How to Make a Drawing on Solidworks TUTORIAL

Sketches in SOLIDWORKS are like the foundation of a skyscraper – without them, y'all couldn't build one! Well-adult sketches are 1 of the major keys to creating intelligent and flexible models, and we want to introduce you to several sketching tools/techniques and provide you with the understanding you lot need to start creating your own.

Getting Started

A sketch is nigh always the first step in designing a new part. To begin, create a new function and select your desired template. In one case the user interface is visible, click the Sketch tab of the CommandManager and select the Sketch icon on the left-manus side.

Remember: You can search for commands in SOLIDWORKS if you do non know where they are. Click the downward pointer adjacent to the search bar at the top correct of the screen, cull Commands, and then type in the proper name of the command yous'd similar to employ.

Beginning a Sketch in SOLIDWORKS

Note: Be sure to select the Sketch icon and non the pointer below it – clicking the arrow will provide an pick to create a 3D sketch, which we are not using here.

Considering this is the start sketch in the new part, the system automatically displays the iii default planes in the model, which human action equally the chief sketching surfaces in the model. Once the kickoff sketch has been created, subsequent sketches will not automatically show these planes, although they can still be used.

Additionally, whatsoever planar or flat faces of existing geometry can be used every bit sketching surfaces. To keep, select one of the planes in the graphics expanse:

Default Planes Showing after Starting First Sketch

Commencement Sketch Mode

One time a airplane has been selected, the view orientation will automatically rotate normal to the plane, and you will exist entered into sketch mode. It is important to sympathize when sketch manner is active, as many other SOLIDWORKS commands will be unavailable in this style. Likewise, many commands can be executed but when in sketch manner.

Note: Dimensions are one of import exception to this rule, equally they can be added both within and outside of sketch mode. Even so, dimensions created exterior of sketch manner will not constrain the sketch, and can get very confusing. For this reason, it is important for new users to exist certain that sketch way is active when creating dimensions.

There are several indicators that sketch mode is agile. Start, yous will notice that the Sketch icon we just used has now been replaced with an Exit Sketch icon. Additionally, you will find that the origin, originally blue in color, is now red. Finally, in the top right corner of the graphics expanse, you will come across two icons that allow you to relieve the sketch (blue sketch icon) or cancel any changes (ruddy X icon) and get out the sketch.

Indicators of Agile Sketch Fashion

Using the Line Command

At this point, we are ready to begin sketching. On the left-hand side of the Sketch tab of the command manager, y'all will observe several sketching tools that will allow yous to construct a variety of basic shapes, including lines, circles and rectangles, amidst many others. For new users, the Line command is the nigh basic sketch entity. Click the Line command to brainstorm sketching.

Selecting the Line Command

It is important to make use of the origin, especially in your first sketch, in society to fully define the sketch. Left-click the origin and release to place the first betoken of the line on it. In doing this, yous are creating a Coincident sketch relation between the beginning of the line and the origin, finer locking it in place.

As yous drag the cursor abroad from the origin, you volition see a preview of the line. Every bit y'all arroyo a horizontal or vertical orientation, you will notice the line snap into place, and a yellow symbol will announced. The yellow symbols are very important, every bit they represent sketch relations that will automatically exist added as you create the sketch entities; that is, if the line is created with the horizontal symbol present, that line volition be locked in the horizontal orientation from that point forward (although the length may still exist adapted). These relations tin can be modified afterward the sketch has been created, and any that are non captured automatically can always be added.

Showing Automatic Horizontal Sketch Relation

Note: The number that appears next to the endpoint of the line represents the length of the line, merely does not human activity as a constraint. The length of the line can nonetheless be modified until it is constrained, either by additional sketch relations or dimensions.

When you are satisfied with the length of the line, left click and release to place the endpoint. Every bit you move the cursor away from the end point one time over again, you volition find a second line is shown, and is automatically attached to the endpoint of the previous line. (Should you want to stop this concatenation of lines, right-click and choose stop chain. Alternatively, the Escape central tin exist used, although this volition end the Line command.) Drag the cursor down and to the right, and when you are satisfied with the position and length, left-click over again.

From here, motion the cursor back to the left, ensuring that the tertiary line is horizontal. In addition, exist on the lookout for a blue, vertical, and dashed reference line that leads back to the origin. These lines do not automatically add sketch relations, but are a great visual aid for lining upwards geometry for easier use. The similar yellow lines pictured below are known as inference lines, and will add automatic sketch relations. One time you see these indicators, left-click to place the third line:

Sketch Geometry and Sketch Visual Feedback

Defining the Sketch

Finally, return the cursor to the origin and left-click to complete the polygon. At this point, the sketch should plow shaded (if using the default options), and we can begin fully defining the sketch. Click the green check marker in the PropertyManager for the Line control or printing the Escape central to get out the tool.

