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SolidWorks Technical Tips & Techniques

» 5 new SolidWorks background images

You’ll notice in SolidWorks 2008 that drawings now have a wrinkled paper background image.  Ever wonder if you can change that image?  Or how do you turn it off so you can take clean screenshots?  Well here’s how…

To turn off the SolidWorks background image (boring):

1. Go to TOOLS > OPTIONS > SYSTEM TAB > COLORS
2. Checkmark “USE SPECIFIED COLOR FOR DRAWINGS PAPER COLOR”
3. Pick DRAWINGS, PAPER COLOR & set it to pure white (optional)

Click here to view full size image

To change the SolidWorks background image with one of your own (cool!):

1. Close SolidWorks program
   1. Seems to work with it running – but just to be safe let’s shut down SolidWorks.
2. Navigate to your SolidWorks installations folder.  Default location is:
       “C:\Program Files\SolidWorks\SolidWorks\data\Images\drawings”
3. Overwrite the “sheetbackground1.bmp” with the new image you want the background to use…
   1. Note:  filename MUST remain the same

 Tips on making SolidWorks background images:

1. Keep the image light so it does not interfere with your drawing
   1. Unless of course you want to make a pure black one to mess with your friends!  Ahem…  of course during non work hours…  :-)
2. Any darker (opaque) areas – keep to the outside border of your title block.
3. Save the image file as a bitmap image
4. Filename must be named “sheetbackground1.bmp”

Below is some sample SolidWorks background images we created that you’re free to use and modify at will… We also have the original SolidWorks crumpled paper bitmap below so you don’t have to worry about backing up yours – just download it from here… Burnt crumpled paper is our favorite; of course, the coffee stain one is pretty sweet too…  Feel free to send us your creations & we will help you share them by updating our site with your images.  Yeah, just think, you’ll be famous then!

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