How do you move shapes in Solidworks?

In Solidworks, the term "shapes" can refer to different elements depending on the context, such as features within a part, sketch entities, or components in an assembly. The most direct method for moving components (parts or subassemblies) within an assembly is using the Move Component tool.

Moving Components in an Assembly

To move components within a Solidworks assembly, follow these steps using the Move Component tool:

1. Access the Tool:

   • Click Move Component on the Assembly toolbar.
   • Alternatively, go to Tools > Component > Move.

2. Activate the PropertyManager:

   • Once you select the tool, the Move Component PropertyManager will appear on the left side of the Solidworks window.
   • The mouse pointer in the graphics area will change, often indicating the tool is active.

3. Select Components:

   • Select one or more components directly in the graphics area that you wish to move.

4. Drag to Move:

   • Select a component (or one of the selected components if moving multiple) and drag it in any direction in the graphics area.
   • The selected component(s) will move freely unless constrained by mates.

This method allows for dynamic, freehand movement of components to reposition them within the assembly space.

Reference Information

The core steps for moving components using the dedicated Solidworks tool are:

Click Move Component (Assembly toolbar) or Tools Component Move. The Move Component PropertyManager appears, and the pointer changes to . Select one or more components in the graphics area. Select a component and drag in any direction.

Summary Table: Move Component Tool

Action	Location	Effect
Activate Tool	Assembly toolbar or Tools > Component > Move	Opens PropertyManager, changes pointer
Select Target	Graphics Area	Choose component(s) to move
Perform Movement	Graphics Area	Click and drag selected component(s)
Constraint Interaction	N/A	Movement is limited by existing mates

Other Ways Shapes Can Be Moved in Solidworks

While the "Move Component" tool is specific to assemblies, moving "shapes" can also refer to:

• Moving Features in a Part: This is typically done by editing the sketch that defines the feature or by using direct editing tools like Move/Copy Bodies.
• Moving Sketch Entities: Within a sketch, you can select entities and drag them or use the Move Sketch Entity tool.
• Moving Bodies: Using the Move/Copy Bodies feature in a part allows you to translate or rotate solid or surface bodies.

The steps provided above specifically detail the process for moving components within an assembly, as described by the reference.