Introduction to SolidWorks

By: Joseph C Patton

September 30th, 2016
Lesson 1: Using the Interface
1. Solid Works Windows:
SolidWorks have two panels, one of data and the other of the object
being drawn.
The right panel is the one in which has the drawn object, or model.
The left panel containing the Feature-Manager design tree, PropertyManager, and Configuration-Manager.
2. Command-Manager:
The context-sensitive toolbar that dynamically updates based on the
functions you want access too.
It displays the tabs that are needed for that document.
Mouse:
Left: Selects menu items, entitles the graphics area, and the
objects in the Feature-Manager design tree.
Right: Displays the context- sensitive shortcuts menus.
Middle: Rotates, pans and zooms the view of a part or an
assembly, and pans in a drawing.
3. Shortcut Menus:
More commands menu is the double-down arrows, the shortcut menu
expands when the arrows are clicked on or the pointer hovers over it.
Lesson 2: Basic Functionality
Create a New Part Document:
To create a new part click the paper with the upper-right edge folded
down.
Select the part icon.
Setting Units:
The units for the document can be set in the Tools-Options and
under Document-Properties tab you can change units.
Another way is by clicking on the Unit System and selecting a
new unit system.

 Base Feature:
Sketch Plane: Front.
Sketch Profile: 2D Rectangle.
Feature Type: Extruded Boss Feature.
Open a Sketch:
Click on the Front plane in Feature-Manager design tree.
Open a 2D sketch, and then click Sketch > Sketch.
Confirmation Corner: When many solid-works commands are active,
a symbol(s) appears in the upper-right corner of the graphic design.
Sketch Indicator:
When a sketch is open, or active and image/symbol appears on
the screen that looks like the sketch tool. At the end of sketch
clicking the sketch tool will exit but also save your work,
clicking the red X will exit without saving changes and/or the
sketch.
When other commands are active, the confirmation corner
displays two symbols a green check-mark and a red X. the
check-mark executes the current command. The X cancels the
command.
Overview of the Solid-Works Window:
A sketch origin appears in the center of the graphics area.
Editing Sketch1 appears in the status bar at the bottom of the
screen.
Sketch1 appears in the Feature-Manager design tree.
The status bar shows the position of the pointer, or sketch tool,
in relation to the sketch origin.
Sketching a Rectangle:
Click sketch>Corner Rectangle.
Click the sketch origin to start the rectangle.
Move the pointer up and to the right, to create a rectangle.
Click the mouse button again to complete the rectangle.
Add Dimensions;
Click Sketch>Smart Dimension (The pointer shape will
change.)
Click the top line of the rectangle.

 Click the dimension text location above the top line. (Modify
dialog box is displayed.
Enter 100. Click check-mark or press the enter button.
Click the right edge of the rectangle.
Click the dimension text location. Enter 65. Click check-mark.
The top segment and the remaining vertices are displayed in
black. The status bar in the lower-right corner of the window
indicates that the sketch is fully defined.
Changing the Dimension Values:
Double click 65 (Modify dialog box appears).
Enter 60 in the modify dialog box.
Click the check mark.
Extrude the Base Feature:
Click Features > Extruded Boss/Base (The Boss-Extrude
Property-Manager appears. The view of the sketch changes to
trimetric.
Preview graphics (A preview of the feature is shown at the
default depth, Handles appear that can be used to drag the
preview to the desired depth, Handles appear that can be used
to drag the preview to the desired depth, the handles are
colored magenta(Pink) for the active direction and gray for
inactive direction, a callout shows the current depth value, the
cursor changes to mouse image with check mark, if you want
to create the feature now click the right mouse button,
otherwise you can make additional changes to the setting, for
example the depth of extrusion can be changed by dragging the
dynamic handle with the mouse or by setting a value in the
Property-Manager.