SOLIDWORKS 2021

A Step-By-Step Tutorial Guide

for Beginners (Mixed Units)

Provider of High Quality Learning Material at Affordable Price

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Table of Contents
Dedication .......................................................................................................................... 3
Preface ............................................................................................................................... 13

Chapter 1. Introduction to SOLIDWORKS .............................................................. 17 - 32

Installing SOLIDWORKS ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Getting Started with SOLIDWORKS ................................................................................................................. 18
Invoking a New SOLIDWORKS Document .................................................................................................... 19
Invoking the Part Modeling Environment ............................................................................................... 20
Invoking the Assembly Environment ........................................................................................................ 26
Invoking the Drawing Environment ........................................................................................................... 27
Identifying SOLIDWORKS Documents ........................................................................................................... 28
Invoking a Shortcut Menu ...................................................................................................................................... 28
Customizing the Context Toolbar ....................................................................................................................... 28
Customizing the CommandManager ................................................................................................................ 30
Working with Mouse Gestures .............................................................................................................................. 31
Saving Documents .................................................................................................................................................... 32
Opening Existing Documents ............................................................................................................................... 32
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Questions ..................................................................................................................................................................... 32

Chapter 2. Creating and Editing Sketches ............................................................. 33 - 90

Invoking the Sketching Environment ................................................................................................................. 35
Specifying Units ......................................................................................................................................................... 36
Drawing a Line ............................................................................................................................................................ 38
Drawing a Tangent Arc by Using Line Tool ...................................................................................................... 39
Drawing a Centerline ............................................................................................................................................... 39
Drawing a Midpoint Line ........................................................................................................................................ 40
Drawing a Rectangle ................................................................................................................................................. 41
Corner Rectangle Tool .................................................................................................................................... 41
Center Rectangle Tool ..................................................................................................................................... 41
3 Point Corner Rectangle Tool ..................................................................................................................... 42
3 Point Center Rectangle Tool ..................................................................................................................... 42
Drawing a Parallelogram ......................................................................................................................................... 42
Drawing a Circle ......................................................................................................................................................... 42
Circle Tool ........................................................................................................................................................... 43
Perimeter Circle Tool ....................................................................................................................................... 43
Drawing an Arc ........................................................................................................................................................... 43
Centerpoint Arc Tool ...................................................................................................................................... 44
Tangent Arc Tool .............................................................................................................................................. 44
3 Point Arc Tool ................................................................................................................................................. 45
Drawing a Polygon ..................................................................................................................................................... 45
Drawing a Slot ............................................................................................................................................................. 46
Straight Slot Tool ............................................................................................................................................... 47
Centerpoint Straight Slot Tool ..................................................................................................................... 48
6 Table of Contents

3 Point Arc Slot Tool ........................................................................................................................................ 48

Centerpoint Arc Slot Tool ............................................................................................................................. 48
Drawing an Ellipse ..................................................................................................................................................... 49
Drawing an Elliptical Arc ........................................................................................................................................ 49
Drawing a Parabola ................................................................................................................................................... 50
Drawing Conic Curves ............................................................................................................................................. 50
Drawing a Spline ......................................................................................................................................................... 51
Spline Tool ............................................................................................................................................................ 51
Equation Driven Curve Tool .......................................................................................................................... 51
Style Spline Tool ................................................................................................................................................ 53
Editing a Spline ........................................................................................................................................................... 54
Editing and Modifying Sketches .......................................................................................................................... 54
Trimming Sketch Entities ............................................................................................................................... 55
Extending Sketch Entities .............................................................................................................................. 57
Offsetting Sketch Entities ............................................................................................................................. 58
Mirroring Sketch Entities ............................................................................................................................... 59
Applying Geometric Relations ............................................................................................................................. 60
Applying Geometric Relation by using the Pop-up Toolbar ............................................................. 61
Applying Geometric Relation by using the Add Relation Tool ....................................................... 62
Applying Dimensions ............................................................................................................................................... 63
Modifying/Editing Dimensions ............................................................................................................................ 64
Working with Different States of a Sketch ....................................................................................................... 65
Under Defined Sketch .................................................................................................................................... 65
Fully Defined Sketch ....................................................................................................................................... 65
Over Defined Sketch ....................................................................................................................................... 65
Tutorial 1: Creating a Sketch (Millimeters) ...................................................................................................... 66
Starting SOLIDWORKS ................................................................................................................................. 67
Invoking the Sketching Environment ........................................................................................................ 67
Specifying Units, Grids, and Snap Settings ............................................................................................. 68
Drawing the Sketch ......................................................................................................................................... 70
Applying Relations ........................................................................................................................................... 73
Applying Dimensions ...................................................................................................................................... 74
Saving the Sketch ............................................................................................................................................. 76
Tutorial 2: Creating and Editing a Sketch (Inches) ....................................................................................... 76
Starting SOLIDWORKS ................................................................................................................................. 77
Invoking the Sketching Environment ........................................................................................................ 77
Specifying Unit Settings ................................................................................................................................. 77
Creating the Sketch ......................................................................................................................................... 78
Trimming Sketch Entities ............................................................................................................................... 82
Applying Relations ........................................................................................................................................... 83
Applying Dimensions ...................................................................................................................................... 86
Saving the Sketch ............................................................................................................................................. 87
Exercise 1 (Millimeters) ........................................................................................................................................... 88
Exercise 2 (Millimeters) .......................................................................................................................................... 88
Exercise 3 (Inches) ................................................................................................................................................... 89
Exercise 4 (Inches) ................................................................................................................................................... 89
Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................... 90
Questions .................................................................................................................................................................... 90
 SOLIDWORKS 2021 > 7

