What Does CTRL 8 Do in SolidWorks?

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What Does CTRL 8 Do in SolidWorks?

When working with SolidWorks, understanding the various keyboard shortcuts can greatly enhance your productivity. CTRL 8 is one such shortcut that can be incredibly useful for manipulating your view in the graphics area. Let’s explore what CTRL 8 does in SolidWorks and how you can leverage this feature to streamline your design process.

The Function of CTRL 8

CTRL 8 is a keyboard shortcut used to activate the ‘Hide/Show’ function in SolidWorks. This function allows you to selectively hide or show specific components or features within your model. By pressing CTRL 8, you can quickly toggle the visibility of selected entities, making it easier to focus on particular areas of interest.

Using CTRL 8 Effectively

To use CTRL 8 effectively, follow these steps:

  1. Select the component or feature you want to hide or show.
  2. Press and hold the ‘CTRL’ key on your keyboard.
  3. While holding the ‘CTRL’ key, press the number ‘8’ key on your keyboard.
  4. The selected component or feature will now be hidden from view.

If you wish to show a previously hidden component or feature, simply repeat the same steps mentioned above. Pressing CTRL 8 again will make the hidden entities visible once more.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips to help you make the most out of CTRL 8:

  • Selecting Multiple Entities: To hide or show multiple entities simultaneously, hold down the ‘CTRL’ key and click on each entity you want to include in your selection. Once all desired entities are selected, press and hold ‘CTRL’, then press ‘8’ to hide or show them all at once.
  • Combining with Other Shortcuts: CTRL 8 can be combined with other shortcuts to further enhance your workflow.

    For example, you can use CTRL 8 in conjunction with the ‘Isolate’ shortcut (CTRL I) to quickly isolate specific components or features while hiding the rest of the model.

  • Customization: If you find that the CTRL 8 shortcut conflicts with another function or if you prefer a different key combination, SolidWorks allows you to customize keyboard shortcuts. Simply go to ‘Tools’ > ‘Customize’ > ‘Keyboard’ and assign a different shortcut for the ‘Hide/Show’ function.

Conclusion

CTRL 8 in SolidWorks is a powerful tool that enables you to hide or show selected components or features within your model. By mastering this keyboard shortcut and implementing it into your design workflow, you can navigate through complex assemblies more efficiently and focus on specific areas of your design without distraction. Remember to experiment with combining CTRL 8 with other shortcuts for even greater control over your view in SolidWorks.