Using the Open Tool

You can use the Open tool to browse for and open existing part, assembly, or drawing documents. Filters let you specify the type of document to browse for.

To open existing part, assembly, or drawing documents:

  1. Click Open (Standard toolbar) or File > Open, or press Ctrl+O.
  2. In the dialog box, select a file type in Files of type or use the quick filter buttons to view commonly used SOLIDWORKS file types (for example, .sldprt, .slddrw, and .sldasm) in any combination.
  3. Browse to select a document or documents.
    Text appears in the Description field if a description exists in the document properties or was added when the document was saved.
  4. Select options in the dialog box.
  5. Click Open to open the document.
    When opening files from a previous release of SOLIDWORKS, the files may open slowly. SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler converts files so they open more rapidly.