How to Use SOLIDWORKS Configurations in Visualize

New to Visualize 2021 is the ability to utilize SOLIDWORKS model configurations. Previously, configurations could be added in Visualize only. Visualize configurations were much like Display States in SOLIDWORKS; only the appearances of the models could change. In Visualize 2021 users can now access their SOLIDWORKS configurations to show geometric changes in a single Visualize project.

Where to Start

Before SOLIDWORKS configurations can be selected in a Visualize project, you will have to add the Display Data Mark to the configurations in SOLIDWORKS.

• To do this, open the model in SOLIDWORKS and switch to the Configuration Manager. Then right-click one or more configurations and choose Add Display Data Mark.
  
  
  
  
• SOLIDWORKS gives a visual queue to each configuration in which the Display Data Mark is added.
• To remove the Display Data Mark, right-click the configuration and choose Remove Display Data Mark.

Accessing Configurations in Visualize

Once you have added the Display Data Mark to your SOLIDWORKS configurations, export the model to Visualize from the Visualize toolbar, or import within Visualize by going to File -> Open, then browse for your model.

• The configurations will become a Model Set in Visualize. 
• In Visualize click the Model tab and use the pull-down to switch between the configurations (Model Sets). Your model will update in the 3D Viewport.
  
  
  
  
• Each Model Set name matches the configuration name in SOLIDWORKS.
• The active configuration in SOLIDWORKS will also become a Model Set. If you only want the configurations with the Display Data Mark added, then make sure one of these configurations is the active configuration in SOLIDWORKS.
• You can also delete a Model Set in Visualize by clicking the ‘X’ next to the Model Set name. 

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