SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part I: SolidWorks Basics

FeatureManager filter

One of the most useful elements of the FeatureManager is the FeatureManager filter. The filter
resides at the top of the FeatureManager. If you type text in the filter, SolidWorks searches feature
names, descriptions, comments, tags, and dimension names for text matching the string, and only
shows matching features in the window. This also works in assemblies, where you can filter for
part names or document properties. The filter is very useful for quickly finding parts, features,
mates, or anything else that shows up in the part or assembly FeatureManager.

Using the PropertyManager .............................................................................

The PropertyManager is where you go to set most of the feature parameters, and where you edit
the properties of selected items such as sketch elements. You can manually switch to the Property-
Manager using the tabs on the top of the Display panel, or allow it to pop up automatically when
your input is needed. The leftmost tab in the row of icons is the FeatureManager tab, the second
from the left is the PropertyManager tab, the second from the right is the ConfigurationManager
tab, and the rightmost tab is the ToolAnalyst (available only in SolidWorks Premium). Other icons
may also appear in this area for drawings, or if you have add-ins such as PhotoWorks or
SolidWorks Simulation (formerly COSMOS) turned on. The ConfigurationManager tab appears
with more detail in Chapter 10.

One of the benefits of putting dialog boxes in the PropertyManager is that it saves a lot of space on

the screen. On the other hand, you will often need to make a selection from the FeatureManager at

the same time that the PropertyManager pops up and takes its place. You can disable this auto-

matic pop-up behavior by choosing Tools ➪ Options ➪ System Options ➪ General and selecting the

Auto-show PropertyManager setting.

My favorite option for dealing with the PropertyManager is to detach it from the FeatureManager

so that you can see the two side by side instead of one or the other. To detach the

PropertyManager, drag its icon from the tabs out into the graphics area and release. Once the

PropertyManager is detached, you can move it to a second monitor, float it within the SolidWorks

window, or dock or reattach it. To put it back in its place under the FeatureManager, just drag it

back on top of the FeatureManager using one of the docking station symbols on the screen, allow

it to snap into place, and release it.

If you do not like the detachable PropertyManager, you can use the splitter bars either to put the

FeatureManager on top and the PropertyManager beneath, or use the flyout FeatureManager.

When creating or editing a feature, you can access the flyout FeatureManager by double-clicking

the name of the feature at the top of the PropertyManager. The flyout FeatureManager is displayed

just to the right of the regular FeatureManager, in the main graphics window, and is transparent to

enable you to see the model through it. The various ways of combining the FeatureManager and

PropertyManager are shown in Figure 2.24.