SOLIDWORKS 2015 Essentials

Lesson 1: SOLIDWORKS Basics and the User

Interface
SOLIDWORKS is a feature-based, parametric solid modeling software utilizing a Windows
graphical user interface.

Key Concepts
Features: The fundamental building blocks of a SOLIDWORKS model.
Sketched Features: Based on a 2D sketch (e.g., Extrude, Revolve, Sweep, Loft).
Applied Features: Created directly on the model (e.g., Fillet, Chamfer).
Parametric Modeling: Dimensions and relations define features, enabling easy modifications.
Driving Dimensions: Control feature creation (e.g., sketch dimensions, feature depth).
Relations: Geometric constraints (e.g., parallel, tangent, concentric) capture design intent.
Solid Modeling: Creates complete 3D models with geometric and topological information.
Fully Associative: Changes in the model automatically update drawings and assemblies, and
vice-versa.
Design Intent: The plan for how a model should behave when modified. Captured through
automatic and added relations, dimensions, and modeling methodology.
File References: Linking or embedding data from other files. Linked objects update with
source changes; embedded objects do not.
Computer Memory:
RAM (Random Access Memory): Volatile memory where SOLIDWORKS operates.
Fixed Memory (Hard Drive): Non-volatile storage for files.

User Interface Components

Menu Bar: Access to pull-down menus.
CommandManager: Tabbed interface with task-specific icons.
FeatureManager Design Tree: Chronological list of model features for editing.
PropertyManager: Context-sensitive dialog for defining feature properties.
Task Pane: Contains Design Library, File Explorer, Search, and other resources.
Graphics Area: Main workspace for model viewing and editing.
Reference Triad: Indicates model orientation (X, Y, Z axes).
Heads-up View Toolbar: Common view manipulation commands.

Mouse Buttons
Left: Select objects.
Right: Opens context-sensitive shortcut menu.
Middle: Rotate, pan, zoom.

System Feedback
Cursor Symbols: Indicate selection targets (vertex, edge, face).
 Options: Customize system and document settings via Tools > Options.

Lesson 2: Introduction to Sketching

2D sketching is the foundation for creating most SOLIDWORKS features.

Stages in the Sketching Process

1. Create a new Part.
2. Enter the Sketch environment.
3. Create Sketch Geometry (lines, arcs, circles).
4. Add Sketch Relations (constraints).
5. Add Dimensions.
6. Check the Sketch State.
7. Exit the Sketch environment.
8. Apply a Feature (e.g., Extrude).

Sketching Fundamentals
Sketch Plane: Select from default planes (Front, Top, Right) or any planar face.
Sketch Entities: Lines, Circles, Arcs, Rectangles, etc.
Mechanics of Sketching: Click-and-release or Click-and-drag methods.
Inference Lines (Automatic Relations): Dashed lines that help align geometry and
automatically create relations (e.g., horizontal, vertical, perpendicular).
Sketch Feedback: Cursor symbols indicate available snap points (endpoint, midpoint,
coincident).

Sketch State
Under Defined: Inadequately defined (blue geometry). Can be used for features.
Fully Defined: Completely defined (black geometry). Ideal for manufacturing.
Over Defined: Duplicate or conflicting dimensions/relations (red geometry). Requires repair.

Design Intent in Sketches

Sketch Relations: Geometric constraints that capture design intent.
Automatic: Added during sketching (e.g., horizontal, perpendicular).
Added: Manually applied (e.g., coincident, parallel, tangent).
Display/Delete Relations: Tool to view and manage relations.
Dimensions: Define size and location.
Smart Dimension: Automatically determines dimension type.
Dimensioning: Selection and preview process.

Basic Feature Creation

Extrude (Boss/Base): Creates a 3D feature by extending a 2D sketch perpendicular to its
plane.
Lesson 3: Basic Part Modeling
This lesson focuses on creating 3D parts using sketches and features.

