60 SOLIDWORKS Tips & Tricks Guide

60
TRIMECH’s
SOLIDWORKS
TIPS & TRICKS
Technical Support
1.888.TRIMECH
Support@TriMech.com
Rev: 1.2
TriMech’s 60 SOLIDWORKS Tips and Tricks
©2017, TriMech
4461 Cox Road, Suite 302, Glen Allen, VA 23060 USA.
All Rights Reserved
No material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any

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pressed written permission of TriMech.
Contributing Editors:
Stephen Petrock
Chris Joren
Emmanuel Kim

Cover and Design:
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Table of Contents
Using SOLIDWORKS Tips
1 - Options Search 2
2 - Repeat Last Command 3
3 - Force Rebuild 4
4 - Reference Planes 5
5 - Recent Files (“R” Key) 6
6 - Reload 7
7 - Context Menu 8
8 - Shortcut Toolbars (“S” Key) 9
9 - Command Search 10
10 - Move Breadcrumbs & Corners (“D” Key) 11
11 - Selection 12
12 - Customizing 13
13 - Save SOLIDWORKS Settings 14
14 - Browse Open Documents 15
15 - Filtering the FeatureManager 16
16 - Flat Tree View 17
17 - Collapse Tree 18
18 - Folder in the Tree 19
19 - Additional Folders in the Tree 20
SOLIDWORKS Navigation Tips
20 - Custom Views 22
21- Rotate About Selection 23
22 - Zoom to Fit 24
23 - Normal To 25
24 - Zoom to Selection 26
25 - Rotate About Scene Floor 27
26 - Reference Triad 28
SOLIDWORKS Sketching Tips
27 - Corner Sketch Relations 30
28 - Window & Lasso Select 31
29 - Disable Autorelations Temporarily 32
30 - Power Trim 32
31- Dimension to Tangency 33
32 - Create a Sketch on Model Edge 34
33 - Fully Define Sketch 34
34 - Change Sketch Type Option 35
35 - Horizontal & Vertical Relations 36
36 - Create One Line 36
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37 - Arc Dimension 37
38 - Close Sketch With Model Edges 37
39 - SketchXpert 38
40 - The “Biad” 39
41 - Spin Box Increments 40
42 – Single Command Per Pick 40
43 - Pierce vs. Coincident 41
44 - Override Dims on Drag/Move 42
45 - Derived Sketch 43
46 – Reset Dragging 43
SOLIDWORKS Parts Tips
47 - Performance Evaluation 46
48 - Feature Freeze 47
49 – Quick “Up to Surface” 47
50 – Dynamically Load FeatureWorks 48
51 – Split line 49
SOLIDWORKS Assembly Tips
52 – The Width Mate 52
53 – Hide & Show Shortcut 53
54 – Rotate Components 53
55 – Assembly Visualization 54
56 – Quick Filters 55
57 – “Ctrl” + Drag to Copy 56
58 – Selecting Transparent Geometry 57
59 – Isolate 58
60 – Magnifying Glass 59
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Using SOLIDWORKS Tips

Tips and tricks related to the user interface and working in the SOLIDWORKS environment.
1
1 - Options Search
If you have ever hunted for an option within the mountain of selections in the System Options dialog, you
will appreciate this search bar. Located in the upper right hand corner of the dialog box, use the Options Search
to locate and navigate to the options you need.
Key Highlights and Tips:

JJ Searches through both the System Options and Document Properties tabs
JJ Results dynamically appear as you type
JJ Click a result to automatically navigate to that location

2
2 - Repeat Last Command

Have you ever needed to quickly access the last command you just completed? Whether it is drawing a line,
constructing a fillet, or defining a hole-wizard hole, quickly repeat the last command with the “Enter” key.