Chapter 3. Creating Extrude and Revolve Features .............................................. 91 - 116

Introducing an Extrude Feature ........................................................................................................................... 93
Tutorial 1: Creating an Extrude Feature (Millimeters) ................................................................................. 93
Starting SOLIDWORKS ................................................................................................................................. 94
Invoking the Sketching Environment ........................................................................................................ 94
Specifying Units ................................................................................................................................................ 94
Creating a Sketch of the Extrude Feature ............................................................................................... 95
Creating the Extrude Feature ...................................................................................................................... 99
Saving the model ............................................................................................................................................. 102
Introducing a Revolve Feature ............................................................................................................................ 103
Tutorial 2: Creating a Revolve Feature (Inches) ........................................................................................... 103
Invoking the Sketching Environment ...................................................................................................... 104
Specifying Unit Settings ............................................................................................................................... 104
Drawing the Sketch of the Revolve Feature ......................................................................................... 105
Mirroring Sketch Entities ............................................................................................................................. 108
Applying Dimensions .................................................................................................................................... 109
Creating a Revolve Feature .......................................................................................................................... 112
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................. 114
Exercise 1 (Millimeters) .......................................................................................................................................... 114
Exercise 2 (Millimeters) ......................................................................................................................................... 114
Exercise 3 (Inches) ................................................................................................................................................... 115
Exercise 4 (Inches) ................................................................................................................................................... 115
Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................... 116
Questions .................................................................................................................................................................... 116

Chapter 4. Creating Multi-Feature 3D Models .................................................... 117 - 172

Navigating a 3D Model in Graphics Area ........................................................................................................ 117
Zoom In/Out ..................................................................................................................................................... 118
Zoom To Fit ........................................................................................................................................................ 118
Zoom to Area .................................................................................................................................................... 119
Zoom to Selection ........................................................................................................................................... 119
Pan ......................................................................................................................................................................... 119
Rotate .................................................................................................................................................................. 119
Manipulating the View Orientation of a Model ............................................................................................ 119
Manipulating Orientation Using the View Orientation Flyout ...................................................... 120
Manipulating Orientation Using the Orientation Dialog box ......................................................... 121
Manipulating Orientation Using the View Selector Cube ............................................................... 123
Manipulating Orientation Using the Triad ............................................................................................. 123
Changing the Display Style of a Model ............................................................................................................ 124
Shaded With Edges ........................................................................................................................................ 124
Shaded ................................................................................................................................................................ 124
Hidden Lines Removed ................................................................................................................................ 124
Hidden Lines Visible ...................................................................................................................................... 125
Wireframe .......................................................................................................................................................... 125
Tutorial 1: Creating Fixture Block (Millimeters) ............................................................................................ 126
Invoking a New Part Document ................................................................................................................ 126
Specifying the Unit System ......................................................................................................................... 127
Creating the Base Extrude Feature ........................................................................................................... 127
8 Table of Contents

Creating the Second Extrude Feature ..................................................................................................... 129

