
To get started you will need the (free) Siemens Solid Edge Academic Software loaded on your computer. To download go to the following link: https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/academic/resources/solid-edge/student-download.cfm Download the class files: 01ClassFiles.zip
Begin sketching in the draft environment, set the metric template, and use line, rectangle, and circle tools to create basic shapes such as rectangle by center and circle by center.
Draw lines in Siemens Solid Edge sketching fundamentals using vertical and horizontal snaps, connection symbols, and relationship handles to control geometry.
Explore equal constraints in sketching, using vertical and horizontal relationship handles and plus signs to keep lines aligned and sized together.
Apply horizontal and vertical constraints using the plus sign to make lines equal, adjust by dragging, and enforce a square with equal and 90-degree angle constraints.
Learn how to center geometry using constraints in Solid Edge sketching fundamentals. Place circles and rectangles at the center and it remembers the center for future shapes.
Create a red cross shaped sign by drawing line segments, applying horizontal and vertical constraints, forcing equal lengths, and using midline constraints to align and resize.
Discover an easier approach by using simple rectangles to form a cross, apply horizontal and vertical constraints, center alignment, and dimensions, then trim and delete extras for a clean result.
Trim extended lines to remove unwanted segments and form the weave pattern efficiently, instead of drawing numerous squares. Use the trim tool to practice shaping the figure.
Explore adding color or crosshatching to the weave. See how to apply crosshatch, solid color, or patterns such as honeycomb, marble, firebrick, cork, concrete, or steel with the sketching tools.
Practice constructing an equilateral triangle in Solid Edge by drawing two equal circles, connecting the intersections with lines, and trimming the excess, ensuring all sides are equal.
Learn how tangent constraints control geometry by making circles tangent to lines and shapes in the Solid Edge sketching fundamentals, with multiple circles and horizontal alignment examples.
Apply the concentric relationship to keep circles centered and aligned, watch for other relationships that can interfere, delete unintended constraints, and stay concentric when moving elements.
Apply parallel and perpendicular constraints to align lines. Use the connect tool to join endpoints, ensuring lines stay parallel or form a 90-degree angle.
Create a truss shape by sketching a rectangle and using parallel and equal constraints to keep members aligned and proportional, allowing multiple variations while maintaining all relationships.
Apply and manipulate relationship constraints in a Solid Edge sketch by connecting endpoints, setting tangent and equal constraints, and using colinear alignment to keep lines on the same line.
Draw additional lines to figure out which circle is at the center
Learning How to Center Geometry
Explore triangles of all sizes in Solid Edge, and verify that the interior angles sum to 180 degrees by dimensioning and measuring them.
Learn to add dimensions to rectangles of all sizes by using 90-degree corners. See that any four-sided figure with four right angles sums to 360 degrees by drawing several shapes.
Open a new draft file and use the polygon by center command to set the number of sides from five to twenty-five, observing how more sides create segments.
Explore multiple methods to construct an equilateral triangle in Solid Edge: polygon by center, three-point triangle, and freehand, plus verification by equal angles and sizing with a square.
Open a new draft, create a pentagon and a hexagon, use midpoints on each to form a triangle, and determine whether that triangle is equilateral by measuring.
Experiment with equilateral triangles by drawing lines from midpoints to form new shapes, explore patterns around the center, and test polygons like hexagons and pentagons.
Explore drawing hexagon and pentagon shapes with circles by placing one circle at the center and another on the edge, finding intersections, trimming extraneous lines, and forming an equilateral triangle.
Create a pentagon mask by drawing a five-sided polygon around a center, use split and extent to next, trim extraneous lines, and finish by applying a yellow fill color.
Open the sketch and use the area inspect tool to measure closed shapes, like a 10 by 10 square (100 mm²), then add areas for a final total.
Draw these shapes from scratch—a square and a circle—and add dimensions, then use inspect area to determine which has the largest and smallest area.
Explore how to draw a right-angled triangle and construct squares on its sides to test the Pythagoras theorem, and see whether the area relation holds for any triangle.
