-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Jeff Mirisola Dec 16, 2015 1:30 PM (in response to Justin Lee)I'd say this is a question for Matthew Lorono.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Dec 16, 2015 2:22 PM (in response to Jeff Mirisola)I dropped Matthew a line linking him to this thread and asking for comment.
Thanks again!
-
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Dec 16, 2015 3:11 PM (in response to Justin Lee)Just to follow up.. a really good example of the 2016 smart dimensions slowing me down is this..
2016 Default Behavior:
-Create a new sketch.
-Create two unconnected lines.
-Select both lines and create a parallel relation. (Both lines remain selected after creating this relation.)
-Activate smart dimension tool, with the intention of dimensioning the length of ONE line.
(However, 2016 automatically attempts to create a distance dimension between the two pre-selected parallel lines)
-Hit escape twice to cancel the Smart Dimension tool, as well as deselect the 2 parallel lines.
-Activate smart dimension tool again, and select the line I wish to dimension.
2015 Default Behavior (Preferred):
-Create a new sketch.
-Create two unconnected lines.
-Select both lines and create a parallel relation. (Both lines remain selected after creating this relation.)
-Activate smart dimension tool, with the intention of dimensioning the length of ONE line.
(Here, 2015 does not attempt to create a dimension object based on the existiing pre-selection. 2015 waits for user input)
-Click the one line I wish to dimension, and add the dimension.
So, in the 2015 workflow, I can accomplish the identical task with 3 fewer clicks and 2 fewer escape button presses than in the 2016 workflow.
This is a common issue I encounter, and its getting on my nerves.
I'm certain this setting can be disabled but not seeing how.
If the 2016 Smart Dimension workflow cannot be changed, I've got to say that's pretty disappointing...
Apple & Microsoft, in poor taste, do things like moving commonly used items around, hiding them, changing the workflow of long established users, etc. Hopefully this isn't the path SW has chosen!
Thanks again!
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Glenn Schroeder Dec 16, 2015 3:38 PM (in response to Justin Lee)I couldn't find anything about it in the What's New website, but there is some information at this blog post from Alin Vargatu: http://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2015/11/solidworks-2016-dimensioning-pre-selected-entities-tutorial/ .
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Dec 16, 2015 4:11 PM (in response to Glenn Schroeder)Thanks Glenn.... I came across that video too, a while back.. Its looking more and more like I will just need to assimilate.
If I follow the Javelin write up, I should ALWAYS pre-select.
Problem is, that entails more clicking than in previous versions, because solidworks isn't properly interpreting my intentions when i activate the Smart Dimension tool. The parallel lines example above outlines my issue perfectly...
So, I am having to escape out, de-select, re-select, reactivate, rinse and repeat. I want the tool to do what I want, no what it wants. Even if I do what Javelin says, its still 2-3 extra clicks to deselect the two parallel lines and re-select the one i want (or control click, or whatever is the users' preferred method).
Still waiting for a definitive answer on this one, but looking like its going to be bad news all around. *shrug*
Thanks
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Alin Vargatu Dec 16, 2015 9:44 PM (in response to Justin Lee)I agree. This new behaviour should be controlled by a check box in the System Options. Allow the user to turn it off.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Alin Vargatu Dec 16, 2015 9:59 PM (in response to Alin Vargatu)I submitted an ER on this regard. Stay tuned for the ER number, in case you want to vote on it.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Greg Hynd Dec 17, 2015 4:32 AM (in response to Alin Vargatu)map your smart dimension tool to a keyboard shortcut, then it is much easier to select or deselect it if you need to, I have mine mapped to D Key. You don't really notice this new functionality then.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Dec 17, 2015 11:42 AM (in response to Alin Vargatu)Awesome. Standing by for that ER#.
I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking this should be a user controllable behavior.
Thanks Alin!
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Alin Vargatu May 4, 2016 8:00 PM (in response to Justin Lee)SPR#927745
-
-
-
-
-
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Ravi ShrivastavaDec 18, 2015 10:12 AM (in response to Justin Lee)
Hi Justin,
Unfortunately we do not have any option to disable automatic attachment of dimension on preselected sketch entities.
