SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 10: Working with Part Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Activating configurations

Within a part file, to change the display from one configuration to another, you must first switch

to the ConfigurationManager panel, and then either double-click the desired config or right-click it

and select Show Configuration.

Alternatively, you can right-click the config in the ConfigurationManager and select Show Preview,

as shown in Figure 10.2. A small preview thumbnail displays in the PropertyManager panel.

However, not all configurations will have previews. For example, in a part with many configs that

have been generated automatically by a design table, the configurations may not have previews

because the config itself has never actually been rebuilt. Previews exist only when the configuration

has been activated at least once, the image on the screen generated, and the part then saved.

SolidWorks stores both the body (geometry) and the preview image of the part so that next time

you access the configuration, the software does not have to rebuild everything again.

FIGURE 10.2

Showing a configuration preview

You can even select a configuration while opening a file. This enables you to save time by avoiding

rebuilding the model. To take advantage of this option, you must use the File ➪ Open interface,

which is shown in Figure 10.3. You can select the config from the lower-right drop-down

Configurations list.