SOLIDWORKS is a solid modeling computer-aided design (CAD) andcomputer-aided engineering (CAE) computer program that runs onMicrosoft Windows. SOLIDWORKS is published by Dassault Systèmes.
According to the SOLIDWORKS corporate fact sheet, over 3 millionengineers and designers at more than 230,000 companies use SOLIDWORKS as of Q4 2015. Worldwide there are 354 Value-Added Resellers in 71 countries who sell and support SOLIDWORKS in their local geographies. In addition, there are 740 solution partners who make add-on products to extend the functionality of SOLIDWORKS. In 2015, SOLIDWORKS had revenue of $636 million.
The SOLIDWORKS mission statement: "To provide engineers and design teams with complete, intuitive 3D solutions so they can transform innovation into business success.
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The SOLIDWORKS interface.
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| Developer(s) | Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp. |
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| Initial release | 1995 |
| Stable release | SOLIDWORKS 2016 SP3 / April 14, 2016 [1] |
| Preview release | SOLIDWORKS 2016 SP3.0 EV / March 24, 2016 [1] |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Available in | English |
| Type | CAD and CAE |
| License | Proprietary |
Modeling method
SOLIDWORKS is a solid modeler, and utilizes a parametric feature-based approach to create models and assemblies. The software is written on Parasolid-kernel.
Parameters refer to constraints whose values determine the shape or geometry of the model or assembly. Parameters can be either numeric parameters, such as line lengths or circle diameters, or geometric parameters, such as tangent, parallel, concentric, horizontal or vertical, etc. Numeric parameters can be associated with each other through the use of relations, which allows them to capture design intent.
Design intent is how the creator of the part wants it to respond to changes and updates. For example, you would want the hole at the top of a beverage can to stay at the top surface, regardless of the height or size of the can. SolidWorks allows the user to specify that the hole is a feature on the top surface, and will then honor their design intent no matter what height they later assign to the can.
Features refer to the building blocks of the part. They are the shapes and operations that construct the part. Shape-based features typically begin with a 2D or 3D sketch of shapes such as bosses, holes, slots, etc. This shape is then extruded or cut to add or remove material from the part. Operation-based features are not sketch-based, and include features such as fillets, chamfers, shells, applying draft to the faces of a part, etc.
Building a model in SOLIDWORKS usually starts with a 2D sketch (although 3D sketches are available for power users). The sketch consists of geometry such as points, lines, arcs, conics (except the hyperbola), and splines. Dimensions are added to the sketch to define the size and location of the geometry. Relations are used to define attributes such as tangency, parallelism, perpendicularity, and concentricity. The parametric nature of SOLIDWORKS means that the dimensions and relations drive the geometry, not the other way around. The dimensions in the sketch can be controlled independently, or by relationships to other parameters inside or outside of the sketch.
In an assembly, the analog to sketch relations are mates. Just as sketch relations define conditions such as tangency, parallelism, and concentricity with respect to sketch geometry, assembly mates define equivalent relations with respect to the individual parts or components, allowing the easy construction of assemblies. SOLIDWORKS also includes additional advanced mating features such as gear and cam follower mates, which allow modeled gear assemblies to accurately reproduce the rotational movement of an actual gear train.
Finally, drawings can be created either from parts or assemblies. Views are automatically generated from the solid model, and notes, dimensions and tolerances can then be easily added to the drawing as needed. The drawing module includes most paper sizes and standards (ANSI, ISO, DIN, GOST, JIS, BSI and SAC).
File format
SOLIDWORKS files (previous to version 2015) use the Microsoft Structured Storage file format. This means that there are various files embedded within each SLDDRW (drawing files), SLDPRT (part files), SLDASM (assembly files) file, including preview bitmaps and metadata sub-files. Various third-party tools (see COM Structured Storage) can be used to extract these sub-files, although the subfiles in many cases use proprietary binary file formats.
Commands
Extrude Boss/Base
The Extrude Boss/base is one of the most frequently used tools in SolidWorks, which enables to convert a 2D sketch into 3D model. It helps to add material to your sketch files. It is represented by icon
When you click on the Extrude button, the property manager opens which is shown below.
From this property manager you can add materials to your sketch drawing in one or two direction, make it thin feature or only for selected contours.
Revolve Boss/Base
The revolve feature enables to add materials to your 2D sketch by revolving a long as centerline or axis. The revolve boss/base is actually rotate the sketch along an axis. It helps to create parts shows the symmetry like cylinder, sphere, pulleys etc.
Swept Boss/Base
It is sweep feature which sweeps a closed profile through a open or closed path for making solid object. This feature helps to make solid part by guiding through a definite path.
Loft Boss/Base
It helps to create solid model between two profiles in a certain distance. It needs two or more profiles to add materials into it.
Boundary Boss/Base
It also helps to add materials between profiles in two directions to create solid object.
Note: above boss feature tools are add materials to create 3D solid objects using 2D closed or open sketch or profiles.
Extrude Cut
Unlike the extrude boss, the Extrude cut removes the material from 3D model by using a closed sketch (circle or rectangle etc). You can do the cut in one or two directions the using the property menu.
Revolved Cut
Using the Revolved Cut, you can remove the material by revolving a closed sketch around an axis.
Loft Cut
You can remove the materials between two profiles using the Loft Cut feature.
Swept Cut
It cuts the solid model by sweeping closed profiles through a curved path.
Boundary Cut
It also cut the material from the solid material between two profiles.
Hole Wizard
You can insert the per-defined hole in the solid body. This feature is very helpful to make fastener holes in the model.
Fillet
It creates round internal or external faces by using the edges of the solid model. You can control the radius of the fillet from the property manager.
Chamfer
It helps to cut the edges to a certain angle and creates a flat face on the edges by removing some materials.
Mirror
If you want to create the mirror of a model, use the Mirror feature.
Linear Pattern
If you want to create series of hole in the body of model in linear manner, use Linear Pattern.
Circular Pattern
To arrange holes in circular manner.
In pattern section, curve driven, sketch driven and table drive pattern feature are available. These features will see one by one in SolidWorks tutorials.
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