Mouse Gestures

You can use a mouse gesture as a shortcut to execute a command or macro quickly, similar to a keyboard shortcut.

Using Mouse Gestures

You can use mouse gestures by right-dragging in the graphics area to access a preassigned tool or macro from a drawing, part, assembly, or sketch.

You can enable or disable mouse gestures, and set the number of mouse gestures to 2, 3, 4, 8, or 12 that appear in the mouse gestures guide. If you set the number to 2 gestures, you can orient them vertically or horizontally. By default, mouse gestures are enabled and display four gestures in the mouse gestures guide.

To enable or disable mouse gestures, with a document open, click Tools > Customize. On the Mouse Gestures tab, select or clear Enable mouse gestures.

To set the number of mouse gestures in the mouse gesture guide, with a document open, click Tools > Customize. On the Mouse Gestures tab, select the number of mouse gesture.

You can also customize the mouse gesture assignments through a visual drag-and-drop user interface. Drag tools from the list of commands to any of the mouse gestures guides.

The following behavior occurs:
  • If you drag a tool to an empty position, the tool is added to the gesture guide.
  • If you drag a tool to an occupied position, it replaces the tool on the gesture guide.
  • If you Ctrl + drag a tool from one gesture guide position to another, it is copied to the second position.

You can copy a tool within one gesture guide, as well as across gesture guides.

Part Guide with Four Gestures Drawings Guide with Twelve Gestures

To use a mouse gesture:

  1. In the graphics area, right-drag in the gesture direction that corresponds to the tool or macro.

    The mouse gesture guide appears, highlighting the icon for the tool or macro mapped to the direction of the gesture. For example, with a part open, right-drag to the lower right, dragging towards the highlighted tool.



    To use mouse gestures with assemblies, right-drag in the graphics area away from components to avoid component rotation or press Alt + right-drag.
  2. Continue to right-drag through the tool icon, releasing after you pass through the tool region of the mouse gesture guide.

    The tool or macro is invoked.

    To cancel a mouse gesture, release the mouse within the mouse gesture guide.

Saving and Restoring Mouse Gestures

The Copy Settings Wizard lets you save and restore mouse gestures independently of system options.

To save mouse gestures:

  1. Click Tools > Save/Restore Settings.
  2. In the SOLIDWORKS Copy Settings Wizard, select Save Settings and click Next.
  3. On the Save Settings to File screen, select the location and name for the settings file.
  4. Click Mouse Gestures and click Finish.

To restore mouse gestures:

  1. Click Tools > Save/Restore Settings.
  2. In the SOLIDWORKS Copy Settings Wizard, select Restore Settings and click Next.
  3. On the Restore Settings from File screen, select the settings file to restore.
  4. Click Mouse Gestures and click Next.
  5. Click Finish.