JJ Also available through the ‘Edit’ pull-down menu
3
3 - Force Rebuild
At times, SOLIDWORKS will need to update its geometry through a rebuild. There are two types of rebuild
operations in SOLIDWORKS. The standard rebuild will update only features that have been modified and appear
with a Rebuild symbol next to the feature. The standard rebuild can be executed through the pull-down
menus, selecting “Ctrl+B” on your keyboard, or finding the command on your standard toolbar.
Alternatively, you can try using the much deeper rebuild, known as Force Rebuild. Force Rebuild is primarily a
diagnostic tool and is used to ensure that no errors have been introduced into earlier features by more recent
ones. It is also useful when dealing with legacy files, since only new or modified features are rebuilt when legacy
files are opened in a newer version. A Force Rebuild can be performed with a “Ctrl+Q” on your keyboard.
●● Parts: Force Rebuild causes a complete rebuild of all features in the model. The standard rebuild
operation only rebuilds new or changed features and their children.
●● Assemblies: Force Rebuild in an assembly will only rebuild assembly level features and mates. If there
are rebuild flags on any items these will also be rebuilt.
●● Drawings: Force Rebuild in a drawing will rebuild any view that is based on a sketched line, for example
a detail view or a section view. If there are rebuild flags on any items, these will also be rebuilt.

JJ Force Rebuild performs a complete rebuild of the entire tree structure
JJ Force Rebuild is only accessible through the keyboard shortcut, “Ctrl+Q”
JJ May resolve “funky” errors with your models
4
4 - Reference Planes
Reference Planes are a critical feature of many SOLIDWORKS models. Here are some additional tips on how to
quickly create reference planes.
JJ Creating an Offset Plane on the fly

Hold the “Ctrl” key and drag the edge of an existing Reference Plane to create a new offset Reference Plane.
The action will also automatically start the Reference Plane command, making the dragged reference plane
the first reference.
JJ Quickly Create a Mid Plane

Preselect 2 faces and launch the Reference Plane command. The Reference Plane command will
automatically choose the Mid Plane option by default.
5
5 - Recent Files (“R” Key)

Besides the short list of recent documents from your File pull-down menu, you can also access a graphical list of
recent documents with your “R” key.

JJ Each document shows a preview thumbnail image for easy identification
JJ “Pin” the thumbnail to add it as a favorite to the list
JJ Expand the thumbnail for more opening options, like mode and configuration
6
6 - Reload
Halfway through making changes, ever change your mind and want to take your model back to the last save?
Well, before you close and reopen the file, try the ‘Reload’ command. Find the command in the “File” pull down
menu.

JJ Can reload just a part or subassembly of an assembly through the Right Mouse
Button(RMB) menu
JJ Modify read/write access of a file without closing and reopening documents
7
7 - Context Menu
Context Menus have helped designers and engineers access commonly used commands for over a decade now.
Despite this, many of us still don’t know how to control their behavior. Let’s review!
●● Context toolbars disappear when your mouse moves away from them
●● Show the toolbar again by pressing the “CTRL” key in the area it was last in
●● Context toolbars can be customized by RMB selecting the toolbar and selecting customize from the
menu
8
8 - Shortcut Toolbars (“S” Key)

Bring a fully customizable toolbar right to your cursor with the “S” key on your keyboard.

JJ Add and edit commands by RMB selecting the “S” key toolbar, or find the “Shortcut
Bars” tab in the “Customize” dialog box.
JJ There is a different Shortcut toolbar for each working environment: Sketches, Parts,
Assemblies, and Drawings
9
9 - Command Search
With the mountains of features and commands available in SOLIDWORKS, navigating the user interface and
finding the commands you need when you need them can be a challenging task in itself. Take advantage of the
Command Search to execute, navigate, and find elusive commands.

