If you've ever built a part or an assembly with a long feature tree, you can understand that sometimes that feature tree can be a little difficult to work with. There isn't really a whole lot that you can do about it, nor is there much the software can do: large assembly files have a lot of components and complex parts require many features. Even when you take advantage of subassemblies or folders, you can still end up with a big feature tree that might be a challenge to navigate.
Navigating a large feature tree can be a bigger challenge when you have to navigate it while in the PropertyManager for a feature. You can imagine a scenario where you have to add multiple mates to a single datum plane that is buried deep in your feature tree, and you have to keep digging through the feature tree to find it. Look at the screen shot to the right, and try to picture yourself digging around for a reference that's embedded in two levels of sub-assemblies.
There is a feature, new to SolidWorks 2013, that is an easy solution to help you find these items easier called the Favorites Folder. This keeps your favorite features and components in a handy folder at the very top of your Feature Tree, which makes them easy to find and reference later on.
One of my favorite things about this is how easy it is to find and use. You can add any sketch, feature or reference geometry to the folder simply by selecting it in your feature tree with your Right Mouse Button and selecting "Add to Favorites". This will allow you to readily access your favorite references at the top of your feature tree.
By default, the Favorites Folder is set to show automatically when necessary, just like the Solid Bodies and Surface Bodies folder. Also, like the Solid and Surface Bodies folders, you can control its visibility through the Hide/Show Tree Items option in your system settings. Once you have the feature added to your Favorites Folder, it's easy to find atop your Feature Tree instead of having to scroll through. This also makes it easy to access when you want to edit the feature.
