Introduction to SolidWorks Software

Marine Advanced Technology Education

Design Tools

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
What is SolidWorks?

SolidWorks is design automation software.

In SolidWorks, you sketch ideas and experiment with

different designs to create 3D models.

SolidWorks is used by students, designers,

engineers, and other professionals to produce
simple and complex parts, assemblies, and
drawings.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
The SolidWorks Model

The SolidWorks model is made up of:

Parts

Assemblies

Drawings

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
The SolidWorks Model

Part Part

Drawing Assembly Drawing

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Features

Features are
the building
blocks of the
part.

Features are
the shapes
and operations
that construct
the part.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Examples of Shape Features

Base Feature
First feature
in part.
Created from
a 2D sketch.
Forms the
work piece to
which other
features are
added.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Examples of Shape Features

Boss feature
Adds material
to part.

Created from
2D sketch.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Examples of Shape Features

Cut feature
Removes
material from
part.
Created from
2D sketch.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Examples of Shape Features

Hole feature
Removes
material.
Works like
more
intelligent
cut feature.
Corresponds
to process
such as
counter-sink,
thread, counter-
bore.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Examples of Shape Features

Fillet feature
Used to
round off
sharp edges.
Can remove
or add
material.
Outside edge
(convex fillet)
removes
material.
Inside edge
(concave fillet)
adds material.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Examples of Shape Features

Chamfer
feature
Similar to a
fillet.
Bevels an
edge rather
than rounding
it.
Can remove or
add material.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Sketched Features & Operation Features

Sketched Features
Shape features have sketches.

Sketched features are built from 2D profiles.

Operation Features
Operation features do not have sketches.

Applied directly to the work piece by selecting edges or

faces.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
To Create an Extruded Base Feature:

1. Select a sketch plane.

2. Sketch a 2D profile.

Select the sketch plane Sketch the 2D profile

3. Extrude the sketch
perpendicular to
sketch plane.

Extrude the sketch Resulting base feature

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
To Create a Revolved Base Feature:

1. Select a sketch plane. Centerline (optional)

2. Sketch a 2D profile.

3. Sketch a centerline (optional).

4. Revolve the sketch around

a sketch line or centerline.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Terminology: Document Window

Divided into two panels:

Left panel contains
the FeatureManager
design tree.
Lists the structure of
the part, assembly or
drawing.
Right panel contains
the Graphics Area.
Location to display,
create, and modify
a part, assembly or
drawing.
FeatureManager Graphics Area
design tree

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Terminology: User Interface

Menu Toolbar
Bar

Task pane
Command
Manager

Drawing
document
window
Part
document
window

Status bar

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Toolbars

Buttons for frequently used commands.

You can select the toolbars to display.

Toolbars are displayed at the top and sides of the

window.

You can also access the toolbars from the

CommandManager.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Left Side of SolidWorks Window

FeatureManager Property Configuration

design tree Manager Manager

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Right Side of SolidWorks Window

The Task Pane

SolidWorks Resources Design Library

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Terminology: PropertyManager

Preview
Confirmation
corner

Property
Manager Handle

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Using the Mouse for View Control
Magnify or reduce the view of a model in the graphics area.

Zoom to Fit displays the part so that it fills the

current window. Double click the scroll wheel
Zoom In/Out drag the pointer upward to zoom in.
Drag the pointer downward to zoom out.
Rotate the scroll wheel
Rotate drag the pointer upward to zoom in. Drag the
pointer downward to zoom out.
Click the left mouse button & Drag
Pan drag the pointer upward to zoom in. Drag the
pointer downward to zoom out.
Click the scroll wheel & Drag

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Display Modes

Illustrate the part in various display modes.

Wireframe Hidden lines Hidden Lines Shaded With Shaded

Visible Removed Edges

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
View Orientation

Changes the view display to correspond to one of the

standard view orientations.

