i added a description in the custom properties of my custom lib feat profile after i had drawn all the parts. When i did this, the cutlist properties didn't automatically add the description i added. so my cutlist BOM didn't add it. I am confused.

https://youtu.be/z_834tkaIhU?si=MRLQIHQp44i41w5c

I completed my static study without any problems, but when I try to create a new study, the option for Fatigue is missing. Did I make an error in the static study, or is it possible that I don’t have a license for the Fatigue feature?

https://preview.redd.it/kp18iun7zdyd1.png?width=1148&format=png&auto=webp&s=44b49922de1b0fbd5047354f167fd85c24d72bcd

I'm kinda new to solidworks doing a course, this is one of the practice pieces but i have no idea how can i get the measures marked in the pic so it would be great if someone could help me

So, here is a render for a custom made gaming console for the Mudrunner driving simulator. The console uses commercial PCBs (like an Arduino or U-HID) and is fully compatible with Windows. As for the render, I know that lighting could be better! Still, any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

I'm a little stumped on how to approach this. Is there a way to extrude straight, but with an angled profile?

https://imgur.com/a/2XhufFl

The profile is copied, I'd like to do an extruded cut up to the line, at that angle.

Thank you in advance.

I was just informed I have a couple weeks left of work for a small business. I am engineer with a solidworks license, how would you use this to keep afloat until finding a new job? Fivver? Etsy?

https://preview.redd.it/7j88a71bqcyd1.png?width=622&format=png&auto=webp&s=6a3230e9752baa72b0d312b7a5db4671326dd8e0

I am trying to adda fillet to ease the manufacturing process, the diameter of the cylinder is 7mm, what would be a appropriate fillet radius? This is what it looks like at 7mm fillet.

https://preview.redd.it/znfm035uqcyd1.png?width=1555&format=png&auto=webp&s=4d7b4edb8dcbbf4920dab298f00494d784490aec

I'm tasked with pulling data out of a drive that has a completely lost file system. That means I just have a big chunk of data. File recovery can be done for many file types using heuristics and automated tools, because those file types have identifiers at the beginning (header) that are sufficiently unique to that file type, and there is either another signature at the end of the file (footer), or some indicator for file size. For instance JPEG files are well-defined for these and easily extractable. Fragmentation can still be a problem, and there is no longer a file name or path, but those details can be used to cut complete files out. But not every file type has these helpful bits. This is not planned for. For example, plain text files do not have any indicators for beginning and end and file size.

Now I need to get out some SolidWorks data. I see that STEP files are well defined with header and footer signatures and the entire file is plain text (and have a public ISO standard definition). So those are easy. From the samples of SLDPRT files I've seen, those appear to have their own header and footer signature. Minus some padding of zero bytes at the end, they look well-defined for extraction as well.

But after looking at the contents of SLDASM and SLDDRW files in a hex editor, I have not had much luck. I do see a common 4 bytes near the beginning of 00 00 00 04, but that is not very unique and not much to go on. I haven't yet discovered some common footer signature, or some indicator of file size.

I realize people likely won't know the inner workings of these files on this level. But if anybody can point me to a reference of how these files are built, how they store data, it might be helpful. Any help is appreciated!

Does anyone know where I can find a tutorial video on how to make an articulated monitor arm in SolidWorks?

Hello everyone,

I started learning Solidworks on 22.09.2024 and I became CSWP certified in 28 days without spending any money on training and used student-vouchers for the certification exams.

I took CSWA on 06.10.2024 and passed it: https://i.imgur.com/FId9ZOB.jpeg
I took CSWP on 20.10.2024 and passed it: https://i.imgur.com/U8ro0i3.jpeg

Disclaimer: I wasn't technically at "zero" - I used SolidWorks for like 10-15 hours a few years ago, but never took it seriously and the only thing I remembered was sketching and extrusions. I recently learned why I could never mirror anything back then as I recently understood the difference between mirroring features, entities, and bodies.

Why am I writing this?
For starters, I have nothing to sell and nothing to promote as I have no horse in this race. I searched for hours looking for information on how to start preparing for CSWA and CSWP and could only find information in bits and pieces. I guess this is the thread I wish I had found.

