Display states in Solidworks - Deep Dive

Overview - Display states

What is it?

Display states in SolidWorks let you save different visual appearances of your 3D model without changing its shape or structure. You can switch between these saved looks to show or hide parts, change colors, or adjust transparency. This helps you present your design in various ways quickly. It's like having multiple snapshots of how your model looks.

Why it matters

Without display states, you would need to create multiple copies of your model to show different looks, which wastes time and space. Display states let you explore design options, highlight features, or prepare presentations easily. This saves effort and helps communicate ideas clearly to others, like clients or teammates.

Where it fits

Before learning display states, you should understand basic SolidWorks modeling and assembly concepts. After mastering display states, you can explore configurations and advanced visualization techniques to control model variations and appearances more deeply.

Mental Model

Core Idea

Display states are like different outfits for your model that you can change instantly without altering the model itself.

Think of it like...

Imagine your 3D model is a person, and display states are their wardrobe choices. You can dress them in different clothes (colors, visibility, transparency) depending on the occasion, but the person underneath stays the same.

┌─────────────────────────────┐
│        3D Model Base        │
│  (Shape and Structure)      │
├────────────┬───────────────┤
│ Display    │ Appearance 1  │
│ State 1    │ (Color, Hide) │
├────────────┼───────────────┤
│ Display    │ Appearance 2  │
│ State 2    │ (Transparency)│
├────────────┼───────────────┤
│ Display    │ Appearance 3  │
│ State 3    │ (Different    │
│            │ Visibility)   │
└────────────┴───────────────┘

Build-Up - 6 Steps

1

Foundation

What are display states

Concept: Introduce the idea of display states as saved visual setups for a model.

Display states let you save how your model looks without changing its shape. You can hide parts, change colors, or make things transparent. This helps you show different views quickly.

Result

You understand that display states control appearance only, not the model itself.

Knowing that display states separate appearance from structure helps you manage visuals without risking design changes.

2

Foundation

Creating and switching display states

Concept: Learn how to make new display states and switch between them.

In SolidWorks, you create a display state by saving the current visibility and appearance settings. Then you can switch to another display state anytime to see a different look.

Result

You can create multiple looks for one model and toggle between them easily.

Understanding how to save and recall display states lets you explore design options faster.

3

Intermediate

Changing visibility and appearance

🤔Before reading on: Do you think display states can change the model's shape or only how it looks? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Display states control visibility and appearance but do not alter the model's geometry.

You can hide or show parts, change colors, or adjust transparency in each display state. These changes affect only how the model looks, not its actual shape or size.

Result

You can create visual variations without affecting the design data.

Knowing that display states only affect visuals prevents accidental design changes.

4

Intermediate

Using display states in assemblies

🤔Before reading on: Can display states help show different assembly setups or just individual parts? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Display states can be applied to assemblies to control visibility and appearance of multiple parts together.

In assemblies, display states let you hide or highlight groups of parts, change colors for clarity, or show different stages of assembly without changing the model structure.

Result

You can communicate assembly ideas clearly by switching display states.

Using display states in assemblies helps manage complex models visually without creating multiple files.

5

Advanced

Combining display states with configurations

🤔Before reading on: Do you think display states and configurations do the same thing or different things? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Display states control appearance; configurations control model geometry and features.

Configurations change the model's shape or features, like adding or removing parts. Display states only change how the model looks. You can use both together to show different designs and appearances.

Result

You can create powerful combinations to show many design options and looks in one file.

Understanding the difference and combination of display states and configurations unlocks advanced design communication.

6

Expert

Managing display states for performance

🤔Before reading on: Do you think having many display states slows down your model or not? Commit to your answer.

Concept: Many display states can impact performance and file size if not managed well.

Each display state saves appearance data. Too many can slow down loading or editing. Experts organize display states carefully, delete unused ones, and use them strategically to balance flexibility and performance.

Result

You maintain smooth workflow even with complex visual setups.

Knowing the performance impact helps you use display states wisely in large projects.

Under the Hood

Display states store appearance and visibility settings separately from the model's geometry data. When you switch display states, SolidWorks applies these saved visual properties on top of the unchanged model. This separation allows instant visual changes without recalculating or modifying the model structure.

Why designed this way?

Separating appearance from geometry lets users explore visual options quickly without risking design integrity. Early CAD systems mixed these, causing slowdowns and errors. This design balances flexibility and safety.

┌───────────────┐       ┌─────────────────────┐
│  Model Data   │──────▶│ Geometry (Shape)    │
│ (Fixed Shape) │       └─────────────────────┘
│               │       ┌─────────────────────┐
│               │──────▶│ Display State 1     │
│               │       │ (Visibility, Color) │
│               │──────▶│ Display State 2     │
│               │       │ (Transparency)      │
└───────────────┘       └─────────────────────┘

Myth Busters - 3 Common Misconceptions

Quick: Does changing a display state modify the model's shape? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: Changing display states changes the model's shape or features.

Reality: Display states only change how the model looks, not its geometry or features.

Why it matters: Believing this can cause users to avoid display states for fear of altering designs, missing out on powerful visualization tools.

Quick: Can display states replace configurations for design variations? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: Display states can replace configurations to show different design versions.

Reality: Display states only control appearance; configurations control actual design changes like part size or presence.

Why it matters: Confusing these leads to improper use, causing design errors or confusion in presentations.

Quick: Do many display states have no impact on model performance? Commit to yes or no.

Common Belief: You can create unlimited display states without slowing down your model.

Reality: Too many display states increase file size and can slow down loading or editing.

Why it matters: Ignoring this can cause frustration and wasted time in large projects.

Expert Zone

1

Display states can be combined with appearances and scenes for advanced rendering setups.

2

Display states do not affect mass properties or simulation results, which depend on geometry only.

