How Do You Change Settings in SolidWorks?

Are you new to SolidWorks and wondering how to change settings in the software? Look no further! In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of modifying various settings in SolidWorks to suit your preferences and improve your overall user experience.

Changing General Settings

To begin, let’s explore how to modify the general settings in SolidWorks.

Step 1: Accessing Options

To access the options menu, go to Tools in the main menu and select Options. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + O.

Step 2: General Tab

In the options dialog box, click on the General tab. This tab allows you to customize general settings related to your SolidWorks environment.

  • User Interface: Here, you can choose between different color schemes and customize toolbars, menus, and shortcut keys based on your preferences.
  • Drawing: This section allows you to specify default file locations for drawings, templates, and sheet formats. You can also set default units and decimal places for dimensions.
  • File Locations: In this section, you can define default file locations for various types of files such as parts, assemblies, drawings, templates, etc.

Tweaking Document Properties

Beyond general settings, SolidWorks also provides extensive customization options for document properties. Let’s take a look at how to modify these properties.

Step 1: Opening Document Properties

To open the document properties dialog box, go to Tools in the main menu, select Options, and then click on the Document Properties tab.

Step 2: Modifying Document Properties

The document properties dialog box is divided into various sections, each focusing on specific aspects of the SolidWorks document. Here are a few key sections you might want to explore:

  • Units: This section allows you to specify default units for length, angle, mass, and other physical properties.
  • Dimensions: Here, you can customize the appearance of dimensions by adjusting settings such as arrow style, font size, and precision.
  • Snapshots: This section lets you define default settings for capturing and saving snapshots of your models.

Tailoring System Options

To further enhance your SolidWorks experience, you can also modify system options according to your specific requirements. Let’s dive into the process.

Step 1: Accessing System Options

To access system options, click on Tools in the main menu and select Options. In the options dialog box, click on the System Options tab.

Step 2: Exploring System Options

The system options tab contains various subsections covering different aspects of SolidWorks functionality. Here are a few notable subsections:

  • Display/Selection: You can adjust settings related to selection sensitivity, highlighting colors, and background appearances here.
  • Sketch: This section allows you to customize sketch-related settings, such as grid appearance, relations, and dimensions.
  • Performance: In this subsection, you can optimize SolidWorks performance by modifying settings related to graphics, file access, and rebuild options.

With these customization options at your disposal, you can tailor SolidWorks to match your workflow and personal preferences. Experiment with the various settings until you find the perfect configuration for your needs!

Remember that modifying settings in SolidWorks is a personal choice, and what works best for one person might not suit another. Feel free to explore the options available and make adjustments as per your requirements.

We hope this tutorial has provided you with a solid foundation for changing settings in SolidWorks. Happy customizing!