How to Highlight Line in SolidWorks Drawing?

Understanding the Importance of Highlighting Lines in SolidWorks Drawings

Highlighting lines in SolidWorks drawings is crucial for clarity in design documentation. This function allows for the emphasis of specific components, facilitating easier understanding for anyone reviewing the drawings. Here’s a detailed guide on how to effectively highlight lines in your SolidWorks drawings.

Step 1: Accessing Display Selection Options

To begin, navigate to the options that control how entities are displayed in your SolidWorks environment.

1. Click on the Tools menu in the top toolbar.
2. From the dropdown, select Options.
3. In the Options dialog, switch to the System Options tab.
4. Look for Display Selection in the list on the left.

Step 2: Enabling Dynamic Highlight

One of the key features to enhance visibility is the Dynamic Highlight from the graphics view.

1. Under the Display Selection settings, locate the option labeled Dynamic highlight from graphics view.
2. Ensure that this option is checked. If it is not, click the checkbox to enable it.

Enabling this feature will allow you to see a temporary highlight around edges when you hover over them, making the selection process much more intuitive.

Step 3: Using Selection Filters Wisely

Sometimes, you might notice that only certain parts of your drawing can be selected. This often occurs due to the activation of selection filters.

1. Check the status bar at the bottom of the SolidWorks window for a filter icon. If it is on, it may restrict selection to only specific entities (e.g., faces or vertices).
2. To deactivate any active filters, click on the filter icon or navigate to the Select menu to turn off any unnecessary restrictions.

Step 4: Selecting Specific Edges

When you’re ready to highlight a line or edge, the next steps will guide you in selecting them correctly.

1. Hover your cursor over the line or edge you wish to emphasize. With Dynamic Highlight enabled, it should momentarily brighten to indicate it is selectable.
2. Click on the edge to select it. If you wish to select multiple edges, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking on each additional edge.
3. Once selected, you can change properties such as color or line type to further highlight the selected edges.

Step 5: Changing Line Colors for Visibility

To make your highlighted lines stand out, consider changing their colors or styles.

1. Right-click on the selected line or edge.
2. From the context menu, choose Properties.
3. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to alter the color and style of the line. Select a color that contrasts well with the background for added visibility.
4. Apply the changes, and you will now see your highlighted line reflecting the updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are some selection options greyed out?
If you find that certain selection options are greyed out, it may be due to the active selection filter. Check your status bar and turn off filters as necessary to enable full selection functionality.

2. How can I restore default colors for dimensions?
To restore default colors, navigate to Tools > Options, select Document Properties, and then choose Dimensions. You can reset any customized colors to default settings from there.

3. What should I do if I still can’t select edges after enabling dynamic highlight?
If you encounter problems selecting edges even after enabling dynamic highlight, try resetting your tool settings. This may involve restarting SolidWorks or creating a new document to ensure that no previous settings are impeding your selection ability.