SolidWorks 2010 Bible

CHAPTER

Using Layers, Line

Fonts, and Colors

IN THIS CHAPTER

Using layers

Specifying line format settings

Hiding edges in drawing views

Using drawing display tools

tutorial

A

utoCAD has left its mark on CAD users of all kinds in the form of the

default expectations users have about CAD software. A few common

expectations are that layers, the Command Line, and paper space/

model space need to exist in order for graphical software to be considered

CAD, and printing should be really difficult.

When former AutoCAD users make the switch to SolidWorks, the questions

start: Where is the Command Line? How do I put parts on layers? How do I

change the background color to black? And my personal favorite, Where is

the zero-radius trim?

This chapter addresses AutoCAD-like functions in the SolidWorks drawing

environment. The goal is not to make the functions look or work or compare

in any way to AutoCAD, but to simply to make them useful in the context of

the SolidWorks software. It is never productive to try to use SolidWorks as if

it were AutoCAD. If you are making the transition, you will be much further

ahead if you just embrace SolidWorks for what it is, and accept that it does

not work like AutoCAD. You will be even further ahead if you do not assume

that AutoCAD functionality is universal.

Controlling Layers

Layers are only available in SolidWorks drawing documents, not in 3D
modeling or even sketching at all. Even in drawings, layers do not see a lot of
use. This is not to say that they serve no purpose, just that the software does
not depend on them.