SolidWorks® Tips and Tricks
Master SolidWorks!
Theoretical Intersections in SolidWorks
From time to time you might find that you need to find the location of the theoretical intersection of lines. This tip will show you how to add a node on the theoretical intersection of two lines in a sketch.
Clear Plastic Appearance in SolidWorks
You’ve selected a clear plastic appearance, but the part is not transparent. This tip will show you how to make it transparent.
Wireframe Assembly Components in SolidWorks
You would like to have an assembly show some parts in wireframe. This tip will show you how it’s done.
Loop Selection Trick in SolidWorks
Loop selection is a fast way to select all the entities in a closed profile of edges. This tip shows you how to use it to speed up the process of converting edges to sketch geometry.
Step Back Trim in SolidWorks
In this tip, you will learn how to insert pictures into a sketch.
Inserting Pictures into a Sketch in SolidWorks
The Trim command in the Sketch Command Manager is a fast way of trimming entities to other entities, but what do you do if you trim too much? This tip will help you quickly solve this problem.
Quickly Add Notes to Files in SolidWorks
This tip will show you how you can quickly add a note box to any SolidWorks file.
Changing Sketch Planes in SolidWorks
This quick tip will show you how you can switch the planes that your sketches are drawn on.
Dragging Fully Defined Sketch Entities in SolidWorks
This quick tip will show you how you can drag sketch entities that are already fully defined.
Save Time and Money in SolidWorks
This quick tip shows you how you can save Time and Money while working with SolidWorks.
Using Alternate Unit Types in SolidWorks
This quick time saving tip will show you how you can use alternate unit types in SolidWorks.
Automatically Open Copied Files in SolidWorks
One of the benefits of SolidWorks is you can copy files to create new ones, so it’s good practice to know your options for copying files. This tip shows you your options.
Edit History in SolidWorks
This tip shows you how to use and customize a new feature in SolidWorks 2014 that tracks changes to your part and assembly files.
Quickly Change Views in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip on how to quickly change views in SolidWorks.
Using Multiple Views in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip on how to use multiple view angles to view parts and assemblies in SolidWorks.
Hide or Show Items in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip that will show you how you can hide or show items like axes, grid lines, origins, and more.
Hotkey Model Rotation in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip on using hotkeys to rotate your models.
Find the True Length of an Arc in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip on finding the True Length of an arc.
Saving Assemblies as IGES Files in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip to show you how you can save an assembly as one IGES file or as a separate IGES file for each assembly component.
Using Smart Mates in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip about using Smart Mates and how they can help speed up your work.
Using the Trim Command in SolidWorks
This quick tip shows you how to use the Trim command.
Multiple Balloon Leaders in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip on adding multiple leaders to a Balloon in SolidWorks.
Updating Drawing Dimensions in SolidWorks
When you make changes to your parts, wouldn’t it be nice if you could see altered dimensions in your drawings? This tip will show you a setting in SolidWorks that will do just that.
Creating Custom Views in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip that shows you how to create Custom Views in SolidWorks.
Quickly Add Notes to Drawings in SolidWorks
This quick tip shows you how to add a Note to a Drawing in SolidWorks.
Tool Shortcuts in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip that shows you how to access the Shortcut Bar and how to find tools or commands in the Search Commands window.
Using Link to Thickness in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip that shows you how to use the Link to Thickness option outside the Sheet Metal environment.
Quickly Draw Tangent Arcs in SolidWorks
You may already know how to draw tangent arcs using the line command, but this tip also shows you a trick you may not know.
Using the Magnifying Glass in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip on how to use the Magnifying Glass in SolidWorks.
Finding Parts in Assemblies in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip that will help you navigate your assembly and find those illusive parts.
Dimension Equations in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip to help you make sure your Equations are entered correctly.
How to Move the Command Manager in SolidWorks
This is a quick tip that shows how you can remove the Command Manager from the top of the screen and dock it to one of the sides, or let it float.
Click and Drag Fillet Creation in SolidWorks
This quick tip shows you an easy way to add Fillets by clicking and dragging them from the Feature Manager.
Using the View Selector in SolidWorks
The View Selector too was added in SolidWorks 2013. You can access it by clicking the down arrow of the View Orientation command and then selecting it from the menu.
Easily Change Units Type in SolidWorks
There is a quick and easy way to toggle back and forth between Unit Types in SolidWorks. This can be very helpful when working with one unit type and needing to convert to another.
Quickly Access the Forum in SolidWorks
The SolidWorks forum can be an invaluable source of help and information. Anytime you have an issue while using the program, you can almost always find the solution on the forum.
Locking Model Features in SolidWorks
An outstanding feature of SolidWorks is the ability to lock features in a model so they cannot be modified unless you unlock them. This not only safeguards the features, it also speeds up rebuild time.
SolidWorks Unit System Quick Change
If you frequently need to change units on your models you need to know about the Unit System button on the bottom right of the status bar.
Fast Ways to Exit Sketches in SolidWorks
Explore fast ways of creating a new sketch and learn the fastest way to do it.
How to Turn Off SolidWorks Selection Filters
You’re working with SolidWorks when you realize that you can’t select what you want and the pointer looks like this.
SolidWorks Shortcut Bar Customization Promotes Quick Efficiency
Learn how to customize the SolidWorks Shortcut Bar so that your workflow will be quicker and more efficient.
Advanced SolidWorks’ View Commands Maximize Workflow Speed
Learn all the ways to navigate the views in SolidWorks to increase the speed and productivity of your workflow.
SolidWorks Dynamic Mirror Tool Previews Symmetrical Geometry
The Dynamic Mirror tool lets you create symmetrical sketches faster saving you time. It also allows you to preview symmetrical geometry in SolidWorks while you’re sketching.
Reuse SolidWorks Sketches and Save Time
Reusing sketches allows you to create parts with fewer sketches. This results in a less cluttered Feature Manager and makes editing easier. When you have to make a change you only need to edit one sketch.
Mirror SolidWorks Sketches Quickly
Mirror SolidWorks sketch geometry to save time – especially when creating more complex profiles.