Free Introduction to SOLIDWORKS Tutorial

Introduction to SOLIDWORKS Tutorial

If you are new to SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software and looking for a quick introduction to SOLIDWORKS tutorial then you should give MySolidWorks a try.

MySolidWorks is an online resource for SOLIDWORKS users to find answers to their questions, and includes over 100 free video lessons. To make the lessons easier to find they are organized into Learning Paths, click here for the Introduction to SOLIDWORKS learning path; which includes lessons for Drawings and Detailing, Editing Parts, and Bottom-up Assembly Modeling. Note that a free login is required in order to view the lessons.

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More In-depth Online Training

If you are looking for more in-depth online training then you should try our SOLIDWORKS Essentials Training Course. New CAD users, seasoned users of other CAD systems, and veteran SOLIDWORKS users will all benefit from Essentials training. Real life case studies are used to illustrate processes to teach everything you need to know for building parametric models of parts and assemblies, and creating related production drawings. The course includes the following content:

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Lesson 1: SolidWorks Basics and the User Interface

• What is the SolidWorks Software?
• Design Intent
• File References
• Opening Files
• The SolidWorks User Interface
• Using the Command Manager

Lesson 2: Introduction to Sketching

• 2D Sketching
• Stages in the Process
• Saving Files
• What are We Going to Sketch?
• Sketching
• Sketch Entities
• Basic Sketching
• Rules That Govern Sketches
• Design Intent
• Sketch Relations
• Dimensions
• Extrude
• Sketching Guidelines

Lesson 3: Basic Part Modeling

• Basic Modeling
• Terminology
• Choosing the Best Profile
• Choosing the Sketch Plane
• Details of the Part
• Boss Feature
• Sketching on a Planar Face
• Cut Feature
• Using the Hole Wizard
• View Options
• Filleting
• Detailing Basics
• Drawing Views
• Center Marks
• Dimensioning
• Changing Parameters

Lesson 4: Symmetry and Draft 

• Case Study: Ratchet
• Design Intent
• Boss Feature with Draft
• Symmetry in the Sketch
• Sketching Inside the Model
• View Options
• Using Model Edges in a Sketch
• Creating Trimmed Sketch Geometry

Lesson 5: Patterning

• Why Use Patterns?
• Reference Geometry
• Linear Pattern
• Circular Patterns
• Mirror Patterns
• Using Pattern Seed Only
• Sketch Driven Patterns

Lesson 6: Revolved Features

• Case Study: Handwheel
• Design Intent
• Revolved Features
• Building the Rim
• Building the Spoke
• Edit Material
• Mass Properties
• File Properties
• SolidWorks SimulationXpress
• Using SolidWorks SimulationXpress
• The SimulationXpress Interface

Lesson 7: Shelling and Ribs

• Shelling and Ribs
• Analyzing and Adding Draft
• Other Options for Draft
• Shelling
• Ribs
• Full Round Fillets
• Thin Features

Lesson 8: Editing: Repairs

• Part Editing
• Editing Topics
• Sketch Issues
• FilletXpert
• DraftXpert

Lesson 9: Editing: Design Changes

• Part Editing
• Design Changes
• Information From a Model
• Rebuilding Tools
• Sketch Contours
• Editing with Instant 3D

Lesson 10: Configurations

• Using Configurations
• Other Methods to Create Configurations
• Using Global Variables and Equations
• Creating Equalities
• Global Variables
• Defining the Overall Width
• Equations
• Creating a Minimum Edge Distance
• Modeling Strategies for Configurations
• Editing Parts that Have Configurations
• Design Library
• In the Advanced Course…

Lesson 11: Using Drawings

• More About Making Drawings
• Section View
• Model Views
• Broken View
• Detail Views
• Drawing Sheets and Sheet Formats
• Projected Views
• Annotations

Lesson 12: Bottom-Up Assembly Modeling

• Case Study: Universal Joint
• Bottom-Up Assembly
• Creating a New Assembly
• Position of the First Component
• FeatureManager Design Tree and Symbols
• Adding Components
• Using Part Configurations in Assemblies
• Sub-assemblies
• Smart Mates
• Inserting Sub-assemblies
• Pack and Go

Lesson 13: Using Assemblies

• Analyzing the Assembly
• Checking for Clearances
• Changing the Values of Dimensions
• Exploded Assemblies
• Explode Line Sketch
• Bill of Materials
• Assembly Drawings