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Prevent CommandManager Splitting

Question asked by Jordan Skoblenick on Feb 14, 2018
Latest reply on Mar 13, 2018 by Alin Vargatu

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Hi there,

When I start "Copy with Mates" the CommandManager is split automatically into 2 panes, with "Copy with Mates" barely showing (I've attached a screenshot of what I mean)

After finishing "Copy with Mates" I can double-click the splitter bar to un-split the CommandManager.

However, the next time I do "Copy with Mates", the CommandManager splits again, and I have to repeat this process.

I tried checking "Lock CommandManager and toolbars" by right-clicking the ribbon and choosing "Customize", but this had no effect.

How can I prevent "Copy with Mates" from splitting the CommandManager?

Thanks!

EDIT: This is in SolidWorks 2018 SP1.0

Jim Wilkinson Mar 10, 2018 7:23 AM

Correct Answer

Hi Jordon,

Sorry for the delay.

I have confirmed that if I have the splitter at the bottom and run Copy with Mates or Mate from the RMB, then it does indeed split, but running it from the CommandManager (our name for the ribbon), then it doesn't split. As a workaround, I would suggest opening your assembly template, dragging the splitter to the top, and resaving your assembly template. Then new assemblies will have the splitter at the top, not the bottom and you won't encounter this issue. On existing assemblies, you'll have to drag the splitter to the top.

Theoretically, I don't see why there should be a difference between invoking via the CommandManager vs. the RMB and consider it a bug, so if you would like to see it fixed, I would suggest submitting it to your reseller so they can get an SPR for it. For clarification, the "dialogs" that appear on the left by default are called "PropertyManagers"; you had referred to it as "CommandManager", which again is our name for the tabbed toolbar interface for the buttons similar to what Microsoft calls the Ribbon. We don't call it the Ribbon for a couple of reasons; 1) we actually released this before Microsoft's ribbon existed so it already had the CommandManager name, 2) it does not work exactly like the MS ribbon since it is customizable, can be undocked or docked on the left or right, etc. I just wanted to clarify that so when reporting to your reseller, there isn't confusion over the terminology.

Thanks,
Jim

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David Matula Feb 15, 2018 9:18 AM

keep dragging the bar back to the top and if you close out the program without it crashing it may recall the setting. my best guess.

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Jordan Skoblenick @ David Matula on Feb 15, 2018 9:26 AM

I tried dragging the bar to the top, saving and closing.

When I re-open SW the bar appears at the very bottom of the CommandManager (not at the top where I had dragged it to pre-closing).

Tried a few times, same thing. Thanks though!

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Tim Ordway @ Jordan Skoblenick on Feb 15, 2018 9:29 AM

While in your feature manager view, drag the bar to the bottom before using Copy With Mates.

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Jordan Skoblenick @ Tim Ordway on Feb 15, 2018 9:40 AM

Tim,

When I start SW the bar is already at the bottom. I tried dragging it up, then dragging it back to the bottom, before starting "Copy with Mates". Unfortunately the CommandManager was still split.

I have attached a video showing what I mean. Thanks for your reply!

Attachments

sldrx.wmv765.4 KB

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Jeremiah Feist @ Jordan Skoblenick on Feb 15, 2018 2:01 PM

weird.

copy with mates does not split my feature tree. it puts the copy with mates property manager in the property manager tab like it is supposed to. I did not find a setting for this, except maybe one of these two (which I can't try out). also, I am not able to manually split the feature manager.

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Jim Wilkinson @ Jordan Skoblenick on Feb 16, 2018 5:09 AM

Hi Jordan,

The way it should work is if the splitter is at the top or bottom, the PropertyManager should take over the entire vertical space, completely hiding the FeatureManager tree. If the splitter is in the middle, there are two possible behaviors:

If "Auto-size PropertyManager when panels are split" is ON, the PropertyManager will show in the bottom pane and move the splitter while the command is running to show the contents of the PropertyManager.
If "Auto-size PropertyManager when panels are split" is OFF, the PropertyManager will show in the bottom pane and not move the splitter at all.

So it looks like you are getting behavior #1 even if your splitter is at the top or bottom which is not correct behavior.

Does this only happen on this assembly? If you open a new assembly file (with no components in it) and then run the Copy with Mates command, does the same thing happen? If so, where is the splitter bar on the new assembly?

If not, try one more thing; on the assembly that is giving you trouble, double click the splitter bar. This should automatically put it all the way at the top. Then try Copy with Mates. Does the same problem occur? If so, does the same problem occur with other commands like Insert Components or Mates?

Report back on what you find.

Thanks,

Jim

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Jordan Skoblenick @ Jim Wilkinson on Feb 16, 2018 2:55 PM

Hi Jim,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Currently, "Auto-size PropertyManager when panels are split" is on.

I tried a new assembly as you indicated. The splitter bar appears at the bottom. When I click "Copy with Mates" from ribbon, the dialog appears correctly in the top pane of the CommandManager.

When I went back to my working assembly (splitter also at bottom), I tried "Copy with Mates" from the ribbon and it works correctly as well! This is very interesting.

