INTRODUCTION TO SOLIDWORKS

Solidworks is a 3-D modeling tool. Unlike other 3-D modeling tools, Solidworks is
not fully three dimensional. Other programs allow the user to easily draw in three
dimensional space. In Solidworks, one draws in a plane and then extrudes solids
from the plane. Planes are used to obtain position in three dimensional space. It is
possible to draw in three dimensional space using Solidworks, but is very difficult.
Therefore the best method of creating three dimensional objects is using planes.
1. CREATING A NEW PART FILE
a. Go to File:New
b. Select Part
i. Solidworks files consist of parts and assemblies. Individual parts
are made and combined together in an assembly
2. CHANGING UNITS
a. Go to Tools:Options
b. Click on Document Properties tab
c. Select Units from the tree on the left
d. Select IPS
e. Click Okay
3. CREATING A RECTANGLE
a. Click on Sketch
i. Sketches are drawings located on a plane
b. Click on Rectangle
c. Select Top Plane
d. Click and Drag to create the rectangle
e. Click the Return Button in top left corner
4. SIZING THE RECTANGLE
a. Select Sketch1
b. Right Click
c. Select Edit Sketch
i. Allows you to modify a sketch you have already drawn
d. Double Click the left side of the rectangle
i. A properties box appears where you can edit the starting and
ending points, length, and angle of the line.
ii. Set the beginning point in the Y direction to -24
iii. Set the ending point in the Y direction to 24
iv. Set the beginning point in the X direction to -24
e. Double Click the right side of the rectangle
i. Set the beginning point in the X direction to 24
5. CREATING A SOLID
a. Click on Features
i. Features manipulate sketches and creates three dimensional solids
b. Click on Extruded Boss/Base
i. This creates a solid by extending a two dimensional sketch into
three dimensions. The sketch can be extruded in either or both
directions. It can also be extruded a specified distance or up to
 another surface. The extrusion can also be tapered a specified
number of degrees
c. Change the distance of D1 to 4.25
d. Click the direction arrow so that the normal vector is pointing in the
Negative Y direction
e. Click the check box
6. FILLETS
a. Click on Features:Fillet
b. Set fillet radius to .25
c. Select the four Top Edges
d. Click the check box
7. HOLLOWING THE BOTTOM
a. Click the bottom plane of the solid
b. Draw a 45x45 Rectangle centered on the plane
c. Click on Features:Extruded Cut
i. Extruded Cut is similar to Extruded Boss/Base, but is the opposite.
It takes a two dimensional sketch and removes part of a solid in the
third dimension.
d. Change the distance of D1 to 3.5
e. Click the check box
8. SAVING
a. Click on File:Save
b. Name file
9. CREATING LEGS
a. Open a New Part with units of IPS
b. Create a Solid with the dimensions, 3.5x3.5x3.5
c. Press the Space Bar to bring up the view window
i. Select Front
d. Click on Sketch:Circle
e. Draw the circle near the Right Side of the solid with a radius of .25
f. Edit the Circle Sketch
g. Click on Tools:Dimensions:Smart
i. Smart dimensions are useful when a sketch is to be referenced by
an edge and the origin on the plane is not known.
h. Select the Circle and the Right Edge
i. Modify the distance to 1
j. Using smart dimensions move the circle to 1.5 inches from the Top Edge
k. Extrude Cut the circle
i. Change Blind to Up to Next
l. Click on Insert:Pattern/Mirror:Linear Pattern
i. Patterning saves the time and effort to create repeating parts. The
parts can be linearly or circularly patterned.
m. Click on Direction 1
i. Select the Top Edge
n. Set D1 to 1.5
o. Click on Features to Pattern
 i. Select the whole you just made
p. Click the check box
q. Select the Bottom face
i. Easiest way is to set view to bottom
r. Click on Tools:Sketch Entities:Ellipse
i. Draw an ellipse centered at 0,0
ii. Make the X axis 1
iii. Make the X axis 1.5
s. Click on Insert:Curve:Helix:Spiral
i. Draw a circle on the Bottom face
ii. Click the check box
iii. Set the pitch to 32.5
iv. Set the start angle to 0
v. Click the check box
t. Click on Features:Swept Boss/Base
i. Select the Ellipse
ii. Select the Helix
iii. Click the check box
u. Save the leg part
10. PLACING HOLES IN THE TABLE TOP
a. Click on one of the small outside faces
b. Create two Holes with a radius of .25. One 2.5 and another 4 from the
Right Edge. Both holes should be 2.25 from the Top Edge
c. Repeat for each of the outside faces
11. CREATING AN ASSEMBLY
a. Click on File:New:Assembly with units of Inches
b. Insert the Table Top Part
i. Click on the drawing area to place it
c. Click on Insert:Component:Existing Part/Assembly
d. Insert the Leg Part
e. Click on Insert:Mate
i. Mates are useful to match two parts together. Coincident mating
places two surfaces in the same plane. Concentric mating places
the center point of two circles on the same axis.
f. Select the Left Circle of the hole in the Leg and the Inside of one of the
Left Circles on the table
g. Click the check box
h. Repeat for the three other legs
12. FINISHED