Verify the Pythagoras theorem by drawing triangles and comparing areas: in right-angle triangles, blue area equals yellow area, and A plus B equals C; test with non-right triangles.
Double check which line is longer by placing a dimension on each black and purple line in the class files.
Compare class triangles to ensure exactness, opening triangles from your class files to identify which are right-angled and avoid guessing.
discover the easiest way to draw a star shape by using scaffolding: draw a square, place circles at corners, apply constraints, and trim away excess to finalize.
Create a star shape with a 50 by 50 square and trimmed circles, then determine its area and use the total length feature to measure all arc lengths.
Using the Measure Option
Learn how to sketch efficiently using a scaffold and trim by constructing an equilateral triangle from circles, placing centered circles on each edge, and trimming to reveal the final shape.
Create interesting shapes quickly by building a triangle and a circle, ensuring all circles are equal, exploring equal intersections, and trimming pieces to form the basic shape.
Construct the leaf shape by starting with a square, applying equal constraints, and placing four circles centered on line midpoints. Trim the extraneous segments to reveal the final leaf silhouette.
Develop patterns by attaching circles to polygon edges, explore pentagon and beyond, trim the outer shape first, then refine the inner area and apply colors.
Explore circle-based sketch variations in Solid Edge by drawing circles from end point to midpoint, extending to the end, walking around the model, and trimming the center for different results.
Create the Lute of Pythagorus as Shown
Understanding and Creating the Illusion if Depth
Explore sketching fundamentals by creating varied shapes from triangles to seven- and ten-sided figures, placing circles, squares, hexagons at endpoints and midpoints, and mixing ideas to design custom forms.
Draw four equal circles inside a surrounding circle and trim to form an interesting shape, using circle, line, tangent, and undo tools to adjust alignment.
Explore interactive sketching in Siemens Solid Edge: rotate a line around a center of rotation with adjustable step angles, then create circle and ellipse patterns to form a wagon-wheel design.
Learn to copy and rotate sketch elements around a center point, using a 30-degree step to create patterns, and apply rotation to lines, ellipses, squares or rectangles with box selection.
Create an illusion of depth by making a black sheet pass through a yellow sheet, draw a line, trim the unwanted pieces, and verify by switching colors.
Copy and rotate to create patterns in solid edge sketching, starting with a line and a circle, then experiment with angles, trimming, and patterning to space and count the circles.
Sketch a large circle and a small circle, rotate around the center by 30 degrees, and trim the pieces to form the gear.
Create a 2d sketch by drawing a circle from the center, trim and copy, then rotate around the center at 30-degree steps to form a swirl, with alternating colors.
Understanding How to Center Geometry and Understanding the Copy and Rotate Command
Use the ellipse command with centerpoint to rotate the ellipse about its center at 60 degrees, add edge circles to form an atom-like symbol, then trim and turn off constraints.
Explore Solid Edge sketching fundamentals by drawing lines and circles, creating tangent relations, applying patterns, rotating at various degrees, and turning off constraints to color and customize your look.
Create a hubcap sketch by drawing circles and lines at a 20-degree angle, apply a fillet of 12 to round the edges, then rotate and add a central hub.
Create a triangle and three circles, apply fill with a 60-degree pattern, adjust them to be equal, find the center, then rotate and color for highlights.
Learn to create intricate sketches in Solid Edge by using circle tangents, precise rotations around centers, and midpoint references to form a flower-shaped pattern, then trim and color for refinement.
Rotate shapes around the center to turn circles inside a circle into evolving cross patterns, explore rotation at 45 degrees and around points with constraints to color and vary designs.
Create a circle by three points to locate its center, then rotate to reveal a new shape; experiment with 45 and 60 at the center, and add color.
Explore rotating a sketch around different axes and reference points in Siemens Solid Edge sketching fundamentals to create varied patterns, with quick angle trials and undo options.
Rotate a centered circle around the center in 90-degree steps to form patterns, trim the inner or outer arc, then try 30-degree angles and add a rectangle with color.
