SolidWorks - Tutorial for Beginners in 13 MINUTES! [ COMPLETE ]

Summary

This tutorial introduces SolidWorks, a comprehensive CAD software for Windows, focusing on its 3D CAD capabilities for professional 2D drawings and complex 3D projects. It covers creating Part, Assembly, and Drawing projects, setting project properties, and using various drawing tools to create and edit 2D sketches and 3D features. The video also explains advanced tools for precise drawings, 3D sketching, and assembling components into a complete design. Finally, it touches on rendering features and saving projects, encouraging viewers to explore more tutorials.

Takeaways

• 💻 SolidWorks is a powerful CAD software available for Windows, offering 3D CAD optimized for professional 2D drawings and complex 3D projects.
• 📁 The software supports three main project types: Part for 2D drawings or 3D components, Assembly for combining 3D components, and Drawing for 2D descriptions of components.
• 🔧 Upon opening, the welcome screen provides options to work on existing projects or start new ones, with a Command Manager and various panels for tools and options.
• ⚙️ Users can set project properties like units, interface theme, and measurement display through System Options and Document Properties.
• 🎨 Sketch tools allow for creating 2D drawings with elements like lines, curves, arcs, circles, ellipses, rectangles, and polygons, with options to select and manipulate these entities.
• 📏 Drawing aids such as live measurements, guidelines, and snapping to keypoints enhance precision and ease of use.
• 🔄 The ability to undo actions with CTRL+Z, and the Property Manager for adjusting drawing properties, are key features for efficient editing.
• 🛠️ 3D objects are built from 2D entities using features like Extruded, Revolved, Swept, and Loft, which can be edited and adjusted as needed.
• 🌟 Rendering tools like Display Style and Apply Scene are available for enhancing the visual presentation of 3D projects.
• 💾 Projects can be saved as .sldprt for Parts and .sldasm for Assemblies, allowing for organization and management of complex designs.
• 🔄 Assembly projects enable the combination of multiple 3D components, with options to move, rotate, and edit individual parts, and apply materials to enhance appearance.

Q & A

What is SolidWorks and what does it offer?

SolidWorks is a powerful and complete CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software available for Windows operating system. It is optimized for professional 2D drawings and complex 3D projects.

What are the three types of projects one can create in SolidWorks?

In SolidWorks, one can create three types of projects: Part, Assembly, and Drawing. Part is for building 2D drawings or single 3D components, Assembly is for combining 3D components, and Drawing is for creating a 2D description of any built component.

How can one access the main tools to draw and edit in SolidWorks?

The main tools to draw and edit in SolidWorks can be found in the Command Manager located at the top of the screen when a Part project is opened.

What are the additional options available in the panels divided in sections?

The panels divided in sections provide further tools and options for drawing and editing, which can be accessed from the View and Toolbars menus.

How does one set the main project properties in SolidWorks?

To set the main project properties such as units, one can click on Options at the top of the screen to adjust either the basic System Options or the Document Properties specific to the current project.

What is the significance of the Top Plane in SolidWorks?

The Top Plane in SolidWorks is significant as it represents the ground plane, and it is suggested to always draw 2D objects on it.

What are some of the 2D drawing tools available in SolidWorks?

SolidWorks provides various 2D drawing tools such as Line, Spline, Arc, Circle, Ellipse, Rectangle, and Polygon tools.

How can one exit a 2D Sketch in SolidWorks?

To exit a 2D Sketch in SolidWorks, one can use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+Q.

What are some of the editing options available for existing drawings in SolidWorks?

In SolidWorks, one can edit existing drawings by double-clicking on any Sketch to enter it, then using the cursor to select points, lines, and curves, and setting their options from the Property Manager.

How does SolidWorks assist in making precise drawings?

SolidWorks assists in making precise drawings by showing live measurements, dashed guidelines, and snappings to object keypoints. It also allows for on-the-go corrections using Smart Dimension.

What is the difference between 2D Sketches and 3D Sketches in SolidWorks?

2D Sketches in SolidWorks physically lay on a single plane, whereas 3D Sketches can be parallel to any plane or even spread towards multiple planes, allowing for drawing 2D entities in a 3D environment.

How can one build 3D objects from 2D entities in SolidWorks?

In SolidWorks, one can build 3D objects from 2D entities by using tools like Extruded, Revolved, Swept, and Loft available on the Features tab.

How does one save a 3D component created in SolidWorks?

To save a 3D component in SolidWorks, one can use File, Save As and save it as a .sldprt Part file.

What is the purpose of an Assembly project in SolidWorks?

An Assembly project in SolidWorks is used to join multiple 3D components together, allowing for the combination and manipulation of different parts.

