15 Replies Latest reply on Sep 1, 2009 7:21 AM by Mike Lydon

annoying graphical representation of recently opened files

Mike Lydon Aug 19, 2009 8:06 AM

Is there any way to disable those annoying thumbnail graphics that appear when I am trying to pick a file from the recently opened list? I just want to pick the file name. I do not need to see a thumbnail graphic of the part/assy/drawing. I just want to pick the file name.

Thanks,

Mike Lydon

Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files

Deepak Gupta Aug 19, 2009 8:15 AM (in response to Mike Lydon)

Mike,

I'm not sure if there is any option to switch off those previews. Apart from that did you tried the list of recent opened documents under File menu.
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- Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
  
  Mike Lydon Aug 19, 2009 8:20 AM (in response to Deepak Gupta)
  
  Deepak,
  
  Recently opened files under the Files tab is where I am having the issue. I wish SW would stop fixing things that aren't broke.
  
  Mike Lydon
  
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  - Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
    
    Deepak Gupta Aug 19, 2009 9:03 AM (in response to Mike Lydon)
    
    Mike,
    
    Are you talking abut the window that comes up when you click on Browse Recent Document under the file tab. If you talking about the list, then its working fine on my end. can you post a screen shot of exactly what is troubling you.
    
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    - Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
      
      Mike Lydon Aug 19, 2009 9:19 AM (in response to Deepak Gupta)
      
      Deepak,
      
      Here is the screen shot.
      
      Mike Lydon
      
      ANNOYING THUMBNAIL.PNG 1.4 MB
      
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      - Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
        
        Deepak Gupta Aug 19, 2009 9:34 AM (in response to Mike Lydon)
        
        OIC. I see the similar thing here. The only difference is that I keep my SW window maximized and thumbnails appear on the right of the list rather than coming onto the list.
        
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        Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
        
        Mike Lydon Aug 19, 2009 9:58 AM (in response to Deepak Gupta)
        
        Deepak,
        
        I use two screens, so the history tree etc. spills over to the left screen.
        
        Mike Lydon
        
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        Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
        
        Matt Wallace Aug 19, 2009 1:32 PM (in response to Mike Lydon)
        
        Not that I can help, but I am guessing you would be OK with the thumbnails if they weren't covering up your file list. Mine is behaving as I believe it is intended, with the thumbnail showing next to the file list, not covering it. I seem to recall having a similar issue at one point, but not now. Try repositioning the left edge of your SW window and/or the FM and see what happens. I am on SW2009 sp4.0, it may have got fixed in a service pack.
        
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        Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
        
        Tom Spine Aug 27, 2009 2:55 PM (in response to Mike Lydon)
        
        The file preview tooltip will display to the right of the menu as long as there is enough room (width) for it to be displayed without hitting the edge of the monitor. If it does not have enough room, it gets flipped to the left. It will not split itself across two monitors, nor will it get clipped by the edge of a monitor.
        
        You can see this type of behavior with any of the SolidWorks tooltips. For example, see the tooltip for Extruded Boss/Bass on the Features CommandManager - by default it will display to the right if there is enough width. But if you move your SolidWorks windows on your monitor so that there isn't enough room to the right (ignore, for the moment that this probably isn't a useful arrangement!), it will display to the left.
        
        Mike, in your two monitor situation, if you made your SolidWorks windows just a little bit wider, you should have enough width for the file preview tooltip to display to the right and no longer obscure the rest of your File menu. Judging by the screen image you provided, it looks like increasing the width of the SolidWorks window by about 125 or 130 pixels would do the trick. That is just a guess, however, as you will notice that the menus themselves also flip if they don't have enough room. Normally, the left edge of the menu will be aligned with the left edge of the menu name. But if you look at Mike's screen shot again, you will see that the menu alignment is flipped so that the right edge of the menu is aligned with the left edge of the File menu name. This is to keep the menu on one screen - it will not display across two screens, nor will it get clipped by being partially off the screen. I haven't tried to calculate to point at which Mike's File menu will flip back to the right as his window's width increases.
        
        Hope this helps.
        
        Tom Spine
        SolidWorks User Experience
        
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        Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
        
        Mike Lydon Aug 27, 2009 3:03 PM (in response to Tom Spine)
        
        Tom,
        
        Is there any way to turn the tool tips off? If not, why not?
        
        Thanks,
        
        Mike Lydon
        
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        Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
        
        Tom Spine Aug 27, 2009 3:28 PM (in response to Mike Lydon)
        
        No, the tooltips (more specifically, the File menu preview tooltips) cannot be turned off.
        
        I'm not sure in what release they were first implemented, so I can't say for sure whether turning them off was considered when they were first designed.
        
        Tom Spine
        
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        Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
        
        Mike Lydon Aug 27, 2009 3:34 PM (in response to Tom Spine)
        
        Tom,
        
        I did not have this problem until I was upgraded to Solidworks 2009. I had the same dual screen arrangement previously. When I picked on the Window menu, or the File menu, all I got was a list of open file names. I then just picke the filename I wanted.
        
        Mike Lydon
        
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        Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
        
        Charles Culp Aug 27, 2009 4:07 PM (in response to Tom Spine)
        
        Those photo previews first showed up in 2008.
        
        Mike, I have another thing for you to consider, though.
        
        Instead of spreading your Solidworks window over two monitors, keep it maximized in one. Then (new to 2009), you can drag the Feature Tree (first you have to edit a feature) out of its usual spot, and dock it next to the solidworks window, on your other monitor. I only have a single monitor, but this is how I have it set up. There are some screen shots in this thread:
        
        https://forum.solidworks.com/message/113455#113455
        
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        Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
        
        Mike Lydon Aug 28, 2009 7:39 AM (in response to Charles Culp)
        
        Charles,
        
        Thanks for the tip. I've set my monitors up like that. It would be nice if you could undock the feature manager like that. I have dual 19" monitors, and the real estate taken by the feature manger doesn't leave much for work. I went from Solidworks 2007 to Solidworks 2009, so I missed catching this "wonderful" new tool tip feature. I sure wish they would stop fixing things that aren't broken. I don't understand the need for the graphical tool tip. I can't believe there were hundreds of users, no, wait, tens of, no, no, I can't believe there ANY users screaming for a graphical tool tip for the Window or File menu.
        
        Mike Lydon
        
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Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files

John Sweeney Aug 31, 2009 4:37 PM (in response to Mike Lydon)
Hi Mike,
In SW2009 SP4, we fixed a few issues regarding the large bubble tooltip. There were certain cases, as you showed in your image, where the tooltip would flip itself incorrectly. It typically happened when you were near the center edge of a dual monitor screen, or where your primary monitor was on the right.

With SP4.1, I now see it as shown in the attached image. If you still see an issue in SP4.1 please let us know.

Is there a consensus that you guys would like an option to turn these "file preview" tooltips on/off? Are there other places where you do NOT want to see these file preview tooltips?

Thanks,
John

tooltipFlip.jpg 179.1 KB
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- Re: annoying graphical representation of recently opened files
  
  Mike Lydon Sep 1, 2009 7:21 AM (in response to John Sweeney)
  
  John,
  
  I can't think of any time when I want to see those graphical representations. I know what files I have open. I just want to pick from the list. Those tool tips must use SOME resources that could be better used elsewhere.
  
  Mike Lydon
  
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