The SOLIDWORKS user interface (UI) can be modified to suit your needs by displaying the tools you use most. You can rearrange the display of toolbars and the CommandManager and add your own keyboard shortcuts and mouse gestures. Turn tabs on and off in the CommandManager. Learn how to dock and undock toolbars and panes. Add commands to toolbars. Add keyboard shortcuts. Customize mouse gestures.
Create smart components by selecting components and features in a defining assembly. Then, insert smart components into an assembly to add the components and create the features. Create smart components in a defining assembly. Insert smart components into an assembly to create components and features. Select reference faces for the features of a smart component.
The Copy with Mates command copies existing components along with their mates. New references can be selected for the new mates to allow for modified placement. Use the Copy with Mates command to create new instances of components along with their mates. Understand when mate references for the copied mates are repeated. Understand when some of the copied mates require new mate references.
Create a variable pitch helix that you use as the path for a sweep feature. Learn about the options you have to define the shape of the variable pitch helix. Create a variable pitch helix. Position the profile and path sketches properly for a sweep feature. Create a plane normal to a curve at a point.
Select components according to their position relative to assembly envelopes and hide, suppress, or delete the selected components. Utilize assembly envelopes as reference components that are ignored by bills of materials and mass property calculations. Convert components to assembly envelopes. Select components based on their position relative to an assembly envelope. Hide or show components selected using an assembly envelope.
Smart Mates can be used to automate mates while adding a component to an assembly as well as for mating existing components. Different mate relations can be created based on the geometry that is specified for the Smart Mate. Automate mates while adding a component to an assembly. Use Smart Mates to mate existing components. Use Smart Mates with circular edges to generate multiple mates simultaneously.
Use multiple mate mode within the Mate command as a shortcut to create many mate relations to one common reference. Create multiple mates to a common reference using multiple mate mode. Toggle alignment of mates. Explore different techniques to edit mate features.
Use the Physical Dynamics options when moving components to allow realistic interaction between assembly components. Physical dynamics identifies collisions between faces and allows components to push one another when they come into contact. Understand options within the Move Component command. Use the Physical Dynamics option to simulate interaction between components being moved. Understand the limitations of using Physical Dynamics versus a Motion Study. Learn how to troubleshoot issues when using the physical dynamics option.