JJ Use the pull-down on the search bar to find commands, or simply select the “W” key
to initiate a command and type to search
JJ List of commands will dynamically display based on partial terms

●● Simply press enter to run the selected Command from the list
JJ Drag & Drop the command to your Command Manager for easy access later
JJ Select the Hide/Show icon to display the Command’s default location
10
10 - Move Breadcrumbs & Corners (“D” Key)

Like a digital back scratcher, the “D” key brings things typically out of reach, conveniently to your finger tips...
er mouse pointer. Breadcrumbs and Confirmation corners for in-context edits, sketches, and commands will
appear right by your cursor.
Key Features and Benefits

JJ Moves confirmation corners to pointer location
JJ Moves SOLIDWORKS breadcrumbs to pointer location
11
11 - Selection
Here are some commonly missed functions associated with the Select command that you may have missed.
JJ Previous select:
Restores the last set of selected entities. Great when you’ve accidentally cleared your selections.
JJ Select tangency
Select a group of tangent curves, edges, or faces. Typically found on the RMB menu of selection.
JJ Select other:
Select geometry that is not visible or covered by the current selection. Found on Context Toolbar and RMB
menu of selection.
12
12 - Customizing
Besides just toolbars, menus and keyboard shortcuts, the SOLIDWORKS Customize dialog box (Tools->
Customize) lets you customize these additional areas that get commonly overlooked.
JJ Heads Up Toolbar
Take advantage of the fact that the Heads Up toolbar doesn’t change environment to environment like
other toolbars (Part, Assembly, Drawings). Drag & drop icons to the Heads Up toolbar you want to have
access to all the time.
JJ Mouse Gestures
Assign commands to 4 different right mouse swipes through the “Customize” dialog box. In addition, you
can double the number of commands to 8 by utilizing the diagonal swipe directions.
The mouse gestures change based on environment, so be sure to customize commands for the Sketch, Part,
Assembly, and Drawing environments.
13
13 - Save SOLIDWORKS Settings

Use this helpful wizard based utility to save your user interface and system options. Find the utility in your
Windows Program files, or access it under the Options icon on the standard SOLIDWORKS toolbar.
Key Highlights and Tips

JJ Save your System Options, keyboard shortcuts, toolbars and other user interface
settings to use on another computer or after a reinstallation
JJ Use to establish company-wide standards, like library and template file locations
JJ The saved file can be used with administrative images to deploy SOLIDWORKS with
default settings.
14
14 - Browse Open Documents

You might already know that you can find the list of opened documents by floating over the SOLIDWORKS icon
on the Windows Task Tray, or by simply looking under the “Windows” pull-down menu, but you can also use
“Ctrl+Tab” to flip through your opened documents.

JJ Select “Ctrl+Tab” once to flip to the last active document
JJ Hold the “Ctrl” key and tap the “Tab” key once to Browse Open Documents in a
graphical list
●● Use your mouse to select the file to open
JJ Hold the “Ctrl” Key while taping the “Tab” key to select through the Open Documents
JJ Also find the command on the “File” pull-down menu
15
15 - Filtering the FeatureManager

Attempting to find a feature or component in long FeatureManager Tree can seem like finding a needle in a
haystack. Besides just expanding the FeatureManager Tree and hunting for your components, there is a special
search bar at the top of the FeatureManager Tree that allows you to filter and search for components too.

JJ Type to find components or features listed in the tree
●● Search and filter by partial feature or component name
●● Search and filter by custom property information
JJ Graphics area and tree will only show filtered components for easy selection
16
16 - Flat Tree View

Seeing nested sketches in the FeatureManager Tree can be helpful for organization, but we may prefer seeing a
chronological display of the features and sketches. This is especially true when we have features such as lofts
and sweeps that typically use multiple nested features. RMB the part’s name at the to of the FeatureManager
Tree to toggle on the display.

JJ Displays all features, curves, and sketches at the same level
JJ Tree is displayed in the order the features were created
17
17 - Collapse Tree
Did you forget to collapse the features after editing those nested features? Help slim down your overly long
FeatureManager Tree by quickly collapsing all nested with a “Shift+C” on your keyboard.

JJ Works in FeatureManager, Configuration, and Display Manager Trees
JJ Also find it via your RMB in your Tree and select “Collapse Items”
18
18 - Folder in the Tree

You may find that you need to group components and features outside of defined subassembly structures.
Whether it is to help identify components or organize your mates and sketches; folders can be an incredibly
versatile tool. Simply preselect items in the FeatureManager Tree or graphics area and access the command on
the RMB menu.

