Here is a quick Solidworks sheet metal tutorial.

The sheet metal tool allows you to quickly create sheet metal part designs using a simple design process, all helping to save time and development costs.

Let’s see how this works

Solidworks sheet metal tutorial

Step 1

First Create a New Part.

Step 2

Right-click on the toolbar and activate Sheet Metal.

Step 3

Click on the top plane and then create a new sketch.

Step 4

Now, sketch and use Smart Dimension to give a dimension to the design.

Step 5

Click on the Sheet Metal tab,  select Base Flange/Tab and give 1 mm to the sheet metal parameters.

Step 6

To bend the sheet metal part, sketch lines on the part as shown in the picture.

Step 7

Bend the part by clicking Sketched Bend, or Insert >> Sheet Metal >> Sketched Bend. The part bends following the sketched lines.

Step 8

In this step, we are going to extend the edge with Edge Flange. Click on the right edge as it is shown below and extrude it by 30 mm.

Step 9

The Hem tool adds a hem to your sheet metal part at a selected edge. In an open sheet metal part and in the graphics area, select an edge as shown.

Step 10

Repeat the last step again but this time try a different type of hem.

There are specific sheet metal features you can use to create sheet metal bodies quickly. However, in some circumstances when the design requires certain types of geometry, you can use non-sheet metal feature tools, then insert bends or convert the part to sheet metal.

You might also like:

• Solidworks Equation
• Solidworks Tutorial: Sheet Metal
• How to Create a Sphere in Solidworks
• SolidWorks Tutorial: Extrude
• Solidworks Tutorial: Assembly
• Solidworks Tutorial: Cosmetic Thread
• Solidworks Tutorial: How to Draw a Coke Bottle
• Solidworks Tutorial: Easy to Follow 3D Sketching Using Solidworks
• Solidworks Tutorial: Convert Entities
• SolidWorks Tutorial: SWEEP

In this post, you will learn how to use the Mirror command in Solidworks. Mirroring is another way that SolidWorks can create a “copy” of an existing object. Additionally, you must choose a plane to mirror parts.

In most cases, you will have to create your own plane to have the mirror done the way you need.

Here is a quick example of what a mirror does. (The line in between the mirrored parts is a the center of the parts)

How to mirror parts in Solidworks

Step 1

First Create a New Part

Step 2

We need to select the desired plane. click on the front plane and select sketch

Step 3

Make a rectangle with the origin of the sketch as the origin of the rectangle and then click on Smart Dimension and give 200 mm for length and 100 mm for width.

Step 4

Choose Extruded Boss/Base and give 20 mm thickness and also change the end condition to Mid-Plane. This is the best way to put the front plane at the center thus allowing you to use the standard plane for mirroring.

Step 5

Click on the highlighted area as shown on the picture below and select a new Sketch.

Step 6

Create a new sketch (triangular) on the selected surface. Select Line and then draw three lines of 80 mm.

Step 7

Exit the sketch and switch your view to isometric. Extrude the triangle to a depth of 40 mm, click on the reverse direction, and click OK to see the extruded part.

Step 8

Click on Extrude either by clicking on the extrude cut in the Feature manager or click on the extrude cut in the design.

Click on Mirror. If you do not have Mirror in your toolbar you can find it from Insert>> Pattern/Mirror

Step 9

In Property Manager, we see it asking for a mirror face or plane. In our design field, we see our part which we can expand to view various things. Expand and select the front plane as this is the plane we want to mirror.

As you can see, I have selected the Mirror plane in the extrude-section to have the Front Plane in the middle of base otherwise, I should have defined a new plane. Therefore, it is considered important to use the command in a way to help us create the model the easiest way possible.

Step 10

At this step, you might have noticed that you can create the whole around the right plane instead.

The advantage of using Mirror command is that it saves time as you probably know drawing all those features can be quite time-consuming. Moreover, the most important point is that if you change the original feature in a mirror, all of the copies also change.

By converting entities in Solidworks, you can easily create one or more curves in the sketch by projecting an edge, loop, face, curve, external contour, set of edges onto the sketch plane.

Solidworks convert entities

Let’s use the example below to help assimilate what we are trying to put forward here.

Step 1

First Create a New Part.

Step 2

Second, Select the Front Plane and Select Sketch

Step 3

Create the following image using the Line and Smart Dimension.

Step 4

Select Extruded Boss/Base and give 100 mm of thickness with the direction set to Mid Plane and click on Okay.

