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User Interface

Since both 2D CAD systems and SolidWorks are applications in the Microsoft® Windows environment, tool buttons, toolbars, and the general appearance of the windows look similar. However, many aspects of the environment differ. The following table compares various aspects of the user interface for 2D CAD systems and SolidWorks.

 

2D CAD Systems

SolidWorks

 

 

 

Access to Tools

command line prompt, keyboard shortcuts, toolbars, menus, and shortcut menus

CommandManager, Heads-up View toolbar, context toolbars, toolbars, menus, keyboard shortcuts, and shortcut menus. Search tool that searches the Knowledge Base, Community Forum, or Files and Models

Screen Layout

toolbars across top, panels and toolbars on left, command line prompt at bottom

toolbars across top, toolbars and panel with tabs on left

Background Color

black background with white lines

Blue gradient background with colored lines (colors indicating status) and colored solid models

Task Pane

2D CAD design centers manage files and layouts; 2D CAD companies offer access to web resources

Task Pane tabs for SolidWorks Resources, Design Library, File Explorer, Search, View Palette, Appearances, Scenes, and Decals, and Custom Properties centralize links to online and web resources, reusable design elements, and file management

Menus

can be customized by programming

context-sensitive and can be customized in dialog box

Shortcut Menus

for copy/paste, reinstate last command, and so on

context-sensitive

Toolbars

can be modified through menu programming

context-sensitive and can be customized in dialog box

Undo and Redo

"U","OOPS", "REDO"

Undo and Redo tools and lists

Repeat Last Command

Press Enter or the spacebar, also use "Multiple" in some commands

Press Enter, also access list of last ten most recent commands

Command Line

default user entry point

2D Emulator add-in, also customize keyboard shortcuts and other items

Coordinate Systems

"User Coordinate System (UCS)"

system of origins including part origin, assembly origin, and sketch origins

Planes

change "UCS" to create different orientations

Front, Top, and Right default planes, others added by user

Orientation

toolbar with standard views plus various isometric orientations

toolbar with standard views plus various isometric, normal, and custom orientations

Management Panel

"Properties palette"

left panel contains FeatureManager® design tree, PropertyManagers, ConfigurationManager, DimXpertManager, and third party managers, accessed by clicking tabs or splitting the panel

Selection Methods

click an object or drag a window

click an object, drag a box, press Ctrl while selecting multiple objects, or click on the FeatureManager design tree

Selection Feedback

feedback in command line

pointer changes shape to indicate type of object being sketched or approached, and on the status bar

Display Functions

zoom and pan

zoom and pan plus wireframe, hidden lines visible, hidden lines removed, shaded, edges in shaded mode, shadow in shaded mode, perspective, and model section view

Grid and Snap

toolbar with snap tools; display and snap grids, can set angle of grid; snap and grids help drawing accuracy

snap to geometry on the fly; display and snap grids, can align grid to model edge; accuracy achieved with dimensions and relations

Dragging

drag objects using "grips"

select sketch entities and drag, also stretch sketch entities by dragging

Options

dialog box with tabs for:
- files
- display
- open and save
- plotting
- system
- user preferences
- drafting
- selection
- profiles

dialog box with tabs for:
- system options that apply to all documents
- document properties that apply to currently active document

Help

- Help tool or menu or command
- press F1 during command
- tooltips
- command line feedback

- Help tool or menu
- Help buttons or press F1 in dialog boxes
- Quick Tips
- Interactive What's New
- tooltips
- status bar information
- glossary
- help facilities for third-party products



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