{"id":96,"date":"2008-07-14T05:15:53","date_gmt":"2008-07-14T13:15:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fcsuper.com\/swblog\/?p=96"},"modified":"2008-07-27T07:32:24","modified_gmt":"2008-07-27T15:32:24","slug":"drawing-and-viewport-backgrounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fcsuper.com\/swblog\/?p=96","title":{"rendered":"Drawing and Viewport Backgrounds"},"content":{"rendered":"

SolidWorks 2008 introduced the ability to control the\u00c2\u00a0drawing background.\u00c2\u00a0 This was made obvious with the\u00c2\u00a0notorious implementation of the Crinkled Paper image that now dons SW 2008 on-screen display of\u00c2\u00a0drawings.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0This image is kinda cool, but also not really all that professional.\u00c2\u00a0 It is an unusual and quirky choice for a default image, to say the least.\u00c2\u00a0 Just as quirky is that fact the user cannot choose to print their drawing with that background included.\u00c2\u00a0 This makes the whole thing seem rather silly.\u00c2\u00a0 Regardless, there is a fairly easy method to change this image.\u00c2\u00a0 Instructions to change this image appear latter in\u00c2\u00a0this article.\u00c2\u00a0 Also included are the instructions to simply turn this function off.\u00c2\u00a0 Also included at the end of this article are locations where some background images are available for download.<\/p>\n

Before SW 2008, the user only had the ability to set a solid color as the drawing background.\u00c2\u00a0 The user did have capabilities to control the\u00c2\u00a0viewport background, which also appears underneath the drawing background.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0The abillity\u00c2\u00a0to control this viewport background has improved over the years.\u00c2\u00a0 In the early days, one could only set the color.\u00c2\u00a0 Then SW wowwed us with transitional coloration.\u00c2\u00a0 Later, the user could display an image as the background.\u00c2\u00a0 Instructions on how to apply an\u00c2\u00a0image to the viewport backaround appear later in\u00c2\u00a0this article.<\/p>\n

Instructions to change the drawing background in SW 2008<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Obtain or create a new Bitmap (.bmp) image for use as the background. For best results, the .bmp should be a pixel size\u00c2\u00a0that is similar\u00c2\u00a0to the current SW 2008 backgruond image (sheetbackground1.bmp).\u00c2\u00a0 Also, be sure the\u00c2\u00a0background image is\u00c2\u00a0light or ghost-like so that it does not\u00c2\u00a0obscure the drawing itself.
\n2.\u00c2\u00a0 Shutdown SolidWorks, if not already.
\n3. Goto the SolidWorks\\data\\Images\\drawings folder in Windows Explorer. Note: this folder location may vary some between systems at the “Solidworks” level.
\n4. Rename the standard sheetbackground1.bmp to back it up.
\n5. Copy the new sheetbackground1.bmp into that folder.
\n6. Start SolidWorks and open a drawing to confirm.<\/p>\n

Instructions to turn off the drawing background image in SW 2008<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Start SolidWorks.
\n2. Goto pulldown Tools\/Options…\/System Options tab.
\n3. Select Colors in the left selection list.
\n4. Check the box of “Use specified color for drawings paper color”.
\n5. If you wish to change the default paper color, select “Drawings, Paper Color” in the “Color scheme settings” list and LMB click on the “Edit…” button to the right. This brings up a window where you can select another color. Pick “OK” button of that window to return to System Options.
\n6. Pick “OK” button of the System Options to implement the changes.
\n7. Open a\u00c2\u00a0drawing to confirm changes.<\/p>\n

Instructions use an image as the viewport background for SW 2006 and above<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Identify which image you’d like to use as a viewport background.\u00c2\u00a0 Note: drawing background images from SW 2008 can also be used as viewport backgrounds\u00c2\u00a0in SW 2006\/7.
\n2. Start SolidWorks.
\n3. Goto pulldown Tools\/Options…\/System Options tab.
\n4. Select Colors in the left selection list.
\n5. Select the option to use an Image file under “Background appearance”. The exact name and placement of this selection may vary between versions of SolidWorks. Look for the field that allows the entry of a file name and its associated browse button (three dots).
\n6. Browse to the location of the image to be used as the background, and select the image file. Pick “OK” or “Open”.
\n7. Pick “OK” to accept the change in System Options.
\n8. Open a drawing to confirm change.<\/p>\n

Locations to find drawing backgrounds<\/h3>\n