SOLIDWORKS 2023
TRAINING GUIDE
GETTING STARTED
MODELING
SOLIDWORKS 2023 Training Guide
Once you have launched the SOLIDWORKS 2023 software, a welcome dialog will pop up.
The welcome dialog allows you to perform certain tasks such as opening a new part
document, assembly document, open recent folder etc.
Getting Started - 2
Getting Started
In this chapter you will be introduced to:
• SolidWorks Interface and Menus
• Creating a New Document
SOLIDWORKS 2023 Interface
Getting Started - 3
SOLIDWORKS 2023 Training Guide
SolidWorks Resources Task Pane
The SolidWorks Resources Task Pane provides information such as opening an
existing document, creating a new document, tutorials, access to online information and
much more.
By default the SolidWorks Resources Task Pane opens automatically in SolidWorks.
When you create or open a document in SolidWorks, the SolidWorks Resources Task
Pane minimizes as shown below.
Getting Started - 4
Getting Started
Menu bar
Allows you to open the welcome dialog
Allows you to create a new document
Allows you to open an existing document
Allows you to save a document
Allows you to print the current document
Allows you to undo the last action
Allows you to select sketch entities
Allows you to rebuild the part file
Allows you to show the file properties of the current document
Allows you to access the system configuration of SolidWorks
Allows you to access similar commands that are grouped together
Getting Started - 5
SOLIDWORKS 2023 Training Guide
Sketch Tab
Features Tab
Evaluate Tab
Selecting one of these tabs will display the appropriate Command Manager.
Sketch CommandManager
The Sketch CommandManager allows you to access buttons that are available when
sketching.
Features CommandManager
The Features CommandManager allows you to access buttons that are available when
creating a feature.
Getting Started - 6
Getting Started
Evaluate CommandManager
The Evaluate CommandManager allows you to access buttons that are available when
analyzing a feature.
FeatureManager Design Tree
The FeatureManager Design Tree provides information on the current document.
Status bar
The status bar located at the bottom of the SolidWorks window provides information related to
the function you are performing.
Getting Started - 7
SOLIDWORKS 2023 Training Guide
Heads-Up View Toolbar
The Heads-Up View Toolbar allows you to access many functions available in the current
document.
Allows you to display a cross section view of the current part.
Allows you to change the display style of the current part.
Allows you to hide / show all sketch geometric relations
Getting Started - 8
Getting Started
Note: In this book all Lessons will have the View Sketch Relations icon on.
Allows you to change the scene of the SolidWorks background.
Note: By default the 3 Point Faded is selected in SolidWorks. In this book the scene
that will be used is Plain White.
SolidWorks drawing area
The SolidWorks drawing area represents where all the entities will be created.
SolidWorks Help
The SolidWorks Help allows you to search for topics that you would like to learn more
information on.
Getting Started - 9
SOLIDWORKS 2023 Training Guide
Creating a New SolidWorks document
To create a new SolidWorks document on the Menu bar left click on the mouse once on
the New icon.
Note: You can also create a new SolidWorks document using the SolidWorks menu
and selecting File – New.
Getting Started - 10
Getting Started
A New SolidWorks Document window will be displayed.
Left click on the mouse once on the Part Button to create a new Part document.
Getting Started - 11
SOLIDWORKS 2023 Training Guide
Left click on the mouse once on OK to enter in the Part document.
Select the current units
Left click on the mouse once on the Options icon in the Menu bar.
Getting Started - 12
Getting Started
Left click on the mouse once on the Document Properties tab.
Note: Anything you change in the Document Properties will only be for the current
document. When a new SolidWorks document is open, you will have the settings that
were defined when installing SolidWorks.
On the left hand column of the Document Properties tab left click on the mouse once
on Units.
Note: Units will be highlighted in blue once selected.
Getting Started - 13
SOLIDWORKS 2023 Training Guide
In the Screen that appears on the right, under Unit System, left click on the mouse
once on the radio button that you want to use.
Select Inch (imperial): IPS (inches, pound, second).
Note: In this book we will concern ourselves only with the IPS unit system.
Left click on the mouse once on OK to exit and save the changes.
Getting Started - 14
Getting Started
Select the Sketch tab
Left click on the mouse once on the Sketch tab to display the Sketch
CommandManager.
Select the Sketch button
Left click on the mouse once on the Sketch button from the Sketch
CommandManager.
Getting Started - 15
SOLIDWORKS 2023 Training Guide
Select the plane where you want to draw the sketch
Upon selecting the Sketch button the Edit Sketch PropertyManager appears. You will get
a message Select a plane on which to create a sketch for the entity.
You have an option to choose between 3 standard planes: top plane, front plane, right plane.
Note: In this book most of the Lessons will use the Front Plane.
In the SolidWorks drawing area, select the Front Plane.
Note: The box surrounding the Front Plane will be highlighted in orange
Getting Started - 16
Getting Started
The SolidWorks drawing area will now orient to the Front Plane. In the SolidWorks drawing
area you will notice 2 red lines with arrows in the center of the screen. This indicates you are in
the sketch mode. The intersection of the 2 red lines with arrows indicate the origin (0,0,0) of
the sketch drawing area.
Getting Started - 17
SOLIDWORKS 2023 Training Guide
Getting Started - 18