SOLIDWORKS 3D Modeling: Complete Step-By-Step Course

Learn how to create a new SolidWorks document by selecting new, choosing the part option, noting that we don't have parts, assemblies, or drawings yet, and confirming to start.

Explore the SolidWorks user interface by navigating the feature manager design tree, planes, sketches, and tools, then customize tabs and options to manage models, drawings, and units.

Navigate sketches in SolidWorks using the mouse scroll wheel to zoom, hold and drag to rotate, and use view orientation to reset to normal with zoom to fit when needed.

Master basic mouse movements and the heads up view toolbar in SolidWorks, including zoom in/out with the scroll wheel, rotate by pressing the scroll wheel, section view, and view orientation.

Learn three quick ways to create a sketch document in SolidWorks by selecting front, top, or right planes, using the sketch icon, the design tree, or the sketch tab.

Master basic sketch tools in SolidWorks, including creating lines, circles, and rectangles; using center lines and sketch fields; trimming, extending, and deleting sketch entities; and drawing splines for arbitrary shapes.

Learn how to apply dimensions and relations to sketches in SolidWorks, defining lines, circles, and rectangles to achieve a fully defined sketch.

Create a sketch by drawing a rectangle, dimensioning it, and using a center line to mirror entities across the origin, yielding two identical parts in SolidWorks.

Learn to use linear and circular sketch patterns in SolidWorks to create multiple circles with equal spacing, set instances and spacing, and apply constraints to fully define the sketch.

Learn how to change units for dimensioning in SolidWorks by switching from millimeters to inches via document properties and by editing the sketch to update the dimensions.

Convert a sketch to a 3d part by creating a fully defined circle at the origin, and extruding it into a cylinder; adjust dimensions via sketch edits.

Open an existing part document and save it to the desktop, selecting a destination and renaming it to cylinder number one.

Create a derived sketch on another plane using reference geometry and the right sketch tool. Changes to the original sketch automatically apply to the derived sketch, saving time.

Learn to sketch on a plane, set dimensions, and explore extruded boss and extruded cut options, including blind, through all, up to vertex or surface, and offset from surface.

Master extruded boss base techniques in SolidWorks by aligning the origin to the line center, setting depth in single or two directions, and using centerlines.

Demonstrates extruded cut in SolidWorks by sketching a circle on a face and forming a hole through the part using through all or up to vertex or surface.

Create sketches on the part face or on the front and right planes. Dimension and extrude to form a base feature on the same part.

Create and manage planes in SolidWorks to sketch on new planes or faces, using reference geometry, offset and angle controls, and centerline to define planes.

Explore how to apply draft to tilt surfaces in solid modeling, using draft rules in extruded base and cut features, with neutral and outward and inward draft options.

Learn to use the shell tool to hollow a part, set a base thickness, and apply varying thickness across different faces with the multi thickness setting for precise internal geometry.

Create a multi-body part in SolidWorks by modeling a table with five bodies, using mirror and merge options, and save each body as a separate part file.

Learn to create a rib in SolidWorks from a single line sketch on the front plane, adjusting thickness, extrusion direction, and draft, with optional first or second side controls.

Learn to apply fillet and chamfer in SolidWorks, selecting edges or faces, and set constant size radii—preview results with millimeter values and angles.

Convert and offset entities to rapidly create a larger rectangle from an existing edge by sketching on a face, then extrude to 15 mm.

Learn to create a lofted boss base feature in SolidWorks by selecting three profiles, sketching cross sections, and adding guide curves to control the loft and shape the part.

Learn to create revolved features in SolidWorks, using an axis of revolution, to build cylinders and cuts, specify degrees from 60 to 360, and distinguish revolved boss and revolved cut.

Create a swept boss/base by using a single sketch on a plane, select a circular profile, then adjust diameter and thickness; add another sketch for a polygon cross-section.

Modify parts and sketches in SolidWorks by using the feature manager tree to suppress, delete, or edit features and sketches, and adjust dimensions like diameter and extrusion length.

Create a 3D sketch in SolidWorks by switching between X Y plane, Y Z plane, and Z plane, then draw lines on planes and apply plane relations for circular profile.

