To rotate the view of parts in Solidworks using the keyboard, you primarily use combinations of the Alt or Shift keys with the arrow keys.
These keyboard shortcuts provide quick ways to change your perspective of the model without needing to use mouse buttons or the view toolbar extensively.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Rotating the Model View
Solidworks offers specific keyboard shortcuts to rotate the model view, which allows you to look at your parts or assembly from different angles. Based on the provided reference, the key combinations are:
- Alt + Arrow Keys: Rotates the model parallel to the viewing plane.
- Shift + Arrow Keys: Rotates the model by a fixed increment, specifically 90º.
Alt + Arrow Keys for Fine Rotation
When you press the Alt key and simultaneously use the Up, Down, **Left, or Right arrow keys, Solidworks rotates the model view smoothly around the center of the screen, parallel to your current screen view.
- Alt + Up Arrow: Rotates the view upwards.
- Alt + Down Arrow: Rotates the view downwards.
- Alt + Left Arrow: Rotates the view to the left.
- Alt + Right Arrow: Rotates the view to the right.
This method is useful for making small adjustments to your view or performing a free rotation similar to using the middle mouse button while holding Alt.
Shift + Arrow Keys for 90º Incremental Rotation
Using the Shift key with the arrow keys provides precise, larger rotations. As indicated in the reference, Shift + arrow keys rotates the model view by 90º.
- Shift + Up Arrow: Rotates the view 90º upwards.
- Shift + Down Arrow: Rotates the view 90º downwards.
- Shift + Left Arrow: Rotates the view 90º to the left.
- Shift + Right Arrow: Rotates the view 90º to the right.
This is particularly helpful for quickly switching to standard orthogonal views (like top, front, right, etc.) or rotating around one of the main axes in 90-degree increments.
Clarification: Rotating the View vs. Moving Components
It's important to note that these keyboard shortcuts rotate the entire model view (including all parts and assemblies within it) around the screen's center. They do not move or rotate individual components relative to each other within an assembly for mating or positioning purposes. Rotating individual components in an assembly typically involves using the "Move Component" or "Rotate Component" commands found in the Assembly tab.
Summary of Keyboard Rotation Shortcuts
| Keyboard Shortcut | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alt + Arrow Keys | Rotate Model View Parallel to Viewing Plane | Smooth, continuous rotation based on arrow direction. |
| Shift + Arrow Keys | Rotate Model View 90º | Rotates the view in 90-degree increments. |
These simple keyboard combinations offer efficient ways to navigate and inspect your designs in Solidworks using just your keyboard. While mouse gestures and toolbars provide other powerful viewing options, mastering these shortcuts can significantly speed up your workflow.
