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How To Use Property Manager in SOLIDWORKS?

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The SOLIDWORKS PropertyManager is the context-sensitive panel that appears on the left side of the screen whenever you create or edit most features, mates, drawing views, dimensions, or simulation loads. It is where you define selections, dimensions, options, and preview settings for the command you are running, without a separate dialog box covering the graphics area.

Understanding how the PropertyManager works – how to show it, navigate it quickly, and control its layout – has a big impact on modelling speed and accuracy. This guide walks through the key areas of the PropertyManager, how to dock and float it, how to navigate with the keyboard, and how it behaves in sketches, parts, assemblies, drawings, and simulation.

What Is the PropertyManager?

The Manager Pane on the left side of the SOLIDWORKS window contains several tabs: the FeatureManager design tree, PropertyManager, ConfigurationManager, and others. The PropertyManager tab becomes active whenever you start a command that needs parameters – for example, an Extruded Boss/Base, Cut-Extrude, a mate, or a section view.

In simple terms, the PropertyManager is:

  • A control panel for the current command – it shows only the options that matter for the tool you are using.
  • Context-sensitive – the layout and fields change depending on whether you are sketching, creating a feature, editing a drawing view, or running a simulation study.
  • Linked to the graphics area and FeatureManager tree – you pick faces, edges, sketches, bodies, components, and views directly in the model or tree, and those selections appear in the PropertyManager.

For example, when you start Extruded Cut, the PropertyManager lets you choose the sketch to cut, set the direction, end condition (Blind, Through All, Up To Surface, etc.), draft options, and preview settings. When you create a mate in an assembly, the Mate PropertyManager lets you pick two components, then choose mate types and options. The same idea applies across sketches, features, assemblies, drawings, and simulation.

How to Display or Recover the PropertyManager

In current SOLIDWORKS versions, the PropertyManager is always available; it does not have a global on/off switch. However, there are a few options and UI states that affect when and how it appears.

1. Make sure the Manager Pane is visible

If the entire left-hand panel is hidden, you will not see the PropertyManager tab at all.

  • Press F9 to toggle the FeatureManager / manager pane visibility.
  • Or go to View > User Interface > FeatureManager Tree Area to show it again.
  • Once the pane is visible, click the PropertyManager tab (usually the second tab) when you start a command or select a feature.

2. Control when the PropertyManager opens automatically

SOLIDWORKS includes options that control when the PropertyManager pops up on its own:

  1. Click Tools > Options.
  2. On the System Options tab, select General.
  3. Ensure Auto-show PropertyManager is checked. With this on, SOLIDWORKS automatically shows the PropertyManager when you start most commands that use it.
  4. Also check options such as “Displays the PropertyManager when you select existing sketch entities, dimensions, and annotations in the graphics area” (wording may vary by version). This makes editing dimensions and annotations much smoother.

Older documentation sometimes refers to an “Enable PropertyManager” check box. That option was used in very early releases and in some 2D emulation modes; in modern SOLIDWORKS the PropertyManager is always enabled and controlled instead by the Auto-show and display options.

3. If the PropertyManager seems to be “missing”

If commands run but no PropertyManager appears:

  • Confirm that you are not in a fullscreen or very narrow window layout hiding the Manager Pane.
  • Press F9 to re‑show the left panel.
  • Look for a floating PropertyManager window on another monitor (or off-screen). If it is off-screen, use standard Windows tricks (Alt+Space > M > arrow keys) to bring it back onto the visible display.
  • As a last resort, reset the SOLIDWORKS UI via Tools > Customize > Reset To Defaults (this affects toolbars and layout, so use with care).

Key Areas of the PropertyManager

While the detailed content changes from command to command, most PropertyManagers share the same overall structure and controls.

1. Title bar and standard buttons

At the very top you will see:

  • Feature icon – an icon representing the active feature or command (for example, the boss-extrude icon).
  • Feature name – the current feature’s name, such as Boss-Extrude1 (read-only until the feature is created; you can rename later in the FeatureManager tree).

Just under the title bar is the first row of standard buttons:

  • OK (green checkmark) – accepts the current inputs, executes the command, and closes the PropertyManager.
  • Cancel (red X) – discards the current inputs and closes the PropertyManager.
  • Detailed Preview – shows or hides a higher-detail preview of the feature before you confirm it (very useful for draft, fillet, shell, and complex extrudes).
  • Help – opens the relevant SOLIDWORKS help topic for the active PropertyManager.
  • Keep Visible (pin icon) – “pins” the PropertyManager so it stays open after you complete the command. This is useful when you need to apply the same tool repeatedly.

Some PropertyManagers that act as wizards (for example, certain configuration or routing tools) add extra buttons:

  • Back – return to the previous step of the wizard.
  • Next – move to the next step.
  • Undo – undo the last execution in that wizard sequence.

Remember that OK and Cancel also appear in the Confirmation Corner in the top-right of the graphics window. Pressing the D key moves those confirmation buttons to your cursor, so you can accept or cancel a feature without moving the mouse back to the PropertyManager.

