Mastering SolidWorks

Matt Lombard is the author of all six SolidWorks Bibles as well as several video tutorials and the Dezignstuff.com blog. Since 1995 he has been a mechanical engineer, working in plastics design, microelectronic assembly, contract design, and CAD consultation. He uses SolidWorks every day in his job, and is known throughout the SolidWorks community.

Introduction xxxiii


Part I Introducing SolidWorks Basics 1


Chapter 1 Introducing SolidWorks 3


Installing SolidWorks for the First Time 3


Starting SolidWorks for the First Time 6


Identifying SolidWorks Documents 9


Understanding Feature-Based Modeling 15


Understanding History-Based Modeling 16


Sketching with Parametrics 19


Understanding Design Intent 21


Editing Design Intent 21


Working with Associativity 24


The Bottom Line 24


Chapter 2 Navigating the SolidWorks Interface 25


Identifying Elements of the SolidWorks Interface 25


Making the Interface Work for You 47


The Bottom Line 59


Chapter 3 Working with Sketches and Reference Geometry .61


Creating a New Part 61


Creating a Sketch 62


Identifying Sketch Entities 64


Driving Sketches with Smart Dimensions 83


Using Tools on the Dimensions/Relations Toolbar 86


Inferencing in Sketch 89


Exploring Sketch Settings 90


Using Sketch Blocks 92


Working with Reference Geometry 93


Tutorial: Learning to Use Sketch Relations 98


Tutorial: Using Blocks and Belts 102


Tutorial: Creating Reference Geometry 105


The Bottom Line 109


Chapter 4 Creating Simple Parts and Drawings 111


Discovering Design Intent 111


Creating a Simple Part 113


Creating a Simple Assembly 125


Creating a Simple Drawing 128


The Bottom Line 142


Chapter 5 Using Visualization Techniques 143


Manipulating the View 143


Using the View Tools 149


Using the DisplayManager 157


The Display Pane 173


Part II Building Intelligence into Your Parts 181


Chapter 6 Getting More from Your Sketches 183


Editing Sketch Relations 183


Getting More from Dimensions 189


Working with Sketch Entities 189


Using Sketch Pictures 193


Using Sketch Text 196


Using Colors and Line Styles with Sketches 198


Using Other Sketch Tools 199


Sketching in 3D 201


Tutorial: Editing and Copying 204


Tutorial: Controlling Pictures, Text, Colors, and Styles 208


Tutorial: Using Metadata 211


Tutorial: Sketching Calculator 212


The Bottom Line 214


Chapter 7 Modeling with Primary Features 217


Identifying When to Use Which Tool 217


Understanding Fillet Types 231


Using Chamfers 253


Tutorial: Bracket Casting 256


The Bottom Line 260


Chapter 8 Selecting Secondary Features 261


Creating Curve Features 261


Selecting a Specialty Feature 267


Tutorial: Creating a Wire-Formed Part 280


The Bottom Line 282


Chapter 9 Patterning and Mirroring 283


Patterning in a Sketch 283


Mirroring in a Sketch 289


Working with 3D Patterns 291


Understanding Pattern Types 295


Cosmetic Patterns 307


Mirroring 3D Solids 308


Tutorial: Creating a Circular Pattern 310


Tutorial: Mirroring Features 311


Tutorial: Applying a Cosmetic Pattern 313


The Bottom Line 314


Chapter 10 Using Equations 317


Understanding Equations 317


Using Global Variables 326


Using the Modify Box 327


Using Expressions 329


Controlling Suppression States of Features 329


Linking to External Equations 330


Tutorial: Using Equations 330


The Bottom Line 333


Chapter 11 Working with Part Configurations 335


Using Design Tables 355


Creating a Simple Design Table 357


Using the Configuration Publisher 364


Tutorial: Working with Configurations and Design Tables 365


The Bottom Line 368


Chapter 12 Editing, Evaluating, and Troubleshooting 371


Using Rollback 371


Reordering Features 378


Reordering Folders 379


Using the Flyout and Detachable FeatureManagers 380


Summarizing Part Modeling Best Practices 383


Using Design for Change 385


Using Evaluation Techniques 387


Troubleshooting Errors 397


Tutorial: Utilizing Editing and Evaluation Techniques 406


The Bottom Line 412


Part III Working with Assemblies 413


Chapter 13 Building Efficient Assemblies 415


Understanding the Purpose of Assemblies 415


Identifying the Elements of an Assembly 423


Using SpeedPaks 432


Using Subassemblies 433


Using Folders 438


Working with Tree Display Options 440


Tutorial: Arranging Assemblies 443


Tutorial: Managing the FeatureManager 446


The Bottom Line 447


Chapter 14 Getting More from Mates 449


