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.

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

• SolidWorks basics
• Introduction to sketching
• Basic part modelling
• Patterning
• Shelling and ribs
• Editing: Design changes
• Configuration
• Using drawings
• Assembly modelling
• Templates

Throughout the course you’ll learn tips for increasing your productivity with the tool.

SolidWorks training is available on-request only, i.e. one-to-one training or a ‘closed’ course for your group. We don’t currently offer scheduled (public) SolidWorks courses. This approach means that we can tailor your training to take into account any existing knowledge you have, and the work you’re going to be doing in SolidWorks.

We can host the training at one of our centres, or your venue anywhere in the UK.

If you’re about to start working in an environment where SolidWorks is already configured appropriately and templates are in place, we offer a condensed two-day course that omits the configuration and template sessions included in this course. See Introduction to SolidWorks – Essentials only for details. 

Expert SolidWorks trainers

SolidWorks training is hosted by highly-experienced instructors from an engineering background. For further details, 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 take away 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, delegates are entitled to 30 days’ email support from their SolidWorks trainer to help with any post-course issues. For further details, see Support.

Prerequisites

Delegates should have a good working knowledge of Windows. No prior CAD knowledge is necessary. Some past mechanical design experience is useful but not essential.

SolidWorks version

Training can be based on any recent version of SolidWorks to suit you.

General information

Course times

Standard course times are 9.30am–4.30pm.

As we’d be hosting this as a ‘closed course’ for you/your group, there’s usually flexibility to change these times to suit you, e.g. start or end 30 minutes earlier or later.

Payment

Payment for SolidWorks training can be made bank transfer or card.

We accept purchase orders from UK-registered companies.

If you’re self-funding your training, you can pay in staged payments, interest-free, over 12 months.

For further details, see training course payment options.

Accommodation

See Accommodation local to our training centres.

Cancellations and postponements

If an on-request Introduction to SolidWorks course booking is cancelled giving less than 20 working days’ notice, a cancellation fee is payable. View cancellation terms.

If an on-request Introduction to SolidWorks course booking is postponed giving less than 20 working days’ notice, a postponement fee is payable. View postponement terms.

Terms and conditions

Expert trainers

Introduction to SolidWorks training courses are hosted by:

• Carl Portman
• Andy Roe

Carl Portman

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. 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, Autodesk Alias, Fusion 360 and Inventor, and Dassault Systemes SolidWorks.

Until recently, Carl raced motorbikes. He knows Silverstone and Brands Hatch like the back of his hand, and he has the scars to prove it.

Andy Roe

Andy has worked in CAD for over 30 years in roles including Draughtsman, CAD System Manager, Project Manager and Design Engineer.

In recent years, Andy has focused on developing and delivering training courses. He is a long-established Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI), and he focuses primarily on Autodesk applications including AutoCAD, Inventor, Fusion 360, 3ds Max and Sketchbook. He also hosts courses in SolidWorks.

Andy continues to undertake project work to keep up-to-date with the latest technologies and practices. He specialises in modelling complex 3D designs from prototype to production, including the development of visuals and animations for a range of engineering projects.

Industries in which Andy has significant experience include aerospace, defence and automotive.

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

Using 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.