Show Us Your Toolbars...

With the new shortcut menus in 2008, the user interface has completely changed.  I will admit that using the new shortcut menus takes some time to get used to.  The great part is that the menus are customizable.  I started out getting my drawing menu the way I like it first.  Then I worked on the assembly and part menus.  Here is what I have so far:

This is my drawing shortcut menu

Here is what I have while in an assembly

And here is what I get while in a part

Like I mentioned it takes a little time to get used to it.  This is a new way of working in Solidworks, but I will say it cuts down on time I spend moving my mouse to the tool bar.  My menus are about 80% done since I keep adding buttons to them on a normal basis.  I have noticed that while in a drawing, I really have no need to go to the command manager tool bar, and I have turned it off for the time being.  It takes some experimenting to get the exact layout and the buttons you will need.

Also, its a good idea to remember to export out your settings after you make some changes.  I have been bitten by that bug a few times in the past, so don't forget to save your settings!  The shortcut menu is accessed by simply pressing "s" on your keyboard.  That will bring up your menu at the point where your cursor is.  One thing I need to figure out next is how to map one of the buttons on my SpacePilot to bring up the menu.  If anyone knows how to assign a keyboard command to the buttons let me know.

To customize the tool bar, you do it just like any other toolbar.  Hit s, then right click on it and select customize.  From there you can reorder, add, or subtract any buttons you like.  One annoying thing is that while you are editing the toolbar, it keeps changing size from all in a row, to stacking the buttons.  You simply grab the edge of the toolbar, and it will resize it to your liking.

Anyhow, take a look at the new shortcut system.  Try it out, and give it a chance.  I think you will really like it.

Comments

[Josh]

Hey mike, very fun stuff huh. I've completely eliminated the need for regular toolbars. I'm accessing everything through keyboard shortcuts and that nifty shortcut bar, just have to move occasionally to the feature manager to do things. rockin.