SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part I: SolidWorks Basics

Workflow customization .................................................................................

When you first install and run the SolidWorks software, the SolidWorks Welcome screen shown in

Figure 2.19 offers you the option to customize the interface using one of three preset option pack-

ages. Special menu and toolbar settings are made for Consumer product design, Machine design,

or Mold design. After the software is initially installed, you only see this screen once, but you can

change all the options in other places, including the Options tab in the Customize dialog box.

FIGURE 2.19

The Welcome to SolidWorks screen

The three-workflow customizations affect the interface as follows:

l (^) Consumer product design adds the Surfaces toolbar to the CommandManager.
l Machine design adds Sheet Metal and Weldments toolbars to the CommandManager.
l (^) Mold design adds Surfaces and Mold Tools toolbars to the CommandManager.
Similar changes are made to the menus to hide or show menu selections as appropriate. You can
find more information about hiding and showing menu items later in this chapter.
If you want to select a different option after the initial setup, choose Tools ➪ Customize and click
the Options tab, where you can specify a different choice. Figure 2.20 shows the Options tab of the
Customize dialog box.