I didn't think to include this in my original post, but I usually invoke "Copy with Mates" by RMB on either the part itself, or on a part in the tree. It's only when I invoke "Copy with Mates" by RMB that the issue I'm seeing occurs.

If I double-click the splitter bar (or move it to the top), "Copy with mates" by RMB works correctly.

Next I tried turning "Auto-size PropertyManager when panels are split" OFF.

With the splitter bar at the bottom, I tried "Copy with Mates" by RMB again. The screen changes such that "Copy with Mates" is active, but the dialog is not visible because it appears on the lower pane, which is hidden/isn't auto-sized now.

"Insert Component" and "Mate" from the ribbon work correctly. "Mate" by RMB a part works the same as "Copy with Mates" by RMB above.

Cheers,

Jordan

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Jim Wilkinson @ Jordan Skoblenick on Mar 10, 2018 7:23 AM

Hi Jordon,

Sorry for the delay.

Thanks,
Jim

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Jordan Skoblenick @ Jim Wilkinson on Mar 13, 2018 12:15 PM

Jim,

Thanks for the clarification on PropertyManager vs CommandManager. Sorry about that!

Also, thanks for the workaround. I will give that a shot in the meantime. I find myself dragging the splitter bar up on new assemblies, so changing the "assembly template" will save that step.

I would definitely like to see the bug fixed. Is it possible to submit an SPR without going through a reseller? We were very disappointed with our current reseller (Javelin), to the point where we cancelled our support contract with them. Right now we are not with any particular reseller.

Cheers,

Jordan

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Alin Vargatu @ Jordan Skoblenick on Mar 13, 2018 11:03 PM

Jordan Skoblenick wrote:

Right now we are not with any particular reseller.

Jordan, you are entitled to subscription support at this time. Read you PM.

If you want, I can report this problem on your behalf. Please advise.

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David Matula Feb 15, 2018 9:57 AM

I went back and tried to see if I got the same results since I really don't use copy with mates...im old school enough and just insert components and try and use the smart mates set up in parts to put in my components. It is annoying to have to drag the bar all the time....send in a tech support ticket to your var. maybe they can tell you where the setting is and or report the bug if you really found one.

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Jordan Skoblenick @ David Matula on Feb 15, 2018 1:01 PM

David,

We were very disappointed with our VAR over the last year, and are not going to be renewing our support contract with them.

Do bug reports need to go through a VAR, or is there a way to report directly?

Actions

Jim Wilkinson @ Jordan Skoblenick on Mar 13, 2018 12:33 PM

Hi Jordan,

All of our support is done directly through resellers so you would need to either go through Javelin or connect with a new reseller.

Thanks,

Jim

Actions

13 Replies

David Matula Feb 15, 2018 9:18 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
keep dragging the bar back to the top and if you close out the program without it crashing it may recall the setting. my best guess.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
- Jordan Skoblenick @ David Matula on Feb 15, 2018 9:26 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  I tried dragging the bar to the top, saving and closing.
  
  When I re-open SW the bar appears at the very bottom of the CommandManager (not at the top where I had dragged it to pre-closing).
  
  Tried a few times, same thing. Thanks though!
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions
  - Tim Ordway @ Jordan Skoblenick on Feb 15, 2018 9:29 AM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    While in your feature manager view, drag the bar to the bottom before using Copy With Mates.
    Like • Show 1 Like1
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    - Jordan Skoblenick @ Tim Ordway on Feb 15, 2018 9:40 AM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      Tim,
      
      When I start SW the bar is already at the bottom. I tried dragging it up, then dragging it back to the bottom, before starting "Copy with Mates". Unfortunately the CommandManager was still split.
      
      I have attached a video showing what I mean. Thanks for your reply!
      Attachments
      sldrx.wmv765.4 KB
      Like • Show 1 Like1
      Actions
      - Jeremiah Feist @ Jordan Skoblenick on Feb 15, 2018 2:01 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        weird.
        
        copy with mates does not split my feature tree. it puts the copy with mates property manager in the property manager tab like it is supposed to. I did not find a setting for this, except maybe one of these two (which I can't try out). also, I am not able to manually split the feature manager.
        Like • Show 1 Like1
        Actions
      - Jim Wilkinson @ Jordan Skoblenick on Feb 16, 2018 5:09 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Hi Jordan,
        
        The way it should work is if the splitter is at the top or bottom, the PropertyManager should take over the entire vertical space, completely hiding the FeatureManager tree. If the splitter is in the middle, there are two possible behaviors:
        If "Auto-size PropertyManager when panels are split" is ON, the PropertyManager will show in the bottom pane and move the splitter while the command is running to show the contents of the PropertyManager.
        If "Auto-size PropertyManager when panels are split" is OFF, the PropertyManager will show in the bottom pane and not move the splitter at all.
        
        So it looks like you are getting behavior #1 even if your splitter is at the top or bottom which is not correct behavior.
        
        Does this only happen on this assembly? If you open a new assembly file (with no components in it) and then run the Copy with Mates command, does the same thing happen? If so, where is the splitter bar on the new assembly?
        