Explore variations of circle line sketches by shifting the center, moving around 15 degrees, trimming areas, and adding a couple of circles to create a more interesting effect.
Begin with a circle at the edge, then draw additional circles along the edge to form a pattern, adjusting as needed. Use the mirror command to duplicate about the center.
Add depth and perspective to a basic sketch by extending a rectangle with lines to create a 3D box, coloring areas, and using hidden lines for the back corner.
Explore creating and shaping polygons, lines, and parallel relationships in sketches, apply color for visibility, and practice hidden lines and perspective to build solid, coherent drawings.
Create two intersecting planes in Siemens Solid Edge sketching fundamentals by adding a center line, trim to form distinct areas, and color these sections to visualize the sheet-like geometry.
Create a new file, draw a circle and two lines to locate the midpoint, trim to a shape, then add center and side circles with an equal constraint and color.
Explore developing personal sketch patterns by trimming and centering shapes, then reorient patterns to create unique, direction-driven designs.
Explore sketching fundamentals by iterating with lines, circles, and trims, rotating a box around a center to generate new shapes and adjusting angles from 15 to 45 degrees.
Explore endless variations by drawing circles, rotating them around a center at 120 degrees, then trim, fill, and size selections to create new shapes, including triangles.
Master Solid Edge sketching fundamentals by constructing a three-circle layout with tangent constraints, exploring equal sizing, trimming sections, and comparing two-circle versus three-circle variations.
Explore sketching fundamentals by creating and moving circles, rotating patterns around a center, adjusting angles, trimming, and exploring variations to generate interesting designs.
Explore quick variations by rotating triangles and circles to 45 or 30 degrees, trimming parts, and applying color to see how different sketches emerge.
Explore sketching a compass shape in Solid Edge by copying and rotating a right triangle at 45 degrees, adding circles, trimming, and refining with center alignment and varying circle sizes.
Create a depth illusion in solid edge sketches by forming an equal lateral triangle, rotating 60 degrees around its center, trimming to outline, and applying alternating 90-degree angles with color.
Identify and develop repeating patterns from simple shapes by drawing a center polygon, trimming excess, and rotating around the center to form hexagon-based patterns; adjust placement, angles, then add circles.
Create interlocking squares to simulate depth using centered rectangles, move and copy, trim, crosshatch to achieve over-under effects, and color blue and yellow.
Explore sketching circles, trimming overlaps, and reversing directions in solid edge to create looping patterns, leading to an olympic‑style symbol and color ideas for Calvus.
Draw the box first and add a diamond to form a 2d part, aiming for depth illusion. Apply parallel, vertical, and center alignment constraints to refine and synchronize the sketch.
Explore fractal geometry by iteratively drawing and duplicating triangles, creating self-similar patterns through equal constraints, upside-down repeats, and rotational patterning around a center.
Master the tangent relationship by placing circles from large to small, aligning centers, and rotating the pattern around a center point using an 18-degree step.
Construct a race track sketch using circles and tangent lines to create depth, trim unwanted segments, and ensure clean transitions from outside to inside.
Build a hexagon, copy between outside and inside edges, pattern around the center with 60-degree steps, and trim to create an interwoven weave using solid, clear, and colors.
Investigate why a Penrose triangle cannot be formed in 3D, then construct it in Solid Edge using offset, extend to next, and trim to finalize.
This curriculum will open your eyes to a new world of amazing patterns, shapes & artistic designs. In effect this introduction to STEM is a collision of art, engineering & math. The format is open ended, creative & challenging; a practical, easy to follow cookbook approach to developing spatial thinking. You are free to work at your own pace, improving your skills independently of classroom pressures. To create 3D printed parts you need to be able to create 3D parts. To create 3D parts you need to know how to create 2D sketches. This class teaches you how to create 2D sketches from an artistic angle. The Siemens Solid Edge software download is free to all students and is similar to Solidworks, Blender and Autodesk Inventor.