Problem

When attempting to render a complicated assembly or a scene with multiple assemblies imported from SOLIDWORKS, it can be extremely tedious to move each individual model into position, especially with extensive or complicated assemblies. This can become compounded if we have already moved two models into the correct positions relative to each other and wish to move them both simultaneously to a different location in the environment, while maintaining their relative positions.

In the screenshot below, we see that with the Model Selection Tool active, we can only grab either the sphere or the box with one mouse click, but not both. While this can be easily rectified in a simple project by simply holding CTRL down on the keyboard and left-clicking both models, in a more complicated assembly in a larger environment, selection can become trickier. This article contains links to different ways to move multiple models or components in Visualize. Click on each link to learn more about their respective operations. 

Solution 1: Merging Models Together

An easy way to move models together is to merge them. In Visualize, merging combines their center points and model tree entries into one, allowing us to select all components with a single click. We can merge Models and Parts by following Merging Models Together.

Solution 2: Making Models Follow Each Other

Multiple models can follow one model’s transforms. Followers can mimic the leader’s translation transforms only or all transforms, including scaling. This feature applies only to models, not parts, as described in Making Models Follow One Another.

Solution 3: Grouping Parts Together

Use the Group Selector Tool in Visualize to group parts and select or move them together while keeping the option to move individual parts. Switch to the Part Selector Tool to move components separately. Review this article for more information: How to Group Parts Together in Visualize

Notes

"Models” and “Parts” are considered different terms in the context of SOLIDWORKS Visualize. The Model Tree hierarchy in Visualize is Models > Groups > Parts > Appearances. Parts are therefore considered more like “sub-models” that can be manipulated independently of the Top Level model, but cannot be grouped with another part that is a “sub-model” of another Model in the Model Tree.

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.