This allows for drawings and assemblies to be updated whenever part files are updated, eliminating redundant design revisions.įigure 1.4 Part, Assembly, and Drawing shown in SolidWorks Parts are created and then used to create drawings and assemblies (and subassemblies in larger products) to complete product definition and to maintain a link between the individual parts, drawings, and assemblies. This makes SolidWorks parts the building blocks of all other SolidWorks file types. Assemblies are made from parts and the design of parts are typically conveyed through 2D technical drawings.įigure 1.3 SolidWorks new dialog box showing part, assembly, and drawing file types. Mechanical Designs are typically composed of one or more assemblies. There are 3 primary SolidWorks file types (see figure 3 and 4): SolidWorks Files: Parts, Assemblies, and Drawings The SolidWorks system requirements and Graphics Card requirements are available on the SolidWorks website and are linked below: SolidWorks has strict system requirements, meaning that you need a specific type of computer with the right components to be able to download and use SolidWorks. Figure 1.2 Line drawn in SolidWorks horizontally to 2 inches. Figure 1.1: 2D CAD line drawn horizontally to 2 inches. But a horizontal 2-inch line in SolidWorks is constrained to be horizontal and constrained to be 2 inches (Figure 1.2). In a parametric modeler, the size, form, orientation, and location are specified.įor example, a horizontal 2-inch line drawn in a 2D design software is just a line that can be moved and resized and reoriented by the user (Figure 1.1).

This is very different from typical 2D CAD systems where geometry is drawn to the desired constraints, but nothing is constraining the geometry to the form, orientation, location, and size desired. What is parametric design? It is a constraints-based modeling system where geometry is drawn, then “anchored” with dimensions and relations to clearly communicate design intent.

SolidWorks is typically used to design assemblies that work mechanically that are typically less than 200 parts.

SolidWorks is a 3D parametric design software that is used to design all sorts of products such as automobiles, marine equipment, airplane parts, cell phones, cameras, furniture, electrical assemblies, glasses, lighting fixtures, toys, vacuum cleaners, or any other like product you can think of.

Is solidworks free