Introduction to SOLIDWORKS

Define SolidWorks terminologies and explain how solid modeling in a 3D workspace uses sketches, feature based elements, and applied features to build associative parts, drawings, and assemblies with design intent.

Master the SolidWorks user interface, including menus, hotkeys, ribbons, and the 3D workspace. Use side panels and the feature tree to access tools, appearance options, tutorials, and more.

Master SolidWorks navigation with mouse gestures to zoom, rotate, and pan, and use view orientation and the spacebar to access zoom options and display styles.

Explore the three SolidWorks file types: part, drawing, and assembly files, and how they reference each other in fully associative, multi-part projects.

Create your first SolidWorks part by selecting new, choosing a part template, setting units to inches, and saving early to prevent data loss.

Explore the feature tree and three planes with an origin as building blocks. Start a sketch by selecting a plane, enter sketch mode, and use the save or cancel icons.

Explore sketch tools in the sketch tab, including line, circle, and rectangle commands, with multiple line drawing, temporary alignment axes, and editing via undo, delete, and box select.

Sketch and constrain an extruded bracket base in SolidWorks, building a U or N shape with lines and an arc while learning vertical and horizontal relations and sketch history.

Add horizontal, vertical, and tangent relations, apply smart dimensions to fully define the sketch, then use control-key multi-select to constrain the origin and verify with blue-to-black color.

Master sketch management in SolidWorks by saving or discarding changes, renaming sketches, and using edit sketch and edit sketch plane to place sketches on different planes.

Learn to turn a 2D sketch into a 3D part by using the extruded boss or base, adjusting depth and direction, and editing the feature in the SOLIDWORKS feature tree.

Create a second boss extrude on a bracket by sketching a rectangle on a bottom face, defining relations and dimensions, and extruding with merge result to form a single solid.

Create a centered circle sketch, dimension it to a diameter, then use extruded cut with through all to remove material through the whole bracket, illustrating design intent.

Use the hole wizard in SolidWorks to generate industry-standard holes. Define the hole type and ANSI inch standard, place holes on a face, and review the two sketches.

Learn to use reference geometry to create mid planes and centered sketches for ribbed support features, then sketch and extrude symmetrically to center the rib.

Create a hole on the front face, use an extruded cut, then apply a circular pattern to reproduce multiple holes around the center, adjusting spacing and count.

Apply fillets and chamfers to a bracket using the fill and chamfer features. Select edges or faces, adjust radii, preview results, and decide whether to group fillets into one feature.

Learn to create revolved features by rotating a 2d profile around an axis to form a shaft, defining rotation angle with a center line or sketch line as axis.

Sketch half of the symmetric shaft profile using a center line as the axis of revolution, then mirror to complete the shaft and its hole with defined diameter.

use the revolve command to revolve a profile about a center axis, creating a shaft; define axis, angle, and direction, preview the result, and finish with fillets or chamfers.

Learn the sweep command in SolidWorks, sweeping a profile along a path to form tubing, using circular or sketch profiles that stay perpendicular to the path.

Use the loft command to add material between multiple profiles to create a solid, using offset planes and multiple sketches on different planes to generate a complex, free-flowing shape.

Use the shell command to hollow a solid into a thin-walled feature with a chosen wall thickness, such as 0.2 in, and optionally remove faces for plastics enclosures.

Apply the draft command to taper extruded faces by a specified angle, aiding mold release in plastics and injection molding, with options to draft individual faces or within extrude commands.

Create a drawing from a part in SolidWorks, drag in front, right, top, and isometric views using the view palette, adjust display style and scale, and finalize.

Change the drawing sheet size in SolidWorks by editing sheet properties to a B size (11 by 17), then add section and detail views via the view layout.

Apply dimensions and annotations to your drawings using smart dimension, center marks, and center lines, and automatically generate hole callouts from hole wizard data.

start an assembly with a base component at the origin, then insert more parts via the assembly tab and manage origins in the assembly tree.

Position parts with mates in SolidWorks by using coincident, flush, parallel, distance, and concentric relations; fix or float components, and manage mates in the assembly tree.

Use the SolidWorks toolbox to quickly insert industry standard fasteners, with smart resizing and automatic mates as bolts snap into holes, and customize the length as needed.

Learn to create an exploded view in an assembly using the Explode View command, dragging components along the y axis to show relationships and internal parts.

Create assembly drawings from assemblies, add explode views, adjust sheet size and scale, apply shading with edges, and insert a bill of materials with balloons.

Export outputs by saving drawings as pdf, dxf, or dwg, with smart pdfs that bookmark sheets and views, and use pack and go to bundle referenced files for sharing.

Learn the fundamentals of SolidWorks, including designing parts, drawings, and assemblies, and boost your learning with SolidWorks Help and free tutorials.