Completed Sketch Geometry, Partially Defined

The green symbols shown in Figure vii represent the sketch relations we captured during the sketching process, simply many others are also available. To reveal these symbols, left-click on a line segment. Additionally, the blueish colors of the lines indicate that these segments are not fully defined, meaning they are notwithstanding complimentary to move. It is best exercise to fully ascertain sketches (with a few exceptions), although information technology is possible to create features from sketches that are nether divers.

To test the liberty of a sketch, you may click and drag any blue sketch entity or endpoint to see what type of move is bachelor. This can oft aid you lot understand what is required to finish defining a sketch. Call up, if you mess something up, the Undo command is available in the standard toolbar!

Fully defining a sketch typically requires a combination of both sketch relations and dimensions. To add a sketch relation, click the desired entity, and in the PropertyManager on the left of the interface, you volition run across the bachelor relations. In many cases, you will need to select 2 or more sketch entities to create a relation; agree the control key while making selections to select multiple entities at one time. Should you need to delete a sketch relation, click the sketch entity associated with it, right click the light-green relation symbol, and choose delete from the shortcut menu. Additionally, the Display/Delete Relations command can be used as well.

Calculation Relations to Sketch Entities

Using Smart Dimension

No further sketch relations are needed in this blueprint, only in order to size it properly and fully define it, dimensions must be added. To add together dimensions, select the Smart Dimension command from the CommandManager, simply next to the Sketch icon. Be sure you lot are however active in the sketch while using this control!

Smart Dimension Control

Once the control is active, begin selecting entities to dimension. These can exist line segments, endpoints, arc, or whatsoever other sketch entity type. Most dimensions crave but one or 2 selections. In this example, we will capture the height of the design by dimensioning the vertical line. Click the vertical line. Once selected, a preview for the dimension will appear – this allows you to continue selecting entities if a different dimension is desired. Since the vertical dimension is what we need, click to place the preview. A dialog volition appear, assuasive you to input the dimension value. Blazon in a suitable value and click the light-green check mark to complete the dimension:

Applying a Smart Dimension and Associated Alter Dialog

In one case the dimension has been completed, the Smart Dimension tool remains active. Click the lower horizontal line and identify the preview, inputting a suitable value to capture the overall width of the sketch.

Finally, an angular dimension is required to constrain the angled line. This dimension requires two selections; select both the lower horizontal line and the angled line, ignoring the first preview that appears afterward the first selection. Identify the resulting preview, input a suitable athwart value, and confirm the dimension. Due to the intelligence of the Smart Dimension command, different dimension types exercise not crave the use of carve up commands!

Note: In many cases, multiple previews volition be available when creating a dimension. When this is the instance, dissimilar values will be shown depending on the location of the cursor on the screen. Be sure to select the preview that is advisable for the constraint you are trying to apply.

At this indicate, the sketch should exist fully divers, shown past the all-black colour of the sketch. If it isn't, drag any remaining blue sketch entities to make up one's mind the available movement, and use that information to apply additional sketch relations or dimensions as needed. If a dimension needs to exist edited, merely double-click the value to bring up the modify dialog, input the new value and confirm.

Fully Defined Sketch

Creating the First Feature

At this betoken, we're ready to create our starting time feature! Click the blueish sketch icon in the confirmation corner (top right of the graphics area) to salve the sketch and exit sketch style. And so, click the Features tab of the CommandManager. Choose the Extruded Boss/Base icon, and using the default values, click the light-green checkmark. Congratulations! You've officially created your first SOLIDWORKS part.

Completed Extruded Boss/Base Feature

Note: If you are presented with a yellow dialog box request you to select a airplane on which to create the feature cross-department when creating the Extruded Boss/Base of operations, don't panic! But select the sketch you created from the graphics area, and it will exist used for the feature.

Finally, if yous e'er accidentally exit your sketch while it's withal in progress, or if you'd like to brand some changes to information technology afterwards information technology's consummate, y'all can get dorsum to it by using the Edit Sketch command. Every sketch and feature created in SOLIDWORKS is stored in the FeatureManager design tree on the left of the screen. If the sketch has not been used in a feature, information technology should be piece of cake to come across in the tree. Simply right click the sketch, and choose the offset icon in the context carte that appears (the upper menu that shows only symbols):

Editing a Standalone Sketch

If, however, you lot've already created a characteristic from the sketch, the sketch will be nested nether the characteristic and may not be immediately visible. When this is the case, click the arrow next to the feature to aggrandize it and reveal the sketch. From here, the aforementioned steps can exist followed. Alternatively, right click the feature using the sketch, and click the Edit Sketch icon from the context menu (now in the second position):

Editing a Nested Sketch

Sketching Basics Tutorial

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In this article, we covered the basics of sketching in SOLIDWORKS to become y'all upwardly to speed and ready to create your starting time SOLIDWORKS feature. Visit our website to learn more than virtually SOLIDWORKS CAD, or contact us at Hawk Ridge Systems today. Thanks for reading!

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How to Make a Drawing on Solidworks TUTORIAL

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