In SOLIDWORKS 2016 we introduced the new behavior to respect pre-selection of sketch entities which are selected for dimensioning. In SOLIDWORKS 2015 we dismiss these pre-selections and user had to reselect them after activating smart dimension command, however it’s a good suggestion to control this behavior through an option which will let user choose his/her preferences based on their modeling practices.
In this case, the workflow of adding sketch relation between two line by preselecting two sketch entities and the workflow for creating a dimension by preselecting two sketch entities is common which is creating this problem.
I noticed ER reported by Alin, which we are processing and will keep monitoring how many hits we get for this request to make further decision of incorporating this option.
Thanks Ravi
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Dec 19, 2015 7:17 AM (in response to Ravi Shrivastava)Ravi,
Thanks for the thoughtful response. Its really nice to get this info from the source!
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing a user selectable option for how the smart dim tool behaves going forward.
For reference, where can I find the ER number for this issue?
Thanks again!
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Ravi ShrivastavaDec 21, 2015 2:10 AM (in response to Justin Lee)
Hi Justin,
The ER number is 1-9721846623,and the SPR (Software Performance Request) reported for this ER is 927745.You can track this SPR number for further updates on development status in your customer portal - Knowledge base section.
Thanks Ravi
-
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Samuel Poole Feb 20, 2016 1:12 AM (in response to Ravi Shrivastava)No further decision required SWX, do it!
With 5 users in one office, the murmur of GRRR is constant.
Add the this 2016's bias to selecting the mid point of a line the murmur is GRRR... DOH
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Grant Dover Apr 26, 2016 8:04 AM (in response to Samuel Poole)I cannot agree with you more Samuel!
This automatic dimensioning of preselected entities is causing so much frustration and additional clicking/escaping.
And as you say, the bias toward selecting midpoints is driving me up the wall.
Additionally, having Instant2D turning itself on by default makes adjusting dimensions painstaking.
What I have found is that all software reaches a peak of functionality and ease-of-use. It then declines/regresses. Examples of software regressing: google search, office 365, and now SW2016.
-
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Richard Wagenaar Mar 17, 2016 3:25 PM (in response to Ravi Shrivastava)How many users wanted this behaviour, did you count?
Solidworks is making regressions the last 10 years that cause
more mouseclicks and after that count how many people are against it.
I have seen many of these regression in the last ten years which
is the reason why we are using old releases and have less mouseclicks
and less precise mousemovements. We still keep buying upgrades only
to find that they don't work well or bring us productivity loss and more mouseclicks.
In older days I had the energy to write about all the regressions but that has
been totally useless as Solidworks does not have contact with the user anymore.
I think this could be the last year that we upgrade.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Tim Mills Jun 8, 2016 10:22 AM (in response to Ravi Shrivastava)I absolutely despise this feature and the fact that you can't disable it. Have been using SW since 2003 and I have never disliked a "feature" this much.
I wish I could revert back to '15.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Jun 8, 2016 10:36 AM (in response to Tim Mills)I feel the same way man!
Please be sure to vote on SPR#927745 so we can get an option added that will disable this nonsense.
Thanks!
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Ian McLean Jun 19, 2016 11:03 PM (in response to Justin Lee)Totally agree, have added my vote
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Andrew Martin Jul 1, 2016 11:00 AM (in response to Ian McLean)I work at a company that uses around 50 seats of solidworks and no one I have talked to likes this "improved" smart dimension.
My standard operating procedure is to fully draw a sketch and then add all the dimensions. This new feature attempts too add one dimension that 75% of the time I don't want.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Greg Hynd Jul 1, 2016 11:08 AM (in response to Andrew Martin)turn it off then, look for instant 2D tool button.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Jul 1, 2016 11:18 AM (in response to Greg Hynd)Greg, you may misunderstand the issue at hand in this discussion as this issue doesn't have anything to do with the instant 2d features. Please re-read the first OP and replies from Ravi Shrivastava. The issue at hand is detailed in SPR#927745, and there is no way to turn it off.