3

You can link display states to drawing views to show different visuals in documentation.

When NOT to use

Avoid using display states to represent design changes; use configurations instead. For complex design variations, configurations or separate files are better. Also, if performance is critical, limit the number of display states.

Production Patterns

Professionals use display states to create quick visual options for client presentations, highlight assembly steps, or isolate parts for inspection. They often combine display states with configurations and drawing views for comprehensive documentation.

Connections

Configurations

Complementary concepts controlling different aspects of a model

Understanding display states alongside configurations helps separate visual changes from design changes, improving model management.

Layer management in graphic design

Similar pattern of controlling visibility and appearance without altering base content

Knowing how layers work in graphic tools helps grasp how display states manage visual aspects independently from the model.

User interface themes

Both allow switching appearances without changing functionality

Recognizing that display states are like UI themes helps understand the value of separating look from structure.

Common Pitfalls

#1 Trying to use display states to change part dimensions.

Wrong approach:

Changing display state color to indicate a size change without using configurations.

Correct approach:

Use configurations to change part dimensions and display states only for appearance.

Root cause:

Misunderstanding that display states affect only visuals, not geometry.

#2 Creating too many display states without cleaning up.

Wrong approach:

Saving a new display state for every minor color change without deleting unused ones.

Correct approach:

Organize and delete unused display states to keep file size and performance optimal.

Root cause:

Not realizing that each display state adds data and can slow down the model.

#3 Expecting display states to affect simulation or mass properties.

Wrong approach:

Using display states to hide parts and assuming simulation ignores them.

Correct approach:

Use configurations or suppress features to affect simulation; display states only change visuals.

Root cause:

Confusing visual appearance with physical model behavior.

Key Takeaways

Display states let you save and switch between different visual looks of your model without changing its shape.

They control visibility, color, and transparency but do not affect geometry or design features.

Display states work well with configurations, which control actual design changes, to show many design and appearance options.

Too many display states can slow down your model, so manage them carefully.

Using display states properly helps communicate design ideas clearly and efficiently without risking accidental changes.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Display States in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To permanently change the geometry of a model

B. To save different visual appearances of a model without changing its shape

C. To create new parts from an assembly

D. To export the model to different file formats

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what Display States do

   Display States allow saving different looks of the same model, such as colors or visibility, without altering the model's shape.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from geometry changes

   Changing geometry permanently modifies the model, which Display States do not do.

3. Final Answer:

   To save different visual appearances of a model without changing its shape -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Display States = Visual appearance only [OK]

Hint: Remember: Display States change looks, not shape [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Display States with geometry editing
• Thinking Display States create new parts
• Assuming Display States export files

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a new Display State in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Go to File > Save As and choose Display State

B. Click on the Features tab and select 'New Display State'

C. Use the Move tool to create a Display State

D. Right-click on the Display States tab and select 'Add Display State'

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate Display States tab

   In SolidWorks, Display States are managed in the ConfigurationManager under the Display States tab.

2. Step 2: Create new Display State

   Right-clicking on the Display States tab gives the option 'Add Display State' to create a new one.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click on the Display States tab and select 'Add Display State' -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Create Display State = Right-click Display States tab [OK]

Hint: Right-click Display States tab to add new state [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to create Display State from File menu
• Using Move tool which edits geometry
• Looking under Features tab incorrectly

3. Given a model with two Display States: State1 shows all parts visible, and State2 hides the front cover. What will happen when you switch from State1 to State2?

medium

A. The front cover becomes invisible while other parts remain visible

B. The entire model becomes invisible

C. The model shape changes to remove the front cover permanently

D. The colors of all parts change but visibility stays the same

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Display State visibility control

   Display States can control visibility of parts without changing geometry.

2. Step 2: Analyze effect of switching states

   Switching to State2 hides the front cover but keeps other parts visible as per the saved state.

3. Final Answer:

   The front cover becomes invisible while other parts remain visible -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Switch Display State = Change visibility only [OK]

Hint: Switching Display State changes visibility, not shape [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking the model shape changes permanently
• Assuming entire model hides
• Confusing color changes with visibility

4. You created a Display State but when switching to it, the model looks the same as the default state. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You forgot to save changes to visibility or appearance in the new Display State

B. The model geometry was deleted accidentally

C. Display States only work in assemblies, not parts

D. You need to restart SolidWorks to apply Display States

Solution

1. Step 1: Check if changes were saved in Display State

   Display States save visual changes like visibility or color. If no changes were saved, switching states shows no difference.

2. Step 2: Eliminate other causes

   Geometry deletion affects shape, not Display States. Display States work in parts and assemblies. Restart is not required.

3. Final Answer:

   You forgot to save changes to visibility or appearance in the new Display State -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   No saved changes = No visible difference [OK]

Hint: Always save visibility/appearance changes in Display State [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming geometry deletion affects Display States
• Thinking Display States need restart
• Believing Display States only work in assemblies

5. You want to compare two color schemes for a product without changing the model shape or creating multiple files. How can Display States help you achieve this?

hard

A. Apply colors directly to the model and save multiple versions manually

B. Create two separate files with different colors and switch between them

C. Create two Display States, each with a different color scheme applied to the model

D. Use configurations to change the model shape and color simultaneously

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Display States for color variations

   Display States allow saving different appearances like colors without changing geometry or creating new files.

2. Step 2: Apply different colors in separate Display States

   Create two Display States, each with a unique color scheme, and switch between them to compare easily.

3. Final Answer:

   Create two Display States, each with a different color scheme applied to the model -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Display States = Multiple looks, one file [OK]

Hint: Use Display States to save color options without new files [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Creating multiple files instead of using Display States
• Confusing configurations with Display States
• Manually saving versions instead of using states