Part Environment

What is a part?

A 3D Part, sometimes referred to as a Component, or a Model is a series of Features that add or subtract material to form a 3D object. Parts are a combination of 3D features to make a single component

You made add Feature after Feature, which would be like building from clay, this would be additive modeling
You may subtract from a solid block, this would be subtractive modeling
Most commonly you'll do a combination of these two methods to achieve endless possibilities!

Create New Part

File → New → Part → OK

Pro-Tip

The quickest method is to use the New File Shortcut Key Combination

CTRL+N→ENTER

Close File

File → Close

Pro-Tip

The quickest method is to use the Close File Shortcut Key Combination

CTRL+W or CTRL+F4

Close File

Alternatively, you may click the graphical X to close the program
Generally you’ll have one instance of SolidWorks open but you may have multiple files open
Careful! The “Big X” will close everything you have open

Saving

Generally filenames followed by an asterisk "*" indicate that the file has not been saved after an edit has been made
Save-As-Type indicates the Extension that the files shall be saved under
Saving-As a filename that already exists will overwrite that pre-existing file
- This is the same as using Save instead of Save-As
Save-As is great for adding new revisions or alternative versions
If you have saved your file, the Filename shall appear in two locations
- At the top of your DesignTree
- At the top of the SolidWorks window TitleBar

Save File

File → Save
NOTE: Save often! SolidWorks is prone to crash, especially while you're learning. The less data lost the better

Pro-Tip

The quickest method is to use the Save File Shortcut Key Combination

CTRL+S

Open File

File → Open
NOTE: The fewer files open, the better. No need to slow down the software by having unused files open.

Pro-Tip

The quickest method is to use the Open File Shortcut Key Combination

CTRL+O

Open Sample Part

Download and Save the SampleBlock
SolidWorks>→File→Open

Open

Ctrl+O
Filter for PART (*.sldprt)
Find: C:\...\INTRO_TO_SOLIDWORKS\INTRO_TO_SOLIDWORKS.SLDPRT

Save File As…

File → Save As
If you want to export Parts for things such as 3D printing, you'll need to SaveAs

Pro-Tip

This is how you would export to PDF or STL (For 3D Printing)

MULTIPLE OPEN FILES

If you have more than one file open, you may toggle through them by holding CTRL and pressing TAB

RECENTLY OPEN FILES

If you want to open a file that was recently used in SolidWorks, try pressing the "R" key to see a short list of those

Coordinates

By default:
- Origin = 0,0,0
- Front Plane = X,Y,0
- Right Plane = 0,Y,Z
- Top Plane = X,0,Z
Parametric sketches consist of points which have coordinates in 3D space and curves which have an associated equation
Luckily for you, you almost never have to acknowledge any of this…but it’s there in case you want to….