Chapter 2: Navigating the SolidWorks Interface
FIGURE 2.29The 2D Command Line Emulator in action
Available sketch tools in the 2D Command Line Emulator include Align, Arc, Array, ’Cal, Chamfer,
Chprop, Circle, ’Color, Copy, DDcolor, Dim, Dist, Ellipse, Erase, Exit, Extrude, Fillet, ’Grid, Line,
List, Massprop, Mirror, Move, Offset, ’Ortho, ’Osnap, ’Pan, Plot, Point, Polygon, Qsave, Rectangle,
’Redraw, ’Redrawall, Revolve, Rotate, Save, Saveas, ’Snap, Spline, Trim, U (undo), ’Units, ’View,
and ’Zoom. You can use commands preceded by an apostrophe (’) as transparent commands with-
out exiting an active command. Notice that even the cursor changes to crosshairs.Best Practice
The best way to learn a new software package is to embrace the new way, not to cling to the old way.
Although AutoCAD users may find the 2D Command Line Emulator more comfortable to work with, you will
not achieve the same results, as you will with the SolidWorks default-sketching mode. For example, the result-
ing sketch entities created using the 2D Command Line Emulator are not constrained in any way, and the end-
points do not even merge. You can deselect the 2D Command Line Emulator by going to Tools ➪ Add-ins. n
Note
The 2D Command Line Emulator is not available on 64-bit computers. n
Making the Interface Work for You
As engineers and designers, we all like to tinker with things to optimize efficiency and to apply our
personal stamp. When the SolidWorks software is installed, the interface is functional, but not
optimal. In the previous pages, I have discussed managing and customizing toolbars and menus. In
the remainder of this chapter, I focus more on customizing the interface, and suggest some strate-
gies that you might use to help customize your work environment.