Front Top
Left
Right
Back
Bottom
Normal To
Isometric (selected plane
or planar face)

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Terminology: Basic Geometry

Axis - An implied centerline that

runs through every cylindrical
feature. Axis
Plane
Plane - A flat 2D surface.
Origin - The point where the
three default reference planes
intersect. The coordinates of the
origin are:
Origin
(x = 0, y = 0, z = 0).

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Terminology: Basic Geometry

Face
The surface or skin
of a part. Faces can
be flat or curved. Vertex Edge
Edge
The boundary of
a face. Edges can
be straight or curved.
Vertex
The corner where
edges meet. Edge
Faces

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Features and Commands

Features used to
build the box are:

Extruded Base feature

Fillet feature
1.Base Feature 2.Fillet Feature
Shell feature

Extruded Cut feature

3.Shell Feature 4.Cut Feature

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Features and Commands

To create the extruded base feature

for the box:

Sketch a rectangular profile on a

2D plane.

Extrude the sketch.

By default extrusions are

perpendicular to the sketch plane.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Features and Commands

Fillet feature

The fillet feature rounds the

edges or faces of a part.

Select the edges to be

rounded. Selecting a face
rounds all the edges of that
face.

Specify the fillet radius.

Fillet
Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Features and Commands
Wall Thickness

Shell feature

The shell feature removes material

from the selected face.

Using the shell feature creates a

hollow box from a solid box.

Specify the wall thickness

for the shell feature.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Features and Commands

To create the extruded cut

feature for the box:
Sketch the 2D circular profile.
Extrude the 2D Sketch profile
perpendicular to the sketch
plane.
Enter Through All for the end
condition.
The cut penetrates through
the entire part.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Dimensions and Geometric Relationships

Specify dimensions and geometric relationships

between features and sketches.
Dimensions change the size and shape of the part.
Mathematical relationships between dimensions can be
controlled by equations.
Geometric relationships are the rules that
control the behavior of sketch geometry.
Geometric relationships help capture design
intent.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Dimensions

Dimensions
Base depth = 50 mm

Boss depth = 25 mm

Mathematical relationship
Boss depth = Base depth 2

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Geometric Relationships

Horizontal
Vertical

Intersection Parallel

Tangent

Concentric Perpendicular
Confidential
Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Information
Creating New Files Using Templates

Click New on the Standard toolbar.

Select a document template:
Part
Assembly
Drawing

Tutorial Tab

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Document Templates

Document Templates control the units, grid, text, and

other settings for the model.
The Tutorial document templates are required to
complete the exercises in the Online Tutorials.
The templates are located in the Tutorial tab on the
New SolidWorks Document dialog box.
Document properties are saved in templates.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Document Properties

Accessed through
the Tools, Options
menu.
Control settings like:
Units: English (inches)
or Metric (millimeters)
Grid/Snap Settings
Colors, Material
Properties and Image
Quality

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Creating a 2D Sketch

1. Click Sketch on the Sketch

toolbar.

2. Select the Front

plane as a sketch
plane.

3. Click Rectangle
on the Sketch
Tools toolbar.

4. Move the pointer to

the Sketch Origin.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Creating a 2D Sketch

5. Click the left mouse button.

6. Drag the pointer

up and to the right.

7. Click the left

mouse button
again.

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
Adding Dimensions

Dimensions specify the size of the model.

To create a dimension:
1. Click Smart Dimension on the Dimensions/Relations toolbar.

2. Click the 2D geometry.

Text location
3. Click the text location.

4. Enter the dimension value.

2D geometry

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.
The Status of a Sketch

Under defined
Additional dimensions or relations
are required.
Under defined sketch entities are
blue (by default).
Fully defined
No additional dimensions or relationships
are required.
Fully defined sketch entities are
black (by default).
Over defined
Contains conflicting dimensions or
relations, or both.
Over defined sketch entities are
red (by default).

Images and models created with SolidWorks software. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systmes.