Let's get to it.

CSWA

My first goal was to learn and master the basics of SolidWorks and take the CSWA exam and the following is what I would recommend doing in the same order:

1. SolidWorks Accelerator by Aryan Fallahi:
If you've searched for SolidWorks on YouTube, you've probably seen one of his ads. Aryan sells a high-end SolidWorks training course for 1-2K $. Just like any other high-end course, he offers some of his training material for free and this is what we'll take advantage of. SolidWorks Accelerator is a free 2-week training course where he goes over the most basic commands of parts and assemblies and creates a part at the end. Since all the videos are available immediately, you can go through them within a few days.

Link: https://www.skool.com/solidworks-accelerator

Note: Of all the trainings I've been through, I liked his style and method of delivering content the best. It's slow, methodical, tells you what you will learn and learned, and sets you up with a good foundation, which is why I recommend going through it at the start.

2. DraftID's Youtube CSWA-Playlist:
A YouTube playlist by one of our own, u/UltraWideGamer-YT.
I found this Reddit thread via Google search and checked out his course. Now there are a lot of playlists on YouTube and I'm not just recommending this because he is a fellow Redditor, but because it is genuinely one of the best "explainer" courses out there. I loved his method of teaching every command in a relaxed, slow and detailed manner as if teaching to kids and you'll get to learn about all the possible commands and see what they can do. There are 37 videos totaling 7-8 hours, and I would recommend you go through every one of them.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTR9k4JrYfbSfK385Zpnm91abLczy_P4S

Note: Despite being a great course, there isn't any/a lot of training material provided/shown so you won't be able to practice what you learn and therefore, but I strongly recommend watching all the videos.

3. TooTallToby's CSWA & CSWP Prep Class:
A course by another fellow Redditor, u/BMEdesign.
Again, found this Reddit thread on Google and couldn't believe the amount of content that is available for free. There are videos, quizzes, sheets.. everything that you would want to prepare you as a designer. The best part about this is that Toby provides a lot of practice material after introducing a new topic and then has a video on how you should have solved it (if you can't).

Link: https://canvas.instructure.com/enroll/KFXPFD

Note: Normally, this type, of course, should be enough from start to finish, but my biggest criticism is that most of the videos provide too much information at a very fast pace and I often found myself rewinding to see what was clicked and therefore they aren't very beginner friendly. I'm guessing that the videos and voice-overs were done separately and then combined. This is why I would recommend going through the above-mentioned courses to get a solid foundation and then watching Toby's videos.

4. ProductivityHubs SolidWorks Views:
The first few questions in the exam are about the views and people often forget to prepare for them. Make sure you watch this video and download the provided pdf.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYHAlCr_sVA

5. Exam Preparation:
Apart from the official provided example, you need some additional practice. There are a lot of questions that you can find on the internet, but there is always some piece of information missing. I found SenpaiCorner's website where he collected some problems, modeled them, and uploaded their answers (videos). This was by far the most helpful content I found on the topic.

Furthermore, head on over to GrabCad, create an account, and search for CSWA. GrabCad is an online platform where people share their CAD designs and there are some CSWA examples available. The problem is that most people just upload parts, so that is useless. You need to click on each upload, scroll down to see the files, and look if either ".pdf" or ".png" is available as it will be the question/instruction file e.g. like this.

Once you've gone through all three of the training and the practice materials, you should have a solid foundation and should be able to pass CSWA.

CSWP:

Congrats, you're done with CSWA, your next goal is CSWP so let's move forward. CSWP builds upon your knowledge, so make sure you didn't just pass CSWA but understood what you did and why you did it.

1. TooTallToby's CSWA & CSWP Prep Class:
Go back to this course start the CSWP section and complete it. Again, really good course with lots of practice material.

2. GrabCad Library:
As mentioned above, you need to find relevant examples on GrabCad related to CSWP and practice them.

3. BW Engineering Practise Material:
You can find some additional practice stuff on this website. The answers as well as videos are provided so you won't be lost.

