12 Replies Latest reply on Jan 14, 2016 7:07 AM by Jim Wilkinson

Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?

David Brown Jan 13, 2016 10:21 AM

I'm currently using Solidworks 2013 which allows me to create shortcuts for view planes. For example I have the numbers on my keyboard keypad mapped to different view planes so that I can quickly switch to front, back, left etc views quickly. Similar to a net diagram of an unfolded box, see below.

I've always used these shortcuts as a part of my efficient workflow, but now after upgrading to Solidworks 2016 this function seems to be lost.

When I map the shortcuts in SW 2016 and try to use them I get this message which is a completely different function:

Any idea how to fix this so that it works the same as SW 2013?

Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?

Kelef Man Jan 13, 2016 12:00 PM (in response to David Brown)

hei'ya David,
original defaults were set so
I just mapped mine as pix below

and saved to prtdot (template)
closed template doc and opened a new doc
and appears to work correctly
try resetting to defaults and reset again?
let us know how it goes-
have a good'n kelef
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- Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?
  
  David Brown Jan 13, 2016 12:08 PM (in response to Kelef Man)
  
  Thank you, I really needed this. Using the orientation cube was causing an odd artifact on my new workstation.
  
  back to working efficiently...
  
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  - Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?
    
    Kelef Man Jan 13, 2016 12:12 PM (in response to David Brown)
    
    glad it worked dude
    another dollar, another 120yen
    
    have a good'n kelef
    
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  - Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?
    
    Kelvin Lamport Jan 13, 2016 12:19 PM (in response to David Brown)
    
    That "odd artifact" is usually a sign of a mismatched or non-approved combination of graphics card and driver.
    Run the Rx tool to check.
    
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    - Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?
      
      David Brown Jan 13, 2016 12:36 PM (in response to Kelvin Lamport)
      
      Using a quadro M4000 and the recommended driver from here
      
      It doesn't impede my workflow anymore since I don't have to use the orientation cube. But I'm cautious of discovering more artifacts later.
      
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- Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?
  
  Jim Wilkinson Jan 14, 2016 7:07 AM (in response to Kelef Man)
  
  Hi David and Kelif,
  
  A couple of comments:
  When changing keyboard shortcuts, you don't have to resave templates or anything. These shortcuts are stored at the system level, not the document level. I just didn't want people thinking that needs to be done. Just change the settings and you are done.
  I think your original problem was that you assigned the keyboard shortcut to the incorrect command. If you do a search for Front in the keyboard customization interface, you will see that there are three different Front commands as shown in the image below. The gray rows indicate that the command is in that sub-category so the first one is Set Current View as Front (and if you click on it, it shows that description in the Description field at the bottom). Unfortunately, it is hard to tell out of context of the command usage and in this dialog, but this is the command in the Orientation dialog to assign the current orientation as the Front view (part of the Update Standard Views functionality). You assigned your keyboard shortcut to this one. The second listed command is the 2D to 3D functionality to add sketch entities to the front sketch view. The third is the one you actually want as shown by the description field again in the image below (since that command is selected in the dialog). You will also note that there is a default assignment of Ctrl+1 to the command.
  
  I hope this helps you understand what happened,
  Jim
  
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Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?

Tim Smith Jan 13, 2016 12:30 PM (in response to David Brown)

As an alternate, solution, one that unfortunately require the outlay of cash. I've been using the 3d connexion left handed devices for years now. They are wonderfully customizable have built in view buttons, and more importantly allow for the distribution of workload off the right hand and increase efficiency.
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- Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?
  
  David Brown Jan 13, 2016 12:40 PM (in response to Tim Smith)
  
  I've seen those and been curious about them. What's the learning curve on something like that? How long did it take you to get used to it? I was thinking about just getting an external keypad to use with my right hand for a cheap way to get some shortcuts with my right hand.
  
  Funny you mention this, my coworker has already mastered using a mouse with his right hand because of fatigue!
  
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  - Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?
    
    Tim Smith Jan 13, 2016 1:39 PM (in response to David Brown)
    
    It varies. The pan, rotate & zoom functions are only a couple of hour. The built in views, couple of days. The ability to use, shift, ctrl, esc, & alt, aprox the same. The hot keys under the pinky probably take the longest and is dependant on how you program them. The biggest aha moment was programing the center button in the cluster as 'S', this gives you the context flyout window, that is a huge one. Mostly because you can customize the flyout so heavily. It's make a world of difference to my speed and physical stress on the right hand. The last major change I've made to my input is going to a Kensington track ball slimblade pro. I've been in this game for 13 years now. RSI is a very real thing. The increase in efficiency is a good bonus and probably best way to justify to the bean counters.
    
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    - Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?
      
      David Brown Jan 13, 2016 1:49 PM (in response to Tim Smith)
      
      I'm going on 4 years, switching to an 8 button programmable gaming mouse was my first change- which has helped a lot. The fact that my co-worker is using his mouse left handed would make for an easy push to get new input devices.
      
      That being said I'm definitely going to look at the 3dconnexion devices. Mind informing which one you use/prefer?
      
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      - Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?
        
        Tim Smith Jan 13, 2016 1:54 PM (in response to David Brown)
        
        In order to get the pinky button cluster that is fully programmable you need to buy in at the top level. 3Dconnexion : SpacePilot Pro
        That being said it's so worth it. I originally used my own money to buy my first one 7ish years ago, now everybody in the dept has one.
        
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        Re: Can I create keyboard shortcuts for views (Front, Top, Left etc.) in SW 2016?
        
        David Brown Jan 13, 2016 5:02 PM (in response to Tim Smith)
        
        That's about in line with the cost of a Wacom tablet which we budgeted this year, think I might look at this instead. Thanks
        
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