# SW General **URL:** https://forum.cadmunity.com/c/solidworks/sw-general/12.md [Latest](https://forum.cadmunity.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.cadmunity.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.cadmunity.com/tags.md) --- ## [About the SW General category](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/about-the-sw-general-category/15)
**Author:** [@system](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0
--- ## [Solidworks 2021 Linking BOM CELL (item no) to NOTE](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/solidworks-2021-linking-bom-cell-item-no-to-note/3006)
**Author:** [@zwei](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/zwei)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2026, 8:16pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/solidworks-2021-linking-bom-cell-item-no-to-note/3006 "2026-10-25T20:16:40Z")
For some reason, i could not seem to link the bom cell to note in solidworks 2021 The cursor show a stop sign and nothing happens after clicking on the cell The functionality is working fine in solidworks 2022 Any… --- ## [IF-Else Statement for Note in Drawing](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/if-else-statement-for-note-in-drawing/2435)
**Author:** [@zwei](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/zwei)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/if-else-statement-for-note-in-drawing/2435 "2026-10-25T20:13:07Z")
Is it possible to have a drawing note driven by an IF-Else condition based on a drawing properties? Eg: IF \ = "LOREM" THEN NOTE-1 = "ABC" ELSEIF \ = "IPSUM" THEN NOTE-1 = "DEF" ELS… --- ## [Hiding and Showing Surfaces in a Virtual Assembly with SmarTeam?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/hiding-and-showing-surfaces-in-a-virtual-assembly-with-smarteam/6460)
**Author:** [@JMOS4](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JMOS4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/hiding-and-showing-surfaces-in-a-virtual-assembly-with-smarteam/6460 "2026-10-20T14:36:13Z")
Hi all, We are using SW2020 SP4.0 and SMARTEAM® - Editor V5-6R2020 Service Pack 6. Ok I made a bunch or Wireway virtual assemblies and added a surface of the doors open so I can see interferences. All the files were s… --- ## [Heaven help us](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/heaven-help-us/6413)
**Author:** [@doobes](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/doobes)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/heaven-help-us/6413 "2026-10-19T18:41:00Z")
Solidworks users spend “blue tokens” on AI drawings, insights and more Oh, boy… --- ## [HOLE WIZARD ERROR](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/hole-wizard-error/1424)
**Author:** [@Dalego](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/Dalego)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2026, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/hole-wizard-error/1424 "2026-09-18T17:32:46Z")
So I always find it odd that SW can show you the preview of what you want and yet still spit an error at you. In todays example I am doing a simple grease zerk hole. Preview shows what I want and I still get a error code… --- ## [Creating a Plane without it being visible?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/creating-a-plane-without-it-being-visible/6426)
**Author:** [@JMOS4](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JMOS4)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/creating-a-plane-without-it-being-visible/6426 "2026-09-16T13:56:37Z")
Hi, Maybe a dumb question or maybe a feature they need to add, but can you create a plane without it being visible? Gets old adding in planes and having to turn off the visibility of each one when you are adding mid-pl… --- ## [Save Assemblies as Parts for Performance in Drawings](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/save-assemblies-as-parts-for-performance-in-drawings/6376)
**Author:** [@toomdog](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/toomdog)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2026, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/save-assemblies-as-parts-for-performance-in-drawings/6376 "2026-09-10T13:13:07Z")
Hello there, Sorry if this has already been discussed; I can’t find the right terms to describe what I’m looking for that won’t also produce results about lightweight parts or saving as external surfaces. My company cr… --- ## [Configuration rename with design table](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/configuration-rename-with-design-table/6421)
**Author:** [@Bryan\_O](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/Bryan_O)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/configuration-rename-with-design-table/6421 "2026-09-08T19:13:48Z")
I have 100+ configuartions of an assembly with multiple sizes/option. Is there any way to RENAME multiple configurations quickly with a FIND/REPLACE type command? Am I doomed to F2 renaming each configuration indiviual? … --- ## [Stars on Cursor Icon when Adding Certain Components](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/stars-on-cursor-icon-when-adding-certain-components/6412)
**Author:** [@toomdog](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/toomdog)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2026, 12:03pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/stars-on-cursor-icon-when-adding-certain-components/6412 "2026-09-08T12:03:41Z")
Hi folks, I’m running SW2025 SP5.0 and I just noticed a particular component is showing two little blue 4-pointed stars over the part icon by my cursor when I’m adding it to an assembly. I feel like I have stumbled upo… --- ## [SOLIDWORKS pet peeves](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/solidworks-pet-peeves/171)