Step 5

Now create a new sketch on the highlighted surface.

Step 6

Select Convert Entities from the toolbar, select the highlighted lines and click on Okay.

With this command, you can create one or more curves in a sketch by projecting an edge.

Step 7

Choose Extruded Boss/Base, give 50 mm of thickness, activate the draft, give 20 degrees of angle and click on Okay.

Here we have it! Converting entities can be really useful to get jobs done with less hassle when you are working on complicated projects. Now that you know how to enjoy the benefit of this trick, do not forget to remember it when you will need it while working on complex projects. This command basically helps you repurpose the surface of a drawn object to create a new one.

You might also like:

• Solidworks Equation
• Solidworks Tutorial: Sheet Metal
• How to Create a Sphere in Solidworks
• SolidWorks Tutorial: Extrude
• Solidworks Tutorial: Assembly
• Solidworks Tutorial: Cosmetic Thread
• Solidworks Tutorial: How to Draw a Coke Bottle
• Solidworks Tutorial: Easy to Follow 3D Sketching Using Solidworks
• Solidworks Tutorial: Convert Entities
• SolidWorks Tutorial: SWEEP

There are some quite popular 3D modeling software applications been used around the CAD industry, that every designer knows about and SolidWorks obviously falls into this category. This design application was built for the task of modeling and rendering models which it does excellently due to its extensive features and simplistic user-interface.

SolidWorks does its job so well that most designers will include it in their top 3 list of CAD applications to use. But despite its versatility, one factor still puts it out of the reach of the average designer and this factor is its price. The full package of SolidWorks 2017 costs approximately $2,000 and expecting students, hobbyists, and designers at the beginner level to be able to afford this package is a tall order. To help student’s use its products, SolidWorks opened an online student store that provides its merchandise at a very subsidized rate. Yet still, not every student can afford its products.

In today’s post, we will be looking at alternatives to purchasing SolidWorks. Here, 7 free CAD tools that can be used to carry out high-end 3D modeling projects and execute rendering tasks will be outlined in the coming paragraphs.

Recap.

• OpenSCAD
• FreeCAD
• DesignSpark Mechanical
• SolveSpace
• Tinkercad ( previously Autodesk 123D)
• Blender
• FloodEditor

Free Solidworks alternative

OpenSCAD

A CAD software application named OpenSCAD generally means two things; it is an open software app that can be modified by designers and it most probably comes without a price tag. OpenSCAD was developed for the sole purpose of creating solid 3D CAD models and provides the features needed to allow designers create complex 3D models.

The CAD software is built to focus heavily on the CAD aspects of modeling rather than artistic design. This makes it more like a 3D-compiler that reads a script defining the object been modeled and then renders the model provided by your script. Therefore, OpenSCAD is built for excellently modeling machine components but maybe a bit redundant for creating 3D animations.

In terms of features, OpenSCAD makes use of two main techniques; the use of constructive solid geometry (CSG) and the extrusion of 2D outlines to create solid 3D models. More importantly, this CAD application is a good alternative to SolidWorks which will cost you no money. Simply visit the parent site to download OpenSCAD. OpenSCAD works on Windows, Linux and the Mac OSX operating system.

FreeCAD

The push to demystify CAD application development and eliminate the need to pay for design suites has been led by indie developers and the good people at FreeCAD fall into this category. FreeCAD, as its name connotes, is free. It is a general-purpose parametric 3D CAD modeling tool built for the mechanical engineering niche. This means that it comes with all the features and design techniques needed to develop mechanical components.

FreeCAD like most of its competitors uses 2D extrusion techniques to carry out the modeling of solid 3D characters. Also, FreeCAD provides support for all the open-source libraries that you know in the field of scientific computing. This means you can make use of CSG techniques when modeling as well as import designs from other CAD software applications for use or modification on your FreeCAD workspace.

This CAD software application is fully multi-platform in its use. Therefore, you can download and make use of FreeCAD on Windows, Linux/Unix and Mac OSX powered systems. These factors make it a great alternative to the established 3D modeling tools out there due to its features and cost

DesignSpark Mechanical

The rise of 3D printing has led to the creation of supporting technologies developed to simplify the task of using a printer. One of these spin-off industries is the current creation of 3D modeling tools that can be used to design printable digital 3D models. DesignSpark Mechanical is one such software that falls into this category.

