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SOLIDWORKS Essentials Course Overview

The SOLIDWORKS Essentials course on designandprocess.com is a comprehensive training program designed to introduce learners to the fundamentals of SOLIDWORKS. This course covers a wide range of topics, from basic navigation and the user interface to more advanced features like assembly modeling and using equations.

The course is structured into 14 detailed lessons, each focusing on a specific aspect of SOLIDWORKS, ensuring that learners gain a solid foundation in using the software for 3D modeling and design. The  lessons and practical exercises ensure that participants not only understand the theoretical aspects of the software but also gain valuable hands-on experience.

For those interested in further enhancing their SOLIDWORKS skills, designandprocess.com offers additional resources and courses, providing a pathway for continuous learning and improvement in 3D design.

Skills Learned:

  • Basic Navigation and Interface: Familiarize yourself with the SOLIDWORKS interface and learn essential navigation techniques.
  • Sketching and Part Modeling: Master sketching basics and part modeling to create detailed 3D models.
  • Assembly Modeling: Learn to assemble parts into complex models, understanding the dynamics of assembly interactions.
  • Creating 2D Drawings: Generate detailed 2D drawings from 3D models for manufacturing and documentation purposes.
  • Using Equations: Apply equations to drive your designs, allowing for parametric modeling and design optimization
  • Practical Exercises: Engage in hands-on exercises that reinforce learning and enable the application of skills in real-world scenarios.
SOLIDWORKS Essentials Training

Course Duration

4 Days  (7 hours/day)

Prerequisites

Access to SOLIDWORKS

Completion of SOLIDWORKS Getting Started Tutorials 1-4

Onsite Training

Course Examples

Sketch Contours
Re-use sketches to create a 3D model from a few 2D profiles sketches.
Explode Assembly Views
Create exploded views for drawings and video animations
2D Drawings
Drawings of parts and assemblies
Shelling & Ribs
Create thin-walled parts and ribs rib within SOLIDWORKS
Patterns
Linear, circular, variable, and complex patterning of SOLIDWORKS features
End Conditions
Learn various extrude end conditions to build intelligence in complex parts

SOLIDWORKS Essentials Course Syllabus

Lesson 1: SOLIDWORKS Basics and the User Interface

  • What is the SOLIDWORKS Software
  • Design Intent
    • Examples of Design Intent
    • How Features Affect Design Intent
  • File References
    • File Reference Example
  • Opening Files
  • The SOLIDWORKS User Interface
  • Using the Command Manager
    • Adding and Removing CommandManager Tabs
    • FeatureManager Design Tree
    • PropertyManager
    • Selection Breadcrumbs
    • Task Pane
    • Opening Labs with the File Explorer
    • Heads-up View Toolbar
    • Mouse Buttons
    • Keyboard Shortcuts
    • Options
    • Search

Lesson 2: Introduction to Sketching

  • 2D Sketching
  • Saving Files
  • What are We Going to Sketch?
  • Sketching
    • Default Planes
  • Sketch Entities
    • Sketch Geometry
  • Basic Sketching
    • The Mechanics of Sketching, Feedback, Status
    • Inference Lines (Automatic Relations)
    • Rules That Govern Sketches
  • Design Intent
    • What Controls Design Intent
    • Achieving the Desired Intent
  • Sketch Relations
    • Automatic Sketch Relations
    • Added Sketch Relations
    • Examples of Sketch Relations
    • Selecting Multiple Objects
  • Dimensions
    • Dimensioning: Selection and Preview
    • Angular Dimensions
    • Instant 2D
  • Extrude
  • Sharing a Mode
    • Save to 3DEXPERIENCE
  • Sketching Guidelines
  • Exercise 1: Sketch and Extrude 1
  • Exercise 2: Sketch and Extrude 2
  • Exercise 3: Sketch and Extrude 3
  • Exercise 4: Sketch and Extrude 4
  • Exercise 5: Sketch and Extrude 5
  • Exercise 6: Sketch and Extrude 6

Lesson 3: Basic Part Modeling

  • Basic Modeling
  • Terminology
  • Choosing the Best Profile
  • Choosing the Sketch Plane
  • Details of the Part
  • Boss Feature
  • Sketching on a Planar Face
  • Cut Feature
  • View Selector
  • Using the Hole Wizard
    • Creating a Standard Hole
    • Counterbore Hole
  • Filleting
  • Editing Tools
    • Editing a Sketch
    • Selecting Multiple Objects
    • Editing Features
    • Fillet Propagation
    • Rollback Bar
  • Detailing Basics
    • Settings Used in the Template
    • CommandManager Tabs
    • New Drawing
  • Drawing Views
    • Tangent Edges
    • Moving Views
  • Center Marks
  • Dimensioning
    • Driving Dimensions
    • Driven Dimensions
    • Manipulating Dimensions
    • Associativity Between the Model and the Drawing
  • Changing Parameters
  • Exercise 7: Plate
  • Exercise 8: Cuts
  • Exercise 9: Basic-Changes
  • Exercise 10: Base Bracket
  • Exercise 11: Part Drawings