**Author:** [@mike\_miller](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/mike_miller)\ **Replies:** 360\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/solidworks-pet-peeves/171 "2026-08-31T15:34:45Z")
AKA “What do your co-workers do with SWX that makes your blood boil?” The number one worst offense that makes me steam…overriding dimensions on drawings! Vicious circular references (a mate to an edge that is de… --- ## [Mousey stuff](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/mousey-stuff/6407)
**Author:** [@doobes](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/doobes)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2026, 6:03pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/mousey-stuff/6407 "2026-08-26T18:03:23Z")
So, Due to our recent relocation, I’ve disassembled my workstation which had 2 x 1920 x 1080 monitors, and set it up in the apartment with 1 x 1920 x 1200 monitor. Now, spinning models with the mouse has gone “wonky” f… --- ## [Solidworks update after I cancel my subscription](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/solidworks-update-after-i-cancel-my-subscription/6395)
**Author:** [@Jean\_LeBlanc](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/Jean_LeBlanc)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2026, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/solidworks-update-after-i-cancel-my-subscription/6395 "2026-08-21T13:13:28Z")
So I usually renew my subscription on a yearly basis. Now it looks like my var is only offering 2 year and 3 year renewal. I am a small one man company and I can’t afford more than 1 year renewal. I think maybe I will sk… --- ## [Question for the greybeards out there](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/question-for-the-greybeards-out-there/6378)
**Author:** [@doobes](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/doobes)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2026, 2:20pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/question-for-the-greybeards-out-there/6378 "2026-08-05T14:20:47Z")
Good morning (or evening as appropriate). My apologies for disappearing. On literally a whim my wife and I bought a house in Raleigh, NC and moved from Williamsburg, VA. Both my children are in the Raleigh/Durham area. … --- ## [STEP imported as Assembly Problems](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/step-imported-as-assembly-problems/6361)
**Author:** [@loeb](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/loeb)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2026, 10:08pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/step-imported-as-assembly-problems/6361 "2026-07-29T22:08:56Z")
I have been having trouble importing STEP files as assemblies. Either SW will crash or the components will appear as suppressed in the feature tree and cannot be unsuppressed. I found the cause of the problem and thoug… --- ## [Why is SolidWorks changing my default sheet metal thickness?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/why-is-solidworks-changing-my-default-sheet-metal-thickness/6365)
**Author:** [@DLZ\_SWX\_User](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/DLZ_SWX_User)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 4:13pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/why-is-solidworks-changing-my-default-sheet-metal-thickness/6365 "2026-07-27T16:13:17Z")
I posted a question in the swamp but thought I would post it here also to see if maybe you all might have some ideas. From the swamp: I have had several incidents in the last several months where the default thickness … --- ## [Opening a Step Assembly](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/opening-a-step-assembly/5703)
**Author:** [@Glenn\_Schroeder](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/Glenn_Schroeder)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2026, 1:36am UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/opening-a-step-assembly/5703 "2026-07-22T01:36:51Z")
I don’t typically work with other file types, but I received a number of assemblies saved as step files from a client, and was asked by one of the engineers to open them. When I attempt to do that all the components are… --- ## [Imported .STEP files are invisible](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/imported-step-files-are-invisible/2160)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Gera](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/Mike_Gera)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2026, 1:34am UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/imported-step-files-are-invisible/2160 "2026-07-22T01:34:04Z")
If I save a part or assembly as a .STEP file and then try to open that .STEP file, the part or assemble is invisible. The feature tree, however, is fully intact. Is this a bug perhaps? Thanks for any help. --- ## [SolidWorks 2027 What's New most sparse one yet](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/solidworks-2027-whats-new-most-sparse-one-yet/6355)
**Author:** [@jcapriotti](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/jcapriotti)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/solidworks-2027-whats-new-most-sparse-one-yet/6355 "2026-07-16T15:02:16Z")
I’m fairly convinced that Dassault is trying to kill off desktop SolidWorks at this point. The What’s New is a joke. What’s New 2027 (Swamp account required) --- ## [Bosch/Rexroth FramePro](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/bosch-rexroth-framepro/6261)
**Author:** [@doobes](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/doobes)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2026, 11:46am UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/bosch-rexroth-framepro/6261 "2026-07-02T11:46:26Z")
Once upon a time, I would have given my eye teeth for a tool like this: FramePro I’ve more time than I care to admit in recreating 80-20 bits and bobs. --- ## [Do you find 2025 to be especially buggy? (I do)](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/do-you-find-2025-to-be-especially-buggy-i-do/6090)
