SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 16: Modeling in Context

The Tools ➪ Options ➪ Display/Selection Assembly transparency for in context edit controls the

transparency of the parts not being edited. Figure 16.3 shows this setting. Forcing the non-edited

parts to become transparent helps you keep focus on the part you are editing in the assembly.

FIGURE 16.3

Part transparency for in-context control

The options in the Assembly Transparency drop-down list are

l Opaque Assembly. All parts that are not being edited when an assembly component is

being edited in-context turn opaque, even if they are otherwise transparent.

l Maintain Assembly Transparency. Leaves all assembly components in their default

transparency state.

l Force Assembly Transparency. Forces all the parts, except for the one being edited in

the assembly, to become transparent.

These options reflect personal preference more than anything else, but it is useful to have a

reminder as to whether a part is being edited in the assembly or the assembly document is being

edited in its own window.

Tip
The color selected in the box shown in Figure 16.2 controls both the text color and the color of the part shown
in the graphics window. n

Edit Component button

You can use the Edit Component button in two ways. First, after you have created a part in-con-
text, seeing the Edit Component button depressed serves as a reminder that you are editing the
part rather than editing the assembly. Along with the part color and transparency displays, this is
important feedback because assembly functions such as mates, exploded views, and others are not
available when you are editing the part.