One of SOLIDWORKS’ biggest strengths is flexibility. The same tool can be accessed from multiple places in the user interface (UI), giving engineers the freedom to work the way they prefer. Whether it’s through menus, icons, shortcuts, or gestures, SOLIDWORKS makes sure you’re never far from the command you need.
Here are the most common ways you can access tools in SOLIDWORKS:
Top menus
Context (right-click) menus
Toolbars and the CommandManager
Keyboard shortcuts
Context toolbars
The Shortcut Bar (press S)
Mouse gestures
Cursor feedback
Breadcrumbs
Command search
Most users rely heavily on the CommandManager and toolbars. While this works, it also comes with two big downsides:
Constant mouse travel to the edges of the screen (wasting time and energy).
Repeated eye movement away from the model, which interrupts focus and workflow.
The key to working faster in SOLIDWORKS is staying “in the flow”—keeping your focus on the model itself rather than hunting for icons. By using a combination of customizable tools, you can reduce distractions, minimize mouse travel, and save up to an hour a day.
Let’s go through some practical ways to streamline your SOLIDWORKS UI for maximum efficiency.
1. Preselect Entities & Use Context Toolbars
Enable context toolbars via Tools > Customize. These pop up near the cursor whenever you select an entity, giving you immediate access to relevant commands. (Figure 1)
Customize them with the icons you use most often.
Right-click the toolbar → Customize → add commands via drag-and-drop or search. (Figure 2 and 3)
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3: Aside from the grey icons, everything else is customizable.
2. Use the Shortcut Toolbar (S-Key)
The Shortcut Bar (press S) is one of the most efficient tools in SOLIDWORKS.
Customize it by environment (part, assembly, drawing, sketch). – Figure 5
Keep it compact and square to reduce mouse movement.
Place your most-used icons at the top-left corner for quick access.
Avoid flyout menus for frequent commands (Line, Centerline, Mirror, etc.). – Figure 6
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
3. Pay Attention to Cursor Feedback
When you’re in the middle of a command, look at the cursor icon. Often, a mouse symbol with hints will appear, showing actions you can complete with a simple right-click instead of moving away. This small adjustment saves seconds on each step, which adds up quickly in long sessions.
4. Use Right-Click Menus Efficiently
Right-click menus are context-sensitive, showing different commands based on your current selection. This means you can complete tasks like setting end conditions, transitioning sketch entities, or applying Copy with Mates—all without leaving the graphics area. – Figure 7
Figure 7
5. Bring the Confirmation Corner to the Cursor (D Key)
Press D to move the confirmation corner (green check, red cross, etc.) or breadcrumbs next to your cursor. This keeps your focus in the graphics area and eliminates unnecessary mouse travel.
Figure 8: Confirmation corners next to the cursor for Sketch, Feature and Edit component.
6. Program OK and Escape as Mouse Gestures
If you’re not a heavy user of Mouse Gestures, try setting up a 2-gesture wheel with just horizontal directions:
Left → OK
Right → Escape
This alone speeds up frequent confirmation and cancel actions without moving your hand to the keyboard.
Figure 9
7. Hide CommandManager & FeatureManager (Practice Trick)
Want to train yourself to work more “in the flow”? Temporarily hide:
F9 → CommandManager
F10 → FeatureManager
With these hidden, you’ll naturally rely more on context toolbars, shortcut bars, and mouse gestures—making you faster over time.
8. Balance Shortcuts with Personal Preference
Some users love memorizing dozens of keyboard shortcuts, others master 48 mouse gestures, while some prefer sticking to icons. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Start small—add one new shortcut or gesture each day, and within a week, you’ll notice significant speed gains.
9. Practice, Review, Refine
Customizing your UI is an ongoing process. Pay attention to your workflow, identify repetitive actions, and bring those tools closer to your cursor. Over time, you’ll develop a SOLIDWORKS setup that feels natural, efficient, and distraction-free.
