continuous.

We won't be using the Setback Parameter, Partial Edge Parameter, and Fillet Options just yet. While we are here, take some time to combine some of the preceding options and look at the result in the canvas preview. Once done, click on the green checkmark at the top of the Options tab to apply the fillet. We should get the following shape:

This concludes how to apply fillets. In this section, we covered the following topics:

• How to apply fillets in SOLIDWORKS
• The different options we can use to define fillets in SOLIDWORKS

Now that we know how to apply fillets, let's learn how to apply chamfers.