SolidWorks

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SolidWorks, a product of the SolidWorks Corporation, is a 3D Computer-aided design (CAD) program that runs on Microsoft Windows platforms. It was designed as an alternative to 2D CAD packages. It was introduced in 1993 by newly-founded SolidWorks Corporation as competitor for products like Autodesk Inventor, SDRC I-DEAS (now Unigraphics NX) and Pro/ENGINEER among many others. Its main focus was to provide users with a way to harness the power of 3D at a significantly lower price point as other 3D CAD software packages.

Contents

1 The SolidWorks approach

1.1 Parts
1.2 Drawings

2 Editions

2.1 SolidWorks Core
2.2 SolidWorks Professional
2.3 SolidWorks Premium

3 Add-in Products

3.0.1 COSMOSFloWorks
3.0.2 COSMOSXpress
3.0.3 PhotoWorks
3.0.4 Toolbox
3.0.5 Animator
3.0.6 FeatureWorks
3.0.7 API

4 External links

The SolidWorks approach

SolidWorks uses a limited "parametric" approach to modeling and assembling. In the SolidWorks 3D modeling environment the creation of a solid or surface typically begins with the definition of topology in either a 2D or 3D sketch. The topology defines the connectivity and certain geometric relationships between vertices and curves both in the sketch and external to the sketch. To this topology are added dimensions which determine the lengths and sizes for the curves and locations for the vertices in conjunction with topological constraints. The dimensions which are added are termed "parameters" because they can be changed either independently or by "parameters" created prior to their creation. The dimensions are limited "parameters" because they cannot be varied by subsequent actions on the sketch in which they are defined. An example of this limitation is to create a simple rectangle in a 2D sketch, place dimensions on the sides of the rectangle and then to extrude the 2D sketch to form a parallelpiped shape. The sketch dimensions cannot be varied based on the location of the 2D sketch (generatrix) along the extrusion length. SolidWorks would not allow the height "parameter" of the rectangle to vary with the square of the distance extruded. In other words the dimensions or "parameters" cannot be parameterized to "parameters" created in the subsequent hierarchy of features. Parameters are therefore fixed in the feature that contains them. SolidWorks is therefore hierarchical in the creation of features in that subsequent features should have no effect on prior features. To create volume and modifications, SolidWorks employs a feature-based system that can be rolled back to previous states in case something must be changed or multiple configurations of the same part must be handled. To assemble components, mates are created, which define the relative positions of the components to each other.

In addition, SolidWorks has a hierarchy of putting all the things together, which can be traced as follows:

Parts are simple geometry created according to the main design methodology. They interact between each other when placed in an assembly. At any time, drawings and assemblies can be created out of either parts or assemblies for archiving or manufacturing purposes.

Parts

Parts are modeled following a feature based approach. A sketch must be created first in order to define the primary geometry of the part.

First, a sketch is created on a plane. Lines are drawn to define the basic shape of the part and then dimensions are added to constrain the size of the part. Next, a feature is applied to create volume. The sketch depicted here has been extruded outward. Then, using the front face of the extrusion feature just created, another sketch is created. This time, a circle has been drawn, and constrained in diameter and distance from the edges of the reference plane.

Then, the last sketch is extruded. Both extrusions are automatically merged to create one solid body. Using the front face of the last extrusion, a new sketch is opened and a circle is drawn. Then, using relations, it is made concentric with the larger circle. A “Cut-extrude” feature is applied. Using the "through all" option, a hole is cut through the whole solid body.

Fillets are added accordingly to the main design intent. A constant radius can be specified, or multiple radii for multiple edges. The part is then shelled to a given thickness, the shell feature applied to the back plane.

Drawings

Drawings can be created either from parts or assemblies. They are drawn automatically, just by clicking on the window that contains the part or assembly to draw. The drawing module includes most paper sizes and standards (ISO, DIN, GOST, JIS).

Editions

SolidWorks is available in 3 editions.

