CircuitSweep

Command reference

Manual

Instructions, options and limitations for each CircuitSweep command.

Using CircuitSweep for the first time? Follow the quick start guide for the main workflows.

Installation

Requires SolidWorks 2025 or 2026 on 64-bit Windows.

  1. Close SolidWorks and run the CircuitSweep installer. Administrator permission is required.
  2. Start SolidWorks. If needed, enable CircuitSweep under Tools → Add-ins.

See buying and activation instructions for licensing, or how to update CircuitSweep to install a newer version.

Before you start

Where to find the commands

The CircuitSweep CommandManager tab is available when a part document is open. PCB tools are enabled when CircuitSweep recognizes a supported imported PCB structure; opening a part alone does not enable every command.

Fast PCB Import is also available under Tools → CircuitSweep - Fast PCB Import..., so you can start an import without opening a part first.

Image placeholderCircuitSweep tab in SolidWorks
The CircuitSweep commands in the part's CommandManager.

STEP input → SolidWorks multibody part

The input is typically a PCB STEP file exported from an ECAD system such as Altium Designer, KiCad or Autodesk EAGLE.

Fast PCB Import accepts .step and .stp files with either an assembly structure or a body structure. Both are imported as a native SolidWorks multibody part, rather than a SolidWorks assembly.

If your PCB is already open as an assembly, use Fast PCB Import to import the original STEP. The simplification tools operate on the resulting part, not on an assembly document.

Working with linked STEP geometry

Simplification requires native geometry. For a part with a live 3D Interconnect link, CircuitSweep asks you to Break Link before continuing. This ends automatic updates from that STEP file; a later PCB revision needs a new import and review.

Fast PCB Import produces a part without a live STEP link. See STEP-link handling for details.

Fast PCB Import

Use this when a PCB STEP file takes too long to import. Import the complete model, or exclude small bodies before SolidWorks loads them.

On the CircuitSweep CommandManager tab.

How to use it

Open Tools → CircuitSweep - Fast PCB Import.... You can also use Fast PCB Import on the CircuitSweep tab when a part is open.

  1. Choose your file. Browse to the .step or .stp file.
  2. Choose Optimized or Complete using the options below.
  3. Click Import. When the part opens, inspect the board and save it in SolidWorks.

Import options

  • Optimized: prefilter small bodies before import. The default threshold is 3 mm; the allowed range is 1–25 mm. Omitted bodies are not present in the resulting part.
  • Complete: import all geometry. Use this when you want the full imported geometry available in the source configuration before simplifying.

Import does not create a Simplified configuration automatically.

Check fit and clearance details before saving. If geometry is missing, lower the threshold or import Complete.

Size threshold: measurement and units

It uses the largest dimension of each supported STEP body’s vertex bounding box, before placement. It measures individual bodies, not component height or component names. One electronic component may contain several bodies.

The entered value is always in millimetres. An inch equivalent is shown when the active document uses inches.

What if the file does not look like a PCB?

For an unrecognised file in Optimized mode, CircuitSweep offers Import complete model, Use Optimized or Cancel. Choose the complete model if you are unsure what the filter would exclude.

The file may still import successfully while the PCB-specific tools remain unavailable.

Canceling an import and reading the result

Cancel during preparation or use Cancel in SolidWorks' Open Progress window to return to the import dialog.

When Optimized excludes bodies, a message reports how many. Complete imports and imports with no exclusions normally finish without a success message.

Simplify a PCB in SolidWorks

Use this when an imported PCB contains more detail than your mechanical design needs. Exclude bodies in a simplified configuration while retaining the source geometry, or delete them permanently.

1. Choose the command

Open the PCB part and use the Simplify PCB dropdown on the CircuitSweep tab.

  • Create Simplified Configuration: first activate the configuration you want to use as the source. The imported geometry stays in that source configuration.
  • Update Simplified Configuration: replace the exclusion selection in the existing simplified configuration. The command uses its source configuration.
  • Delete Bodies Permanently: permanently delete selected bodies from the source part.