This application is a free CAD software developed solely for the engineering niche and has been hailed for its ability to help engineers move from concept to design with ease. Its main selling point is its abilities for rapid prototyping and reverse engineering of physical objects. Like most open-source software applications, its eco-system is built to accommodate libraries and designs from other CAD applications.

DesignSpark works seamlessly with the different file types you know and is a multi-platform enabled design tool. This means you can download, install and use it on Windows, Linux and Mac OSX platforms without any issues arising.

SolveSpace

Interesting things are happening in the world of CAD as multiple developers test the dominance of SolidWorks, Autodesk and Bentley Microstation with free and powerful alternatives to design. SolveSpace is a parametric 3D CAD program designed to do just that—test SolidWorks dominance in the niche of mechanical 3D modeling.

To do this, SolveSpace has integrated multiple features to attract professionals, amateurs and 3D printing enthusiasts to use its intuitive modeling interface. With the application, users can model 3D parts using extruding techniques, revolves and Boolean operations to accomplish the design task. Consequently, the application can also be used in drawing 2D parts, creating printable 3d models and supporting the export of your model’s STL directly to a 3d printer.

The app was built to function on Windows, Linux and Mac OSX. On the official SolveSpace website, interested users will find a plethora of tutorials and materials extensively covering its use which definitely simplifies the task of mastering its tools and user-interface. Lastly, it is truly a free alternative CAD software app one can use instead of SolidWorks for modeling mechanical components.

Tinkercad

If you were not expecting to see an Autodesk product on this list, view this as our official apology for disappointing you. But the fact remains that a free 3D modeling CAD software application from Autodesk will always be a force to reckon with in the CAD development industry. This is due to the fact that Autodesk brings over 30 years of development experience to the table.

Tinkercad is a versatile modeling tool developed with one thing in mind; creating 3D models with ease. This makes it one of the easiest design tools to use in the entire catalogue of design applications its parent company has to offer. The app comes with a comprehensive toolset and makes use of extruding 2D designs as its main technique for 3D modeling. Compared to Maya and Inventor, it should be viewed as a simpler tool for modeling non-complex 3D models.

The app also provides you with access to Autodesk 360, the cloud platform for storing all your designs and this comes with a package charge. Tinkercad is available on Windows and Mac OSX operating systems and can be freely downloaded from its official website.

Blender

Blender has slowly but surely earned a name for itself as one of the more-trustworthy open-source CAD software applications currently available to designers. This is due to its premium-grade interface, tools, features and animating abilities lacking in other free CAD applications. Blender should be viewed as not just a 3D modeler but as a complete design suite capable of quality renderings and animation.

Therefore it is one of the perfect free CAD applications students from every discipline involved with design and modeling should consider as a great alternative to SolidWorks. With this software, you can also create 3D printable design concepts, import 3D models and reverse engineer physical objects. Its feature-rich interface makes it quite difficult to learn its design techniques and you will need to invest some time in it to become fluid with its use. Blender works superbly on Linux, Windows and Mac OSX. It also has a vibrant online community to help you with any difficulties that may arrive. With Blender, creativity starts here.

FloodEditor

Here is a shout out to cloud-based CAD applications that one can use without the need to download or install any ‘exe’ files on your computer. food editor is a parametric 3D modeling web application designed with simplicity in mind.

It is important to note that this CAD tool works well with the more established browsers we use on our systems. And with a Firefox, Safari or Chrome browser, you are good to start modeling your 3D components with floodEditor. Although it is still in beta, its reviews have been encouraging and with an open-source backed platform, enhancing its features and abilities will be crowd-sourced.

I believe floodEditor, is something to look forward to in the future for those not willing to pay the steep price that comes with using some of the more established brands out there. You can check out its capabilities here.

Final Thoughts

I think it is important to note that, most of the free CAD software applications available for public use come with some few flaws one must accept. This does not mean you can’t accomplish the tasks you set out to model. There are also a few which are near perfect and Blender falls into this category but its steep learning curve may serve as a hindrance to beginners or first-time users.

A proper graphics card can make a difference between a fantastic SolidWorks experience and constant annoyance at the way you view your projects. Since SolidWorks software is far from being cheap, not taking advantage of all the possibilities it has to offer is downright irresponsible. If you want your system to run as smoothly as possible while displaying and loading your designs properly, a good graphics card is a compulsory purchase.

