SOLIDWORKS
LECTURE NOTES
1 QUESTIONS
I. How remove dimension line (for a chain of dims in restricted area), but keep arrow?
2 INTRO
I. About the software
A. Solidworks is a 3D parametric solid-modeling mechanical CAD program.
1. First release: 1995
2. Owned by: Dassault Systemes Solidworks Corp. (a French company)
3. Users: 2 million engineers at 165K companies worldwide (2012)
B. Software associated with Solidworks
1. Edrawings – a collaboration tool
2. PDM – manages CAD data, allows concurrent work on designs (for teams < 11), maintains design
history.
C. Similar programs – Creo (Pro/Engineer), CATIA, Unigraphics (NX), Autodesk Inventor, Solid Edge
D. Solidworks features
1. Parametric – dimensions drive the geometry
2. Design intent – parts retain “design intent” of designer even after changes are made
3. Feature-based – the building-blocks of the parts are discrete and changeable
E. Solidworks basics
1. 3 modes: part, assembly, & drawing
2. Part – a single 3D solid or a surface (the 2 “physical” entities that can be created)
a. Parts also include construction geometry (planes, points, and sketches that don’t exist physically)
3. Assembly – several parts that are assembled using geometric constraints (mates)
4. Drawings – drawings of parts or assemblies
II. The Solidworks interface (part mode)
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Command manager
Toggle this arrow
For menu bar vs.
standard toolbar
Task pane
FeatureManager tree
3 SETUP
I. Customizing the interface (CT style)
A. Show the menu bar (& retain it)
B. Toggle the arrow in upper left. Then pin the menu bar
Pin this down
result
C. Hide task pane – just click in main area. To get it back, click on one of the tabs
II. Solidworks Settings
A. Two types of settings
1. System options – settings tied to the Solidworks installation on the computer
2. Document Properties – settings tied to the templates (one each for part, assembly, & drawing)
B. Manual vs. imported settings
1. Manual – see below
2. Imported – you can save & import settings from one computer to another (easier)
C. Save settings – start in Windows
1. Start > All Programs > Solidworks 2014 > Solidworks Tools > Copy Settings Wizard 2014
2. It saves a swSettings.sldreg file
D. Import settings – same steps as above but pick “Restore Settings”.
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III. System Settings – These options are tied to the SW installation on a computer, not to the template files.
A. System Options (Tools > Options > System Options (tab))
1. Display Style > Tangent Edges > Use Font (default is Visible)
2. Colors – Change the paper color to white (default is yellowish)
3. Colors – Change background color to white.
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B. Keyboard shortcuts (Tools > Customize > Keyboard tab)
1. I STRONGLY suggest them for view changes to speed your work
2. Note – SW shows the keyboard letter in CAPS even though you’ll enter in lower case.
3. Here’s what I do (it works for both left or right side mousing)
a. View /Zoom to fit
(add J, F is default)
b. View/ Zoom to Area
(L, S… must remove L fm tool/line)
c. View / Zoom to selection
(K,D)
d. View / Rotate
(U, R)
e. View / Pan
(P)
f. Others/ Isometric
(I)
g. Insert/ mate
(M) (do while in assembly mode)
h. Tools/compon.rotate
(N) (do while in assembly mode)
i. Others/normal to
(O) (as in orthogonal)
j. Edit / Rebuild
(B)
C. Part Toolbars (View > Toolbars >)
1. Add toolbars: Feature, Standard Views, View, and Sketch
2. Add individual toolbar buttons: Select, Relations, Centerline (under sketch)
a. Tools > Customize > Commands (tab)
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Standard Views toolbar
View toolbar
Select tool
Centerline tool
Draw toolbar
Feature toolbar
Relations tool
D. Drawing Toolbars (View > Toolbars > …)
1. Add toolbars: Annotations, Drawing, View, & Sketch
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View toolbar
Drawing toolbar
Sketch toolbar
Annotations toolbar
E. Assembly Toolbars
1. Add toolbars: Assembly, Standard Views, View, and Sketch
Views toolbar
Standard Views toolbar
Assembly toolbar
Sketch toolbar
IV. Changing and Saving Templates (general)
A. Process is the same for part, drawing, & assembly templates
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B. Two ways to start (example of a part template is shown below)
1. From scratch: open new part (File >New>Part), make changes, & SAVE AS part template (*.prtdot)
2. Used provided template: (mine is Part_CT.prtdot), and save in right directory.
C. Two places to save a template
1. In the default SW directory for templates
a. Select “Save As” > Pick *.prtdot
b. SW automatically moves you to the default template folder
c. (C:/ProgramData (hidden)/Solidworks/Solidworks2014/templates)
d. Types a new name (e.g., “Part_yourInitials.prtdot”).
e. If altering an existing template file, SW asks if you want to replace the existing file.
f. Suggestion – do not overwrite default SW templates.
g. Now when you go to open a new part, your new template will appear in the list.
