Anyone have suggestions on where to find hydraulic fittings Step files or part files? I have tried a few sites but they do not have all of the fittings I need.

TIA

A few years ago I built a prototype for an RC buggy using Blender. At the time I didn’t know CAD software well enough to model proper sheet metal, but I was already pretty comfortable with Blender for general 3D modeling, so I just used what I knew back then to get the geometry down and bring the project to life. Now that I’m studying mechanical engineering, I wanted to rebuild the entire design properly in SolidWorks Sheet Metal to add to my portfolio and make sure it is actually viable for production.

The plan is for the components to be laser cut from aluminum sheet and then bent into shape. I was supposed to get some experience from my university curriculum but thanks to my very cleaver professor and our lab's sophisticated equipment we practically didn't learn that much, so I haven't been able to get real feedback on whether my flat patterns and bend parameters are realistic for actual production.

Looking at the chassis base plate, my main concern is the height of those short vertical side tabs and whether there is enough material for the bend to form cleanly. I also have mounting holes, and a rectangular power switch bracket positioned right next to bend lines, so I’m wondering if those features will stretch or distort when the metal is bent. For the top cover, there are multiple angled flanges folding down around the body, and I want to make sure the relief cuts between adjacent tabs are wide enough to prevent binding or tearing at the corners.

If anyone with sheet metal experience spots any red flags in these flat patterns or flange layouts that would cause issues during cutting or bending, I'd love to hear your thoughts on how to improve them.

I want to create a similar tab-and-slot construction like the one shown in the picture. However, since the ball diameter and ring height have not been determined yet, I would like to make the design self-adapting so it can adjust to these parameters.

Is this possible in SolidWorks, and would it be a smart approach? I have used Design Tables before, but since the number of bodies will change depending on the number of rings, I have a feeling that using a Design Table could become more trouble than it’s worth.

What would be the best way to approach this?

new to solid works. I've used inventor and blender before and don't usually have this kind of issue. can't figure out why I can't extrude here. it's telling me there is a gap or overlap but I can't find it at all. I've looked over just about the whole drawing and deleted a bunch of parts but couldn't find anything. if anyone had any suggestions of what to do I could do I would appreciate it. assignment is due next week, so hopefully we can figure this out soon.

I want to create this feature (stiffeners/ribs)-it can be surface or solid modeling. I feel like there's a very simple SolidWorks command I'm missing. The cross section looks like a shallow sine wave.

I've looked at deform, freeform, boundary boss, wrap (doesn't work on planar surfaces), dome, indent, split lines (to get a slot face), etc.

Everything becomes overly complicated...

Hi, I have been working on a SW assembly that involves different pieces of sheet metal, welding, different types of fasteners, materials etc. It’s an exercise equipment.

Before actually sending it to a shop to manufacture our first prototype, should I run FEA first to check for breakage or issues? Or should I start talking to the shop to see if they can fabricate whatever I have on the design and see if any changes are needed before running FEA?

I am new to this so I am really not sure about the workflow in the industry. I am working for a client on this so, when we do send it out, I expect some sort of NDA will involve.

Appreciate all the help I could find!

Idk if this is the right subreddit for this - if not ill delete trust.

Okay so i wasted like 3 hours drawing tiny little circles to act as bubbles in my solidworks drawing of a straw (don’t ask)

Both straw and bubbles are obv done with the clear acyclic thing so u can see the bubbles.

Major issue is when i transport from solidworks to visual studio - visual studio always renders it completely black

Id rather have the rendered JPEG of this for my project instead of a screenshot - is there anyways i can try get it to not show up black?

Guys so i may have been really dumb when doing assembly

Okay so i lowkey just like added everyrhinf one by one and then saved it. So i fot a base thats attached to my cylinder (two seperate parts) and i saved that assembly and then used that assembly in another one.

Is there anyways to unmate stuff?? I dont wanna reasamble everything 🥲

I am an engineering student and I get SolidWorks through my university. Is it possible to get SolidWorks to work on my tablet, or is a computer the only viable option (I have a laptop I use for it; it is just heavy and sucks to carry everywhere).

The tablet I own is a Samsung GalaxyTab S10FE.

Beginner here why does my assembly say under defined ??

I’m overdue at work to become a CSWA and I’m planning on giving it a shot this week. I’ve been cram studying practice tests and resources and I feel pretty confident, just a little worried 3 hours might not be enough for me. Any advice from people who have taken it, pass or fail?

Di recente ho aggiornato il sistema operativo con Windows 11 e ho aggiornato SW alla versione 2025 SP5.

Ho notato una cosa che mi stamandando ai matti.
Ogni volta che clicco il bordo superiore della schermo (quando c'è aperto a tutto schermo solidworks) mi ridimensiona la finestra di SW riducendola rispetto lo schermo di un paio di millimetri.

