, Chapter 01: Getting Started with SolidWorks 20222
Introduction to SolidWorks 2022
SolidWorks is a parametric and feature-based software that allows you to create 3D parts, assemblies,
and 2D drawings. The design process in SolidWorks is shown below. If you are a new user of this
software, then the time you spend on learning this software will be a wise investment. If you have used
previous versions of SolidWorks, you will be able to learn the new enhancements. I welcome you to
learn SolidWorks using this book as it provides step-by-step examples to learn various tools and
techniques.
Environments in SolidWorks 2022
SolidWorks offers various types of environments to perform different types of operations. For Example,
SolidWorks provides you with the Part Environment to design a part, Assembly environment to perform
assemblies, similarly there are many other environments to perform advance operations such as,
manufacturing process, process diagrams, drawings, and so on. However, in this book we cover basic
environments like Part, Assembly, Drawing, Sheet Metal, and Surfacing. A brief introduction to these
environments is given next.
Part Environment
The Part environment provides you the tools to create parametric solid models. You can start a
document in this environment by clicking the New icon and then double-clicking on the Part button
from the New SOLIDWORKS Document dialog box, as shown.
To create solid models, you must draw parametric sketches in the Sketch environment and then convert
them into solid model, as shown.
, SolidWorks 2022 - Step-By-Step Guide
However, you can add some additional features to the solid model, which do not require sketches like
hole, fillet, chamfer and so on, as shown.
Assembly Environment
The Assembly environment (click on the Assembly button from the New SOLIDWORKS Document dialog
box) has tools to combine individual parts in an assembly. There are two ways to create an assembly.
The first way is to create individual parts and assemble them in the Assembly environment, known as
Bottom-up assembly design. The second way is to start an assembly file and create individual parts in it,
known as Top-down assembly design.
Drawing Environment
The Drawing environment (click on the Drawing button from the New SOLIDWORKS Document dialog
box) has tools to create 2D drawings, which can be used for the manufacturing process. There are two
methods to create drawings. The first method is to generate the standard views of a 3D component or
assembly. The second method is to sketch the drawing manually.
Parametric Modeling in SolidWorks
In SolidWorks, parameters, dimensions, or constraints control everything. For example, if you want to
change the position of the hole shown in figure, you need to change the dimension and constraint that
controls its position.
Getting Started with SolidWorks 2022 1-2
, SolidWorks 2022 - Step-By-Step Guide
Similarly, if you want to change the radius of the fillet feature applied to the below given model, you
can simply double-click over any filled corner and then click over the radius value displayed and enter
the required values in the edit box, as shown. Note that you need to click on Rebuild button from
the Quick Access toolbar to apply changes.
Alternatively, you can directly edit the respective feature from the FeatureManager design tree located
on the left of the screen, which will be discussed further in this book.
Associativity in SolidWorks
The other big advantage of SolidWorks is the associativity between parts, assemblies, and drawing.
When you make changes to a part, the changes will take place in in any assembly that it is a part of, as
shown. In addition, the 2D drawing will update automatically.
File Types in SolidWorks
Creo Parametric offers three main file types:
(*.prt;*.sldprt): This type of file has a geometry of individual part. The files created in Part
environment. Sheetmetal environments will have this extension.
(*.asm; *.sldasm): This type of file is an assembly of one or more parts. In fact, it is a link of one or
more parts.
.drw: The files created in the drawing environment have this extension.
Starting SolidWorks 2022
To start SolidWorks 2022, double-click on the SolidWorks 2022 icon on your desktop. Alternatively, click
Start > SolidWorks 2022 > SolidWorks 2022, as shown.
Getting Started with SolidWorks 2022 1-3
Introduction to SolidWorks 2022
SolidWorks is a parametric and feature-based software that allows you to create 3D parts, assemblies,
and 2D drawings. The design process in SolidWorks is shown below. If you are a new user of this
software, then the time you spend on learning this software will be a wise investment. If you have used
previous versions of SolidWorks, you will be able to learn the new enhancements. I welcome you to
learn SolidWorks using this book as it provides step-by-step examples to learn various tools and
techniques.
Environments in SolidWorks 2022
SolidWorks offers various types of environments to perform different types of operations. For Example,
SolidWorks provides you with the Part Environment to design a part, Assembly environment to perform
assemblies, similarly there are many other environments to perform advance operations such as,
manufacturing process, process diagrams, drawings, and so on. However, in this book we cover basic
environments like Part, Assembly, Drawing, Sheet Metal, and Surfacing. A brief introduction to these
environments is given next.
Part Environment
The Part environment provides you the tools to create parametric solid models. You can start a
document in this environment by clicking the New icon and then double-clicking on the Part button
from the New SOLIDWORKS Document dialog box, as shown.
To create solid models, you must draw parametric sketches in the Sketch environment and then convert
them into solid model, as shown.
, SolidWorks 2022 - Step-By-Step Guide
However, you can add some additional features to the solid model, which do not require sketches like
hole, fillet, chamfer and so on, as shown.
Assembly Environment
The Assembly environment (click on the Assembly button from the New SOLIDWORKS Document dialog
box) has tools to combine individual parts in an assembly. There are two ways to create an assembly.
The first way is to create individual parts and assemble them in the Assembly environment, known as
Bottom-up assembly design. The second way is to start an assembly file and create individual parts in it,
known as Top-down assembly design.
Drawing Environment
The Drawing environment (click on the Drawing button from the New SOLIDWORKS Document dialog
box) has tools to create 2D drawings, which can be used for the manufacturing process. There are two
methods to create drawings. The first method is to generate the standard views of a 3D component or
assembly. The second method is to sketch the drawing manually.
Parametric Modeling in SolidWorks
In SolidWorks, parameters, dimensions, or constraints control everything. For example, if you want to
change the position of the hole shown in figure, you need to change the dimension and constraint that
controls its position.
Getting Started with SolidWorks 2022 1-2
, SolidWorks 2022 - Step-By-Step Guide
Similarly, if you want to change the radius of the fillet feature applied to the below given model, you
can simply double-click over any filled corner and then click over the radius value displayed and enter
the required values in the edit box, as shown. Note that you need to click on Rebuild button from
the Quick Access toolbar to apply changes.
Alternatively, you can directly edit the respective feature from the FeatureManager design tree located
on the left of the screen, which will be discussed further in this book.
Associativity in SolidWorks
The other big advantage of SolidWorks is the associativity between parts, assemblies, and drawing.
When you make changes to a part, the changes will take place in in any assembly that it is a part of, as
shown. In addition, the 2D drawing will update automatically.
File Types in SolidWorks
Creo Parametric offers three main file types:
(*.prt;*.sldprt): This type of file has a geometry of individual part. The files created in Part
environment. Sheetmetal environments will have this extension.
(*.asm; *.sldasm): This type of file is an assembly of one or more parts. In fact, it is a link of one or
more parts.
.drw: The files created in the drawing environment have this extension.
Starting SolidWorks 2022
To start SolidWorks 2022, double-click on the SolidWorks 2022 icon on your desktop. Alternatively, click
Start > SolidWorks 2022 > SolidWorks 2022, as shown.
Getting Started with SolidWorks 2022 1-3