Lesson 4: Symmetry and Draft

  • Case Study: Ratchet
  • Design Intent
  • Boss Feature with Draft
  • Symmetry in the Sketch
    • Symmetry after Sketching
    • Mid Plane Extrusion
  • Sketching Inside the Model
    • Design Intent of the Transition
    • Circular Profile
    • Changing the Appearance of Dimensions
    • Extruding Up To Next
  • View Options
  • Using Model Edges in a Sketch
    • Sketching an Offset
  • Creating Trimmed Sketch Geometry
    • Trim and Extend
    • Modifying Dimensions
    • Measuring
  • Copy and Paste Features
  • Exercise 12: Pulley
  • Exercise 13: Symmetry and Offsets 1
  • Exercise 14: Ratchet Handle Changes
  • Exercise 15: Symmetry and Offsets 2
  • Exercise 16: Tool Holder
  • Exercise 17: Idler Arm
  • Exercise 18: Up To Surface

Lesson 5: Patterning

  • Why Use Patterns?
  • Linear Pattern
    • Flyout FeatureManager Design Tree
    • Skipping Instances
    • Geometry Patterns
    • Performance Evaluation
  • Circular Patterns
  • Reference Geometry
    • Axes
    • Planes
  • Mirror Patterns
    • Patterning a Solid Body
  • Coordinate System
  • Symmetric Patterns
  • Up To Reference
  • Sketch Driven Patterns
  • Exercise 19: Linear Patterns
  • Exercise 20: Sketch Driven Patterns
  • Exercise 21: Skipping Instances
  • Exercise 22: Linear and Mirror Patterns
  • Exercise 23: Mirror Body
  • Exercise 24: Circular Patterns
  • Exercise 25: Axes and Multiple Patterns

Lesson 6: Revolved Features

  • Case Study: Handwheel
  • Design Intent
  • Revolved Features
    • Sketch Geometry of the Revolved Feature
    • Rules Governing Sketches of Revolved Features
    • Special Dimensioning Techniques
    • Diameter Dimensions
    • Creating the Revolved Feature
  • Building the Rim
    • Slots
    • Multibody Solids
  • Building the Spoke
    • Edge Selection
    • Chamfers
  • Edit Material
  • Mass Properties
  • File Properties
  • SOLIDWORKS SimulationXpress
    • Mesh
    • Phase 1: Fixtures
    • Phase 2: Loads
    • Phase 3: Material
    • Phase 4: Run
    • Phase 5: Results
    • Phase 6: Optimize
    • Results, Reports and eDrawings
  • Exercise 26: Flange
  • Exercise 27: Wheel
  • Exercise 28: Guide
  • Exercise 29: Ellipse
  • Exercise 30: Sweeps
    • Slide Stop
    • Cotter Pin
    • Paper Clip
    • Mitered Sweep
  • Exercise 31: SimulationXpress

Lesson 7: Shelling and Ribs

  • Shelling and Ribs
  • Analyzing and Adding Draft
  • Other Options for Draft
  • Shelling
    • Order of Operation
    • Face Selection
  • Ribs
    • Rib Sketch
    • Section View
    • Converting Edges
  • Full Round Fillets
  • Thin Features
  • Exercise 32: Pump Cover
  • Exercise 33: Tool Post
  • Exercise 34: Compression Plate
  • Exercise 35: Blow Dryer
  • Exercise 36: Angles
  • Exercise 37: Arm
  • Exercise 38: Blade

Lesson 8: Editing: Repairs

  • Part Editing
  • Editing Topics
    • Information from a Model
    • Finding and Repairing Problems
    • Settings
    • What’s Wrong Dialog
    • Flat Tree View
    • Where to Begin
  • Sketch Issues
    • Box Selection
    • Lasso Selection
    • Check Sketch for Feature
    • Repair Sketch
    • Repairing Sketch Plane Issues
    • FeatureXpert
    • Fillet Repairs
    • Freezing Features
  • Exercise 39: Errors1
  • Exercise 40: Errors2
  • Exercise 41: Errors3
  • Exercise 42: Adding Draft

Lesson 9: Editing: Design Changes

  • Part Editing
  • Design Changes
    • Revisions
    • Required Changes
  • Information From a Mode
    • Part Reviewer
    • Dependencies
  • Rebuilding Tools
    • Rollback to Feature
    • Freeze Bar
    • Rebuild Feedback and Interrupt
    • Feature Suppression
    • General Tools
    • Deletions
    • Reorder
    • SketchXpert
  • Sketch Contours
    • Contours Available
    • Shared Sketches
    • Copying Fillets
  • Creating a Design Revision
  • Replace Sketch Entity
  • Exercise 43: Changes
  • Exercise 44: Editing
  • Exercise 45: SketchXpert
  • Exercise 46: Contour Sketches

