Setting up one’s computer for using SolidWorks on a regular basis is a matter of personal preference in the extreme.\u00a0 There is almost literally as many ways to set up a SolidWorks station as there are SolidWorks users.\u00a0 SolidWorks provides many methods for user interface, including toolbars, peripherals, shortcuts keystrokes, menus, command manager and other assorted on-screen functions.\u00a0 The most important element is the human in the real world using SolidWorks in the electronic realm.\u00a0 The following is just some of my thoughts about things that can be done to make interfacing with SolidWorks easier.<\/p>\n
Monitors<\/strong><\/p>\n For me, I have found that two monitors works well.\u00a0 I set up one monitor as my primary where I run SolidWorks and other high-end software.\u00a0 I use the second monitor for reference and interfacing, to run such programs as Adobe Acrobat (PDF), PLM\/ERP software, Internet, MS Office applications, commonly accesses desktop icons for these and other links of various type, etc.\u00a0 I also place less frequently accessed SoildWorks toolbars on the second monitor.\u00a0 Additionally, I place my SolidWorks command manager just on the edge of the second monitor where it is close enough for quick access, but removed from the main screen.\u00a0 This opens up space for my model view pane.\u00a0 It should be noted that I’m currently using SW 2007.\u00a0 Moving the command manager is currently not possible on SW 2008, from what I understand.\u00a0 I would like the ability to move the FeatureManager pane from the primary monitor as well.\u00a0 I hope this is a feature that will be added in SW 2009 or 2010.\u00a0 The goal for me is to have as much space as possible on my primary monitor dedicated to the view pane.<\/p>\n Also, I now recommend new widescreen flat LCD monitors of the 24″ variety or bigger.\u00a0 The prices have fallen drastically, while the quality has improved radically.<\/p>\n Mouse<\/strong><\/p>\n I have found that a lot of people are perfectly happy with very low movement settings on their mice.\u00a0 This I cannot understand.\u00a0 It amuses me that people will drag a mouse halfway across their desk surface just to have access to a corner of their Windows desktop.\u00a0 They move their mouse 8″ just to click a toolbar icon, and them move their mouse another 8″ to get back to were they where.\u00a0 This is a bad time waster.\u00a0 It is also horrendous ergonomics, for which they will ultimately pay the price.<\/p>\n A mouse should be set to as sensitive a setting as needed to give the cursor arrow access to all portions of your monitor(s) within a very slight movement.\u00a0 I have my mouse set so that I can access any point on my primary monitor within a 2″ diameter of movement using a medium threshold.\u00a0 The threshold is the speed one moves their mouse to trigger faster movement of the cursor arrow.\u00a0 More detailed local movement of the mouse should also be as sensitive as possible.<\/p>\n This allows the user to control their entire desktop with very little movement.\u00a0 It increases speed of operation.\u00a0 It is also more ergonomic, being better for a person’s long term arm, wrist and hand health.<\/p>\n Shortcuts<\/strong><\/p>\n To reduce the need to move the mouse around even more, use a lot of single stroke <\/strong>shortcut keystrokes.\u00a0 A lot of people may not like shortcuts for various reasons.\u00a0 I believe one of the most common reasons is that they are too hard to remember.\u00a0 However, they are worth remembering.\u00a0 The time savings from using shortcuts verses moving the cursor arrow around is tremendous.\u00a0 With the right sort of shortcuts set up, you can be working on one particular portion of your model and access several functions without having to move your cursor arrow back and forth from the toolbar back to your operating area.\u00a0 You can be in a sketch, switching from line to dimension to circle to trim, all without having to move your cursor arrow off of the view pane.\u00a0 This allows for much greater efficiency.<\/p>\n To make it easier to remember shortcut keystrokes, only add one or two at a time.\u00a0 When familar with those, as a couple more based on what you use the most.\u00a0 This allows you to learn\/remember a couple at a time instead of a bunch all at once.<\/p>\n Of course, programming functions into the mouse itself will save even further movement of both your hands.\u00a0 This usually requires setting up shortcut keystrokes in SolidWorks that are then mapped to the peripheral.\u00a0 In this case, use very complex shortcuts such as CTRL-SHFT-F1.\u00a0 It doesn’t matter how complex because it’s still just a push of a button on your peripheral.\u00a0 Save the single stroke shortcut keys for other functions.<\/p>\n Strategy for Good Interfacing<\/strong><\/p>\n A way of looking at interfacing with CAD software (particularly SolidWorks) is to think of functions in terms of how often you use them.\u00a0 The more often one uses a function, the easier and quicker that function should be accessible.\u00a0 One methodology is to work in the following way.\u00a0 The top 5% of functions used should be accessible with very little movement.\u00a0 If possible, they should be mapped to buttons on your mouse or other peripheral.\u00a0 The next 15% of functions should mapped to single stroke shortcut keystrokes.\u00a0 The next 25% of functions should be accessed through actual clicking of on-screen icons.\u00a0 Any remainder functions should be accessible through the pulldown menu scheme.<\/p>\n Also, if you find yourself using a series of functions routinely, then create a macro that accomplishes those tasks.\u00a0 Map that macro to a single or multistroke shortcut.\u00a0 Always be mindful of repetitive tasks and the ways they can be simplified to save time and improve ergonomics.<\/p>\n Knowing how to implement this strategy doesn’t come over night.\u00a0 It comes from working with SolidWorks over time.\u00a0 As you work with the software and pay attention to your own actions, you will become aware of what can be done to improve your efficiency.\u00a0 For me, if I repeat the same action over and over, I work to reduce the number of the steps it takes to perform that action until I get it to a point where it doesn’t bother me anymore.\u00a0 Use whatever means necessary to this end.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"