JJ Parts: Use folders to group features
●● Features must be in sequential order to add to folder
JJ Assemblies: Use Folders to group components and/or mates
19
19 - Additional Folders in the Tree

Have you ever wondered what those other folders at the top of the FeatureManager Tree were for? Well here are
2 folders you might find helpful.
JJ Sensors:
Display data measured from your model and add alerts
●● Monitor mass, proximity, and collision.
●● Utilize alerts to let you know when design parameters have been violated
●● Use with Simulation analysis tools to monitor data from your results like maximum displacement, and
stress.
JJ Design binder
Add design notes to the “Design Journal” and embed documents to your model for quick reference
●● Store images and documents to your SOLIDWORKS documents.
SOLIDWORKS Navigation Tips

Tips and Features related to getting around your models.
20 - Custom Views
Have you ever needed to revisit a camera orientation of your model or drawing? Try creating a Custom View.
Access your views through the Orientation Dialog (Spacebar) and use Telescope to save custom views to the list.

JJ Not only saves Camera orientation, but perspective, and sections
JJ Save Custom Views in drawings to take you to specific areas of your drawing
JJ Access custom views from models for drawing views
JJ Save as “Global View” to make the view available in other SOLIDWORKS models
22
21- Rotate About Selection

Who knew rotating your models could be so complicated? If you ever find yourself needing to rotate a view
around something other than the center of the screen, try rotating about an entity! Simply preselect a Face,
Plane, Edge, or Vertex with the middle mouse button before rotating the model.

JJ Preselect cylindrical face or linear edge to rotate axially about selection
JJ Preselect plane or flat face to rotate normal about selection
JJ Preselect vertex to rotate about vertex
JJ Preselect face to rotate about selected point on face
JJ If done correctly, cursor icon will change to reflect that you are now rotating about
entity
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22 - Zoom to Fit
Have you ever zoomed in or out of your model so far you’ve lost sight of your model? Have you panned the
model only to lose track of it? Don’t panic! Use Zoom To Fit to zoom the drawing or model back into view.
JJ Find this icon on the heads-up toolbar

JJ Double-click the screen with the middle mouse button (wheel) to access command
JJ Press the “F” key to access command
JJ Use in drawings to zoom to fit all views on screen

●● Alternatively, in drawings there is also zoom to sheet command that fits the sheet to the screen
24
23 - Normal To
When we sketch and perform other tasks, it can be helpful to view the model normal to the screen. Here are
some helpful tips about the Normal To command you may not have known.

JJ Preselecting a face or plane will bring you normal to that face or plane
JJ Select “Normal to” command again flips you normal to the opposite side
JJ Without preselecting, the command will bring you normal to the “Front” plane
JJ While editing a sketch, the command will bring you normal to the sketch
JJ Access user-defined orientation by preselecting two faces before executing command
●● 1st Face defines normal
●● 2nd Face defines “up orientation”
25
24 - Zoom to Selection
Whether you need to locate an object in the graphics area from the feature tree, or simply need to zoom into an
area, the Zoom to Selection command can speed up the process!
JJ Command icon accessible through the Context Menus

JJ Works with faces, features, and components (parts & subassemblies)
JJ Can be used in the graphics area or FeatureManager Tree
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25 - Rotate About Scene Floor

There’s more than one way to free rotate the model. “Rotate About Scene Floor” locks the vertical axis during
rotation. This allows you to smoothly rotate around model, keeping the floor plane horizontal and prevents the
model from tipping & tilting past the horizontal plane. Right click the background of your model to toggle on
this rotate option.

