CommandManager

The CommandManager is a context-sensitive toolbar that dynamically updates based on the toolbar you want to access. By default, it has toolbars embedded in it based on the document type.

When you click a tab below the CommandManager, it updates to show that toolbar. For example, if you click the Sketches tab, the Sketch toolbar appears.

Use the CommandManager to access toolbar buttons in a central location and to save space for the graphics area.

To change the descriptions and size of the buttons, right-click in the CommandManager and select or clear Use Large Buttons with Text. This option is also available in Tools > Customize, on the Toolbars tab.

Use Ctrl+Page Up and Ctrl+Page Down to scroll through the CommandManager tabs.

Accessing the CommandManager

By default, the CommandManager is enabled and expanded when a document is open. If it does not appear, you can re-enable it from the Customize dialog box.

To access the CommandManager:

  1. Click Tools > Customize.
  2. On the Toolbars tab, select Enable CommandManager.
  3. Click OK.
You can also right-click in the window border and select Enable CommandManager.

Floating the CommandManager

To float the CommandManager:

Drag the CommandManager by its tab.
It becomes a separate floating window.

Once it is floating, you can drag the CommandManager anywhere on or outside the SOLIDWORKS window.

Docking a Floating CommandManager

To dock a floating CommandManager:

To dock the CommandManager when it is floating, do one of the following:
  • While dragging the CommandManager on the SOLIDWORKS window, move the pointer over a docking icon:
    Dock above
    Dock left
    Dock right
  • Double-click the floating CommandManager to revert to the last docking position.

Adding a Custom Tab to the CommandManager

To add a custom tab to the CommandManager:

  1. Right-click a CommandManager tab and click Customize.
  2. In the CommandManager, right-click the New Tab that appears to the right of the current tabs and click Rename Tab.
  3. Enter a name for the tab.
  4. Click OK.

Adding CommandManager Tool Buttons

To add CommandManager tool buttons:

  1. Right-click the CommandManager tab and click Customize.
  2. In the Customize dialog box, on the Commands tab, select a category that contains tool buttons to add.
    You can combine tool buttons from multiple categories on one custom CommandManager tab.
  3. Drag the buttons to the CommandManager tab.
  4. Click OK.

Changing Tool Button Labels

To change tool button labels:

  1. Right-click a CommandManager tab and click Customize to open the Customize dialog box.
  2. Right-click a tool button on the CommandManager and select the following options:
    Show Text Shows the tool name.
    Text Below Shows the tool name below the button. Clear the option to show the tool name next to the button.
    Begin a Group Starts a group that you can use to group buttons.
    Delete Removes the button.

Displaying or Hiding CommandManager Tabs

To display or hide tabs:

  1. Right-click a CommandManager tab and click Tabs.
  2. Select a tab to display or clear a tab to hide the tab.

Activating SOLIDWORKS Add-Ins

The SOLIDWORKS Add-ins tab lets you load additional functionality that is available if you have installed SOLIDWORKS Professional or SOLIDWORKS Premium.

To activate SOLIDWORKS add-ins:

  1. Click the SOLIDWORKS Add-Ins tab of the CommandManager.
  2. Select the add-in to load or unload.
    The additional functionality appears throughout the product user interface. The SOLIDWORKS Add-Ins tab contains some commands for the ScanTo3D and Toolbox add-ins.
    To set the add-in to load when SOLIDWORKS opens, use the Add-ins dialog box.