The Importance of a Good Graphics Card

Some people believe that if the software loads fine then their old graphics card can do the job. This is a big mistake. While SolidWorks may load properly, the bad graphics card can influence the way you view your drawings and designs.

A wrong card can make your computer prone to crashes when using such complicated software as SolidWorks. Some gamers believe that their expensive gaming cards should be sufficient to get the best results in SolidWorks. On the contrary, the gaming card might not be enough. A good card for this software should be able to process engineering workflows.

Hardware Requirements

Even if you choose the best graphics card for SolidWorks, you might not get the results you were hoping for. Why? Because the rest of the hardware on your computer should comply. Without a good CPU with sufficient memory, any graphics card is useless. As soon as you upgrade your computer, you can start searching for the right graphics card.

SolidWorks is a diverse software, which can allow you to create projects of various difficulties. If you are planning to dedicate your time to simple modeling, you don’t have to invest in the best graphics card. However, if you are dealing with complex projects or planning to do them in the future, it makes sense to make an investment before installing the software.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before going forward and choosing the best graphics card for SolidWorks, you need to ask yourself some questions.

• Do you need to use dual monitors?
• Are you planning to create photorealistic images of your projects?
• Are you planning to export your models to other ray-tracing apps?
• Are you planning to use Flow Simulation or FEA to create visualizations?
• Are you a beginner in the CAD software universe?
• Are you an experienced designer with a goal to create new and complicated models?

Once you answer these questions, you can get an idea of what your card should be like.

Types of Graphic Cards

If you are new to choosing the graphic cards, you can benefit from some information about the types of video cards available on the market today.

Integrated Video Card

Most modern computers already have a built-in video card to help display the images and videos on your monitor. If you read the computer’s specs, you’ll probably find something about the integrated card. This default option can come with the computer’s motherboard. An integrated card doesn’t mean that you can’t upgrade it.

You can buy a new card and plug it into your computer. As a result, the integrated card will be rendered useless. Depending on how new and advanced your computer is, you may be able to avoid buying a new card for using SolidWorks but most likely it will only be sufficient for the simplest projects.

Integrated cards are unlikely to be powerful. If you want to go further than the simplest CAD models, you would need to change your card.

PCI Cards

PCI video cards are the cards that use the PCI slots on your computer’s motherboard in order to work on the computer. At the moment PCI graphics cards are somewhat outdated. However, if you have an old motherboard, PCI might be the only way to connect a video card.

Looking for a PCI card for your SolidWorks needs is not a good idea. Most likely your computer is too old to support the software. Upgrading an old system using a PCI video card might be suitable for some gamers but won’t allow SolidWorks to run properly.

AGP Graphic Cards

These cards use the AGP slot to connect to your motherboard. As opposed to PCI cards, AGP is a more modern option. You can choose the speed of the AGP card, which can go as high up as 8x. However, older systems and motherboards have a “speed limit”. SO you have to make sure that your motherboard is up to date in order to take full advantage of the AGP card. Otherwise, you may be stuck with 1x or 2x speed. AGP cards are widely compatible, however, their speed is lacking. These cards are unlikely to give proper support for complicated CAD projects.

PCI-Express (PCI-E) Graphic Cards

These are the most advanced video cards. They connect to the PCI-E slot on the computer’s motherboard. They can offer speed up to 16x. If your motherboard has more than one PCI-E slot, you can easily plug-in more than one graphic cards and use the combination of their power. This is a good option for SolidWorks software. However, before you choose the PCI-E card for your computer, check your motherboard specs. Some motherboards work with certain PCI-E card brands.

High-End Vs. Mainstream

Mainstream video cards are suitable for an average user, who might be an occasional gamer. These cards are great for working with standard computer applications and watching videos. However, they cannot support heavy game flow.

High-End cards are great for newer games and sophisticated CAD software. They feature multiple HDMI, DVI or VGA outputs and allow you to use multiple displays. High-end cards are on an expensive side and might take a toll on your wallet. However, investing in such a card can allow you not to worry about any type of software you use for any of your needs.

SolidWorks Graphics Card

SolidWorks recommends using two video card brands and models:

• AMD FirePro
• NVIDIA Quadro

These are the graphics card officially recommended by SolidWorks. If you don’t have time to deal with the research today, we’ve done part of it for you. Below you can find 4 graphic cards suitable for SolidWorks.

