Intro to SolidWorks Course Online
Turn your design ideas into 3D models and real-world products with SolidWorks. Learn SolidWorks from the ground up by modeling parts, creating assemblies, and producing 2D blueprints for a complete playground set.
Turn your design ideas into 3D models and real-world products with SolidWorks. Learn SolidWorks from the ground up by modeling parts, creating assemblies, and producing 2D blueprints for a complete playground set.
Learn the essentials of 3D modeling and design by designing a complete playground set with this beginner's SolidWorks course. This course covers the core tools and workflows of SolidWorks, including part modeling, assemblies, and technical drawings, providing a solid foundation for more advanced design challenges. You will be equipped with the skills to confidently create and communicate your designs.
Key SolidWorks Skills You'll Gain:
Work on projects proven to boost retention
Refined over many years for an optimal learning experience
This training will definitely help my career. I was able to show my supervisor and co-workers what the software programs have to offer and what I'm capable of when the time comes for creating that construction design team in the future. I was able to provide documentation to my employer that the money spent was well worth it. The training I received at VDCI will become an asset moving forward.
—Donahue Chase
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Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!
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Learn practical skills by working on real projects with instructor guidance and lectures to strengthen and improve your skill.
Pattern planks across the second floor to form a walkway, using alignment techniques with existing beams. Adjust spacing, confirm accuracy with measurement tools, and prepare the layout for frame construction.
Build a two-directional sketch pattern to generate stairs, controlled by a global variable for stair run. Use “instances to skip” to refine the pattern, then dimension and align stairs for accurate placement in the playground model.
Add a play window with square, circle, and triangular cutouts using the Polygon Sketch tool. Offset frames, set equal spacing, and extrude bodies to create a playful, multi-shape feature.
Import the master model into new part files, deleting all but one body per file. Organize reference sketches, save slide components as separate parts, and optimize for assembly creation.
Open a new SolidWorks drawing and load the General Assembly. Adjust sheet size, scale, and projections to create orthographic and isometric views, then begin dimensioning the playground layout.
Export the General Assembly with assigned materials into SolidWorks Visualize and set up a custom perspective. Use fast preview mode, adjust resolution, and configure output settings to render a final high-quality JPEG image
Beginners and career-switchers in product, mechanical, or industrial design; engineers, makers, and students who are new to SolidWorks or CAD. Basic computer skills required; prior CAD experience helpful but not necessary.
Yes, this course is open to beginners. Students must be comfortable using a computer. No other prior knowledge is required.
This course does not qualify for payments plans or student financing. See our Payment Options FAQ to find related programs that qualify.
This course is available for 30 days.
You can choose when to start your access period. Once you activate, you will have 30 days to complete it (access the course materials, quizzes, projects and videos). You may request one extension of seven (7) days. Other extension requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Videos are not downloadable.
For this course, you are entitled to a 90% refund (your payment less the nonrefundable 10% registration fee) within 30 days of purchase if you have not accessed the course materials.
There are no extra fees or taxes for our courses. The price you see on this page is the maximum you’ll pay us.
We don’t currently offer discounts as we do our best to affordably prices our courses.
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SolidWorks is a powerful 3D computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) software widely utilized in various industries. Developed by Dassault Systèmes, SolidWorks provides a versatile platform for creating detailed 3D models, assemblies, and 2D drawings that help engineers, designers, and professionals bring their ideas to life. It streamlines the design process by offering intuitive tools for producing high-precision parts, robust simulations, and manufacturing-ready designs.
The Introduction to SolidWorks provides a comprehensive starting point for individuals who want to master 3D CAD design using one of the industry’s leading software. It covers the core functionalities of SolidWorks, including sketching, part modeling, assemblies, and the creation of 2D drawings. Through hands-on projects and guided exercises, learners gain practical experience and a clear understanding of how to transform conceptual ideas into detailed 3D models. The course is designed to build foundational knowledge, ensuring participants are well-prepared to tackle more advanced SolidWorks features in the future.
Whether you're a beginner exploring CAD for the first time or a professional seeking to add SolidWorks to your skill set, this course offers an accessible learning path. By the end of the program, students will have the confidence to use SolidWorks in various professional or personal applications, such as engineering designs, product development, or prototype creation. With a strong focus on practical application and real-world projects, the course equips learners to meet the demands of industries that rely on SolidWorks.
