In SolidWorks, the Lightweight mode is a useful feature that allows you to open large assemblies quickly by simplifying the display of components. However, there may be instances when you need to turn off Lightweight mode to access all the features and functionalities of your assembly. This tutorial will guide you through the steps on how to turn off Lightweight in SolidWorks.
Step 1: Open the Assembly
To begin, open the assembly file in SolidWorks that you want to work with. You can do this by going to File in the menu bar and selecting Open. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + O.
Step 2: Accessing Assembly Information
In order to turn off Lightweight mode, we first need to access the assembly information. To do this, right-click on the assembly name in the FeatureManager Design Tree and select Properties.
Step 3: Unchecking ‘Use Large Assembly Mode’
A window titled ‘AssemblyX Properties’ will appear. Here, you will find a checkbox labeled ‘Use Large Assembly Mode.’
By default, this checkbox is selected and enables Lightweight mode. To turn it off, simply uncheck this option.
Note:
If you don’t see the ‘Use Large Assembly Mode’ checkbox in your assembly properties window, it means that your assembly is already loaded fully and not in Lightweight mode.
Step 4: Click ‘OK’ and Rebuild
Once you have unchecked ‘Use Large Assembly Mode,’ click on the ‘OK’ button to apply the changes. After doing so, SolidWorks will rebuild your assembly to load all components completely.
Step 5: Verify Lightweight Mode is Turned Off
To verify that Lightweight mode has been turned off, you can check the assembly’s name in the FeatureManager Design Tree. If it no longer has the ‘(Lightweight)’ tag next to it, then the mode has been successfully disabled.
Step 6: Save and Close
Finally, save your assembly by going to File and selecting Save. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + S. Once saved, you can close your assembly file by clicking on the ‘X’ button in the top-right corner of the window or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + W.
Congratulations! You have successfully turned off Lightweight mode in SolidWorks. Now you can work with all components and access all features of your assembly without any restrictions.
Note: It is important to note that turning off Lightweight mode may increase the load time of your assembly, especially if it contains a large number of components. It is recommended to use Lightweight mode when working with very large assemblies to optimize performance.
I hope this tutorial has been helpful in guiding you through turning off Lightweight mode in SolidWorks. Happy designing!