7 Replies Latest reply on Nov 26, 2014 6:02 AM by Jim Wilkinson

Sketch toolbar doesn't open automatically.

Karel Notebaert Nov 25, 2014 1:36 PM

Hi all,

I've been working with solidworks for a pretty long time now and I have recently bought a laptop.

On my desktop, when I start a sketch on a plane or a surface, the sketch toolbar automatically opens and I can quickly start drawing my lines and circles etc....

On my laptop, this doesn't happen, I always have to go to the sketch toolbar and then, I can start drawing my lines....

I know this is not a big problem but I lose a lot of time by this after a while...

Does somebody has an idea how to solve this issue?

Thanks in advance
Karel

Re: Sketch toolbar doesn't open automatically.

Kamden McHenry Nov 25, 2014 2:39 PM (in response to Karel Notebaert)

Hello Karel,

Everybody has their best setup for SW, and I am sorry but I dont know exactly what yours looked like before you started using your laptop. Maybe you were using the shortcut feature, which can be activated by pressing "s" on the keyboard. If that doesnt do it for you, the one thing that I would suggest if you can make the adjustment is to set up mouse gestures. This can be found in the drop down window next to options and click on customize. In that you can click over to mouse gestures and then set each direction to a different sketch mode. I have found this to be the fastest way to make a sketch. Below is a quick youtube video that can help you set it up.

SOLIDWORKS – Customize Shortcuts, Mouse Gestures, And Command Manager - YouTube

Best of Luck, and keep designing.
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- Re: Sketch toolbar doesn't open automatically.
  
  Karel Notebaert Nov 25, 2014 3:11 PM (in response to Kamden McHenry)
  
  I don't think it has something to do with my setup...
  While I'm working on a part and I see the features toolbar in the command manager, and then, I start a sketch on a surface or a plane, SW used to automatically switch to my sketch toolbar in the command manager. (which is handy )
  But this doesn't happen anymore on my laptop. I alway have to go to the sketch tab manually...
  Maybe it's a bug in my program?
  
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  - Re: Sketch toolbar doesn't open automatically.
    
    Kamden McHenry Nov 25, 2014 6:28 PM (in response to Karel Notebaert)
    
    Hey Karel,
    
    I believe I understand your problem better now, and I played around for a little while, and I couldnt find the solution to the problem that you are having. I am not sure if it a bug or not, but if it is a big problem for you, you could try and reset the defaults in your settings. I am sorry but I dont know how to fix this one.
    
    Best of luck.
    
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  - Re: Sketch toolbar doesn't open automatically.
    
    Jeff Mirisola Nov 25, 2014 6:38 PM (in response to Karel Notebaert)
    
    Try running a repair on your install?
    
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Re: Sketch toolbar doesn't open automatically.

Jim Wilkinson Nov 26, 2014 5:30 AM (in response to Karel Notebaert)

Hi Karel,

It looks like there may have a been a problem in SOLIDWORKS 2013 with simulation causing this so if you are running that version, you may be running into that problem. See this post:
CommandManager not switching to active Toolbar

Otherwise, there is no option for this so as Jeff says, there may be something wrong with your installation.

Thanks,
Jim
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- Re: Sketch toolbar doesn't open automatically.
  
  Karel Notebaert Nov 26, 2014 5:56 AM (in response to Jim Wilkinson)
  
  You're the man Jim!
  
  I have the 2014 version but it was indeed a problem with the simulation add-in.
  I solved it by going to tools, add-ins and uncheck solidworks simulation. In my case, this add-in was launching on start up and that's why I was always having this problem. But the problem is gone now!
  
  Thanks a lot guys!
  
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  - Re: Sketch toolbar doesn't open automatically.
    
    Jim Wilkinson Nov 26, 2014 6:02 AM (in response to Karel Notebaert)
    
    Hi Karel,
    
    I just did some searching and it looks like the problem is logged as SPR#658531 and will be fixed in SOLIDWORKS 2015 SP01.
    
    Thanks,
    Jim
    
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