Outlines

00:00

😎 Introduction to SolidWorks 3D CAD

This tutorial offers an overview of SolidWorks, a comprehensive CAD software for Windows. It covers the three main types of projects: Part for 2D drawings and 3D components, Assembly for combining 3D components, and Drawing for creating 2D descriptions. The user is guided through the initial setup, including adjusting units and themes. The tutorial then delves into creating and editing 2D sketches using various tools like lines, arcs, circles, and polygons. It also introduces 3D sketches and the use of drawing aids such as live measurements and guidelines. The process of exiting a sketch and manipulating features within the Feature Manager is also explained.

05:02

🛠️ Editing Sketches and Creating 3D Features

The second paragraph focuses on editing existing sketches and creating 3D features from 2D entities. It explains how to select and modify entities, use cut, copy, and paste functions, and adjust properties like length and inclination. The paragraph also covers advanced 2D tools like Move Entities and Rotate Entities, which allow for precise adjustments. Additionally, it introduces 3D sketches, which differ from 2D sketches by allowing entities to be parallel to any plane. The user is shown how to build 3D objects using features like Extruded, Revolved, Swept, and Loft, and how to edit these features by adjusting extrusions or moving contours.

10:03

🎨 Rendering and Assembly in SolidWorks

The final paragraph discusses rendering techniques to enhance the 3D project preview and the process of assembling 3D components. It covers the use of Display Style and Apply Scene for different lighting and environments. The tutorial then moves on to saving the 3D component as a Part file and assembling these components in an Assembly project. It explains how to import, move, rotate, and edit parts within the assembly, as well as how to apply materials to the parts for a realistic appearance. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to explore more tutorials on the YouTube channel.

Keywords

💡SolidWorks

SolidWorks is a powerful and comprehensive CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software used for creating 2D drawings and 3D models. It is available for Windows operating systems and is optimized for professional use in various industries. In the video, SolidWorks is the main subject, with the tutorial focusing on how to use its features for designing and modeling.

💡3D CAD

3D CAD stands for 3D Computer-Aided Design, which refers to the use of specialized software to create detailed 3D models of objects or assemblies. It is a crucial aspect of modern design and engineering processes. In the context of the video, 3D CAD is the core functionality of SolidWorks, enabling users to design complex 3D projects.

💡Part

In SolidWorks, a 'Part' refers to a single 3D component or a 2D drawing that can be used as a standalone object or as part of an assembly. The video explains that Parts are fundamental in SolidWorks for creating individual 3D objects or 2D drawings, which can then be combined in an Assembly.

💡Assembly

An 'Assembly' in SolidWorks is a project type used to combine multiple 3D components, or Parts, together to form a complete system or product. The video script describes how to use Assembly to import and arrange different Parts, showcasing the process of creating a complex design by integrating individual components.

💡Drawing

A 'Drawing' in the context of SolidWorks is a 2D representation or description of a 3D model, used for documentation and manufacturing purposes. The script mentions that Drawings are very useful for realizing documents, providing a 2D description of any built component.

💡Features

Features in SolidWorks are 3D objects that are created from 2D sketches. They can include various geometric forms and are manipulated using tools like extrusion, revolution, and lofting. The video script explains how to use these tools to build 3D objects from 2D sketches, which are then used to form more complex assemblies.

💡Sketches

Sketches are 2D drawings created within SolidWorks that serve as the basis for 3D features. They are composed of entities like lines, curves, and shapes. The video script details how to use various sketching tools to create 2D drawings, which are essential for defining the shape and dimensions of 3D objects.

💡Entities

Entities in SolidWorks refer to the basic elements used in sketches, such as lines, curves, arcs, and circles. These are the building blocks for creating more complex 2D sketches and, subsequently, 3D features. The script provides examples of using entities like lines and curves to start making 2D drawings.

💡Property Manager

The Property Manager in SolidWorks is a panel that allows users to modify the properties of selected entities, such as dimensions, relations, and appearance. The video script mentions using the Property Manager to change drawing properties and to adjust the characteristics of entities within a sketch.

💡Extrusion

Extrusion is a 3D modeling technique where a 2D shape is extended in a specific direction to create a 3D object. In the video, extrusion is one of the methods explained for converting 2D sketches into 3D features, allowing users to add depth to their designs.

💡Revolve

Revolve is a feature in SolidWorks that creates a 3D object by rotating a 2D sketch around an axis. This technique is used to generate symmetrical shapes like bottles or cylindrical parts. The video script describes how to use the Revolve tool to build 3D objects by revolving a 2D section.

Highlights

Introduction to SolidWorks, a powerful and complete CAD software.

SolidWorks is available for Windows and optimized for professional 2D drawings and complex 3D projects.

