Screen Layout

When you open the SolidWorks application for the first time, the Task Pane appears and the Standard toolbar is available with tools such as New, Open, and Save.

When you open documents, additional tools become available.  For all documents, the following appear:

• Heads-up View toolbar

• Menu Bar

• Panel with the FeatureManager design tree

In addition, in a part document, the following appear:

• CommandManager with the Features and Sketch toolbars

• Triad (for reference only)

In an assembly document, the following appear:

• CommandManager with the Assemblies and Sketch toolbars

• Triad (for reference only)

In a drawing document, the following appear:

• CommandManager with the Drawings, Sketch, and Annotations toolbars

• Drawing sheet with optional sheet format (selected when you open a new drawing)

To display additional toolbars, right-click an edge of the SolidWorks window and select a toolbar. The toolbar docks to an edge of the window.  You can drag toolbars to any edge, or drag them into the graphics area, where they become floating palettes.  Other modifications you can make to the layout include:

• Change the screen background colors.

• Open a command line.

• Set system and document options in Tools, Options.

When you change the screen layout and options, the changes apply to future SolidWorks sessions.

Some commands are executed immediately, some open dialog boxes, and many open a PropertyManager in the Management Panel at the left of the graphics area.