Lesson 10: Configurations

  • Configurations
  • Using Configurations
    • Accessing the ConfigurationManager
    • Adding New Configurations
    • Defining the Configuration
    • Changing Configurations
    • Renaming and Copying Configurations
    • Managing Configuration Data
  • Other Methods to Create Configurations
    • Configuration Table
    • Modify Configurations
    • Design Tables
    • Derived Configurations
    • Other Uses of Configurations
  • Modeling Strategies for Configurations
  • Editing Parts that Have Configurations
  • Design Library
    • Default Settings
    • Multiple References
    • Dropping on Circular Faces
  • In the Advanced Course
  • Exercise 47: Configurations 1
  • Exercise 48: Configurations 2
  • Exercise 49: Configurations 3

Lesson 11: Global Variables and Equations

  • Using Global Variables and Equations
  • Renaming Features and Dimensions
  • Design Rules Using Global Variables and Equations
    • Wall Thickness
    • Draft Angle
    • Rib thickness
    • Fillets
  • Global Variables
  • Equations
    • Creating an Equality
    • Using the Modify Dialog
  • Using Operators and Functions
    • Operators
    • Functions
    • File Properties
    • Measure
    • Equation Solve Order
    • Direct Input of Equations
    • Editing Equations
  • Exercise 50: Using Global Variables and Equations
  • Exercise 51: Creating an Equality
  • Exercise 52: Using Equations

Lesson 12: Using Drawings

  • More About Making Drawings
  • Removed Section
    • Automatic
    • Manual
    • View Alignment
  • Detail Views
  • Drawing Sheets and Sheet Formats
    • Adding Drawing Sheets
  • Model Views
  • Section View
  • Annotations
    • Properties in Drawings
    • Notes
    • Copying Views
    • Datum Feature Symbols
    • Surface Finish Symbols
    • Dimension Properties
    • Centerlines
    • Geometric Tolerance Symbols
    • Dimension Text
  • Exercise 53: Details and Section
  • Exercise 54: Removed Sections
  • Exercise 55: Drawings

Lesson 13: Bottom-Up Assembly Modeling

  • Case Study: Universal Joint
  • Bottom-Up Assembly
  • Creating a New Assembly
  • Position of the First Component
  • FeatureManager Design Tree and Symbols
    • Degrees of Freedom
    • Components
    • Component Name
    • State of the component
  • Adding Components
    • Insert Component
    • Moving and Rotating Components
  • Mating Components
    • Mate Types and Alignment
    • Mating Concentric and Coincident
    • Width Mate
    • Rotating Inserted Components
    • Using the Component Preview Window
    • Parallel Mate
    • Dynamic Assembly Motion
    • Displaying Part Configurations in an Assembly
    • The Pin
  • Using Part Configurations in Assemblies
    • The Second Pin
    • Opening a Component
    • Creating Copies of Instances
    • Component Hiding and Transparency
    • Component Properties
  • Subassemblies
  • Smart Mates
  • Inserting Subassemblies
    • Mating Subassemblies
    • Distance Mates
    • Unit System
  • Pack and Go
  • Exercise 56: Mates
  • Exercise 57: Gripe Grinder
  • Exercise 58: Using Hide and Show Component
  • Exercise 59: Part Configurations in an Assembly
  • Exercise 60: U-Joint Changes

Lesson 14: Using Assemblies

  • Using Assemblies
  • Analyzing the Assembly
    • Mass Properties Calculations
    • Checking for Interference
    • Open Part
  • Checking for Clearances
    • Static vs. Dynamic Interference Detection
    • Performance Considerations
  • Changing the Values of Dimensions
  • Exploded Assemblies
    • Setup for the Exploded View
    • Assembly Explode
  • Rollback and Reorder Explode Steps
    • Rollback
    • Reorder
    • Changing the Explode Direction
    • Using Auto-Spacing
  • Explode Line Sketch
    • Smart Explode Line Selections
    • Manual Explode Line Selections
    • Adjusting the Explode Lines
    • Animating Exploded Views
  • Bill of Materials
  • Assembly Drawings
    • Adding Balloons
    • Editing the Exploded View
  • Exercise 61: Using Collision Detection
  • Exercise 62: Finding and Repairing Interferences
  • Exercise 63: Checking for Interferences, Collisions and Clearances
  • Exercise 64: Exploded Views and Assembly Drawings
  • Exercise 65: Exploded Views

SOLIDWORKS Essentials Course Schedule

SOLIDWORKS Essentials Training

SOLIDWORKS Essentials Class

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