**Author:** [@loeb](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/loeb)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2026, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/do-you-find-2025-to-be-especially-buggy-i-do/6090 "2026-06-25T18:11:11Z")
We recently upgraded from SW2024 to 2025 (now SP5) and really regret it. I feel that this is the buggiest version of SolidWorks I have used in 25 years. Granted, there are a number of years that i skipped, so they coul… --- ## [Global Setting for Keeping Configurations the same in Patterns](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/global-setting-for-keeping-configurations-the-same-in-patterns/6315)
**Author:** [@JMOS4](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JMOS4)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2026, 8:58am UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/global-setting-for-keeping-configurations-the-same-in-patterns/6315 "2026-06-15T08:58:00Z")
Hi, Working with a bunch of assembly files that have a bunch of patterns and configurations. Is there a global setting to make sure all the file are set to the parent configuration, I know you can do it after the fact: … --- ## [Y-up vs. Z-up part orientation - Thoughts?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/y-up-vs-z-up-part-orientation-thoughts/6283)
**Author:** [@xtmechSB](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/xtmechSB)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2026, 3:52pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/y-up-vs-z-up-part-orientation-thoughts/6283 "2026-06-11T15:52:24Z")
Hi all, In my company we are a small team that we are starting our mechanical engineering operations and are in the lucky position to define many of the initial “standard” practices when it comes to CAD. We are trying … --- ## [Why can't I make a 0.0625 cut on a 0.1875 thick part without it disappearing?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/why-cant-i-make-a-0-0625-cut-on-a-0-1875-thick-part-without-it-disappearing/6301)
**Author:** [@JMOS4](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/JMOS4)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/why-cant-i-make-a-0-0625-cut-on-a-0-1875-thick-part-without-it-disappearing/6301 "2026-06-02T15:02:10Z")
Hi all, Well the title says it using SolidWorks 2020 SP 4.0 and have a bent Sheetmetal box that I am making a cut along one surface (simulating it being cut to smooth out the welds in the corners and making the mounting… --- ## [Can change Colour of Face but Not Feature?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/can-change-colour-of-face-but-not-feature/6288)
**Author:** [@TK.421](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/TK.421)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2026, 6:09pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/can-change-colour-of-face-but-not-feature/6288 "2026-05-18T18:09:37Z")
How come I am able to change the appearance of a face, but if i try to do the feature (in this case a move face across several faces of two bodies) it will not show it? Using SW 2024 --- ## [Best Practices for FVUT](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/best-practices-for-fvut/6277)
**Author:** [@Hansjoerg](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/Hansjoerg)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2026, 11:31am UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/best-practices-for-fvut/6277 "2026-05-08T11:31:27Z")
Hello everyone, a while back, I found an English-language guide that described in great detail the strategy for updating files in FVUT. I even saved the link, but I can’t find it anymore :frowning: While searching the… --- ## [Sketch pictures and zoom to fit](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/sketch-pictures-and-zoom-to-fit/6244)
**Author:** [@laukejas](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/laukejas)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/sketch-pictures-and-zoom-to-fit/6244 "2026-04-21T15:57:27Z")
In my models I often need to include a sketch picture. It appears that when you import a picture, SW initially treats 1 pixel = 1mm for scale. Like for example, this picture is 600x658px, so when imported, it’s default s… --- ## [Linear dimension showing as foreshortened in detail of section view](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/linear-dimension-showing-as-foreshortened-in-detail-of-section-view/6245)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Gera](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/Mike_Gera)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/linear-dimension-showing-as-foreshortened-in-detail-of-section-view/6245 "2026-04-17T14:56:21Z")
In the attached .slddrw, there is no reason for the .882” dimension to be shown as foreshortened in Detail B. What is causing this? Thanks. SW\_FD\_test.zip (998.6 KB) --- ## [Side to cut arrow](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/side-to-cut-arrow/6243)
**Author:** [@J\_Hagan](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/J_Hagan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/side-to-cut-arrow/6243 "2026-04-15T14:32:44Z")
When doing a cut with surface or open contour, the arrow for side to cut is gray. Is there a setting to change the color or size to make it more visible? --- ## [Makers - Is it just a paid alpha program?](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/makers-is-it-just-a-paid-alpha-program/6223)
**Author:** [@josh](https://forum.cadmunity.com/u/josh)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://forum.cadmunity.com/t/makers-is-it-just-a-paid-alpha-program/6223 "2026-04-06T14:47:37Z")
I don’t use it and I’ve honestly not looked into it much… Is it actually the commercial software with forced updates, or is it really an entirely different piece of software? Like, is Dassault just using the Maker users… [Next page](https://forum.cadmunity.com/c/solidworks/sw-general/12.md?page=1)