        If not, try one more thing; on the assembly that is giving you trouble, double click the splitter bar. This should automatically put it all the way at the top. Then try Copy with Mates. Does the same problem occur? If so, does the same problem occur with other commands like Insert Components or Mates?
        
        Report back on what you find.
        
        Thanks,
        Jim
        Like • Show 2 Likes2
        Actions
        Jordan Skoblenick @ Jim Wilkinson on Feb 16, 2018 2:55 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Hi Jim,
        
        Thanks for taking the time to reply.
        
        Currently, "Auto-size PropertyManager when panels are split" is on.
        
        I tried a new assembly as you indicated. The splitter bar appears at the bottom. When I click "Copy with Mates" from ribbon, the dialog appears correctly in the top pane of the CommandManager.
        
        When I went back to my working assembly (splitter also at bottom), I tried "Copy with Mates" from the ribbon and it works correctly as well! This is very interesting.
        
        I didn't think to include this in my original post, but I usually invoke "Copy with Mates" by RMB on either the part itself, or on a part in the tree. It's only when I invoke "Copy with Mates" by RMB that the issue I'm seeing occurs.
        
        If I double-click the splitter bar (or move it to the top), "Copy with mates" by RMB works correctly.
        
        Next I tried turning "Auto-size PropertyManager when panels are split" OFF.
        
        With the splitter bar at the bottom, I tried "Copy with Mates" by RMB again. The screen changes such that "Copy with Mates" is active, but the dialog is not visible because it appears on the lower pane, which is hidden/isn't auto-sized now.
        
        "Insert Component" and "Mate" from the ribbon work correctly. "Mate" by RMB a part works the same as "Copy with Mates" by RMB above.
        
        Cheers,
        Jordan
        Like • Show 2 Likes2
        Actions
        Jim Wilkinson @ Jordan Skoblenick on Mar 10, 2018 7:23 AM
        Unmark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Hi Jordon,
        
        Sorry for the delay.
        
        I have confirmed that if I have the splitter at the bottom and run Copy with Mates or Mate from the RMB, then it does indeed split, but running it from the CommandManager (our name for the ribbon), then it doesn't split. As a workaround, I would suggest opening your assembly template, dragging the splitter to the top, and resaving your assembly template. Then new assemblies will have the splitter at the top, not the bottom and you won't encounter this issue. On existing assemblies, you'll have to drag the splitter to the top.
        
        Theoretically, I don't see why there should be a difference between invoking via the CommandManager vs. the RMB and consider it a bug, so if you would like to see it fixed, I would suggest submitting it to your reseller so they can get an SPR for it. For clarification, the "dialogs" that appear on the left by default are called "PropertyManagers"; you had referred to it as "CommandManager", which again is our name for the tabbed toolbar interface for the buttons similar to what Microsoft calls the Ribbon. We don't call it the Ribbon for a couple of reasons; 1) we actually released this before Microsoft's ribbon existed so it already had the CommandManager name, 2) it does not work exactly like the MS ribbon since it is customizable, can be undocked or docked on the left or right, etc. I just wanted to clarify that so when reporting to your reseller, there isn't confusion over the terminology.
        
        Thanks,
        Jim
        Like • Show 1 Like1
        Actions
        Jordan Skoblenick @ Jim Wilkinson on Mar 13, 2018 12:15 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Jim,
        
        Thanks for the clarification on PropertyManager vs CommandManager. Sorry about that!
        
        Also, thanks for the workaround. I will give that a shot in the meantime. I find myself dragging the splitter bar up on new assemblies, so changing the "assembly template" will save that step.
        
        I would definitely like to see the bug fixed. Is it possible to submit an SPR without going through a reseller? We were very disappointed with our current reseller (Javelin), to the point where we cancelled our support contract with them. Right now we are not with any particular reseller.
        
        Cheers,
        Jordan
        Like • Show 2 Likes2
        Actions
        Alin Vargatu @ Jordan Skoblenick on Mar 13, 2018 11:03 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Jordan Skoblenick wrote:
        
        Right now we are not with any particular reseller.
        
        Jordan, you are entitled to subscription support at this time. Read you PM.
        
        If you want, I can report this problem on your behalf. Please advise.
        Like • Show 1 Like1
        Actions
David Matula Feb 15, 2018 9:57 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I went back and tried to see if I got the same results since I really don't use copy with mates...im old school enough and just insert components and try and use the smart mates set up in parts to put in my components. It is annoying to have to drag the bar all the time....send in a tech support ticket to your var. maybe they can tell you where the setting is and or report the bug if you really found one.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
- Jordan Skoblenick @ David Matula on Feb 15, 2018 1:01 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  David,
  
  We were very disappointed with our VAR over the last year, and are not going to be renewing our support contract with them.
  
  Do bug reports need to go through a VAR, or is there a way to report directly?
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions
  - Jim Wilkinson @ Jordan Skoblenick on Mar 13, 2018 12:33 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Hi Jordan,
    
    All of our support is done directly through resellers so you would need to either go through Javelin or connect with a new reseller.
    
    Thanks,
    Jim
    Like • Show 1 Like1
    Actions

Prevent CommandManager Splitting

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