2. Message area

Directly under the button row is the message area – usually a short text instruction such as:

“Select the sketch or sketch plane.”
“Select an edge, face, or sketch entity to fillet.”

This area often lists multiple ways to accomplish the next step (for example, selecting geometry from the graphics area or from the FeatureManager design tree) and is worth reading, especially for unfamiliar commands.

3. Group boxes

Below the message area, the PropertyManager is divided into group boxes – collapsible sections of related settings with titles like Selections, Direction 1, Options, or Draft.

  • Each group box can be expanded or collapsed by clicking its arrow/triangle.
  • Collapsing unused groups is a good habit: it reduces clutter and makes it easier to check the options that actually matter for the feature.

4. Selection boxes

Selection boxes are where you pick geometry (faces, edges, sketches, bodies, components, drawing views, etc.) for the current command.

  • When a selection box is active, it turns pink. Any click in the graphics area or FeatureManager tree will be added to that box.
  • Selected items are highlighted in the graphics area so you can confirm you have picked the correct entities.
  • To remove items:
    • Right‑click an entry in the list and choose Delete to remove only that item, or
    • Right‑click and choose Clear Selections to empty the entire list.
  • The box grows as you add more items. Drag the handle or bottom border to resize the list manually, or right‑click and choose Autosize (or double‑click the handle) to restore its full size.
  • In PropertyManagers with two lists (for example, “Items to fillet” and “Items to hold”), you can resize the inactive list without losing focus on the active one, making it easier to work with long selection sets.

5. Input fields, options, and previews

Most PropertyManagers also contain:

  • Numeric fields for lengths, radii, angles, draft angles, etc. These usually accept:
    • Plain numbers (for example, 25)
    • Numbers with units (for example, 25mm, 1in)
    • Simple expressions (for example, 10+5) or full equations if the PropertyManager supports equations.
  • Drop-down lists for end conditions, propagation methods, or other options.
  • Check boxes for logical toggles such as “Merge result”, “Thin feature”, “Show preview”, or “Direction 2”.
  • Preview controls like Show preview or Detailed Preview that let you balance visual feedback against performance on large models.

If you work heavily with equations and global variables, many PropertyManagers support entering “= …” expressions directly into dimension fields, keeping design intent in one place instead of scattering random numbers.

Keyboard Navigation Inside the PropertyManager

You do not have to use the mouse for everything. SOLIDWORKS provides solid keyboard support inside PropertyManagers:

  • Tab – moves focus to the next control (field, box, check box, button). You can reach every control in a PropertyManager with the Tab key.
  • Shift+Tab – moves focus to the previous control.
  • Spacebar – toggles check boxes and activates the focused button (for example, OK or Cancel).
  • Arrow keys – move between radio button options and select the one you want.
  • D key – moves the OK/Cancel buttons (Confirmation Corner) to the mouse pointer so you can confirm features without leaving the graphics area.

Combining these with mouse selection in the graphics area gives you a fast, low‑friction workflow: pick geometry with the mouse, then use Tab and Spacebar to adjust options and confirm the command.

Vertical and Horizontal Control of the PropertyManager

Resizing and splitting the left panel

When you create a new document, the PropertyManager opens at an “optimal” width. You can tailor this to your screen and preferences:

  • Drag the vertical divider between the left panel and the graphics area to resize the panel. It will snap back to an optimal width if you drag near that position.
  • If the panel is too wide and taking up valuable graphics space, narrow it until labels are still readable but you see more of the model.

The left panel can also be split horizontally using the horizontal split bar:

  • When the cursor changes near the top of the panel, drag the horizontal split bar downward.
  • This lets you show any combination of:
    • FeatureManager design tree
    • PropertyManager
    • ConfigurationManager
    • Third‑party add‑in tabs

    at the same time.

  • To return to a single panel, double‑click the split bar or drag it back to the top of the panel.

A common and very useful layout is FeatureManager above, PropertyManager below, so you can edit a feature’s options while still seeing the tree.

Floating and Docking the PropertyManager

If you prefer the PropertyManager somewhere else (for example, on a second monitor), you can detach it:

  • To float – drag the PropertyManager by its title bar (or by its tab) away from the left edge until it becomes a separate window. You can now move it anywhere on or outside the SOLIDWORKS window.
  • To dock – while dragging a floating PropertyManager over the SOLIDWORKS window, docking icons appear. Move the pointer over a docking icon (upper-left, upper-left in graphics, lower-left, or lower-right) and release to snap it into that position.
  • Double‑click the title bar of a floating PropertyManager to return it to its last docked position.

When docked, you can also use the pin / Auto‑collapse controls to decide whether the PropertyManager stays open all the time or collapses like the Task Pane when not in use.

PropertyManagers in Different SOLIDWORKS Workflows

Sketch PropertyManagers

In sketches, the PropertyManager is used for commands such as Sketch Fillet, Sketch Chamfer, Offset Entities, Mirror Entities, and the Add Relations command. You typically:

  • Select sketch entities.
  • Set numeric parameters (for example, fillet radius, offset distance, number of polygon sides).
  • Choose options like Bi-directional, Construction geometry, or whether to trim and extend automatically.

