SOLIDWORKS History and Basics

Questions and Answers

December 1993

Design methods, tools, and features commonly used to make parts

A context-sensitive toolbar that dynamically updates

An outline view of the active part, assembly, or drawing Signup and view all the answers

To provide all the common tools required for manipulating the view Signup and view all the answers

To display and lets you manipulate parts, assemblies, and drawings Signup and view all the answers

It provides access to SOLIDWORKS resources and libraries of reusable design elements Signup and view all the answers

A flat surface that can be used for sketching or mating Signup and view all the answers

To indicate the center of mass of a part or assembly Signup and view all the answers

To create a solid 3D model around an axis Signup and view all the answers

To create standard holes and threads in a 3D model Signup and view all the answers

To remove material from a solid model or part by sweeping a closed profile along an open or closed path Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Menu Bar/SOLIDWORKS Menu: contains SOLIDWORKS menus, Quick Access tools, SOLIDWORKS Search, and Help options
Standard Toolbar: controls file management and model regeneration
Command Manager: context-sensitive toolbar that dynamically updates based on the toolbar you want to access
Feature Manager: design tree on the left side of the SOLIDWORKS window providing an outline view of the active part, assembly, or drawing
Graphics Area: displays and lets you manipulate parts, assemblies, and drawings
Heads-Up View Toolbar: transparent toolbar in each viewport providing common tools for manipulating the view
Task Pane: provides access to SOLIDWORKS resources, libraries of reusable design elements, and other useful items and information

Geometry Reference: defines the shape or form of a surface or solid
Plane: flat surface that can be used for sketching or mating, created by offset, angle, mid, or cylindrical surface methods
Axis: straight line that can be used for sketching, mating, or patterning, created by selecting edges, faces, or points
Coordinate System: sets of axes that define the origin and orientation of a model
Center of Mass Point: point that indicates the center of mass of a part or assembly, added from the reference geometry menu

Extruded Boss/Base: creates a 3D solid by extruding a 2D sketch along a specified direction
Revolved Boss/Base: creates a solid 3D model around an axis
Swept Boss/Base: creates useful geometry when a regular boss won’t work
Lofted Boss/Base: creates complex 3D shapes by connecting two or more profiles
Boundary Boss/Base: adds material in two directions between two profiles
Extruded Cut: removes material by pushing a sketch into the third dimension
Hole Wizard: creates standard holes and threads in designs
Revolved Cut: cuts material from a 3D model
Swept Cut: removes material from a solid model by sweeping a closed profile along an open or closed path
Lofted Cut: removes material between two or more profiles in a 3D model
Boundary Cut: removes material in two directions between two profiles