NVIDIA Quadro P4000

This graphics card is one of the latest offerings by NVIDIA. It caters to the avid gamers and CAD software users and can be called a high-end graphics card. This video card is specifically designed to deal with complex CAD models. It gives you an option of adding Quadro Sync II card, which allows you to use multiple monitors. It’s a PCI-Express card with 16x speed. You can use virtual reality environments to experiment with and experience your designs.

NVIDIA Quadro M6000

This is a slightly less expensive option for SolidWorks users, however, it provides all the specs you need for the smooth running of your software. Quadro M6000 delivers a great gaming performance together with the better rendering control. It’s a PCI-E card that offers 16x speed.

AMD FirePro M4000

This is another wonderful option for SolidWorks users. It’s created to compete with NVIDIA Quadro M4000 model. This is a good video card for SolidWorks software users, who are planning to do complex CAD designs. The card offers great speed and multiple monitor options.

AMD FirePro M5100

This model provides excellent speed and wonderful features for SolidWorks users. Even though this card was released back in 2013, it still offers excellent performance and speed. SolidWorks software provides a full specter of features when used with this video card.

While these video cards seem to be the best options for SolidWorks software at the moment, you can still consider other models for your use. As long as the brand is NVIDIA or AMD FirePro, you can choose virtually any video cards. Here is a list of graphic card models than you might want to consider:

You have to pay close attention to the system’s requirements as well as your personal needs. If you can’t come up with a perfect combination, get professional advice. Choosing the wrong graphics card for you SolidWorks needs can spell disaster. After all, you don’t have to be a software or hardware guru to become a designer. So sometimes, it makes sense to talk to an expert.

When you think about buying SolidWorks software, you need to consider the budget. This program requires you to invest in a good computer and a solid video card. Buying one of the components and failing to purchase the rest can significantly hinder the results.

The LOFT tool is one of the many Solidworks that help you create smooth and organic shapes. It creates a shape by making transitions between multiple profiles and guides curves thus allowing you to create complex geometry with a single tool.

Solidworks LOFT

Let’s take a look at how we can create a model like the one on the picture below using with Loft command.

Step 1

First Create a New Part

Step 2

We need to select the desired plane.

Click on the Top plane and select sketch

Step 3

Make a circle with the origin of the sketch as the origin of the circle and click on the smart dimension and give 150 mm for diameter.

Step 4

Click on the Top-Plane, go to features and select Reference/Geometry and select Plane (Features >> Reference Geometry >> Plane)

Step 5

Select the Top-Plane as the first reference and then specify 100 mm in the dimension box.

Step 6

Make another circle with the origin of the sketch as the origin of the circle on a new plane and then click on Smart Dimension and enter 200 mm as its diameter.

Step 7

Click on Plane1 and then go to features and select Reference/Geometry and enter 100 mm as a dimension to help create the object on Plane2

Step 8

Then make another circle on plane2 and use Smart Dimension to give 100 mm as diameter.

Step 9

Now, we are going to create a line that will help guide the shape of the 3D object we are trying to end up with. Click on Front Plane and then select Sketch

Step 10

In the next step, use the Spline command and draw lines like shown on the picture below

Step 11

Then Use the Mirror command like shown on the picture below

Step 12

Go to Features, select Lofted Boss/Base and in the Profiles tab select three sketches. The most basic method of controlling the LOFT is affected by where you click when selecting your profiles.

When creating this complex geometry, SolidWorks will attempt to line up the loft profiles based on the entities you choose. You can change the positions of green points to alter the shape of the final object.

Here is one geometry we can end up with using this technique. Feel free to experiment, that will help understand the LOFT command better.

You can also use the guidelines to have additional degrees of control over the geometry’s shape.

This feature is similar to the sweep feature. You can also use a single sketch or various sketches as guidelines for the loft command. Here, we are using two guidelines. To do so, go to Guide Curves and select two guidelines and click on Okay.

This tool is very valuable for organic surface modeling but takes some practice to get accustomed with. You might want to create a totally different object following this tutorial to grasp it a little bit more.

In this tutorial, we are going to learn in few steps how to easily use Solidworks to create a cosmetic thread.

Let’s quick dive into the tutorial.

Solidworks cosmetic thread

Step 1

Our usual first steps remain.

Step 2

As you must have learned from previous tutorials, we must select the plane we want to create a sketch on: The Front Plane.

Step 3

Create a polygon with its origin at the origin of the sketch and click on smart dimension and give 34 mm for its diameter.

The Polygon should have 5 sides and it has to be inscribed in a circle and you can see on the picture below.