JJ Great for larger models like facility layouts and vehicles
JJ “Rotate About Scene Floor” is a persistent option and will remain on until deactivated
27
26 - Reference Triad
Believe it or not, that thing in the lower left hand corner does a lot more than take up valuable graphics space.
The Reference Triad is quite handy in helping you change the model’s view orientation. Here’s how to use this
helpful orientation tool.
JJ Select an Axis
Brings model normal to the axis
JJ “Shift” + Select Axis
Rotates model 90˚ about the axis. Include the “Ctrl” Key to reverses the direction
JJ “Alt” + Select Axis
Rotates model 15 ˚ about the axis. Include the “Ctrl” Key to reverses the direction

JJ If you do not have the Reference Triad displayed, you can toggle its display through
SOLIDWORKS System Options (Display -> Display reference triad)
SOLIDWORKS Sketching Tips

Tips and features related to getting the most out of your sketch geometry.
27 - Corner Sketch Relations

You are probably already aware of how to create relationships between two sketch entities by using the “Ctrl”
or “Shift” key to perform a multi-select. In addition to this, SOLIDWORKS also allows you to click on a common
vertex to add sketch relationships between the two adjacent entities.
JJ You only need to make one selection to quickly add relations for two entities
JJ Will only show sketch relations that make sense for the adjacent entities.
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28 - Window & Lasso Select

We are all used to dragging a window to select a group of items with the cursor -- But depending on how you
drag, you can get different selection behavior out of your cursor. Additionally, you’re no longer limited to just
using a rectangle for selection. Now, choose between box(default) or lasso select from the “Select” command
pull-down.
JJ Blue: Selects only entities contained within

●● Box – left to right
●● Lasso – Clockwise
JJ Green: Selects anything it touches

●● Box – Right to left
●● Lasso – Counterclockwise
31
29 - Disable Autorelations Temporarily

Ever accidentally create a relationship in sketch? Temporarily disable Automatic Relationships by holding the
“Ctrl” key.

JJ Temporarily disables object snapping and inference lines in sketches too!
30 - Power Trim
The SOLIDWORKS Sketch Trim tool comes in 5 different flavors. Of these, maybe the most versatile trimming
options is the Power Trim! Despite being around for years, many don’t utilize all of the features packed within
the Power Trim command.
JJ “Weed Wacker” Style
Drag your cursor across entities to trim the entity back to the
nearest intersecting entity. As you drag, you will see a faint line
showing your cursor’s path. All entities that cross the cursor’s path
will be trimmed back.
JJ Power Extend
Hold down the “Shift” key and drag the tool across entities to extend
the entity to the nearest intersecting entity. As you drag, you will
see a faint line showing your cursor’s path. All entities that cross the
cursor’s path will be extended.
JJ Manual Trim/Extend
Begin over an entity and drag to extend or trim that entity

JJ Undo power trim by crossing over the red squares left behind your cursor path
32
31- Dimension to Tangency

By default, when dimension between arcs (circles), SOLIDWORKS will snap the leaders to the center of the arcs
(circles).
Though useful, there are times we need to dimension to the tangency of the arc and not to the center. Try these
tips to dimension to an arcs (circles) tangency.
JJ Drag method
If the dimension already exists, use the “Select” tool to drag the end of the leader (blue square) to the
tangency of the arc (circle).
JJ Property Manager Method
If the dimension already exists, set the leaders to the minimum or maximum arc condition in the “Leader”
Tab of the dimension’s Property Manager.
JJ Snap method
When adding the dimension, hold down the “Shift” key and select the tangency of the arc. The leaders
should snap to the tangency(minimum/maximum arc condition) of the arc (circle).
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32 - Create a Sketch on Model Edge

If you are ever need to create a sketch perpendicular to a model edge, try preselecting a model edge and then
clicking the “Insert Sketch” command.
●● The new reference plane you’re sketching on is automatically created
●● The plane is normal to the edge and coincident to the edge’s endpoint closest to where you originally
selected the edge
33 - Fully Define Sketch

It’s best practice to fully define all your sketches. To help automate this process, you could try using the Fully
Define Sketch command found under the Display/Delete Relations command on your sketch toolbar.

JJ Fully Define Sketch using Baseline, Chain, and Ordinate methods
JJ Will add relationships if the entities are already geometrically positioned
34
34 - Change Sketch Type Option

Many sketch tools have alternate entity types within the same command. Use the “A” key to toggle between the
different entity types for that sketch command.