Applying Mates 449


Mating for Motion 459


Working with Advanced and Mechanical Mate Types 462


Editing and Troubleshooting 471


Examining Mate Options 474


Reviewing Mate Best Practices 475


Tutorial: Mating for Success 477


The Bottom Line 480


Chapter 15 Patterning and Mirroring Components 483


Component Patterns 483


Using Local Component Patterns 484


Using Feature-Driven Component Patterns 491


Creating a Chain Pattern 492


Understanding Other Pattern Options 494


Tutorial: Creating Component Patterns 495


The Bottom Line 497


Chapter 16 Working with Assembly Sketches and Layouts 499


Looking at the Techniques 499


Using the Layout Feature 505


Tutorial: Working with a Layout 507


The Bottom Line 513


Chapter 17 Using Assembly Tools 515


Placing Parts without Mates 515


Using Proximity Tools 520


Selecting Components 528


Reading Assembly Performance Evaluation Results 532


Using Defeature 533


Using the Hole Alignment Tool 534


The Bottom Line 535


Chapter 18 Using Libraries, Assembly Features, and Hole Wizard 537


Using Library Features 537


Creating Library Features 543


Creating Assembly Cuts 551


Making Fillets and Chamfers in Assemblies 554


Using the Hole Wizard 555


Creating Weld Beads 558


Working with Envelopes 560


Understanding Smart Components 562


Using Smart Components 563


Auto-Sizing Smart Components 566


Making Smart Components 568


Tutorial: Working with Smart Components 576


Tutorial: Working with Library Features 579


The Bottom Line 586


Chapter 19 Controlling Assembly Configurations and Display States 589


Using Display States 589


Understanding Assembly Configurations 592


Tutorial: Working with Assembly Configurations 600


The Bottom Line 604


Chapter 20 Modeling in Context 605


Understanding In-Context Modeling 605


Dealing with the Practical Details of In-Context Modeling 615


Using Other Types of External References 630


Tutorial: Working In-Context 631


The Bottom Line 635


Chapter 21 Editing, Evaluating, and Troubleshooting Assemblies 637


Working with Mates 637


Editing File Management Issues 645


Evaluating Assemblies 651


The Bottom Line 654


Chapter 22 Working with Large Scale Design 657


Using Large Design Review 657


Creating a Walk-Through 661


Creating a GridSystem 663


Transferring Data with the IFC File Type 667


The Bottom Line 668


Chapter 23 Animating with the MotionManager 669


Familiarizing Yourself with the MotionManager 670


Using the Animation Wizard 674


Animating the View 683


Animating with Key Points 691


Animating with Basic Motion 696


Using the Mate Controller 700


The Bottom Line 702


Part IV Creating Drawings 703


Chapter 24 Automating Drawings: The Basics 705


Comparing Templates and Formats 705


Creating Drawing Templates 720


Creating Blocks 725


The Bottom Line 726


Chapter 25 Working with Drawing Views 727


Creating Common View Types 727


Creating Other View Types 740


Using Display Options in Views 751


Distinguishing Views from Sheets 756


Tutorial: Working with View Types, Settings, and Options 756


The Bottom Line 762


Chapter 26 Using Annotations and Symbols 765


Using Notes 765


Using Blocks in Drawings 775


Using Symbols 779


Using Center Marks and Centerlines 780


Tutorial: Using Annotations 782


The Bottom Line 784


Chapter 27 Dimensioning and Tolerancing 787


Putting Dimensions on Drawings 787


Adding Tolerances 799


Using Dimension Styles 802


Aligning Dimensions and Annotations 802


Tutorial: Working with Dimensions and Tolerances 805


The Bottom Line 808


Chapter 28 Using Layers, Line Fonts, and Colors 809


Controlling Layers 809


Controlling Line Format 813


Hiding and Showing Edges 815


Tutorial: Using Drawing Display Tools 816


The Bottom Line 818


Chapter 29 Working with Tables and Drawings 821


Driving the Bill of Materials 821


Using Design Tables 830


Placing Hole Tables on Drawings 832


Using Revision Tables 834


Using General Tables 836


Working with Tables in Models 836


Tutorial: Using BOMs 837


Tutorial: Using Hole Tables 841


Tutorial: Using Revision Tables 843


The Bottom Line 844


Chapter 30 Creating Assembly Drawings 845


Combining Parts and Assemblies on the Same Drawing 845


Using Multi-Page Templates 847


Using Views with Special Assembly Functions 849


Using Color in Assembly Drawing Views 860


Setting Up Drawings of Large Assemblies 861


Tutorial: Creating a Simple Assembly Drawing 866


