SOLIDWORKS Surface Modelling

Lesson 1: Understanding Surfaces - The first lesson of this course introduces the user to the differences and similarities between solid and surface bodies. The user will learn how to create extruded and planar surfaces and how to trim/untrim them, as well as knitting surfaces together so that their combined geometry can be used to form a solid. Upon completion of this lesson the user will be familiar with common surface types, and understand typical surface modelling workflow scenarios.

Lesson 2: Introduction to Surfacing - Lesson 2 teaches the user how to create revolved surfaces and how to sweep a surface profile along a given path. This lesson helps the user understand how to intentionally overlap multiple surface bodies so that excess portions can be trimmed away until the desired shape remains. The user will learn how to make a surface that radiates away from a selected edge and also how to fillet their surfaces. The latter stage of lesson 2 introduces a fast and effective way to create a complex solid shape by using groups of bodies that form enclosed empty spaces.

Lesson 3: Solid-Surface Hybrid Modelling - In lesson 3 the user will learn how to modify a solid using surface bodies and also how to use surfaces to form construction geometry as an intermediate step toward performing a solid command. They will be taught how to create copies of faces of a solid model for use in surface modelling operations. Complex 3D curves can be made along the location where bodies intersect one and other, in this lesson the user will explore this method.

Lesson 4: Repairing and Editing Imported Geometry - Lesson 4 focusses on importing solid and surface geometry from files that are not native to SOLIDWORKS and diagnosing and repairing potential discrepancies caused after the data translation. The user will learn automated processes designed to fix such problems as well as using manual surface modelling techniques.

Lesson 5: Blends and Patches - In lesson 5 the user will be taught how to repair bad geometry on surface bodies by trimming a gap which is then filled using the curvature of surrounding faces to influence the shape of the transition. The user will also learn to repair areas of poor surface quality on their model by deleting and recreating faces.

Lesson 6: Complex Blends - Progressing from the techniques covered in lesson 5, the user will learn how to be more creative with surface blends in this lesson. After trimming back a transition area between surfaces, the user will observe how the existing surface geometry can have a strong influence on the curvature of the resulting blend area. The user will also be introduced to the freeform command which allows direct control of face curvature.

Lesson 7: Advanced Surface Modelling - Upon completion of lesson 7 the user will understand how to sketch a profile by tracing over a concept picture that has been embedded into the sketch environment. The user will also be taught how to use the ruled surface command to produce a tapered surface along an edge which will help to construct subsequent features. The user will produce surfaces by extruding, by lofting multiple sketched profiles together and also by sweeping a profile along a path. This lesson presents how the user can utilize a tool called instant 3D to dynamically edit sketch geometry so that the effect of change can be seen immediately throughout the whole model. Finally, the user will learn how to replace a face on a solid to alter the body’s geometry and volume.

Lesson 8: Master Model Techniques - The Final lesson of this course teaches the user how to create and propagate changes from surface and solid master models into derived parts. This technique gives the user full control of the overall design characteristics in one single environment so that the individual components of the product will update automatically. The user will also learn how to add various features commonly associated with plastic consumer products.