SolidWorks training
Introduction to SolidWorks training

3 days
In centre:
Not available
Live online:
£645+ VAT

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Key details

Key details

Comprehensive SolidWorks training for newcomers, teaching key techniques for creating parametric parts and assemblies. 

SolidWorks 3D design software helps teams around the world bring their ideas to life. It is easy to learn and use, letting you concentrate on your designs, not your CAD software.

Introduction to SolidWorks training provides a thorough grounding in SolidWorks. The topics covered include:

  • Sketching
  • Part modelling
  • Patterning
  • Shelling and ribs
  • Editing: Design changes
  • Configuration
  • Drawings
  • Assembly modelling
  • Templates

Throughout the course you’ll learn tips for using SolidWorks in the most productive way.

Next course date

Live online training
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Live online SolidWorks training

Introduction to SolidWorks training is available live online. We’re not currently offering this course in-class.

Expert SolidWorks trainers

SolidWorks training is hosted by highly-experienced CAD experts from an engineering background. See Expert trainers.

How will I learn?

SolidWorks training is hands-on and practical.

Our trainers teach the necessary theory then demonstrate techniques step-by-step. You then practice the techniques, with assistance from our trainer.

There is plenty of time to ask questions, and you can keep all the files you create.

SolidWorks training guide and certificate

Course delegates receive:

  • A comprehensive training guide for SolidWorks, to refer to throughout the course and to use as a refresher afterwards.
  • An e-certificate confirming successful SolidWorks course completion. Click here to see an example of the certificate you receive.

After course support

Following SolidWorks training, you’re entitled to 30 days’ email support from your SolidWorks trainer to help with any post-course issues. For further details, see Support.

Prerequisites

No prior SolidWorks knowledge is necessary.

SolidWorks version

Training is based primarily on SolidWorks 2023. It is relevant to users of SolidWorks 2020 and later.

Access to SolidWorks software

You’ll need to have access to a computer running SolidWorks to carry out exercises and practice the techniques taught.

Options are available to entrepreneurs, startups and larger companies for free and trial software. Please contact us for further details.

Students are eligible to reduced-price software; click here for details.

Our guarantees to you

We offer:

On-request SolidWorks training available

Introduction to SolidWorks training is also available on-request, i.e. one-to-one training or a ‘closed course’ for your group, hosted at one of our centres, your venue or online.

On-request SolidWorks training can be tailored to take into account any existing knowledge you have, and the work you’re going to be doing. Please contact us for a quote.

General information

General information

Course times

9.30am–4.30pm.

Payment

Payment for SolidWorks training can be made by:

  • Bank transfer. Please call 01527 834783 for our bank details.
  • Card. All major credit and debit cards accepted. Payment can be made securely online or over the phone. Card payments are processed by Stripe. Armada doesn’t record or store your card details.

Purchase orders

We accept purchase orders from UK-registered companies and public sector organisations.

Cancellations and transfers

You can cancel a booking on a scheduled training course, or transfer to a later course, without penalty providing you give us 10 working days’ notice. Any fees already paid will be refunded.

If you cancel a booking on a scheduled Introduction to SolidWorks course giving less than 10 working days’ notice, or request a transfer to a later course, a cancellation/transfer fee is payable. The fee charged depends on the notice period given. For details, see cancellation terms.

Different terms apply for the cancellation or postponement of an on-request course (one-to-one training or a ‘closed course’ for your group). For details, see course cancellations.

Terms and conditions

Training course bookings are subject to our terms and conditions.

Expert trainer

Expert trainer

Introduction to SolidWorks training courses are hosted by:

Carl Portman

Carl Portman Autodesk Certified Instructor

Carl Portman has been an Autodesk-accredited instructor for 25 years, a College Lecturer (City and Guilds 3D modelling) for 15 years and a CAD consultant for 35 years.

Carl’s background is in engineering. He has vast design experience in a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace and medical, and he continues to carry out project work for a range of clients. Projects that Carl has completed include designing complete car plants for Jaguar Land Rover.

Carl has expert knowledge of:

  • A wide range of 3D design applications used in engineering, including AutoCAD, Alias, Fusion 360, Inventor and SolidWorks.
  • Machining, CAM and CNC.

