New to SOLIDWORKS and feeling overwhelmed by the number of tools and tabs to learn? Don’t fret, we have a solution for that!
The release of SOLIDWORKS 2025 SP1 introduced the ability to change your current workspace to a Simplified Interface. The Simplified Interface streamlines your user interface to fit the type of document you are working with at the time. You can easily swap between the traditional interface or the simplified version both before and after opening part, assembly, and drawing files.
To activate the Simplified Interface, go to the View menu, then Workspace, and then select Simplified Interface. There will be some immediate changes you will notice once you activate the workspace, so let’s discuss them below.
Accessing the Simplified Interface option
Changes to the Command Manager
If we focus on the top of our SOLIDWORKS window, we’ll see just one tab in our Command Manager instead of the various tabs and tools in the default interface.
Basic Modeling Tools tab in SOLIDWORKS part modeling environment
With the new Simplified Interface, we have just one tab and the corresponding tools dependent on the modeling environment you’re in: Basic Modeling Tools, Basic Assembly Tools, and Basic Drawing Tools.
Changes to the Heads-Up Toolbar and Task Pane
When we are in a part or assembly modeling environment and focus on the top of the graphics window, you’ll see a simplified heads-up toolbar. The toolbar only contains tools used in manipulating views, such as the orientation dialogue box, pan, roll view, select, and section view. You’ll notice that the options for changing appearances, scenes, or view settings are no longer available.
On the right side of our modeling window is where the task pane lives. With a Simplified Interface, our default tabs are limited to 3DEXPERIENCE, Design Library, View Palette and Appearances, Scenes, and Decals. As you need them, you can customize this task pane to include other tabs or turn off the tabs you don’t use. Any changes you make to the Simplified Interface will be saved for the next time it’s used.
Heads-Up Toolbar in Simplified Interface
Changes to the FeatureManager Design Tree
To the left side of our screen is our streamlined FeatureManager Design Tree. In part and assembly modeling environments, the only items shown by default with the Simplified Interface are the Equations folder, Material, Planes (Front, Top, and Right), and the origin. Of course, the design tree will continue to keep track of sketches, features, and components depending on the modeling environment, just like it always has.
Just like with our Task Pane, additional items in the FeatureManager Design Tree can be changed, added, or deleted through our System Options. Don’t feel like you’re losing accessibility with Simplified Interface turned on, as they can be fully customized later.
Modified FeatureManager Design Tree in Simplified Interface
In addition to the information discussed above, you’ll notice Property Managers will contain collapsed group boxes to improve new user experience with Simplified Interface. These few changes can make the difference in how you learn SOLIDWORKS and can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. Start modeling with confidence and become a professional in no time with the new Simplified Interface added in SOLIDWORKS 2025 SP1.
To learn more about our favorite SOLIDWORKS 2025 updates and enhancements, read our post here.
