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3D models need to be moved around and oriented to do various tasks like viewing them properly, adding features, taking measurements, etc. Therefore, proper model orientation is essential and should be easily accessible. This is where Orientation Dialogue Box comes to our help which can be accessed by simply pressing Space Bar or from the top of the canvas. It lets us select from standard views like Front, Right, Top, Isometric views, activate View Selector, and use viewports. Most of the time, we need more orientations for ease of navigation. For example, maybe we need a close-up on a cut, or an angle not included in the default views. For this, we can create Custom Views  Creating Custom ViewsCustom views are views that are added and saved in the Orientation Dialogue Box as per our needs. They come in handy when we want a specific orientation and zoom level of the model at any time. To create a custom view, click on the New View icon in the Orientation Dialogue Box (as shown in the below image) > Name the view in Named View pop-up > Click Ok. This will capture the current orientation and zoom level of the model. The named view is now added in the Orientation Dialogue Box and can be accessed by pressing the space bar and selecting it from the list.  Adding a Custom View to all SOLIDWORKS DocumentsRecreating the same custom view orientations in each SOLIDWORKS document is time-consuming. To save time, you have to save them. Open Orientation Dialogue Box, hover over a custom view from the list and click on the Save icon. This will make these views available for all the parts, assemblies, and drawings. If you are looking to learn SOLIDWORKS with a bundle of learning support services, make sure to check out the TforDesign school online SOLIDWORKS 3D modeling courses.  By Mohsina Zafar, Technical Lead at TforDesignMohsina is a Mechatronics engineer who is passionate about 3D design and artificial intelligence. She specializes in SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD and loves to help students solve their SOLIDWORKS problems.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohsina-zafar/
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In this post, we will try to make sense of what is finite element analysis (FEA) and how it works without getting into talking about equations or much technical terms. SOLIDWORKS Simulation (and other software) use FEA to solve designs. Thus, knowing a bit of background about FEA will help us understand many of the settings to optimize our results. To explain FEA in simple terms, we can try simplifying FEA with a story the progression of the elements from one dimension to 3 dimensions. One Dimensional Beams:It all started with the classic problem of a beam. The beam is fixed on a wall from one end, and there is a force on the other end. Experts came together and made up an equation to find the deflection at the outer end. What the equation looked like is none of our concern for now, so we can just call it THE EQUATION.  Here is what concerns us: To be able to calculate the deflection on the outer end, we had to know beforehand what the deflection is on the inner end connected to the wall. In this classic beam case, we know that the inner end is fixed to a wall. Thus, there is no deflection, or the deflection is zero. With that known to us, we can apply the equation and find the deflection.  Now the question is: What if we want to know the defection in the middle of the beam? To find this, we can split the beam into two and redo the whole calculation. We can start with the first half, in one end we know the deflection is zero, so we can apply THE EQUATION to find the deflection at the end of the first half. Then, we can move to the second half and apply the same equation. Again, we already know the deflection in one end because we just calculated It , then the equation will give us the other end. Finite Element Analysis is dividing a structure into a smaller, finite number of elements which we can analyze one by one, then putting all those elements together gives us an understanding of the whole structure.  What if we want to know the deflection in every quarter of the beam? In this case, we can simply redo the same procedure the same way, splitting the beam into four parts. We can go the same approach every tenth of the beam, every twentieth, and so on.  Now let us stop here for a second to name things, we can all those little beam divisions: ELEMENTS,, at the end of each element, there are points that we can all NODES.  This approach we just used or described in analyzing our beam is Finite Element Analysis. It is dividing a structure into a smaller, finite number of elements which we can analyze one by one, then putting all those elements together gives us an understanding of the whole structure. Two Dimensional Shells / Surfaces:Just now, we were looking at a straight beam, which we were able to split into straight little elements of lines and nodes. The next step would be to go to two dimensions. We can call those shells or sheets. A shell is anything that is relatively thin and of uniform thickness. Those include the common structures of sheet metals.  Figure 1. Stools made out of sheet metals Sheet metals can take many different shapes and forms. Also, unlike one-dimensional beams, there is no ‘THE EQUATION’ that to solve for deflections on complex formations. To go around this, we can simply split the whole sheet into many nodes and lines. However, now that we are working in 2 dimensions, our elements can’t be a line. So, we can switch the elements into something like a triangle.  