Away from work, Carl’s passion is motorsport, and until recently he raced motorbikes. He knows Silverstone and Brands Hatch like the back of his hand, and he has the scars to prove it.

John Billyard

John Billyard Autodesk Certified Instructor

John has used CAD software for over 35+ years, providing high quality engineering and architectural designs to a wide range of clients

He has provided training in the applications he uses for a similar length of time, and for the last 15 years, has been commissioned directly by Autodesk to provide consulting and training services to their corporate client base.

John hosts courses in various Autodesk applications including AutoCAD and Inventor. He also trains Dassault Systèmes’ SolidWorks, Trimble SketchUp and Epic Games’ Twinmotion.

He takes pride in keeping pace with the latest industry design tools and technologies, enabling him meet the challenges and demands of an ever changing working environment.

Course content

Course content

SolidWorks basics

  • What is SolidWorks?
  • File references
  • Opening files
  • The SolidWorks user interface
  • Using the Command Manager

Introduction to sketching

  • 2D sketching
  • Stages in the process
  • What are we going to sketch?
  • Sketching and sketch entities
  • Basic sketching
  • Rules that govern sketches
  • Design intent
  • Sketch relations
  • Dimensions
  • Extrude
  • Sketching guidelines

Basic part modelling

  • Design intent
  • Basic modelling
  • Terminology
  • Choosing the best profile
  • Choosing the sketch plane
  • Details of the part
  • Extrude feature
  • Revolved feature
  • Sketching on a planar face
  • Cut feature
  • Using the hole wizard
  • View options
  • Filleting
  • Editing tools
  • Detailing basics
  • Drawing views
  • Centre marks
  • Dimensioning
  • Changing parameters
  • Edit material
  • Mass properties
  • File properties

Patterning

  • Why use patterns?
  • Reference geometry
  • Linear, circular and mirror patterns
  • Using pattern seed only
  • Sketch driven patterns

Shelling and ribs

  • Shelling
  • Planes
  • Ribs
  • Full round fillets
  • Thin features

Editing: Design changes

  • Part editing
  • Design changes
  • Information from a model
  • Rebuilding tools
  • Sketch contours

Configuration

  • Creating configurations
  • Using configure dimension/feature
  • Using global variables, equations
  • Global variables
  • Equations
  • Modelling strategies for configurations
  • Editing parts that have configurations
  • Design library

Drawings

  • More about making drawings
  • Section, model, broken and detail views
  • Drawing sheets and sheet formats
  • Projected views
  • Annotations

Assembly modelling

  • Creating a new assembly
  • Position of the first component
  • FeatureManager design tree and symbols
  • Adding components
  • Using part configurations in assemblies
  • Subassemblies
  • Smart mates
  • Inserting subassemblies
  • Pack and go
  • Analysing the assembly
  • Checking for clearances
  • Changing the values of dimensions
  • Bill of materials
  • Assembly drawings

Templates

  • Options settings
  • Document templates

Please note: Course topics may be modified by the instructor based upon the knowledge and skill level of the course participants.

Live online training

Live online training

Online training lets you participate in a live SolidWorks course from your place of work or home.

We do everything possible to make your online training experience as close as possible to actually being in the classroom. You can:

  • See and hear our trainer, and the other delegates participating in the course…
    Live online training - see your trainer and the other course delegates
  • Watch our trainer demonstrate techniques in SolidWorks.
  • Interact by speaking, using chat, or raising your ‘virtual hand’ if you need assistance.
  • Share your screen with our trainer, and allow them to take control to explain something.

Like our in-class courses, online Introduction to SolidWorks courses…

  • Are presented by expert instructors.
  • Give you plenty of opportunity to carry out assisted, practical exercises using SolidWorks.
  • Offer 30 days’ email support from your trainer.

All you need is an Internet-connected computer with…

  • SolidWorks installed.
  • A webcam and audio capability. If your computer running SolidWorks doesn’t have these, you can use a second device, such as another computer or tablet. See Hardware recommendations for live online training for further details.

