Getting Started with SolidWorks

Select a plane and use the point tool in the sketch menu to place points anywhere, with alignment guides and a point at the origin with coordinates zero zero.

Learn to use the SolidWorks line tool to draw vertical, horizontal, and angled lines, set construction and midpoint lines, center lines, and apply dimensions on sketches.

Use the circle tool in sketch mode to select a center, drag to set the radius, and adjust it before closing the dialog; then switch to perimeter for point-based circles.

Explore drawing rectangles in SolidWorks using four methods—corner, center, three-point corner, and three-point center—plus parallelograms, construction lines, and adjustable coordinates for precise sketches.

Explore drawing arcs in solidworks by using centerpoint, tangent, and 3-point arcs; select centers, endpoints, and points on a circle to create precise arcs, adjust parameters, and set construction lines.

Use the ellipse tool to draw full or partial ellipses by setting center and radii. Learn parabola and conic options, choosing endpoints and center, then adjust parameters.

Discover how to use the spline tool in SolidWorks to draw lines and curves by through points, style spline, or equation-driven methods, and adjust parameters and points for different curvature.

Learn to create a polygon in SolidWorks using sketch mode, set the number of sides, and choose inscribed or circumscribed around a circle.

Learn the slot tool in SolidWorks for getting started with drawing straight, center-point, and three-point box slots by selecting planes, defining semicircle centers, radii, and slot lengths.

Learn to apply fillet and chamfer on corners in SolidWorks, setting a fillet radius and choosing distance or angle chamfers, including equal distance options.

Learn how to add text to a surface in SolidWorks by selecting a plane, drawing a reference line, entering text, and adjusting alignment, font, size, rotation, and spacing.

Learn how to use the smart dimension tool in SolidWorks to set precise measurements for lines and circles, manage constraints, and avoid dimension conflicts.

Learn to use trim and extend entities in SolidWorks, applying power trim to remove segments from intersection to intersection and extend lines to meet others, controlled by the first intersection.

Explore the offset entities tool in SolidWorks, learning to create parallel lines, set offset distances, choose bi-directional options, and manage gaps, arcs, and offset geometry.

Master the mirror entities tool in SolidWorks to copy sketches about an axis or plane, preview results, and choose between mirrored copies or moving originals with synchronized updates.

Create multiple copies of a circle using the linear sketch pattern in SolidWorks by setting counts, spacing, and angles along the x and y axes.

Learn to use SolidWorks circular sketch pattern tool to create multiple instances around a center, set count, spacing, angle, and optional skips, and edit parameters for universal updates.

Use the move, copy and rotate entities tool in SolidWorks to reposition elements, preserve green relations, and rotate around a chosen center by a specific angle.

Apply scale and stretch tools in SolidWorks to scale selected entities, duplicate them at twice the size and distance, and manage copying or transforming within a sketch. Assess existing relationships, stretch lines without breaking geometry, and confirm dimensions with smart dimension.

Explore how to create solids with the extruded boss/base tool in SolidWorks, starting from a sketch cross section, using blind or through extrusion, and adjusting direction and draft.

Master the extruded cut tool in SolidWorks to sketch on a face, create holes, and remove material by exiting the sketch and adjusting cut width and direction.

Use the revolved boss/base tool in SolidWorks to sketch on a plane, create an axis and closed profile, then revolve it into a part with a section view.

Apply the revolved cut in SolidWorks by sketching a closed profile on a plane and revolving it 360 degrees to remove material, then inspect the interior with a sectioning tool.

Learn to use SolidWorks fillet and chamfer tools to create edge and corner fillets, adjust radii (e.g., 30), and apply to single or multiple edges with angle and distance parameters.

Learn to use the linear and circular pattern tools in SolidWorks to replicate features along axes and around centers, including extrudes and mirrored instances.

Explore the mirror tool in SolidWorks to mirror bodies or features across a reference plane, with options for full or partial previews and custom planes.

Discover how SolidWorks is used in industry and gain quick insight into core tools, like the extrude feature, by hovering icons and using the website to search for any tool.