FeatureManager Design Tree Conventions

The FeatureManager design tree on the left side of the SOLIDWORKS window provides an outline view of the active part, assembly, or drawing.

The FeatureManager design tree uses the following conventions:
  • A EXPAND.gif symbol to the left of an item’s icon indicates that it contains associated items, such as sketches. Click EXPAND.gif to expand the item and display its contents.
    To collapse all expanded items at once, press Shift+C or right-click the document name at the top of the tree and select Collapse Items.
  • Sketches are preceded by

    (+)

    over defined

    (–)

    under defined

    (?)

    the sketch could not be solved

    No prefix

    fully defined

  • Features, parts, and assemblies are preceded by the rebuild symbol if a change has been made that requires the rebuild of the model.
  • Parts are followed by the lock icon if they have been frozen by the freeze bar.
  • Errors and warnings are displayed next to part, feature, or sketch icons and described in tooltips (when the pointer hovers over the item) and in What's Wrong?

    FM_down_arrow2.gif

    an error in the model

    fm_whats_wrong_x.png

    an error with the feature

    FM_down_arrow.gif

    a warning underneath the node

    fm_exclamation_point.png

    a warning with the feature

  • Positions of assembly components are indicated by:

    (+)

    over defined

    (–)

    under defined

    (?)

    not solved

    (f)

    fixed (locked in place)

  • In an assembly, each instance of the component is followed by a number in angle brackets <n> that increments with each occurrence.
  • Assembly mates are preceded by:

    (+)

    involved in over defining the position of components in the assembly

    (?)

    not solved

  • The state of external references is displayed as follows:

    –>

    If a part or feature has an external reference, its name is followed by –>. The name of any feature with external references is also followed by –>.

    ->?

    If an external reference is currently out of context, the feature name and the part name are followed by ->?.

    ->*

    The suffix ->* means that the reference is locked.

    ->x

    The suffix ->x means that the reference is broken.

    You can hide the x. Click Tools > Options > System Options > External References and clear Show "x" in feature tree for broken external references.

  • While a drawing view updates, its icon in the FeatureManager design tree changes to: FM_drawing_view_updating.gif .