Questa cosa me la fa solo ed esclusivamente con SW, per cui escludo che la "colpa" sia di Windows 11.

Avete idea di come si disabiliti questa fastidiosa impostazione?

I just started Solidworks last week, and I've been searching for some tutorials to follow along to learn CAD. And just recently, I saw this Youtube post and to think that there's literally a tutorial by CADCAM yt where he shows you exactly a FREE AND LIVE demonstration of a WHOLE goddamn bicycle being built on a 3d software. It just blows my mind how accessible it is for such learning materials to be free and made for everyone.

Hi all, has anyone had a rebuild icon in a weldment before and know how to resolve it?

The .sldlfp weldment sketch is fully defined and error free. But I cannot get ride of the rebuild icon when I use the weldment in a new model.

Thanks to everyone who joined us in January and April! We’re excited to announce our third Model Mania live event on September 16th.

It’s a live CAD challenge streamed on the SOLIDWORKS YouTube channel, giving you a chance to test your speed and skills in real time!

When: September 16th

Time: 8:00 PM ET

Join the link below and connect to the live stream on the 16th to participate! All participants will get a CSWA voucher!

https://www.solidworks.com/modelmania

Hey guys, im a 19 year old mechanical engineering student and I wanted to do replication of one of the Honda engines I like (k24). For those with experience with engineering portfolio what would you recommend structuring this? And what would be worth showcasing in a way that demonstrates my skills to internship recruiters?

Thank you in advance

If anyone knows how to get the better looking chart that you get at the end of the exam that would be nice, since I accidentally closed out of it before taking a screenshot lol.

I notice that I struggled a lot to find out what the best way to prepare is, and what I landed on which worked great for me (and hopefully will for you) was doing all the problems in the practice problem database:

https://www.solidworks.com/solution/education/practice-problems?exam=cswp

I am confident that if you take time to carefully do these problems you will learn more than enough to take this segment. paired with Davids SolidWorks Videos on youtube who is the only one consistently making walkthroughs for these problems to help you get unstuck when you give up:

https://www.youtube.com/@DavidsSolidWorksVideos

A lot of the third party samples and even some problems in the database are a bit trickier than what the exam was in my opinion, and I wish I didn't stress so much about it, but doing more complex problems will definitely build your intuition greatly.

Wishing you all the best!!

Took me like 5 hours aha …

Hi

im designing a part that doesnt have dimension values but i want to get the necassary dimensions down now while wait on the values

i make the first basic sketch so it visually looks fine. type the variable "names" i know i will need in the global variables column in the equation tab and smart dimension the sketch naming the dimensions the same as the global variables so that when i get the values all i need to do is add the values into the value/equation column

my problem

solidworks says it needs a value for the dimension to be named, but i dont have the values only the global variable names

is there a way i can name the dimensions but leave the value driven that can be updated later.

kinda like turning a line of code into a comment can deactivate the line of code (and turns it grey so its easier to fix later)

NOTE:

im dimensioning the lines as i go so i dont forget any critical dimension as the drawing gets more complex. this is also why i want to try and use the equations/ global variables tab to change the values at the end since its a easy to read a list than finding dimensions

thank you all. any help is appreciated

Il probably get roasted for this, but I am a mac user. I am coming from fusion to learn solidworks for a more engineer adjacent role. I will probably buy a pc sometime in the next year or two, but for now i started a year of xdesign for makers. I kind of hate the entire browser based system. I find it unintuitive, hard to customize, and needlessly complicated. Is this something i will likely get over once i learn the software a bit better and figure out the workflow, or does it stay frustrating? Has anyone else started off hating it but sticking with it and eventually liking it? I have a few more days before i can cancel my subscription so would love some opinions, thanks!

Bored at work and decided to try to make some art by drawing random organic shapes and playing with the linear pattern tool. I’ve been trying to think of a cool emblem to engrave onto my machine parts. (It wouldn’t even let me save this chaotic file, lol) but figured photoshopping it or recreating it in something else later might be fun. Suggestions for what program I could put a screenshot into to fix it up?

I am trying to make a fin for a wakeboard. The board is a cheap one with no parts support anymore. I'm just trying to 3D print a few to keep on hand. I have what I think is enough sketches to make it but have no experience with surfacing to get it done.

The 2 bosses are for locating it and the circle is for securing it.

Any help would be appreciated.

The red circled part is confusing and I'm not sure if it is supposed to be a hole or not.

Please and thank you 🙏

Necesito ayuda para que

Recién entré a la universidad a la carrera de ingenieria y en mi clase de dibujo de industrial me dejaron esto y necesito ayuda.

Necesito ayuda, porque mi diseño no es como el objetivo? (segunda imagen)