Page 88 - Mastering SolidWorks

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56 CHAPTER 2 NavigatiNg the SolidWorkS iNterface

Getting the Most from the Open Command
The Open dialog box presents some options that you will learn more about in later chapters.
Figure 2.30 shows this interface.

Figure 2.30
The open command
interface

You can use the Open dialog box just as you would use an open Windows Explorer window.
That means you can copy, paste, rename, delete, and move files while you are deciding which
one to open. You can also show a preview window and control the size of the icons. The
SolidWorks-specific controls you may use most are the Quick Filter controls to narrow the
display to just the types of files you’re seeking. The icon to the far right of the Quick Filter list
shows only top-level assemblies (assemblies that are not a subassembly in another assembly).
If you have other types of files to open, you can use the Custom button for the traditional
SolidWorks file type list.
Also notice the Mode button. This button allows you to open a part in Resolved (normal,
editable) mode or Quick View (view only). Configurations and Display State buttons are topics
covered in later chapters—they allow you to more quickly access the information you are
looking for rather than having to open the file and then switch to a different configuration.

Managing Open Files
Pressing the combination Ctrl+Tab brings up the Open Documents window, shown in
Figure 2.31. To keep the window open, continue to hold down the Ctrl key. Press Tab again to
cycle through the open documents. Use the mouse to click an X in any of the thumbnails to close
that document. You also can click a link to show that document in its own folder. To close the
preview without changing documents, you can press Esc; however, Ctrl+Esc opens the Windows
Start menu.

Managing Recent Documents
The list of recently used documents is available from the File menu or by pressing the R hotkey.
This is actually just a tab in the Welcome dialog, which is also available by pressing Ctrl+F2. The
Recent file list can also be accessed using File ➢ Open Recent, which gives a text-based list.