JJ Additionally, press “A” while sketching a line to switch between line and tangent arc
35
35 - Horizontal & Vertical Relations

Like many of the sketch relationship tools, the Horizontal and Vertical relation commands have some
intelligence. Based on the orientation and position of items selected, it automatically highlights the closest
displayed relationship.
36 - Create One Line

Believe it not, the original and only way to create a line in SOLIDWORKS was to click-and-drag out a line. The line
chain method, which is more widely used now, wasn’t introduced until much later. Unlike the line chain method,
the click-and-drag method only produces one line at a time, so there wasn’t a need to end the chain by double
clicking, or exiting the command (the “Esc” key).
36
37 - Arc Dimension
You can dimension the radius of an arc. You can dimension the height and width of an arc; but what about
dimensioning its length? Select the arc and the two end points in any order to display the true arc length.
38 - Close Sketch With Model Edges

Feeling Lazy? When sketching on the face of a model, skip converting (tracing) the edges to extrude the profile.
As long as the entities terminate at the edge of the face, SOLIDWORKS will give you the option to automatically
close the sketch with the models edges. When the dialog box pops up, simply confirm the close direction.
37
39 - SketchXpert
Need to figure out where your sketch went wrong and why it’s over defined? Use the SketchXpert command to
find the solution! The tool helps you diagnose and resolve over-defined sketches.
Access by clicking the Status of your sketch from the Status bar. Once activated, there are two ways to solve the
over-defined sketch:
JJ Diagnose
This method helps you visualize the potential changes needed to resolve the sketch.
JJ Manual Repair
List all the relations with errors and asks you to delete the relationship or dimension that doesn’t belong.
38
40 - The “Biad”
Like the Triad, but 2D... Get it? The “Biad” is used when creating angular dimensions between a sketch entity and
a reference direction. Instead of drawing reference geometry invoke the “Biad” to select the reference direction
for the angular dimension.
1. With the Smart Dimension tool click an angled line (or two endpoints) .
2. Then select the end of the line to initiate the “Biad”. This point represents the vertex of the angle.
3. The “Biad” should appear. Select the direction of the “Biad” you wish to reference for your angle and place
the dimension.
39
41 - Spin Box Increments

If you’re a fan of manipulating values using the spin box, use these helpful tips to gain better control when
incrementing values in your modify dialogs and property managers.
JJ Hold the “Alt” key to change the values by 1/10x speed
JJ Hold the “Ctrl” key to change value by 10x speed

JJ Works in both modify dimension and property manager spin boxes
JJ Works on linear and angular dimensions
42 – Single Command Per Pick

Use this System Option to clear sketch and dimension tools after each use. Immediately after each use of the
command, SOLIDWORKS will default back to the “Select” command instead of remaining in that command. You
can find the options in System Options in the Sketch category.

JJ Double – click the command to remain in the command while using this option.
40
43 - Pierce vs. Coincident

The 2D Sketch relationships “Pierce” and “Coincident” are often confused. Keep these key points in mind when
choosing between the two.
JJ Coincident
More general – the point will coincide with the projected geometry of the selected entities onto the point’s
sketch plane. In the example below, the center point of the circle coincides with the linear projection of the
spline onto the circle’s plane.
JJ Pierce
Applies to unique spot – the point will coincide with the specific spot at which the entities passes through
the point’s sketch plane. If the entity passes through the plane in more than one spot, the point will pierce
to the closest spot.
41
44 - Override Dims on Drag/Move

By default, SOLIDWORKS sketch entities can not be dragged once defined by a dimension. Use this System
Option in the “Sketch” category to dynamically update dimensional values with a drag/move of sketch entities.

JJ After drag is complete, dimensions will update
JJ Option does not effect sketch relationships
42
45 - Derived Sketch
Use Derive Sketch to copy and link the sketch to a source sketch. Changes made to the source will parametrically
update the geometry of the derived sketch. You must pre-select a source sketch and a destination face (or
plane), before executing the command. You can find the command in the pull-down menu by selecting Insert >
Derived Sketch.