Link: https://sites.google.com/view/bw-engineering/resources/CAD-Library

4. ModelMania Problems:
ModelMania is a yearly event where the best designers compete against each other. They are provided a drawing and are timed from start to finish and ranked accordingly. All the drawing and solution videos are online and are perfect for practicing the design and editing of models.

Link: https://blogs.solidworks.com/tech/2023/02/25-years-of-model-mania.html

Conclusion:
As promised, there isn't anything that you need to pay for. Your goal shouldn't be to just go through all this material, but take your time and understand what is being taught what is being said, and what you're doing. Investing time in designing and understanding basic parts will pay dividends down the line as you'll be able to understand relations, dimensions, errors, etc.

Finally, the fact that I did CSWP in 28 days doesn't mean that you should too. It's not about how fast you are, but rather how good. I wanted to finish it quickly as I wanted to add it to my resume for job applications so was able to invest 6-8 hours 5-6 days a week. Do it at your own pace and take the test when you feel comfortable.

Hope someone somewhere finds this helpful.

P.S. I'm sure there is more material available that I haven't mentioned or come across, if you know something, feel free to comment below.

long story short i was trying to delete one line i had on my sketch and it turned the whole project from pipes back to lines in an irreversible way. i cant undo it, and i cant find any way to turn the lines into pipe again since that option is just permanently greyed out.

Hi,

Is it possible to change Ambient Light value based on configuration and/or display state? I would like to have different values based on configuration.

Thanks

https://preview.redd.it/6sda6extdbyd1.png?width=295&format=png&auto=webp&s=d2a8ddf939b0269bc0d06c3ca1874defcc35c81c

Hi, I want to mill some things and I have a problem with axis directions. My CNC has a left-handed coordinate system, but SolidworksCAM has right-handed one. When axis X and Y are good, then the Z is reversed :(

How to change it or how go around this?
PS. I have already used my CNC with SolidWorks CAM, and it worked out well, so I think that time I had proper coordinate system.

Hey all,

Im new to stress analysis using softwares. Watched a few videos, nothing special.
I have the following mechanism: You have a lead screw, located vertically. Turning it basically pushes one side of a "seesaw" like part down. The other side of the seesaw rises. Between the seesaw and carriage is simple mechanism to compensate for the angle change.

Question: is the way I set up the static stress analysis fine? My logic: i calculated the axial force caused by turning the lead screw. Put that force on top of the carriage. Put fixture on lead screw and seesaw's middle rotational point. Also put fixture on other side of seesaw, cause the way I see it, if you apply the torque/force to the carriege when it cant even move, and it holds, it gonna be fine when it can move.

Also the assembly is constrained properly, moving nicely.

When i ran it this way, the results seemed logical, the lead screw was the part with the most stress and strain.

Thanks for any advice/insight

https://preview.redd.it/jz6wl8ag0byd1.png?width=1416&format=png&auto=webp&s=daee09d51c8a425414677393826781369fcb7ab1

Anyone else notice mirroring components and using multiple sketch/component driven patterns really slows down their models? I’m not creating overly complicated models, but they really seemed to get bogged down and slow. Anyone know what that is or how to fix it?

Hey everyone,

I’m an engineering student doing an internship right now. I have to create a dental implant design in SolidWorks. I have the specifications below but lack the experience to build it myself as I would like it and would greatly appreciate any help. Especially with the thread specifications. Here’s what I’m aiming to achieve:

Cylindrical Top Section: Straight and smooth, with a diameter of 3.5 mm and a height of 2 mm. (i know how to make this).

Conical Bottom Section: 9 mm in length, tapering from a diameter of 3.5 mm at the top to 2.5 mm at the bottom. (this one is straightforward as well).

Thread Specifications:

The thread starts at the bottom and continues up to 11 mm in height, into the cylindrical top section. Initially, from the bottom up, the thread needs to have a depth of 0.5 mm and a width of 0.2 mm. Upon reaching the cylindrical top section, the depth has to reduce to 0.3 mm, while the width remains 0.4 mm. The pitch should be 1 mm, with no gaps between the thread and the conical form.

The thread specifications is where i struggle. I would be grateful if someone could walk me through the steps to create this in SolidWorks or offer any templates, tutorials, or advice. It seems very hard to make variable thread specifications. Thank you to anyone who can point me in the right direction?

