Interface settings

Discussion in 'SolidWorks' started by matt, Feb 14, 2004.

  1. matt

    matt Guest

    What do you all use for interface settings? In particular, I'm interested
    in what people use when customizing menus, or using the Command Manager.
    I'm looking for suggestions, opinions, observations, comments, etc. for a
    user group presentation.

    - tooltips
    - large icons
    - Command Manager
    - flyout toolbars
    - customizable menus
    - hotkeys
    - sketch workflow (select plane, feature icon, sketch icon or sketch tool
    first)

    Thanks,

    matt
     
    matt, Feb 14, 2004
    #1
  2. I've been leaving them on for a while long version - figure I might learn
    something. Also the Tip of the Day - same thing - might accidentally learn
    something.
    If you really mean Large Icons, Nope, too much room. If you mean the
    Command Manager is the large, default size, then yes, until I learn more
    about what's what.
    Still the standard one here. I added a couple buttons back into it, though.
    On the Drawing one I added Align back in. On the Sketch one I added the
    Grid button. I don't ever use the grid, but it's a handy hotkey straight
    into Document Properties.
    Most certainly! I am a big advocate of using hotkeys. Most people run the
    mouse with their right hand, and the left one just sits around doing
    important things like holding the coffee cup. For max efficiency, put it to
    wortk! I can list many examples of where hotkeys are faster than any other
    way, if you wish. I also have the hotkey file I have kept updated that
    lists all of them - let me know if you want it. Interestingly, there is one
    in particular in 2004 that doesn't work - <CTRL>F. It already has an SPR,
    so you don't need to send it in, but it thinks it's already assigned, even
    though it isn't.
    first)
    I usually select the plane or surface first, mostly because you used to get
    a 3-D sketch if you didn't. My normal flow is to make the sketch and then
    select the feature before exiting the sketch. That seems to be the fastest
    to me. The exception would now be using the Contour Select mode, in which
    you select part of an existing sketch.
    You're welcome. Let me know if you need more. I would also be interested
    in seeing what you come up with as I don't have our next meeting's agenda
    nailed down yet.
    WT
     
    Wayne Tiffany, Feb 14, 2004
    #2
  3. matt

    Jim Sculley Guest

    Tossed in the trash.
    Also in the garbage.
    Absolutely. Anyone who uses the standard method (instead of a macro
    hotkey) to switch the units from decimal to fractional should be shot.
    Ditto for the number of decimal places, reference dim toggle, etc.
    Plane, and then feature before exiting sketch.

    Jim S.
     
    Jim Sculley, Feb 15, 2004
    #3
  4. matt

    Eddy Hicks Guest

    See below...
    Usually left on.
    Never (!)
    Never (!)
    I usually take the buried icons I need and move them up into the parent for
    one click access. We have enough screen for this.
    Yes. 2004 got this right; being able to turn things on and off so you see
    what you want to see, nothing more, nothing less.
    Yes. Usually M=measure, the rest I can live without because it just isn't
    the same as Acad's shortcuts. It would nice if we could use 2/3 char.
    Mnemonic aliases like Acad. (same as what Dale said he misses). This was
    something that Acad got right a long time ago.
    Plane - sketch icon - tool - feature (FWIW, I never use the big checkmark,
    in fact I turn it off)
     
    Eddy Hicks, Feb 15, 2004
    #4
  5. matt

    matt Guest

    I experimented with setting screen resolution high (1600x1200 on a laptop),
    and setting large icons so I could hit the buttons easier. My vision is
    good so I can read small type, but I'm kind of clumsy, so I can't hit the
    small icons.

    I stopped setting things up that way because every time I use a projector
    (weekly) I would have to reset the settings. Otherwise I think I liked
    that way of working.

    Thanks to everyone that gave input. It's always interesting to see how
    other people do stuff. I'll probably make this presentation available on
    my website when it's done, in about a week.