Step 4

Select Extruded Boss/Base,  give 14 mm of thickness and click on okay.

Step 5

Create a new sketch on the Extrude-Boss surface. Draw a Circle using the origin of the sketch as the origin of the circle, click on Smart Dimension and give 22 mm for its diameter.

Step 6

Choose Extruded Boss/Base, give 100 mm of thickness and click on Okay.

Step 7

Create a new sketch on the Right Plane. Select 3 Points Center Rectangle, use Smart Dimension and enter the same dimensions as shown on the picture below.

Step 8

Click on Revolved Cut (we need an Axes for this command) and activate axes.

To activate the axis, Click on Temporary Axes. You probably won’t see the axis unless you ZOOM.  Now, use the temporary axes as the axes of revolution.

Step 9

Now, we are going to create a chamfer on the down edge of the piece with the following dimension: (Distance: 2mm, Angle: 45)

Insert >> Features >> Chamfer

Step 10

Now, to apply cosmetic thread, we need to, First go to Insert >> Annotations >> cosmetic thread. You can select

You can select different standards for your threads such as ISO, ANSI Inch, DIN, BSI and more. Keep the Standard field on None and give 19.797 mm to minor diameter and 40 mm to depth.

Step 11

Solidworks will not show graphic views of threads. In order to activate the graphic view of threads, do the following: Tools >> Object >> Documents Properties >> Detailing >> then activate Shaded cosmetic thread.

With hope we kept as simple as we could, we wish you a good time playing with these tools.

You might also like:

• Solidworks Equation
• Solidworks Tutorial: Sheet Metal
• How to Create a Sphere in Solidworks
• SolidWorks Tutorial: Extrude
• Solidworks Tutorial: Assembly
• Solidworks Tutorial: Cosmetic Thread
• Solidworks Tutorial: How to Draw a Coke Bottle
• Solidworks Tutorial: Easy to Follow 3D Sketching Using Solidworks
• Solidworks Tutorial: Convert Entities
• SolidWorks Tutorial: SWEEP

If you are an absolute beginner, Creating a Sphere with Solidworks might look like a hell of a challenge. Today, we are going to show you the simple steps you can take to easily create a sphere in Solidworks.

Creating a Sphere in Solidworks

Let’s take a close look at these three simple commands and see how they can help us on the quest of creating our sphere in Solidworks.

Step 1

First, Create a New Part.

Step 2

Click on front plane and then create new sketch.

Step 3

Now we are going to use the Arc and the Line command to create a sketch on the front plane.

Step 4

Now, let’s use Smart Dimension and give 100 mm to the vertical line and 50 mm to the radius of circle.

Step 5

Use the Revolve Boss/Base command and select the vertical line as an axis of revolution to make a spherical shape.

And there you go!

Hope this has helped! While you should feel free to drop a comment below, I am challenging you to go ahead and play with spheres in Solidworks.

You might also like:

• Solidworks Equation
• Solidworks Tutorial: Sheet Metal
• How to Create a Sphere in Solidworks
• SolidWorks Tutorial: Extrude
• Solidworks Tutorial: Assembly
• Solidworks Tutorial: Cosmetic Thread
• Solidworks Tutorial: How to Draw a Coke Bottle
• Solidworks Tutorial: Easy to Follow 3D Sketching Using Solidworks
• Solidworks Tutorial: Convert Entities
• SolidWorks Tutorial: SWEEP

One the first command one should learn while designing with Solidworks is the Extrude Boss/Base command which is one of the most useful tools you will have to learn no matter the CAD software you use for your designing projects.

This feature contains various sub-options like blind, up to a surface, up to vertex, offset from a surface, up to body and mid-plane.

Let’s use the example below to play with the Extrude command in Solidworks

Solidworks Extrude command

Solidworks EXTRUDE

Step 1

First, Create a New Part.

Step 2

Select the desired plane, click on the Top plane and select sketch

Step 3

Make a rectangle with the origin of the sketch as the origin of the rectangle, click on smart dimension and give 150 mm for length and 80 mm for width.

Step 4

Go to the feature tab (you can also go to Solidworks Insert Menu). From the drag drop down menu, select the Bose/Base, Then a side drop down menu will appear, select Extrude and give 15 mm of thickness, set the end point to Blind. The end condition can be thought of as the parameter or rule that causes the extrusion to stop.