Overview of the three project types in SolidWorks: Part, Assembly, and Drawing.

Tutorial on starting a Part project in SolidWorks and understanding the Command Manager and panels.

Setting main project properties such as units and system options.

How to start drawing in a Part project with tools for 2D drawings called Sketches.

Using the Line tool to create straight segments and the Spline tool for curves.

Drawing arcs, circles, ellipses, rectangles, and polygons with the respective tools.

Using the Property Manager to change drawing properties and modes.

SolidWorks' drawing aids like live measurements, guidelines, and snapping to keypoints.

Exiting a Sketch and manipulating it in the Feature Manager.

Editing existing drawings by entering a Sketch and modifying entities.

Using Smart Dimension for precise annotations and on-the-go corrections.

Advanced 2D tools for moving and rotating entities in a Sketch.

Introduction to 3D Sketches and their difference from 2D Sketches.

Building 3D objects from 2D entities using tools like Extruded, Revolved, Swept, and Loft.

Editing 3D Features by adjusting faces, contours, and subcomponents.

Using Display Style and Apply Scene to render the 3D project.

Saving a Part project as a .sldprt file in SolidWorks.

Creating an Assembly project to combine multiple 3D components.

Editing Parts within an Assembly and applying materials with Appearances.

Conclusion and invitation to visit the YouTube channel for more tutorials.

Transcripts

Dear all, welcome to this new tutorial! In just 13 minutes we are

going to see everything you need to know about SolidWorks - one of the

most powerful and complete CAD software!

SolidWorks is available for Windows operative system in several versions.

We are going to see SolidWorks 3D CAD, optimized for

professional 2D drawings and complex 3D projects.

As you open SolidWorks its welcome screen shows up in order to go ahead

with any existing project you have or start with a new one.

There are three kinds of projects: Part is used to build 2D drawings or single

3D components; Assembly to combine these 3D components together and Drawing

to get a 2D description of any built component, very useful to realize

documents.

To see how to use SolidWorks, let's start with a Part project. This opens

a big preview with the Command Manager on top - with the main tools to

draw and edit - and several panels divided in sections for additional

options. You can find further tools from View, Toolbars.

At first you may need to set the main project properties, such as the units

to use. Click on Options on top to adjust either the basic System Options

or the Document Properties specific to your current project. For example on

System, Colors you can choose a Dark theme for the general interface; on

Document, Units you can adjust the units to use and on Dimensions you can

set how to show measurements in detail.

At this point you are ready to start drawing! In a Part project you can

drop 3D objects called Features and 2D drawings called Sketches, starting

from elements like lines and curves called Entities. Let's start making

2D drawings.

From the Sketch section on top you find all the tools to 2D-draw. The first

time you enable any tool you have to choose the plane to draw on, from

either the preview or the quick selection list on the left. We suggest to

always draw 2D objects on the Top Plane, which represents the ground plane.

At this point you can start drawing!

With the Line tool you can drop consecutive straight segments by clicking

multiple times, using the Escape key to stop drawing. Use the Enter key to

always recall the latest tool and draw again.

With the Spline tool you can draw a spline curve by fixing several nodes,

double-clicking on the last one to apply. Whereas use the Arc tool to drop

an arc with two points for the radius and another for the arc length.

Enable the Circle and the Ellipse tool to drop circles and ellipses with

two or three points. Whereas use the Rectangle and the Polygon tools to drop

regular shapes by clicking twice. Consider that all rectangles and polygons

are simply groups of straight segments combined together.

Each 2D tool includes other drawing modes under the down arrow. You can

hover over the main button to get useful tips.

Furthermore the Property Manager on the left allows to change the drawing

mode as well as the drawing properties, such as the sides of a polygon.

Remember to use CTRL+Z to undo your latest actions.

SolidWorks has several drawing aids. While drawing it shows live

measurements on length and radius, as well as dashed guidelines to follow

perpendicular or tangent directions. You also get snappings to object

keypoints like endpoints, midpoints and centers that you can disable by

holding down the CTRL key. Special symbols on your cursor or on sides show

the kind of relations applied on such entities.

All drawings made are part of a single 2D Sketch called Sketch1, as you can

see at the bottom. You can check these by zooming in and out with your

mouse wheel and moving around with the arrow keys while holding down the

CTRL key.

To apply this Sketch and exit from it, use CTRL+Q. At this point you

can select any Sketch from the Feature Manager to move it with the arrows

or scale it with its nodes. You can also right-click on it and go to Delete...

to remove it.

Whereas to go on with a new 2D Sketch exit from any and draw with any tool,

selecting the right plane again.

To edit existing drawings double-click on any Sketch to enter it first.