Terminology
Feature: Any cut, boss, plane, or sketch in the model.
Plane: A flat, infinite surface for sketching.
Extrusion: Extending a profile to create a solid.
Boss: Adds material to the model.
Cut: Removes material from the model.
Fillet/Round: Smooths sharp edges.

Workflow for Basic Part Modeling

1. Choose the Best Profile: Select a profile that forms the largest portion of the part for the first
feature.
2. Choose the Sketch Plane: Select a plane that aligns with standard drawing views and design
intent. Default planes are common.
3. Sketch the Profile: Create the 2D geometry. Ensure it is fully defined using dimensions and
relations.
4. Create the First Feature (Boss Extrude): Extrude the sketch to create the base of the part.
5. Add Subsequent Features: Create bosses, cuts, or holes on planar faces or using new
reference planes.
6. Add Fillets/Rounds: Smooth sharp edges.

Key Features and Tools

Extrude Options:
End Conditions: Blind depth, Through All, Up To Next, Mid Plane, Offset From Surface.
Direction: Control extrusion direction; Reverse Direction.
Hole Wizard: Creates standard holes (counterbore, countersink, simple holes) with defined
standards and sizes (e.g., ANSI Metric, Hex Bolt). It generates two sketches: one for shape,
one for location.
Filleting: Rounds edges or faces.
Filleting Rules: Edge selection, fillet propagation.
FilletXpert: Automates filleting operations.
Round: Rounds edges or faces by removing material.
Chamfer: Creates beveled edges or vertices.

Editing Tools
Edit Sketch: Right-click a feature/sketch in the FeatureManager Design Tree and select Edit
Sketch.
Edit Feature: Right-click a feature and select Edit Feature to modify its properties in the
PropertyManager.
Rollback Bar: Drag the rollback bar in the FeatureManager Design Tree to a position before a
desired feature. This allows you to insert or edit features at a specific point in the model's
history. Use Roll to End or Rebuild to update the model.
Part Properties
Rename Feature: Assign meaningful names to features in the FeatureManager Design Tree
for clarity.
Edit Material: Assign material properties for calculations.
Mass Properties: Calculate physical properties like mass, volume, and center of mass.
File Properties: Store metadata like description and material.

Appearances
Apply visual colors and textures to faces, features, bodies, or parts. Accessible via right-click
> Appearances.

Lesson 4: Patterning, Revolved Features, and Editing

This lesson introduces tools for creating patterns, revolving sketches, and advanced editing
techniques.

Patterning
Linear Pattern: Creates instances of features or faces along a linear path.
Parameters: Spacing, Number of instances, Direction.
References: Can be edges, faces, or planes.
Options: Up To Reference (patterns until a reference position plus an offset), Skipping
Instances.
Sketch Driven Pattern: Creates pattern instances based on points defined in a sketch.
Requires a sketch with points defining the locations.

Revolved Features
Revolved Boss/Base: Creates features by revolving a sketch around an axis.
Requirements: An axisymmetric sketch and a centerline (or other axis entity) in the
sketch.
Diameter Dimensions: To create diameter dimensions, select the centerline as one of the
entities.
Angle: Default is 360 degrees. Can be set to a specific angle.
Thin Features: Can create revolved features with thin walls using an open sketch profile.

Other Features and Tools

Sweep Feature: Creates a feature by moving a profile along a path. Requires two sketches:
one for the profile (closed contour) and one for the path (open contour).
Rib Feature: Creates reinforcing ribs using minimal sketch geometry. The rib sketch defines
the profile and direction, automatically extending to intersect bounding faces.
Shell Feature: Hollows out a solid part, creating thin walls. Can remove selected faces and
apply different wall thicknesses.
Draft: Applies a taper to faces, essential for cast or molded parts. Draft Analysis helps check
for sufficient draft angles.
 Chamfers: Creates beveled edges or vertices.
Slots: Creates straight or arc slots using various methods (e.g., Centerpoint Straight Slot, 3
Point Arc Slot).
Ellipse: Creates elliptical shapes. Requires dimensioning axes and constraining orientation.