Apply materials in a solid model and define density in SolidWorks, exploring material properties, favorites, and unit settings to control density, elastic modulus, and tensile strength.

Learn to measure area, diameter, length, and angle on a SolidWorks model using the evaluate tab's measure tool, adjust units and display options for precise results.

Learn to link dimensions in SolidWorks by using the equals equation to create dependent dimensions. Change one value to auto-update the others across sketches and extruded features.

Learn to link dimensions with global variables and equations in SolidWorks. Use two methods to create and manage a, b, and c, before modeling or within a sketch via equations.

Learn to use the mirror tool in SolidWorks to create symmetrical copies around a face, plane, or surface, choosing features or bodies to mirror, and manage merge options and errors.

Use hole wizard to create standard holes with ISO and symmetric standards, defining type, size, depth, and head clearance. Place holes on multiple faces with 3-D sketch and mirror them.

Calculate mass properties and center of mass, then create and define a new coordinate system to measure the center of mass relative to that system in SolidWorks.

Utilize feature scope to target specific bodies within a multi-body SolidWorks part, applying a single sketch and extruded cut to chosen bodies while leaving others untouched.

Master how to use a composite curve to join two sketches into a single sketch in SolidWorks, selecting the entities and applying a circular profile for a unified 3D sketch.

Use a split line to add material or cut on a face by converting a sketch into a 3d sketch and guiding extrusion with a center line.

Create and position text on a SolidWorks part by sketching on planes, offsetting text from surfaces, and using cuts or split lines to integrate the lettering.

Create a detailed SolidWorks model using global variables A and B, apply swept boss features, modify material to aluminium alloy 6061, and calculate mass properties.

Create design tables in SolidWorks to generate multiple configurations from a single model using Microsoft Excel, assign dimensions, name them, and copy or delete configurations to customize parts.

Encourage students to leave an honest review to help future learners decide to join this SOLIDWORKS 3D modeling course, and note that reviews can be updated after completing more lessons.

Modify design tables in SolidWorks to add extrusion depth parameters and suppress or unsuppress features across configurations A and C.

Learn to create and manage configurations in SolidWorks using the configuration manager, adding A, adjusting dimensions, suppressing features, and deriving a configuration like A1 with materials across the default configuration.

Create a new assembly in SolidWorks, set the origin, insert components, and fix the first part to the origin or the three standard planes before adding the second part.

Insert a part into a new SOLIDWORKS assembly and fix it relative to the front, top, and right planes using mates with coincident relations.

Master standard mates in SolidWorks assemblies to define relations between parts, including concentric, coincident, parallel, perpendicular, tangent, distance, and angle.

Move components in a SolidWorks assembly by suppressing mates, enabling collision detection, and stopping at collision to prevent interpenetration, then restoring the original state.

Apply the mirror feature in a solidworks assembly to duplicate a component across a chosen plane, such as the front plane, creating an identical part on the opposite side.

Apply sketch tools in assembly to create coordinate systems, using center lines, points, and origin sketches, then define coordinates with assembly reference geometry.

Create and assemble multiple parts in SolidWorks, set mates and alignments, then define a coordinate system to calculate the center of mass and adjust spacing to four millimeters.

Set angular and distance ranges in a SolidWorks assembly using advanced mates to constrain movement. Define angles 20 to 70 degrees and distances 5 to 40 mm, then adjust ranges.

Learn how advanced profile center centers profiles with a single constraint, replaces three coincident mates, and enables rotation lock and distance control, while working with circular edges or regular polygons.

Explore symmetry and spacing in SolidWorks assemblies by applying mates, concentric and coincident constraints, centering parts, and using symmetry to move parts together.

Master path mate with bedmate to make a ring follow a bed along a path, using center point, distance or percent along constraints, and axis-based roll control.

Learn to set up a linear coupler in a multi-part assembly by defining two clips with Lenar Cobbler, establishing a five-to-one travel ratio.

This lecture demonstrates collision detection and interference detection in SolidWorks assemblies, showing how collision stops parts at contact and how interference reveals volume and location.

Learn how to create in-context features and external references within an assembly, so changes in one part automatically update related parts through external references.