D. Example – if you save “Part_CT.prtdot” into the above directory. When you go to open a new part file
then “Part_CT” now appears. If template was created in an older version of SW, then upon opening the
template SW will remind you that this file was created in an older version. Click OK.
1. Save template in a directory of your choosing and tell SW where it is (must be administrator on PC)
a. Tools > Options > System Options (tab) > File Locations > Add
b. A new tab appears (along with “Templates” and “Tutorial”)
V. PART Template settings
A. Change part color
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1. Tools > Options > Document Properties (tab) > Model Display > Model/feature colors > Edit..
a. Define Custom Colors > Set as: Red = 120, Green = 80, Blue = 10
b. Then “Add to Custom Colors”
2. Do this for the first model feature (Bend).
3. Then for the next model feature (Boss), do this: Edit… > Click on the color just added to “Custom
Colors” > OK.
4. Repeat step above for the remaining features (all the way to the end).
B. Change hidden line color (grey to black)
1. Document Properties > Model Display > Hidden > (set to black)
C. Lighting
1. In the feature tree, click the “Appearance Icon” (colored ball) > View scenes, lights, camera icon >
Expand the “Lights” in tree > then…
2. Ambient lighting (double click) – set to .75 (from .3, see below)
3. Directional1 (double click)
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a. Basic settings: Ambient (.2), Brightness (.7), Specularity (1);
b. Light position settings: Longitude (-18 deg), latitude (18 deg), lock to model (unchecked)
4. Delete Directional2
5. Delete Directional3
D. Alter Appearance (Appearance > Illumination)
1. Click on Feature Manager Design Tree (tab) > Click chevron for “Show Display Pane” > Click
appearance icon in Appearance column > click “Appearance” > Advanced > Illumination
2. Change Specular spread/Blurriness to .98 (from .6)
E. Alter the hidden line color (from grey to black) (only for pre-2014 version)
1. Tools > Options > Document Properties (tab) > Model Display > hidden
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VI. DRAWING Template settings
A. Settings as shown below (Tools > Document Properties)
1. Change text size from .125 units to 8 point in: Annotations, Dimensions, and Tables
2. Dimensions / Bent Leaders: change from .25 to .125
3. Dimensions > Centerline/Center Marks (set size from .1 to .05… .1??)
4. Line Font > Visible Line > Thickness (.0098 to .0138)
B. Save new sheet format in: C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2014\lang\english\sheetformat
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VII.
ASSEMBLY Template settings
A. Change lighting just like that of Part Template.
B. View origins (View > Origins)
C. Save template (as shown above)
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4 SKETCHING
I. Lines sketching
A. Can create a chain (just click, click, click)
II. Sketch requirements
A. Must sketch on a plane (or flat surface on existing feature)
1. Can initially sketch on one of the default planes (front, right, top)
2. After you have a part, can sketch on the part’s flat surfaces.
B. For solids, sketch must be closed.
CLOSED SKETCH
(GOOD)
OPEN SKETCH
(BAD)
OPEN SKETCH
(BAD)
C. Constraint state of sketches
1. Fully constrained sketches
a. Are “required”
b. Dimensions AND geometric constraints “constrain” a sketch until there are no “degrees of
freedom” (nothing can be changed)
c. Must be fully constrained – lines are all BLACK
2. Under-constrained sketches
a. “Sloppy” design work
b. Dimensions AND geometric constraints leave a sketch ambiguous. Something is unspecified.
c. Sketch shows a (-) in the feature tree
d. Can reveal missing constraint by selecting portions of the sketch & dragging (must grab the right
thing though)
e. Under-constrained lines show BLUE
D. Sketch Relations
1. The little colored boxes indicating horizontal, vertical, etc.
E. Note on parametric solid modeling
1. Just focus on getting the right shape.
2. Don’t worry about specific dimension values because you can re-dimension later
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III. Reference lines
A. Alignment and other geometric constraints (like “OSNAPS” in AutoCAD).
B. Can suppress by pressing “Ctrl” key.
IV. Geometric constraints
V. Power trim – drag the mouse
A. Like trim in AutoCAD, but can drag the mouse to move the cutting cursor (easier!)
VI. Base Feature
A. Must have a sketch first!
B. Base feature is the starting point
C. Going from 2D sketch to 3D solid
1. Extrusion
2. Revolve
D. Extrusion
1. Depth dimension is blue (since not defined in sketch, but instead in extrude feature parameters)
E. Impossible geometries
1. Zero thickness solids – so cannot extrude a circular sketch that is to a line.
F. Changing orientation of base feature – do not dimension to the original planes (or you can’t reorient!)
G.