Editing and Repair

Dangling Relations/Dimensions: Occur when references no longer exist. Can be repaired by
reattaching to new geometry or using Display/Delete Relations.
Sketch Repair: Tools like Repair Sketch can automatically find and fix sketch errors (gaps,
small entities).
Edit Sketch Plane: Reassigns the plane a sketch is created on.
Replace Sketch Entity: Replaces one sketch entity with another while maintaining
downstream references.
Sketch Contours: Select specific regions within a sketch to create features, allowing for reuse
of single sketches for multiple features.
Shared Sketches: Using a single sketch to create multiple features.
Copying Fillets: Quickly duplicating existing fillets to new edges.
Feature Suppression: Temporarily removing features without deleting them.
Delete Feature: Permanently removing features. Be aware of dependent items.
Reorder: Changing the sequence of features, limited by parent/child relationships.
Freeze Bar: Temporarily prevents features above it from rebuilding or being edited.

Analysis Tools
SOLIDWORKS SimulationXpress: Performs basic stress analysis. Includes steps for options,
fixtures, loads, material, running the analysis, and optimizing the design.
Measure Tool: Measures distances, angles, and areas.

Lesson 5: Configurations
Configurations allow you to represent multiple versions of a part within a single file.

Key Concepts
ConfigurationManager: The tab used to manage configurations.
Configurations: Different states of a part, each with its own set of feature suppression states
and dimension values.
Suppress/Unsuppress: Controls the visibility and rebuild status of features for different
configurations. Suppressing a feature also suppresses its children.
Global Variables: User-defined names assigned numeric values, used to drive multiple
dimensions simultaneously.
Equations: Mathematical relationships between dimensions, global variables, and file
properties.
Driving vs. Driven: Understanding which value controls the equation.

Key Procedures
Adding Configurations: Right-click in the ConfigurationManager and select Add Configuration.
Renaming Configurations: Double-click a configuration name.
 Copying Configurations: Right-click a configuration and select Duplicate Configuration.
Suppressing Features: Right-click a feature in the FeatureManager Design Tree and select
Suppress.
Unsuppressing Features: Right-click a suppressed feature and select Unsuppress.
Creating Global Variables: Go to Tools > Equations and define variables in the Global
Variables tab.
Creating Equations: Go to Tools > Equations and define relationships in the Equations tab.
Dimensions can be directly edited by clicking on them and then clicking the Link to Property
button in the PropertyManager, which can then be used in equations.

Lesson 6: Using Drawings

Drawings provide 2D documentation of 3D SOLIDWORKS models.

Key Concepts
Drawing Views: Different representations of a model on a drawing sheet.
Model View: Creates standard views (Front, Top, Isometric, etc.).
Projected View: Creates views based on an existing view.
Section View: Cuts through a model to reveal internal details.
Detail View: Creates a magnified view of a specific area.
Broken View: Shortens long parts while maintaining scale.
View Alignment: Maintaining relationships between drawing views.
Tangent Edges: Controlling the visibility of edges related to fillets and rounds.
Annotations: Adding text, symbols, and notes.
Notes: Textual information.
Datum Feature Symbols: Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) symbols.
Surface Finish Symbols: Indicate surface texture requirements.
Drawing Sheets and Sheet Formats: Organizing drawings into multiple sheets with borders
and title blocks.
Associativity: Changes in the part model automatically update the drawing after a rebuild.
Dimension Properties: Modifying dimension appearance, leaders, tolerances, and precision.

Key Procedures
Creating a New Drawing: File > New > Drawing. Select a sheet format.
Adding Views: Use the View Palette to drag and drop views onto the drawing sheet.
Aligning Views: Drag a view; aligned views will snap to the primary view's alignment.
Adding Dimensions: Use Smart Dimension. Model Items can import dimensions from the
part.
Adding Center Marks: Use Annotation > Center Mark.
Modifying Dimensions: Select a dimension, then adjust properties like tolerance, precision,
and text in the PropertyManager.
Adding Notes: Use Annotation > Note.
Creating Section Views: Use View > Section. Define the cutting line.
Creating Detail Views: Use View > Detail. Draw a circle around the area to be magnified.
Drawing Updates: Ensure the drawing is rebuilt (Ctrl+B) after model changes.

