SOLIDWORKS CommandManager

SOLIDWORKS 2021 – Collapsible CommandManager

SOLIDWORKS 2021 Collapsible CommandManager

The SOLIDWORKS CommandManager is undoubtedly a well-designed interface for finding what tools you need in SOLIDWORKS, and is now collapsible in SOLIDWORKS 2021. After learning where SOLIDWORKS tools are, and also how to access them by shortcuts such as the “S” key, which also activates…

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How to personalize SOLIDWORKS with a Custom Tab

SOLIDWORKS Custom Tab

To each their own. Whatever floats your boat. These are the cliché quotes I think about when it comes to making personal settings inside of SOLIDWORKS. When I teach my go to statement is, “I’m going to show you several ways to do the same…

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SOLIDWORKS 2020 Command Manager and Toolbar controls

SOLIDWORKS 2020 Command Manager Menu

A change has been made in SOLIDWORKS 2020 that simplifies the process for controlling both the Command Manager and Toolbars. In previous releases, to enable additional tabs for the Command Manager, you had to right-click directly on an existing tab to access a specific menu…

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SOLIDWORKS 2018 can Select Over Geometry

select over geometry

With SOLIDWORKS 2018 a new geometry selection tool is introduced called Select Over Geometry. The selection tool lets you drag a box or lasso selection over a model without starting the drag from a blank region of the graphics area.This tool is helpful when you drag…

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The SOLIDWORKS Shortcut Bar Part II: Old Habits Die Hard

Part Shortcut Bar

Recently I wrote an article about how to use the Shortcut Bar in SOLIDWORKS to reduce the distance your mouse has to travel. Basically, you can press the <S key> at any time in SOLIDWORKS and get a context-specific menu appear right beside your mouse…

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The SOLIDWORKS Shortcut Bar (S-Key) will help to keep your commands close

In your office, do you keep things nearby where they are to be used, or far away? Do you keep the coffee mugs in the meeting room and the coffee machine in the break room? Do you store your frequently used things in a place…

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SOLIDWORKS Command Manager Lock

Command Manager Customize dialog

Have you ever tried picking a command from the SOLIDWORKS Command Manager only to accidentally drag the manager into the graphics area when you did not intend to?! Now in SOLIDWORKS 2016 there are safeguards to reduce this frustration and prevent it from happening altogether if desired. New drag/undock method Firstly…

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How to customize the SOLIDWORKS CommandManager

CommandManager empty tab command

The CommandManager was first introduced in SOLIDWORKS several years ago as basically just a “super toolbar”. However it has been enhanced over time and now allows for a fully customizable ribbon interface that adjusts automatically depending on the environment you are working in. In this tech…

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How to dock a floating SOLIDWORKS CommandManager

CommandManager Docking Locations

Very often new SOLIDWORKS users will at some point accidentally drag the CommandManager ribbon interface out of it’s default position and down into the graphics area.  Their first reaction might be to drag the CommandManager back up to it’s original position and expect it to re-dock…

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