Now, we can split our sheet into little triangular elements. Each has three little lines and three nodes. Just like how we started with beams, we must know the actual solution values somewhere in the design because it is fixed or restrained to something else. From there, we solve for each little line and each little element until we can solve for the whole model. Basically, we transformed the whole shell into many small one-dimensional beams. The collection of all the elements together is called Mesh. The more elements we have, the more accurate our results will be, but also the more calculations we will have to do. 3-Dimensional Solid Objects:At this point, we can jump into 3 Dimensional objects. which can be complex-looking turbines, gears, casings, consumer products, etc. We can refer to those as SOLIDS.  Many of the artifacts around us have irregular shapes As solids can take many different shapes and forms, there is no ‘THE EQUATION’ for all kinds of irregular shapes. However, that is not problem because we can just split the whole thing into small elements to end up with a bunch of nodes and lines. Our element shape this time will have to be 3D dimensional shape, like a Tetrahedral, which is the shape of elements used in a software like SOLIDWORKS.  As always, with one location of the design is known to us, so we can use THE EQUATION to solve what is happening in the next nodes, and move from there to the rest of the model. Generally talking, the more elements we have, the more nodes and lines we have, the more accurate our results can be, and the more work we will have to do to solve it.  Summery:In a nutshell, Finite Element Analysis is the idea of splitting any model into smaller elements that we can solved one at a time, then putting all those elements together can give us a good understanding of what is happening the whole model. The power of FEA is that it enables us to understand and simulate how a specific design reacts to different conditions regardless of how complex the design is. Throughout this post, we gave a bit of focus to analyzing deflections. However, the same approach applies to analyzing and understanding many other parameters like stress distribution, the factor of safety distribution, etc. This post does not represent factual background on Finite Element Analysis and should not be taken as such. Rather, you can take it as a way to simplify our understanding of what Finite Element Analysis is all about. If you are looking to have a dive in the use of FEA-based simulation tool like SOLIDWORKS simulation, you can check out SOLIDWORKS Simulation Associate course.  By Tayseer Almattar, TforDesign FounderTayseer is the founder of TforDesign. He has a passion for learning design and making all learning digestible and exciting.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsjmattar/ When asking about FEA simulations, you will likely find two groups of people: one calling it straightforward easy and the other calling complex and challenging. You will also find lots of young people sharing colored images and more experienced people talking equations and strange terms. What is behind all that? [it is not a cross-generational thing, at least I hope] Most of that comes from the introduction of software simulation tools. There is no doubt that Simulation tools, including SOLIDWORKS, Ansys, and others, brought in tremendous benefits and enhancements to simulation. However, they made simulation look super easy. But is it?  Beautiful Simulation Animation So, let us try to break that further down to figure out some of the issues with the simulation software? First, one area to clarify is that most simulation studies are applied by following a similar overall procedure. You can check our previous blog on 8 steps to conducting FEA static studies for more information. Now, we did a simple study, let us talk about the complications. This blog will discuss the meaning behind the results, results verifications, and the overwhelming available options. What do the Results Mean to Start With?Simulation software are famous for their colorful plots, usually ranging from red to blue, and accompanied by numbers. While it is easy to get numbers and plots, the more important question would be: what do those numbers even mean? Von Mises, stresses, strains, the factor of safety, stiffness, etc. More importantly, what do those numbers mean for us specifically in whatever project we are working on? How can they be used to drive/guide meaningful design iterations? Answering those questions would often require more in-depth knowledge and experience on topics that go beyond the apparent software application and into principles of design and mechanics of materials. Verdict:
Getting attractive and colorful plots can be pretty exciting when you start with simulation, but there is often more than meets the eye. How do You Know the Software Gave You Correct Results?Perhaps one frequent and more challenging question you can get working with simulation is: How do you know you got usable/correct results? Simulation software nowadays are very capable; they are also growing rapidly. However, they are by no means a complete, accurate tool. Issues in results can be caused by anything from setting the simulation conditions wrong, software deficiency, to issues with our input to the software. Being able to spot and those errors would often require both experience and depth of engineering knowledge. Some methods used to help can range from quickly spotting nonsensical results to benchmarking with hand calculations or other means. Verdict:
All the Options Out There!As simulation tools grow, so is the number of options they provide to help you get optimal results for your usage. Those include more variety in conditions setting, more options in refining the mesh, more plots, etc. Being able to navigate all those options to produce a usable study can range in difficulty according to the complexity of the study. The complexity comes from the number of options and having to understand what each option means in an absolute sense and what the option means the specific study you are working in. For example, meshing refinement has several options, from setting a global mesh density to auto-adaptive meshing to manually adjusting the mesh in different areas of the design. Knowing about those options is the easy part compared to uniquely applying them to best fit each project. Verdict:
