Solidworks Sketching Issue

[Steoh]

As I sketch in SW I can't see what I'm sketching until I finish each line. So, if I'm sketching a circle for example, I click where the centre is going to be, but as I pull it out to the approximate size I'm after, the circle remains invisible until I click the mouse again. I'm used to seeing the circles visible as they change size while being dragged out from the centre. I'm using another seat which has a later version of SW than I'm used to working with, so maybe SW changed the way things are viewed while you're sketching? I hope not, as it really feels strange sketching like this, and I can't work out how to switch the feature back on again. Can anybody tell me how to fix this?

Cheers,
Steph

[ger21]

Try updating video card drivers.

[Steoh]

Everything else is working fine, I can rotate models etc, so I can't see how drivers would be an issue, and they're up to date anyway.

[BurrMan]

Well, the code thats producing the scetching in opengl or direct3d thats programmed into the drivers would be different than the code thats showing whats already been meshed on the screen, so there is a difference..

But maybe there is a setting for showing "active entities color" as different from entities color and that color has been set to the same as the background??? Maybe you mistakenly set a background color to this same color???

Could be numerous things...

You could google [Video card name] solidworks to see if there is any discussion of a bug related to this with either solidworks or the video card.

[giz]

This does sound like a graphics issue to me. Does enabling the "Use Software OpenGl" option (Tools > Options > Performance) solve your problem? Note this option can only be flipped when you have no files open.

If it does solve your problem - it is definitely graphics related. Likely a driver. Go to the link below to download the latest SW approved driver.

Graphics Card Drivers | SolidWorks

If it does not fix your problem, I would suggest resetting your SolidWorks registry. Use Registry Editor to browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > SolidWorks. Rename this SolidWorks folder to something like "SolidWorks Old" Now check the software. Problem fixed? Great. If not, go back into the registry and rename "SolidWorks Old" back to the original name (and delete the newly created SolidWorks folder). Note that resetting the registry will wipe out custom options and toolbar locations you have set up.

If neither of those solve your problem, run a repair of your install.

[Steoh]

Someone sent me a file in Google sketch up and I opened it after DL the app, and I remember something popping up about openGL, and I bet that's what screwed it up. It's really annoying when people send this sort of file, not to mention it was a PIA to get all the measurements from it. A drawing on a napkin would have taken a 10th of the time to model. Anyway, I'll do a system restore to a few days back and hopefully that'll cure it. Thanks for all the help.

Cheers,
Steph

[Steoh]

Thank you, ye SolidWorks gods, it was the OpenGL settings that Google Sketchup screwed with! Thanks sooo much guys, and next time I'll listen as I prostrate myself at the feet of my SW gurus.

Steph

[giz]

Glad to hear you are up and running.

Just a note - that option should be unchecked for regular use. Working with it enabled will effect performance tremendously (it essentially disables your graphics card as far as SolidWorks is concerned, shifting all work to the CPU).