If there’s anything you’re not sure about we’ll do our best to help you. We won’t, however, be able to assist with your SolidWorks installation.

We provide everything else…

  • Links to download the files, resources, etc. you’ll use in your course.
  • A training guide. For most courses, you can choose from a printed copy that we post to you, or a PDF.

In the week before your course, we’ll send you an email containing everything you need to prepare for and participate in the training. Then, a couple of days before your course, we’ll give you a courtesy call to make sure you have everything in place and answer any questions you may have.

Please note that we are not able to record scheduled online courses for privacy reasons.

When you attend live online training, you’re participating in a real course, hosted by a real trainer, in real time

 

Discounts and bundles

Discounts and bundles

To make your SolidWorks training as affordable as possible, we offer:

Training discounts

Multiple places

If you book multiple places on any courses, we can offer you:

  • 5% discount if you book two places.
  • 10% discount if you book three places.
  • 15% discount if you book four places.
  • 20% discount if you book five or more places.

This can be for several people attending one course, one person attending several courses, or a combination.

These discounts are available for both classroom-based courses and live online training.

Concessions

We offer a 10% discount on scheduled SolidWorks course places to:

  • Students, teachers and lecturers.
  • People who work for a registered charity.
  • ISTC members.

These discounts are available for both classroom-based courses and remote training.

Please call us if you qualify for a discount. Evidence of your status that entitles you to a discount may be requested.

Terms and exclusions

Only one of the above discounts can be applied to any booking.

The above discounts are not available for on-request course bookings (one-to-one training or a ‘closed course’ for your group).

Price guarantee

When you book training with Armada, we want you to be certain that you’re not paying over-the-odds. So, if you book a place on any scheduled (public) course and then find the same course at a lower price elsewhere, we will match that price.

To qualify for the price match:

  • The course you find must be comparable. By this we mean it must:
    • Cover the same subject.
    • Be the same duration or longer.
    • For classroom-based courses, be in the same region, i.e. within 50 miles of our centre.
    • For online training, be a live course, i.e. not pre-prepared e-learning content.
  • The lower price must be advertised on the other company’s website.

To claim a price match, just call any time before attending your course and tell us where you saw the price.

Testimonials
“Carl was very helpful and patient with the class. He covered more topics than I expected. I worked from home on Zoom and found it was a good way to learn. I'm very pleased with the training, thanks again Carl!”

Mark T

“Overall the course was great, I learnt a lot and can now take these skills into the real world and get designing components for my work. Carl was a brilliant tutor and made sure everyone understood what we were doing, even online. ”

Bobby W

“Carl delivered a fantastic course which was clear to understand and very precise dealing with everyone's experience of Solidworks fantastically. Hope to do another course with Carl in the future.”

Daniel M

“This was a very good introductory course. I feel like I now have some skills to be able to start CAD modelling and expand my knowledge as I model. Carl was a very good teacher. He was kind and patient.”

Karen H

“A fantastic trainer that makes this software easy to understand, packed with useful tips and trips. I can't believe how much i have learnt in 3 days!”

Natasha N

“Great training, very informative.”

Morgan P

“Just attended a Solidworks training course at Armada Training Bromsgrove with Carl Portman. Superb course brilliantly hosted by Carl, would highly recommend this for anyone starting out on SolidWorks.”

Ian T

“Great training course, good content with an excellent lecturer Carl.”

Dave W

“Very good training using very adequate contents and supporting material. I've learn a lot in a 3 day course even if it was my first time ever using Solid Works. Carl was very clear while explaining and teaching how to design components. Definitely recommend! Thank you!”

Ana F

“Completed SolidWorks training with Carl in early August. A genuinely fantastic 3 days of training that has fully prepared me for progression further into 3D design. I would recommend this course, especially with Carl. Fantastic.”

Dan C

“The course went extremely well. Thank you! Personally (as a novice) I found it very informative. Having never previously 'seen' Solidworks, the trainer did an fantastic job and soon had me 'up and running' creating drawings. My colleagues found the course to be really helpful. working through the tutorials was much easier with the tuition. Please pass on all our thanks, we've benefited immensely from the three days.”

Clive H