Creating an Extrude Cut Feature ............................................................................................................... 131
Creating a Rib Feature ................................................................................................................................... 133
Creating a Chamfer ........................................................................................................................................ 135
Assigning the Material ................................................................................................................................... 137
Calculating Mass Properties ....................................................................................................................... 139
Saving the model ............................................................................................................................................ 140
Tutorial 2: Creating Toggle Lever (Inches) ...................................................................................................... 141
Starting SOLIDWORKS and a New Part Document ........................................................................ 142
Specifying the Unit System ......................................................................................................................... 142
Creating the Base Extrude Feature ........................................................................................................... 142
Creating the Extrude Cut Feature ............................................................................................................ 144
Mirroring a Feature ......................................................................................................................................... 146
Creating the Second Extrude Cut Feature ............................................................................................ 148
Assigning the Material .................................................................................................................................. 149
Calculating Mass Properties ....................................................................................................................... 150
Saving the model ............................................................................................................................................. 152
Tutorial 3: Creating Valve Body (Millimeters) ............................................................................................... 152
Invoking a New Part Document ................................................................................................................ 153
Specifying the Unit System .......................................................................................................................... 153
Creating the Revolve Feature ..................................................................................................................... 154
Creating an Offset Reference Plane ........................................................................................................ 155
Creating the Extrude Feature ..................................................................................................................... 157
Hiding a Reference Plane ............................................................................................................................. 159
Creating the Second Extrude Feature ..................................................................................................... 159
Creating the Extrude Cut Feature ............................................................................................................ 160
Creating the Second Extrude Cut Feature ............................................................................................ 162
Creating a Circular Pattern .......................................................................................................................... 163
Mirroring a Feature ......................................................................................................................................... 165
Creating the Remaining Features ............................................................................................................. 166
Assigning the Material .................................................................................................................................. 167
Calculating Mass Properties ....................................................................................................................... 168
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................ 169
Exercise 1 (Millimeters) ......................................................................................................................................... 169
Exercise 2 (Inches) .................................................................................................................................................. 170
Exercise 3 (Millimeters) .......................................................................................................................................... 171
Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................... 171
Questions ................................................................................................................................................................... 172

Chapter 5. Creating Sweep and Loft Features ..................................................... 173 - 214

Introducing Sweep Features ................................................................................................................................ 173
Tutorial 1: Creating a Sweep Feature (Millimeters) ..................................................................................... 175
Starting SOLIDWORKS and a New Part Document ........................................................................ 176
Specifying the Unit System ......................................................................................................................... 176
Creating the Sweep Feature ........................................................................................................................ 176
Creating the Extrude Feature ..................................................................................................................... 180
Creating the Extrude Cut Feature ............................................................................................................. 181
Creating a Circular Pattern .......................................................................................................................... 182
 SOLIDWORKS 2021 > 9

Creating Remaining Features ..................................................................................................................... 183

Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................ 184
Tutorial 2: Creating a Sweep Feature with Sketch Profile (Inches) ....................................................... 185
Invoking a New Part Document ................................................................................................................ 185
Creating the Sweep Feature with Sketch Profile ................................................................................. 186
Creating the Extrude Feature ..................................................................................................................... 190
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................. 191
Introducing Loft Features ...................................................................................................................................... 191
Tutorial 3: Creating a Loft Feature (Millimeters) ......................................................................................... 193
Invoking a New Part Document and Specifying the Unit System ................................................ 193
Creating the Loft Feature ............................................................................................................................ 194
Creating the Loft Feature with Profiles and a Guide Curve ............................................................ 199
Saving the model ............................................................................................................................................ 202
Tutorial 4: Creating a Loft Cut Feature (Inches) ......................................................................................... 203
Invoking a New Part Document and Specifying Units ..................................................................... 204
Creating the Extrude Feature .................................................................................................................... 204
Creating the Extrude Cut Feature ............................................................................................................ 205
Creating the Second Extrude Cut Feature ........................................................................................... 206
Creating the Loft Cut Feature ................................................................................................................... 207
Creating the Second Loft Cut Feature ................................................................................................... 209
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................. 211
Exercise 1 (Millimeters) .......................................................................................................................................... 212
Exercise 2 (Millimeters) ......................................................................................................................................... 212
Exercise 3 (Inches) .................................................................................................................................................. 213
Summary ..................................................................................................................................................................... 213
Questions ................................................................................................................................................................... 213