Added a quick sketch for reference:

https://preview.redd.it/r7dgsshbebyd1.png?width=782&format=png&auto=webp&s=89e50b01aa19dfe761b26e430a22e3dfcea05591

I have made an assembly to test the size and teeth of some spur gears, now that I am happy with the size and gears I have saved a copy of those spur gears under a different name in a complete different folder.

When i open this copy and start adding minor changes to this copy of the spur gear all goes well, but as soon as i start making a new assembly solidworks keeps changing the copy of the spur gear back to the original file when first opening the new assembly. is there a way to make it not change the gears of the new assembly every time i go to open the assembly for the first time?

this is how it's supposed to be, but this keep chaning.

this is what it looks like when i open the file after closing soldiworks.

I've got to build a car body on solidworks, its a small car that requires an underbody and a top body. I've got the chassis, I just need to build the body around it. I'm trying to learn how as it's an area I'm familiar with. Can anyone help me with it ?

I use Solidworks for sheetmetal assemblies of less than 20 parts. Ever since I've been doing this, certain parts cause it to freeze for a ranging set of time. These pieces aren't very intricate, some being as simple as a box with specific corners and text. Its only 4 or so parts, and I've tried rolling back the features to see if its a specific feature and its not. No external references or anything.

Sometimes its every time I click the part (or the part in the tree), sometimes its just once then I can move the part for a bit before it comes back. Its not just my computer, its most if not everyone in my office using these parts.

I assume its just trying to load the part when I click it? I've gone through all the settings i could think off, large assm etc.

Any ideas?

https://preview.redd.it/g0ilnf31o9yd1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=20185cae5240b8783a9b3f059eecc664f6c503a2

In the title ^^^^

Thanks for help

I use SW for Makers and a friend has the Student edition, year 2020. I think as part of FAA subscription or similar, before they moved to SW for Makers.

In the past I used to export my F360 models in STEP format for archival, exchange, online sharing, but this friend told me the files of his kit plane (not RC plane, actual plane) are provided in IGES format by the manufacturer.

So I wonder: if for such advanced usage IGES is used, should I exchange with him and archive for myself my projects in STEP or IGES?

Also, which STEP versions are supported in read/write by Makers edition and Student edition 2020? I couldn't find this information.

I was also asked about 2024 full version, like Pro or Premium: I know that my Makers edition can open those without troubles but what's the best bi-directional exchange format between 2024 and Student 2020?

I think I read in the changelog of SW that exporting to previous SW versions has been recently introduced in 2024 but I think that applies to format 2022 onwards? 2020 is too old, right?

Hi, I have 2 lofted bodies which run across the same guides but have a weird stitch line with a really small radius of curvature in that region.

Are there any features in SW to fix this (smoother the surface at the point of contact). They are either 1 solid or surface body

I’m an engineering student, soon to start an internship where I’ll be using Solidworks. Right now I’m using my Student license given by my university, but I once heard something about how that was problematic when working with a real company.

Apart from getting my internship to buy the full package for me, do I have any options to avoid these issues (legally!)?

Hello! I'm new to 3D modeling in every way. I'm looking to get Solidworks for Makers and start modeling items that I need around the house and my neighbor will print them up. Problem is, I'm a Mac user. I'm willing to buy a laptop in order to not have to run Parallels or use the cloud-based version of Solidworks, but I'd love to spend as little as possible. Best Buy currently has a killer $480 deal on the Lenovo Ideapad 1. Will it offer enough processing power, RAM and graphics capabilities for Solidworks? I will be doing entry-level modeling. I will not be using the laptop for a single other use. Here is the laptop I'm talking about:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-ideapad-1-15-6-full-hd-touchscreen-laptop-ryzen-7-5700u-with-16gb-memory-amd-radeon-graphics-512gb-ssd-cloud-gray/6555683.p?skuId=6555683

Any input is greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!

I am an absolute beginner in solidworks and my professor is asking me to make a mold of this, without giving me any directions. If anyone can provide any sort of method, it would be a great help.