SolidWorks 2011 Assemblies Bible - Matt Lombard [71]
The active display state appears in angle brackets after the configuration name and the filename at the top of the FeatureManager, as shown in the image on the left in Figure 8.3. Display states are created and managed in a panel at the bottom of the ConfigurationManager, as shown in the image on the right in Figure 8.3. To create a new display state, simply right-click in the Display Pane and choose Add Display State.
FIGURE 8.3
Display states shown in the FeatureManager and the ConfigurationManager
Performance
Display states offer a huge performance gain over configurations when used to control the display of parts. The reason for this is that SolidWorks saves some model information for each configuration. When a configuration is created only for the purpose of hiding or coloring a part, this takes up a lot of additional file space and CPU (central processing unit) time. Display states change much faster than configurations — almost instantaneously — and they add very little to the file size when you use them.
Using display states with drawings
Display states can be shown on drawings. If you only show or hide parts in display states, you can still use display states on drawings. For display states that change the display mode (wireframe, shaded, and so on) to work properly, you have to set the view to Shaded, and then select the display state from the PropertyManager for the view. The big drawback here is that you have to change the display state of the parent view; changing the display state of a projected view does nothing, even though the controls are available. Projected views cannot have a display state that is independent from the parent view.
Using part display states in parts
Parts can also have display states, including separate bodies within parts. You can control the part display state for specific instances of a part within an assembly in the Component Properties dialog box. Using part display states offers the same advantages as using assembly display states (mainly display speed), especially when compared to configurations.
Understanding Assembly Configurations
Assembly configurations are used for many different purposes, including assembly performance, simplified assemblies, variations of assemblies, assemblies in different positions or states, and many others. Like part configurations, assembly configurations also have a few best practice–type suggestions. Configuration settings for assemblies control how an assembly appears in a Bill of Materials (BOM), and what happens to parts, features, or mates that are added to other configurations, and so on. All these uses of assembly configurations are discussed in this section.
Applying configurations for performance
One of the best tools to make large assemblies easier to work with is assembly configurations. You can use several techniques to improve the speed of working with assemblies. It is important to select a method that is appropriate to the situation because each method has strengths and weaknesses.
Suppressing components and features
The most obvious use of configurations for improving assembly speed is to have a configuration or several configurations with suppressed components. Suppressed components are not loaded or displayed, so memory and video power are conserved.
Tip
Remember that you can use a folder for parts and suppress the folder. If you are just using configurations to hide parts, consider using display states, as they are more efficient for that purpose. Also, remember that a SpeedPak is a subset of configurations. A SpeedPak is a simplified representation, enabling you to select faces and bodies to represent the entire