USER INTERFACE

INTRODUCTION

Keep in mind, most of the actual terms are not important. Most actions in SolidWorks can be accomplished a variety of ways and knowing the details of how they are made aren't as important as the final outcome.

Keyboard & Mouse

SolidWorks utilizes a traditional keyboard & mouse setup along with many keyboard shortcuts and mouse gestures

A traditional keyboard shortcut equates to pressing a single key to trigger an action
A combo keyboard shortcut requires that two keys be pressed simultaneously, not necessarily in the same order
A mouse-gesture may require that you press either the Left Mouse Button (LMB) or Right Mouse Button (RMB) for a certain amount of time and/or move the mouse in a certain direction
A mouse-combo shortcut may require that you hold a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, SHIFT etc.) and LMB/RMB a particular item

Getting good with shortcuts is critical. The fewer movements/clicks/presses you have to do to accomplish the same goal, the more valuable you are.

Cursor

Sometimes referred to as mouse
Changes based on functions
- Spinning wheel/Hourglass ≈ Loading
- Flashing vertical line ≈ Type Words
- Arrow = Standard Cursor ≈ Select Objects

Environments

There are at least five environments within SolidWorks, each is limited to the tools within that environment and you cannot complete actions outside its particular scope

Sketch
- Define 2D sketch entities and regions
Part
- Define 3D geometry
Assembly
- Define interactions between components
Mechanical Drawing
- Define 2D views and annotations
Drawing-Template
- Define drawing template parameters and annotations

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

SolidWorks is littered with iconography that is critical to its function

Menu bar

File
- File Management
Edit
- Universal Functions
View
- Customize GUI, visibility
Insert
- 3D Features

Tools
- Sketch Tools
Window
- View open files
Help
- About software

NOTE: This may be hidden if you haven't Pinned it (click pin icon), otherwise hover your cursor over the SOLIDWORKS Icon

graphics area/view port

Where you look at the model

You may click on graphical items

feature manager/design tree

Possibly the most important/most used interface within SolidWorks

A history of what the model contains

heads up toolbar

Some quick-use icons

May be customized

hide/show items

Using the Hide/Show tool, you can selectively display items

task pane

Contains some custom properties

Drawing views may be inserted from this menu

Appearances may also be selected from here

units

Units are critical for manufacturing/accuracy

In most cases, IPS (Inch, Pound, Second) shall be used, otherwise MMGS (Milimeter, Gram, Second)

command manager

This is where most of your commonly used tools will be located

This may be customized

search command

Contained on menu bar
Expand Magnifying glass→Click Commands
Type in what you’re looking for. Often times the tool will appear towards the top. If you cannot remember where it is for future use, the Eye should show you (works often)
W Key may bring you to this menu (Might not be default)

Evaluation

Click the image below that shows the Command Manager

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