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5 SKETCH-BASED FEATURES
I. Extruded boss/base
A.
B.
C.
D.
Start with a closed sketch.
Extrude 2D sketch into 3D solid.
Creates material.
End condition
II. Extruded cut
A. Start with a closed sketch.
B. Removes material from a solid.
C. End condition
1. Blind – must specify a dimension
2. Through all – goes through everything (except features created afterwards)
3. Up to surface – must pick a surface
III. Revolved solid
A. Sketch must have a centerline and a closed sketch on only 1 side of the centerline.
B. Creates material
C. Dimensioning revolves
1. For diametral dimension
a. Click the line > click the centerline > move cursor to FAR SIDE of the centerline > click
2. For radial dimension
a. Click the line > click the centerline > keep cursor on NEAR SIDE of the centerline > click.
IV. Revolved Cut
A.
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6 OTHER STANDARD FEATURES
I. Chamfers
II. Fillets (for radiuses and fillets)
A. Can be problematic for intersecting edges
III. Hole Wizard
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Select a surface FIRST
Use the hole wizard (don’t just draw a circle)
Different types (counterbore, counter-sink)
Add a cosmetic thread (gives the dashed lines) w/o callout
Place second hole
Add relations – horizontal
How do you know if it’s horizontal or vertical (use pre-defined views, or look at orientation of
dimension callouts)
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7 DIMENSIONING
I. Xx
II. Arc Conditions
A.
B.
C.
D.
Can dimension to different arc conditions. Press SHIFT with cursor in following positions
Minimum – cursor in between the 90-degree window
Center – cursor outside the 90-degree window
Maximum – cursor moved to the imaginary 90-degree window (on far side of circle)
8 LOFTS
I. A number of profiles, 1 path
A. Profile sketch must be CLOSED
II. A number of guide curves
III. If SW creates a preview means SW is happy
IV. End conditions
V. Handle example
A. 3 independent sketches
B. Pick profiles, then centerline parameters (pick centerline)
VI. Note – in SW you can delete a feature, but the sketch remains (good!)
VII.
Relations vs. Dimensions
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A.
B.
C.
D.
Relations = design intent
Pick profiles
Pick CL parameters (pick CL)
End conditions
9 REFERENCE GEOMETRY
I. Create offset planes, then create a plane thru line & pt
II. Pick axis (intersection of 2 planes, pick 2 planes). Gives intersection
A. Vase
B. Dimensioning to quadrant of circle (hold “shift” key while dimensioning)
C.
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10 DRAWINGS
I. Sheet formats
A. Part
1. Files/ props/ custom – metal 6061-T6
B. Drawing
1. Edit sheet format
2. Highlight field
3. Part name – link to file name
4. Notes – view dependent vs. independent
5. Sections
a. Draw the line first (align the holes, view/temp axes)
C. Files/ prop/ custom
D. Make field
E. Highlight letters
F. Click button
G. Props/ custom
H. Student text 0000000
I. Or views from drawing
1. Insert model
2. Highlight model
3. Choose first view (front)
J. Text
1. Edit Sheet Format
2. Add text (it’s in paperspace)
II. Dimensioning
A. “Lazy Man’s” Technique (Insert > Model Items > Dimensions
1. It inserts “Driving” dimensions – so the dimensions can alter the part
2. Dangerous. A drafter can accidentally change the part.
3. Option – use this technique. Then select dimensions and make them drive (Properties > Other (tab))
B. Insert manually using “Smart Dimension” (insert “Driven” dimensions, drawn grey)
1. Don’t forget to print in black and white.
C. Oblique extension lines
.50
1.1
1. Click the dimension > grab the extension line grip > drag
D. Jogging extension lines (right click extension line > Display Options > jog)
E. Virtual sharps
1. Pick one line. Hold the Ctrl key and pick 2nd line. Pick the point (*).
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F. Arcs
1. Select one end point of the arc.
2. Select the other end point of the arc.
3. Select a point between the 2.
4. Place the dimension.
G. Chamfers
a. fRH click the 45, then the edge, then pull out the dim
2. Black = driving, grey = driven
3. CL – don’t use
4. Dim CL – pick target symbol
5. Hole callout (must have used the hole wizard)
H. Symmetrical centerlines – draw short fat lines on your own (workaround)
I.