With no tools enabled you can use your cursor to select points, lines and

curves, setting their options from the Property Manager on the left. These

include relations, length, inclination and center positions, according to

the entity selected.

You can cut, copy and paste a selected entity with CTRL and X, C and V.

Cut any entity to remove it in no time.

You can drag any node to move it or any side or circle to adjust length

an radius. From the dialog box you also get additional options, such as

Horizontal or Vertical to make any side parallel to main directions with a

proper relation or Construction Geometry to turn the entity into a

guideline for your next drawings.

With SolidWorks you can also make precise drawings while using your

keyboard. If you enable Smart Dimension on top you can select points, sides

and curves to drop useful annotations on any distance, length or radius but

also correct them on-the-go by typing in and applying with the Enter key.

These annotations also move and edit entities in order to respect their

relation.

From the Sketch section you also have advanced 2D tools. Select any entity

and enable Move Entities to move it without changing its properties,

right-clicking to apply.

These tools can also be applied to groups of entities.

Click and drag on it to select all of its sides or select each one

while holding down the CTRL key. At this point you can enable Rotate

Entities, define the center of rotation and then rotate the group. Always

check the entities selected on the left and all relations applied to them

in case the tool does not work as expected.

Besides 2D Sketches you can drop 3D Sketches to draw 2D entities in a 3D

environment. These differ since 2D Sketches physically lay on a single

plane, whereas 3D Sketches can be parallel to any plane or even spread

towards multiple planes.

The way to draw 3D Sketches is identical to 2D ones, enabling any drawing

tool and selecting the right plane. You can always change the plane to use

by selecting it and going to Normal To.

To get a complete 3D preview right-click, go to Rotate View and click and

drag around, using the Escape key to exit. You can also use the Spacebar

key to select specific views.

From the Orientation dialog you can also change the coordinate system. By

default SolidWorks uses XZ as ground plane and Y for depth but you can

switch to XY and Z for depth. Pay attention that this won't change the

existing planes you have.

If you are in a 3D view you can only draw 3D Sketckes. In this case the

cursor shows the reference plane that can be changed with the Tab key.

Always use CTRL+Q to exit the Sketch and enable another tool to make a

new independent 3D Sketch.

You can edit the entities of 3D Sketches in the same way, with some

additional options to make relations and additional axis when you move

or rotate these.

Now let's build 3D objects! On the Features tab you will find several tools to

build 3D objects from 2D entities that can be either 2D or 3D Sketches,

depending on the tool. Pay attention that these Sketches become part of the

new 3D Feature object, so make sure to dedicate an independent Sketch per

each new Feature you are going to make.

Enable Extruded and select a 2D Sketch entity to add extrusion to it,

adjusting proper options on the left. Then right-click or use the green

checkmark button to apply. The 3D Feature built shows some effects, such as

shadow and reflections.

The 2D Sketch used becomes a sub-component inside the 3D Feature but you

can always edit it as seen. The 3D Feature simply gets updated according to

your modifications.

Enable Revolved to build a 3D object by revolving a 2D section around an

axis. Click on Axis to select any line to use as axis. Then click on

Selected Contours to select the 2D entity to revolve. Make sure to adjust

properties and degrees from the left.

With Swept you can build tubes and conductors. Click on the blue slot to select

the entity to take as section and on the pink one to specify the conductor

path. Make sure that the original section is placed near the conductor

path. You can also select Circular Profile to use a circular section with

proper diameter.

Enable Loft to select the blue Profiles to use as section, applying at

each step and connecting these in the correct order. There is also the

possibility to specify a guide curve in pink color.

To edit these 3D Features you can select any face or contour and use the

arrows to adjust the extrusion or move these. You can also modify the

subcomponents to reshape the entire object.

SolidWorks collects several features to render your 3D project. Use Display

Style to change the preview mode and Apply Scene to set different lights

and environment.

As you finish designing your 3D component you can save it with File, Save

As in a .sldprt Part file. Even if your Part project collects multiple

Sketches and Features SolidWorks sees it as single 3D component, so part

of a complete and complex design.

To join all these 3D components together you must open an Assembly project

by going to New, Assembly. At this point import your first component from

the left - becoming your main reference. Then import all the others with

Layout, Insert Component.

Except for the reference you can select any Part to move or rotate it. You

can also right-click on it and go to Edit Part to modify its Features and

Sketches. The first time you must save your Assembly project in a

.sldasm file.

As you finish editing any Part you can return back by right-clicking on the

first level and going to Edit Assembly.

Moreover you can go to Appearances to apply a particular material to the

selected Part. This affects it entirely and it can't be applied on single

Sketches or Features inside it.

This is all! Thank you very much for watching! Do not forget to visit our

YouTube channel for more amazing and outstanding free tutorials!!!