Managing Components

The component list comes from the SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic interface. In SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D, you can add, edit, or delete components.

An icon before each component in the component tree indicates whether the component is associated with a 3D part or assembly. Selecting a component in the component tree highlights the associated part or assembly in the graphics area.

The below options let you modify the display of the components in the PropertyManager:
Icon Description
Shows/hides inserted or associated components.
Expands/collapses the component tree.
Displays a tooltip for tools available to manipulate the component.

You can manage components from the shortcut menu of components and in the Component explorer panel.

Icon Description
Insert. Inserts the 3D part or assembly representing the component.
Add
  • . Component. Lets you create the component (mark and manufacturer part).
  • . Component manufacturer part. Lets you search for a new manufacturer part. After selecting a part, you can specify the quantity.
  • . Terminal strip. Lets you create a terminal strip.
  • . Connector. Lets you create a connector.
  • . PLC. Lets you create a PLC.
  • . PLC:PLC manufacturer part: Lets you create a PLC from a manufacturer part.
  • . Printed circuit board. Lets you create a printed circuit board.
Search component. Uses filters to find a component in the list of components for the electrical project.
Zoom. Zooms the 3D assembly associated with the selected component.*
Hide/Show. Hides or shows the 3D assembly associated with the selected component.*
Open 3D Part. Opens the 3D assembly representing the component.*
Replace. Lets you select another file to represent the component.*
Associate: Links the listed component from the 3D assembly representing the component in the graphics area.
Dissociate. Unlinks the 3D assembly associated with the component.*
Download SOLIDWORKS 3D part. Opens the CAD file downloader to download a 3D part.
Properties. Lets you edit the component (mark and manufacturer part).
Change location. Changes the location associated with the component.
Change function. Changes the function associated with the component.
Insert in terminal strip. Inserts the component in a terminal strip that you select from the terminal strip selector.
Assign manufacturer parts. Assigns one or more manufacturer parts to the component.
Delete manufacturer parts. Removes manufacturer parts associated with the component.
Set as permanent component. Activates a property on the component to keep the selected component in the project. When you delete all graphical elements (symbols or 2D footprints), the component is removed unless you specify the component as permanent.
Delete. Removes the selected component. To delete a component, you must delete all symbols representing this component.
Delete 3D model. Removes the 3D assembly associated with the component. The component is not removed.*

* Only available on components associated with a 3D assembly.