How to Work with SOLIDWORKS Assembly Configurations

Assembly configurations let one SOLIDWORKS assembly show different versions, positions, suppression states, or component options without creating separate assembly files. They are useful for product variants, open and closed positions, simplified views, and drawing-specific setups.

Create an assembly configuration

Open the ConfigurationManager, right-click the assembly name, and add a new configuration. Give it a clear name that describes the purpose, such as Open position, Closed position, Left-hand version, or Simplified.

Avoid vague names like Config 1 or Test on production assemblies. Configuration names are visible in drawings, BOM workflows, and downstream references, so clarity matters.

Control components by configuration

In each configuration, you can suppress components, unsuppress components, change component configurations, and adjust mates. This lets the same assembly represent different real product states.

Be careful with suppression. If a suppressed component is referenced by mates or drawings, the configuration may need alternate mates or drawing views.

When product variants share most of the same parts, configurations can keep the file set smaller. When variants become very different, separate assemblies may be easier to manage.

Use configurations for positions

Configurations can show different positions of a mechanism, such as open, closed, extended, or retracted. Suppress and unsuppress the mates that define each position, or use distance and angle values that change by configuration.

For position configurations, check that each state rebuilds from a closed file. A configuration that only works after dragging parts manually is not reliable enough for drawings or reviews.

Use display states separately

Display states control appearance, visibility, and display style. Configurations control model state. Use display states when the geometry stays the same but you want a different visual presentation. Use configurations when components, mates, or dimensions change.

Keeping this distinction clear prevents unnecessary configurations. If the only change is color, transparency, or hidden/shown display, a display state is usually the cleaner choice.

Check drawings and BOMs

Drawing views and BOM tables reference specific configurations. Before releasing a drawing, confirm that each view and BOM points to the intended configuration. A drawing can look correct at first glance while the BOM is reading a different configuration.

Also check child component configurations in the BOM. A top-level assembly configuration can use different configurations of parts and subassemblies, which may affect part numbers and descriptions.

Troubleshooting

If a configuration behaves strangely, rebuild all configurations and check for suppressed reference geometry, missing mates, or components set to the wrong child configuration. Keep configuration names plain and descriptive so other users can understand the assembly quickly.

If performance becomes poor, create a simplified configuration with unnecessary hardware, cosmetic parts, or internal details suppressed. Use the detailed configuration only when it is actually needed.