Lesson 7: Assemblies - Bottom-Up Modeling

Bottom-up assembly involves adding and orienting existing parts.

Key Concepts
Components: Parts or sub-assemblies added to an assembly.
Mates (Liaisons): Relations that position and orient components, removing degrees of
freedom.
Degrees of Freedom: A component has 6 degrees of freedom (3 translations, 3 rotations).
Mates reduce these.
Fixed Component: The first component added to an assembly is typically fixed, establishing
the origin and orientation for the assembly.
Component States:
Fixed (f): Cannot move.
Under Defined (-): Can move freely.
Fully Defined: Position is completely constrained.
Over Defined (+): Conflicting mates.
Unresolved (?): Mate references are missing.

Key Procedures
Creating an Assembly: File > New > Assembly.
Adding Components:
Use Insert Components or drag-and-drop from open documents or Windows Explorer.
The first component is automatically fixed.
Applying Mates:
Use the Mate tool (Assembly > Mate).
Select entities (faces, edges, planes, vertices) on two components.
Choose the mate type (Coincident, Concentric, Parallel, Distance, Angle, Tangent).
Mate Alignment: Aligned or Anti-Aligned. Can be reversed.
Smart Mates: Use Alt key while dragging to create mates automatically.
Moving and Rotating Components: Use the Move Component and Rotate Component tools.
Dynamic movement is possible for under-defined components.
Component Transparency: Right-click a component > Change Transparency.
Component Suppression: Right-click a component > Suppress.
Configurations in Assemblies: Use different configurations of a part within an assembly.
Pack and Go: Gathers all related files for an assembly into a single location.

Lesson 8: Assemblies - Advanced Features

This lesson covers advanced assembly functionalities like analysis, editing, exploded views, and
BOMs.

Key Concepts
Assembly Analysis:
Mass Properties: Calculates properties for the entire assembly based on component
material properties.
Interference Detection: Finds collisions between components.
 Clearance Check: Measures the space between components.
Collision Detection: Detects collisions during dynamic component movement.
Editing Components in Assembly: Components can be edited directly within the assembly
context. Changes update the original part file.
Exploded Views: Creates views that show how an assembly is constructed by separating
components.
Steps of Explosion: Individual movements (translation/rotation) applied to components.
Exploded Line Sketch: Draws lines indicating the path of explosion.
Bill of Materials (BOM): Generates a table listing all components in the assembly.
Can be inserted into drawings.
Balloons: Automatically numbered circles linked to BOM items.

Key Procedures
Running Interference Detection: Evaluate > Interference Detection.
Editing a Component: Right-click a component > Open Part or Open Part in Position.
Creating an Exploded View: Assembly > Exploded View. Define explosion steps using
manipulators.
Creating Exploded Line Sketches: Assembly > Exploded Line Sketch.
Generating a BOM: Assembly > BOM.
Adding Balloons: Annotation > Auto Balloon.
Creating Assembly Drawings: Add views of the exploded state and insert the BOM and
balloons.

Example: Interference Detection

Imagine an assembly with a shaft inserted into a housing. If the shaft's diameter is slightly larger
than the housing's bore, an interference will occur.

1. Go to Evaluate > Interference Detection.

2. Click Calculate.
3. SOLIDWORKS will report the interfering components and the volume of interference. It can
also highlight the interfering faces.
4. To resolve, you would typically edit the part dimensions (e.g., reduce the shaft diameter or
increase the housing bore diameter) and then rebuild the assembly.

This study guide provides a comprehensive overview of the SOLIDWORKS 2015 Essentials
material, organized for effective learning and reference.