Chapter 6. Creating Holes, Threads, and Shell Features ................................... 215 - 254
Introducing Holes .................................................................................................................................................... 215
Tutorial 1: Creating Holes (Millimeters) .......................................................................................................... 217
Starting SOLIDWORKS and a New Part Document ........................................................................ 218
Specifying the Unit System ......................................................................................................................... 218
Creating the Extrude Feature ..................................................................................................................... 218
Creating the Extrude Cut Feature ............................................................................................................ 220
Mirroring a Feature ......................................................................................................................................... 221
Creating a Hole ................................................................................................................................................ 223
Creating the Linear Pattern ........................................................................................................................ 227
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................ 230
Introducing Cosmetic Threads .......................................................................................................................... 230
Tutorial 2: Adding Cosmetic Threads (Inches) ............................................................................................ 231
Starting SOLIDWORKS and a New Part Document ......................................................................... 231
Creating the Sweep Feature ....................................................................................................................... 232
Adding Cosmetic Threads .......................................................................................................................... 234
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................ 237
Introducing Threads ............................................................................................................................................... 237
Tutorial 3: Creating Threads (Millimeters) .................................................................................................... 238
Starting SOLIDWORKS and a New Part Document ........................................................................ 239
Creating the Extrude Feature .................................................................................................................... 239
10 Table of Contents

Creating the Second Extrude Feature .................................................................................................... 240

Mirroring the Feature ..................................................................................................................................... 241
Creating the Extrude Cut Feature ............................................................................................................. 241
Creating Threads ............................................................................................................................................ 242
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................ 245
Introducing Shell Features ................................................................................................................................... 245
Tutorial 4: Creating a Shell Feature (Inches) ................................................................................................ 246
Starting SOLIDWORKS and a New Part Document ........................................................................ 247
Creating the Extrude Feature ..................................................................................................................... 247
Creating Fillets ................................................................................................................................................. 247
Creating the Shell Feature ........................................................................................................................... 251
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................ 252
Exercise 1 (Inches) .................................................................................................................................................. 253
Exercise 2 (Millimeters) ........................................................................................................................................ 253
Summary .................................................................................................................................................................... 254
Questions ................................................................................................................................................................... 254

Chapter 7. Creating 3D Sketches and Helical Curves ........................................ 255 - 284

Introducing 3D Sketches ...................................................................................................................................... 255
Tutorial 1: Creating a 3D Sketch (Millimeters) ............................................................................................. 256
Invoking a New Part Document and Specifying Unit System ....................................................... 256
Creating the 3D Sketch ................................................................................................................................ 257
Applying Dimensions ................................................................................................................................... 260
Applying Relations ......................................................................................................................................... 262
Creating the Fillet ........................................................................................................................................... 263
Creating the Sweep Feature ....................................................................................................................... 264
Creating the Mirror Feature ....................................................................................................................... 265
Creating the Shell Feature .......................................................................................................................... 268
Creating the Extrude Feature .................................................................................................................... 269
Creating the Second Mirror Feature ....................................................................................................... 270
Creating the Second Extrude Feature .................................................................................................... 270
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................. 271
Introducing Helical Curves .................................................................................................................................. 272
Introducing Composite Curves .......................................................................................................................... 272
Tutorial 2: Creating a Helical and a Composite Curve (Inches) ............................................................ 273
Invoking a New Part Document ................................................................................................................ 273
Creating the Helical Curve .......................................................................................................................... 274
Creating Sketch Curves ................................................................................................................................ 277
Creating the Composite Curve ................................................................................................................. 280
Creating the Sweep Feature ........................................................................................................................ 281
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................ 282
Exercise 1 (Millimeters) ......................................................................................................................................... 282
Exercise 2 (Inches) ................................................................................................................................................. 283
Summary .................................................................................................................................................................... 284
Questions .................................................................................................................................................................. 284
 SOLIDWORKS 2021 > 11

Chapter 8. Working with Configurations ........................................................... 285 - 304

Creating Configurations by using the Manual Method ............................................................................ 285
Creating Configurations by using the Design Table .................................................................................. 290
Editing Configurations of a Design Table ....................................................................................................... 295
Saving Configurations as a Separate File ........................................................................................................ 295
Suppressing and Unsuppressing Features ..................................................................................................... 296
Tutorial 1: Creating Configurations of the Weld Neck Flange (Millimeters) .................................... 297
Invoking a New Part Document ............................................................................................................... 298
Creating the First Extrude Feature .......................................................................................................... 298
Creating the Second Extrude Feature .................................................................................................... 300
Creating the Extrude Cut Feature ........................................................................................................... 300
Creating the Circular Pattern ..................................................................................................................... 301
Creating Configurations by using the Design Table .......................................................................... 301
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................ 302
Exercise 1 (Millimeters) ......................................................................................................................................... 303
Exercise 2 (Millimeters) ........................................................................................................................................ 303
Summary .................................................................................................................................................................... 304
Questions .................................................................................................................................................................. 304