Andrew, Please search the knowledge base, and vote for SPR#927745, and ask your 50 other users to do so as well. We wont get a fix implemented if there aren't enough votes on SPR#927745.
Every day this nonsense slows me down.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Andrew Martin Jul 1, 2016 5:24 PM (in response to Justin Lee)Justin,
I voted for the SPR and encouraged some of my coworkers to do so.
One of them pointed out that the real change was that when sketching lines Etc. When you hit escape to stop sketching it leaves the last thing highlighted until you hit escape again. He says he didn't notice a change because he usually hit escape multiple times anyway.
A simple solution may be to make a macro that actuates the escape key twice each time you hit it.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Greg Hynd Jul 4, 2016 2:19 AM (in response to Justin Lee)Justin,
My bad, sorry. Posted just before leaving work without reading question properly.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Roy Ford Jul 7, 2016 11:52 AM (in response to Justin Lee)Hi Guys, A single left hand mouse click will de select items
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Jul 7, 2016 12:00 PM (in response to Roy Ford)One click too many.
The only additional click I should need to make is to disable this "feature."
Adding redundant steps to established, efficient workflows is no way to go through life.
Please vote for SPR#927745.
-
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Roy Ford Jul 7, 2016 12:11 PM (in response to Justin Lee)Not saying its right, just how it is
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Danny Sosa Feb 22, 2017 10:41 AM (in response to Justin Lee)Months later,
I recently made the switch from 2014 to 2017. The inescapable inclusion of pre-selected sketch entities in smart dimensions is a smelly tumor in my workflow. I am afraid I missed the boat to give meaningful feedback since this "feature" (read: grain of sand under the eyelid) was introduced a whole version ago, but it is so frustrating and so pervasive that I am compelled to speak out.
My workaround is to continue to be moderately inconvenienced and very frustrated about this minor issue, and to periodically search the internet for a fix or registry hack, only to end up back at this thread.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
John Christensen Feb 22, 2017 11:03 AM (in response to Danny Sosa)Setting up a hot key to the following has somewhat reduced the frustration with the pre-select feature.
No more hacking away at the esc key to get rid of the pre-select, so a dimension can be applied the entity(s) at hand.
'to circumvent smart dimension preselect
'
Option Explicit
Dim swApp As SldWorks.SldWorks
Dim swModel As SldWorks.ModelDoc2
Dim swModelDocExt As SldWorks.ModelDocExtensionSub main()
Set swApp = Application.SldWorks
Set swModel = swApp.ActiveDoc
Set swModelDocExt = swModel.Extension
swModel.ClearSelection2 True
swModelDocExt.RunCommand swCommands_SmartDimension, ""End Sub
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Danny Sosa Feb 23, 2017 11:30 AM (in response to John Christensen)Hi John,
Thank you for what looks like a promising solution! Unfortunately I do not know what to do with this code. I do not want to hijack the thread with questions whose answers might be obvious to more technical Solidworks users, but would you please give me a hint about where to start with the code? I am happy to search the forum for specific information but I don't know what I am looking for.
Thanks again!
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Feb 23, 2017 12:04 PM (in response to Danny Sosa)For any newcomers to this thread, the ER number is 1-9721846623,and the SPR (Software Performance Request) reported for this ER is 927745.
Even though this is getting to be an old bug, it's still worth voting on SPR 927745.. Its never going to get attention from development if there isn't clear evidence of user impact.
Also, call your VAR and demand this "feature" get a checkbox in options to disable.
Thanks
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Eric Salvo Mar 27, 2017 5:59 AM (in response to Justin Lee)I found SPR 927745 in the Knowledge Base, but how do you vote for it? This so called "enhancement" of pre-selection for dimensioning that cannot be turned off needs to go before the escape key on my keyboard wears out. It's very annoying and disruptive to the work flow. Actually, no such enhancements that cannot be dismissed should be implemented.
-
-
-
-
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Dan Dunst May 12, 2017 4:25 PM (in response to Justin Lee)I'm pretty sure this menace is gone in 2017
No where have I ever seen any explanation of this behavior being added in 2016 or going away in 2017.