    Permanent deletion cannot be undone and also removes the simplified configuration. Save a backup first.

Open the Simplify PCB dropdown on the CircuitSweep tab to choose a command.

2. Set the filters

All three filters start enabled. Bodies matching any enabled filter are selected for exclusion or deletion, depending on the command.

  • Smaller than (mm): selects bodies whose largest bounding-box dimension is below the threshold. Default: 3 mm; range: 1–25 mm. This measures body size, not component height.
  • Enclosed: selects bodies whose bounding boxes fit inside a larger body’s bounding box, including contact with its boundaries. This does not prove the body is physically hidden; check the selection.
  • Solder balls: selects small, ball-like solid bodies using a fixed 1 mm maximum size.

Change the threshold or switch filters on or off, then press Select. The current blue selection stays unchanged until you do.

Filters select individual bodies, not whole electronic components. One component may contain several bodies.

3. Review the selection

Blue bodies are selected. The Bodies message reads N of M bodies will be excluded for Create/Update, or N of M bodies will be deleted for permanent deletion.

Check connectors, mounting details and clearance geometry. Use Ctrl+click to deselect bodies you want to keep or select additional bodies to exclude or delete. Make these adjustments after pressing Select; refreshing the filters replaces the selection.

Image placeholderBlue exclusion selection in SolidWorks
Highlighted bodies will be excluded from the simplified configuration or deleted from the part, depending on the command.

4. Apply

  • Create/Update: click OK. Create activates the new simplified configuration; Update replaces the selection in the existing one.
  • Permanent deletion: click OK, check the body count, then choose Delete Permanently. Cancel returns to the selection page.

If a selected body cannot be safely deleted as imported geometry, nothing is changed. Use a simplified configuration instead.

Switching configurations and canceling

Switch between the source and simplified configurations in ConfigurationManager. Cancel returns to the previously active configuration.

Use the simplified configuration in an assembly or drawing

Set the PCB component in your assembly to use the Simplified configuration. Check the configuration referenced by each drawing view too. Creating the simplified configuration does not switch existing assemblies and drawings automatically.

Check fit and references in the actual design. Mates or drawing references that depend on excluded geometry may need attention.

Undoing the first simplification

The first Create normally has one Undo step that removes the simplified configuration. If an open assembly or drawing already references the simplified configuration, CircuitSweep clears the part's undo history instead. Closing that document does not restore it.

Do not rely on Create to preserve earlier undo steps. Save your work before simplifying if you may need to return to the earlier model.

Permanent deletion and Undo history

Successful permanent deletion clears the part’s Undo and Redo history, including earlier edits.

New Part from Configuration

Create a lighter SolidWorks part containing only the geometry in the simplified configuration. The full imported geometry stays in the original SolidWorks file.

In the Simplify PCB dropdown on the CircuitSweep tab.

A valid simplified configuration must already exist. The command copies that configuration even if another one is active.

Choose Simplify PCB → New Part from Configuration, then choose a file name and location. The suggested name is <source> simplified.sldprt.

The new part opens and becomes active. The source stays open on its previous configuration, with its file unchanged.

This is a new part identity. Replacing the original with it may require recreating mates and drawing references.

Clean Up Appearances

Use this to tidy a cluttered imported appearance list by combining similar colors and removing unused appearances.

On the CircuitSweep CommandManager tab.

Save first if you need the original colors. Appearance changes clear Undo history.

Choose Clean Up Appearances, read the confirmation and click Clean Up. Similar colors are merged; fine color detail can change.

Optional appearance cleanup, not a general performance fix. Large boards can take a long time.

Which appearances are cleaned?

Every display state of the active configuration is processed using its own colors, including hidden solid and surface bodies. Other configurations are left alone. Cleanup does not run automatically on import or simplification.

