Rotating Inserted Components in Assemblies

When you insert a component into an assembly using the Insert Component PropertyManager, you can change its orientation. In the Design With SOLIDWORKS app, you can use 3D Search to find models, then drop them from the task pane or browser into the graphics area.

Choose one of the following options to change the orientation of a component when you insert it into an assembly.

Context Menu

Before you place the component, right-click to view the context menu.

In the context menu, click:
Rotate X 90 Deg
Rotate Y 90 Deg
Rotate Z 90 Deg

Rotate Context Toolbar



  1. In the Insert Component PropertyManager, under Options, select Show Rotate context toolbar.
  2. Enter the number of degrees for the rotation.
  3. Click , , or .
  4. Click to place the component.
You can drag the Rotate context toolbar to a different location in the graphics area. The toolbar appears in your selected location for future inserted components.

Tab Key

Press Tab to rotate 90º or Shift+Tab to rotate -90º in the last selected direction.