There was an archived thread from the old forums by this same name, and one of the densest and most diverse tips thread that I had found.
I have removed the PDF in which I had captured the comments, due to copyright. (I recommend that you capture what you want while you can)
Personally, I’m pleased to have contributed a few things in this thread. It began in 2016, so that its date is relevant at each post. Versions and capabilities (and bugs) change over time. To me, it kinda shows me what I learned and when, as I began using SWx in 2014 and was an avid forum-learner. To wit, I don’t even use at least one tip that I had included because I found a different issue with it and have learned a different method (thus living with easier potential errors) thereafter. That one was mating parallel to axes not planes for geometric flexibility. I ended up using that only in certain cases, as any parallel/distance mate to an axis cannot be reversed or flipped, but coincident/concentric mates can. As with most cases, applicability applies.
I’ll try to extract some topical wisdom from what I captured, in time, with credit to the authors.
Meanwhile, I open this thread to YOUR most impressive tricks. Thank you to all contributors.
I recently learned a new one from Betty Baker. It’s one of those cases where I can’t believe I’ve been using the software as much as I have since 2009 and didn’t know about it earlier.
I’ve often casually noticed the asterisk at the end of the file name at the very top of my monitor, but never gave it much thought. It turns out that if it’s there then changes have been made to the file since it was last saved. If it’s not there then there haven’t been any. This is helpful for people like me whose memory isn’t as good as it once was, and never was all that good to begin with, and can’t remember if the file has been saved recently or not.
Okay, here are a few things I learned while preparing for the CSWE:
Use the S-key and assign commands like measure, convert entities, etc.
I use a Logitech g600 mouse and have assigned things like rebuild, copy, escape etc. to the side buttons.
Use the D-key to bring the checkbox to your cursor, instead of having to move the cursor all the way back to the Feature Manager.
Go to https://blogs.solidworks.com/tech/2021/02/22-years-of-model-mania.html (I believe Deepak was the one that told me to go there, Thanks Deepak! it really helped) and do some of the model mania challenges. Then watch the videos. There are some really nice techniques and tricks in the videos.
Add tools to your Command Manager using the search bar:
(Click to see animation)
Use F5 to show and hide filters pallette.
Use Hidden Lines Visible to select faces all faces of a part:
(Click to see animation)
Use Select Other to get underlying faces without having to rotate the part.
As mattpeneguy said, use Select Other to select hidden faces or edges. However, there’s another little widget that is even better. Right-clicking will hide the next face under your cursor. You can basically melt a hole into the part with it.
When adding a tangent relation, click on the intersection point instead of selecting both the line and arc.
Use Ctrl to disable Auto Relations when sketching
Add planes by Ctrl+dragging
Ctrl+Tab for cycling through open windows. Release Tab while still pressing Ctrl to see a list.
Copy with Mates. Amazing tool!
Property Tab Builder. If you haven’t used it yet, you need to start.
I’ve got a lot more. I’ll be adding them as I get time.
I guess we all have blind spots when using SW, or at least I know I do. Two features I resisted using for some reason, that I now use often and wouldn’t want to do without are Quick Mates and Isolate.
Users often comment on their use of keyboard shortcuts. Maybe it’s because I don’t have an AutoCAD background, but I use very few. I am, however, a big believer in Mouse Gestures, and have 12 of them set up in all 4 SW environments. One big reason I like them is because I can still keep one hand on each mouse.
Despite the fact that I generally have limited things to add to this thread I absolutely LOVE this thread. It will never cease to amaze me how multiple great minds can come to so many great solutions to a problem.
Some of you have forgotten more about SW then I will ever know.
I have a Logitech MX Master (I absolutely love it) mouse that I have 10 gestures mapped on it. It greatly speeds things up mostly in other programs as I use the SW mouse gestures setup in SW. I’d really like a 3D mouse but that costs money and I’m guessing y’all know how it goes when engineers need things!
Here’s what my Logitech gestures look like:
Edit: One thing I use a lot is the button I have assigned as “Enter”. This way I can close dialogues with out moving my mouse or hitting the “Enter” key on my keyboard (I never quite understood why they don’t put another “Enter” button on the left so you don’t have to take your hand off your mouse.) Saves a little bit of time and mouse miles.
I also use SW keyboard shortcuts for the common commands.
I don’t like the S key or gestures. They guarantee an extra step. I use a lot of keyboard hotkeys, but that uses a lot of (human) memory.
What gets me is when the propertymanager shows up and covers over the featuremanager right where I need it. So I tend to split the propertymanager out as a separate panel.
You’ve got motion, which is more complicated than just hitting a button at a position. Plus, the RMB I hit with my ring finger, and it’s just too clumsy. I don’t know I guess I don’t have a good reason to not like those things. I just use keyboard because it’s consistent. (until you get it combined with the ALT keys like ALT F for file. That’s a mess.)
Actually, writing books and doing videos I had to keep a pretty stock interface with a white background and do everything with as little customization as possible. I just got used to mainly running a stock interface, even though that’s not really my preferred thing. If you publish a book with toolbars all missing and start flashing stuff on the screen, your inbox blows up with complaints. So I mostly run stock. And keyboard shortcuts work with the stock interface pretty well.
When adding a tangent relation, click on the intersection point instead of selecting both the line and arc.
My god, I am still SO NEW! Amazing tip.
use > TAB > to hide a body
use > SHIFT+TAB > to show a body
Edit:
I recently learned a new one from Betty Baker. It’s one of those cases where I can’t believe I’ve been using the software as much as I have since 2009 and didn’t know about it earlier.
I’ve often casually noticed the asterisk at the end of the file name at the very top of my monitor, but never gave it much thought. It turns out that if it’s there then changes have been made to the file since it was last saved. If it’s not there then there haven’t been any. This is helpful for people like me whose memory isn’t as good as it once was, and never was all that good to begin with, and can’t remember if the file has been saved recently or not.
Interesting. So, I’ve got to ask how much you must hate the mouse gestures in SE? I got to test drive SE and their mouse gestures were on steroids compared to SW. I happen to like them and was very impressed with the way they implemented it.
I don’t know I guess I don’t have a good reason to not like those things. I just use keyboard because it’s consistent. (until you get it combined with the ALT keys like ALT F for file. That’s a mess.)