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Modeling basics · Lesson 1: Getting started with SOLIDWORKS

The interface, view manipulation, toolbar customization and a first complete part.

Lesson goal

Find your way around the interface and create a first part from start to finish.

▶

4 videos

✎

1 exercise

Beginner

↳

No prerequisite

1. Watch the videos

Dassault Systèmes videos hosted on MySolidWorks: they open in a new tab and a free account is enough. Watch them in order.

SOLIDWORKS Basics and the User InterfaceVideo 1▶SOLIDWORKS Basics and the User InterfaceWhat SOLIDWORKS is, design intent and a tour of the interface.In French↗ View ManipulationVideo 2▶View ManipulationOrient, zoom and rotate the model with the keyboard, the mouse or the triad.In French↗ UI CustomizationVideo 3▶UI CustomizationCommandManager tabs, toolbars, keyboard shortcuts and mouse gestures.In French↗ Part ModelingVideo 4▶Part ModelingA complete part: sketch, relations, dimensions, extrusion, revolve and shell.In French↗

2. Key takeaways

1

The FeatureManager design tree lists features in the order they were created: it is the history of the part.

2

The CommandManager groups tools by tab (Features, Sketch, etc.); show only the ones you use.

3

The Spacebar opens the View Selector: it is the fastest way back to a standard view.

4

A SOLIDWORKS part is parametric: change a dimension, and all the geometry that depends on it updates.

Tip

Assign a keyboard shortcut to the three commands you use most. You will see the time saved on day one.

3. Do the exercise

In a new part file:

  • show and then hide a CommandManager tab
  • create a keyboard shortcut for the Normal To command
  • recreate the part from the Part Modeling video and change a dimension to test the update
✓To check: The part rebuilds without errors after the dimension change, and your shortcut works.

Stuck on the exercise or on a real part?

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