This introductory SolidWorks course is designed for a wide range of individuals, from students and hobbyists to professionals who want to build foundational expertise in the software. It is ideal for anyone new to SolidWorks seeking a structured way to learn the fundamentals. The course also serves aspiring professionals looking to enter industries like automotive, aerospace, or product design, where SolidWorks is a key tool. Additionally, it benefits those who want to strengthen their CAD skills to improve job prospects or enhance their current job performance. Hobbyists aiming to create personal projects, such as DIY prototypes or 3D printing designs, will also find this course highly valuable.
For individuals seeking to enter specific industries where CAD skills are essential, this course lays the groundwork by teaching core SolidWorks functionalities such as part modeling, sketching, and design intent. These fundamentals are universally applicable across industries and project types. By learning to create assemblies and detailed technical drawings, students can confidently work on a variety of real-world applications.
Furthermore, the hands-on experience provided in this course helps learners understand how to approach design challenges methodically and communicate their ideas clearly. Whether you're pursuing a career in engineering, product design, or technical drafting, this course is an effective and practical way to begin your SolidWorks journey.
SolidWorks is embraced across numerous industries for its efficiency and versatility. Here are some key sectors where it plays a significant role:
Aerospace and Defense: SolidWorks is utilized to design complex components such as aircraft parts, avionics systems, and structural frameworks. Its ability to simulate forces and test designs against stringent industry standards makes it indispensable in ensuring safety and precision.
Automotive: Automakers and suppliers use SolidWorks for designing car components, assemblies, and aesthetic elements such as interiors and exteriors. The software’s assembly feature allows engineers to visualize how parts interact and to optimize designs for performance and manufacturability.
Consumer Goods: From appliances to wearable technology, SolidWorks provides tools for modeling products that prioritize ergonomics, aesthetics, and functionality. Its advanced surface modeling makes it particularly valuable for creating visually appealing and market-ready designs.
Medical Devices: SolidWorks is employed to design cutting-edge medical equipment, implants, and surgical tools. The software allows for precise modeling and testing of designs to meet strict quality control and regulatory requirements.
Industrial Equipment: Manufacturers leverage SolidWorks to develop heavy machinery, factory layouts, and automated systems. Its robust tools for designing large assemblies and sheet metal components make it ideal for these applications.
Electronics: SolidWorks integrates with other tools to assist in designing enclosures for electronic devices, ensuring the proper fit of circuit boards and optimal thermal performance.
SolidWorks supports a diverse range of projects, from designing parts and assemblies for manufacturing to developing prototypes for innovative products and concepts. It is widely used for creating tooling, mold designs, and sheet metal components tailored for industrial applications. The software also excels in simulating stresses, thermal responses, and fluid dynamics, providing critical engineering validation. Additionally, SolidWorks enables the creation of detailed technical drawings and blueprints, ensuring clear communication with manufacturers and clients. SolidWorks offers the tools needed to manage projects of all sizes and complexities, from small consumer products to large industrial machines.
The first installment is due one week before the first class. Subsequent installments are spread out evenly across the duration of the course.
| Installments | |
|---|---|
| 10% non-refundable deposit | |
| $579.00 | Total You Pay |
See the Installment plan FAQ for more information.
Instructor
William Tenney is a career Solidworks designer. He began his career in consumer products then shifted to retail display design, corporate interiors, and finally furniture. His time with Solidworks spans almost two decades where in that time he designed many pieces for mass production, was awarded co-inventor status on five patents, obtained the Professional Certification and Surfacing Certification for Solidworks, and also contributed to many pieces shown in such publications as Architectural Digest, Interior Design Magazine, Fashion Magazine, and 1st Dibs. Outside of his work life, he is a husband to a wonderful spouse and a father to two future creatives.
Instructor
David, the Chief Academic Officer, has a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Penn State University and an MBA from Point Loma Nazarene University. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects. He has been teaching Autodesk programs for over 10 years and enjoys working and teaching in the architectural industry. In addition to working with the Autodesk suite, he has significant experience in 3D modeling, the Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam Revu, and SketchUp. David enjoys spending his free time with his wife, biking, hanging out with his kids, and listening to audiobooks by the fire.
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