    matt
     
    matt, Feb 16, 2004
    #5
  6. for a user group presentation.
    What a GREAT subject for a roundtable discussion at the user group!
    Everyone who shows up has their own setup and damn good reasons for it!
    Sharing these would clue everyone in attendance to new ways of thinking,
    even if they ultimately decide it isn't for them.
    What the hell... it doesn't take any more space, and it comes in handy
    sometimes
    Never, though I understand their appeal when using a projector
    I really, really tried with this thing. My philosophy has been, for a very
    long time, to try to force myslef to use the SWx defaults because I might
    touch 2-5 systems in the course of a day. Even if I am not working on a
    system, I might be asked to help out with another guys problem. The human
    reality is that most of those sytems will be set to the defualt or a minor
    variation fof the default.
    There is nothing more unproductive than hunting 10 seconds for each and
    every icon. That said, I just could just not make the command manager work
    for me, even after 2 weeks of concerted effort. Instead of being able to
    learn where the icons were in each of the sub-menus, I found myself scanning
    for each and every command. I just could not do this day in and day out, so
    for the first time I adopted an all-custom-toolbar approach.
    Neat idea for seldom used commands. But I've been around too long (since
    98) - for seldom used commands (like sketch text) I have been trained for
    years to just go to the menus. I have tried, but I can't myself to go to
    the flyout menu over the standard menu, so I ditched this
    I use these for the big, constant functions - again because I might work on
    several systems (or different profiles on the same system) in the course of
    a day. If I go to work on another computer I would be dead in the water if
    it is not set up the way I am used to.
    Absolute reliance on hotkeys actually hinders my prodcutivity because I
    roam. I use hotkeys for plane, measure, and sketch (and only because I have
    an extra button on my mouse set for sketch). Everything else, I just trained
    myself to use the toolbars because all systems have toolbars
    It depends. I am always shaking up my routine depending on what the task
    is. I want to be fluent in three ways to do everything in SWx, and will try
    anything depending on where my mouse is and whether I have a diet coke in my
    hand.
    For instance, in SWx2004 they got rid of having the select arrow on any of
    the toolbars because everyone knows that you can just hit ESC to get back to
    the select tool. But sometimes I am lazy and my left hand is buys (Bob Zee
    can comment here) so I would rather just select the arrow from a toolbar.
    So I put the arrow back on my toolbar even though there is a terrific
    keyboard substitute hardwired intot he system. Bottom line - if there is
    space on the scrren, I will allow myself to be lazy

    Since I have gotten away from the defualts I have hit on a HUGE productivity
    enhancement for me. Since the introduction of the property manager in 2001
    most mouse acticity in SWx has been concentrated in the left side of the
    screen. Because the comman manger all but mandates that everyone
    cumstomize, I finally moved my sketch toolbar to the left of the screen. Oh
    my god, I can not fathom working again with it in its defualt position on
    the right side of the screen.

    I will try to remember to email you a screen shot of my toolbars so you can
    see the logic behind the placment.

    For the user group, I think it would be very cool if everyone took a
    screenshot of their work window so you could project them and allow the
    users to explain the rationale. I think this would be an awesome way for
    everyone to learn new ways of thinking about workflow - I might even steal
    the idea for the next Chicago SolidWorks user group.

    Aside- Fun user group question: ask everyone what they used the grid icon
    for. Every single person I have asked used it as a shortcut to reach
    document and system properties.
    The question becomes interesting because that important shortcut was removed
    from the default toolbars in SWx2004.
    The folks at SWx were listening - the knew that hardly anyone used a grid
    when modleing in SWx and that folks complained about extra stuff eating up
    toolbar space, so why have a shortcut to the grid? They just didn't realize
    that all of us (or at least the 20+ people I have polled) used the shortcut
    as a way to get to all the OTHER settings. This is a wonderful example
    showing that the folks at SWx listen and care, but that they (regardless)
    sometimes don't get it.
     
    Edward T Eaton, Feb 16, 2004
    #6
  7. matt

    matt Guest

    ....
    At first, all I wanted to do was to shut it off, and I've worked that
    way until now. Now I'm trying to work out a way for it to make sense so
    my interface doesn't change between parts and assemblies too much. I'm
    always getting stuck when I try to build a sheetmetal part in the
    context of an assembly and I don't have the sheetmetal toolbar. I only
    make the "control area" different for drawings, which I only do when I
    can't avoid it anyway.

    I've been around since 97, and have the same "this is the way I've
    always done it" syndrome. Same thing with trim/extend, alternate spline
    creation and contours. I'm trying to learn with flyouts, though,
    because I really dislike fumbling with menus. There are some things
    like mate references which have changed menus, and I always look first
    in the one it used to be in.
    I know what you mean about using other boxes. I do that some too. My
    answer to the problem has been to make my macros and cus file available
    on the net so I can get it from just about anywhere if I have to be
    without my own machine for too long. I'm addicted. I have hotkeys for
    just about anything I use daily that makes me go to the menu.


    Have you found that there are a handful of commands where the ESC key
    does not work? I can't remember what they are offhand, but I know I
    swear out loud when ever I get the "this command cannot be interrupted"
    business.

    Anyway, the "Select" thing is also available on the RMB, so you could
    still keep your left hand occupied and not have the button on the
    toolbar. I always use ESC or just click the next or previous command.

    .... Oh my god, I can not fathom
    That's funny. I keep the sketch toolbar always on the right side so I
    don't have to mouse over the feature manager. Different strokes!

    I don't think you'd be stealing anything, it looks like the sharing
    screen shots idea is all yours. It sounds like a great idea, and is
    kind of what I was hoping might happen here, although I might have
    started it off by posting my own example. Anyway, thanks for the idea!
    That toolbar button is one of the first to go on a new installation for
    me. I always use the hotkey "o" to get to Tools, Options. Grid always
    took me to the wrong place. Plus, that grid stuff is sooooo autocad.
    Although I admit for the first couple of years when I taught SW, I had
    all the students turn on the grid for the class. Believe it or not, one
    of the hurdles new users struggle to get past is knowing when they are
    in or out of a sketch. I used the grid as a reminder.

