Introduction to Solid Work

Objective:
Introduction to Solids works CAD software and its interface and to learn the utilization of
different orientation/ views in the interface and Solid works Explorer.

Introduction:
The SOLIDWORKS CAD software is a mechanical design automation application that lets
designers quickly sketch out ideas, experiment with features and dimensions, and produce
models and detailed drawings. This document discusses concepts and terminology used
throughout the SOLIDWORKS application. It familiarizes you with the commonly used
functions of Sledworks uses a 3D design approach. As you design a part, from the initial sketch
to the final result, you create a 3D model. From this model, you can create 2D drawings or
mate components consisting of parts or subassemblies to create 3D assemblies. You can also
create 2D drawings of 3D assemblies. When designing a model using SOLIDWORKS, you
can visualize it in three dimensions, the way the model exists once it is manufactured.

Advantages of solid work:

• User friendly (Easy to learn)
• Integrated to different other software's like SOLID CAM, ANSYS. (Direct import and
export of the file can be done easily) Complex motion analysis can be done.

• Realistic rendering can be obtained but not that good as Catia.

• Complex surfaces can be designed and their patterns can be viewed.
• A proper estimation of Cost report and durability of the given product can be obtained.

• Weldments is an additional added feature then other software's.

Installation steps:
• Go onto the solid work website.
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• Students and Educators.

• Access free software.

• Sign in to your account.

• Downloading Solid Work.

• License service agreement.

• Downloading Software.

Starting Up Solid Work 2018:

Select the solid work option on the Program menu or select the solid work icon on the Desktop.
Click Start Drawing to start a new drawing.

Once the program is loaded into memory, the solid work main drawing screen will appear on
the screen. (By selecting part, assembly and drawing).
 SolidWorks Explorer Overview:

SolidWorks Explorer is a file management tool designed to help you perform such tasks as
renaming, replacing, and copying SolidWorks files. You can show a document’s references,
search for documents using a variety of criteria, and list all the places where a document is
used. Renamed files are still available to those documents that reference them.

Properties:

• References

You can list items that reference the selected part, assembly, or drawing document.

• Where Used

You can list all the places where a specified part or assembly is used.

• Configurations

You can rename or delete configurations for the selected part or assembly.

• Hyperlinks

You can list and edit hyperlinks contained in the selected part, assembly, or drawing document.
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• SolidWorks drawings
You can display a SolidWorks drawings image of the selected part, assembly, or drawing
document.

• SolidWorks Search

SolidWorks Search searches for file names and for text strings in all indexed documents.

• Tags

Tags let you associate keywords with documents to make it easier to search for them.

• Pack and Go Overview

Gathers all related files for a model design (parts, assemblies, drawings, references, design
tables, Design Binder content, decals, appearances, and scenes, and SolidWorks Simulation
results) into a folder or zip file.

• Pack and Go Dialog Box

The Pack and Go dialog box list related files to be saved into a folder or zip file.

• Fixing Renaming Errors

Using SolidWorks Explorer, you can fix renaming errors.

 Use interface:

• Windows and Displays

Each document in the SolidWorks application displays in a separate window. You can arrange
document windows to suit your workflow needs. If you have multiple displays, you can set the
SolidWorks application window to span two displays.

• Manu Bar Toolbar

The Menu Bar toolbar contains a set of the most frequently used tool buttons. The available
tools are: New - Creates a new document, Open - Opens an existing document, Save - Saves
an active document, Print - Prints an active document, Undo - Reverses the last action, Select
- Selects sketch entities, faces, edges and so on, Rebuild - Rebuilds the active part, assembly,
or drawing, File Properties - Shows the summary information of the active document, Options
- Changes system options, document properties, and Add-ins for SolidWorks.

• Graphics Area

The graphics area displays and lets you manipulate parts, assemblies, and drawings.

• Manager Pane

The left panel of the SolidWorks window manages part and assembly designs, drawing sheets,
properties, configurations, and third-party applications. The Command Manager provides
access to the SolidWorks tools.

• Feature Manager Design Tree

The Feature Manager Design tree on the left side of the SolidWorks window provides an
outline view of the active part, assembly, or drawing. This makes it easy to see how the model
or assembly was constructed or to examine the various sheets and views in a drawing.

• Flyout Feature Manager Design Tree

The flyout Feature Manager Design tree allows you to view both the Feature Manager Design
tree and the Property Manager at the same time.

• Property Manager Overview

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The Property Manager is a means to set properties and other options for many SolidWorks
commands.

• Configuration Manager

The Configuration Manager is a means to create, select, and view multiple configurations of
parts and assemblies in a document.
• Display Pane

In the Display Pane, you can view various display settings in part and drawing documents. In
assemblies and parts, you can also apply changes to the settings.

• Task Pane

The Task Pane provides access to SolidWorks resources, libraries of reusable design elements,
views to drag onto drawing sheets, and other useful items and information.

• Status Bar

The status bar at the bottom of the SolidWorks window provides information related to the
function you are performing.

• Instant3D

Instant3D lets you quickly create and modify model geometry using drag handles and rulers.
Orientation in solid work:

You can rotate and zoom the model or drawing to a preset view. Select from the standard views
(Normal To, Front, Back, Isometric, and so on for a model, Full Sheet for a drawing) or add
your own custom views to the Orientation dialog box.

To select a view, do one of the following:

• Click View Orientation (Heads-up View toolbar), and select a view
orientation.

• Click a view orientation on the Standard Views toolbar.

• Double-click a view orientation in the Orientation dialog box.

CONTENTS:

• Viewing Models Normal To

You can use the Normal to command to orient a model normal to the nearest global XYZ
coordinates.

• Orientation Dialog Box

You can update standard views from the Orientation dialog box or by using the menu options.

• View Selector

You can use the View Selector to see and select model views in context.

 To pan

Do one of the following:

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Device Procedure

mouse (left button) Click Pan (View toolbar) or View > Modify > Pan, then drag the

pointer .

mouse (middle Hold down Ctrl and drag. (In an active drawing, you do not need to
button) hold down Ctrl.)

Keyboard Hold down Ctrl and press the arrow keys.

 To zoom in or out

Do one of the following:

Device Procedure

mouse (left Click Zoom In/Out (View toolbar) or View > Modify > Zoom In/Out.
button)
Drag the pointer up to zoom in and down to zoom out.

mouse (middle Hold down Shift and drag with the middle mouse button.
button)

mouse wheel To zoom to the position of the pointer:

Spin the wheel forward and back. While spinning the wheel, keep the
pointer on the area where you want to zoom.

To zoom to the center of the screen:

Click View > Modify > Zoom About Screen Center then spin the wheel
forward and back.

 Rotate view

Rotates the model view in part and assembly documents.

Do one of the following:

Device Procedure

mouse (left button) Click Rotate View (View toolbar) or View > Modify > Rotate then

drag the pointer .

mouse ( middle Drag with the middle mouse button.

button)

Keyboard Press the arrow keys. Hold down Shift to rotate in 90° increments.