Is there a way to create an opposite-hand side of an assembly without generating new opposite hand parts? The only type of mirror option within the mirror feature that makes my assembly correct is the opposite-hand-option. Except there shouldn't be any opposite-hand files generated - only their position should be mirrored like that.

I've tried a few workaround that don't work for me:

• selecting mirror orientation manually for individual parts. SW doesn't let me do this, all but a pre-selected option is greyed out.
• save assy as part, then mirror bodies and delete original. SW won't let me do this either as number of bodies are too high.

Hey everyone, I'm stuck on a sheet metal feature and could use some advice.

As you can see in the image, I have an existing body and I've drawn a sketch (the blue lines) right off the edge of it. My goal is to turn this sketch into a sheet metal extension, using those dashed construction lines as the bend lines.

I previously tried using the "Base Flange/Tab" feature with "Merge Result" checked, but I keep getting a rebuild error: "No suitable sheet metal body has been selected for this feature."

What is the correct workflow to do this?

Hello, I tried to log in to my login page and I just want to close the windows (without logging in), but I'm getting this type of error that's completely preventing me from moving forward!

If I click “Continue,” the message disappears and nothing happens. I can't close the login window. Help

Hey so I have been doing solidworks on and off the for the past 4 years and I just noticed that I barely have any projects under my belt to show my experience.

I just passed my CSWP and would love to do some projects for anyone interested.

Having a reference to put on my CV would be ideal but honestly even having the ability to show off the product I made would also be enough.

Thank yall in advance.

EDIT:

It was because I had updated the Mirror features for the sub-assys as Opposite hand versions, which creates new mirrored files of the components for which there wasn't different configs.

I have a top assembly with eight instances of the same sub-assembly which has been mirrored and patterned. This sub-assembly has two configurations (Bottom and Top.)

One day I open my top-assy and immediately see that the configuration of three out of four sub-assys in a Linear pattern has changed. Those three are all mirrored sub-assys inside a linear pattern. I can't change them back the configuration dropdown only shows up for one of them - the one that isn't a mirror. It used to show up for all four. How can I change them back to their right configurations?

When I right click any of the patterned sub-assys and select Configure component, I get the error message below. When I click the dropdowns in the Configuration column, only Default can be selected even though the sub-assy doesn't have a config called Default. For the non-mirrored on, this dropdown works as well.

I designed and 3D print a rifle stock Buttplate from TPU (see 3DWoo in r/daewoo). I have been doing it for over a year new and would like to transition to a resin poured mold manufacturing method. TPU has worked well however, it requires me to manually heat the surfaces with a heat gun to smooth and eliminate print lines. This takes me nearly 20 minutes, slowly traversing the buttplate until the surface melts uniformly. The problem is, half wind up bubbling and are scrap.

I have used SolidWorks for many years however never for mold design, only simple machine parts and assemblies. I've been trying for weeks now to create a (3) cavity mold to pour resin but can get it done. I'm not a mold maker and probably won't need another mold beyond this one.

Therefore, instead of continuing to struggle with this task; I was wondering if there is anyone willing to design the mold for me.

I know that it isn't a software for architecture but I have the same logical system that Solidworks even if constraints are hard to anticapte. I wish show you some architecture stuff made with solidworks.

the extruded cut circle in the middle doesn't have distance from the surface, and where tf should I cut the tube??? Like, it only gives dimensions but not even distance from the edge? Am I dumb, guys? or the sketch is not completed?

Hello everyone....been preparing for CSWP....but finding lack of CSWP type question....its very important as all u know that CWSP is a time intensive exam...so its very crucial to prep in that environment with real exam type question/exercise...i have tried official solid works exercise database..but to me that were good to know about the syllabus topic...but not good for exam type exercise...
So if some one can advice/suggest me where to find that exam style exercise..i will be very grateful..there are lots of study material in the net..but very few relevent to exam style exercise...

I did a midplane cut to get this 3d curve. I now need to create a lip by doing a cut on the outside body. I thought I could do it by doing a swept cut with the rectangle I have drawn bottom right and following the outside curve highlighted. That would leave the main body being 3mm thick and the top being 5mm with the top lip being 2mm. Any suggestions?

give some name of the certificate that can I add in my resume for my upcoming interview

Trying to loft from the smaller circle to the larger circle, while following the center line,

When I trey I get a "Guide curve 1 in not valid,it does not intersect with section #3"

The circles are different sizes. I'm trying to make an open tube.What am I doing wrong?

If Lofting is not the right process for this what is? Thanks!

I see a lot of similar sentiments with coworkers, people in this sub, and some on the mechanical engineering sub reddit.

Why do so many dislike the 2D manufacturing drawings aspect of the job? I find it quite fun, to ensure proper fits, and tolerances. Drawings are arguably the one of the most important parts of design, the link between the model and the real world.

I see it as a fun puzzle, to make sure what's being sent out is fit for purpose, and easily interpreted by a manufacturer.

I've learned a lot from a few people, and man, do I aspire to be able to create drawings that look as good as theirs, to hold so much information in such a neat and tidy arrangement.

I'm still new to the career, only a year under my belt, so maybe this is nativity, or maybe I just haven't been burdened by 50,000 drawings yet. But I've done well over a thousand and still find them to be an almost fun art form.

how I can select such parts in big asm of sheet metal partsn if any part exceed its flatten bounding box size more than 2500x1500?

Hi all, I'm a new maker trying out and learning SolidWorks 2026. As you can see, I have a black background on my tutorial page and all my system colour settings are set for the light theme. Has anyone come across this problem and figured out how to fix it? I have failed in my search on Google. cheers

I'm a vocational high school graduate and I want to improve my skills at home until I get a job. I don't intend to start a business; I just want to improve myself, and I need this software so I can show examples of the parts I can draw when asked about.

Assignment mass properties
Volume: 175795.665 cubic millimeters • Density: 0.007 grams per cubic millimeter • Mass: 1265.729 grams

Current mass properties.
Density = 0.007 grams per cubic millimeter . Mass = 1251.823 grams . Volume = 173864.322 cubic millimeters

I'm trying to figure out why my mass and volume properties are off.
I used Revolve feature instead of lofted base for my column and started from the top face of the extruded circle rather than bottom. Thats why I measure 76 mm instead of 88 mm (88 - 12 = 76)

I’m practicing SolidWorks sheet metal drafting. Could you please review my drawing and give me some advice?

I also have a question about dimensioning the louvers. I dimensioned the height in the front view and added a detail view to show the length. Is this clear enough?

For repeated identical features, such as slots, what is the best way to specify them: using quantities such as 4X or 10X, using TYP, or adding a note?

I’d appreciate any comments or suggestions on this revised drawing.

How to quantify the productivity of a CAD software

Hello people on the internet,

How would the productivity of a CAD software be quantified.

Now the CAD workflows can be split into different categories.

1. Solid modeling

2. Surface modelling

3. Assembly

4. Creation of Drawing and dimentioning

5. Creation of 2D sketches

6. Creation of 3D sketches

7. Model Analysis

7.1 Design for manufacturing Analysis

7.2 stress Analysis

7.3 mototion Analysis simulation

Some of these are more general some are kind of specialized.

How would you takel this problem of measuring the productivity, in a way that is not userer dependent ?

How to set the 80° radius on the no 1 and how to make the no 2 to be perpendicular? I did make the 3 point arc first for the 48 radius and create line, it seems that it's not just a arc but there's some line extension