• Staying organized is critical to being a functional SolidWorks user

• It is often easier to create the folders you need and populate them as time progresses, especially when you know something will fill that spot.  

• At home this is different than in-class as you'll have to make sure you back up files onto a thumbdrive when using public computers

• Opening SolidWorks files directly from thumbdrives increases likelihood of a crash, so you'll want to save files onto the local PC before opening them in SolidWorks and then backup before you shutdown.

This is a mobile version of a SolidWorks file that can be opened by anyone who downloads the free reader software, eDrawings from the SolidWorks website

Portable Document Format that just about any computer or device can view and sometimes edit

Great for transferring 2D images including detailed drawings

The only format allowed for submissions in these courses unless specified in special circumstances

Most programs will allow you to "print to pdf" which is not the same as saving as, but often works well enough

Be aware that you can dictate whether or not SolidWorks saves to PDF in color or black & white

There is an option to save as a 3D pdf which is usable in certain circumstances but few people can easily view with no issues

A single file that acts like a folder

You can save files, folders, subfolders all within a .ZIP file which can then be opened and extracted

Files cannot be opened directly from the .ZIP file but must be extracted to a regular folder first

Generic 3D file used in Parametric Modeling software

Like losing the ability to edit a PDF, a STL/IGES file will no longer be parametric and the feature tree is now gone

• There may also be other file exporting artifacts that prevent full functionality of these files

OBJ/STL are used in graphical/3D printing applications