Step 5

Click on highlighted area and then select sketch

Step 6

Click on the Line command and then create a triangle as the image below shows.

Step 7

Go to the feature tab and select Extrude Boss/Base. Change the sketch plane to offset, then change direction and give 10 mm offset. With the From option, you can set the place you want to start extrusion. You can set this by setting it to Plane, Surface, Face, Vertex and Offset.

Step 8

Draw two rectangles on the top surface and give dimensions same as on the picture below.

Step 9

Go (once more) to the feature tab and select extrude Boss/Base, Change the draft size to 10 degrees. There is also an option with the Draft outward to change the direction of the draft. The draft is used to create the tapered face using angles. You can also select the needful contours to create 3d parts.

Step 10

Click on the right surface and select sketch.

Step 11

Then draw a rectangle with the size 30 mm x 25 mm.

Step 12

Beside the Direction 1 and Direction 2, there’s also a Thin Feature option with which you can create a Thin Extrude. You can use this option to change the thickness of the extrusion edge.

Step 13

Make another sketch on the Front plane and give the dimensions as on the image below.

Step 14

Then select extrude Boss/Base from the Feature tab. This time, I am not going to use dimensions. Change to Surface/Face/Plane and select the face number 2 (Green Face) then change the direction 1 to Up to Surface then select Face 3 (Purple Face).

I have unchecked the option for Merge result, therefore the new extrusion will not be merged to the rectangular base and will become its own body. This technique is used in advanced modeling to control parameters in a more freeway.

I hope you have learned the basics of using the EXTRUDE command in Solidworks. Go ahead, use your imagination and create wonders using this command while we are at it, practice makes perfect.

You might also like:

• Solidworks Equation
• Solidworks Tutorial: Sheet Metal
• How to Create a Sphere in Solidworks
• SolidWorks Tutorial: Extrude
• Solidworks Tutorial: Assembly
• Solidworks Tutorial: Cosmetic Thread
• Solidworks Tutorial: How to Draw a Coke Bottle
• Solidworks Tutorial: Easy to Follow 3D Sketching Using Solidworks
• Solidworks Tutorial: Convert Entities
• SolidWorks Tutorial: SWEEP

We  have recently worked on designing this 3D model using AutoDesk 123D Design here. Today, we are coming back at it, but this time we are going to be using Solidworks. You are just about to learn how to create a simple 3D sketch using Solidworks.

In 3D sketching, a graphical space handle helps maintain your orientation while you sketch on several planes.

Let’s take a look at how we can use 3D sketching command in SolidWorks using this exercise.

Without further due, let get into it

Solidworks 3D sketch

Step 1

As usual, start with creating a New Part

Step 2

Click on 3D Sketch Tool_3D_Sketch (Sketch toolbar) or Insert 3D Sketch to open a 3D sketch on the top plane in Isometric view.

Step 3

Select the Top Plane and select Normal to view. Draw the following object.

Step 4

In 3D sketching in solidwork, we need to give a direction to the Extrude. Therefore, we need to create a line to be able to use it for the extrusion.

First, close the first 3D sketch, create a new one, select the front plane and draw a line.

Step 5

Choose Extruded Boss/Base, give 20 mm as thickness, select the line that we’ve created in the previous step.

Step 6

Create the additional part as shown on the image below. The Extrusion length is 32 mm.

Step 7

Make another sketch with 3D sketching but this time use extrude cut to create a hollow.

Step 8

FILLET the upper edge by 20 and the flat edge by 2.

Step 9

In solidwork we cannot use the Revolve command in 3D sketching as we want to draw everything with 3D sketching. I am going to use two Extrudes to create the desired shapes.

To make a 3D sketch on a specific surface, click on the surface then go to sketch and select 3D Sketch On Plane.

Step 10

Make a circle with a diameter equal to 6 mm and extrude by 16mm upward and downward.

Step 11

Make another circle using the same method but this time with diameter set to 30 mm and an extrude of 5 mm.

Step 12

Now, we are going to make hole. Once more, make a 3D sketch and draw a circle of 8 mm in diameter, use Through All to Extrude cut.

Step 13

Do the same to create the other part of the design

Step 14

FILLET the necessary parts of the object to complete the project.

As we have seen with this one, when sketching in 3D, you can snap to the major directions, X, Y, or Z, and constraints are applied Along with X, Y, and Z, respectively. When sketching on a plane, you can snap to the horizontal or vertical directions in the plane.

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