The Bottom Line 869


Part V Using Advanced and Specialized Techniques 871


Chapter 31 Modeling Multibodies 873


Using Powerful Tools Effectively 874


Understanding Multibody Techniques 876


Managing Bodies 897


Tutorials: Working with Multibodies 902


The Bottom Line 906


Chapter 32 Working with Surfaces 907


Introducing Surfaces 907


Understanding Surfacing Terminology 908


Surfacing Tools 911


Tutorial: Working with Surfaces 926


The Bottom Line 933


Chapter 33 Employing Master Model Techniques 935


Master Model Tools and Techniques 935


Using Pull Functions 937


Using Push Functions 940


Tutorial: Working with Master Model Techniques 943


The Bottom Line 947


Chapter 34 Using SolidWorks Sheet Metal Tools 949


Using the Base Flange Features 949


Making Sheet Metal Parts from Generic Models 983


Using Other Methods 989


Using Multibody Techniques with Sheet Metal 991


Tutorial: Working with the Insert Bends Method for Sheet Metal Parts 992


Tutorial: Using the Base Flange Sheet Metal Method 995


The Bottom Line 999


Chapter 35 Creating Sheet Metal Drawings 1005


Making Sheet Metal Drawings 1005


Getting the Flat Pattern 1006


Making Drawings of Multibody Sheet Metal Parts 1012


The Bottom Line 1015


Chapter 36 Creating Weldments and Weldment Drawings 1017


Sketching in 3D 1017


Using the Weldment Tools 1022


Using Nonstructural Components 1032


Using Sub-Weldments 1032


Working with Cut Lists 1033


Creating Weldment Drawings 1038


Tutorial: Working with Weldments 1040


The Bottom Line 1046


Chapter 37 Using Imported Geometry and Direct-Editing Techniques 1049


Understanding the Basics of Imported Geometry 1049


Understanding the Traditional Role of Direct Editing Tools 1060


Understanding the Strengths and Limitations of Direct


Using SolidWorks Direct Editing Tools 1062


Tutorial: Importing and Repairing Solid Geometry 1067


Tutorial: Flex and Freeform 1069


The Bottom Line 1072


Chapter 38 Using Plastic Features 1073


Using Plastic Features 1073


Using Plastic Evaluation Tools 1093


The Bottom Line 1102


Chapter 39 Using Mold Tools 1107


Working with the Mold Tools Process 1107


Working Manually with Mold Tools 1122


The Bottom Line 1124


Appendixes 1127


Appendix A The Bottom Line 1127


Chapter 1: Introducing SolidWorks 1127


Chapter 2: Navigating the SolidWorks Interface 1127


Chapter 3: Working with Sketches and Reference Geometry 1128


Chapter 4: Creating Simple Parts and Drawings 1129


Chapter 5: Using Visualization Techniques 1130


Chapter 6: Getting More from Your Sketches 1130


Chapter 7: Modeling with Primary Features 1131


Chapter 8: Selecting Secondary Features 1132


Chapter 9: Patterning and Mirroring 1133


Chapter 10: Using Equations 1134


Chapter 11: Working with Part Configurations 1135


Chapter 12: Editing, Evaluating, and Troubleshooting 1135


Chapter 13: Building Efficient Assemblies 1136


Chapter 14: Getting More from Mates 1137


Chapter 15: Patterning and Mirroring Components 1138


Chapter 16: Working with Assembly Sketches and Layouts 1139


Chapter 17: Using Assembly Tools 1140


Chapter 18: Using Libraries, Assembly Features, and Hole Wizard 1141


Chapter 19: Controlling Assembly Configurations and Display States 1142


Chapter 20: Modeling in Context 1143


Chapter 21: Editing, Evaluating, and Troubleshooting Assemblies 1143


Chapter 22: Working with Large Scale Design 1144


Chapter 23: Animating with the MotionManager 1145


Chapter 24: Automating Drawings: The Basics 1145


Chapter 25: Working with Drawing Views 1146


Chapter 26: Using Annotations and Symbols 1147


Chapter 27: Dimensioning and Tolerancing 1148


Chapter 28: Using Layers, Line Fonts, and Colors 1149


Chapter 29: Working with Tables and Drawings 1150


Chapter 30: Creating Assembly Drawings 1150


Chapter 31: Modeling Multibodies 1151


Chapter 32: Working with Surfaces 1152


Chapter 33: Employing Master Model Techniques 1153


Chapter 34: Using SolidWorks Sheet Metal Tools 1155


Chapter 35: Creating Sheet Metal Drawings 1159


Chapter 36: Creating Weldments and Weldment Drawings 1160


Chapter 37: Using Imported Geometry and Direct-Editing Techniques 1161


Chapter 38: Using Plastic Features 1162


Chapter 39: Using Mold Tools 1165


Appendix B Finding Help 1169


SolidWorks Help 1169


SolidWorks Website 1170


Customer Portal 1170


Appendix C What's on the Website 1175


System Requirements 1175


Customer Care 1176


Index 1177