View Performance

Use this when rotating or zooming a heavy PCB feels sluggish. It reduces shaded display detail without changing the geometry.

On the CircuitSweep CommandManager tab.

Choose View Performance → Optimize. The dialog reports if the view is already optimized.

Restore finer detail through SolidWorks Image Quality. Fast PCB Import applies this optimization automatically to recognized PCBs.

Troubleshooting

The PCB commands are grey

Open the PCB part itself. These commands need a suitable imported part; they are unavailable in an assembly, drawing or a model made only from native features such as extrudes.

For a linked STEP, allow the PCB check to finish. If the source cannot be found or the model is not recognised as a PCB, the tools remain unavailable. Commands also lock while another CircuitSweep operation or selection page is open.

No bodies match the filters

Change a filter or increase the threshold, then press Select. If Optimized import already excluded the small bodies, there may be nothing more to exclude. Use Complete import if you need to start from the full model.

The same size gives different results in Import and Simplify

Import measures STEP solids before placement. Simplify measures bounding boxes in the SolidWorks model. Placement and orientation can change the dimensions, so review each result rather than expecting identical selections.

There is a conflict with a configuration named Simplified

CircuitSweep needs a valid derived configuration named Simplified. It will not overwrite an unrelated configuration with that name. Inspect your configuration structure before proceeding.

The progress bar is not moving

SolidWorks can block progress animation during long model operations. The stationary bar alone does not mean the command has finished. Wait for the operation to return; large models may take several minutes.

Important geometry is missing after import

Optimized import omits small bodies before SolidWorks loads them. Import the STEP again with a lower threshold, or choose Complete. A Simplified configuration cannot restore bodies that were never imported.

The assembly or drawing still shows the detailed PCB

Set the PCB component to use the Simplified configuration in the assembly, and check the configuration referenced by each drawing view. Creating the simplified configuration does not change those references automatically.

The source SLDPRT is still large after simplification

The source configuration retains the full imported geometry, so adding a simplified configuration may not make the file much smaller. Use New Part from Configuration when you need a separate file containing only the simplified result.

Still need help?

Send us a message using the contact form. Include your CircuitSweep and SolidWorks versions, the command you used and what happened. You can send screenshots or files in the email thread when we reply.

Buy and activate

The 14-day trial

Your free trial lasts 14 days. Check the remaining time under Tools → CircuitSweep → About CircuitSweep....

Buy a license

Go to the pricing section and choose Buy now to purchase a license key. The license dialog’s Buy button also opens the website.

Activate your key

You can activate during the trial. The key looks like 7K2M-9Q4P-HC3D-RT8W. In SolidWorks, choose Tools → CircuitSweep → Activate..., paste the key, and click Activate. The first activation needs an internet connection. After that, CircuitSweep works offline. The command disappears after a valid key is saved.

After the trial ends, running a CircuitSweep command also opens the license dialog.

  1. Paste your license key and click Activate.
  2. A valid key activates CircuitSweep. Check About CircuitSweep... to confirm the status is Licensed.

Keys are checked locally on your PC. The trial and license are stored for your Windows user and survive a reinstall.

If the key is rejected, check that you copied the complete key. If it still fails, contact us.

Update CircuitSweep

  1. In SolidWorks, choose Tools → CircuitSweep → Check for Updates.... The dialog reports whether a newer stable version is available.
  2. If an update is available, choose Download Update to open the download page.
  3. Save your work and close SolidWorks, then run the downloaded installer. Administrator permission is required.
  4. Restart SolidWorks. Open Tools → CircuitSweep → About CircuitSweep... to check the installed version.
Automatic update notifications

CircuitSweep checks in the background. In the Update Available dialog, choose Download Update or Later. Updates are never installed automatically.

If the update check cannot connect, try again later or visit the download page. About, Send Feedback and Check for Updates remain available after the trial ends.