A closer look at the user interface

 

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

 

 

Access to tools

command line prompt, keyboard shortcuts, toolbars, menus, and shortcut menus

toolbars, menus, keyboard shortcuts, and shortcut menus

 

 

 

Background color

default black background with white lines, can be customized

default gradient background with colored lines (colors indicating status) and colored solid models; Mylar background for drawings; all can be customized

 

 

 

Menus

can customize by programming

context-sensitive and can customize in dialog box

 

 

 

Shortcut menus

for copy and paste, reinstate last command, and so on

context-sensitive and can customize in dialog box

 

 

 

Toolbars

can modify through menu programming and customize in dialog box

context-sensitive and can customize in dialog box

 

 

 

Command line

default user entry point

2D Emulator add-in

 

 

 

Coordinate systems

User Coordinate System (UCS)

system of origins including part origin, assembly origin, and sketch origins

 

 

 

Planes

change UCS to create different orientations

Front, Top, and Right default planes, and custom planes

 

 

 

Orientation

toolbar with standard views plus various isometric orientations

toolbar with standard views plus various isometric, normal, and custom orientations

 

 

 

Management panel

AutoCAD Design Center manages files and layouts

Task Pane with SolidWorks Resources, Design Library, and File Explorer; left panel with FeatureManager design tree, PropertyManager, Configuration-Manager, and third-party managers, accessed by clicking tabs or splitting the panel

 

 

 

Reusable elements

Tool Palettes

Design Library

 

 

 

Selection methods

click an object, box-select or cross-select, press Ctrl while selecting multiple objects

click an object, box-select or cross-select, press Ctrl while selecting multiple objects, or click on the FeatureManager design tree

 

 

 

Selection feedback

feedback in command line

pointer changes shape to indicate type of object being sketched or approached, and on the status bar

 

 

 

Display functions

zoom and pan plus wireframe, hidden lines visible, hidden lines removed

zoom, pan, and rotate plus wireframe, hidden lines visible, hidden lines removed, shaded, edges in shaded mode, shadow in shaded mode, perspective, and model section view

 

 

 

Grid and snap

toolbar with snap tools; display and snap grids, can set angle of grid; snap and grids help drawing accuracy

sketch snaps; snap to geometry on-the-fly; display and snap grids, align grid to model edge; accuracy achieved with dimensions and relations

 

 

 

Dragging

drag objects using grips

select objects and drag, also change object shape by dragging

 

 

 

Options

dialog box with tabs for:
-
files
-
display
-
open and save
-
plotting
-
system
-
user preferences
-
drafting
-
selection
-
profiles

dialog box with tabs for:
-
system options that apply to all documents
-
document properties that apply to
currently active document

 

 

 

Help

- Help tool or menu or command
-
press F1 during command
-
tooltips
-
command line feedback

- Help tool or menu
-
Help buttons or press F1 in dialog boxes and PropertyManagers
-
Quick Tips
- interactive What's New
-
tooltips
-
status bar information
-
glossary
-
help facilities for add-in products

Your Ad Here