Task Pane

The Task Pane provides access to SOLIDWORKS resources, libraries of reusable design elements, views to drag onto drawing sheets, and other useful items and information.

The Task Pane appears when you open the SOLIDWORKS software. It contains the following tabs:

SOLIDWORKS Resources Groups of commands for Getting Started, Community, and Online Resources, plus Tip of the Day.
Design Library Reusable parts, assemblies, and other elements, including Library Features.
File Explorer Duplicate of Windows Explorer on your computer, plus Recent Documents and Open in SOLIDWORKS. If SOLIDWORKS Workgroup PDM is added in, the tab changes to tab_File_Explorer_PDMWorks.gif.
Search Results of search operations.
View Palette Images of standard views, annotation views, section views, and flat patterns (sheet metal parts) to drag onto a drawing sheet.
Document Recovery If auto-recovery is enabled in Tools > Options > System Options > Backup/Recover and the system terminates unexpectedly, recovered files appear on this tab the next time you start the application.
Appearances, Scenes, and Decals Library of appearances, scenes, and decals.
Custom Properties Enter custom properties in SOLIDWORKS files.
Collaborative Sharing Access the Collaborative Sharing app to store your data on the cloud and to collaborate with other colleagues using a central location for your files.
3DSwym Communities 3DSwym lets you connect with members of your communities to collaborate, ask and answer questions, and share information.
tab_Forum SOLIDWORKS Forum Browse the SOLIDWORKS Discussion Forum from directly within the Task Pane.

The Task Pane can be in the following states:

  • Visible or hidden
  • Expanded or collapsed
  • Pinned or unpinned
  • Docked or floating