So, is Simulation Easy or Complex?All the writing above might have made you more confused than not. Is simulation easy or complex? The reality is simulation is just like other expanding fields of study. It has a surface, but beneath that exists a great depth. The deeper you go, the more complex things can get. Thus, do not be surprised when you meet people spending 20+ years using simulation and are still learning. While software applications came as great enablers for simulation, they can give some a false sense of knowledge, neglecting the depth of the field. Getting attractive and colorful plots can be pretty exciting when you start with simulation, but there is often more than meets the eye. Should I Learn Simulation?In terms of software application, a structured course can give you the best value for your time. You can check out the TforDesign SOLIDWORKS Simulation Associate course. This will build you a strong foundation in the practical software application using SOLIDWORKS.  Another part is to equip yourself with a theoretical background in Mechanics of Materials and Finite Elements Analysis. Both fields are well established in academia. Thus, browsing academic resources can give you the best value. When pursuing both directions, it is essential to know that growing in the area can take lots of time and patience. Are you a user of simulation tools? How was/is your experience? Let us know in the comment section.  By Tayseer Almattar, TforDesign FounderTayseer is the founder of TforDesign. He has a passion for learning design and making all learning digestible and exciting.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsjmattar/ If you ever wondered how to use the SOLIDWORKS simulation tools to conduct Static Finite Element Analysis, this blog is for you. This blog will explore what Finite Element Analysis Static studies are and how to do them in SOLIDWORKS. What are Static Studies/Analysis Simulations?Static Analysis Simulations is the most common and most basic type of analysis done in computerized tools like SOLIDWORKS Simulation. Another term for it is Static Equilibrium Simulation. They relate to bodies that are in an equilibrium state. In other words, the loads do not constantly change over time. Thus, most of the objects around us on an everyday basis can be simulated using static analysis. Those include chairs, desks, bottles, beam bridges, constructions, etc. To know more about the different types of simulation, why and who should use them, check out our article on What is Finite Element Analysis and why you should use it. How to Do a Static Analysis in SOLIDWORKS?Static simulations have a common uniform process that you can expect to repeat every time you conduct a new study on a part. Let us list those steps here and then apply them together in the SOLIDWORKS. The part's simulation procedure is as follows:
To see how those steps are applied and how to follow up with them, check out the following video: This is the procedure for parts simulations. When we simulate and assembly or a multi-body parts, an extra step would be to identify to the software how each part interacts with the other. Do you have any experience with SOLIDWORKS Simulation? Share your experience with us in the comment. Suppose you are looking to get a deep dive into SOLIDWORKS Static Simulation. In that case, you can check out our SOLIDWORKS Simulation Associate Course, which will get you a strong foundation on the subject.  By Tayseer Almattar, TforDesign FounderTayseer is the founder of TforDesign. He has a passion for learning design and making all learning digestible and exciting.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsjmattar/ Suppose you are considering learning SOLIDWORKS and wondering what it was like for someone to start from scratch to become a certified professional. In that case, this story is for you. SOLIDWORKS is an easy-to-learn 3D software, but that does not mean that you will learn it overnight. In this post, I will talk about my beginning, progression, and tricks for taking the official certification exams. My Beginning: After installing SOLIDWORKS, I looked at the first video I found on YouTube and tried to learn how to begin with it. I will always recommend trying all the tabs in the standard menu bar. Just put the cursor at the top of it, read what is written, and try it. You will gain an initial idea of the different features that will help you afterward in learning. Through my little experience, one of the best ways to learn SOLIDWORKS is to do a small Project. In doing so, you will search on the internet whenever you face up a problem, watch some videos and in time you will learn new skills and features. During my first Project, I gathered some experience and a first overview of the software, but that was not enough to learn it in an organized way. Past the Starting Point: Like anything else, and to learn something new, you need to make an effort and organize a plan. An easier way is to follow a well-structured course. That saved me a lot of time and made me learn SOLIDWORKS in an easy-to-understand and effective way. I was in the finishing phase of my studies. I thought It would be better to start learning the associate, beginner level and get a certificate to increase my chances afterward to get a Job. The first step was to find the right course and choose the best one. I searched in Udemy, and I found the “SOLIDWORKS: Become a Certified Associate Today (CSWA)” made by TforDesign. It was granted best-selling and highest-rated Course in Udemy, so I went for it, and that was the best choice to make. The course took me from a beginner Level to an Associate Certification Level. What I really like about TforDesign was their teaching method. They made short and concentrated videos for every topic or feature, making them easier to understand and follow. Even afterward, when you need