Problem

SOLIDWORKS Navigation in the graphics area can sometimes be a challenge. This article goes over nine shortcuts for orienting SOLIDWORKS models. 

Solution

Check out the list below:

1. Space Bar: Hitting the space bar brings up the Orientation dialog and View Selector Cube, which can be used to select a view to see, add views, update views, or reset standard views.

   

2. CTRL + Space Bar: This brings up the View Selector Cube. Selecting a face of the cube selects the view orientation to view the model in.

   

3. Reference Triad: We can click on the Reference Triad, in the lower left-hand corner of the graphics area,  to see the Front/Back, Left/Right, and Top/Bottom views.

   

4. Select a face, and press CTRL + 8 or right-click to select "Normal to": This will orient the model to view normal to the face selected. We can also right-click a face to select the "Normal To" button. Note: We can specify the exact orientation by pre-selecting two faces before hitting the "Normal To" button. The first face that is clicked will orient to be normal to the screen; the second face will be facing in the up, or top, direction.

   

5. Ctrl+Middle Mouse Button (MMB): This allows users to pan the part/assembly across the screen. To get this motion, hold Ctrl+MMB and move the mouse in the direction desired to pan the part. In a drawing, we only need the MMB to pan the drawing across the screen.

   

6. Alt+Middle Mouse Button (MMB): Rotates, or “rolls”, the part in 2D around a vector normal to the screen. Move the mouse around in a circular motion to get this behavior.

   

7. Rotate about a Vertex, edge, or face: Middle Mouse Button (MMB) click a vertex, edge, or face (to define the entity to which we want to constrain it); then hold down the wheel and drag the mouse to get the desired motion. This is great for spinning a wheel, swinging a door, etc.

   

8. Shift+Middle Mouse Button (MMB): Zooms the part in and out when dragging the mouse with these keys held down.

   

9. G key: Brings up a magnifying glass so we can zoom in to a smaller, local area within the glass circle.

   

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