SOLIDWORKS for Beginners and Intermediate Users

Learn to access the sketching environment in SolidWorks, create a 2d sketch on the top plane, and distinguish sketch-based from placed features as you begin building a solid component.

Explore specifying grids and snap settings in SOLIDWORKS. Learn about major and minor grid lines, display grid options, and snap behavior via System Options and Grid Snap settings.

Create lines in SolidWorks with the line tool or L key, define start and end points, draw continuous point chains, and choose horizontal, vertical, or length and angle options.

Explore rectangle creation in SolidWorks with the corner, center, three-point corner, and three-point center rectangle tools, plus the parallelogram tool, defining shapes via corners or points from the rectangle flyout.

Create circles using the circle tool with a center point and radius, or the perimeter circle tool with three points along the circumference.

Learn to create arcs in SolidWorks with center point, tangent, and three point arc tools from the arc flyout, defining center/start/end, tangency, or three points to set the arc.

Create polygons in SolidWorks using the polygon tool, choosing 3–40 sides and deciding between inscribed or circumscribed construction circles, then adjust center, diameter, and angle settings.

Learn to create straight and arc slots in SolidWorks using straight slot, center point straight slot, three point arc slot, and center point arc slot, with live previews.

Learn to create ellipses and elliptical arcs in SolidWorks using the ellipse tool, defining center point, major and minor axes, and optional construction lines for precise geometry.

Learn to draw parabolas and conic curves in SolidWorks using the parabola and conic tools, defining focus and apex and selecting curve type via row value.

Learn to draw splines in SolidWorks using the spline tool, style spline, and equation driven curve with control points, three, five, and seven degree options, and explicit or parametric equations.

Trim sketch entities in SolidWorks using power trim, corner, trim away inside or outside boundaries, and trim to closest, with options to keep trimmed portions as construction geometry.

Extend sketch entities in SolidWorks using the extend entities tool from the trim entities flyout, extending each entity to its next intersection with cursor-directed direction.

Learn to use the offset entities tool in SolidWorks to create offset sketches with adjustable distance, preview results, and options including add dimensions, reverse direction, select chain, and bidirectional symmetry.

Learn to mirror sketch entities in SolidWorks with the mirror entities tool by selecting entities and a mirroring line, and choosing to copy or remove originals.

Create sketch fillets in SolidWorks by selecting corners or intersecting entities to generate tangent arcs of a constant radius, with the option to keep constrained corners.

Learn to create sketch chamfers in SolidWorks by using the sketch chamfer tool with angle and distance, or two distances, on corners or intersecting entities. Undo and exit to finish.

Create linear sketch patterns in SolidWorks by selecting entities, previewing the pattern, and configuring spacing, instances, and angles along the x axis and y axis.

Learn to create circular sketch patterns in SolidWorks by selecting a center point, choosing pattern options, adjusting count and spacing, and applying radius and angular spacing.

Learn to apply geometric relations and constraints to sketch entities in SolidWorks, using horizontal, vertical, coincident, collinear, tangent, concentric, radial, equal, symmetric.

Use the Smart Dimension tool to fully define a sketch with linear, angular, diameter, and radius dimensions, then place and adjust to avoid intersections.

Edit sketch dimensions in SolidWorks by double-clicking a dimension, using the modify dialog box or the instant 2D tool to enter a new value and update the sketch.

Learn to create a defined SolidWorks sketch by drawing concentric circles and lines, applying equal and tangent relations, trimming, and dimensioning toward a 40 mm radius outer arc for extrusion.

Create a revolved feature in solidworks by rotating a sketch around an axis of revolution with the revolved boss base tool, specifying axis, angle, and optional thin feature.

Learn to navigate a 3D model in the graphics area using SolidWorks navigation tools, including zoom, zoom to fit, zoom to area, pan, rotate, and zoom to selection.

Manipulate the view orientation of a model in SolidWorks, switching to standard views and creating custom views via the view orientation flyout and reference triad.

Learn to change the display style of a model in SolidWorks. Explore hidden lines remove display style, hidden lines, visible style, and wireframe to visualize designs.

Create reference planes in SolidWorks using the Reference Geometry tool. Define offset or parallel planes from up to three references with real-time previews.

Explore creating reference planes in SolidWorks using angles, three points, and normals to curves. Master planes between faces, tangent planes, planes parallel to the screen, and projected planes.

Learn to create cut features in SolidWorks, using extruded cut and revolved cut tools. See how sketch selection, axis setup, and parameter controls produce precise cuts.

Create a complete solid model in SolidWorks by sketching on the front plane, applying dimensions, mirroring, revolve and extrude features, pattern holes, and assign steel material for mass properties.

Edit a feature and its sketch in SolidWorks using the feature manager design tree, edit feature, and sketching tools to adjust dimensions, angles, and constraints efficiently.

Display the earlier state of a model using the rollback bar, then reorder features in the SolidWorks Feature Manager by dragging while honoring parent-child dependencies.

Project edges from existing geometry onto your sketching plane in SolidWorks using Convert Entities, Silhouette Entities, and Intersection Curve tools, refining selections with select chain and inner loops options.

Apply predefined or customized appearances in SolidWorks to give models a realistic look via drag-and-drop from the appearances library and the pop-up toolbar.

Apply standard and custom materials in SolidWorks, then calculate mass properties such as mass, volume, and center of mass, using the mass properties tools and unit options.

Create a sweep feature in SolidWorks by sweeping a profile along a path using the swept boss tool, with options for direction, profile orientation, circular profiles, and guide curves.

Learn to create a sweep cut in SolidWorks by selecting a profile and path, using the swept cut tool to remove material, with circular and solid body options.

Explore lofted features in SolidWorks using the lofted boss tool to create smooth transitions between two or more profiles, with start/end constraints, draft angles, tangents, guide curves, and centerline options.