Dimension editing in sketches also uses a PropertyManager where you can change the value, tolerance, and formatting of a dimension.

Part and surface feature PropertyManagers

Most 3D features have their own PropertyManager – for example:

  • Extruded Boss/Base, Extruded Cut – selections for sketches or faces, end conditions, direction(s), and draft options.
  • Revolved, Swept, and Lofted features – profile and path selections, guide curves, start/end constraints, tangency, and merge options.
  • Fillet/Chamfer – edge/face selections, fillet type, radius or chamfer distances, propagation and setback options.
  • Shell, Draft, Rib, etc. – wall thickness, neutral planes, draft directions, and so on.

These PropertyManagers almost always include a preview option so that you see the effect of your settings before committing the feature.

Assembly PropertyManagers

In assemblies, key PropertyManagers include:

  • Insert Components / Begin Assembly – for inserting parts and subassemblies and placing the first component.
  • Mate – for selecting faces, edges, or reference geometry and choosing mate types (coincident, parallel, concentric, distance, angle, etc.) and options such as alignment, lock rotation, and advanced mates.
  • Pattern, Mirror, and Smart Fasteners – for defining driving components, directions, instances, and pattern options.

Because assembly definition depends heavily on clear selections, mastering selection boxes and previews in these PropertyManagers saves a lot of rework.

Drawing PropertyManagers

Drawings also rely heavily on PropertyManagers:

  • Model View / Predefined / Empty View – to set the referenced model, configuration, scale, and view orientation.
  • Section View / Detail View / Auxiliary View – to control section line location, type (full, half, offset), labels, display and hatching options.
  • Dimension and annotation PropertyManagers – to control dimension value display, tolerances, precision, leaders, and text; or to define balloons, notes, weld symbols, etc.

Simulation and Motion PropertyManagers

If you use SOLIDWORKS Simulation or Motion, you will see PropertyManagers for:

  • Creating a new study (Static, Frequency, Buckling, etc.).
  • Applying loads and boundary conditions (Force/Torque, Pressure, Gravity, Fixtures, Contacts).
  • Defining motors, springs, dampers, and Motion Study properties in SOLIDWORKS Motion.

These PropertyManagers follow the same pattern: geometry selection boxes at the top, numeric inputs and options in group boxes, and a preview area where applicable.

Custom and Advanced PropertyManagers

For advanced users and developers, SOLIDWORKS lets you build custom PropertyManager pages:

  • The Configuration Publisher can generate a custom PropertyManager that drives configurations of a part or assembly, instead of forcing users to pick from a long list of configuration names. Controls in that PropertyManager map to columns in a design table.
  • The SOLIDWORKS API (for example, the IPropertyManagerPage2 interface) allows add-ins to create PropertyManager pages with their own controls (check boxes, buttons, lists, images, etc.) that behave like native PropertyManagers with OK, Cancel, Next, and Help buttons.

These custom pages appear in the same place as standard PropertyManagers and obey the same docking, floating, and keyboard navigation rules, which keeps the overall user experience consistent.

Troubleshooting Common PropertyManager Issues

PropertyManager does not appear when running commands

Check the following:

  • Make sure the Manager Pane is visible (press F9).
  • Verify that Auto‑show PropertyManager is enabled under Tools > Options > System Options > General.
  • Confirm settings that control whether the PropertyManager appears when selecting existing entities, dimensions, and annotations are enabled.
  • Ensure you have not accidentally dragged the PropertyManager off-screen. If in doubt, temporarily reduce your screen resolution so all windows are forced onto the visible display, or use Windows’ Alt+Space > M > arrow key method to move it back.

PropertyManager covers the FeatureManager tree

If the PropertyManager is docked and hiding the FeatureManager design tree:

  • Use the horizontal split bar to show the FeatureManager in the upper pane and the PropertyManager in the lower pane.
  • Click in the PropertyManager title bar to show the flyout FeatureManager design tree in the graphics area when needed.
  • Consider floating the PropertyManager onto another monitor during heavy feature editing sessions.

Performance feels sluggish when editing features

For very large models, detailed previews or constantly updating graphics can slow things down. Try:

  • Turning off Detailed Preview while setting up complex features.
  • Disabling extra visual options (for example, RealView or shadows) when working on heavy assemblies.
  • Using simplified configurations or display states while editing, then switching back to full detail later.

Bottom Line

The PropertyManager is at the heart of how SOLIDWORKS works: every feature, mate, drawing view, and simulation load passes through it. Once you understand:

  • where it lives and how to show or recover it,
  • how its title bar, buttons, group boxes, and selection boxes fit together,
  • how to navigate quickly with Tab, arrow keys, Spacebar, and the D key, and
  • how to dock, float, and split the left panel,

you can focus less on fighting the interface and more on capturing design intent. Spend a little time experimenting with different layouts and keyboard shortcuts, and the PropertyManager will start to feel like a natural extension of your modelling workflow.

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