    Thanks again for the tips!

    matt
     
    matt, Feb 16, 2004
    #7
  8. I hit ESC quite a bit and I wonder if some consider it a bad
    habit?

    I figured the reason SW took the arrow away was so that
    we would press the command button we were using instead.

    For instance, if you press the 'Circle' button, it will stay
    depressed (unless single command per pick is on) until
    you press it again, then you get the arrow. It's still a single
    mouse click either way.

    I guess it's a way of uncluttering the toolbars?

    Speaking of "single command per pick". I haven't heard
    anyone using it. Some people I know swear by it. I've
    never given it a try, but I may if someone has good experiences
    with it.

    BTW, I like to have as many icons shown on my screen as I
    can, for the simple reason that they inspire me. Since I'm always
    working on many different projects, and I'm always using
    SolidWorks to the fullest extent of it's capabilities, I'm constantly
    scanning the variety of tools at my disposal to see what would
    work best at any given moment.

    If a command button is hidden, like the Parallelogram for example,
    I might forget it's there and draw four separate lines etc.

    Also, I like to have every DOC type (Assy, DWG, PRT) have
    the same command button settings for whatever reason.

    A pet peeve of mine is when SolidWorks adds some GUI
    enhancements to help newbies be less intimidated or to just
    "make it look like this other software". What's especially
    irritating is when others expect me to be a sheep and start
    using these new enhancement just because "they're new so
    it must be a better way" and that I will magically become more
    productive, when in fact it most likely will do the opposite.

    Sometimes GUI enhancements are there to entice/aid new
    customers or to make the product look "spiffier".

    "Duh, look the "Start button" is twice as big in XP than in
    Win2000, that must mean it's a better and more efficient way
    of working!"

    No, I don't think so.

    Mike Wilson
     
    Mike J. Wilson, Feb 16, 2004
    #8
  9. matt

    Eddy Hicks Guest

    See below...

    This is the first thing I change after installing. I can't stand the
    repeated commands. If I want a command again, I will ask for it. I tried
    it the other way and just can't get used to it. Yet the others in my office
    have it the default way. Maybe it's because I spent so many years in the
    past in Acad. In Acad you'd just hit the spacebar and the last command
    would start up.
    Yep! Me too! After going thru settings, this is the next thing I change
    after installing. I don't care if an icon is grayed out but it bugs the
    livin hell out of me to have toolbars coming and going. Especially if you
    occasionally tile the windows and try to switch focus between parts and
    drawings or assys. The default is a huge visual distraction and it's ugly
    and nasty and evil. Leave the toolbars on or off but don't play like you
    know what I want to see next. So I go into each of the three file types and
    set all the toolbars the same. When I toggle between the different
    filetypes the screen isn't bouncing all over the damn place. It works 90%
    of the time but sometimes SW still turns off a toolbar or turns back on a
    toolbar on its own (like the useless edrawings toolbar for example, which
    can be accessed thru file for as often as it's needed).
    Agreed.
     
    Eddy Hicks, Feb 16, 2004
    #9
  10. matt

    Eddy Hicks Guest

    Re: repeated commands. I also wanted to add that for me hitting the Esc key
    constantly was an interruption in thought process. If I'm going to need a
    command multiple times, chances are, I will know it ahead of time and it's
    easy enough to just double click the toolbar button. If they didn't have
    the double-click to repeat thingy then I would be forced to use the default
    methodology and I wouldn't be happy about it.

    - Eddy
     
    Eddy Hicks, Feb 16, 2004
    #10
  11. This is one of the initial things I changed when updating here. I too use
    it as a hotkey into Document Properties, or to turn off the grid that
    someone else left on. I also look at the removal of it as at least they are
    trying, and it's easy enough to put it back in.

    WT
     
    Wayne Tiffany, Feb 16, 2004
    #11
  12. I use ESC so much I finally had to give up on my old
    Function-Keys-on-the-Left keyboard. I jut plain wore out that and other
    keys beyond repair. They would double hit, triple hit, or not hit at all.
    The plastic was also worn enough that the key would not stay straight and
    move up & down any more. For me, hitting the escape key takes place in that
    "dead" thinking space about what's next.

    I also don't have the big green arrow on - why go way up there when the left
    hand is already poised for action over the proper keys?

    WT
     
    Wayne Tiffany, Feb 16, 2004
    #12
  13. matt

    Jeff N Guest

    Let the escape key go! In fact to get out of the habit pop the escape key
    off of your keyboard.
    Why do you need to end a command? Simply pick the next command you are going
    to do and the previous command is ended automatically.

    Unless you really need to see that select arrow all the time, you are
    wasting time and developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

    Another useful thing 2004 has introduced to improve productivity is not
    having to start a sketch first if you are creating a feature. Simply click
    Extrude, or whatever feature you want to build and SolidWorks is now smart
    enough to know that you need a sketch to make an extrusion and then prompts
    you to pick a plane/face to put the sketch onto. Then when you exit the
    sketch it prompts you for the feature specifications.

    Old habits are hard to break, but break them you will.
    -Yoda
     
    Jeff N, Feb 16, 2004
    #13
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