I found it to be one of the greatest time wasters ever.
It was useful about 10% of the time and caused 3 or so additional steps 80% of the time.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Aug 8, 2017 12:57 PM (in response to Dan Dunst)Dan,
This "Menace" is STILL present.
e.g.
-Create a new sketch.
-Create two unconnected lines.
-Select both lines and create a parallel relation. (Both lines remain selected after creating this relation.)
-Activate smart dimension tool, with the intention of dimensioning the length of ONE line.
(However, 2016 automatically attempts to create a distance dimension between the two pre-selected parallel lines)
-Hit escape twice to cancel the Smart Dimension tool, as well as deselect the 2 parallel lines.
-Activate smart dimension tool again, and select the line I wish to dimension.
If a sketch entity is pre-selected then the smart dimension tool is activated, SW automatically tries to attach dimensions to the pre-selected entity, forcing me to hit escape. The issue and workflow I outlined in my initial post is unchanged in 2017.
Unless there is some toggle or switch to disable this behavior, its unchanged from 2016 to 2017.
If anyone knows how to turn this nonsense off, please post here.. It would be much appreciated as my escape key is worn out and I am in need of a new keyboard!
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Eric Salvo Aug 8, 2017 1:13 PM (in response to Justin Lee)Yes it is still there for me and menace is a good way to describe it. If I draw 2 circles, select both, use my keyboard shortcut for equals then hit dimension it gives me the distance between the two. The chances that I wanted it to do that are roughly zero. However repeat the same process with many circles instead of two and it functions properly. Hitting dimension in that case allows me to set the diameter of the circles without beating up on my poor escape key.
Dan, if you found a way to disable this please enlighten us.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Alex Lachance Oct 26, 2017 4:57 PM (in response to Justin Lee)Hi Justin,
A tip I learned in school was to always press escape when finishing a command, this way you would be sure not to have something you don't want to carry over to the next command.
I believe if you pressed escape before pressing the smart dimensions, your problem would be solved.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Oct 26, 2017 6:04 PM (in response to Alex Lachance)Alex,
The issue is, we are required to take additional steps to use workflows that were unaffected in sw2015 and earlier.
No matter what, now we have to hit escape (whether before or after one step or another). This "feature" (also read "menace") forces us to use the escape key much more often than in previous versions.
The posts here all make it pretty clear that we dont want to hit escape a million times a day. If we went back to the 2015 system, or had an option to enable/disable this "feature" then we'd be fine.
Sadly, no one in dev or mgmt has taken notice.. so our suffering continues.
vote yes on SPR 927745, then call your VAR and demand a solution!
EDIT: A solution has been implemented in SW2018... YAY!
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
John Christensen Oct 27, 2017 8:11 AM (in response to Alex Lachance)I could honestly say, my fondest memory of working with A-Cad was "to hit escape a million times a day". At the time - how refreshing to get to SW and eliminate most of those requirements.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Alex Lachance Oct 27, 2017 8:29 AM (in response to John Christensen)That is exactly where I got that from, AutoCAD. They did tell us to not lose the habit because it would be required(not as often) in SolidWorks too. Besides, having to press escape shouldn't be a burden, it should be seen as a break point between 2 distinct commands, or at least that's how I was tought. Glad to see though that there was an easy fix that they could do as mentionned above because to me, that sounded like perfect executionning of the command.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Oct 27, 2017 8:59 AM (in response to Alex Lachance)If Acad requires you to hit escape a million times a day, I'm glad I'm not using that software.
Wasted keystrokes are wasteful.
My beef, concerning this SW bug, has always been with the implementation of a non-configurable "feature", that added numerous steps to long established user workflows, wasting time & money, & infuriating paying customers.
Very glad to see others have had the same complaints and that a solution will be implemented in SW2018.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Eric Salvo Oct 27, 2017 9:08 AM (in response to Justin Lee)Justin Lee wrote:
If Acad requires you to hit escape a million times a day, I'm glad I'm not using that software.
Wasted keystrokes are wasteful.
My beef, concerning this SW bug, has always been with the implementation of a non-configurable "feature", that added numerous steps to long established user workflows, wasting time & money, & infuriating paying customers.