J. Screw
K. Relative view
1. RH click sheet/ drawing views/ rel views
L. Bent leader length
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
View/ temp axis (get *)
Edit – RHC line
Offset
Select this
Use templates
III. Drawing Views
A. Full sections – draw the line first
B. Aligned sections – draw a kinked line first. Aligns to the 2nd (1st?) line selected.
C. Spoke/rib rules – SW has no clean way of taking out the hatching. Must draw
1. Sketch 2 boundary regions. Then create an Area Hatch/Fill. Use Line Format menu to change the
color of the fill to white.
IV. Printing
A. Printing in BLACK (File > Print > Print options > Color (set to Black and White))
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11 ASSEMBLIES
I. Read CADCIM chapters (esp 10)
II. Air cylinder
III. Pick base
IV. Make assembly from part
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Check orig
Bring in (check graphics preview)
Should get 2 arrows (to lock to origin)
Tree xx (f) cyl … (f) = fixed
Float (to unfix) get xxx (-) (not fully constrained)
Piston
1. Rotate to get close to correct orientation
2. Align bore and piston
3. Section (view/ displ/ section)
4. RH plane
5. Advanced mates
a. Distance
b. Limits distance (0-3”)
c. Not fully constrained
6. Bring in parts
a. Insert part
b. Open part, tile horiz, drag in
V. Change configuration
A.
B.
C.
D.
Props/
Coincident – many meanings
Remove view origins
But view temporary axes
VI. Mates
A. Sometimes will work – spin screw  jaw moves
VII.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
VIII.
Explode
Click part
Click axes, apply
Done
Explode line sketch
Click on screw
Click
Drawing
A. Import 2 of them (will convert configur of 1)
B. Props/ uncheck show exploded state
C. Hide all (temp axis, origins)
IX. Balloons
A. Formatting them
X. BOM
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A. Edit sheet format
B. Click upper left, RHclick, set as anchor, BOM
C. Back to sheet
1. RH click
2. Table / BOM
3. Anchor (upper right)
4. Change col width – just drag
D. Part
1. Props
2. Config specific
3. Add/change
XI. Different Drawing Views
A. Sections – draw line first, then pick on section view (make sure it’s 3rd angle standard)
B. Revolved sections
1. Place view
2. Draw line on the view
3. Use line to create a section
4. Remove the “Section A-A” notation (select and delete)
5. Right click the cutting-plane line > Hide (available after 2012).
6. Break the view – set the gap and line style
7. Move the section into the break area
C. Removed Sections
1. Create the section as usual.
2. Break the alignment (RH click section view > Alignment > Break Alignment)
3. Move the section view to the desired location
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D. DIMENSIONS
12 MODELING
I. Gears
A. Steps
1. Draw outside circle
2. Draw pitch circle (construction)
3. Draw root circle
4. Draw base circle (construction)
5. Draw horizontal line (to base circle)
6. Draw a radial line that is half angular pitch (eg – 4.5 deg) to base circle
7. Draw a radial line that is full angular pitch (9 deg)
8. Draw radial line that is 2X pitch (18 deg)
9. Draw involute
a. Equation-driven curve
B. Using equations (tools > equations > global variables)
1. Diametral pitch, P
2. Number of teeth, n
3. Pressure angle, phi
4. Addendum, a
5. Dedendum, b
6. Clearance, c (b-a)
7. Pitch diameter, PD
8. Base circle dia,
9. When doing the equation-driven curve, must reference the dimension
a. Can’t reference global variables
II. Categories
A.
B.
C.
D.
Fractional
Props/ use doc units (uncheck)/ units
Type in as “5/16”
Units
1. 50 mm
2. Converting – tools/ option/ doc props
III. Tolerancing
A. Bilateral
B. For XX  XX
1. Click dim, switch between dia (xxx) or depth (xxx) (confusing!)
IV. Fillet
A. Face fillet
1. Constant width (looks nice)
2. Not constant width (xx
B. Face fillet 2
1. Surface 1, surf 2, and hold line
2. Aesthetics!
C. With variable thickness part
D. Fill in
E. Body fillet
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1. Full round (select 3 surfaces in right order)
V. Shell
VI. Variable Radius
A.
B.
C.
D.
VII.
