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 SOLIDWORKS Tools, Online Resources, and Subscription Services, plus a link to the Welcome dialog box.
Design Library Access the Design Library, Toolbox, 3D ContentCentral, and SOLIDWORKS Content for a wide variety of standard parts, library features, and other reusable content.
File Explorer Duplicate of File Explorer on your computer, plus an Open in SOLIDWORKS folder. If SOLIDWORKS PDM is added in, the tab changes to .
View Palette Images of standard views, annotation views, section views, and flat patterns (sheet metal parts) to drag onto a drawing sheet.
Appearances, Scenes, and Decals Library of appearances, scenes, and decals.
Custom Properties In a customized interface that you create using the Property Tab Builder, enter custom properties in SOLIDWORKS files.
Collaborative Sharing Access the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to store your data on the cloud and to collaborate with other colleagues using a central location for your files.

Available if the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Connector for SOLIDWORKS is installed.
3DSwym Communities Use 3DSwym to connect with members of your communities to collaborate, ask and answer questions, and share information.

Available if the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform Connector for SOLIDWORKS is installed.
SOLIDWORKS Forum Browse the SOLIDWORKS Discussion Forum from within the Task Pane.
3D PMI Compare Use 3D PMI Compare to compare DimXpert annotations, reference dimensions, and other annotations between two part documents.
Search Results of search operations.

The Task Pane can be in the following states:

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

You can drag documents from the File Explorer tab and the Design Library tab into the graphics area, and from the graphics area or FeatureManager design tree into the Design Library.