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Figure 2.1 shows the default interface with a couple of exceptions. First, I have pinned the Title Bar menu in place. Second, I have detached the PropertyManager. Throughout the rest of this book, I will use a simplified CommandManager display (without the text on the buttons), and I may use the Sketch toolbar independent from the CommandManager to minimize CommandManager tab switching. I may also deactivate the Heads-up View toolbar to keep the display area clean, and use the whole Right Mouse Button (RMB) menu rather than the default Context Menus at the top of the truncated RMB menu.

Using the CommandManager and toolbars

In some respects, the CommandManager resembles the Microsoft (MS) Ribbon interface found in Office 2007 applications. SolidWorks did not do a strict implementation of the MS Ribbon, because it wanted to add more customizability. A far more complete array of interface configuration possibilities awaits you with SolidWorks 2011. In this section of the chapter, I show you how to make the CommandManager work for you and how to use regular or flyout toolbars to replace it effectively.

Exploring the CommandManager

The CommandManager is an area of the interface that you can use to flip between sets of related commands. It does not necessarily save space, and I don't believe it helps you to work faster. However, it does make your workspace a bit more organized. The main purpose of the CommandManager is to give you easy access to all commands without fumbling with the menus, and even access to customized groups of icons that are not available on a single default toolbar, without cluttering the entire screen with toolbars.

The CommandManager accomplishes this by providing small tabs under the left end of the toolbar area to enable you to switch the collection of tools that appears. Figure 2.2 shows the CommandManager in customize mode, showing all the tabs available in a default setup. To get the CommandManager into customize mode, right-click one of the CommandManager tabs and select Customize CommandManager. Alternatively, you can choose Tools⇒Customize.

Note

To access the pull-down menus in a default setup, place the cursor over the SolidWorks logo or the small flyout triangle to the right of it in the upper-left corner of the SolidWorks window. Figure 2.2 shows the flyout for pull-down menus pinned in place. To keep the menu in that position, click the pushpin on the right end of the flyout menu bar.

FIGURE 2.2

Customizing the CommandManager

Customizing the CommandManager

Notice the last tab along the bottom of the CommandManager on the right. If you want to add another tab, you can right-click this tab and select the tab you want to add. You can also select to add a blank tab and populate it with individual buttons. Figure 2.3 shows a detail of the Add Tab menu options after you right-click the tab.

FIGURE 2.3

Adding tabs to the CommandManager

You can also left-click the special tab on the right and skip the Add Tab menu. To add individual buttons, first find the button you want to add in the Customize dialog box by choosing Tools⇒Customize. Click the Commands tab in the Customize dialog box, and then switch the CommandManager to the tab you want to add the button to, and drag the button from the Customize dialog box to the CommandManager. You can remove buttons from the CommandManager by dragging them into the blank graphics window area.

Docking the CommandManager

In SolidWorks, you can undock the CommandManager and leave it undocked, pull it to a second monitor, or dock it vertically to the left or right. To undock it, click and drag on any non-toolbar button area of the CommandManager, such as around the border. To re-dock an undocked CommandManager or to change its docking location, drag it onto one of the docking stations around the screen. Figure 2.4 shows the CommandManager undocked.

Using Auto Collapse

The small box with the arrows in it in the upper right-hand corner of the undocked CommandManager and the undocked PropertyManager is the Auto Collapse option.