Lecture Notes: SolidWorks 2020 Training Series

Introduction

• Start of a new training series for SolidWorks 2020.
• Encouragement to subscribe and press the bell icon for more videos.

Starting SolidWorks

• Welcome Window: Start in part environment by clicking the "part" button.
• Without Welcome Window: Click "new" button to access the start window.
• Part Environment: Click "part" and "ok" to begin.

Sketch Commands

• Switch to sketch environment by clicking "sketch" and then the "sketch button".
• Select any plane for 2D sketches (e.g., top plane).
• Units: Choose desired units like mmgs (millimeter, gram, second) from mks, cgs, ips, and mmgs.

Creating Sketches

Line Command

• Keyboard shortcut: L.
• Start sketch using the origin for fully defined sketches.
• Line creation involves specifying the first point and ensuring the line is constrained (horizontal/vertical).
• Smart Dimension: Used to specify the length of the line (e.g., 80 mm).

Sketch Definition

• Blue Color: Under-defined objects.
• Black Color: Fully defined objects, location specified with respect to origin.
• Collinear Relation: Select two lines, add collinear relation via control selection and options.

Over-defined Sketch

• Occurs when unnecessary dimensions are added.
• Driven Dimension: Used as reference, shown in gray.
• Driving Dimension: Primary dimension, shown in black.

Center Lines and Dimensions

• Create center lines for reference using the center line tool.
• Dimension center lines to fully define sketches.

Circle and Tangency

• Create circles using the center point on origin or intersections of center lines.
• Use smart dimensions to define circle diameter.
• Apply tangent relations for lines and circles.

Trimming and Extending

• Trim Entities: Various options to manage sketch lines.
  • Trim to Closest: Removes selected lines.
  • Power Trim: Drag to remove lines across a path.
  • Corner Trim: Extends or trims to create corners.
  • Trim Away Inside/Outside: Defines boundaries for trimming.

Mirroring Sketches

• Mirror Entities: Duplicate sketch elements across a center line.
• Use of Center Lines: Define mirroring axis.
• Option to keep or remove original objects.

Additional Tools

• Zoom and Pan: Control view using mouse.
• Undo: Use to revert actions.
• Previous View: Return to last view if it gets rotated.

Conclusion

• Exercises based on the lecture will be covered in the next tutorial.
• Reminder to watch the subsequent video tutorials for continued learning.