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Setting up hotkeys

Question asked by S. Leacox on Jun 24, 2019
Latest reply on Jun 24, 2019 by Jeremiah Feist

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I am attempting to set up hotkeys for common operations. But this is proving to be a struggle. For me the most common tasks are: New file, Sheet metal tab & flanges, editing sketch, save

For example. To select a sketch for editing, how do I get the cursor to highlight a sketch without using a mouse.

Like one hotkey for making the tree active, then arrow to the sketch

Then I plan to have Control-K for edit sketch.

Shift-K is my insert sketch. i.e. I decided that K=sketch, Shift=insert or add, and Control=Edit

F9 turns the tree on and off, but I don't see any options in the customize menu to make the tree active or select the tree area of the interface.

Another one I have been trying to figure out is the hotkey to say OK (Accept green check mark), no matter what is going on.

I am open to suggestions and themes for setting up hotkeys that more experienced Works people have found to work well.

I am making the transition from Solid Edge. I have used many other CAD packages over time. But this is only my second parametric modeler. This is my first time trying to set up hotkeys for a history based software.

No one else has this question

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Frederick Law Jun 24, 2019 1:03 PM
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For example. To select a sketch for editing, how do I get the cursor to highlight a sketch without using a mouse.
You need to select with mouse.

Another one I have been trying to figure out is the hotkey to say OK (Accept green check mark), no matter what is going on.
Most of the time "Enter" is "Ok". Sometime you'll need the mouse to click.
"ESC" is No or exit, most of the time.

Basically the UI is different. You cannot use it like other software.
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Jocelyn Erchul Jun 24, 2019 1:18 PM
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The only keyboard shortcuts I've added are:

'Q' = Rotate
'Pg Up' = Previous Page (drawings)
'Pg Down' = Next Page (drawings)

Mostly because there are already so many already assigned. Are you currently using the traditional CTRL+N & CTRL+S? I wouldn't deviate from those, personally.

Instead, I utilized the shortcut bar and mouse gestures:

I prefer to use the "s" shortcut menu for starting sketches and other various commands often used in modeling. I add more drawing type commands to the mouse gestures. But, you can add in the green check mark too. I have added the hole callout command, centerlines, centermarks.. etc. You might want to add the Sheet metal base/tab flange to mouse gestures.

Ultimately it's a trial and error process. You may realize something you've customized isn't working as excellently as intended, and you need to rethink. It will become evident in the process.

Also, you can save your customization settings, so once you have something that's working, make and keep a copy just in case
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Dennis Dohogne Jun 24, 2019 1:22 PM
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Check this out: CONTEKS: CONTExtual Keyboard Shortcuts for SolidWorks
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- S. Leacox @ Dennis Dohogne on Jun 24, 2019 3:15 PM
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  Conteks looks very interesting. I may have to dig into that.
  The company has standards for hotkeys at all the workstations. but they are only for a few basic functions mainly needed by the manufacturing floor for measuring and viewing files with a viewer. We are allowed to add hotkeys that are unused locations.
  The Company has 33 seats. But I am at a different location then the rest of the users. The one other user at my location is very young, and only uses the mouse. He never uses hotkeys. I'm Old and want every bit of speed using hotkeys I can get. So I have no people to ask other than this forum.
  
  It's hard to believe that selecting a sketch is impossible without a mouse. Disappointing. A most basic task.
  So in general, Solid Works is designed to be run with a mouse for everything? I would do everything with hotkeys except graphical picks and view control if I could.
  
  Past software: VersiCAD, 20 flavors of AutoCAD, Imageware, Cyclone, Geomagic, Microstation, few others.
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  - Frederick Law @ S. Leacox on Jun 24, 2019 3:22 PM
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    I'm used to mouse only, no keyboard except entering number and text.
    Mouse with a proper right click menu put every command right around the mouse pointer.
    
    Simple question, how could hotkey know which sketch you want to select? Cycle through every sketch in the file?
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    - S. Leacox @ Frederick Law on Jun 24, 2019 3:31 PM
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      The feature to be edited includes the sketch. In Edge, I would create one sketch and create all the features from the one sketch. In works, the sketch gets consumed by the features, so using more than a few sketch's is a new workflow for me.
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      - Frederick Law @ S. Leacox on Jun 24, 2019 3:36 PM
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        Make the sketch visible and you can use it in other feature.
        I use Master Sketch. So my sketches are reused in all parts and features.
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        S. Leacox @ Frederick Law on Jun 24, 2019 5:16 PM
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        When you say a master sketch. Are you talking about a sketch in assembly that get's copied and related into parts for cutting, creating tab's, etc.
        I assume I should dig more into threads about top down modeling methods for more on that.
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        Frederick Law @ S. Leacox on Jun 24, 2019 5:23 PM
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        Look into John's SSP.
        
        I use Master Sketch/Skeleton differ than John.
        He call it "part in part".
        I put all sketches in one part file.
        Model will start with new part then insert MS into the part.
        Assembly will have MS as one of the part fixed to origin.
        Most parts will fix at origin in assembly.
        If not, they will mate to MS.
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      - Jeremiah Feist @ S. Leacox on Jun 24, 2019 5:25 PM
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        the sketches are not "consumed" we call it "absorbed".
        
        and that does not stop you from using again in another feature, just expand the feature and select the sketch for the new feature.
        
        if you prefer to see the sketches in their unabsorbed state - you can toggle the "flat tree view" (the out of the box shortcut is ctrl-t)
        2019 SOLIDWORKS Help - FeatureManager Design Tree Views
        
        and if you really prefer it that way, you can set that in your templates.
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Setting up hotkeys

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Check this out: CONTEKS: CONTExtual Keyboard Shortcuts for SolidWorks

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