Very glad to see others have had the same complaints and that a solution will be implemented in SW2018.
My thoughts exactly.
"Enhancements" should not require more steps to complete the same old task. Or at the very least they should be easily disabled by the user if they do.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Glenn Schroeder Oct 27, 2017 9:15 AM (in response to Justin Lee)Justin Lee wrote:
My beef, concerning this SW bug, has always been with the implementation of a non-configurable "feature", that added numerous steps to long established user workflows, wasting time & money, & infuriating paying customers.
To be fair, while I know the dimension tool with pre-selected entities may be an exception, in recent years the folks at SW have gotten much better about giving us a way to turn off new enhancements.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Oct 27, 2017 9:22 AM (in response to Glenn Schroeder)Definitely agree with you Glenn.
Really happy with most of the recent enhancements.... A simple checkbox in the system options goes a long way...
-
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Alex Lachance Oct 27, 2017 9:25 AM (in response to Justin Lee)It doesn't require you to hit the escape key a million times a day, it generally does it's own breaks in between commands, but there are commands that are meant to carry on to other commands because certain people use it in that particular manner. It's a tip given to people to use it in order to break their commands in between.
We all have different methods of working and sometimes, the way the command is set-up might seem impractical to you, but it might be practical to most of the users, that was my original point.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Justin Lee Oct 27, 2017 10:37 AM (in response to Alex Lachance)I appreciate the input & I'm sure Acad is great, but the way in which other softwares behave is not really the topic of this thread.
The issue at hand, SPR 927745, was resolved and will be implemented in 2018. That proves that it was not only myself who found this "enhancement" impractical. A great number of other users were affected, as the replies in this thread, and the resolution of SPR 927745 clearly indicate.
Seems like I cant state this clearly enough...
I'm not opposed to hitting escape once in a while.. that is compulsory & unavoidable.
The issue has always been mucking with & adding steps to long established workflows -- its bad practice, period.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Andrew Kelly Oct 26, 2017 4:52 PM (in response to Justin Lee)This is still driving me nuts. Does anyone know the status of SPR 927745? I can't seem to find any information about it.
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Glenn Schroeder Oct 26, 2017 5:07 PM (in response to Andrew Kelly)Andrew Kelly wrote:
This is still driving me nuts. Does anyone know the status of SPR 927745? I can't seem to find any information about it.
See #10 here.
-
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Glenn Schroeder Oct 26, 2017 5:57 PM (in response to Justin Lee)Justin Lee wrote:
Finally, we can stop the Escape Key abuse!
Had not heard about this 2018 improvement, but it is good news!
Thanks for sharing Glenn!
You're welcome, but all I did was link to the article. Alin Vargatu did all the work.
-
-
-
-
Re: 2016 smart dimension settings
Jeff Parker Oct 26, 2017 6:01 PM (in response to Justin Lee)Justin,
This has been resolved in 2018 SP0.1 via SPR#927745. Here is the section from the What's New explaining how this now works in 2018.
Smart Dimension on the Context Toolbar
You can dimension certain entities from the Auto Insert Dimension tool on the context toolbar.
Previously, you could only pre-select entities and then use the Smart Dimension
tool to dimension entities.
The Smart Dimension tool on the context menu no longer supports pre-selection.
If you want to add a dimension to your selection, use the Auto Insert Dimension on
the context menu.
The Auto Insert Dimension tool automatically inserts the most appropriate dimensions
for sketch entities.
The entities supported by the dimensioning tools on the context menu are:
• Line: Linear dimension
• Arc: Radial dimension
• Circle: Diameter dimension
• Two lines at an angle: Angular dimension between entities
• Two parallel lines: Linear dimension between entities
• Arc or circle, and line: Linear dimension between line and center point
• Point and line: Linear dimension between line and point
• Arc or circle, and point: Linear dimension between point and center point
• Arc/Arc or Circle/Circle or a combination thereof: Linear dimension between center
points.
Regards,
Jeff Parker
SOLIDWORKS Elite AE | Senior Tech Support Engineer
GoEngineer