Modern product designers use 3D CAD, Computer Aided Drafting, software for modelling their products. With a couple clicks the technical drawings can be created from the 3D models. In this case you can tell a client with no technical background about your product and the same model can be used to make the drawings.
One of the most used CAD program’s is SolidWorks. When you’re a new SolidWorks user things go spinning around in the toolbars with a large amount of features. Before we go into all the features I’ll give you a simple tour guide trough SolidWorks. A list of simple need-to-know facts about the interface.
Start SolidWorks from the shortcut on your desktop or go to Start-Programmes-SolidWorks. When the program is loaded you see the gray background with the logo. This is the empty mode, no files are loaded. This is the moment where you think about your product. What do you want to model?
Create a new file
When you would like to create a new file choose: File-New or press ‘Ctrl + n’ on your keyboard. You’ll get a popup window where you can select the type of file. We start with a part file.
Choose new part in the option list (The assembly and drawing will be discussed on a later post) and the full SolidWorks interface is visible. See the screenshot below. All the details about the marked subjects in the interface are explained afterwards.
Three axes
Every 3D model has three axes to orientate the model. By default these are the x, y and z axis. This is the same as a conventional free banking machine. These axes are shown in the left bottom corner of the SolidWorks interface and auto rotate when you rotate the model.
Origin
These axes come together in the origin which is shown by default when you see a blank part file. This origin is by default positioned in the center of the SolidWorks interface and will rotate automatically
Three planes
A combination of two axes creates a plane. By default there are three planes. The Top, Front and Right plane. Note that these planes are not vissible by default.
- Top Plane – x,z axes
- Front Plane – x,y axes
- Right Plane – y,z axes
You can also create custom planes but in this tutorial I focus on the basic interface.
Feature tree
The feature tree is a list of all the actions you’ve done to create the model. They’re ordered in chronological. You’ll select the sketches and features to modify them or expand them.
Feature managers
To build your part you’ll have to make a sketch, add a feature like an extrude or something like that. Click on the different tabs to switch between the managers.
Rebuild button
You can only rebuild a model when you’ve made some changes into the model. These changes can be sketch dimensions or edits in a feature. When you press the ‘Rebuild’ button a model the adjustment is implemented in your model.
SolidWorks also automatically rebuilds your models when
- you close a part or assembly;
- you open a assembly with modified parts;
- you change some parameters in a feature.
Mouse controls
- Middle mouse button
Rotate the model. In the beginning you have to learn how to use this function. - Scrollwheel
Zoom the part - Left mouse button
Action button. Create lines, confirm actions etc. - Right mouse button
Pops out the quick menu to edit or add some features.
Go to the next tutorial: 1. SolidWorks Part basics
Comments (2)
maTT says:
hey..
great work
How to make a curved flat spring…..flat spring I mean..imagine the letter “S” connected end to end.
this spring is used in sofa’s..below the seat
maTT
PIETER KRIJGSMAN says:
LOOKIN’ GOOD. nice website. will add it to my favorites and maybe i can learn or give advise some times. cheers, pieter