Learn how assembly features work, compare them to part modeling, and see how holes appear in assembly files only to mirror the production process.

Learn to replace a part in a SolidWorks assembly by selecting the target part, inserting a new part, preserving concentric and centered mates, and fixing errors when copies fail.

Launch SolidWorks and set up a drawing sheet by selecting sheet format size, landscape orientation, and standard sizes (0–4), then insert views and fill drawing information.

Learn to create engineering drawings from parts or assemblies in SolidWorks by inserting orthographic views—front, top, right, left, bottom, and isometric—linked to a base view on a landscape sheet.

Learn to create projected views from a base front view to generate right, left, top, and isometric views, and control view properties and scale for linked views.

Apply smart dimensions to views in SolidWorks, switch between millimeters and inches, set radii and diameters, and use center lines for precise distances and symmetry.

Use model item to automatically populate drawing dimensions from a SolidWorks model or sketch, with source options, eliminate duplicates, and mark for drawing to ensure dimensions appear.

Use model item to bring dimensions from sketches and assembly features into a drawing. Choose entire model, selected feature, select component, or only assembly to display relevant dimensions.

Learn to use the hole callout tool to annotate hole diameters and depths created with the hole wizard, and pull dimensions from the entire model for consistent annotations.

Explore view focus in SolidWorks by extending a view to include two lines for accurate angle dimensions, via control-click or by double-clicking the view focus to insert a center line.

Edit a drawing sheet in SolidWorks by right-clicking to edit format and double-clicking to modify the title, number, name, and comments, then adjust size, scale, and style.

Learn to create and manage multiple sheets in a SolidWorks drawing, add, delete, rename sheets, and insert views from different parts to compile a multi-view drawing.

Learn to use the measuring tool in SolidWorks drawings to measure radius, distances, surface area, and angles across parts and assemblies, and switch units between inches and millimeters.

Save and export SolidWorks drawing sheets by choosing a destination, naming the file, and selecting formats like pdf or jpeg, for sheet one and sheet two.

Use the relative view tool to define custom orthographic views in SolidWorks, selecting front and bottom orientations. Explore view orientation options, resets, and update standard views to change the display.

Learn to create and manipulate section views in SolidWorks, using vertical, horizontal, auxiliary, and aligned cutting lines, and customize display, scale, section names, and dimensions.

Learn to create auxiliary views in SolidWorks from an edge or a sketch, adjusting the reference edge, direction, and scale to fit the view.

Learn how to create and customize a detailed view in SolidWorks, enlarge specific features with dimensions, adjust scale and leader styles, and switch from circles to a spline detail.

Create broken-out sections in SolidWorks, using a spline to define depth, visible in isometric and orthogonal views, with numerical depth or an existing edge.

Learn to create and manage break views in SolidWorks, using vertical and horizontal break lines with adjustable gap sizes to fit large parts into smaller drawing views and projected views.

Learn how to create and compare alternate position views in SolidWorks, displaying existing and new configurations on the same drawing, measure angles, add center lines, and enable collision detection.

Create a crop view by drawing a closed sketch profile using a spline. Crop an existing view in the layout and adjust the scale to display the desired portion.

Create a symmetric isometric section view in SolidWorks by starting with a standard section, placing and flipping direction, adjusting scale, and breaking alignment for precise positioning.

Create a bill of materials table for an assembly in SolidWorks, showing parts, subassemblies, quantities, and numbering options, using the annotation tab and balloon tool.

Learn how to sort a bill of material table by part number and other fields, in ascending or descending order, and manage item numbers and assembly order.

Find missing items in the bill of materials table and manage their inclusion or exclusion in the bill of materials using assembly and part properties.

Explore how to use custom properties in the bill of material table in SolidWorks to rename columns, display costs, add or delete columns, insert rows, and merge cells.

Use equations in the bill of materials table to multiply quantity by cost, sum totals, and identify the most expensive part and the assembly total.

Learn to show and hide components in SolidWorks by toggling visibility in both the drawing view and assembly, using show hidden components and rebuilding before updating the drawing.

Learn how to use linked notes to attach properties and links within a SolidWorks bill of materials, including linking to a website and extracting the owner property like Mike Watson.