SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [153]
Sorting configs
In the ConfigurationManager, configs are listed alphabetically, not in the order in which they are created. This has several advantages, especially when you have a large number of configs. For example, if configs are named by size in a part that you are working with, then when you select a configuration you can type in a number and the selection scrolls to that place in the list of configs. This makes it easier to select the one you are looking for, much the same as it works in Windows Explorer.
Enhancing alphabetization
This alphabetized order is significant because many other sections of the SolidWorks interface are not alphabetized, which causes problems when you are browsing for items in larger lists. Sections that are not alphabetized include Help/Contents, Files of Type lists in Open and Save dialog boxes, and the File Locations settings (Tools⇒Options⇒File Locations), Entity Color list, and several others. If you are inclined to submit an Enhancement Request to SolidWorks, alphabetization of lists is one topic that would benefit everyone and should be easy for SolidWorks to implement.
Naming configs
In order for this sorting and alphabetization to work, you must first name the configs properly. For example, if you have a list of sizes or config names from 1 to 100, then you should use 001, 002…100 as your syntax. This makes the config names easier to browse and type in. Syntax becomes most important when you place a part with many configs into an assembly, because you must select a config from the list, and typing in the first few numbers is often faster and easier than scrolling to it.
On the DVD
The DVD contains a part called Chapter 11 Config Names.sldprt, which illustrates proper naming and alphabetization.
To understand this technique better, you can open the part called Chapter 11 Config Names.sldprt from the DVD, split the FeatureManager area, and change one of the panes to display the ConfigurationManager. Click one of the configuration names, and type in a number between 001 and 100. The highlight scrolls to the number that you typed in. Thoughtful selection of the configuration names can save you and your co-workers a lot of time when you need to insert select configs into an assembly. Figure 11.2 shows this arrangement.
Cross-Reference
The splitter bar and other portions of the FeatureManager interface appear in Chapter 2.
FIGURE 11.2
The split FeatureManager, displaying the ConfigurationManager
Activating configurations
Within a part file, to change the display from one configuration to another, you must first switch to the ConfigurationManager panel, and then either double-click the desired config or right-click it and select Show Configuration.
Alternatively, you can right-click the config in the ConfigurationManager and select Show Preview, as shown in Figure 11.3. A small preview thumbnail displays in the PropertyManager panel. However, not all configurations will have previews. For example, in a part with many configs that have been generated automatically by a design table, the configurations may not have previews because the config itself has never actually been rebuilt. Previews exist only when the configuration has been activated at least once, the image on the screen generated, and the part then saved. SolidWorks stores both the body (geometry) and the preview image of the part so that next time you access the configuration, the software does not have to rebuild everything again. Storage space is cheaper than rebuild time.
You can even select a configuration while opening a file. This enables you to save time by avoiding rebuilding the model. To take advantage of this option, you must use the File⇒Open interface, which is shown in Figure 11.4. You can select the config from the lower-right drop-down Configurations list.
FIGURE 11.3
Showing a configuration