Chapter 9. Creating Assemblies Using Bottom-up Approach ......................... 305 - 362

Introducing Bottom-up Assembly Approach .............................................................................................. 306
Introducing Mates .................................................................................................................................................. 306
Tutorial 1: Creating the Single Cylinder Engine Assembly (Millimeters) ............................................ 307
Starting SOLIDWORKS and Creating all Components ................................................................... 310
Invoking the Assembly Environment ...................................................................................................... 310
Inserting the First Component .................................................................................................................... 311
Inserting the Second Component ............................................................................................................ 312
Applying Standard Mates ............................................................................................................................ 314
Inserting the Third Component ................................................................................................................. 317
Assembling the Third Component by Applying Mates .................................................................... 318
Inserting the Fourth Component ............................................................................................................. 320
Assembling the Fourth Component by Applying Mates ................................................................ 320
Inserting and Assembling the Fifth Component ................................................................................ 322
Saving the Model ............................................................................................................................................ 325
Working with Different Types of Mates .......................................................................................................... 325
Applying Standard Mates ............................................................................................................................ 325
Applying Advanced Mates ......................................................................................................................... 326
Applying Mechanical Mates ....................................................................................................................... 331
Tutorial 2: Creating Cam Mechanism (Inches) ............................................................................................ 337
Starting SOLIDWORKS and Creating all Components ................................................................... 341
Invoking the Assembly Environment ....................................................................................................... 341
Inserting the First Component .................................................................................................................. 342
Inserting the Second Component ............................................................................................................ 342
Applying Mates ............................................................................................................................................... 344
Inserting and Assembling the Third Component .............................................................................. 346
Inserting and Assembling the Fourth Component ............................................................................ 349
Inserting and Assembling the Fifth Component ................................................................................. 351
Applying the Cam Mate ............................................................................................................................... 352
12 Table of Contents

Inserting and Assembling the Sixth Component ............................................................................... 354

Saving the Assembly ..................................................................................................................................... 355
Exercise 1 (Millimeters) ......................................................................................................................................... 356
Summary .................................................................................................................................................................... 362
Questions ................................................................................................................................................................... 362

Chapter 10. Creating Assemblies Using Top-down Approach ......................... 363 - 384
Introducing Top-down Approach ..................................................................................................................... 363
Tutorial 1: Creating the V-Block Assembly (Millimeters) ........................................................................ 364
Starting SOLIDWORKS .............................................................................................................................. 366
Invoking the Assembly Environment ..................................................................................................... 366
Creating the First Component within the Assembly Environment ............................................. 366
Creating the Second Component ............................................................................................................ 370
Creating the Third Component ................................................................................................................ 374
Saving Assembly and its Components ................................................................................................... 379
Exercise 1 (Millimeters) ........................................................................................................................................ 380
Summary .................................................................................................................................................................... 383
Questions ................................................................................................................................................................... 383

Chapter 11. Creating 2D Drawings ....................................................................... 385 - 422

Introducing 2D Drawings ..................................................................................................................................... 385
Tutorial 1: Creating Drawing Views of the Valve Body Component (Millimeters) ......................... 386
Opening and Saving Model Created in Tutorial 3 of Chapter 4 ................................................... 386
Invoking Drawing Environment ................................................................................................................. 387
Defining the Angle of Projection ............................................................................................................. 390
Creating the Base View of the Model ..................................................................................................... 392
Creating Projected Views ............................................................................................................................ 396
Creating the Section View .......................................................................................................................... 398
Creating the Detail View ............................................................................................................................. 400
Creating the Isometric View ....................................................................................................................... 401
Changing the Display Styles ....................................................................................................................... 402
Applying Dimensions ................................................................................................................................... 402
Saving the Drawing File ................................................................................................................................ 405
Tutorial 2: Creating Drawing Views of the Single Cylinder Engine Assembly .................................. 406
Starting SOLIDWORKS and Invoking Drawing Environment ...................................................... 406
Creating Base and Projected Views ........................................................................................................ 408
Creating the Bill of Materials (BOM) ....................................................................................................... 411
Editing the BOM Table Font and Style .................................................................................................... 413
Adding Balloons .............................................................................................................................................. 414
Editing the Sheet Format ............................................................................................................................. 417
Saving the Drawing File ................................................................................................................................ 419
Exercise 1 .................................................................................................................................................................... 420
Summary ..................................................................................................................................................................... 421
Questions ................................................................................................................................................................... 421

Index ...................................................................................................................... 423 - 428