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There seem to be some inconsistencies in the way this option works with certain undocked PropertyManagers. You may have to resize undocked PropertyManagers manually for various features. When the option is active, the PropertyManager is supposed to expand and collapse automatically and should not require scroll arrows unless the PropertyManager is larger than your monitor's height. In the condition it is shown in Figure 2.4, the undocked CommandManager will not collapse, but if you click Auto Collapse, the arrows go away, and the entire CommandManager acts like a big flyout toolbar. This can be very handy because it saves a lot of space on the screen, but at the same time it requires additional mouse movement to open it up. This is the common trade-off in this interface — you can trade screen space for additional mouse movement or clicks.

FIGURE 2.4

The undocked CommandManager without text labels

Mixing the CommandManager with toolbars

To put a toolbar inline with the CommandManager, drag the toolbar close to the right-hand end of the CommandManager. A space on that row or column will open up. The amount of space that opens up depends on the CommandManager tab with the longest set of icons, even if that tab is not showing. To increase the amount of space available for a toolbar on the same row as a CommandManager, enter Customize CommandManager mode by right-clicking a tab and selecting Customize CommandManager. Then cycle through the available tabs, looking to see which one has the most icons. Remove icons from the tab with the most. This makes more room for toolbars to the right of the CommandManager.

Basing tabs on document types

SolidWorks remembers which tabs to show on a per document type basis. This means that when you are working on a part document, you will have one set of tabs. When you switch to an assembly document, you will see a different set of tabs. The same goes for drawings. Notice that in Figure 2.3, in the right mouse button (RMB) menu, the options Copy Tab to Assemblies and Copy Tab to Drawings appear. These options make it easier to set up customizations that apply for all document types.

Changing the appearance of the CommandManager

When users see the CommandManager for the first time, they often ask how to hide the text. You can turn off the text in one of two ways. The easiest way is to right-click in the CommandManager and deselect the Use Large Buttons with Text option, as shown in Figure 2.5.

I will use the interface with the hidden text for the rest of the book, primarily to save space on the printed page. You can't be a beginner forever, and so it is time to learn those feature icons. Remember that if you need help with the name of an icon, you can hover the cursor over the icon and a tool tip will tell you what it is.

Another way to remove text from the CommandManager is to remove it only from selected icons. To do this, first enter the customize mode by choosing Tools⇒Customize or right-click a CommandManager tab and select Customize CommandManager, and then right-click a button in the CommandManager and change the Show Text setting, as shown in Figure 2.6. The Show Text option is only available when Use large buttons with text is enabled.

FIGURE 2.5

Adding or removing text from the CommandManager buttons

FIGURE 2.6

Changing the text setting for individual buttons in the CommandManager

Notice also that the text by default goes to the right side of the icon, but using the RMB menu, you can put the text beneath the icon. With these options and some patience to go through the entire interface, you can almost totally customize the appearance and function of your CommandManager.

The most streamlined and space-efficient way to set up the CommandManager is to remove the text. This arrangement is shown in Figure 2.5, in the lower image. Notice that the CommandManager without text takes up the same amount of height as a normal toolbar, with the added room for the tabs at the bottom. The text can be useful for new users or features that you do not commonly use. Also, notice