The Basics of SolidWorks: a How-To Guide : 11 Steps

Use this guide to learn how to use SolidWorks as a tool in engineering design.

Step 1:

Select the front plane from the right side tool bar. Press sketch on
the top tool bar and select the rectangle function. Draw a rectangle.

Step 2:

Select the Smart Dimension tool from the top tool bar. Dimension the rectangle to a
square 3in. by 3in. Select the center point of the plane and dimension 1.5in to each side.

Step 3:

Press Exit Sketch on the top tool bar. Select the square sketch. Press the
Extrude Boss/Base button from the top tool bar. Extrude the square to 3in.
Make a 3in by 3in by 3in cube. Press the green check mark on the right tool bar.

Step 4:

Sketch a circle on one face of the cube. Use Smart Dimension to make the diameter 0.5in.
Position the circle in the center of the face. On the opposite face sketch a square 0.5in by 0.5in
in the center of the face.

Step 5:

Exit the sketch. Select the circle sketch and press the Lofted Cut button from
the top features tool bar. Select the square as the second parameter. Press
the green check mark on the right side tool bar.

Step 6:

Sketch a small circle 0.25in in diameter with the center 0.5in for the edge
of the face. Press the linear sketch pattern button from the top tool bar.
Select circular sketch pattern. Press the green check mark on the right side tool bar.

Step 7:

Select the circles created in the previous sketch. Select the extrude cut button
from the top tool bar. Press the green check mark in the right side tool bar.

Step 8:

Press the fillet feature button on the top tool bar. Select the top and side edges.
Set the fillet radius to 0.1in. Press the green check mark in theright side tool bar.

Step 9:

Select the circles and press the chamfer feature button. Set the chamfer
length to 0.05in. Press the green check mark in the right side too bar.

Step 10:

Select the center circle sketch. Press the chamfer feature button. Set the
chamfer length to 0.1in. Press the green check mark on the right side tool bar.