I would like to have the “Thumbnail Preview” window open by default whenever I insert components into an assembly. Is there a setting for that? Thanks.
Unfortunately, there’s no option in SolidWorks to automatically open the “Thumbnail Preview” window as the default (opening automatically every time a component is added). At least, that’s the case with my sw2020. In other words, there’s no such option in the Tools / Options / System Options or Assembly / Insert Component settings.
This can be done with a macro (quick, amateur, but it works) or an add-in that saves PropertyManager settings, but this is advanced and probably requires support from a developer.
interesting. All these years and I have not noticed that option.
Once you open it to insert one part you would think it would be open when you go to insert the second part, but it is closed again.
Usually SolidWorks would remember the setting and keep it there, then the solution would be to make a new assembly template with the window open and then it would always be open.
I always have 2 windows open in Solidworks (or more), one with my part (or sub-assembly) and the other with my assembly. I then left click and hold the button on the part name at the top of the tree and drop/drop it into the assembly window. The separate part window is my thumbnail view. To me that was always the fastest way to add parts to an assembly.
It also allows for automatic mates , but I never really had good luck with that so I drop the part in an open area then mate it myself.
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Do you use the h or v keyboard shortcut when doing that?
Nope, just drag from one window into the other and let go of the mouse button.
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I think what @David_Matula is referring to is the “old school” SolidWorks tip for assigning “Tile Horizontal/Vertical” to those keyboard shortcuts. Then you open all the parts you want to assemble, tile the windows which makes for easy drag and drop of a large number of parts.
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