SolidWorks - Tutorial for Beginners in 13 MINUTES! [ COMPLETE ]
Summary
TLDRThis 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
- π» SolidWorks is a powerful CAD software available for Windows, offering 3D CAD optimized for professional 2D drawings and complex 3D projects.
- π 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.
- π§ 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.
- βοΈ Users can set project properties like units, interface theme, and measurement display through System Options and Document Properties.
- π¨ 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.
- π Drawing aids such as live measurements, guidelines, and snapping to keypoints enhance precision and ease of use.
- π The ability to undo actions with CTRL+Z, and the Property Manager for adjusting drawing properties, are key features for efficient editing.
- π οΈ 3D objects are built from 2D entities using features like Extruded, Revolved, Swept, and Loft, which can be edited and adjusted as needed.
- π Rendering tools like Display Style and Apply Scene are available for enhancing the visual presentation of 3D projects.
- πΎ Projects can be saved as .sldprt for Parts and .sldasm for Assemblies, allowing for organization and management of complex designs.
- π 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
π 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.
π οΈ 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.
π¨ 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘SolidWorks
π‘3D CAD
π‘Part
π‘Assembly
π‘Drawing
π‘Features
π‘Sketches
π‘Entities
π‘Property Manager
π‘Extrusion
π‘Revolve
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!!!
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