to review a topic, you can directly go for that one focused video without remembering which minute the point was mentioned. Like I mentioned in the beginning that the best way to learn is through projects. During the course, you will take exercises and do projects. Through them, you will notice fast growth in your skills. The learning-by-doing method followed in the TforDesign courses is one of the most effective learning methods, especially when learning SOLIDWORKS. TforDesign have since established their own platform with more content which you can check out to learn SOLIDWORKS online. After finishing the course, I have obtained all the necessary knowledge and skills needed to pass the SOLIDWORKS Associate Certification exam – CSWA. Those included skills in sketching, features, and assemblies. I took the CSWA exam and passed it. After passing the CSWA Exam, I was motivated to do the next level exam, the CSWP Exam. I needed to purchase a course to help me prepare for it. This time the choice was easy. Based on the Proverb “never change a winning team,” I purchased the TforDesign SOLIDWORKS Professional Level Training, gone through it, and finished it. At the moment, I have obtained both the CSWA and CSWP certifications. So, let us talk more specifically about the official CSWA and CSWP certification exams.  About the Official SOLIDWORKS Exams:The CSWA exam lasts 3 hours and must be done continuously at the same time. This means once you start, you can’t pause it in the middle and need to complete the whole exam in 3 hours. The CSWP exam is divided into three separate segments, Segment 1: 70 Minutes, Segment 2: 50 Minutes, and Segment 3: 80 Minutes. Dividing them into 3 Segments allows you to take each segment at a different time, but you can also do all three in a row. That seems a lot of time, but in reality, it is not. Most people fail the CSWP exam because they run out of time. To speed up your work and gain time, you must learn shortcuts and Mouse Gestures. In a previous post, I discussed the 7 most essential shortcuts to speed your SOLIDWORKS workflow. Make sure to check it out and start using those shortcuts. Tips When Taking the SOLIDWORKS Official Exam:At this point, you are ready to take the exam. Here are some tips for you to keep in mind when doing that.
So, here was my story and tips on how it started and how it went. How was your experience learning SOLIDWORKS? Share your story in the comments. P.S. For more tips, you can check out one of our earlier blogs with 8 tips for taking the official SOLIDWORKS certification exams. Also, if you are looking for comprehensive online SOLIDWORKS courses, check out the TforDesign school.  By Ahmed Ben Lamine Ghouma, TforDesign Community MemberAhmed holds a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering and aims to learn and improve constantly.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-ben-lamine-ghouma/ Engineering drawing is a type of technical drawing that has existed since ancient times. It is crucial to document and communicate your design intent, market your product and/or ensure seamless manufacturing. In this blog, we will discuss reasons why you should take your engineering drawings seriously. What is 2D Engineering Drawing?Engineering drawings are used by designers and engineers to communicate a 3D object by creating its 2D views. These drawings contain information regarding the geometry, dimensions, tolerances, and material of the object.  The standard orthographic projection of views shows how the object looks from the top, bottom, front, back, right, or left. These views are positioned relative to each other on the drawing sheet. Adding all orthographic views to the drawing is not necessary. You should have as many views as are sufficient to fully and clearly convey all the information. This might also mean using additional views to show further details. Additional views can include section views, break views, crop views, etc. Importance of Engineering DrawingYou may think that engineering drawing is a repetitive and boring process. But overlooking it can cause more harm than good. Putting less effort into it may save time while creating them, but this might case issues downstream like the following:
These issues will not only delay the project but can also leave a bad impression on your client. That is why engineering drawings should be given the importance they deserve. Creating Engineering Drawing using SOLIDWORKSSOLIDWORKS enables you to create quality engineering drawings from 3D models super easily. Your perfectly documented drawing is just a few clicks away. Simply go to File > Make Drawing from Part. Then select the sheet size you want, drag and drop the standard view orientations populated in the View Palette and create projected views relative to mouse movement. Model properties are automatically added in the information block, which can also be customized. You can adjust the drawing view scale, add dimensions, hole callouts, center-lines, and other annotations to communicate the drawings. You can also use the Model Items tool to add all the annotations in one go. Finally, export the drawing to suitable media e.g., PDF and/or .jpeg. The following gif shows the steps to start a drawing, add orthogonal views, and use the Model Items tool to auto populate your dimensions.  A great feature of these drawings is that they update with the model. Any update to the model will be reflected in the drawing. How often do you use engineering drawings to communicate your models? Let us know in the comment. If you are looking to get a deep dive into the SOLIDWORKS drawing tools, you can check out the SOLIDWORKS Drawing Specialist training at the TforDesign School.  By Mohsina Zafar, Technical Lead at TforDesignMohsina is a Mechatronics engineer who is passionate about 3D design and artificial intelligence. She specializes in SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD and loves to help students solve their SOLIDWORKS problems.
linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohsina-zafar/ SOLIDWORKS has tons of different commands scattered around the interface. This makes shortcuts very valuable as they enable you to build models faster with less frustration. In this article, I will be exploring some of the key shortcuts that I found most useful during my SOLIDWORKS journey, from starting to learn the software till I became a certified SOLIDWORKS Professional (CSWP). Thus, if you are starting to learn SOLIDWORKS, the following seven shortcuts will give you the most value for your bucks. The short-cuts listed here are enabled by default in the software. However, you can adjust them as well if needed. 1. The “S” key for a little commands pop-up The “S-Key” is my favorite shortcut in SOLIDWORKS. By pressing the “S” key, you launch a customizable shortcut bar that brings a set of commands right to your mouse cursor. With this, you can quickly access dozens of commands. These shortcut commands vary depending on the modeling context – sketch, part, assembly, or drawing. With them at hand, you will not now move your mouse to the Commands Bar to search for commands. Instead, the commands will pop up right where your cursor is. This will save the mouse travel time and keep you focusing on your design. The following screenshot shows the little commands pop-up. 2. The "A" key for quick type switchSometimes, you want to sketch a specific form, but you mistakenly chose another form. By pressing the "A” key, you will switch through the types. For example, you want to draw a Center Circle but accidentally selected the Perimeter Circle. With the “A” Key shortcut, you can quickly switch between those types and get the circle type you want. This works for all sketching commands with different types like rectangles, arcs, and slots 3. The "F" key to focus your modelThe “F” key will bring your model to focus. Often when being in the Part modeling or Assembly Modes, your part can get lost in the endless canvas. By pressing the “F” key, your model will get into focus again. The alternative would be to zoom in and out to find your model, which will take much valuable time. 4. The "Enter" key to repeat commandsBy pressing the “Enter” key, you will repeat the last command. For example, if you are drawing a line and want to draw another Line, you don’t need to go to the Line command again. Just press the "Enter” key, and you can repeat the Line command. 5. Mouse gestures for customized commands
Press the right mouse button and move the mouse a little towards any direction to get a custom circular menu with different commands. By default, you will have four different commands. However, you can increase and customize them up to 12. The screenshot below shows how the basic four commands while working in a sketch. To add and customize the mouse gesture commands, go to Tools -> Customize -> Mouse gestures as shown in the screenshot below. They are context-oriented. Thus, you can have a different set of commands appearing if you work in a different mode, like in a sketch, part, assembly, or drawing. 6. The search commands tool The search commands Bar is a quick way to launch a command. While during an exam or under stress, you often forget the place of a commend and start searching for it, losing some valuable time and increase your frustration. Alternatively, you can type its name at the search and launch it from the list of commands. You can find the search commands box on the top-right of the SOLIDWORKS interface. You can also use the shortcut “W” to access it instantly. 7. Ctrl and drag to create a new plane If you are creating a complex model in SOLIDWORKS, you will most likely need to generate additional reference planes to aid your design. Instead of looking up the reference plane command, you can select an existing plane, click and hold “Ctrl,” then drag the mouse. This will generate a parallel plane to the one you had selected. You can then add in further adjustments to the new plane from the reference plane property manager. TakeawayIn this article, I talked about seven shortcuts that I find most helpful. It can seem difficult to deal with initially, but after getting used to it, one can’t renounce it. Shortcuts are easy, time-saving, make you more efficient, and are available for you. So, try to use them. If you are looking for comprehensive online SOLIDWORKS courses, make sure to check out the different offers at the TforDesign School.  By Ahmed Ben Lamine Ghouma, TforDesign Community MemberAhmed holds a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering and aims to learn and improve constantly.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-ben-lamine-ghouma/ The functionality to change the color of SOLIDWORKS icons and background rolled back in 2016. When SOLIDWORKS introduced the new icon colors scheme to be more modern and more friendly for colorblind individuals. But this significant enhancement was met with criticism upon its launch from the fans of the classic icons. However, the software allows the users to choose the interface according to their liking satisfying the different tastes. This post will explore the different interface options available in both icon color schemes and background modes. SOLIDWORKS Icon Color SchemesStarting with SOLIDWORKS icons, we can select either the old classic icons (green-yellow) or the new default ones (blue-white). Although both icon types are sleek, the classic scheme reminds us of the “classic” SOLIDWORKS era, whereas the default scheme has a more modern touch. The default scheme is also a great addition as it assists colorblind people in differentiating the icons. The following gif shows the difference between the classic and default icons.  |
