How to Change Transparency in SOLIDWORKS

Changing transparency in SOLIDWORKS lets you see through a part, body, face, or assembly component. It is helpful when checking internal parts, selecting hidden geometry, reviewing clearances, or presenting how components fit together.

Transparency is a display change. It does not suppress the part, remove it from the BOM, or change the model geometry. That makes it safe for inspection when you still need the component active in the assembly.

Because the component remains active, mates and references still solve normally. This makes transparency better than suppressing parts when you only need to see through them temporarily.

Change transparency for a component

1. Open the part or assembly.
2. Select the component, body, or face.
3. Right-click and use the appearance or display options.
4. Choose a transparent appearance or adjust transparency.
5. Rebuild or refresh the display if needed.

Use transparency in assemblies

In assemblies, transparency is useful when one component blocks another. Make the outer part transparent so you can inspect internal parts, check movement, or select hidden faces without suppressing the component.

This is especially useful for housings, covers, guards, tanks, and fixtures. You can keep the context visible while checking the components inside.

Transparency also helps during presentations. You can show internal components while keeping the outer shape visible enough for viewers to understand the assembly context.

Change appearance vs display state

If transparency is only needed for one review, a temporary display change may be enough. If the transparent view should be reused, save it in a display state. This keeps normal and transparent views available without changing the model geometry.

Display states are also useful for drawings and screenshots. A transparent display state can show internal parts without forcing every user to manually change appearances.

When to turn transparency off

Transparent parts can make selection and graphics slower in large assemblies. Turn transparency off when you are finished inspecting the inside of the model, especially before creating final screenshots or drawings.

If you are checking interference, remember that transparency only helps you see. You still need interference detection, section views, measurements, or clearance checks to confirm the design.

For final drawing views, use transparency only when it is intentional and clear. In many production drawings, section views or hidden lines communicate internal geometry better.

Troubleshooting

If a component does not appear transparent, check whether an appearance, display state, or assembly override is controlling it. If the graphics look strange, switch display style or rebuild the assembly.

If it becomes hard to select transparent components, use the FeatureManager tree or selection filters. Transparent faces can be visually helpful but sometimes awkward for direct mouse selection.