A.
B.
C.
D.
VIII.
Suppress already-done features
Variable radius
Nodes – eg. 5
Set all
Wraps
Tools/ customize
Font – pts (auto changes units and space)
Insert/features/wrap
How to
1. Select surface
a. Emboss – sticks out
b. Deboss – goes in
c. Scribe – written on
Equations
A. Relates different dimensions
B. How to:
1. Select dimension
2. Tools/ equations
3. “Dimension Selected” = xxx
4. Result: dependent equations have a  in front
C. Configuration tables
1. Dimensions for part drawn from table (Rob may not cover)
D. Linking
1. Pick dim
2. RHclick/ link values
3. Share values (give dim a name, eg “top width”)
4. Pick a 2nd dim
5. Neither controls
6. Global to part
E. Patterns
1. Pattern seed only
2. How to
a. Create feature
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b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Linear pattern
Select feature
For direction, select OFFSET DIMENSION!
Get the flip direction right, # instances (check out preview)
THEN, hit “vary sketch” (cause then you lose preview)
g. Can create a sketch (don’t create a feature from it), then use it later
IX. Saving an image
X. Saving image
A.
B.
C.
D.
Do from drawing mode (on blank format), doesn’t work fm dwg mode
Save as jpeg
Adjust DPI
Import to MS Word, crop, compress
XI. Templates
A.
B.
C.
D.
Open generic part file
Make adjustments – tools/options
Save as/template
Drawings
1. templates vs. sheet formats
E. Sheet formats
1. format 1 (for page 1), format 2 (for pages 2…n)
XII.
GD&T
A. Datums
B. Basic dimensions – by double clicking dimension
C. Feature control frame
13 Week
I. Surfaces
A. Have NO thickness, no mass?
B. Insert/face/delete – you go from 1 solid body to 1 surface body
II. Top-down assembly
A. Assembly is the parent
B. 2 spheres (concentric)
C. Remove inner sphere – so you get a cavity
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D. Split
1. insert/feature/split
2. hide vs. show
3. create new parts
E. Make new assembly
F. Make part in assembly
G. Make a mold
H. Import door – move it up in the tree
I. Edit part (mold), edit sketch
III. Extrude to surface
IV. Create a container (fm 1 part)
1. Create a “cup” type part (surface)
2. Create 2 configurations (inner thicken, outer thicken)
V. Over mold
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Cut sweep
Select ALL surfaces
Offset plane
Trim – also extends (corner)
Knit – makes 2 surfaces, one
VI. Insert/boss/base
VII.
Display relations
VIII.
Olive drab = a problem!
IX. Replace Face
X.
14 Week
I. Design table
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Click dim/more props
Name… change it (“width@Sketch1”) (can also name the sketch!)
Note – name your features in a useful way
Insert/design tables
Rhc dim/props
Dim – get a table
II. Global variables (use a dummy sketch)
A. Create a dim on a “useless” sketch
B. Link/shared value – give name
C. Equations – click on sketch to get the dim
D.
III. Mini baja – piping
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Sketch offset plane
Select, select chain
Convert entities
Another sketch
Draw circle
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F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
15
Horizontal bar – extend sketch so extrusion goes thu
Extrude
Do first, swweps can be disjoint
Mirror
Split
Do same with the top
Parts have the “fish mouth”
Make drawing
Put in centerlines
Can put pts at cl intersections to dimension
Shelling?
Week
I. Ordinate dimensioning
A.
B.
C.
D.
All dimensions from a single point
Good for sheet metal, where tolerances not critical
Rhc view/ more dimensions/ordinate
Click first edge, draw out dimension, click subsequent edges
II. Draft
A. Good for molded parts (helps extraction from mold during fabrication)
B. How to
1. Select draft
2. Pick neutral plane (doesn’t change)
3. Pick faces to draft
4. Pick direction (arrow points in direction of convergence)
C. Or can draft during extrusion
D. Can draft just 1 side
E.
III. Breaks
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A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Highlight view
Insert/drawing view/vertical break
Position break lines
Rhc view/break view
Adjust scale on sheet
IV. Ribs
A.
B.
C.
D.
Select plane
Sketch line
Rib (normal to, thickness)
Rib extrapolates to walls (stops at other rib if sketch is per right below)
E. Parallel ribs (ribs parallel to sketch)
1. Highlight sketch, press ‘rib’
2. Parallel to, thickness
3. Will extrapolate (right pic)
4. Warning – sketch cannot go all the way to corners (or error)
V. Design table
VI. Booleans
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