SOLIDWORKS Surface Modeling Course Overview

The “SOLIDWORKS Surface Modeling” course offered by designandprocess.com is an in-depth training program designed to teach participants how to build organic and freeform shapes using SOLIDWORKS’ surface modeling toolset. This course aims to boost 3D modeling skills by diving into hands-on training that enables the creation of complex designs easily and efficiently. It is positioned as a crucial step for becoming proficient in high-demand CAD techniques, setting participants up for success in design-centric industries.

The course covers creating complex organic shapes with surfacing tools, fixing geometry issues, cleaning up scan data, mastering complex lofting, sweeps, boundary blends, surface trims, combining solid and surface modeling techniques through hybrid modeling, and evaluating parts for curvature continuity to enhance part quality and manufacturability.

Skills Learned:

Create complex organic shapes with Surfacing Tools
Fix issues with geometry and clean up scan data
Master complex lofting, sweeps, boundary blends, & surface trims
Combine solid and surface modeling techniques with hybrid modeling
Evaluate parts for curvature continuity to improve part quality and improve manufacturability

Course Duration

2 Days (7 hours/day)

Prerequisites

SOLIDWORKS Essentials Course

SOLIDWORKS Advanced Part Modeling Course

Course Examples

NURBS

Understanding NURBS & Face Curves

Swept Surfaces

Create helical-scrolled multi-body decorative surface

Filled Surfaces & Blends

Blend complex boundary surfaces for a smooth finish

Sketch Picture to Surface

Create complex multi-body surfaces from 2D images

Master Models

Create master models with surfaces & propagate changes

Continuity Evaluation

Evaluate part smoothness and continuity

SOLIDWORKS Surface Modeling Course Syllabus

Lesson 1: Understanding Surfaces

Solids and Surfaces

Geometry vs. Topology

What is a Solid?

Euler’s Formula

Behind the Scenes

Adjusting FeatureManager Settings
Introducing: Extruded Surface
Introducing: Planar Surface
Introducing: Trim Surface
Introducing: Untrim Surface
Face Curves and Mesh Preview
Introducing: Face Curves
Surface Types
Four-Sided Surfaces
Introducing: Knit Surface

Creating Solids from Surfaces

Introducing: Create Solid
Introducing: Thicken.

Decomposing a Solid into Surfaces

Introducing: Delete Face. .

Additional Surface Concepts

Boolean Operations.
Edges vs. Holes

Take Aways
Why Use Surfaces?

When Not to Use Surfaces
Hybrid Modeling

Continuity Explained
Workflow with Surfaces

Working with Images
Layout Sketch
Identify Symmetry and Edges
Identify Functional Faces
Check your Models Frequently
Check Entity
Understanding Rebuild Options
Introducing: Verification on Rebuild
Folders in the FeatureManager Design Tree.
Clean-up

Exercise 1: Trimming Surfaces.
Exercise 2: Trimming and Knitting

Introducing: Curve Through Reference Points

Lesson 2: Introduction to Surfacing

Similarities Between Solid and Surface Modeling
Basic Surfacing

Introducing: Revolved Surface
Introducing: Swept Surface
Filleting Surfaces
Cutting the Bottom
Introducing: Radiate Surface
Introducing: Cut with Surface

Sharing a Model
Alternative to Trim

Introducing: Intersect
Solid from Imported Surfaces
Changing a Solid With a Surface
Recreating a Molded Part

Exercise 3: Basic Surface Modeling

Introducing: Extend Surface

Exercise 4: Halyard Guide
Exercise 5: Finial Scroll

Ruled Surface

Exercise 6: Using Intersect
Exercise 7: Camera Body

Lesson 3: Solid-Surface Hybrid Modeling

Hybrid Modeling
Using Surfaces to Modify Solids

Display
Introducing: Replace Face

Interchanging Between Solids and Surfaces
Performance Implications

What Contributes to Rebuild Time?

Surfaces as Construction Geometry

Stages in the Process

Intersection Curve Feature
Making Copies of Faces

Introducing: Offset Surface
Repairing Countersunk Hole Problem

Flattening Surfaces

Introducing: Surface Flatten

Exercise 8: Lofting Between Surfaces
Exercise 9: Finial Wrap
Exercise 10: Flatten Surface

Lesson 4: Repairing and Editing Imported Geometry

Importing Data

Modeling Kernels
Contents of a CAD File
File Formats
Format Recommendations

File Translation
Why Do Imports Fail?
SOLIDWORKS Import Options

3D Interconnect for Native File Formats
3D Interconnect for Neutral File Formats

Importing a STEP File

Introducing: Import Diagnostics
Addressing Errors in 3D Interconnect Imports
Another Option

Comparing Geometry

Addressing Translation Errors

Repairing and Editing Imported Geometry

Introducing: Check Entity.
Introducing: Display Curvature
Patching Strategies
Introducing: Filled Surface
Another Strategy .

Procedure for Rebuilding Fillets

Extend Surface
Editing Imported Parts
Delete Hole

Exercise 11: Import Diagnosis
Exercise 12: Using Import Surface and Replace Face
Exercise 13: Repairing Imported Geometry

Lesson 5: Blends and Patches

Smoothing Patches

Three Alternative Approaches

Boundary Surface

Introducing: Boundary Surface

Corner Blends

Stages in the Process
Alternative Approach
Spline on Surface
Introducing: Spline on Surface

Exercise 14: Bathtub Fillet
Exercise 15: Corner Blend

Lesson 6: Complex Blends

Complex Blends

Stages in the Process
Splitting Trim Boundaries
The Cumulative Effect of Tolerances
Hide/Show Bodies
Introducing: Hide/Show Bodies
Using the Tab Key
Trimming the Bottom Bracket

Freeform Feature

Introducing: Freeform
Mesh Orientation
Using the Triad
Moving Control Points
Undoing Changes
Boundary Conditions

Exercise 16: Bicycle Frame
Exercise 17: Patches

Lesson 7: Advanced Surface Modeling

Stages in the Process

Using Sketch Pictures
Creating the Parting Surface
Construction Surfaces
Lofted Surface
Adding a Loft Section
An Alternative Approach

Modeling the Lower Half

Introducing: Partial Ellipse
Preparation for Using Filled Surface
Completing the Solid Model

Design Changes

Dynamic Feature Editing
Introducing: Instant3D
Replacing the Planar Face
Creating a Flat Surface

Exercise 18: Mouse Model
Exercise 19: Bar of Soap
Exercise 20: Handle

Lesson 8: Master Model Techniques

Introduction to Master Models

Transmitting Curve Data
Push and Pull type Operations
Naming Bodies
Specifying the Configuration of the Parent
Split Feature
Summary of Recommendations

Surface Master Model Technique

Propagating Changes

Working with a Solid Master Model

Splitting the Part
Modeling the Keypad

Specialized Features for Plastic Parts

Introducing: Fastening Features
Mounting Boss
Reveal
Introducing: Draft Analysis
Snap Hook and Groove
Favorites
Saving the Bodies and Creating an Assembly

Exercise 21: Solid Master Model