SolidWorks Core
SolidWorks Office Professional
SolidWorks Office Premium

SolidWorks Core

The SolidWorks core product includes modeling, assembly, and drawing creation. It includes tools for 3D modeling, sheetmetal, weldments, and limited freeform surfacing. It can import numerous file types, some from other 2D and 3D CAD programs. It also has an API for custom programming. Also included is very limited finite element program called CosmosXpress and a mold filling program called MoldflowXpress

SolidWorks Professional

The SolidWorks Office Professional bundle includes the SolidWorks core plus several add-in programs. These include:

Animator (Create AVI animations of a model in motion)
Design Checker (Checks notes, dimensions and other settings in drawings to make sure they adhere to company standards
eDrawings Professional (Adds markup and measuring capabilities to the free eDrawings viewer)
FeatureWorks (Adds editable features to "dumb" imported geometry)
PDM/Works (A workgroup level document management program to manage SolidWorks files as well as other filetypes)
PhotoWorks (Realistic Photorendering)
Task Scheduler (Schedule SolidWorks to bulk print, import/export files, and create eDrawings)
Toolbox (A collection of common fasteners and hardware, Screws, Nuts, Washers, etc.)
Utilities (Additional tools for selecting features and comparing features and geometry)
3D Instant Website (Publishing an HTML document of SolidWorks documents, uses eDrawings for viewing)

SolidWorks Premium

The SolidWorks Premium bundle includes the SolidWorks core and Professional add-ins plus the following:

CosmosWorks Designer (Finite Element Analysis)
CosmosMotion (Motion analysis)
Routing (Piping, Tubing, plus Wiring and Harness layout)

Add-in Products

COSMOSFloWorks

COSMOSFloWorks is a CFD product for SolidWorks users. It is fully embedded inside SolidWorks and can perform fluid flow and heat transfer analysis for all types of fluids (liquids, gases, Non Newtonian liquids, Compressible liquids).

COSMOSXpress

COSMOSXpress is a module designed to perform a very limited range of linear static Finite Element Analyses of part geometry. Geometry is limited to a single solid body and the choices for creating boundary conditions are extremely limited which can affect the applicability of the results to the actual problem being solved. Results are limited to a graphical representation of von Mises stress and deformed shape although actual displacements are not available. Although the SolidWorks software is shipped with COSMOSXpress, COSMOSWorks can be purchased. CosmosWorks removes many of the limitations found in COSMOSXpress.

PhotoWorks

PhotoWorks is a raytrace renderer built into SolidWorks.

Toolbox

SolidWorks Toolbox is a library of predefined fasteners, gears, cams, pins and other accessories, based for the most part on information found in Machinery's Handbook. The library is database driven and this database can be modified. Also user defined standard parts can be created and added to the Toolbox for later use in other projects.

SolidWorks Toolbox allows for "drag and drop" insertion of fasteners into assemblies. It also is integrated with SolidWorks "SmartFastener" technology to allow the automatic population of hole features with the appropriate fasteners.

Animator

SolidWorks Animator has the capability of exploding assemblies and animates the way components explode or join. It can also produce video output.

FeatureWorks

This module recognizes different features (fillets, cut-extrudes, extrudes) on imported models.

API

SolidWorks also includes an Application Programming Interface (API) for macro and third party development.

External links

[SolidWorks Web Site]
[COSMOSFloWorks Web Site]
[SolidWorks Community]
[Google Groups comp.cad.solidworks]Usenet group active community
[SolidWorks Blog] - (In French)
[SolidWorks Tutorials and Links]
[SolidWorks Forum] Official SolidWorks users forum.
[mCADForums.com] Inventor, Solidworks & ProE Discussion Forums
[Eng-Tips.com] SolidWorks user community.

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First, a sketch is created on a plane. Lines are drawn to define the basic shape of the part and then dimensions are added to constrain the size of the part.	Next, a feature is applied to create volume. The sketch depicted here has been extruded outward.	Then, using the front face of the extrusion feature just created, another sketch is created. This time, a circle has been drawn, and constrained in diameter and distance from the edges of the reference plane.


Then, the last sketch is extruded. Both extrusions are automatically merged to create one solid body.	Using the front face of the last extrusion, a new sketch is opened and a circle is drawn. Then, using relations, it is made concentric with the larger circle.	A “Cut-extrude” feature is applied. Using the "through all" option, a hole is cut through the whole solid body.


Fillets are added accordingly to the main design intent. A constant radius can be specified, or multiple radii for multiple edges.	The part is then shelled to a given thickness, the shell feature applied to the back plane.