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Cant select dimension, only edit value

Question asked by Ben Richardson on Jun 4, 2017
Latest reply on Mar 7, 2019 by Glenn Schroeder

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Im trying to edit a part in an assembly, section view is on if that makes any difference. I am unable to select a dimension to delete or move it, I can only change the value. Dynamic highlighting is on. I have never experienced this before, only noticed it recently. I havent updated since installing on this machine so that shouldn't have anything to do with it. If i open the part and edit the sketch, no problem at all I can select it all day long.

Im on 2016 SP0.1

This is really starting to drive me mad, any ideas?

Brandon McAtee Mar 7, 2019 4:18 PM

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If this is your issue, it may be the Instant2D function found in the Sketch tab. Every time I would go to delete a dimension in would bring up a small text field to change the dimension value. It was driving me crazy because it just started happening to me all of a sudden. Dan mentioned the Instant3d which didn't help me, but I noticed the Instant2d and tried turning that off. That took care of it for me. Below is a shot of clicking on a dimension with and without Instant2d.

Single clicking with Instant2d

Single clicking without Instant2d

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LIN SHAODUN Jun 4, 2017 9:20 PM
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Try this:
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Solid Air Jun 4, 2017 9:27 PM
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Always best if you could upload the drawing and model but a couple of screen shots would help. I am having trouble with you saying you cannot select dimension but you can change it the value. Normally you need to be able to select it to get at its value? I am confused!
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Kelvin Lamport Jun 4, 2017 9:41 PM
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Try disabling the Instant2D function or resarting SW.
I had something similar the other day but don't remember which one of those fixed the problem.
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Kelvin Lamport @ Solid Air on Jun 4, 2017 9:48 PM
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The other day clicking on the dimension brought up the Modify Dimension box, but only allowed deletion or dragging of the dimension if a leader or dimension line was selected. Clicking on the text immediately brought up the Modify Dimension box.
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Solid Air @ Kelvin Lamport on Jun 4, 2017 11:05 PM
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When I see strange errors like this, here is what I recommend.

Restart SolidWorks
Reboot Computer
Perform cleanup from maintenance tab in SolidWorks Rx (including deleting all swx folders in temp folder)
Reset SolidWorks registry (hopefully you have made backup of your settings with copy settings wizard)
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John Stoltzfus Jun 5, 2017 7:11 AM
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Anytime something like this comes up, I try to recreate the issue if I can't then I restart the computer..

I've seen this a few times and the only way that I know to "Fix it" was to restart the computer. I use two screens and sometimes I'll have multiple sessions of SW open at the same time, I kind of blamed it on that, but could never really repeat the results..
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Ben Richardson @ Solid Air on Jun 5, 2017 6:42 PM
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If I click on the arrows or lines of the dimension it doesn't not select it, but if i click the value it will allow me to change that. There seems to be a very small area around the value that if im lucky I click that and can delete it, but most of the time I cant do this.
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Kelvin Lamport @ Ben Richardson on Jun 5, 2017 6:48 PM
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Have you rebooted the system?
Have you run the SolidWorks Rx > Diagnostics tool to check the suitability of the graphics card & driver?
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Ben Richardson @ Kelvin Lamport on Jun 5, 2017 6:48 PM
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Hi Kelvin,
I have just fired up my PC and Solidworks, gone straight into this assembly and tried again, still cant select the dimension. The sketch is for a revolve its actually showing the preview for the revolve perpendicular to the sketch that is creating it, this is also a bug that is a bit disorienting when trying to edit it.
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Kelvin Lamport @ Ben Richardson on Jun 5, 2017 6:55 PM
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Whoa! That has to be a graphics card/driver problem. I've never seen or heard of that happening.
Run the Rx tool.

Can you use the Pack & Go tool to ZIP and post the assembly and parts for testing.
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Jeremiah Feist Jun 5, 2017 6:56 PM
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have you tried box selecting the dim?
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Solid Air @ Ben Richardson on Jun 5, 2017 7:25 PM
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What happens when you load each component in the assembly without opening the assembly. Any errors in those parts?
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Ben Richardson @ Solid Air on Jun 5, 2017 8:27 PM
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Hi Solid Air, if I open the parts I can select the dimension all day long as normal no problem, its editing in the context of the assembly that it doesnt work.
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Ben Richardson @ Kelvin Lamport on Jun 5, 2017 8:30 PM
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Hi Kelvin,
Just ran Rx, followed the link, entered my specs and I am using the recommended driver.
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Ben Richardson @ Jeremiah Feist on Jun 5, 2017 8:31 PM
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That actually works!
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Ben Richardson @ Kelvin Lamport on Jun 5, 2017 8:32 PM
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Also, when I open the part on its own and edit the sketch, the preview shows correctly :/
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Dan Pihlaja Jun 5, 2017 8:36 PM
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Honestly, it sounds like you have "Instant3D" turned on. Just turn it off and see if you have the same problem.
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Solid Air @ Ben Richardson on Jun 5, 2017 10:53 PM
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If its not instant 3D, what happens if you suppress all the components except the one you are trying to edit in context?
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Ben Richardson @ Dan Pihlaja on Jun 6, 2017 10:49 PM
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Hey Dan,
Turned instant 3D off, it doesnt show the preview anymore but didnt fix the inability to select the dimension. Box selecting is the work around I guess.
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Ben Richardson @ Solid Air on Jun 6, 2017 10:50 PM
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Suppressed everything except the part im having trouble with, didnt make any difference.
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Solid Air @ Ben Richardson on Jun 8, 2017 9:24 PM
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Can you upload your assembly with just the problem part in it?
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Brandon McAtee Mar 7, 2019 4:18 PM
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If this is your issue, it may be the Instant2D function found in the Sketch tab. Every time I would go to delete a dimension in would bring up a small text field to change the dimension value. It was driving me crazy because it just started happening to me all of a sudden. Dan mentioned the Instant3d which didn't help me, but I noticed the Instant2d and tried turning that off. That took care of it for me. Below is a shot of clicking on a dimension with and without Instant2d.

Single clicking with Instant2d

Single clicking without Instant2d
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Ben Richardson @ Brandon McAtee on Mar 7, 2019 4:51 PM
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Thanks Brandon, this is it. Turned instant 2D off, now no issue clicking dimensions and moving them.
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Glenn Schroeder @ Ben Richardson on Mar 7, 2019 8:12 PM
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Hello Ben,

I just wanted to let you know that I happen to like Instant 2d, and keep it turned on, but I'll agree that there's room for improvement in the workflow. When we click on a sketch dimension with Instant 2d turned on and hit our Delete key I'd like a message to pop up asking if we'd like to delete the dimension, with a "Don't ask again" check box. Now that I have that out of the way, if you want to try keeping it on you can delete them easily by clicking on a leader or extension line instead of directly on the value, or by clicking on the value and dragging it a short distance and releasing, which will keep it highlighted but without the value selected.
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Ben Richardson @ Glenn Schroeder on Mar 7, 2019 8:29 PM
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Hi Glenn,
Until today I never paid any attention to what instant 2D was, after watching the video below about its usage, Id have to say I dont see a need for it in my workflow, Im so used to using the dialogue box and 99% of the time I'm typing in values for dimensions, not dragging to suit. Having the ability to easily select and move dimensions is more valuable to me. We all use Solidworks in our own way, so each to their own, but almost 2 years later I have finally worked out what was annoying me so much! LOL.

Tech Tip - SOLIDWORKS Instant 2D - YouTube
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