JJ Use the “Modify Sketch” tool to rotate and/or flip (mirror) the derived sketch entity.
JJ Locate the derived sketch with relations, all other sketch tools will be unavailable
46 – Reset Dragging
You may find yourself dragging a sketch entity when you don’t really want to. Before letting go, right click while
dragging to “reset” or cancel the drag back to the initial position. Easy!
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SOLIDWORKS Parts Tips

Tips and features related editing and creating part documents.
45
47 - Performance Evaluation
Use the Performance Evaluation tool to get important information about parts, assemblies, and drawings and
potentially identify performance issues.
JJ Parts
Evaluates rebuild times per feature and helps identify which features take the longest to rebuild.
JJ Assemblies
Runs diagnostic and provides a report of assembly statistics. Learn about assembly structure, component
and mate information.
46
48 - Feature Freeze
Use a convenient slider bar to freeze and lock features you don’t want SOLIDWORKS to rebuild. You must select
the “Enable Freeze Bar” option in “System Options” under the “General” category to enable the bar.
Freezing features can improve performance of rebuilds by controlling the point from which a part rebuilds.
Features above the Freeze Bar are locked and will not rebuild. In addition to performance gains, freezing features
can help prevent unintentional changes since they are locked.
49 – Quick “Up to Surface”

The “Up to Surface” end condition is an incredibly powerful extrusion option. Use this shortcut to execute the
“Up to Surface end” condition even faster.
1. Activate “Extruded Boss/Base” or “Extruded Cut”.

2. Double click the face.
47
50 – Dynamically Load FeatureWorks

The FeatureWorks add-in is great to detect and create features on imported models. Even if you don’t explicitly
turn on the SOLIDWORKS add-in, you can use this simple alternative workflow to dynamically load FeatureWorks
on the fly.
1. On the imported part, simply right click on a potential feature and select “Edit Feature”
2. FeatureWorks will recognize the feature identified
48
51 – Split line
The Split Line feature allows you to divide faces of solids and surfaces using sketches and intersecting planes and
surfaces.

JJ Use this to split up faces for localized loads and constraints in Simulation
JJ Use to split text to faces
●● More performance friendly than extruding text.
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SOLIDWORKS Assembly Tips

Tips and features related editing and working with your Assembly documents.
51
52 – The Width Mate

Instead of utilizing midplanes to center components in your Assembly environment, consider using the
Advanced Mate, Width. The Width mate centers the parts using selected references from each of the parts.
1. Access the Advanced Mates area of the mate command.

2. Select 2 faces from one component for “Width Selections” and 2 faces from the second component for “Tab
Selections”.
3. The midplane between the selected faces will align to center the components.
JJ Also access the command from the QuickMates Toolbar by preselecting the 4 faces
JJ Besides centering, components can be evaluated by:
●● Dimension - Evaluate position of components a distance within the defined width
●● Percentage - Evaluate positions of components a percentage within the defined width
●● Free - Components are free to move but limited within the defined width
52
53 – Hide & Show Shortcut

Changing component visibility (Hide/Show) can help while working in an assembly. Instead of using the Hide/
Show icon on RMB menus and Context Toolbars, try simply hovering over components and using the “Tab”
key to hide components.

JJ Show components by hovering over the hidden component and pressing “Shift + Tab”
●● Same function available for bodies in parts
JJ Same function available for bodies in parts
54 – Rotate Components
Let’s review. Left click and drag a component to move the component (within its degrees of freedom). Right
click and drag a component to rotate the component (within its degrees of freedom). Any questions?

JJ Also find “Rotate Component” under the “Move Components” command on the
Assembly toolbar
53
55 – Assembly Visualization
Found on the “Evaluate” tab, Assembly Visualization allows you to sort and view your components by different
component properties. Additionally, you can color-code your model based on those properties.

