Configuration Views

You can use configuration views to create, select, and view multiple configurations of parts and assemblies in a document.



You can use either the ConfigurationManager: CAD Family tab or the ConfigurationManager tab to view configurations. The ConfigurationManager: CAD Family tab displays the configurations as physical products and representations. Use the ConfigurationManager tab to view legacy configurations.

The CAD Family tab is available when you enable the Design with SOLIDWORKS app.

You can split a configuration view and either display two configuration view instances, or combine a configuration view with the FeatureManager design tree or a PropertyManager.

Configuration views have a section for controlling display states.

With Design with SOLIDWORKS enabled, you can select the configuration view to show:
  • Click Tools > Options > System Options > 3DEXPERIENCE Integration.
  • Select an option:

    Configurations: CAD Family Only

    Displays only the CAD Family tab.

    Configurations: CAD Family and Configurations

    Displays the CAD Family tab and the ConfigurationManager tab.

    These options are available when you have updated a model or part to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform or when you select Enable 3DEXPERIENCE Integration.
    When Enable 3DEXPERIENCE Integration is enabled, SOLIDWORKS documents are updated for compatibility with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform when you open them.

    You cannot revert these changes by clearing this option.

To access a configuration view, click the ConfigurationManager: CAD Family tab or the ConfigurationManager tab at the top of the Manager Pane.

CAD Family Icons

CAD Family Object An object that you can create different configurations from for the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

The CAD family object appears as an assembly or a part on the ConfigurationManager tab.
Physical Product A configuration with a part number that you can order on a bill of materials.
Representation A child configuration of a physical product that shows a state of the physical product.

ConfigurationManager Icons

 SOLIDWORKS assembly or part.

The assembly or part appears as a CAD family object on the ConfigurationManager: CAD Family tab.

Configuration created manually.
Configuration created with a design table.
Configuration created manually that has an explode state or a derived configuration.
Configuration created with a design table, and has an explode state or a derived configuration.
Configuration has a full and up-to-date data set.
Generates the full data set for the configuration the next time that you save.

Shared Configuration Icons

Design Table Appears when the model contains a design table. Right-click to edit, save, or delete the design table.
Configuration Table Appears when the model has two or more configurations. Right-click to modify the table.
PropertyManager Appears when you define a custom PropertyManager in the Configuration Publisher dialog box. These PropertyManagers enable you to select the configuration of a part when you place it in an assembly. Right-click to modify the PropertyManager.

Displaying Configuration Previews

You can display configuration previews of a part or an assembly in the PropertyManager. You do not have to open a configuration to see it, which saves time in complex parts and assemblies.

To display a configuration preview in the PropertyManager:

  1. In the ConfigurationManager tab, right-click the configuration that you want to preview and select Show Preview.
    The configuration preview appears in the PropertyManager.
    If the preview does not appear, open each configuration, and save the document in each configuration. The next time you select Show Preview, the preview appears.
  2. Click in the graphics area to hide the preview.

Customizing Configuration Sort Order

You can specify the order in which configurations are listed.

To customize configuration sort order:

  1. In the ConfigurationManager: CAD Family tab or the ConfigurationManager tab, right-click the top-level configuration and click Tree Order.
  2. Select an option:
    Option Description
    Numeric Sorts by ascending alpha or numeric value.
    Literal Sorts by alphabetical order.
    Manual (Drag and Drop) Drag configurations in the configuration tree. The configuration that you are moving drops immediately below the highlighted item when you release the pointer.

    Available only in the ConfigurationManager tab.
    History-Based Sorts by the creation date of the configuration, with the last created configuration at the bottom of the list.
    Design Table Sorts by the configuration list from the design table.

    Available when the model has a design table.