JJ Sort components based on properties like weight, ownership, state, size, cost or any
other custom property
JJ Create custom color ranges to color components based on properties
●● Fantastic for design reviews
●● Save color scheme as a Display State!
54
56 – Quick Filters
In the lower right corner of the Open dialog box are Quick Filters buttons. Filter the files to see any combination
of parts, assemblies, and drawings. In addition, you can filter assembly files to only show top level assemblies.

JJ “Filter Top Level Assembly” will display only top-level assemblies
55
57 – “Ctrl” + Drag to Copy

If you need another instance of a component you already have in an assembly, try holding the “Ctrl” key and
dragging a copy of a component.

JJ Drag from the graphics area or the FeatureManager design tree to copy
JJ If dragging from the graphics area, copy, paste, and SmartMate your selection in one
gesture
56
58 – Selecting Transparent Geometry

Sometimes when working with transparent geometry it can be difficult to select the geometry especially when
something solid is behind it. Use this tip to help navigate components with transparent geometry.
●● Typically transparent items can be selected if no opaque components are behind them
●● When an opaque component is behind a transparent component, SOLIDWORKS will always default to
selecting the opaque component
●● Hold the “Shift” key to select transparent items even if there is an opaque component behind it
57
59 – Isolate
When working with assemblies, visibility of components becomes incredibly important. Use Isolate to
temporarily display the components you select and hide the other components. The Isolate command appears
in the RMB menu after you preselect your components.

JJ Choose to hide, wireframe, or make transparent the non-isolated components
JJ Optionally save your Isolate session as a Display State
58
60 – Magnifying Glass
Use the magnifying glass to inspect a model and make selections without changing the overall view. The “G” key
brings up the magnifying glass.

JJ Scroll with your mouse wheel in the circle to zoom in and out of the area
JJ Select entities for operations such as creating mates
59

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Using SOLIDWORKS Tips

Key Highlights and Tips:

JJ Click a result to automatically navigate to that location

2 - Repeat Last Command

Key Highlights and Tips:

Key Highlights and Tips:

JJ Creating an Offset Plane on the fly

JJ Quickly Create a Mid Plane

5 - Recent Files (“R” Key)

Key Highlights and Tips:

Key Highlights and Tips:

8 - Shortcut Toolbars (“S” Key)

Key Highlights and Tips:

Key Highlights and Tips:

JJ List of commands will dynamically display based on partial terms

10 - Move Breadcrumbs & Corners (“D” Key)

Key Features and Benefits

13 - Save SOLIDWORKS Settings

Key Highlights and Tips

14 - Browse Open Documents

Key Highlights and Tips

15 - Filtering the FeatureManager

Key Highlights and Tips

16 - Flat Tree View

Key Highlights and Tips

Key Highlights and Tips

18 - Folder in the Tree

Key Highlights and Tips

JJ Assemblies: Use Folders to group components and/or mates

19 - Additional Folders in the Tree

SOLIDWORKS Navigation Tips

Key Highlights and Tips

21- Rotate About Selection

Key Highlights and Tips

Key Highlights and Tips

JJ Find this icon on the heads-up toolbar

JJ Use in drawings to zoom to fit all views on screen

Key Highlights and Tips

JJ Command icon accessible through the Context Menus

25 - Rotate About Scene Floor

Key Highlights and Tips

Key Highlights and Tips

SOLIDWORKS Sketching Tips

27 - Corner Sketch Relations

28 - Window & Lasso Select

JJ Blue: Selects only entities contained within

JJ Green: Selects anything it touches

29 - Disable Autorelations Temporarily

Key Highlights and Tips

Key Highlights and Tips

31- Dimension to Tangency

32 - Create a Sketch on Model Edge

33 - Fully Define Sketch

Key Highlights and Tips

34 - Change Sketch Type Option

Key Highlights and Tips

35 - Horizontal & Vertical Relations

36 - Create One Line

38 - Close Sketch With Model Edges

41 - Spin Box Increments

Key Highlights and Tips

60 SOLIDWORKS Tips & Tricks Guide

60 SOLIDWORKS Tips & Tricks Guide